Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

August 9, 2010 

Come Thirsty, Leave Satisfied 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life'" (John 4:13-14 NIV).

Friend To Friend
We all come into the world thirsty. From the time my son made his first cry in the delivery room, he began rooting around for something to drink. God planned it that way. Our bodies are 50 to 60 percent water and must be replenished continuously.  When we go without water, our skin grows clammy, our eyes become scratchy and our head start to pound.  We need water to keep our mouths moist enough to swallow, our vital organs plump enough to function, and our joints lubricated enough to flex. One week without water and we simply dry up and die.

We also come into the world spiritually thirsty. From the time we are cut loose from our mother's nourishing umbilical cord, we begin our journey to discovering the living water that will satisfy the soul. Oh, we don't know it yet, but God has placed the desire in each and every one of His image bearers. Until we meet Jesus at the well, we fumble about trying to quench the God-given thirst with anything and anyone who offers temporary relief. But it is just that...temporary.

It is only in a relationship with Jesus that we discover "the ultimate purpose for which we were created, the meeting and marriage between ourselves and God...the highest and holiest and happiest hope of the human heart, the thing we were all born hungering (and thirsting) for, hunting for, longing for." (Peter Kreeft, Three Philosophies of Life, San Francisc Ignatius Press, 1989, 99.)

In John 4, we meet the Samaritan woman who had come to the well after drinking from many shallow streams. Those streams had only left her thirsty for more - or at least for something different. Jesus offered her freely flowing, resplendently refreshing water; water that bubbles up from the indwelling Holy Spirit and quenches every thirst, washes away every sin, and flows into every nook and cranny of our beings. He invites us to come often and drink deeply.

I live on a beautiful lake. I can look at the lake, swim in the lake and even stand in the lake...and still die of thirst. The only way for the water to enter my system is to scoop it up and drink.

Likewise, we can read about Jesus, listen to sermons about Jesus and even believe that He was a good man. But until we actually believe that Jesus is God's Son, the Messiah, who died for our sins and rose again...until we partake of Jesus and make Him Lord of our lives, we will remain thirsty.

In The Silver Chair, the fourth book in the Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis introduces a new character to the land of Narnia. Jill finds herself transported to Narnia as if she were caught up in a dream. The first creature she encounters is Aslan the lion, the Christ figure throughout the series.  Aslan appears for a moment and then stalks slowly back into the forest. Jill is terribly afraid of meeting up with the lion, but her increasing thirst drives her in search of water. Alas!  Jill discovers a stream, but she has to pass Aslan to reach it.

"Are you not thirsty?" said the Lion.

"I'm dying of thirst," said Jill.

"Then drink," said the Lion.

"May I-could I-would you mind going away while I do?" said Jill.

The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl.  As Jill gazed at the Lion's motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience.

The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her frantic.

"Will you promise not to do anything to me, if I do come?" said Jill.

"I make no promise," said the Lion.

Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer.

"Do you eat girls?" she said.

"I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms," said the Lion.  It didn't say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry.  It just said it.

"I daren't come and drink," said Jill.

"Then you will die of thirst," said the Lion.

"Oh dear!" said Jill, coming another step nearer.  "I suppose I must go and look for another stream then."

"There is no other stream," said the Lion.

Let's Pray
Dear LORD, I come to You thirsty today. I pray that you will fill me with living water that never shall run dry.  Forgive me when I skip away to drink from other streams that never satisfy. I know that Jesus is the living water and I drink deeply from Him today.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
What other "streams" besides Jesus have you drank from to try and quench your thirst?

What was the end result?

What are some ways that we can quench our thirst with Jesus, the Living Water?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.  Let's chat.  Visit www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes.

More From The Girlfriends
Thirsty for more? Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's new book, What God Really Thinks about Women: Finding Your Significance through the Women Jesus Encountered.  We tend to read the gospels with our twenty-first century eyes, but when we understand how oppressive the culture Jesus stepped into was against women, we begin to understand just how radical Jesus' ministry, messages, and miracles were at setting women free.  He risked His reputation to save theirs...and yours. To order this life-changing book, visit www.sharonjaynes.com. You'll fall in love with Jesus all over again.

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]

August 10, 2010 

Prayer Unleashes Faith 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
James 5:13-16 (NIV) "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

Friend To Friend
A small country town was in desperate need of rain. One Sunday morning, the pastor of the local church called for a special prayer meeting to be held that night. "It's time to pray for rain," he said. The people gathered with a sense of purpose and excitement, but when the pastor stood to lead the prayer time, his words stunned the waiting crowd.  "Only one of you came in faith," he announced. Looking down at the first row, the pastor pointed at a little girl who sat quietly, a smile on her face and an umbrella in her hand.  We can pray for rain, but faith brings an umbrella. Prayer invites and expects God to step in and take charge.  Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Church in California and author of "The Purpose Driven Life" was once asked, "Rick, why do you think God blesses your life and this ministry in such powerful ways?" His answer was surprisingly simple, "Because I expect him to." Prayer shuts out fear and fuels faith.

Remember when Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water, between three and six o'clock in the morning, the darkest time of the night? I have often wished I could have been on that boat with the disciples, waiting for Jesus to show up. I imagine the questions and complaints were flying! "Why would Jesus send us out here, knowing the waves were high? And where is He, by the way? Why is He waiting so long to rescue us? Can't He just calm the waves like He did before? I ministered all day long and this is my reward? Is He really coming? I don't understand!" Sound familiar? 

When the winds picked up and the waves grew larger, I am sure that every disciple in that rocking boat was praying like crazy! Unfortunately, it often takes a crisis to drive us to our knees in prayer. I think I know why. Until we are utterly helpless, prayer seems like an option instead of our only hope. 

Three ministers were discussing which position produces the most powerful prayer. As they were talking, a telephone repairman was working on the phone system in the background. One minister shared that he felt the key to powerful prayer was in the hands. He always held his hands together and pointed them upward as a form of symbolic worship. The second suggested that real prayer was conducted on the knees while the third minister suggested that they both had it wrong. According to him, the only position worth its salt was to pray while stretched out flat on your face in humility. The phone man couldn't resist offering his opinion, "I have found that the most powerful prayer I ever prayed was while I was dangling upside down by my heels from a power pole suspended forty feet above the ground." Helplessness underlines our need for faith and our total dependence upon God, even when the skies are clear and the water is calm.

Answered prayer should be the norm. Prayer should be as natural and constant as breathing. A mother overheard her daughter-in-law talking on the telephone to a friend who had called, asking for prayer. Five-year-old Amy came bouncing into the room, stood still for a moment to listen, and heard her mother praying. "Is that God on the phone, Mom?" Amy interrupted. "I need to talk to Him, too!"

Samuel Chadwick writes, "The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayer-less studies, prayer-less work and prayer-less religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray."  The best time for prayer isn't found. It's made. The average Christian spends very little time in prayer - then wonders why they have no faith and experience no power. If we are too busy to pray, we are too busy to experience the power of God. We can be very busy, but not necessarily productive because we lack faith. One of the main reasons we lack faith is because we don't pray. Consistent prayer builds consistent faith. 

Let's Pray
Father, Thank You for the gift of prayer. I am constantly amazed by Your love and the fact that You really want to spend time with me in prayer. Help me to become a mighty prayer warrior for You.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Pray! You have probably read many devotions and listened to a few sermons on prayer. However, I believe the main problem with our prayer life is simple - we just do not pray. We think we have to be in a certain place, at a certain time going through specific steps in order to pray. Prayer needs to become a habit that takes second place to nothing. Pray about everything. Start praying in the morning when your eyes open and don't stop until they close in sleep. Create a prayer journal in which you can record prayer requests, prayers and praises. Right now, celebrate the gift of prayer - and pray!

More From The Girlfriends
God's love is not a shallow love that always rescues easily or quickly. God loves us enough to walk us through the fiery times that make us more like His Son, Jesus Christ. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are different from our thoughts. He is Holy God! Join me in a new commitment to trust God to work at the right time and in the right way as we seek Him in prayer.

Need help? Check out one of Mary's E-Bible Studies for practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith and find answers to the problems you face every day. Titles include Anger Management 911, God's Answer to Stress, Getting a Grip on Fear and more. 

Join other women across the world in Mary's Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Sandpaper People the current series beginning August 2. Discover ten ways to deal with the "sandpaper people" in your life - you know, the ones that rub you the wrong way. Don't miss this study! When you enroll, you also have access to all of the 2010 studies we have done so far. Check it out!

Going through a tough time? Are your fears and uncertainties rooted in your past? Get past your past! Check out Mary's FREE MP3: Getting Past Your Past.

Need a friend? Connect with Mary on Facebook or through email. She loves hearing what God is doing in your life!

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]

August 11, 2010 

Steamed Up in the Kitchen 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41, 42 NIV).

Friend To Friend
Mary and Martha lived in a home with their brother, Lazarus, in the small Judean village of Bethany.  Bethany was two miles east of the temple in Jerusalem, on the east slope of the Mount of Olives - the final station on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem.  The name, Bethany, meant "house of dates and figs," the perfect place to stop for refreshment.  Mary and Martha's home served as a safe haven and quiet retreat for Jesus as he traveled from place to place.

Mary and Martha were busy in the kitchen making dinner for their honored guest and his friends.  "Mary, check on the roasting lamb," Martha calls among the clattering of the pots and pans.  "And where's the wine?  The bread must be kneaded in fifteen minutes.  There's just so much to do!"

"I'll take a bowl of fresh dates into the guests," Mary said.  "That will give them something to nibble on while we finish the preparations."

As Mary entered the room, she heard Jesus talking about the kingdom of God, the plan of redemption, the fulfillment of prophecy, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. 

"Do not judge and you will not be judged," Jesus taught.  "Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive and you will be forgiven.  Give and it will be given to you."

"The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden," he continued.  "It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches."

Jesus noticed Mary standing in the doorway and motioned for her to enter.  Looking directly at her, he continued, "The kingdom of God is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

Jesus continued teaching about who he was, and what he came to do.  Mesmerized by the Rabbi's words, Mary sank to the floor and sat right at the Master's feet with the others.  The men shifted uncomfortably in their places, but Jesus lowered his eyes and began speaking directly to Mary - his newest student. 

The disciples waited for Jesus to send Mary back into the kitchen where she belonged, but He didn't.  They were confused when Jesus welcomed her into the classroom, but tried their best not to become distracted by her presence.  After all, women were not allowed to sit and learn from a Rabbi's teaching. They weren't even allowed to join men in such a gathering at all.

Twenty minutes passed when Martha huffed, "Where is that girl?" 

Martha angrily stomped into the gathering room with mixing bowl in hand.  All eyes turned toward the frustrated sister as she interrupted Jesus and pointed her wooden spoon in Mary's direction.

"Lord," she began sternly, "can't you see that Mary has left me all alone in the kitchen?  What does she think she's doing?  Don't you care that I have to do all this work by myself while my irresponsible sister is out here lollygagging about with the men.  Why she's not even supposed to be out here at all.  It isn't proper for a woman to join a room full of men, much less sit at a rabbi's feet while he's teaching.  Put her in her place! Tell her to get back in the kitchen this instant!"

The men turned their head from Jesus to the red-faced Martha and back to Jesus again.

"Martha, Martha," Jesus replied, "don't get so worked up.  Mary is right where she needs to be.  You are so worried, bothered, and distracted with the details of living that you miss the joys of life.  You don't need to work so hard to create a feast for us.  That's not even important.  What is important is that I am here and I have something to share with you.  Mary has figured that out.  She has chosen what is important and I am not going to send her away.  She has joined the classroom to learn - to become a disciple of God's Word - and I am not going to take that away from her.

Martha put her flour-covered hand on her hip, spun around on her heels, and marched back into the kitchen. "Well, I never," she mumbled as she stomped away.

Let's Pray
Dear LORD, I have a smile on my face as I think about Martha all steamed up in the kitchen.  Thank you for the courage of Mary of Bethany to enter your classroom and sit at Your feet with the other disciples.  Thank You for swinging the doors wide open for women to become disciples or students of the Word and followers of Jesus Christ.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
I hope you enjoyed my retelling of the story of Martha steamed up in the kitchen.  We must never forget that these were real women who had real encounters with Jesus - encounters that changed their lives forever.

Have you ever entered a place of worship or study and felt somewhat or totally out of place?

What do you think the disciples thought when Jesus allowed a woman to join them while He taught?

Do you think this was a gutsy move for Mary?

Do you think they were surprised when Jesus didn't send her back into the kitchen?

Is God calling you to make a gutsy move for Him today?  If so, I'd love to hear about it.  Click on www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes and share your story.  We'd love to pray for you as you move forward!

More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's new book, What God Really Thinks about Women: Finding Your Significance through the Women Jesus Encountered. We tend to read the gospels with our twenty-first century eyes.  But when we understand how oppressive the culture Jesus stepped into was against women, we begin to understand just how radical Jesus' ministry, messages, and miracles were at setting women free. He risked His reputation to save theirs...and yours.

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]

August 12, 2010   

Strength for the Storm   

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth.
Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. Endurance then develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation."

Friend To Friend
Life is filled with storms of one kind or another. In the midst of those storms, we tend to respond as if God has somehow been caught off guard. The storm makes no sense. We can't explain why terminal illness strikes godly people. We don't understand how our strongest friends can become our fiercest critics. The anguish of a broken marriage or the overwhelming heartbreak of a prodigal child drives us to doubt God's purpose, plan and provision. The fear of financial ruin paralyzes us. God understands. 

The Bible is filled with men and women who were storm survivors - people of God who endured great pain and weathered intense life storms because they chose to follow Him.  The Apostle Paul, known for persecuting and murdering Christians, was forever changed when he met Jesus Christ. While God gave him a life of great power and eternal impact, it was also a life filled with great storms. Paul learned to "patiently" endure the troubles, hardships and calamities that came his way. (2 Corinthians 6:4 NLT)

Because grain was a precious food source to the Romans, threshing grain was a natural part of every day in ancient Rome. In pictures of early Rome, one man is always seen stirring up the sheaves while another rides over them in a crude cart equipped with rollers instead of wheels. Sharp stones and rough bits of iron were attached to these wheels to help separate the husks from the grain. This simple cart was called a "tribulum" from which we get our word "tribulation." 

No Roman ever used his tribulum as a tool of destruction - only refinement. God uses our trials and storms as tools of refinement to build in us endurance. The word "endure" comes from two Greek words that when combined, give the meaning "to remain under."  It is the capacity to stay under the load, to remain in the circumstances without running away or looking for the easy way out.

The purpose of every storm is to purify and cultivate endurance. Like Paul, we may sometimes feel as if we are being torn to pieces under the pressure of circumstances. But his challenge to the Romans compels us to re-examine our perspective and response to each storm we face. "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. Endurance then develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation" (Romans 5:3-5 NLT).

Endurance is never passive. It is the picture of a soldier staying in the heat of the battle under terrible opposition but still pressing forward to gain the victory.

There are few things that we can count on in this unpredictable life - but we can count on storms to come. We can also count on God's continual and unfailing strength for those storms. When the hard times come, when bad things happen, we do not have to wonder where God is. Instead we can hold on to the promise that is found in Jeremiah 16:19, "Lord, you are my strength, and my protection. You are a safe place for me to run in times of trouble" (NLT).

An old seaman once said, "In fierce storms we can do but one thing. There is only one way to survive. We must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there." Richard Fuller commented on the old seaman's words:   

"This, Christian, is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Only a single course is left. You must stay upon the Lord; and come what may -- winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers -- no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm and hold fast your confidence in God's faithfulness and his everlasting love in Christ Jesus."

No matter what storm rages in your life today - no matter how fierce the winds or how high the waves may be - where you are is no surprise to God. Heaven is not in a panic. Keep your gaze on Him and your glance on the raging waters. "Lash yourself" to Him and He will supply everything you need to stand firm in the storm.

Let's Pray
Father, I am so tired of trying to weather the storms of life on my own. I need Your power and strength to face each one. Please teach me to turn to you first. Help me learn to patiently endure the hard times and honor You in the midst of them as I walk by faith.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Look back at the storms you have come through. Have you learned more about endurance? Are you stronger now than you were then?

Memorize Romans 5:3-5. Examine the storms you are facing today. Choose to rejoice in the midst of each one, knowing it is an opportunity to trust God.

More From The Girlfriends
We lived in South Florida for many years. As hurricane season approached each year, residents of South Florida raced to the grocery stores and nearest lumber yards to stockpile supplies. Batteries, flashlights, canned food, bread, peanut butter and bottled water were the first to go. Weathermen issued constant warnings to get ready and stay ready for a storm. We must do the same. Make no mistake - a storm is on the horizon.  Stand firm, knowing that God is Lord of every storm you will ever face.   

Need help? Check out one of Mary's E-Bible Studies for practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith and find answers to the problems you face every day. Titles include Strength for the Storm, God's Answer to Stress, Getting a Grip on Fear and more. 

Join other women across the world in Mary's Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Sandpaper People is the current series and will help you discover ten ways to deal with the "sandpaper people" in your life - you know, the ones that rub you the wrong way. When you enroll, you also have access to all of the 2010 studies we have done so far. Check it out!

Going through a tough time? Are your fears and uncertainties rooted in your past? Get past your past! Check out Mary's FREE MP3: Getting Past Your Past.

Need a friend? Connect with Mary on Facebook or through email. She loves hearing what God is doing in your life! 

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]

August 13, 2010 

The To-Do List Abyss
Gwen Smith 

Today's Truth
Proverbs 31:17 (NIV) "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks."

Friend To Friend
Many of us check off neatly penciled boxes. Some draw lines through the tasks we've finished. A select few of us even add tasks that we've already completed to our list so that we've got accurate accomplishment records at the end of the day! (Present company included!) J Some of us keep track of what we need to do each day in our heads, while others track progress of daily goals electronically.

There are days I fluff up my list. Instead of simply writing, "Do three loads of laundry," I'll create twelve list items to check off that read:


·         Wash whites 

·         Dry whites 

·         Fold/hang whites 

·         Put away whites 

·         Wash colors 

·         Dry colors 

·         Fold/hang colors 

·         Put away colors 

·         Wash darks 

·         Dry darks 

·         Fold/hang darks 

·         Put away darks

Oh, how I love to check boxes! Why? I want to be productive woman. I want my work to matter. It's pretty much a daily struggle for me. As an eternal optimist, I wake up anticipating that the seconds, minutes, and hours of each day will bend to cooperate with the demands of my list.

Yeah, right.

I'm such a dreamer. It just never seems to work out that simply or efficiently.

I'm guessing that you are in this daily struggle with me. Right? No matter what it looks like, thinks like, or prints off like, many of us feel overwhelmed by the abyss of a rarely satisfied to-do list. We face constant demands that call to us and vie for our attention. We sift through the essentials and the fire drills, then we go to bed, wake up, and do it all again. The abyss of a to-do list can be so exhausting!

The good news is that we don't need to face our lists alone. God offers to come along side of us daily to provide the strength, perspective, and wisdom we need. In the Bible, we read of a woman who approached each day with God-power and God-perspective:

"She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks" (Proverbs 31:17, NIV).

Though this is an impressive statement about her work ethic and though it seems this fictional woman dominates her daily to-do list, it's important to consider the source of her strength: God. At the end of the chapter, Scripture shows us that she "...fears the Lord..." (Proverbs 31:30, NIV). Her source of strength is rooted in faith and in her dependence on God. Ours should be, too.

Your list looks different from mine. We all have unique ministries, friendships, jobs, responsibilities, and families. Whether you are in the work force, unemployed, or retired or a stay-at-home mom, a single mom, or an empty nester - a wife, a widow, a single woman, or a divorcee - God can and will give you strength for each day when you prioritize Him and fear Him.

Consider the following verses:

"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians 3:3, NIV).

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV).

God longs to strengthen your arms for the tasks on your to-do list today. Place time with Him as your first priority. Check your God-box. Go to Him now. Pray. Listen. Call on Him for direction, wisdom, renewal, and strength. Strong arms await you, girlfriend!

Let's Pray
God, I was created by You and for You. Please forgive me when I rush into a day without calling on You for my strength. I need you, Lord. Please prioritize my heart and my list today.

In Jesus' Name I pray,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Read Proverbs 31:25-26: "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."

How closely do you relate to the above verse?

What steps need to be taken in your life to move toward a deeper dependence on God's strength verses your own? Are you willing to go there? Take a moment to talk to God about it.

More From The Girlfriends
Hey friend, God is all over me about this subject right now. His Spirit is constantly reminding me of the importance of operating in God-strength and not Gwen-strength. I'd love to hear stories from you about where you are with this. Come to my Facebook page so we can chat more: www.Facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic.

NEED HEALING for some heart wounds? Got a friend going through a difficult time? Gwen's book, Broken Into Beautiful, takes the reader by the hand and shows her how God delights to transform lives. To order the book, go to Amazon or, for a signed copy, go to Gwen's website: www.GwenSmith.net.

LIKE SAVING MONEY? Check out the SPECIALS on Gwen's website at http://www.gwensmith.net/store/specials.htm.  When you order more than one CD, you save!

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]

August 16, 2010   

Lassie Come Home 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9 NIV).

Friend To Friend
As a child, my best friend was my collie dog, Lassie.  She was my constant companion, committed confidant, and persistent protector.  When the veterinarian told us that Lassie had an incurable skin disease, I was devastated.  My dad couldn't bring himself to have her put to sleep, so he took her to an old farmer for the remainder of her days.  But it wasn't too long before Lassie ran away. 

My dad always looked for Lassie when he was in that "neck of the woods."  Then one day, a miracle happened!  Dad saw Lassie running down the street toward him.  She looked healthier than ever and a flurry of fur, tail wagging, and sloppy dog kisses almost knocked Dad off his feet.  We were overjoyed when Lassie came cruising home in the gray Buick.

Two weeks later, my older brother was out wrestling with Lassie in the yard.  Dazed and ashen faced, he stumbled through the backdoor.

"Mom, we've got a problem," he said.  "Lassie isn't a lassie at all.  She's a laddie!  She's a boy and this is not our dog!" 

Upon closer inspection, we discovered that she was a he...and not our Lassie.  We ran ads in the paper, but no one ever claimed him.  He seemed perfectly content in our home, so there he stayed. 

Have you ever wanted something so badly - hunted, searched, and maybe even prayed - then when you found it, you realized that maybe it wasn't exactly what you wanted, but it was definitely what you needed? I wanted my dog back.  Laddie wanted a home.  And for one little girl and one stray pup, God's answer was perfect in every way.

God always answers our prayers, but sometimes it's just not in the way we had expected.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, thank You that You care about every hair on my head.  You hear the spoken and unspoken longings of my heart.  Help me to pay attention and recognize those moments when You gently and quietly answer my prayers...perhaps in a way I didn't expect.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Think of a time when you prayed and God said "no."  Looking back, can you now see the wisdom of that answer?

Have you ever prayed and had God answer you in an unexpected way?  If so, I'd love to hear about it.  Visit www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes or my blog at www.sharonjaynes.com/blog and share your story.

More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's devotional book, Extraordinary Moments with God.  Come with Sharon as she dusts for God's fingerprints that change ordinary days into extraordinary moments.  As you explore this treasury of stories highlighting "God moments" in the lives of fellow travelers, you too will begin to sense His presence in extraordinary ways. 

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]

August 17, 2010 

Lessons Learned on the Job 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Romans 12:11 (NLT) "Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically."

Friend to Friend
God uses our work as one of His tools to mold us into who He wants us to be. Stress comes when we view our job as our main life mission instead of seeing our work as an opportunity to provide the tools we need to accomplish our life mission. The apostle Paul writes, "Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love" (Acts 20:24 LB).  Paul worked as a tentmaker, a church planter, an author. His purpose never changed, but his work certainly did. Many of us do not need a different job. We simply need a different attitude and a new point of view about the job we have. Begin by envisioning Jesus standing in the midst of your work place as your real boss. Then look for the life lessons God provides through your work.   

God uses my work to teach me responsibility.  Meeting deadlines, completing assigned tasks with excellence, showing respect for co-workers (even the abrasive ones) and working without supervision are all valuable life lessons learned on the job.  When we try to cut corners, stress steps in and wreaks havoc in our attitude about work. 

God uses people at work to teach me about relationships.  Cooperation, fairness, flexibility, humility and patience are relationship skills of a successful worker. Stress comes when we stray from the guidelines God gives us for serving others. Our workplace is not only one of our God-ordained mission fields; it is a classroom for learning to love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable and, in short, be "God with skin on." You may very well be the only sermon your co-workers ever hear.   

God uses my work to teach me how to serve.  The way we serve God is by serving others. God wants us to grow spiritually at work by becoming a servant to those with whom we work. It is easy to serve those who sit beside us on a pew each Sunday, but a real servant serves on the job. God asks us to accept others unconditionally, encourage other continually, forgive others freely and help others willingly. 

Attitudes never sit still. They constantly move and change. An attitude is a pattern of thinking, a filter through which we view life. We can choose to be honest about our attitude at work and we can choose to change our attitude about work, but most importantly, we can choose to pray for God's attitude about work. When we can't change our attitude, the One who lives in us can give us His attitude. Exchanging our attitude for His always eliminates stress.

Let's Pray
Lord, thank You for Your provision through my job. I praise You for the opportunity to serve You and others through my work. Help me to see those in need and reach out to them in Your name.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now it's your Turn
Consider the ways God uses your job to teach you the valuable life lessons listed below.  List specific work circumstances and the lessons you learned in each one. Examine your attitude about your work for any changes that need to be made. Record those changes below. 

      God uses my work to teach me responsibility. _________________________________

      God uses people at work to teach me about relationships.  _______________________

      God uses my work to teach me how to serve.  _________________________________

Consider the following questions:

Do the people I work with see Christ in me? 

Do they even know I am a Christian? 

What changes do I need to make in order to point my co-workers to Christ?

More from the Girlfriends
I recently stopped at a local discount store to pick up a few things. When I went to check out, the cashier looked very familiar. He must have seen the question in my eyes because he smiled and said, "It's good to see you, Mrs. Southerland." When I heard his voice, I immediately recognized him as the manager of a local grocery store where I frequently shopped. Before I could say one word, he explained, "I lost my job at the grocery store. Evidently, I needed to change mission fields for awhile." Now that is what I call a heavenly perspective of an earthly job.

Need help? Check out one of Mary's E-Bible Studies for practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith and find answers to the problems you face every day. Titles include Strength for the Storm, God's Answer to Stress, Getting a Grip on Fear and more. 

Join other women across the world in Mary's Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Sandpaper People is the current series and will help you discover ten ways to deal with the "sandpaper people" in your life - you know - the ones that rub you the wrong way. When you enroll, you also have access to all of the 2010 studies. Check it out!

Going through a tough time? Are your fears and uncertainties rooted in your past? Get past your past! Check out Mary's FREE MP3: Getting Past Your Past.

Need a friend? Connect with me on Facebook or through email. I love hearing what God is doing in your life! Share what God is doing through you in the workplace.

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]

August 18, 2010 

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35, 38-39 NIV).

Friend To Friend
It was the first anniversary of the terrorist bombing of September 11, 2001. The rubble from the World Trade Center had been cleared and the Pentagon repaired, but men and women all across America still mourned the 3,000 lives that were lost on that dark day. In my hometown, a memorial was set up on an expanse of land with a sea of twelve-inch white crosses representing the men and women who died.

Kathy and her family went to see the memorial.  Along with her seventeen-year-old daughter, Heather, Kathy took along her three-year-old niece, Taylor.  It was difficult for young Taylor to understand exactly what was going on and why so many people were sad, but she obediently walked hand-in-hand with her cousin between the tiny crosses.  At some point, little Taylor wandered away from her family.

It was reverently silent as the crowd of mourners looked at the names inscribed on the white memorials.  Some crosses were decorated with flowers, others with Teddy Bears or other memorabilia, but nothing spoke more poignantly than the silence broken by quiet sobs.  Then, as if coming directly from heaven, a small voice could be heard floating on the breeze.  Everyone turned to notice a little girl with outstretched arms twirling in circles among the crosses.

With face lifted toward the sky, she sang...


           "Jesus loves me, this I know. 

For the Bible tells me so. 

Little ones to Him belong. 

We are weak but He is strong. 

Yes, Jesus loves me. 

Yes, Jesus loves me. 

Yes, Jesus loves me. 

The Bible tells me so."

Time seemed to stand still as hundreds of mourners turned their attention to one small girl with a big message.  Even in the midst of pain, even with the loss of life, loss of dreams, and loss of hope... Jesus still loves us.  That love can lift the burden of despair, resurrect our dreams, and restore our hope.

In 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 Paul reminds us: "For God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Jesus loves me...this I know.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, today I remember all the men and women who died in the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.  I also think of the difficulties in my own life.  Thank You that no matter what my outward circumstances may be, the fact that Jesus loves me will never be shattered or shaken.  You, O LORD, are the constant in my life and You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  Jesus loves me, this I know.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
When was a time in your life that you have felt overcome with the gravity of a difficult situation?

How did the knowledge of God's unchanging, unfailing love give you comfort?

Perhaps you are in the middle of such a situation at this very moment.  Are you willing, as the little girl in this story, to open your arms to God and sing, "Jesus loves me this I know?"  Why don't you stop right now where you are and sing that chorus to God.

More From The Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's book; Your Scars are Beautiful to God: Discovering peace and purpose in the hurts of your past.  If you would like to learn more about turning your pain into purpose and your hurt into hope, this book can help you on your journey to wholeness and healing.

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]

August 2010 

Is God's Word Important to You? 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 17It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do."

Friend to Friend
If we really want to know God, if we really want to understand who and whose we are, the Bible must have the highest place in our lives. We don't have to be a Bible scholar or have a firm grip on the Hebrew and Greek languages to know and apply God's promises. As you read the Bible, the Holy Spirit will give you supernatural understanding and teach you spiritual truth. He will then give you the power you need to follow those teachings and apply their truths. 

A disciple is a follower, a learner and a student.  If we want to follow God and be a learner of Him, a student of His ways, then we have to understand the importance of the Bible, love the Word and spend time in it. I really thought I was doing a fair job of plugging the truth of God's Word into my life until I rammed right into Psalm 119. Within this passage, I discovered a test for us as believers that will help determine the importance we really place on God's Word in daily life. Take this test with me to see if God's Word has the place in your life that it should have. 

Is God's Word more important to you than food?

Psalm 119:103 "Your promises are sweet to me, sweeter than honey in my mouth" (NCV).

Here the Bible is described as honey and at other places in the Scripture as milk or bread. The Bible is our spiritual food. God's Word sustains and strengthens us just like food sustains and strengthens our physical body. Just like malnutrition affects our physical growth, spiritual malnutrition affects our spiritual growth. I dare say that we rarely miss a meal. We always seem to find a way to eat, even if we must resort to eating fast food. Do we have the same depth of commitment to our spiritual growth and health as we do to satisfying the hunger pains of our human body?   

Is God's Word more important to you than money? 

Psalm 119:72 "Your teachings are worth more to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver" (NCV). 

The psalmist is saying is that spiritual wealth is more important than human wealth. Do we really live as if that statement were true? I have a friend who is totally committed to God and to serving Him whole-heartedly. My friend is a garbage collector - a happy garbage collector. I once asked him why he was so happy in his work. "Mary, I collect garbage to pay the bills. My real passion in life is to share Jesus Christ and to serve Him with joy." I recently spoke for a church that is almost totally staffed by volunteers. One couple in particular, felt led to serve the church but knew that the church budget would not pay another salary. What did they do? They moved into a tiny, one-bedroom apartment and sold their car to buy a smaller, more economic vehicle. The husband quit his job to work as a full-time volunteer at the church and his wife took a church staff position that pays a minimal salary that they both live on. And I have never met two happier or less-stressed people. They have the right backdrop for life and it is neither wealth nor money.

Is God's Word more important to you than sleep?

Psalm 119:147-148 "I wake up early in the morning and cry out. I hope in your word. I stay awake all night so I can think about your promises" (NCV).

I know. God is getting really personal, isn't He? When we start talking about giving up sleep to read and study the Word of God, we are talking radical obedience. Exactly! If we want to experience God's power in our life, we have to saturate it with His Word. 

The truth is that we find a way to do the things in life that are important to us. Have you noticed that we always seem to find the time to eat and sleep? We are driven to work in order to live the good life but we neglect the most important - the only eternal part of our being - our soul. Our soul can only be nourished and fed by the Word of the Living God. How important is God's word in your life? 

Jeremiah 2:32 "Does a maiden forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number" (NCV).

Jeremiah did not write these words to the unbeliever but to those of us who call ourselves "disciples" of Jesus Christ. I can hear the sorrow in His words, can't you? They vividly portray the broken heart of a Father whose children have ignored Him and abandoned His words. I know what it does to me as a parent when my children do not listen to me or when they choose a path that is in direct opposition to one I would have chosen for them. I can only imagine what it does to God's heart when we go for days and even weeks or months without even picking up the Bible except as an accessory for others to see when attending church.

We live in Shawnee, Kansas where Westar Energy creates a tremendous amount of electricity and makes it available to us. With that power, we can light our home, stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We can enjoy electrically powered appliances that turn, spin, wash, dry and clean. Electricity makes a big difference in our life - when we flip the switch. Unless we use and appropriate the electricity that is available to us, it has no power in our life. The same is true of the Bible. How important is God's Word to you?

Let's Pray
Father, I pray that You would give me a hunger and thirst for Your Word. I want to please You with my life through obedience to Your truths. I choose to spend time with You every day this week, studying the Bible. Would You please honor my commitment and empower me to keep it? When I fail, Lord, I choose now to forgive myself as You forgive me - and begin again.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now it's your Turn
Set aside one hour this week to re-evaluate your plan for reading and studying the Bible. Set new goals for daily Bible study. Make the goals realistic for your current lifestyle. Next week, add 15 minutes to your study time each day. Pray and ask the Father to empower this new commitment. Set a specific time and place for your Bible study. Remember to record new truths and insights in a journal. 

At the end of the week, go back over your entries you have made to see what changes God has made in your life. Praise Him for the power of His Word. Do not allow the enemy to discourage you or persuade you to give up.

More from the Girlfriends
How did you do? I will tell you honestly that I failed this test! I have walked with God for many years and I still do not have the hunger and thirst for God's Word that I should have. If we would listen carefully, I believe we could hear God say, "If you want to get to know me - really know me - if you want to be intimate with Me, then you have to know my Book!" The level of stress in my life is directly correlated to the amount of time I spend or don't spend reading and applying the Word of God. 

Need help? Check out one of Mary's E-Bible Studies for practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith and find answers to the problems you face every day. Titles include Strength for the Storm, God's Answer to Stress, Getting a Grip on Fear and more. 

Join other women across the world in Mary's Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Sandpaper People is the current series and will help you discover ten ways to deal with the "sandpaper people" in your life - you know - the ones that rub you the wrong way. When you enroll, you also have access to all of the 2010 studies. Check it out!


Going through a tough time? Are your fears and uncertainties rooted in your past? Get past your past! Check out Mary's FREE MP3: Getting Past Your Past.

Need a friend? Connect with me on Facebook or through email. I love hearing what God is doing in your life! Share what God is doing through you in the workplace.

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]

August 20, 2010 

Make Up Your Mind 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Isaiah 26:3 (NCV) "You, LORD, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you."

Friend to Friend
As I stood on the sideline of the football field where my eighteen-year-old son was practicing for the South Florida All Star Football Game, I was not prepared for the hideous sounds and horrific sights that assaulted every protective sense I have as a mother. My baby - my six foot, two hundred and thirty pound baby - was knocking padded giants left and right as he bulldozed his way toward the goal line.

Mixed emotions, foreign thoughts skipped through my heart and mind. On one hand, I was so proud of Jered that I felt like shouting to the college scouts and coaches standing beside me, "That's my boy!" On the other hand, I wanted to drag him off of that field, lock him in his nice, safe room and never let him play the barbaric game of football again. The curious thing is that Jered is a gentle young man who loves every animal he sees, will do anything to help anyone in need, rarely gets angry and is a major hugger. So what happens when he steps on that football field? I'll tell you what happens; he turns into a growling, intimidating predator, who will bash heads and bruise any bodies that get in his way.

On the ride home, I shared my thoughts with Jered, describing my astonishment at his metamorphosis from the teddy bear I know to the bulldozing bear opponents fear. He laughed and said, "Mom, ninety per cent of football is mental. If you think tough you will be tough." I could buy that theory, in part, but looking at Jered's size, considerable bulk and bulging muscles, I had to believe that his physical attributes had something to do with his intimidating bruiser mentality on the football field. "Son, you are a hulk. Any player would be afraid of you!" He grinned, loving the compliment and then reminded me of a friend who had graduated two years before. Chris was a short and lean but deadly running back known for intimidating players twice his size. I did remember Chris, as well as Jered coming home from several practices complaining, "I'd rather get hit by anyone on the team but Chris. He is brutal!" My son then said something I will never forget.  "Mom, Chris was a great football player because he thought he was a great football player. I have seen so many guys who are bigger, stronger and better who could not begin to play as well as Chris played. In this game, success is not only in the body but the mind."

What a powerful truth - on the football field - and in the game of life.

The thought processes of a child are very different from those of a mature person. A child thinks only of himself and his desires, his wants and needs making up the heart of his world and completely occupying his focus. Certainly for the sake of survival, every baby comes into this world as a narcissist, thinking only of its own needs. But with healthy growth of the mind comes a natural change in focus from inward to outward. The thought life of a mature believer must be well trained because the greatest battlefield for the Christian is the mind. Proverbs 23:7 tells us, "For as he thinks within himself, so he is" (NASB). In other words, what we think about powerfully influences who and what we will become. Our actions, our attitudes and habits are born in the mind, an offspring of the thought life we entertain. 

We can literally change our life by changing how we think - but we cannot do it alone.  God's standard and guideline for the thought life is very clear and demanding. In fact, it's downright impossible without God's power at work in our life.

Philippians 4:8 "Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected" (NCV).

We choose what we watch and read, the conversations we have and the time we spend in the Word. If the mind is not filled with good, trust me, the enemy will fill it with bad. The human mind will always set itself on something. In this passage, Paul is challenging us to wisely choose that setting, taking charge of our thoughts by inviting the Holy Spirit to empower God's standard for the mind.

It is time for us to allow the Holy Spirit free reign in training our mind, harnessing our thoughts and measuring them by God's standard. If we don't make up our mind, our unmade mind will unmake us. In order to live right we must think right. How about you?  Have you made up your mind?

Let's Pray
Lord, I confess to You that my thoughts are not pure. I have allowed the world and outside influences to pollute the mind that should be set on You. Right now, I choose against my old ways of thinking and invite the Holy Spirit to stand guard over my mind. I commit to fill my heart and mind with Your truth.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Recognize the power of your thought life. 

Read Colossians 3:2.

Choose God's worthy standard for your thought life from this day on.

Read Romans 8:6.

In the past, how have your thoughts affected your decisions or actions?

Read Ephesians 4:22-24.

How can you control outside sources of influence?

Read Isaiah 26:3.

What part can the Word of God play in renewing your mind? How?

Read Psalm 26:2-3.

More from the Girlfriends
We have to make time to read and study God's Word. If we don't, we are left to our own wisdom and understanding. Scary! Join me in a new commitment to make reading, studying and memorizing the Bible.

Need help? Check out one of Mary's E-Bible Studies for practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith and find answers to the problems you face every day. Titles include Strength for the Storm, God's Answer to Stress, Getting a Grip on Fear and more. 

Join other women across the world in Mary's Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Sandpaper People is the current series and will help you discover ten ways to deal with the "sandpaper people" in your life - you know - the ones that rub you the wrong way. When you enroll, you also have access to all of the 2010 studies. Check it out!

Going through a tough time? Are your fears and uncertainties rooted in your past? Get past your past! Check out Mary's FREE MP3: Getting Past Your Past.

Need a friend? Connect with me on Facebook or through email. I love hearing what God is doing in your life! Share what God is doing through you in the workplace.

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