Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

January 7, 2010 

Climbing Out of the Pit 

Part 2 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry."  Psalm 40:1 (NIV)

Friend To Friend
At some point in life, we all will find ourselves in some kind of pit, the darkness settling around us like a paralyzing blanket of hopelessness.  That deep, dark pit may have many names, but easily becomes a prison from which escape seems impossible.  The journey out of that pit is a process of steps uniquely planned by your Father.     

Step One:  Wait for God.   


Step Two:  Cry out for help.

Many times, those who are imprisoned by darkness and depression look for help in the wrong places.  Let me share with you some of the right places to find help.

Turn to God

In Psalm 40:1 "cry" literally means "to summon."  What an amazing thought!  The God of the universe, the One who created the world and flung the stars into space, waits and listens for the voice of His children.  When they cry out, He comes to them just like a mother runs to her sick child, calling through the darkness of night.  God comes to us in many ways.


·         Reading His Word Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."


I lived in the book of Psalms during the two darkest years of my depression.  A friend had given me an instrumental tape of hymns.  Every day, I would plug in that tape, take the phone off of the hook and read psalm after psalm.  I found myself in the words that I read and took great comfort in the fact that God was totally aware of everything that I was feeling.



·         Talking with Him Peter 3:12 "For the Lord is watching his children, listening to their prayers."


The darkness called forth the most childlike prayer of my life.  Day after day, night after night, I poured out the questions I had always been afraid to ask, my deepest fears and greatest pain.  It was the most honest and powerful prayer of my life.  I began to fall in love with the One who created me in my mother's womb and set me apart for Himself.  When you spend time with Him, you will love Him and learn to know the sound of His voice above all others.

Turn to doctors and counselors


Proverbs 15: 22 "Plans go wrong with too few counselors; many counselors bring success."

Many people say that depression is only a spiritual problem and that there are only spiritual solutions.  I disagree.

There was a terrible storm.  The little girl was so frightened that she cried out in fear.  Her daddy came running, gathered her up in his arms and held her tightly.  He quietly explained that she had nothing to fear because God would take care of her.  The little girl thought for a moment and then replied, "I know God will take care of me and love me, but right now, Daddy, I want someone with skin on!"

We often need "someone with skin on" to help us climb out of that pit. One of those persons may be a physician.  I encourage anyone experiencing depression to get a physical as soon as possible. Depression is often a physical problem and may respond to medication.  In my case, the doctor prescribed medication that corrected a chemical imbalance he found.  The medication did not eliminate the depression.  It simply enabled me to have the strength and energy to deal with the issues that had led me to the pit.         

Good nutrition and regular exercise are also powerful tools in dealing with the darkness.  God has wonderfully created the human body to respond to healthy life habits. 

Christian counseling is another valuable weapon in the battle against depression.  God gave counselors their gifts to use for Him in ministry. He must have known that we would need them and the gift of healing they bring when balancing the psychological world with the healing power of a living God.  Somewhere in your world, God has stationed servants who are equipped and ready to help you.

Turn to your support team

Isaiah 42:3 "He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the dimly burning flame. He will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair."

A support team is essential for anyone in the pit of depression.  My team carried me when I couldn't take another step and loved me when I was unlovable, encouraging me when I felt like giving up. I would still be in the darkness today if it weren't for my family, my church and my friends.  God worked through them in my life.   They could see the dangers I was too weak to see and loaned me their energy when mine was gone.  They became a life line that kept me from drifting toward the brink of disaster.  Has it affected their opinion of me?  Absolutely!  It has shown them that I am just like them - not a Superwoman - and has given them permission to face their own weaknesses.  I know that some of you are thinking that there is absolutely no one who will sign up to be a member of your support team.  If you will cry out to God and honestly seek help, He will bring your helpers. 

Let's Pray
Father, I need Your help!  I turn to You first.  My heart cries out to You, asking for Your hand of deliverance and restoration to touch my life.  Please lead me to those You have equipped and chosen to help me during this dark time.  I don't see them, Lord, but I trust You to bring them.  Thank You for what You are already doing in the midst of this pit! 

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

·         Read one psalm every day. 

·         Pray, crying out for help from His hand, waiting on God and listening for His voice.

·         Where do you usually go for help?

·         What do the words "cry out to God" mean to you? 

·         What do you have to surrender, in order to cry out to Him?

More From the Girlfriends
For a long time, I let my pride keep me from asking for help.  Fortunately, those who loved me didn't wait for me to ask.  They simply jumped in when they saw a need - and found a way to meet that need.  If you are struggling with depression or the darkness of a pit, share your pain with someone who loves you.  Ask for help.  In doing so, you are inviting God to work through those people to bring you out of the darkness, into the light.  My story is much like yours and can be read in my book, Hope in the Midst of Depression.  Would you like to work through a bible study that will help?  Try Strength for the Storm, an E-Book bible study you can download and work through on your own, with a friend or in a small group. 

For more help, visit Mary's website to find free resources on how to deal with depression as well as the MP3 download or CD, Coming Out of the Dark.

The Word of God is your most powerful weapon against the darkness.  Get it into your life.  Read, study and memorize Scripture and allow God's powerful truths to be a mental, emotional and spiritual hedge of protection.  Need help?  Check out Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey, as she begins 2010 with the series, "Aim at Nothing ... And You Will Hit It!"  Learn how to set meaningful and powerful life goals. 

You can also connect with Mary on FaceBook!

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]

January 8, 2010 

Climbing Out of the Pit   

Part 3 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
"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 40:2-3 (NIV)

Friend To Friend
At some point in life, we all will find ourselves in some kind of pit, the darkness settling around us like a paralyzing blanket of hopelessness.  That deep, dark pit may have many names, but easily becomes a prison from which escape seems impossible.  The journey out is a process of steps uniquely planned by your Father.  He is the Guide for this step-by-step journey.   

Step One:      Wait for God. 

Step Two:      Cry out for help.

Step Three:   Count on God.

In this world, there are few certainties.  God is one.  His promises are true and we can wholly trust Him to keep His Word, to do exactly what He promises to do.  In the key passage today, we find an impressive set of promises.  God promises to free us - direct us - restore us - give us joy and invites us to join Him in Kingdom work.  Wow!  That is quite an impressive "to do list" when you are sitting at the bottom of an ugly pit, with the shattered pieces of your life scattered around you.  But God's ways are not our ways. 

In Romans 11:33, Paul writes "Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches, wisdom, and knowledge. How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods." (NIV)

God is drawn to brokenness.  What an amazing truth, that He turns first to the broken.  Psalm 40:1 says "He turned to me."  Notice it does not say that David, the author, turned to God.  I don't think that David could turn to God!  Knowing the desire of David's heart and understanding his weakness, God heard his cry and turned to David just like God will hear your cry and turn to you!

During the darkest hours, I questioned God continually.  I flung my anger at Him like a spear.  My heart and soul were filled with fear and confusion instead of faith and trust.  Yet, He never turned away from me.  He knew every tear that I cried.  Out of those tears and brokenness has come the most effective and powerful chapter of my life!  I am convinced that the more we are broken, the more we are used.  You can count on God.  You can credit His grace to your account!

Mercy is when we don't get what we deserve.

Justice is when we get what we do deserve.

Grace is when we get what we do not deserve.

We are trophies of God's grace and we can count on Him.

Step Four:  Be patient.

Psalm 40:1 "I waited patiently for the Lord."

In this verse, "patiently" literally means "without tiring" or "with perseverance".  Be patient with yourself.  Don't give up on you.  No one gets depressed overnight and no one conquers depression overnight.  It is a marathon, not a fifty yard dash!  On my journey, it took 45 years to hit rock bottom.  It has taken me four years to climb out ... this far.  I am still climbing!  We must be patient.  We must be willing to persevere.  Don't give up!  Just give in and allow God to take control.  He will turn that pit into an altar on which your broken spirit can be laid as a sweet sacrifice of praise.

Step Five:  Don't give up.

Philippians 1:6  "And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns."

God is at work!  The very fact that you are reading this devotion is proof that the Father has ordered your steps so that you can hear my story.  That may be because you are in a pit and you need help or maybe because someone you love is in that pit and you need to help them.  God wants you to experience restoration and then to be a vessel of restoration for others.

Years ago, in a large southeastern city, the great pianist, Paderewski, was scheduled to perform.  The city was alive with excitement and the day finally came.  In the crowd at the concert was a young mother clutching the hand of her small son.  Hoping to inspire him to practice, she had brought him to hear the master perform.  As they sat and waited for the concert to begin, she turned her head to look at the people as they filled the auditorium. The little boy saw his chance to escape.  He quietly slipped from his seat, walking down the aisle toward the stage.  Just as he reached the orchestra pit, a spotlight hit the grand piano and he gasped at the beauty of the instrument.  No one noticed the little boy as he slipped up the side stairs to the stage and climbed up on the piano stool.  No one noticed him at all, until he began to play "Chopsticks".  The concert hall fell silent.  Then people began to shout.  "Get him away from that piano!" Backstage, the Master heard the crowd and grabbing his coat, rushed to the little boy's side.  Without a word, he bent down and, placing his hands on either side of the boy's, began to compose a beautiful counter melody to "Chopsticks".  As they played together, he whispered in the little boy's ear, "Don't stop! Keep on!  Don't quit!"

Right now, right where you are, understand that your Father is standing beside you, with His arms wrapped around you.  Listen as He gently speaks, "Don't stop!  Keep on!  Don't quit!"

I know that the music of your darkened soul may be filled with chaos and dissonance, but even now, the Master is composing the "rest" of your song.  One day very soon, it will be a song of beauty and light! One day, you will come out of the dark!

Let's Pray
Oh God, right now I choose to wait on You, crying out for Your hand of mercy and love to deliver me from this pit of darkness.  I abandon myself to You and am counting on You to be my Redeemer and Friend.  Give me the courage to share my pain with others and ask for help.  Now, in the presence of my enemies of darkness and depression, I celebrate the victory.  Thank You, Father! 

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Memorize Psalm 40:1-3.  Accept these promises as a gift from God for every pit - past, present and future - in your life.  Ask yourself the following questions: 


·         What is the first step you should take in order to climb out of this pit?   

·         What do you need to leave behind or step over in order to take this first step?
 

Read Psalm 18:28.  What does it mean when it says that God is your lamp?  How does that change your perspective of life?   
Examine the deepest desires of your heart.  Do you really want to escape this pit of darkness?  Does the freedom frighten you?  Why? 

More From The Girlfriends
I am often asked if I no longer have to deal with depression.  Yes, I do.  I have asked God to take this struggle out of my life, but He has said "no."  Why?  I don't pretend to know all of the reasons, but I do know that my name, Mary, literally means "bitter, but when broken, sweet."  My battle with depression keeps me on my face before God, broken and crying out to God.  Anything that makes us cry out to God can be counted as a blessing.  If you need help in dealing with depression and the pain of the pit, visit my website to find free resources to encourage and equip you on your journey.  You can also email me at mary@marysoutherland.com. 

The Word of God is your most powerful weapon against the darkness.  Get it into your life.  Read, study and memorize Scripture and allow God's powerful truths to be a mental, emotional and spiritual hedge of protection.  Need help?  Check out Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey, as she begins 2010 with the series, "Aim at Nothing ... And You Will Hit It!"  Learn how to set meaningful and powerful life goals. 

You can also connect with Mary on FaceBook!

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]

January 11, 2010
The Three-Headed Monster Rears His Ugly Heads
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
2 Corinthians 3:4 (NIV) "Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God.  Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God."

Friend To Friend
The three-headed monster of inferiority, insecurity and inadequacy can paralyze a Christian into inactivity and leave him or her sitting on the bench during the game of life ... afraid to get into the game.  God's desire is to destroy the monster with the truth and render him impotent in our lives.  Satan's desire is to feed him with lies until he's big and strong.  Who are we going to believe?

Believing who we are in Christ destroys feelings of inferiority.  Believing where we are in Christ destroys feelings of insecurity.  Believing what we have in Christ destroys feelings of inadequacy.  What a transformation when a Christian believes the truth.  She experiences a confidence makeover!

I do not want you to think I am always victorious and never struggle with the three-headed monster.  He still rears his ugly head every now and then.  Let me give you one example.

It was my first large speaking engagement to about 450 women about thirteen years ago.  My topic was "Unshakable Confidence in Christ."  Two weeks before I was to speak to the group, I attended a luncheon.  Two ladies whom I did not know were sitting at my table, and they were talking about a speaker they had recently heard at the church where I would be speaking in a few weeks.

"He was the most powerful speaker I have ever heard," one said.

"I cried all the way through his testimony.  Just to think, he had to live with the fact that his son was an arsonist.  Oh how God has worked mightily in the family.  The pastor was so moved, he asked him to speak at the Sunday night service.  That is highly unusual.  I don't think we will ever have a speaker that good again."

On and on they sang the praises of this mighty man of God.  They used words like dynamic, powerful, electric, and eloquent. I never mentioned that I would be the speaker for their next meeting.  At that point, I wasn't so sure I would be.

As I listened to the ladies, my throat constricted, the tea sandwiches clung to the roof of my mouth, and my heart pounded wildly.  Then Satan, the gatekeeper for the three-headed monster, let him out.

"Who do you think you are, going to speak at this event?  Listen to the caliber of people they bring in.  This man came from all the way across the country.  You are coming from just across town.  What could you possibly have to say to help these women?  If I were you, I'd bow out now before you embarrass yourself." 

You know what? Even though I knew it was the enemy whispering in my ear, I started to believe him.  After all, what he was saying made a lot more sense than the "Who I am in Christ" statements taped on my refrigerator door.

After the luncheon, I decided to go by the church and purchase a tape of the previous speaker, just to see what I was going to be compared to.  I walked into the church, paid my $5.00, popped the tape in the console, and braced myself for the hour of power.


            Nothing happened. 

            I fast-forwarded the tape.   

            Nothing happened. 

            I flipped the tape over. 

            Nothing happened. 

The tape was blank. 

            At that moment, I did not hear the dynamic speaker on the tape, I heard God.

Sharon, you do not need to hear what my servant said to these people two weeks ago.  The tape is blank because I do not want you to compare yourself to anyone else.  It doesn't matter what he said.  I will give you a message for these ladies.  I can speak through a prophet, I can speak through a fisherman, and I can speak through a donkey.

I gave him a message and I have given you one as well.  Who are you "performing" for, my child, them or Me?  Do not compare yourself to anyone.  You are my child and I am asking you to speak to an audience of One. 

It was indeed an hour of power.  I didn't bother getting my money back for the defective tape.  It was exactly what I needed to hear.

So the next time Satan said to me, "Who do you think you are?" let me tell you what I said. "I am the light of the world.  I am the salt of the earth.  I am a child of God.  I am the bride of Christ.  I am a joint-heir with Christ.  I have the power of the Holy Spirit. I have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of Christ.  I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved."

Two weeks later I spoke with confidence, and God blessed us all.

Let's Pray
Dear God, I know that without You I am nothing but an empty vessel.  However, because of You, I am filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and have been blessed with every spiritual blessing!  I can be confident because of who I am as a child of the King.  I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me!

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
When is the last time you had a case of the "I can'ts? 

Where do you think those feelings of insecurity come from?

Do you believe that the power of God lives in you?

Do you think there is any incident in which God would say "I can't?"

I hope you answered no!  Look up these two verses and write them down.  Post them in a visible place and look at them every time your confidence begins to wane this week.

Luke 1:37

Genesis 18:14

If you are struggling with insecurity, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this devotion.  Visit my Facebook page and let's chat.  www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes

More From The Girlfriends
If you ever struggle with feelings of inferiority, insecurity, or inadequacy, then you'll want to study Sharon Jaynes' book Experience the Ultimate Makeover.  The message of this book will help you to see yourself as God sees you!

[Judy Harder]

January 12, 2010 

I Need Rest! 

Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place" (Mark 6:30-32, NIV).

Friend To Friend
I spin plates. Not real plates. Metaphorical plates. I spin lots of plates at the same time and I multi-task. This is both a blessing and a curse in my life. Sometimes my attention is divided in too many directions, leaving me harried ... while at other times, I'm energized by the amount of things I can get done in a small window of time.  Regardless, there just never seems to be enough hours in the day to get things done or enough hours in the night to give me complete rest.

Being a plate-spinning mom is a challenge. When my kids want me, they don't like to wait for me to spin three more plates before I answer them or give them my attention. When my daughter Kennedy was a toddler, she figured out a way to stop me mid-task, no matter what I was doing. She would place her chubby little hands on my cheeks, look me in the eye, and demand my full attention. Then she would deliver her message or question to me. I became her captive audience.

Just like Kennedy used to seek my attention, the Spirit of the Lord often speaks a similar message to my heart: "Don't forget about me, Gwen! I know you have a lot going on, but your attention should be mine. I love you. Come sit with me a while."

Life is busy. Each day we have activities, tasks and distractions that vie for our time and attention. If we aren't careful and deliberate, our relationship with God can suffer as a result. The Lord doesn't want to be an after-thought and He doesn't want to be penciled in to our schedules. He wants us to prioritize Him. Focus our hearts on Him. Worship Him. Be with Him. Rest in Him.

What are your priorities? Where does God fit into your schedule? How vital is it to you that you spend one-on-one time with God each day? Are you experiencing the supernatural rest that's found in His presence?

In Mark 6:30-32, we learn that Jesus and His apostles had been busy working for their heavenly Father. In fact, they had worked with such vigor that they hadn't even gotten a decent meal in their belly. (Boy, do I know what that's like!) In response, Jesus invited them to get away with Him so they could find some rest and rejuvenation in His presence. He said, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" (Mark 6:31, NIV). That same invitation is extended to you and me.

God wants you to pause the plate spinning and be His captive audience in this very moment. He wants you to go with Him to a quiet place: to be still, to gaze into His eyes, to worship Him in Spirit and in truth, to be lost in His glory, and found by His grace - to find rest.

I'd like you to imagine His strong yet gentle hands reaching for your cheeks, lifting your chin, and drawing your eyes to His. Fix your gaze on His beautiful, blazing, mercy-filled eyes. Give the Lord your full attention. He will be your rest.

I co-wrote a song called "Sacred Place" that is purposed to lead you to His presence.  After you pray the prayer below, please take a moment to listen to "Sacred Place" and personally respond to Him. 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO SACRED PLACE

Let's Pray
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for all of the times I fail to give You my attention. I shake my head at the very thought that You want to lock gazes with someone like me, yet Scripture clearly tells me that You desire to be sought after and found by me.  I'm here.  You have my full attention, please speak to my heart and help me to be Your captive audience throughout today and everyday.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Find a solitary place, grab your Bible and read Psalm 103. 
Write down your favorite verses from that chapter and journal about what they teach you.

More From The Girlfriends

Do you know that rest, the rest that comes from the heart of God and permeates every fiber of who you are...no matter what you are facing?  God desires for you to know His rest, for you to experience the fullness of His love and His peace. If your soul is in turmoil, lift your gaze to the Father.  Seek His heart. He will meet you at your need and sustain you one day at a time. Spend some sacred quiet time with Him today.

Gwen's song "Sacred Place" is featured on her live worship CD, UNSEARCHABLE.  CLICK HERE to order your copy!

Portions of today's devotion are found in Gwen's book, Broken Into Beautiful. God delights to transform lives...even yours! Experience how the unconditional love of Jesus can change your life and then stand back and watch the wonder of grace at work.

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]

January, 13 2010 

The Fear Factor 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Friend To Friend
The "Fear Factor" is not just a television show. Fear is a common factor of life in our world, a broken world filled with broken people who seem to live at the mercy of their fears.  We worry about things big and small, important things as well as silly things. We are often afraid of what might happen and then worry that other things will never happen.  Worry makes everything seem bigger than it really is. Worry is not only wasted energy, but consuming and unhealthy in every area of life. 

The story is told of a man hospitalized because of anxiety.  Day in and day out, the man continually pressed his ear up against the wall, listening intently.  When a nurse came by, stuck her head in the room and asked what he was doing, the patient responded with "Shh!" motioning her over.  The very patient nurse pressed her ear up against the wall and listened for a long time.  Finally, the nurse said, "I can't hear a thing!"  Alarmed, the man whispered, "I know.  It's been like that all day!"  Worry fits this world, but worry does not fit the picture of a victorious life in God. And nothing will rob you of joy quicker than worry.  God came so that we would not have to worry and yet we continue to do so. How do we win this battle with fear and worry?

In Philippians 4:4, the apostle Paul tells us to choose joy and to rejoice in God. In this verse, "rejoice" literally means to practice joy, to take delight in and to be glad. Life often makes it impossible to be happy.  Happiness is not what Paul is calling us to pursue because happiness is merely a cheap imitation of true joy. Joy is a deeply-rooted confidence that God is in control.  Paul's situation, when writing this letter, makes me wonder. After all, Paul was a prisoner, awaiting trial and almost certain execution, but he still tells us to rejoice. In other words, we can't always find joy in circumstances but we can always find joy in the Lord of those circumstances. You have probably heard that statement many times and thought it was just a tired old cliché when it is really a choice of perspective and a way of life. The tense of the verb "rejoice" translates to "keep on rejoicing" and is an ongoing command and calling to obedience. In John 15:10-11 we find the promise that obedience always begins with a choice and always ends in joy.

John 15:10-11 "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

We cannot avoid pain but we can avoid joy because joy is the harvest of a life that consistently pursues God and insists on seeking His truth, longing to obey that truth.  The pursuit of joy is a matter of choice and perspective. 

A little boy asked his friend, "Wouldn't you hate to wear glasses all the time?" "No," the other boy responded, "not if I had the kind of glasses that grandma wears.  She sees how to fix a lot of things.  Grandma sees lots of nice things on a rainy day.  She sees good that other people call bad and she always sees what you meant to do, even if you mess it up."  Noticing the puzzled look on his friend's face, the little boy continued, "I asked her one day how she could see that way all of the time and she said it was the way she learned to look at things.  So it must be her glasses." Choosing joy is choosing for God and against fear. 

Let's Pray
Father, I do not want to live this year at the mercy of fear. Right now, I surrender my heart and mind to You. Please give me a hunger and thirst for Your Word as I seek Your will for my life. When I am afraid, give me the strength to trust in You. When the darkness comes, show me Your Light. Help me to choose joy - even when I don't understand or like my circumstances. I want to be a woman of faith, God, and honor You by the peace that fills my life.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Fear and worry send people to counselors, psychologists, and ministers in droves.  I thank God for these gifted men and women.  Our Father knew we would need them. The store shelves are stocked with various supplements and vitamins that promise to calm anxiety and eliminate fear.  Entire television programs, books, magazine articles and even web sites are devoted to eliminating worry and fear. Fear and worry are destructive forces and the enemies of peace.

Would you describe yourself as a fearful person? 

Would family and friends label you as someone who tends to worry?

How does fear affect your daily life?

1. Physically: _______________________

2. Mentally: _________________________

3. Emotionally: ______________________

4. Spiritually: _______________________

Record your answers and thoughts in your journal.  Be sure to date your entry.

Read and memorize Psalm 27:3 "Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident."  Re-examine the consequences of fear and of worry in your life and hold each one up against the promise of this verse. 

Record changes, insights or new truths in your journal.  If you have never kept a journal, I encourage you to do so in 2010.

More From The Girlfriends
Fear is a familiar enemy in my life and has often been a paralyzing force. I have discovered that the Word of God is our most powerful weapon against fear.  Get the Bible into your life.  Read, study and memorize Scripture and allow God's powerful truths to be a mental, emotional and spiritual hedge of protection. 

Need help?  Check out Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey, as she begins 2010 with the series, "Aim at Nothing ... And You Will Hit It!"  Learn how to set meaningful and powerful life goals. 

Check out Mary's E-Book Bible Study, Getting a Grip on Fear. It is a great study for your personal quiet time as well as for a small group.   

You can also connect with Mary through e-mail or on FaceBook!

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]

January 14, 2010
Your New Identity
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth:
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

Friend To Friend
There's a game that I've played many times at conferences and retreats as an icebreaker activity.  Each person has the name of a famous or infamous person taped to her back.  The women in the room walk around giving each other clues about who they "are."  "You always put off worrying until tomorrow."  "You had so many children you didn't know what to do."  "You were the queen of soul."  The point of the game is to figure out your identity. Once you guess correctly, you take a seat.

As I watched the women play that game, I was struck with its similarity to real life. Many times we determine our identity, by what others tell us about ourselves. You are so smart. You are a loser. You are so pretty.  You could do anything you set your mind to.  You are so ugly.  You are so fat. After a while, those messages determine how we see ourselves, whether true or false.  It is only a mature person who realizes that just because a person perceives you a certain way, doesn't make that perception true.

One of the greatest blessings of becoming a Christian is receiving a new identity. In the Bible, when God touched and changed a person's life, many times He changed his or her name.  He said, "You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow" (Isaiah 62:2). Saul became Paul. Abram became Abraham.  Sarai became Sarah. Jacob became Israel. Simon became Peter.

Likewise, when we accept Christ, God gives us a new identity and a new name. If we want to know our true identity, we need only look in the mirror of God's Word to discover it. It may be different from what you've heard others say about you, but which do you think is more accurate?  Who do you think has a better perception of who you are, your Creator, or other creatures just like yourself?  If you are a Christian today, the following verses describe your new identity.

My Identity in Christ

Matthew 5:13               I am the salt of the earth.
Matthew 5:14               I am the light of the world.
John 1:12                    I am a child of God.
John 15:1,5                 I am part of the true vine, a channel (branch) of Christ's life.
John 15:15                  I am Christ's friend.
John 15:16                  I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit.
Romans 8:17              I am a joint-heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him.                                                             
I Corinthians 3:16        I am a temple of God.  His Spirit dwells in me.
I Corinthians 12:27      I am a member (part) of Christ's body.
2 Corinthians 5:17       I am a new creation.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation.
Ephesians 1:1             I am a saint.
Ephesians 1:3             I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places.
Ephesians 1:11           I am sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit who has been given as a pledge of my inheritance.
Ephesians 2:10           I am God's workmanship created in Christ to do His work that He planned beforehand that I should do.
Ephesians 4:24          I am righteous and holy.
That is a lot to put on a nametag, but that is your new identity.  Neil Anderson, in his book Victory over the Darkness notes, "The reason so many Christians are not enjoying the maturity and freedom which is their inheritance in Christ is because they hold wrong self-perceptions.  They don't see themselves as they really are in Christ.  They don't understand the dramatic change which occurred in them the moment they trusted in Him.  They don't see themselves the way God sees them, and to that degree they suffer from a poor self-image.  They don't grasp their true identity." 

In that paragraph, Dr. Anderson described me perfectly.  For the first twenty years of my Christian walk, I had no idea who I was, what I had, or where I was in Christ.  As God opened my eyes to the truth, I realized that how I saw me and how God saw me were in stark contrast to one another.  I came to a crisis of belief...who was I going to believe?  And that, dear friend, is the same question you need to ask yourself.

Let's Pray
Dear God, I thank You that I am a new creation in Christ.  I admit that sometimes I feel just like the old me and act like the old me, but I believe by faith that I am brand new.  Thank You that my identity is based on my position in Christ rather than my performance on earth.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Do have any labels from your past that are in conflict with what the Bible tells you about who you are as a child of God?

Look at the above verses.  Do have a difficult time believing the truth about who you are?

Now here's the big question. Are you going to believe what others have told you in the past or are you going to believe God?

Now, go back up to the list of verses again and read them to yourself aloud.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's devotion. Is this something that you have struggled with in your Christian walk?  Let's talk... http://www.sharonjaynes.com/blog or www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes.

More From The Girlfriends
Someone once told me that faith is believing that God tells the truth.  But many of us don't know the truth about who we are in Christ, what we have in Christ, and where we are in Christ.  If you would like to learn more about your true identity as a child of God, read Becoming Spiritually Beautiful - Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes by Sharon Jaynes.  Also, on Sharon's books and resource page, you can find a laminated card of verses about your true identity in Christ to tuck in your Bible for quick reference!

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]

January 15, 2010 

Expectations 

Angela L. Craig 

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

Today's Truth
Isaiah 55:8 (NIV) "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD."

Friend To Friend
Has life turned out at all like you expected? What about the last year? Okay, what about the last week? If you are human, you are probably laughing by now because no matter how much planning we do, life never seems to turn out exactly like we planned.

Personally, being somewhat of a perfectionist, I get a little defensive when things do not go according to my plan and the natural thing to do when I am feeling defensive is to blame someone. So who do I blame? I go right to the top. I don't settle for any small potatoes like my husband, parents, or politicians. I just complain directly to God.

I don't think I am the first person to blame God for unexpected life events. In the Bible, it seems that God takes responsibility for many things that the people of ancient times were not happy about - floods, barrenness, death, plagues, and much more. But could you imagine that their unexpected loss would eventually become a gift of mercy, forgiveness, restoration, and grace from a God that loved them?

Let me illustrate. Have you had a toddler in your home? I recently had my one-year-old nephew, Christopher Paul Jr., over for a visit. My boys are older and it did not take me long to realize that my home is far from baby-proofed. My full-time job immediately became the task of following Jr. around to make sure he went home the same way he arrived ... uninjured and happy!

You can probably guess what his favorite game was. Remember the "Watch Me Climb the Stairs" game? With all the confidence in the world, my nephew would climb five or six stairs and then turn and grin at me as if to say, "I have totally got this down, Aunty.  You have nothing to worry about." And like any good Aunty who did not want her nephew to fall down, I would take him off the stairs and redirect him to a safer path on which to play.

Sometimes we are much like Jr.  As we confidently climb various "stairs" in life and follow our own plans, God lovingly redirects us to another path. He knows that if we were allowed to climb to the top, we would turn around and fall to the bottom. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

When you give your life over to Christ, God will always keep and fulfill the promises He has for your life. Talk about great expectations!

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that no matter how stubborn I am, You will re-direct me when I am on the wrong path. Let my focus be on You and not on myself and my plans. Change me so that I trust You. Increase my faith so that I always follow You and only You. Thank You for loving me enough to gently guide me to a new path went I stray.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn 


1) Has God ever taken you off the stairs and re-directed your path? 


2) Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." So often we want God to prosper us but we don't want to change our ways to align them with the Word of God. What is one thing in your life that you know needs changing? 


3) Change begins when you commit to obedience and ask someone else to hold you accountable for that change. Change the change you want to make with someone you trust.  And remember that we are here for you - Girlfriends in God. Go for it! We believe in you!

More From The Girlfriends
Life is filled with uncertainty. Circumstances can change in a heartbeat. However, God never changes and is faithful to meet the needs of His children.  One of those needs is others.  We are committed to walking with you through the certain and uncertain times of your life. 

Visit our website at www.girlfriendsingod.com to connect with us and to find resources that will strengthen you for your journey. 

Need prayer?  E-mail us! Our team of prayer warriors is standing by, ready to pray with you and for you.  Blessings!

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]

January 18, 2010
Cheap Nails 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he (she) is a new creation, the old is gone, and the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Friend To Friend
One of the greatest philosophers of all time is Charlie Brown, the little round-headed kid in Charles Schulz's Peanuts cartoon.  But even Charlie Brown has his problems.  One day he was visiting his psychiatrist, Lucy.  Lucy sat pensively behind her makeshift booth that resembled a lemonade stand.  Her shingle read - Psychiatric Help 5 cents.

Frame one: Lucy says to Charlie Brown, "Your life is like a house..."

Frame tw "You want your house to have a solid foundation, don't you?"

Frame three: "Of course you do..."

Frame four: "So don't build your house on the sand, Charlie Brown..."

Frame five: A strong wind blows, knocking Lucy off her chair and the booth into a heap on the ground.

Frame six: "or use cheap nails."

I see many women today who have started building their spiritual houses on the solid rock of Jesus Christ, but then proceed to build on that foundation with the cheap nails of outward appearance, performance, possessions, power, and the praises of others.  Alas, when the strong winds of adversity begin to blow, just like Lucy's makeshift psychiatric booth, we fall apart.

In second Corinthians 3:10-15, Paul talks about two types of building materials.  One type is wood, hay, and stubble.  These are what man produces.  He plants and he reaps.  They are very temporary and can be burned up or lost in a moment.  The other type of building material is gold, silver, and precious stones.  These are what God has created, but we just have to discover - sometimes requiring digging through mountains of dirt.

The culture's outward beauty ideas are very temporary ... wood, hay, and stubble.   But the principles found in God's Word are eternal with everlasting results.  We can try the beauty tips in the magazines, but true beauty occurs when we sit in God's spa and let Him perform a miracle.

Women love the idea of a day at the spa.  After all, Queen Esther in the Bible stayed in a spa for an entire year before she claimed her title of Mrs. Xerxes.  Her beauty regimen included six months with oils of myrrh and six months with perfumes and cosmetics (Esther 2:12).  Not only that, she was assigned seven maids to take care of her every need.  Now that sounds like a spa package worth looking into!

Let's face it, women want to be beautiful.  However, many fail to realize that true beauty begins on the inside and works its way out. But how do you become beautiful on the inside?  You will not discover the secret in magazines, talk shows, or reality TV.  Inner beauty is the result of God's transforming power in the heart of a willing soul.  He doesn't simply cover up our flaws; He miraculously starts from scratch and makes us new.  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, (she) is a new creation," Paul wrote, "the old is gone, and the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The best beauty treatment is spending time with the makeover artist Himself ... Jesus.   God's spa is always open and the price has already been paid. So what are we waiting for!  I'll see you there.

Let's Pray
Dear God, I thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Lord, I pray that You will make me spiritually beautiful.  I thank You that I am a new creation in Christ.  Help me to walk in that truth today and wear that heavenly glow that only comes by spending time with You.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Do you have any "cheap nails" in your life?  If so, what are they?

Have you ever gone through a struggle and seen those "cheap nails" give way under the pressure?

What do you think it means to be a "new creation?"

Write today's truth on an index card and memorize it.

I always like to hear what my girlfriends in God are thinking.  Let's talk about cheap nails and come up with a list.  Visit my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes and let's share our ideas.

More From The Girlfriends
Every woman loves the thought of a day at the spa.  If you'd like to learn more about becoming spiritually beautiful, see Becoming Spiritually Beautiful - Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes. (This book by Sharon Jaynes was previously titled Experience the Ultimate Makeover).

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]

January 19, 2010 

What Really Matters 

Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33, NIV).

Friend To Friend
Far too often I seek God's blessings instead of seeking God. I seek His hand instead of His heart. Like a child with a long Christmas list, at times I run to my heavenly Father as if He's a celestial Wal-Mart purposed to satisfy my every want. Instead of leaning in to hear the whispered will of the Lord, I selfishly shout my will. My desires. My demands. I'd rather have relief from life-pressures than gain the strength to endure them and the lessons I'm intended to learn from them. When I'm desperate to fill my over-sized heart-cart with things that I think I need, I rob myself of what really matters: the pursuit of God and the blessings found in Him alone.

Why do we desire God's intervention in our lives more than His presence? Why do we think that we know what we need? It's so arrogant of us to tell God how to be God. Isn't that what we do when we stomp our feet before His throne and whine about all of the things that need fixing instead of praising Him for the strength He graciously gives us to endure? While we're certainly encouraged by Scripture to make our requests known to the Father (Philippians 4:6), the highest calling on our lives is to love God with all of our hearts, souls, bodies and minds (Matthew 22:37). What really matters is seeking God first.

God knew we would struggle with this truth. His Word promises that when we chase His heart, we can relax. Our needs will be met because He loves us.

"And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'what will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today" (Matthew 6:30-34, NLT).

The Message version of the Bible says it like this:

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, and God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes" (Matthew 6:30-34, MSG).

Set your list of wants aside today and seek God. Go before Him with a heart of worship and adoration. Get lost in His presence. Remember His mercy. Relish His grace. Love Him. Seek Him. Put first things first.

God loves us so much. His plan is perfect and His ways are mysterious. He knows our needs and He knows our desires. When we remember what really matters we can rest in the knowledge that He's working on our behalf, and in our best interest, to bring glory to Himself through our lives.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, You are all I need. Please forgive me for the times when I seek Your blessings before I seek Your heart. Help me to trust Your plan and rest in Your grace.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
How has God met your needs in the past? Do you trust that He is able to meet them today?

He's not just concerned with your needs - God also cares about your heart matters. Read, meditate on and memorize this verse: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4, ESV).

More From The Girlfriends
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). Please know that today's devotion is not suggesting that we shouldn't go to God with our burdens. We must! But God wants your love before your list.

NEED HEALING for some heart wounds?  Order Gwen's book, Broken Into Beautiful today.

LOVE TO WORSHIP? Download Gwen's live worship CD, Unsearchable, from iTunes, or order the CD from the store on her website.

If you don't have the resources to invest in your worship library right now, listen to some of Gwen's music FREE on her MUSIC FACEBOOK PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic. Go ahead! Visit her on facebook today and leave a message on her wall. (She loves that!) :-)

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]

January 20, 2010
Rotten Apple
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"And let not your adornment be merely external-braiding  hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:3-4 NASB).

Friend To Friend
There is nothing worse than purchasing a beautiful, highly polished red delicious apple, and biting into it only to find it mealy and mushy on the inside.  Well, maybe there is something worse - a physically beautiful woman who is rotten to the core. Solomon says that's like putting a "gold ring in a pig's snout."  What a waste.

Becky experienced this first hand when she was nineteen-years-old.  She was performing as a runway model at her hometown department store.  She was 5'2 and 100 pounds, just the perfect size to model apparel from the petite department. But she had always longed to be tall and slender like the runway models from the big cities. On one occasion, the management of the store where Becky worked flew in a New York model to add to the excitement of a fashion show event. Becky was thrilled to watch as professionals paraded up and down the runway with poise and elegance.

Becky explained, "I can remember standing behind a rack of clothes and peering admiringly as the 5'8" sleek blond glided up and down the runway with the grace and poise of a queen. 'Oh God,' I prayed, 'How I wish I could be like her.'"

After the fashion show was over Becky was gathering her belongings from backstage when she overhead the model in a fit of rage.

"I don't even know what happened," Becky said.  "All I know is that this beautiful woman, who I had so admired, almost worshipped, was spewing the filthiest language I had ever heard and slinging clothes and shoes all around the room.  I ran out of the store and cried all the way home.  Disappointment and disillusionment filled my heart. 'Oh God,' I prayed once again, 'Please don't ever let me be like her.'"

Becky had learned a valuable lesson about true beauty. As someone once said, "Often behind silken apparel lies a threadbare soul." 

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Please don't ever let me be a shiny apple that is rotten on the inside. I know that no amount of makeup or fancy clothes can truly hide what's on the inside. It always comes out sooner or later.  Help me to be the type of woman that is known for inner qualities that reflect Your beauty.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Make a list of women you admire.  Now write down what it is that you admire about them?

What do you want people to admire about you?  Your clothes?  Your hair?  Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control? (Check out Galatians 5:22 to see where these qualities come from.)

Now, which are you spending more time on cultivating - inner or outer beauty?

Let's talk about it.  Let me know what you think. Visit www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes and tell me why you think we spend so much time on the outside and so little on the inside.

More From The Girlfriends
Would you like to learn more about how to become spiritually beautiful?  It all starts by spending time in God's spa.  You can find out more in Becoming Spiritually Beautiful - Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes. (This book by Sharon Jaynes was previously titled Experience the Ultimate Makeover). It comes with a Bible study guide for that extra special glow!

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