Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

October 21, 2008
Touched by Angels
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Hebrews 1:14 All the angels are spirits who serve God and are sent to help those who will receive salvation.

Friend to Friend
When we come to Jesus Christ in a personal relationship, He takes full responsibility for us, which means
He takes care of us.  One of the ways God cares for us is through the ministry of His angels as they help us and protect us. 

2 Kings 6:16-17 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

There was an ongoing conflict between Israel and the empire of the king, Ben-Hadad.  Elisha constantly revealed the secret plans of this Syrian King to the king of Israel.  When the King of Syria found out, he sent an army to capture Elisha.  While Elisha was getting dressed that morning, his servant came running to him in fear.  He told Elisha that they were surrounded by the King's army and that the soldiers were carrying powerful weapons of war.  Elisha was not disturbed by this news.  In fact, he told the servant not to be afraid because "our army is bigger and better than their army." The servant was confused because he could not see any army ready to fight for Elisha.  Elisha then prayed and asked God to open the eyes of this servant and allow him to see God's protective angels.  "Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

God's angels protect His children from potential enemies.

Psalm 91:11-14 "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.  'Because he loves me,' says the LORD, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.'"

In this passage, "command" literally means "to order or assign", "guard" literally means "to observe and care for" and "acknowledges" literally means "to know intimately."  In other words, when we know God and have a personal relationship with Him, He assigns angels to watch over us and to help carry out His plan for our lives.

Hebrews 1:14 "But angels are only servants. They are spirits sent from God to care for those who will receive salvation."

Angels are motivated by their great love for God and are committed to seeing that the will of God is carried out. 
Most Christians can recall some incident in which their lives have been miraculously saved from disaster. Perhaps a car missed them by inches.  An airplane flight was planned, but some reason, was not taken only to later discover that the plane had crashed.  They did not see angels but their presence could easily explain why tragedy was avoided.

John G. Paton was a missionary in the New Hebrides islands.  One night, hostile natives surrounded his mission headquarters, shouting threats that they would burn the Paton's home and then kill them. Paton and his wife prayed all night long.  At dawn, they were amazed to see the natives turn and leave. A year later, the chief of that very tribe became a Christian.  Paton asked him what had kept him and his men from burning down their house and killing them that night.  The chief asked, "Who were all of those men with you?"  Paton assured the chief that there had been no one there except him and his wife.  The chief shook his head and insisted that they had seen hundreds of men standing guard, big men in shining garments with drawn swords. 

Scripture is filled with accounts that describe how many of God's servants were delivered from danger. It also tells how many servants of God were not delivered by angels.

Hebrews 11:35-39 "Others were tortured; some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.  They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated."

These men had faith, courage and were obedient.  Time after time, they must have cried out to God for angels to come -- but none came.  Why?  Hebrews 11:40 tells us that God had a better plan. "To live by faith is better than deliverance by angels."  These saints were not physically delivered but they still lived by faith and died by faith enduring pain and suffering, counting on the grace of God to sustain them.  Because of their great faith, these "medal of honor" Christians received a greater reward in heaven.

Matthew 5:12 "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

These saints knew that if God said "no" to their request for deliverance, there was a reason.  It was part of His plan.  If you are like me, there are times when, for the life of me, I cannot understand God's plan and furthermore, even if I understand it, it is just plain hard to accept.  Jesus understands.  When Jesus faced the cross, He asked God to deliver Him but God said, "No."

Matthew 26:39 "He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." 

Angels do exist and they do touch our life.  Look around.  Listen carefully.  Walk by faith.  The angels are with you. 

Let's Pray
Father, I want to thank You for Your angels and the role they play in my life.  I praise You for all of the times that tragedy was avoided because one of Your angels touched my life.  Help me to walk in faith and obedience to your perfect plan -- no matter how hard it may be at times.  I want to be a woman of faith, a woman who walks with Your angels.  In Jesus' name, Amen

Now It's Your Turn
Scripture tells us how angels protected and delivered many of the servants of God.  Read the following bible passages and fill in the blanks.  Then celebrate God's work in the lives of these saints and in your own life.

• Peter was delivered from ________________ by an angel.  (Acts 12:5-11)
• Paul received a message of ____________ from an angel. (Acts 27:23-25)
• An angel saved the life of Abraham's ____________.  (Gen. 22:15)
• An angel saved _________________ in the lion's den.  (Daniel 6:22)
• An angel appeared to Moses in the ____________ _________.  (Acts 7:30)
• An angel rolled the ___________________ away from Jesus' tomb.  (Matthew 28:2)

More From the Girls
Girlfriends, you are not alone!  God is with you.  His angels surround you.  And we are here for you, too.  If you need more weapons for the battle, check out Mary's new MP3 downloads.  Want to know more about heaven?  Sign up for Mary's free online bible study on Heaven.

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]

October 22, 2008
Joint-heirs with Christ
Sharon Jaynes

Key Verse:
"Now if we are children, then we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."  (Romans 8:17 NIV)

Friend to Friend
Imagine you have just been informed that you have inherited a multi-level mansion equipped with every conceivable treasure.  You run up the curving brick sidewalk, throw open the massive oak doors, and excitedly run from room to room hardly believing the good fortune bequeathed to you!  However, what you discover are not the surroundings fit for a queen that you expected, but sensible chambers, adequately furnished and sparsely decorated.

In the foyer, a beautifully carved winding staircase, adorned with plush crimson carpet, beckons you to climb to the next level.  You consider the steps, look back over your shoulder and decide, "Hey, the lower level's enough for me.  Besides, I'm afraid of heights.  I'll just stay down here where it's safe."

Unbeknownst to you, the upper levels house all the treasures intended to become your inheritance, and you're standing in the servants' quarters.  Upstairs awaits a golden gilded ballroom, a chandeliered dining hall, four poster beds with down filled mattresses, a safe filled with enough gold and silver to last a lifetime, and a jewelry box brimming with family heirlooms. 

All that stands between you and these treasures is the staircase.  What keeps you on ground level - contentment with mediocrity, lack of knowledge, or a fear of the unknown?

We all have an inheritance from our heavenly Father.  We are joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.  But often times we spend our days in the servants' quarters, never climbing the stairs to where the true riches are stored.

We can move forward with confidence knowing that in whatever He calls us to do He will provide what we need.  He doesn't necessarily call the qualified, but He qualifies the called. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing, joint-heirs with Christ, and given the Holy Spirit as a down payment - and that's only the start.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, forgive me for living like a spiritual pauper when I am a child of the King.  Thank You that You have given me everything I need to live a life of godliness and truth.  I pray that Your Holy Spirit will fill me anew today and open my eyes to the blessings that surround me on every side.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Make a list of "outrageous prayers."  What would you like to ask from God, but have been afraid to ask?

Are there any areas of your life where you have been living like a spiritual pauper instead of a child of the King?

What is the difference between how a servant of a King and a child of the King would approach the King?

Which way do you tend to approach God in prayer?

After reading the above devotion, where are you in relation to the stairs?  At the bottom? In the middle? At the top?

More From The Girlfriends
Have you been spending too much time at the bottom of the stairs?  Are you ready to go to the next level and discover the riches that God wants to give?  You can find out more in Sharon's book, 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]

October 23, 2008
Generous or Greedy?
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
1 Timothy 6:17 Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.  (NLT)

Friend to Friend
The great Bible teacher, Howard Hendricks, was invited, along with his wife, to have dinner at the home of a very wealthy man. The Hendricks were slightly apprehensive about spending an entire evening with someone so powerful and famous but as the meal progressed, they discovered that their host was completely unassuming and surprisingly down to earth. As they were leaving, Howard Hendricks turned and asked the man, "How could you grow up in such wealth and not be consumed by materialism?" The man smiled and replied, "My parents wisely taught us that everything in our home was either an idol or a tool." What a great truth for all of us!

We live in a "stuff" driven world where it doesn't really matter what we have; it is never enough!  We are constantly told that the more "things" we have - the more successful we are!  Encouragements to accumulate and hoard the things of this world fuel every aspect of the media. Each day is spent looking for ways to increase our earthly treasures.  Greed has become the driving force behind much of what we do in life and as a result, is a prevailing enemy of contentment.

Calvin Miller says, "The world is poor because her fortune is buried in the sky and all her treasure maps are of the earth."

In Philippians 4:12 the Apostle Paul writes, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

Paul is driving home the point that his contentment does not depend upon "stuff" and neither should ours.  Having experienced both wealth and poverty Paul had learned to be content within -- no matter what the circumstances without might be.  Notice that Paul "learned" to be content; it did not come naturally.  "Learn" literally means "initiated into the secret".  In other words, Paul's circumstances were his introduction to the life truth that real contentment has nothing to do with either prosperity or poverty!  Contentment is an inside job, the result of knowing God and living life against the backdrop of eternity.   It is important to understand that greed is not just about material things.  We may be guilty of wanting other people's gifts -- possessions -- abilities or circumstances in life.  Driven to have the best and to be the best, we cannot simply relax and appreciate where we are and what we have. We keep pursuing things that will never satisfy, frantically trying to squeeze life out of lifeless things. That pursuit is pointless and always results in a desperate longing for something more. 

We need to understand that our Father does want us to have wealth.  We just have to be careful not to settle for money!  Instead, we need to "seek first the kingdom of God" and everything we need will be added to our lives.  Peace, joy, love, goodness, patience, purpose and power are credited to our spiritual account the moment we become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.  Now that, my friend, is true wealth! 

We must constantly be alert to the subtle workings of Satan in our lives. The greatest way to guard against greed is by training our hearts and minds to view those things we possess as either tools or resources loaned to us by God.  We are simply stewards and managers of these possessions, called by God to disperse them in such a way that the needs of others are met and lost hearts drawn to Him.  Hold your possessions loosely, my friend.  Invest them in the two things that are eternal -- people and God's truth! 

We cannot "out-give" God!  But when we try, contentment will come and greed will vanish.

Let's Pray
Father, my heart and life are so often filled with greed and discontent.  Right now, I choose to take my eyes off of "things" and focus on what You want for my life.  Thank You for all that you have given to me and for what You have done in my heart.  I praise You, knowing that in You I have everything I need.  In Jesus' name, Amen

Now It's Your Turn
We need to understand that greed will destroy our peace and contentment.  Examine your life, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal every area of greed. Confess your greed as sin and choose against it while looking for ways to practice "Kingdom" giving.  Ask yourself the following questions:

What areas of my life are most affected by greed?   
What are my idols?   
What "things" or "desires" do I need to give up so that greed will have no grip on my life?   
What specific ways can I begin to practice "Kingdom" giving?   
What is the first step I should take in order to guard against greed?
More from the Girlfriends
The stores already have their Christmas stuff out!  Can you believe it?  The holiday season is quickly approaching.  Get ready today for those shopping trips ahead.  Set limits for your time and for your checkbook.  Control your "wants."  Establish priorities.  Fix your heart on the setting of "contentment" and make this the best holiday season ever!  One of the greatest gifts you can give is a book or CD that will give repeated through the year and impact a life for Jesus Christ.  Check out the resources we have in the GIG Store and give a gift that matters.

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]

October 24, 2008
God Really Does Care
Nancy Sebastian Meyer

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", Nancy Sebastian Meyer.

Today's Truth
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6 NIV)

Friend To Friend
I memorized today's verse as a little girl in Christian school. However, as is typical of God's Word, the meaning of the verse deepens each time God applies it to my life. Just two weeks ago, God reminded me again how much He really does care.

Rushing around on last minute errands prior to a trip, I needed to drop a pre-packaged delivery envelope into the nearest UPS collection box. To my dismay, the receptacle I drove to was a FedEx drop box instead.  As I kept driving, my mind tried - without success - to come up with the next closest UPS box.

This problem may not rank high on your personal list of frustrations, but that particular day's schedule and my patience were seriously overloaded. Crying out to God, I asked what to do. In the very next second, I passed a convenience store where a big, brown UPS truck sat idling in the parking lot. The driver congenially accepted my parcel, and I pulled away humbly worshipping the God who cares about the tiniest details of our lives.

Just twenty-four hours later, I approached my travel destination only to find my directions slightly amiss. Deciding to pull off onto a quiet side street to check the map, I began making the corner and immediately knew something was seriously wrong with the car. Carefully guiding the car to the curb, I parked and got out to investigate the problem.

Imagine my shock when I noticed a rear wheel was coming off of the car! The five lug nuts normally holding it onto the car were completely missing. Lying on the pavement behind the car, I could see from underneath a separation between the wheel and axel. My mind whirled with the possible scenarios. Just ten minutes before, I had been driving fast in thick traffic on the Interstate. Worship again flooded my soul as I knelt before the Lord and thanked Him for taking such good care of me.

While the world chants: "Don't worry, be happy," we Christians should practice a much more appropriate principle: "Don't worry, God cares!" God knows and God really does care about the little and large things that touch our lives.

Let's Pray
Lord, thank You for caring about every single detail of my life and for taking care of them all. Help me to trust You more and turn to You more quickly for help in every situation. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Now It's Your Turn

How has God taken care of you this past week? 
Read 1 Peter 5:6-11. Who is trying to rob you of joy (vs. ? Describe the picture the verse creates in your mind. You can resist him by humbly asking God for help (vs. 6) and worshipping God (vs. 13). 
Make a list of the troubling situations in your life. Read Philippians 4:6-7 and follow the directions. Enjoy the resulting peace! 
More From The Girls
Tell a friend about one of your own "God Moments" (like the UPS story and the almost-accident). Sharing gives us the opportunity to praise God. It may also create in your friend the desire to look for God in her own life circumstances! If you're a mom, you might want to check out the "God Hunt" idea for children in the "Showing Jesus To Your Kids" chapter of my book Spiritually Single Moms: Raising Godly Kids When Dad Doesn't Believe.

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]

Leaves of Life

OCTOBER TWENTY-SIXTH

Dr. Philip Doddridge died 1751.
Count Von Moltke born 1800.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton died 1902.
One of the notable eddies of the present-day world currents is what has been loosely called the "Woman Movement." The sensitive and vicarious spirit of womanhood has been enlisted for service in behalf of those who have been denied a fair chance, or who are the victims of oppression, greed, and ignorance.

  --William T. Ellis.



And whether consciously or not, you must be in many a heart enthroned: queens you must always be: queens to your lovers; queens to your husbands and sons; queens of higher mystery to the world beyond, which bows itself, and will forever bow, before the myrtle crown, and the stainless scepter of womanhood.

  --John Ruskin.



O woman, great is thy faith: be it done unto thee even as thou wilt.

  --Matthew 15. 28.



Lord and Master of all, I pray that thou wilt make me see through my prejudices and beyond my desires to the very "top of my condition." May I not wait for places or circumstances that are dimly in the distance or that are near at hand, but accomplish the work I should do to-day. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

October 27, 2008
God Never Changes
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)

Friend to Friend
My husband, Steve, became a Christian in High School and has never wavered from his strong faith in Christ.  He was never a rebellious child, but just a good ol' all-American kid.  As an adult, he has been a model citizen and exemplary Christian.  I guess you might say that he is the male version of Snow White.

One problem that Steve does have, along with every other man, is trying to understand the mysteries of the internal working of that fascinating creature called ...woman.  To top it all off, the poor fellow has seven female employees (translation:  seven sets of hormones and seven schedules of PMS).  They are all wonderful Christians, but women none-the-less.

As I listened to his stories about the seven women, and sensed his frustration in trying to figure them out, I kept getting this picture in my mind of "Dr. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."  If you remember, the dwarfs' names were Doc, Bashful, Happy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Dopey, and Grumpy.  I decided what he needed to do was to make name tags of the seven dwarfs and put them in a basket.  Each morning, when the women came in the office, they could reach in the basket and get out a name tag which expressed how they were feeling on that particular day.  That way it would take the guesswork out, and Steve would know how to respond to each lady on any given day.

Of course, at the end of each day, he would have to collect the name tags, put them back into the basket, and bring them home so I could pick out which dwarf I was on that day.  Poor men!  We women do make it hard for them.

As I think about how our emotions can flit back and forth on any given day, I am comforted by the fact that we serve a God who never changes.  He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. (Hebrews 13: The Bible is full of different names for God that describe for us unchangeable characteristics of His nature. He is Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides; Jehovah-rah, the Lord who heals; Jehovah-shalom, the Lord our peace; Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord who is there.  God can change anything He wants to change, but remains unchanged in Himself.  He is our Rock that is without deviation.

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10)

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, as the ever-changing world swirls around me, I am so thankful that You remain the same.  Thank You for being the constant in my life -- the North Star that guides my compass and gives me direction as the world and my life spin on its axis.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
Think of all the things that have changed in your life over the past year.

Make a list of the ways that you've seen God remain the same through the changes.

How does God's unchanging nature give you hope in a changing world?

How would you like to memorize half of a psalm in the next sixty seconds?  Want to give it a try?  Turn to Psalm 136.  After each sentence, there is an echo, "His love endures forever."  If you repeat those words twenty-six times, you have quoted half of the psalm!  David begins by reminding us that God created the world, led the captives out of Egypt and through the desert, and conquered the enemies of the Israelites so they could move into the Promised Land.  While He works in many varied ways and with many different people, one thing remains the same -- "His love endures forever!"  He never changes.

More From The Girlfriends
This story of "Dr. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was adapted from Sharon's devotion book, Extraordinary Moments with God.  To learn more, see http://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]

Are You Free?
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV)

Friend to Friend
I've loved God since I was just a kid.  I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior in Mr. Dunn's Sunday school class when I was just nine years old.  As a teenager, I served God and grew in faith.  I said "no" to the crowd and "yes" to the cross. I was a girl with convictions, a girl of strong disciplines, and a girl of high moral standards who walked the straight and narrow. Then...I went away to college and secretly entered a season of compromise.

I never meant to stray from my values. It was a new chapter in my life, and I naively thought I could handle it on my own. My rebellion was a subtle, gradual thing.  I was still the same Gwen, just a compromised version of me.

During that time, secrets and compromise became comfortable to me. I wore them like a pair of faded jeans. My friends considered me to be a good Christian girl, and I wasn't about to burst their bubble with the truth that I was sliding into sinful ways. Oh, how my plastic smile served me well in those days! I could turn on the fake charm like water from a faucet.

Eventually, the compromises and choices that I'd made caught up with me and resulted in great brokenness.  I couldn't reconcile what I had done with who I was, or with who I was supposed to be. My heart was broken. I felt hopeless and was horribly ashamed.

The dark days turned into weeks, which turned into months.  All the while, the voice of the Accuser screamed loudly in my head. "You've messed up too much this time! You're not a Christian. God would never want someone like you." At the same time, the Holy Spirit whispered to my soul, "You are God's daughter. He's waiting for you to come home. Turn back! He loves you!"

God chased me with His love.  When He caught me, I collapsed into arms of mercy and wept bitterly at His feet in raw repentance.  Then, as the psalmist experienced, "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." (Psalm 40:2-3)  Although I didn't deserve His mercy, Jesus forgave me.  My forgiveness was immediate and complete, but the healing took time.  And He sure did give me a new song. 

I've been forgiven and transformed by the unconditional love of God.  I was dead in my sins, but am now alive in Christ! I am free and it is my privilege to encourage you toward that same freedom in Christ.  Are you free?  Free of guilt?  Free of shame? Free from past mistakes?

Jesus came that we would have life abundantly. (John 10:10)  Not because of anything that we've done to deserve it, but because of what He has done.  His grace is sufficient. The guilt, pain, and shame of our past tell us that we are disqualified to move on, to serve God, to be free, and to know peace. But to believe this lie is to believe that your sin is outside the scope of God's grace. Nothing could be further from the truth. You have purpose in this life. And though you may have gone through a season of hurt, rejection, or pain, God can and will pick you up and place you back on track.  I'm living proof!

"Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:5

There is no condemnation for those in Christ. While the enemy loves to cast false guilt, our Lord loves to extend grace and forgiveness, which is the remedy that restores all your broken pieces. He longs for you to experience His freedom today. Don't hold onto those pieces of brokenness. Don't hide them behind a plastic smile. Bring them into the light, lay them at the feet of Jesus, and let go.  God delights in transforming lives ... even your own. 

Let's Pray
Holy Father, today I come to You with the broken pieces in my life that I have been hesitant to deal with.  Take my hand and lead as I walk past my fears and doubts to the refuge of Your forgiving arms. Please take what is broken and transform it into beautiful.  Please free me from lies that shackle.  Help me to trust that You can redeem and restore every area of my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Now It's Your Turn
I co-wrote a song called "Broken Into Beautiful" that ultimately is my testimony in a song. Please take a moment right now to listen to "Broken into Beautiful" and allow it to minister to your heart and spur you on toward His.  CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO BROKEN INTO BEAUTIFUL

The Bible assures us that our hope has never been about what we have done; it has always been about what Christ has done! "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)  Take a few moments right now to thank God for sending Jesus to reconcile your heart to His.

More from the Girlfriends
Friend, I know that when we talk about hurts and secrets of our pasts, fresh wounds can surface ...especially if the pain and shame has not been dealt with.  I also know that the burden of carrying old wounds is a very heavy load.  I've been there.  Sharon and Mary have, too.  Allow today to become your personal "freedom day" by taking your troubles to the heart of God in prayer.  He loves you perfectly and completely...no matter what. Forgiveness awaits you.  Freedom awaits you.  Go now.

Today's devotion is an excerpt from Gwen's book Broken Into Beautiful. To order Broken Into Beautiful, please CLICK HERE. 

Gwen's song "Broken Into Beautiful" is featured on her new CD that is just being released.  CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy!

To listen to Gwen's music, CLICK HERE!

Gwen Smith is a worship artist, songwriter, speaker, and author. For more information, visit her website at: www.gwensmith.net.

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]

October 29, 2008
A Daddy Who Loves Me
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters." (2 Corinthians 6:18 NIV)

Friend to Friend
One of my favorite retreat topics is from my book, Dreams of a Woman -- God's Plans for Fulfilling Your Dreams.  In this book, I talk about five dreams every little girl has: to have a daddy who loves me, to be a bride, to be a mommy, to be beautiful, and to have a best friend.

In talking to women all across the country, I have seen eyes fill with tears when I talk about the dream of having a daddy who loves me.  But the tears are not for me, they reveal the longing in their own hearts.  Butterfly Kisses, a song by Bob Carlisle that climbed the charts in 2000, received international recognition in both the Christian and secular music industries.  The song was about the tender love between a father and his daughter, starting from her birth to her wedding day.  Mr. Carlisle said, "I get a lot of mail from young girls who try to get me to marry their moms.  That used to be a real chuckle because it's so cute, but then I realized they didn't want romance for mom.  They want the father that is in that song, and that just kills me."

In the Old Testament, God has many names.  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 that heals, Jehovah--Shalom -- the Lord is peace, Jehovah-Raah -- the Lord my Shepherd, and many more.  His covenant name with the people of Israel was I AM. J.I. Packer, in his book, Knowing God, said, "He is: and it is because He is what He is that everything else is as it is." 

In the New Testament, Jesus introduced a new name for God -- Father.  It is the name that Jesus referred to more than any other and the name that He invites us to use to address the Creator of the Universe.  Just stop and think about that for a moment.  The God of the universe who created the heavens and the earth, who always has been and always will be, who is all-knowing, all powerful, and present everywhere at once -- that same God invites you to call Him - Daddy!

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He said:

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name....' (Matthew 6:6-9 NIV).

Packer went on to say: "For everything that Christ taught, everything that makes the New Testament new and better than the Old, everything that is distinctly Christian as opposed to merely Jewish, is summed up in the knowledge of the fatherhood of God."  All other religions demand followers to worship created beings (Mohammad, Buddha),  but Jehovah the Creator, the great I AM, invites us to crawl up in His lap, become His child, and call Him Abba, Daddy.  He said, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters." (2 Corinthians 6:18 NIV)

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You for being a father who loves me as His precious child.  How amazing to think that the God who created the universe and all it contains invites me to be His child and call Him Abba, Father.  I do not take this invitation lightly, but cherish it with all my heart.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
What would a perfect Father look like to you?  Make a list of those qualities.  Now put a check mark by the ones you have experienced in God as His child.

What does God promise in 2 Corinthians 6:18?

Describe how God, our Father is depicted in Hosea 11:3-4.

What do you learn about the love of God in Ephesians 3:18-19?

What do you learn about the Fatherhood of God in 1 Corinthians 8:6?

More From The Girlfriends
Can you risk the hope that God still has dreams for your life or that He hasn't forgotten you?  Place your hand firmly in His. Take a deep breath and begin the exciting journey to a place you thought you'd never find: the dream God planned for you all along.  You'll find out how in Dreams of a Woman God's Plans for Fulfilling Your Dream by Sharon Jaynes.

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]

October 30, 2008
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, whether it's with small household chores or with big projects. Doesn't matter. 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 can be a real challenge. When my kids want me, they don't like to wait for me to spin three more plates before I answer them. When they were smaller, they figured out a way to stop me mid-task, no matter what I was doing.  They would place their chubby little hands on my cheeks, look me in the eye, and demand my full attention. Then they would deliver their message or question to me.  I was their captive audience.

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 come away 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. He wants you to fix your gaze on His beautiful, blazing, mercy-filled eyes. He wants your full attention. He wants to be your rest.

I co-wrote a song called "Sacred Place" that speaks to this.  Please take a moment right now 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 new CD, UNSEARCHABLE, that is just being released.  CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy!

God delights in transforming lives, including your own.  In her book, Broken Into Beautiful, Gwen Smith invites you to experience how the unconditional love of Jesus can change your life and then stand back and watch the wonder of grace at work.  He is willing to eternally forgive and forget and to transform your life into something beautiful. To order Gwen's book, Broken Into Beautiful, please CLICK HERE. 

To listen to Gwen's music, CLICK HERE!

Gwen Smith is a worship artist, songwriter, speaker, and author. For more information, visit her website at: www.gwensmith.net. 

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]

October 31, 2008
Oh, no!  She's awake!
Mary Southerland

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


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

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

The same is true in our lives as children of God.  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 does not depend upon us in any way, we can and must be honest about our weaknesses, knowing they do not diminish our value in the heart and mind of God but can, in fact, become the areas through which God does His greatest work.

Instead, we try to ignore weaknesses, hoping no one will notice.  We live in denial, assigning blame to others when we fail.  Eventually, we attempt to bury our weaknesses only to find them resurrecting themselves when we least expect it.  A powerful life embraces pain, brokenness and weakness and understands that perfection is for Heaven, not Earth. The words of Paul are profound, "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV)

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

Noah was a drunk.

Abraham was too old.

Isaac was a daydreamer.

Jacob was a liar.

Leah was ugly.

Joseph was abused.

Moses had a stuttering problem.

Gideon was afraid.

Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer.

Rahab was a prostitute.

Jeremiah and Timothy were too young.

David had an affair and was a murderer.

Elijah was suicidal.

Isaiah preached naked.

Jonah ran from God.

Naomi was a widow.

Job went bankrupt.

John the Baptist ate bugs.

Peter denied Christ.

The Disciples fell asleep while praying.

Martha worried about everything.

The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once.

Zaccheus was too small.

Paul was too religious and Lazarus was dead!

(Author unknown)

More important than where you have been or even where you are, is where you are headed.  Don't wait until you have it all figured out.  That won't happen, this side of Heaven.  Don't wait until you think you are good enough.  You never will be.  Step up to the plate and be the imperfect you; allowing God's perfection to shine through each and every weakness.  Do not listen to the doubts and lies of Satan.  His goal is to render you helpless and defeated, no longer a threat to him or his kingdom. I recently told a friend, "I want to get to the place in my walk with God, that when my feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says, "Oh, no!  She's awake!"  I know I have a long way to go, but join me in the choice to embrace weakness and pain, allowing God's strength and restoration to shine through each broken place.

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

Now It's Your Turn

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

More from the Girlfriends
For years, I struggled with not being good enough.  Many of my hopes and dreams were lost or paralyzed by doubt and fear ... until I found myself in a clinical pit of depression where God taught me so many life changing lessons.  No one can take my place in the Father's heart.  I am indispensable to no one but God.  I will never be "good enough" but my relationship with God does not exist because of good works, nor will it be sustained by what I do.  Instead, He lives through me and I live by His power.  Do not let the enemy backhand you with the lie that you are nothing to God.  My friend, you are everything to Him.  Go for it!  Need help?  Mary has a free online bible study as well as a variety of books, CDs and MP3 downloads that will encourage and equip you for daily life.  Drop by her online store today! 

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