Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

March 5, 2010 

What Difference Do I Make? 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this; that one lay down his life for his friends" (NIV).

Friend To Friend
A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.

One night, the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but since the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light for practice. The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board, arms extended outward.  It was then that he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body was in the shape of a cross. The man felt as if someone was speaking to him.  The words of his Christian friend filled his mind. In his heart, he suddenly realized the truth.  Instead of diving, he knelt down and finally asked God to come into his life.  As the young transformed diver stood to his feet, a maintenance man walked in and turned on the lights. The pool had been drained for repairs.

I often wonder how many desperate people cross my path each day; people who are one step away from certain destruction; people whose very life direction can be changed by the Light of God in and through my interaction with them.

If you are like me, every day is crammed full of tasks, errands, deadlines, demands and activities.  I run headlong through each twenty-four hours from the minute my feet hit the floor until I crawl into bed each night.  It is in those quiet moments before sleep that I hear Him ask, "Did you make a difference today? Is someone closer to the Light because you told them about what I have done in your life? Did you recognize that "intruder" or "interruption" as a divine appointment from Me instead of an inconvenience? Does what you did today really matter?"

Sadly, I have to confess that many times I miss opportunities to participate in eternal business because I am so focused on earthly business. My agenda becomes my god and time management my idol.  I could have been "God with skin on" to the frustrated cashier at the grocery store instead of brushing her aside because I was in a hurry to do something I deemed more important. I could have blessed the friend who called, needing an encouraging word instead of preaching an unsolicited sermon in the name of compassion.  I could have taken a few more minutes to listen when the elderly man struck up a conversation with me at the gas pump instead of walking away, leaving him just as lonely as he was when we met. 

Jesus would have done things differently. With every breath, He was aware of the hurting and wounded, pursuing the broken people instead of avoiding them. Jesus carefully and deliberately invested every moment of His time on earth.  And there has never been a life that made such a difference or mattered so much!

I want my life to really count, don't you?  We are never more like God than when we are reaching out in love to meet a need, comfort a broken heart, encourage a weary soul or challenge the darkness with His Light!  On your journey today, look for those desperate ones who need you to be God with skin on!

Let's Pray
Father God, I confess to You that I am often too busy to hear Your voice or determine Your direction for my life.  Please forgive me for being self-centered.  Help me to see those who cross my path like You see them. Help me to love them with your love, drawing them from the darkness into the Light. 

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

What keeps you from recognizing the need in others and then reaching out to meet that need? 

Think back to a time when someone reached out to you. What was your response?  How did their action change your life?

What difference can an awareness of hurting people make in your daily walk?   

Identify one person in need today and look for a specific and timely way to meet that need.

More From The Girlfriends
I know this truth is hard to put into action.  It is so much easier to just close our eyes to a need ... turn away from hurting people ... and grieve the heart of God.  I challenge you to step out in faith and allow God to work in and through you! 

Looking for encouragement?  My first DVD is now available! Check it out!  Strength for the Storm is my story of God's power to turn a broken life into a trophy of His grace and restoration. It will encourage and equip you to face and discover the purpose of each storm in your life. 

Visit my website at www.marysoutherland.com to enroll in my weekly online bible study, Light for the Journey. The current lesson topic is "Love That Never Fails." Be sure to check out my book, "Escaping the Stress Trap" for more ways to face those storms.

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]

March 8, 2010 

Don't Scratch That Itch! 

Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed" (James 1:13-14 NIV).

Friend To Friend
I once woke up with a spider bite that was the size of a quarter. It may as well have been the size of North Carolina for as much as it itched! I was half-tempted to scratch off my arm. That nasty bite was just begging to be scratched. However, I have learned a thing or two in my thirty-something years, and one thing I know for sure: it is best not to scratch this type of itch. 

It would be like opening a bag of chips with the naive intention of eating only one (yeah, right!) I knew that if I started scratching my bug bite, it would be nearly impossible to stop.  I would regret having ever started.

Super-itchy bug bites are a lot like temptations. Temptations are itchy! The call on us with urgent voices that scream, "Scratch me!  Scratch me!"  Yet, in all reality, a little scratch will not satisfy temptation's itch at all...it will just make matters worse. When we scratch the itch of temptation, the itch does not diminish. To the contrary, it increases.

The Bible teaches us that when we resist temptation, our faith is then mobilized and the muscles of our character are strengthened. Let's look at what that looked like for a guy named Joseph. (For the full account, pause here and read Genesis 39.)

Joseph was a man of integrity who did right in the eyes of the Lord, but he definitely faced some temptation! He was seduced by temptation in the form of his master's wife, Mrs. Potiphar. You see, Mrs. Potiphar wanted her husband's right-hand man to sleep with her, and she pursued him with aggression. Hers was a hand-delivered invitation for Joseph to sin that had itchy written all over it.  But he flat-out refused. His heart was determined to honor God.

"My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife.  How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" Though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her (Genesis 39:9-10).

Temptation chased Joseph relentlessly. Oh, how he must have longed for the itching to stop! To give in would be sinful. To give in was simply not an option for this young man of character. So on the day that Potiphar's wife caught him by the cloak and begged again for Joseph to sleep with her, Joseph ran out of the house. He ran from that tempting situation as fast as his legs would carry him.

God was honored in Joseph's response. 

He ran from temptation. 

We would be wise to do the same.

What do you need to run from today? Have you determined in your heart to honor God in everything? Temptation comes in all shapes and sizes.  It might be calling your name from your pantry - or from your computer - or from a bottle - or from another cubicle in your office.  What temptations do you face today?  Name them and run the other way! Don't scratch that itch! Determine in your heart that you will choose the path that brings honor to God, and call on Him for strength.

I realize that dealing with temptation is not easy. When that nasty spider bit my arm, I struggled not to scratch the bite. I had to re-direct my thinking to persevere through the temptation. When we come face to face with temptations, God's strength is always available to us. We need God's strength. Ours will fail us. Friend, when we resist temptation, we get to experience the peace and protection of God, our faith is mobilized and the muscles of our character are strengthened.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, I need You so much. I constantly find myself being dragged away and enticed by temptation. Please give me strength to run the other way, and give me the wisdom to run to Your arms. I really want to be a woman of godly character. Help me be that woman! 
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Contemplate the following questions:  What have you been dragged away and enticed by in the past?  How did you respond?  How have you grown from those experiences? 

Though our sovereign God allows trials to enter our lives, He does not ever tempt us.  (James 1) Tuck that truth in your heart today, and the next time you experience a temptation - great or small - recognize that the enemy is behind the allure.  Then tell him to get behind you and pray that Jesus will re-direct your thinking.

More From The Girlfriends
I wish my temptations were always as simple as the itch of a pesky little bug bite!  But, of course, they are not.  Each of us will encounter some real whoppers in our lives. James chapter one tells us that when we persevere through trials and temptations, one rewards is maturity. That really encourages me!  I hope it encourages you as well.

NEED ENCOURAGEMENT? Allow this prayer song to lift your heart to God's. Turn your speakers up, click over to my Face book page, and listen to TAKE MY HEART CAPTIVE.

LIKE SAVING MONEY? Check out the SPECIALS on Gwen's website!  When you order more than one CD, you save!! :-)

EVENTS: Interested in having Gwen speak and sing at your women's event? Send your Women's Ministry Director to Gwen's website (http://www.gwensmith.net/) and fill out the booking inquiry form found on her site.

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]

March 9, 2010

The Title Deed

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).

Friend To Friend
Hebrews 11:1 gives us a wonderful definition of faith: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." The NIV Bible Commentary says, "It is that trust in God that enables believers to press on steadfastly whatever the future holds for them. They know they can rely on God." Neil Anderson, in his book, The Common Made Holy said faith is the "avenue through which God invades our lives."

In the Greek, the original language of the New Testament, the word faith is pistis, which means assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. So when we say that we believe God, we are saying that we have faith in God.

Another Bible translation of Hebrews 11:1 notes, "Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title-deed) of things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality--faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses" (Amplified).     

I love the idea of a "title-deed." That means when Satan comes snooping around and accusing us of being anything less than what God has declared, we need to show him the title deed, the Word of God, to prove him a liar. We have been bought with a price and stamped with the official seal - the Holy Spirit. 

When we built our home, we were blessed with a big backyard that served as playground, shaded flower garden, and gazebo refuge for many years. Our neighborhood's border was about 150 feet from our backdoor. We didn't have a fence along the border ... didn't think we needed one.

The Smiths (not their real name) had lived in their home about fourteen years before we came along. Previously, Mrs. Smith had cleared and used about a third of our lot as her own. She had planted a nice ivy bed, hung flower baskets under the trees, and even had a sitting area under a big oak tree. When we bought the property, Mrs. Smith was furious that we were encroaching on her annex. But in truth, the land was not hers. The surveyors marked out the property line before we bought the lot, and even though our back boundary ran smack down the middle of her driveway, we didn't insist that they move it.

But over the following five years, the boundary line grew a bit fuzzy for Mrs. Smith. Gradually, she began to inch her way back into our yard, acting as though it were her own. At first, it was trimming the bushes along the back border, and then it was pulling up and thinning the ivy some ten feet within our yard. But when we drove up and saw her on a ladder trimming the lower branches off our trees, we knew it had to stop.

"Mrs. Smith," Steve said, "What are you doing?"

"I'm trimming the trees," she said.

"We don't want our trees trimmed," Steve said.

"Well, they need trimming." Then the dam broke loose and the deluge of hatred held back over five years burst forth.

"You didn't plant that ivy! You didn't plant those bushes! You didn't plant these trees!" she yelled. "I planted them and I can trim them if I want to."

"No, you can't," Steve calmly replied. "This isn't your yard. You can't come over here and act like it is."

"You're just selfish," she continued to rant. "What about 'love your neighbor as yourself!'" (She did not attend church, but knew this verse well.)

Honestly, Steve and I were exasperated after seven years of a battle that continued to escalate. Finally, we did what we should have done in the first place. We put up a fence.

See, in Mrs. Smith's mind, she would not accept the fact that the property was not hers. She had used it for so long, and had even called a lawyer to try to claim squatter's rights like in the Old West. It was not hers ... it never had been. She was actually breaking the law.

Why do I tell you this story? Because there is someone who would like to come into your territory and pretend that it is his. Before you knew Jesus Christ, Satan used you and pretended that you were all his. He planted thoughts in your mind, sinful acts in your will, and insecurities in your emotions. But God came along and chose you to be His prized possession ... His personal property. He paid a very high price for you when He gave His only Son.  And honestly, Satan was not and is not happy about that; as-a-matter-of-fact, he is furious.

Satan knows where the boundary line around your heart lies, but just like Mrs. Smith, he will attempt to creep back into your yard. He plants a little thought here, a little temptation there, and the next thing you know he's standing on a ladder trimming your trees! Well, maybe not your trees, but he's lopping off areas of growth in your life and whacking at anything within his reach. He might even throw out a few Bible verses taken out of context.

So what do you do when you see the enemy creeping back onto your conquered and purchased territory? What do you do if he tries to claim squatter's rights? You show him the title deed. 

"Right here, Satan," you shout. "Right here in the Word of God it says that I have been bought with a price! I am no longer your property! I am God's! You have no right messing in my yard or in my life. You get out of here this instant!  See that fence? That is there to keep you out. The Bible says that my boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places and they don't include you in my territory (Psalm 16:6).  Jesus owns the title deed to my heart and you have no right messing with me!  You got that?  Now get out of here in Jesus' name!"

Let's Pray
Dear God, I feel all pumped up right now. I'm not going to let Satan take back any of the territory in my life that You have already purchased!  The title deed is signed with Jesus' blood and sealed with the Holy Spirit's imprint. I'm Yours!

In Jesus' powerful Name,

Amen and Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Are there any parts of your life where you have let the enemy creep back in? Here are some areas to consider: bad TV or movie viewing, bad language, impure thoughts, overeating, negative attitudes, overspending, lack of faith, worry over circumstances, neglecting your marriage, confused priorities...

I'm not going to ask us to ponder anything else today. I think that is enough. Ask God to reveal any area that you need to take back.

More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Becoming Spiritually Beautiful: Seeing Yourself from God's Perspective.  If you would like to learn more about who you are in Christ, what you have in Christ, and where you are in Christ, this is the book for you! To learn more, read an excerpt, or watch an interview, just click on the link.

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]

March 10, 2010 

The Power of Being Weak 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
"God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong" (1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV).

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

The same is true in our lives. We were created by God, according to His plan, in love and with purpose, weaknesses and all. "God in heaven appoints each person's work" (John 3:27 NLT).  We tend to view our weaknesses as liabilities. However, since our worth doesn't depend upon us in any way, we can and must be honest about our weaknesses, knowing they don't diminish our value in the heart and mind of God but can, in fact, become the areas through which He does His greatest work. Instead, we try to ignore weaknesses, hoping no one will notice. We live in denial, assigning blame to others when we fail. Eventually, we attempt to bury our weaknesses only to find them resurrecting themselves when we least expect it. A powerful life embraces pain, brokenness and weakness and understands that perfection is for Heaven, not Earth. The words of Paul are profound, "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong" (1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV).

I love the bible story of Gideon, because I can relate to his way of thinking. Gideon is a great example of someone who used his weaknesses as an excuse for disobedience. Gideon's act of threshing wheat in a winepress reflected both his fear of discovery by his enemies, the Midianites, as well as Gideon's small harvest. Normally, wheat was threshed in an open area on a threshing floor by oxen pulling threshing sledges over the stalks. Gideon complained about God's direction, "My clan is the weakest ... and I am the least." I would probably have said something similar since the Midianites were nomadic invaders of great number and formidable strength. God wanted Gideon to defeat them, freeing the Israelites. Gideon's response was so human and so like our own when God calls us to do something that makes little sense and seems impossible. 

God's commitment to Gideon reaffirmed His presence with Gideon and the ease with which Gideon would defeat the Midianites. In fact, God told Gideon that he would defeat his enemy "as if they were but one man".  I love it! Here was Gideon, probably the last man anyone would choose to face the Midianites, and God is telling him the victory will be so easy it will seem like he is facing one man instead of an army of fierce invaders. Even then, Gideon's attitude was lousy. I can almost hear him whining as he blamed God for getting the Israelites into their current mess and voicing major doubts about God's willingness or even His desire to save them. Still, God said Gideon was the man for the job. 

When we are honest about our weaknesses, we are conceding the fact that only God can accomplish anything good in or through us. God's power is instantly recognizable in obvious weakness. Just like God was with the flawed Gideon, He is with us. "God has promised, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV).

Let's Pray
Father, I have to confess that I tend to depend on my strengths while trying to hide my weaknesses. Please help me to be real and honest when it comes to who I am in You. Help me celebrate the weaknesses that keep me on my face before You and in total dependence upon Your strength and power. Without You, I am nothing, Lord. But with You, anything is possible. 

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn 

·     Make a list of your top three weaknesses as you see them. 

·     What have you done in an attempt to cover up those weaknesses? Has it worked? 

·     What do you think would happen if you began to view those weaknesses as opportunities for God's strength to be illustrated in your life? 

·     Choose one of the three weaknesses you listed above. Right now, thank God for His willingness to work through that weakness to illustrate His power and love.

More From The Girlfriends
I hate to admit failure or weakness, but looking back over my life, I can see how God has used those dark times and failures for my good. Romans 8:28 tells us that God will use everything for His good if we love Him and seek to obey Him. Do not be afraid to recognize your human frailty and celebrate the fact that God's grace covers it all. The CD, Getting Good at Being You, can help you understand and apply this powerful truth in your life. Check it out!

Looking for encouragement? My first DVD is now available! Check it out!  Strength for the Storm is my story of God's power to turn a broken life into a trophy of His grace and restoration. It will encourage and equip you to face and discover the purpose of each storm in your life. 

Visit my website at www.marysoutherland.com to enroll in my weekly online bible study, Light for the Journey. The current lesson topic is "Love That Never Fails." Be sure to check out my book, "Escaping the Stress Trap" for more ways to face those storms.

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]

March 11, 2010 

The Great I AM 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Then God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you'" (Exodus 3:14 NIV).

Friend To Friend
One day, I was talking to a friend of mine on the phone. Her four-year-old daughter, Hope, who was supposed to be taking a nap, came walking in the room.

"What are you doing out of bed, young lady," Lysa asked.

"I'm having my quiet time," she responded matter-of-factly.

Hope plopped down on the couch with her "Bible" - the Sears Catalog.

Unfortunately, many view God as someone up in heaven Who doles out the goodies and see prayer as a time to place an order. But He is so much more.

A.W. Tozer wrote, "Nothing twists and deforms the soul more than a low or unworthy conception of God." Our concept of God, our understanding of who He is and what He does, is of crucial importance. Inaccurate and unbiblical thoughts about God can block His power in our lives. 

In the Old Testament, there are many names of God that describe His character: He is Elohim-the Creator, El Elyon-God Most High, El Roi- the God who sees, El Shaddai- the All-Sufficient One, Adonai- the Lord, Jehovah- the Self-Existent One, Jehovah-Jireh- the Lord will Provide, Jehovah-Rapha-the Lord who Heals.

When someone in the Old Testament had an encounter with God and learned something new about His character, that person often gave God a new name.  Likewise, when we encounter God in our everyday lives, we will learn new and exciting aspects of His character. However, our perception of God should never be based on our experiences alone. God has given us the Bible to reveal His nature. Through that revelation, God releases His power in our lives - power that renews our minds and in turn, affects our actions and emotions.

Of all the names of God mentioned in the Bible, the one that is the most powerful is I AM.  Moses asked God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' then what shall I tell them?"   

God answered, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you" (Exodus 3:13-14.)  That name is so powerful that when Jesus answered the questioning Roman soldiers who were coming to arrest Him with the same answer, they fell over backwards (John 18:5).  Whatever you need, dear friend, God is.

Oswald Chambers once said, "We act like pagans in a crisis - only one out of an entire crowd is daring enough to invest faith in the character of God." How about you? Do you trust in the Great I AM today?

Let's Pray
Dear God, You are the great I AM, and because of who You are, everything is as it should be.  You always have been and You always will be. You had no predecessor and You'll have no successor. There was nobody before You and there will be nobody after You.  You are indescribable, incomprehensible, invincible, and irresistible. You are The Great I Am.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Can you think of anything you need today that God cannot provide?

Today, make a list of all the names of God you can think of.  I would love to hear them.  Let's share our answers on my Facebook page. www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes  And while you're there, make sure to sign up so you can visit with other Girlfriends in God.

More From The Girlfriends
Need a faith lift?  Perhaps you just need to get a better handle on Who God is.  If so, come to God's Spa in the pages of Becoming Spiritually Beautiful to discover that inner glow only He can give.

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]

March 12, 2010 

Time to Turn Around 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Ephesians 1:7 (NLT) "He (God) is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven." 

Friend To Friend
Several years ago, an interesting cartoon appeared in the Saturday Review of Literature. Little George Washington is standing with an ax in his hand. In front of him, lying on the ground is the famous cherry tree. He has already made his smug admission that he did it because, after all, he "could not tell a lie." However, his frustrated father is standing there saying, "All right, so you admit it! You always admit it! The question is when are you going to stop doing it?"

That really is the question we need to be asking ourselves. We often soothe our bothered conscience with admissions of sin, presenting them to the Father in obedience to the spiritual principle that we must confess our sin. One element of true confession goes a step farther, resulting in a changed lifestyle and behavior. It is called repentance. I once associated the command to repent with old-fashioned gospel meetings and screaming preachers on television. In reality, repentance is the very cornerstone of genuine forgiveness and gives credibility to the very act of confessing sin. To repent simply means to "turn away from."  When we choose to turn from our sin and turn to God and His ways, we are practicing true repentance.

The Gospel of Luke tells the story of a prostitute who came to Jesus Christ seeking forgiveness.  Her story is a beautiful illustration of authentic repentance, the result of her unabashed willingness to abandon her sin and seek God's forgiveness.

Luke 7:38 "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."

Notice that this woman stood behind Jesus like a "caught" child ashamed to look her Father in the eyes. I am certain that her guilt and sense of unworthiness prevented her from facing Him. Just being in His presence made her doubt everything about herself but nothing about Him. Standing so close to Him completely transformed her and she began to weep. Jesus was as pure as she was sinful. Every ugly thought, word or deed of her past must have flooded her heart and shattered it.

Tears of sorrow and joy spilled down her face onto the feet of the One - the only One who truly loved her. Those tears were the first genuine prayer of her life. She then let her hair down in total submission, dropped to her feet and began to dry the feet of Jesus with her hair. The social custom of the day demanded that women keep their hair bound up. To let it down was considered a brazen act and could even be grounds for divorce. But this woman was beyond caring about social custom and earthly rules. She was conducting eternal business, finally finding what she had been searching for in every wrong relationship, every failure and every dead end choice. She found Jesus!

This woman began kissing his feet and pouring perfume over them, totally oblivious to the condemning stares, lost in the wonder of His love. The word "kissed" literally means "to kiss again and again." She somehow knew that He understood everything she could not say and loved her in spite of her great sin. 

It is very important to notice that Jesus did not move away from her. He did not condemn her or stop her.  Jesus Christ knew exactly why she was there and He was thrilled! He saw her heart and received her humble action as an acceptable gift of worship. Jesus looked past her sin and saw her heart crying out for forgiveness.  I love His response to this woman recorded in Luke 7:48 "Then Jesus said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven'." The verb tense of "forgiven" indicates that this forgiveness of sin was completed in the past, continues through the present and will keep working in the future. 

Forgiveness is our greatest need and God's highest accomplishment, a complete and eternal gift bestowed on those who truly confess their sin.

Let's Pray
Father, I recognize that I am a sinner in dire need of Your forgiveness.  I come to You right now, repenting and turning from the sin that has separated me from You. Thank You for Your forgiveness and love.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Are you ready to make the following commitment?  Read aloud the following statements as your decision to deal with your sin - God's way.

I recognize the truth that forgiveness demands repentance. I now choose to confess and turn from the sin in my life. I will destroy any paths that might lead to those same sins. I will trust God to forgive me and empower me to keep turning from that sin. And I choose to do so right now - today!

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

More From The Girlfriends
Don't wait another minute, girlfriend. Don't spend another day without purpose and power. Jesus is waiting for you; arms open wide, forgiveness and love in His heart - for you. Come to Him now. We would love to hear from you and celebrate the decision you made today. 

Need help on your journey?  Check out Mary's weekly online study, Light for the Journey. Or download one of her E-Book Bible Studies such as Anger Management 911, God's Answer to Stress, Getting a Grip on Fear, I Need a Friend... more.

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]

March 15, 2010 

Faith in the Storm

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

Friend To Friend
The most difficult times to continue believing the promises of God are during the storms of life when the waves of emotions are so great they threaten to tip your boat and spill you into an ocean of despair. 

I have been there, my friend.  And I do know it can be the most difficult time to believe the truth and the easiest time to believe the enemy's lies.  Let me share one such storm in my own life.

When my husband, Steve, and I decided to have children, we conceived with no problem.  Steven Hugh Jaynes, Jr. was born with a shock of thick black hair and long Bambi-like eyelashes that had the nurses measuring for record breaking length.  I loved being a mother more than any role I had ever experienced.  Never in my life had I ever imagined so much love could be wrapped in such a small package.           

Steven was about two-years-old when we decided to expand our family once again. 

"Steven," we explained, "We are praying that God will give Mommy and Daddy another Jaynes baby so you can have a little brother or sister."

He thought that sounded like a good idea, so he ended our family prayer time each night with the benediction, "And God, please give Mommy and Daddy another Jaynes baby. Amen."

After six months, there was no news of another Jaynes baby.  I was perplexed.  Then a year passed.  I was distraught.  Then two years passed.  I began sinking in a sea of fear and doubt.  All the while, Steven prayed each night, "And God, please give Mommy and Daddy another Jaynes baby."

My husband and I began traveling down the frustrating road of doctor visits, infertility treatment and timed intimacy (which is anything but intimate).  Then I began worrying about how this "unanswered" prayer was going to affect Steven's faith in God.

By age four, we still had no news for Steven.  Obviously, it was not the Lord's plan for us to have another child at this time and I didn't know how to tell Steven that we didn't have to pray that prayer every night.  I kept hoping that he would just forget about it.  But he didn't forget about it any more than he forgot the "Amen" at the end of a prayer.

So I began to pray, Lord please show me how to ease out of this predicament.  Show me how to tell Steven that we don't need to pray for another baby every night.  I do not want this seemingly unanswered prayer to damage his faith. 

We have a miniature table and chairs in the kitchen where Steven and I ate lunch together each day.  One day while sharing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Steven looked up, and in his sweet little voice said, "Mommy, have you ever thought that maybe God only wants you to have one child?"

Shocked, I answered,  "Yes, I have thought that maybe that is the case and if it is, I am so thankful because He has given me all I ever hoped for in a child wrapped up in one package, YOU!"

Then he turned his little head like a robin and said, "Well, what I think we ought to do is keep praying until you're too old to have one.  Then we'll know that's His answer!"

What a great idea.  I had been worried about Steven's faith, but all the while, it was my own that was struggling.  I was having trouble believing that God loved me when He was withholding what I wanted most...a house full of children.  How could He love me and not give me the desire of my heart? I wondered.  Maybe He doesn't love me after all. 

A favorite song Steven used to sing when he was four-years-old had these words:

"My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty. There's nothing my God cannot do.  The mountains are His. The valleys are His.  The stars are His handiwork too.  My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty.  There's nothing my God cannot do."

Steven didn't know how old too old was, (Sarah in the Bible was 90), but he did know God.   He knew God could do anything.  If His answer was "no" he didn't have a problem with that.  I told him "no" many times and he understood that "no" did not mean "I don't love you."  "No" just meant "no," because I am your parent and I know what's best for you.

The Lord taught me a great lesson through my four-year-old son.  I saw through his childlike faith, an example of the attitude of trust that I should have toward my Heavenly Father who loves me and knows what's best for me.  And though the storm had subsided for just a while, a tidal wave hit a few years later.  Join me tomorrow for the rest of the story.

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father who always knows what is best for me, today I give You my hopes and my dreams.  If the answer is "no," I understand that You know what is best for me and honestly, I don't have a clue.  Thank You for both Your provision and Your protection.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
Can you think of a time when your earthly parents told you "no," and you got upset?  Then later, you understood the wisdom of their guidance?

Can you think of a time when your Heavenly Father said "no" to a request?  Perhaps you didn't understand it at the time, but later the reason became crystal clear.  Let me say it another way.  Can you think of a time when you later praised God for the "no" and saw it was His provision or His protection?

I think sharing these stories would be a huge encouragement to our sisters who are struggling with an unfulfilled dream right about now.  Let's share our stories.  Visit www.sharonjaynes.com/facebook and encourage your sister-in-Christ.  Remembering will encourage your heart as well!

More From The Girlfriends
As I mentioned at the beginning of today's devotion, the most difficult times to continue believing the promises of God are during the storms of life when the waves of emotions are so great they threaten to tip your boat and spill you into an ocean of despair.  So where are you today?  Do you need a "faith lift?"  Today's devotion came from Becoming Spiritually Beautiful.  It might be just the book you need to encourage you to keep believing!  Read an excerpt at www.sharonjaynes.com


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]

March 16, 2010 

Faith in the Storms 

Part 2 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful" (Psalm 25:10 NIV).

Friend To Friend
Sometimes when I gaze at the Jaynes family portraits of three smiling faces, I can almost see a shadow of a fourth.  For there are four of us and one day - our picture will be complete.

"Steve, can you meet me for lunch?  I have a little surprise I want to give to you."

I was so excited to share this unexpected news with my husband that I called him at the office and asked him to meet me at our favorite spot for lunch. After five years of struggling with infertility, we had become content with the realization that it must be the Lord's desire for our son, Steven, to be raised as an only child.  It appeared that he would not have a brother or sister.

And now this surprise. At lunch, as Steve plucked the bow from the tiny package and nestled among the tissue paper hid a small gingham baby pillow.  "Does this mean what I think it means?" he asked with tears forming in his eyes.

With a lump in my throat, all I could manage was a nod that said, "Yes, I'm pregnant."

After many years of trying to conceive, the Lord had blessed us with this unexpected pregnancy. I began planning the nursery, the doctor confirmed that the baby was growing, and we were about the happiest couple on earth.  But our elation collapsed when a few months later the pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, and my heart was crushed with sadness and despair.  For those of us who believe that life begins at conception, a miscarriage can be devastating, because it is not simply the loss of a child who is to be; it is the loss of a child who is.

This was a tidal wave and it hit me broadside. I wish I could tell you I got out my Bible and began reciting the verses about my new identity.  I wish I could tell you that I said, "All things work together for good" and kept my chin up.  I wish I could tell you that I went into a time of prayer, trusting that "Father knows best."   I did not.  I went to bed and mourned for three months.  I avoided church and happy people, my prayers felt empty and rote, and I allowed the tidal wave of pain to swallow my hope.  Why? I listened to the lies of Satan. "I told you so," he taunted.

While I was too weak to pray, Jesus prayed for me (Hebrews 6:20). 

One summer night, three months after the miscarriage, as I lay on my bed, crying, praying, and crying again, I wondered, What is my child doing in heaven?  What does she look like?  If only I could see a glimpse of her face or have one conversation with her. With a miscarriage there is no funeral - there are no sympathy cards. I needed some kind of closure to this grief. Then Almighty God Himself reached down and gave me a precious gift. Just as clearly as if I were reading words on a printed page, a letter was spoken to my heart.  When the words stopped coming, I jumped up and wrote each precious gift on paper. 

Dear Mommy,

I asked Jesus if it would be all right for me to write you a letter.  He said it would be OK.

First of all, I want to thank you for loving me and giving me life.  I remember how happy you and daddy were when you found out that you were going to have me.  I remember how you prayed that I would come to know Christ at an early age.  I remember how you prayed that I would have a mission in life to help others.

Mom, I know that you and dad were sad when God decided to take me to heaven before I was born.  I saw the tears that you cried.  But Mom, what I wanted to tell you is this:  Your prayers were answered.  I am healthy.  I am strong.  I do know Christ, and He lets me sit on His lap every day.  And mom, I do have a mission.  Everyday new babies come to heaven who were never born.  Many of them never knew the love of a mother or father.   When they come to heaven, they always ask the same question; 'Baby Jaynes, tell me, what was it like to have the love of a mother?'  And I can tell them.  Oh, how I can tell them.

Thank you, mom, for loving me.  I know you miss me.  But one day we will be together and what a time we will have.  Until then, imagine me happy and whole, playing at the feet of Jesus, and telling other babies about what it feels like to have a mommy that loves them.

See you soon,
Baby Jaynes

What a precious gift the Lord had given me.  The time of mourning had passed. I now had a picture of my child playing at the feet of Jesus! I still have days when I long for this child.  Some days when I look at portraits of the Jaynes threesome adorning our family room walls, I almost see a fourth shadow in the sunlight. But there will come a day when my little girl will not be a mere shadow.  I will hold her in my arms.  Until then, it gives me great comfort picturing her healthy and whole and being held lovingly in the arms of Jesus.

During those months, I had a friend who used to sing me these words from a song titled "Trust His heart" by Eddie Carswell and Babbie Mason.

God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you can't understand
When you don't see His plan.
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart.

Faith.  It is believing God no matter what our eyes and emotions tell us. It is not enough just to know the words in our heads; we must believe them in our hearts. Faith is trusting God in the dark.

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, I trust You because You are trustworthy.  You never change.  You always tell the truth.  You always want what is best for me.  You always have my best interest in mind.  So even though I may not understand Your ways, I trust Your heart - and that gives me a peace that passes all understanding.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Job - now there was a man caught in a terrible storm.  He had no idea what had hit him!  And while his friends tried to come up with all kinds of reasons his life was falling apart, they had no idea.

Today, I want you to read God's response to Job.  It's long, but buckle up. You're about to get an earful.  Read Job 38-41.

Now, what was Job's response to God? Job 42:1-6.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's devotion. Visit www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes to share what's on your heart.

More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's book Becoming Spiritually Beautiful.  Finding the nuggets of gold in the difficulties of past hurts is one of the ways we become spiritually radiant.

God turns miseries into ministry, messes into a message, and hurts into hope. You can learn more at www.sharonjaynes.com.


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]

March 17, 2010 

Look At It This Way 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Proverbs 4:24 (NCV) "Keep your eyes focused on what is right, and look straight ahead to what is good."

Friend To Friend
One of my favorite parts of attending Vacation Bible School as a child was the music. I enjoyed the Bible stories, crafts and being with my friends but singing was definitely the highlight of my day. I particularly loved the songs that included hand motions and can, to this day, remember most of those songs and hand motions.

One of my favorite songs was "Oh, Be Careful Little Eyes." The lyrics and melody are simple but the truth of this song is profound.

Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.
For the Father up above is looking down in love.
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.

A study was done of concentration camp survivors to determine the common characteristics of those who did not die from disease or starvation. Victor Frankl was a living answer to that question. Before the Nazis threw him into a concentration camp, he was a successful psychiatrist. After his rescue, Victor Frankl traveled the world, sharing his story: "There is only one reason why I am here today. You kept me alive. Others gave up hope. I dreamed that someday I would be here telling you how I, Victor Frankl, had survived the Nazi concentration camps. I've never been here before, I've never seen any of you before, and I've never given this speech before. But in my dreams, I have stood before you and said these words a thousand times."

Outlook determines outcome. Victor Frankl survived because he chose a right focus, keeping his eyes fixed on what was ahead. Proverbs 4:25 explains, "We need to keep our eyes focused on what is right and look straight ahead to what is good." The picture painted here is one of an "upright" life, a life of "moral purity." We serve a holy God who is very serious about sin - serious enough to send His son, Jesus Christ, as payment for that sin. We claim the miracle of blood-bought forgiveness while flirting with sin. We give lip-service to God's sacrifice while allowing impurity to negate its power in our lives. We point others to the cross when we are the ones in desperate need of its deliverance.

When it comes to having a right focus, not only do we turn away from what is worthless but we turn to what is worthy. In yesterday's devotion, we discovered that Satan knows if he can control the mind, then he has won the battle. Who wins that battle is up to us and hinges on the choices that we make. The battle of the mind is won by controlling and filtering what we set before our eyes. In Psalm 101:3, we find an important key to guarding our mind, "I will set before my eyes no vile thing" (NIV).  "Vile" means "evil one or troublemaker." Anything that is not feeding and nourishing the soul is depleting the soul, originates with Satan himself and will bring nothing but trouble. If it is not of God, it will numb you to what is of God. Be very careful what you place before your eyes - books, movies, television, magazines.  We foolishly believe the lie that we "can handle it." If we could handle our sin, there would have been no reason for Jesus Christ to give up His life in order to pay for that sin. We are lost without Him! 

I once lived in a small, rural community where cows were familiar neighbors and lost cows a common occurrence. How does a cow get lost? It starts nibbling on a patch of green grass. When it finishes, the cow looks ahead to the next patch of green grass. That patch digested, the cow looks ahead to the next patch of green grass and starts nibbling on that one. Then it nibbles on a patch of grass right next to a hole in the fence. The cow then sees the green grass on the other side of the fence so it nibbles on that one and then goes on to the next one and the next one. The cow finally looks up to discover it has nibbled itself into being lost.

We do the same thing. We bury our heads in the patches of everyday living. We make a single wrong choice and instead of looking up for forgiveness, instead of looking straight ahead for new direction, we look around for another wrong choice. Soon, we find ourselves at the bottom of a pit wondering how we got there. We must learn to keep our glance on the circumstances and our gaze on Him. 

Let's Pray
Dear Father, please help me to focus on Your plan and purpose for my life. I keep looking in the wrong places for the right answers. I confess that I often keep my gaze on things that do not please You. Today, I ask You to give me the strength and power to look for You in every circumstance and to keep my focus on You. 

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
As you go through today, be aware of the things you see and watch that are not pleasing to God and do not measure up to His standard. How can you eliminate them?

What is the focus of your life? How does it need to change?

What consequences have you suffered because your eyes were focused on wrong things or wrong people?

More From The Girlfriends
Wow!  I know!  I am getting downright personal, aren't I? But the reality is - if He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all. In other words, we need to surrender everything to God, including the control of our "eyesight" and choose to focus on what is right and good. Screen your thoughts, the books you read, the movies you see and ask yourself if they are pleasing to God. If not, get rid of them. Choose against them and choose to look at things God's way.

Need help on your journey?  Check out Mary's weekly online study, Light for the Journey. Or download one of her E-Book Bible Studies such as Anger Management 911, God's Answer to Stress, Getting a Grip on Fear, I Need a Friend... more.

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]

March 18, 2010 

Prayer Power 

Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Friend To Friend
Over the past few years, my spiritual life has changed dramatically. I've witnessed the LORD move in amazing ways, and have felt His hand guide me like never before.  What's the big secret? Why the big change? Simple: prayer. There is unexplainable power in prayer.

No, prayer isn't new to me. I've prayed ever since I was a child. But even though I love God, I often struggled to remain focused during my quiet time ... or to even carve out a daily quiet time, for that matter. My creative mind has a strong tendency to wander. So a few years back, I began keeping a prayer journal and my faith has really grown as a result. 

My journal isn't fancy or expensive, just a notebook that can be picked up anywhere, but it has been a power tool for God's movement in and through my life. By keeping my heart focused in prayer, my journal has fanned the flame of my prayers, and has fueled the fire in my soul to connect with our active and living God who longs to be the center of our attention.

It's not rocket science and there aren't any special tricks. A prayer journal can be an effective tool for spiritual growth, but the power is in the praying. How do I put my power tool to work? I start off by writing the date. I then jot down who I want to pray for and what I want to pray about. I also love to write out Scripture passages that have spoken to my heart. Then I go to my Father- focused and fearless. God is the source of all power, and prayer is essential to experiencing His power in our lives.

Martin Luther said, "As it is the business of tailors to make clothes, and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray." Prayer moves the hand of God, yet, statistically; most Christians spend less than 5 minutes a day in prayer. That's just crazy! Why would we expect God to show His power in our lives if we don't give Him more time than we spend brushing our teeth each day? 

Are you experiencing the power of God in your life? Would you like more strength, peace and direction in your days? God wants you to come to Him in prayer: when you are hurting, when you are angry, when you need direction, when you need answers, when you need hope, when you need healing. He wants you to come to Him for forgiveness, courage, strength, confidence, and perspective. Come with praise, adoration, humility, honor, and worship. 

So - grab a journal and focus your heart and thoughts on God . The main thing is to get alone with God. He just wants you to come.

A GIG PLEDGE:  Let's commit together to spend more time on our knees!  Raise your right hand and say out loud: "Lord, it is my sincere intention to seek you more fervently from this moment on." God assures us, that when we seek Him, we will find Him! As Girlfriends in God, we are growing rapidly in numbers. All around the globe, close to 200,000 women join together in devotion to seek God's face. As we grow in width, may we, as GiGs, also grow in depth. I pray that we will each seek Him and experience His powerful and presence daily.

Let's Pray
Holy Father, thank You for allowing me to come to You in prayer today. I humbly bow before Your throne of grace and ask that You would forgive me for all of the times I have failed to come. I need You more than I know. Please help me experience the fullness of Your life-changing presence in a fresh and powerful way.

For Your glory and In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Consider keeping a prayer journal. Grab a pen and a notebook and get started! If you don't know where to start, use this as a template to begin:

Begin reading the Psalms during your quiet time. Journal what you learn and write down the verses that stir your heart. (There are 150 of them and if you meditate on one or two each day, you could be kept busy for a few months!)

More From The Girlfriends
One morning, as I was reading in the Psalms, I came across a great scripture prayer.  It is Psalm 143:8: "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."  As I read it over and over, a song came to my heart. Want to hear it?? It will make you get your praise on, girlfriend! J Turn up your speakers and CLICK TO MY FACEBOOK PAGE to listen to "Show Me The Way." 

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

Interested in having Gwen speak and sing at your women's event? Send your Women's Ministry Director to Gwen's website and encourage her to fill out the booking inquiry form found there.

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