Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

December 14, 2010 

The Joy of Giving 

Mary Southerland 


Today's Truth
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NCV) "Each one should give as you have decided in your heart to give. You should not be sad when you give, and you should not give because you feel forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily.'

Friend to Friend
We make a living by what we get out of life, but we make a life by what we give and how we give it. I am convinced that God loves to see us give for no other reason than the joy of giving.

The true story is told of a self-made millionaire who had lived in New York City his entire life. Born and raised in a ghetto, he worked hard and achieved much. Anyone who knew this man would testify to the fact that he was generous - to a fault, some would say. One year, the man was disturbed by an attitude of selfishness and greed that seemed to pervade the Christmas holiday season and everyone around him. Not one to condemn, the millionaire decided that since he had been given so much, it was up to him to do his part in combating greed and came up with an unusual plan. Wearing a disguise, this man stuffed his pockets with $100 dollar bills and set out for a walk on the streets of New York City. When he saw someone in need, he whipped out one of the bills, pressed it into that person's hands and with a "Merry Christmas" and made his way down the street. "It was the most wonderful part of my holiday season," the man reported, and he has been doing it every since. 

When our children were in middle school, we owned what I affectionately called a "Mini-Gym." It was a set of bar bells, a weight lifting bench and a few free weights. Both Jered and Danna loved their "gym" and used it almost every day. When Christmas rolled around, we learned that two of their good friends, Jeff and Jeremy, were not going to have much of a Christmas because their dad had lost his job. Jered came up with a plan. "Mom," he said, "Danna and I have talked about it. We think that Jeff and Jeremy would love to have a gym like ours, but we don't want them to know we gave it to them because they might be embarrassed.  What do you think?" I thought I was in the presence of two joyful givers and quickly joined them in their plan.

A few days before Christmas, Jered and I took the gym apart and loaded it in our car while Danna found a huge red bow and made a sign that read, "Merry Christmas!" Danna then blew up balloons while Jered dug out some Christmas lights. We enlisted the help of a neighbor who had a key to our friend's house. Her job was to let us know when our friends left and then unlock the back door so we could complete our mission. We parked down the street until the neighbor called, giggling, to let us know the coast was clear.

Once we were inside, we raced to assemble the gym, tie the balloons and tape the lights to the front door. We then high-tailed it home as if the FBI was hot on our trail! The neighbor reported that just minutes after the boys and their mom returned she heard shouting and "whooping and hollering." The joy of that Christmas still lingers today.

Greed doesn't hold a candle to joyful giving. Greed is never satisfied and never at rest. There is always something more to be gained and someone else to outdo. I'm afraid our motives are all too often self-serving when it comes to giving. Our pride is at stake, so we give to impress others. Perhaps we give out of fear and guilt, hoping to buy God's forgiveness from our sin. People are watching, so we give in order to gain their approval.

God is much more interested in our motive for giving than in the gift itself. If that motive is tainted with greed of any kind, the gift simply does not count. This year, before you give, ask yourself, "What's in it for me?" If the answer is "nothing," then go ahead and give the gift. Be a joyful giver.   

Let's Pray
Father, You have given me so much. Thank You for the blessings in my life. Thank You for meeting my every need. Now help me to give with a joyful heart. I want You to be pleased and honored by the gifts I give this Christmas.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now it's Your Turn
Read Proverbs 11:24-25 "Some people give much but get back even more. Others don't give what they should and end up poor. Whoever gives to others will get richer; those who help others will themselves be helped."

What truths about giving do you see in these verses?

How can you apply those truths to the gifts you give this Christmas?

Have you considered the fact that your gift may very well be the answer to someone's prayer?

More from the Girlfriends
I simply cannot "out-give" God. It seems that the more I give, the more I receive. How about you? I would love to hear your story! Send me an e-mail and let's encourage each other to be joyful givers.   

Don't let stress steal your joy this Christmas! Mary's book, Escaping the Stress Trap, is based on Psalm 23 and will help you manage holiday stress. It is the perfect Christmas gift from you - to you!

Check out these two new resources now available in Mary's online store:

NEW E-Bible Study:  Take This Job and Love It!

NEW CD:  Divine Surprises

Join women from across the world in Mary's Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Don't miss her new study beginning today, The Secret of a Merry Christmas. If you enroll now, you will also have access to all of the 2010 studies. But hurry! This offer ends December 15. 

Need a friend? Connect with me on Facebook or through email. 

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]

December 15, 2010 

Who are Those Wise Men Anyway? 

Sharon Jaynes 


Today's Truth
"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?"  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:1-2 NIV.

Friend to Friend
There has been quite a bit on confusion over the years about the "Wee Three Kings of Orientar."  Who were they?  Wise men?  Magi?  Kings? How old was Jesus when they arrived?  Did they get there on Christmas night?  Or was Jesus a toddler by the time they arrived? The rough and rowdy Herdsmen in The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever, thought a ham was a much more practical gift than gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:1-12 tells the story of the wise men (KJV) or magi (NAS) who came from the east to worship the new King of the Jews.  Traditionally they have been referred to as Kings, but nowhere in Scripture is that confirmed.  We don't know exactly how many of them there were, but again, traditionally we've celebrated three, because of the three gifts.

Most likely, they did not show up in the stable at the advent of Christ's birth.  Matthew 2:11 says that they "came into the house and saw the child," indicating that Mary and Joseph had moved to a home from the stable.  We're not sure how old Jesus was when they arrived.  Some sources say He was as old as two years.

Apparently, God did not think all these details were important.  But He did give specific details about the gifts that the wise men brought for Jesus:  gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Gold stood for the riches of a king, showing us that Jesus is the King of Kings.  Frankincense was incense used by the priests in the temple worship, showing us that Jesus is our High Priest who goes before the Heavenly Father and intercedes for us.  And myrrh was a perfume used in burial services, pointing us to Jesus' death on the cross - a holy sacrifice for our sins.

This Christmas, as you think of the wise men, ponder the gifts they brought and the rich meaning behind them.  Jesus is your King that guides you, your High Priest who prays for you, and the Messiah who came to give His life so that you might live.

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son - the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the one and only sacrifice for my sins. Thank You that He became flesh and dwelt with us, He left His throne to walk among us, and hung on the cross to die for us. 

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Do you know Jesus as your King?  If so, what does that mean to you?

Do you know Jesus as your High Priest who prays for you?  If so, what that mean to you?

Do you know Jesus as the One who gave His life as a sacrifice for your sins?  If so, what does that mean to you?

Now, look at your answers above.  You have just written a wonderful description of who Jesus is, why He came, and why the wise men brought their gifts.

Idea: If you have small children, here's a great holiday idea. One way to emphasize the journey of the wise men is to place them a short distance away from the nativity displayed in your home.  Each day, move the trio a little closer, until they finally arrive on Christmas Day.

More from the Girlfriends

For more holiday ideas, see Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas by Sharon Jaynes.  It is packed with ways from A-Z with ways to keep Jesus the focus of the holiday season.

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]

December 16, 2010 

Unsearchable 

Gwen Smith 


Today's Truth
"I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable."  (Psalm 145:1-3, NASB)

Friend to Friend
I fell in love with my husband half-my-life ago, yet with fifteen years of marriage under my belt, there are still moments that I shake my head and wonder, "Who is that man?" And while I may not have every mystery about him solved, I do know my husband. I know his voice, his touch, and his quirks. I'm a witness to his character, his personality, and his ways. The same is true about my relationship with God. Over the years, I have learned to hear His voice, to recognize His touch, and to understand some basic truths of who He is.

There are so many revelations of God in His Word. The Bible boasts of His greatness, glory, honor, and character. We know that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:, that God's grace is sufficient for every repentant heart, and that His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). We know that His name is above all other names (Philippians 2:9), that there is no other like Him (Jeremiah 10:6), and that His wisdom holds secrets that are hidden from before time began (I Corinthians 2:7). And for as much as we know about the LORD, our knowledge of Him is but a fraction of a grain of sand as held up to the all the beaches on earth. God is a majesty mystery. He's knowable, yet unsearchable!

"Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable." (Psalm 145:3, NASB)

Though He is the master Creator who hung each star in the sky and calls them by name, He wants you and me to draw near to Him in love, to trust Him, to know Him intimately, and to worship Him wholeheartedly. God invites us to join Him in a vibrant dance of abundant life through His Son, Jesus Christ. How extraordinarily unsearchable is that?

Our amazing Heavenly Father bids each and every one of us to come to Him with questions, to be held by His love, to find peace, hope, and healing in His Son. He calls us to seek Him through prayer and to experience new revelations of Him through His Word and through the Holy Spirit.

Pastor John Piper wrote, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." The voice of all of creation shouts His praise, friend! I encourage you to pause in this moment to consider Him...to respond to Him...to meditate on His glorious splendor. As you do, He will become the all-satisfying desire of your heart, while at the same time, He will stir up a hunger in your soul to know Him even more.

Let's Pray
Holy Father, Your greatness truly is unsearchable! I pray that You will continue to stir up a hunger in my soul to know all the mystery of You that remains. Please cause me to think bigger thoughts of You, and to acknowledge You in all my ways.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
This devotion was inspired by a worship song that I co-wrote called, UNSEARCHABLE.  Take a moment to read through the lyric. Speak it out loud!

UNSEARCHABLE
By Sue Smith and Gwen Smith

Lord I know that Your grace is sufficient for me
I know I am held by Your love
And You're there when I call
You are strong when I'm weak
You delight over me from above

And You stir up a hunger that I can't explain
To know all the mystery of You that remains

Unsearchable greatness
Unsearchable wisdom
Unsearchable mercy to me
I am lost in the wonder of all that I know
Knowing there's much more to see
Cause You are unsearchable
You are unsearchable

Lord, I boast in Your glory that humbles the stars

Your name has such power and might

And Your goodness and kindness

Have captured my heart

Your Word keeps giving me life

And You stir up a hunger that I can't explain
to know all the mystery of You that remains

Chorus

Hear the voice of all creation crying out!

Now... Visit my facebook page (www.facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic) to listen to the song and respond in worship. (Turn on your speakers!)

Read Jeremiah 33:3. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." What does this verse mean to you? What does this verse tell you about the rewards of calling on our Lord? Thank Him for hearing your prayers and for healing your pains. Be lost in the wonder of Him.

More from the Girlfriends

Gwen's song Unsearchable is the title track to her live worship CD, which is now available for only $1.99 when you order her new CD, Uncluttered. Order your copies today at http://www.gwensmith.net/store/specials.htm

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 visit Gwen's website: http://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]

December 17, 2010 

Men are like Waffles, Women are like Spaghetti 

Pam Farrel

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",
Pam Farrel.

Today's Truth
"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God" Romans 15:7.

Friend to Friend
Why is communication with the opposite gender so difficult?  Because Men are like Waffles, and Women are Like Spaghetti. That's our way of explaining Genesis 1:27:

"So God created man in his own image,   . . . male and female he created them."

So how can we understand how God created the opposite gender? Men are like waffles. Men process life in boxes. If you look down at a waffle, you see a collection of boxes separated by walls. That is typically how a man processes life. Their thinking is divided up into boxes that have room for one issue and one issue only. The first issue of life goes in the first box, the second goes in the second box and so on. The typical man then spends time in one box at a time and one box only. When a man is at work, he is at work. When he is in the garage tinkering around, he is in the garage tinkering. When he is watching TV, he is WATCHING TV! Social scientists call this "compartmentalizing."

As a result of thinking through life in boxes, men are natural problem solvers. They enter a box, size up the "problem" that exists and formulates a solution. A man strategically organizes his life in boxes and then spends most of his time in the boxes he can succeed in. And when he brings up a subject to talk about, he actually thinks it is that subject you will be discussing. He likes to stay "in the box."

In contrast to men's waffle-like approach, women process life more like a plate of spaghetti. If you look at a plate of spaghetti, you notice that there are individual noodles that all touch one another. If you attempted to follow one noodle around the plate, you would intersect a lot of other noodles and you might even switch to another noodle seamlessly. That is how women face life. This is why women are typically better at multi-tasking than men. You can talk on the phone, prepare a meal, make a shopping list, work on the planning for tomorrow's business meeting, give instructions to your children as they are going out to play and close the door with your foot without skipping a beat!

As a result, most women are in a pursuit of connecting life together so they solve problems by talking things through. This creates significant stress for couples because while she is making all the connections, he is frantically jumping boxes trying to keep up with the conversation! The man's eyes are rolling back in his head while the tidal wave of information is swallowing him up. When she is done, she feels better and he is overwhelmed. The conversation might look something like this:

Honey, I was driving by your favorite truck store yesterday, you know the one where you got the cup holder? Right by your truck store is my favorite dress store, and there is the cutest suit in the window. It's my color, you know I went to that seminar on colors and I found out I was a "winter" so I knew if I got  this suit you would say, "Oh Baby!" and I love that! You know the suit reminded me of the one Mrs. Clinton wore for that press conference a few years ago. You know when she was talking about Eleanor Roosevelt talking to her? I wanted to say, "Hillary, Eleanor is dead!" That's so weird, thinking you are hearing from a dead person. Kind of like that new age stuff I have been hearing is in the schools. What if our kids get some of that in the classroom? I think we should stop and pray for the kids.

He has been frantically jumping boxes, trying to keep up, and wondering, "Where is this conversation going?" And while you think he is praying he is really asking, "So what about my truck?"   

Today, express your appreciation to your "waffleman" (your husband, son, dad, brother, or male co-worker) and his compartmentalizing, problem-solving DNA. Look for the upside of the male gender as you interact.

Let's Pray
Lord, the men in my life are so different than I am. Please help me value, appreciate and compliment the guys in my world today. Help me see them from Your perspective not mine.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
The question I am asked most often as I speak for women's conferences is, "How can I get the man in my life to open up to me?" So whether it is your spouse, your son, your dad, brother or friend, keep these things in mind as you seek to emotionally connect:

·         Men like to spend time in "boxes" where they feel successful and comfortable.

·         Men are more likely to open up and share when they are in these comfortable "boxes."

·         Men are slower to reveal themselves and share emotionally than we are.

·         Stay on subject or "in the box" he is interested in talking about.

·         The best way to get a man to open up is to go into his favorite "box" (join him in what he loves best) and be a good listener.

More from the Girlfriends

My husband likes to quote his favorite "philosopher" when speaking on gender differences: Rocky Balboa of the Rocky movie. When asked by Adrian's brother, "What you doin' with my sister?" Rocky replied, "I got gaps, she got gaps, we fill each other's gaps." Men are like Waffles, and Women are Like Spaghetti --those differences can work for us!

Today, make an effort to look at the positive side of the opposite gender of your husband, son, dad, brother, friends and co-workers. When he brings up a subject to talk about, today, just try it - talk about THAT subject - stay in the box! To learn more ways to value the "waffle" in your life, order Men are like Waffles, Women are like Spaghetti at www.billandpam.org. 

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]

December 20, 2010 

Ho! Ho! Ho! Help! 

Mary Southerland 


Today's Truth 

Luke 2:16-20 (NIV) "So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told."

Friend to Friend
Are you ready for the holidays? For some people, that question spurs exciting thoughts of beautifully decorated tables filled with scrumptious meals, festive shopping trips, extended family time, brightly wrapped gifts under a tree ... the "Walton" kind of holiday. For others, the holiday season is a very difficult and dark time that is to be endured rather than enjoyed. According to the American Institute of Stress, more than 110 million Americans take medication for stress-related causes each week. During the holiday season, another one million people battle what experts refer to as the "holiday blues." I am very familiar with depression and the pain it holds and must constantly battle to stay out of that pit. 

Depression is an emotional, mental, physical and spiritual disorder. Something is out of balance. We have buried some pain instead of confronting it or have misplaced our trust and sought help from impotent sources.  In order to deal with depression, we must first come to a place of total and complete surrender to God and His plan of healing - even if we cannot see or do not understand that plan. The bottom line of God's heart toward His children is always restoration and healing.   

While I am not a big fan of television, I do enjoy watching a few select home improvement shows. On a recent program, an interior decorator and home owner were discussing a list of changes that needed to be made in order to update the home. "First, we have to do something about those windows," the decorator announced. I was surprised that she had listed this task first - until I saw the house. The existing glass was not only an ugly shade of gold but was thick and chunky as well. The windows let in no light and made it virtually impossible to see in or out. The result was a dark, isolated home. The distressed homeowner protested, "But I like my privacy. And if I thought anyone could see in, I would feel totally exposed." When it comes to dealing with depression, many people feel the same way. 

We construct walls over which no one can climb because the cost of friendship is too high. We fill the windows of our soul with emotional excuses in order to avoid dealing with pain. The result is darkness, loneliness and missed opportunities for restoration. We don't want to understand depression or find the treasures of that darkness; we simply want to be rid of it. Many people try to understand and deal with depression on a surface level - refusing to face painful experiences, difficult relationships and, in general, the broken places where darkness lives. We look for the nearest exit, hoping to bypass transparency because the price is just too much to pay. Emotional integrity is an essential step to recognizing, understanding and dealing with depression. We must be real before we can be right, and until we are willing to risk being transparent, we can neither understand nor effectively deal with depression during the holidays or any other time of the year.   

The holidays seem to tug at the masks we carefully hold in place or push the emotional buttons we desperately try to hide. The arrival of family members can resurrect painful issues that have never really been resolved.  Financial pressure opens up like a sink hole waiting to steal our joy and destroy our peace. Schedules demand every ounce of energy and false expectations leave us empty and hollow. Before we realize it, the dark, slimy pit swallows us up. It is not supposed to be that way, girlfriend!

Make this Christmas season a time of praise. Choose to focus on the victories and joys you have experienced during the year and then find ways to share that victory and joy with others. Christmas can be a true celebration of fresh starts and new beginnings, if we choose to focus on a tiny baby born in a manger, come to save us and give us true life. The darkness can be destroyed if we choose to face and deal with whatever it holds. Right now, choose an attitude of joy by focusing your mind on the things of heaven - not earth, and by fixing your heart on Jesus Christ. 

Let's Pray
Father, I want this holiday season to one that is filled with light instead of darkness. Please help me discard my emotional masks and be real before You as well as with my family and friends. Give me the courage to be obedient to You in every holiday setting. Give me eyes to see those You bring into my life that need my encouragement because they are on the same journey. Father, prepare and enable me to make this holiday season an offering of praise to You. 

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read Luke 2:1-16. Answer the following questions after reading the Christmas story.

·    What was the attitude of Mary and Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem?

·    How did the shepherds react to the news of Jesus' birth? What did they do?

·    How would you describe the emotions and thoughts of Mary? How can your choice to "ponder" on the miracles of Jesus' birth change your perspective of the holidays?

Write a letter of commitment to Jesus, asking Him to empower the choices you have made. Make a plan or a list of "dos" and "don'ts" that will help you experience the best holiday season of your life. Include your family in making this plan and make the commitment to hold each other accountable.

More from the Girlfriends 

Take a few moments to re-visit last year's holiday season. What was the best part of those holidays for you? What changes do you need to make this year so that the way you celebrate Christmas honors God? 

My book, Escaping the Stress Trap, is the story of my journey out of spiritual bankruptcy into the rest of God and is based on Psalm 23.

One of the most powerful sources of rest is in a daily time alone with God in prayer and in the Word of God. Check out my weekly online bible study, Light for the Journey, for practical ways to tap into the power of God's Word. The first study of 2011 is How to Handle Hurt and begins January 10.

FREE MP3s on Mary's website in the Freebies Section!

Do you or someone you love struggle with depression? Mary's book, Hope in the Midst of Depression, offers practical steps you can take to get out and stay out of that pit.

Start 2011 right! Mary's book, Escaping the Stress Trap, is based on Psalm 23 and will help you learn how to deal with stress. 

Need a friend? Connect with me on Facebook or through email.

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]

December 21, 2010 

Ready for Christmas? 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth 

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 3:2 NIV).

Friend to Friend
It seems like everywhere you go during the month of December people ask the same question.  At the grocery checkout counter - "Are you ready for Christmas?"  At the bank drive through window - "Are you ready for Christmas?"  At the doctor's office - "Are you ready for Christmas?"

I think the answer to that question depends on how you define "ready." Let me ask you this question:  "Are you ready for Jesus?"  Now that puts the idea of being ready in a completely different Christmas light, doesn't it?

John the Baptist was sent by God to get the people ready to meet Jesus. Here's what Matthew had to say about him:

In those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."  This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

"A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight paths for him.'"..."People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.  Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River" (Matthew 3:1-3, 5-6).

We don't like the words "repent" or "repentance" very much.  They mean "to make a radical change in one's life, to turn and go in the opposite direction from sin (another word we're not too fond of today) to God".  Repentance involves an element of grief over the way we have lived apart from God and a decision to run toward the Father. That was God's idea of the way to prepare for Christ's arrival in the book of Matthew, and it is still God's idea of preparing to worship Him today. Now that's what I call getting ready for Christmas!

Let's reflect for a moment on the words to this poem and then answer the question, "Are you ready for Christmas?"

"Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh
As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high...
Then wearily sat for a moment AND READ
Til soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.
Then quietly spoke a voice in her dream,
"Ready for Christmas, what do you mean?"
She woke with a start and a cry of despair.
"There's so little time and I've still to prepare.
Oh, Father!  Forgive me, I see what You mean!
Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree.
It's the heart swept clean that He wanted to see,
A heart that is free from bitterness and sin.
So be ready for Christmas - and ready for Him.


Let's Pray 

Dear Lord, I want to be ready for Jesus today and every day.  I come to You now in repentance for my sins: my sin of selfishness, stubbornness, and rebellion.  I turn from my self-centeredness today and commit to keep my focus on You.  God, I cannot do this on my own.  I am not able.  So I ask that You fill me with the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Now It's Your Turn
What do you think it means to be "ready for Christmas?"

What do you think it means to be ready for Jesus?

Go back and read the parable of the ten virgins in Matthews 25:1-13. Notice the difference between the five who were ready and the five who were not.  Which group more resembles your readiness for Christ?

More from the Girlfriends:
It is hard not to be caught up in the pre-Christmas swirl of activity and lose focus on what is important.  If you would like ways to keep Jesus the focus of your holiday season, you will love Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas by Sharon Jaynes.  It's packed with helpful ideas and inspiration that will help you truly get ready for Christmas!

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]

December 22, 2010 

What Translation Are You Using? 

Mary Southerland
 


Today's Truth 

1 Corinthians 8:1 "Knowledge puffs you up with pride, but love builds up."

Friend to Friend
As a teenager, I can remember feeling sorry for my mother because - well, she just didn't seem to know much about anything. When I graduated from high school and went to college, I think she must have taken some classes herself because she seemed to get smarter every time we talked. And when I graduated from college and moved out on my own, I began to realize just how brilliant my mother really was.

Mama raised three children on her own and often worked three jobs a day to put food on the table while attending nursing school. She studied - a lot. I can still see her cooking dinner while holding her nursing manual in one hand and a spoon in the other. Mama became an excellent nurse and was highly respected by those who worked with her. And she was one of the sweetest and most loving people I have ever known.

Children adored her. Crying babies grew silent and peaceful in her arms. Stubborn toddlers did whatever she asked them to do and she could still a mischievous child with a glance. I miss her so much - especially around the holidays. But I don't miss her brilliant mind, even though she graduated near the top of her nursing class while raising three kids and working three jobs. I miss the feel of her arms hugging me and the way she would kiss my forehead when I was sick. I miss the way her eyes sparkled with pride as I sang a solo at church or played the piano for a worship service. I miss her love.

Isn't it amazing how much we have to know before we realize how little we know? Knowledge - for the sake of knowledge - is worthless and can easily lead to pride and arrogance. But knowledge for the sake of love is priceless. In other words, no one really cares how much you know until they know how much you really care.

Knowledge is powerful and should be used in love and love should always be controlled by knowledge. God gives us the ability to understand the Bible and then use its truths to build each other up and meet the needs of others.

A preacher once said, "Some Christians grow. Others just swell." Arrogance and pride are the result of knowledge that is misused. Knowledge can be a weapon of destruction or a tool of construction. It all depends on how it is used. We can know doctrine and never know God. We can grow in Bible knowledge but not grow in grace. We can attend church every time the doors are open but until we actually apply God's truth to the way we live, something is lost in the way we translate the Good News of Jesus Christ.

I heard the story of four Bible scholars who were arguing over the best translation of the Bible. One said he preferred the King James Version because of its beautiful, eloquent old English. Another said he preferred the American Standard Bible for its literalism and accurate translation from the original text. A third man preferred the newer translations because of their practical application. The fourth scholar listened thoughtfully and then added, "Personally, I prefer my mother's translation." When the other men laughed, he explained, "My mother translates every page of the Bible into her daily life and it is the most convincing translation I have ever seen."

I wonder. Do the people in my life better understand God because of the way I live? Is my life a living illustration of God's love? Is the "Mary Southerland Translation" of the Bible authentic and real and pleasing to God? I hope so. Mama would be proud.

Let's Pray
Father, I am amazed that You love me - no matter what I do or don't do. Lord, I want others to look at my life and see You. Teach me Your ways. Give me Your strength and wisdom to live each day as a beautiful translation of Your unconditional love and grace.

In Jesus' name,

Amen. 

Now it's Your Turn
Pray for the people on your Christmas list and ask God to show you how to demonstrate His love in a tangible way. Look for a need in each person's life and then make a plan to meet that need.   

Read John 3:16 as part of your Christmas celebration.

Write a "love letter" to each family member. Place the letter in an envelope and hang it on your Christmas tree. Make it the first gift you open on Christmas morning.

More from the Girlfriends
Christmas is the perfect time for us as fully devoted followers of Christ to share the love of God with people in need. The need may be financial or physical. Others just need a friend and a listening heart. Maybe a family member needs some of your time this week. I encourage you to be a living translation of God's love this holiday season. 

My book, Escaping the Stress Trap, is the story of my journey out of spiritual bankruptcy into the rest of God and is based on Psalm 23.

One of the most powerful sources of rest is in a daily time alone with God in prayer and in the Word of God. Check out my weekly online bible study, Light for the Journey, for practical ways to tap into the power of God's Word. The first study of 2011 is How to Handle Hurt and begins January 10, 2011.

FREE MP3s on Mary's website in the Freebies Section!

Do you or someone you love struggle with depression? Mary's book, Hope in the Midst of Depression, offers practical steps you can take to get out and stay out of that pit.

Start 2011 right! Mary's book, Escaping the Stress Trap, is based on Psalm 23 and will help you learn how to deal with stress. 

Need a friend? Connect with me on Facebook or through email. 

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]

December 23, 2010
Wrapping Up Christmas 

Sharon Jaynes
 

Today's Truth 

"Ye shall find the babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12 KJV).

Friend to Friend
Who in the world would wait until Christmas Eve to do their Christmas shopping?  I find it hard to believe the statistics that show December 24th is one of the biggest shopping days of the year, so one season I decided to venture out to the stores and see for myself.  I usually have my Christmas list complete by Thanksgiving to avoid the crowds, so even though I was elbow to elbow with anxious shoppers, I didn't feel the same angst that seemed etched on their faces.

I traveled to my favorite department stores and picked through a few stocking stuffers.  Low and behold, I saw three of my in-laws scrambling for gifts. I picked up a few items and went to stand in the check-out line about sixteen people deep.  Maybe this was the "season to be jolly" but the people in line at 2:00 on Christmas Eve were anything but cheerful.  Amazingly, they were talking to each other.  Strangers who normally would never speak to each other in a checkout line were chatting away about Charismas plans, families, special purchases, and where to find great last minute bargains.  I actually was enjoying listening to the friendly banter.  It seemed the shoppers were bonding because of a common cause - get the shopping finished today!

The young lady in front of me was laden down with five large rolls of very expensive wrapping paper.  She turned to me and said, "I can't believe I'm spending over $25.00 on wrapping paper.  It seems like such a waste for something that's going to be torn off and thrown in the trash tomorrow. But at least I won't have to get back in that traffic and go to another store."

I didn't bother telling her about the paper I saw on sale for one-fifth the price she was about to pay.  By the look on her face, the $20.00 saving wouldn't be worth the trip.  Instead I said, "Oh it is expensive isn't it?  But it will look lovely under your tree."

"Thanks," she said.  "I think it's pretty too."

Musing over the idea of wrapping paper took me back to the origin of the gift giving tradition.  We give gifts at Christmas because the wise men gave gifts to baby Jesus.  But were they wrapped?  I don't think so.  I didn't even remember wrapping being mentioned in the Christmas story at all.  Then the words of Luke two came flooding through my mind. "And you shall find the babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger."

Ah, the first Christmas gift was wrapped indeed.

As I watched the young lady dash to her car with her shiny gold paper I thought, "Maybe that expensive paper is not such a waste after all."

As you look at the beautifully wrapped gifts under your tree this year, remember that the most important gift of all - the One that was wrapped just for you - is the Christ Child Himself.

Let's Pray
Dear Jesus, My heart is full today just thinking about that first Christmas Day.  Thank You for taking on the form of man, for humbling Yourself and leaving Your throne just for me.  I am wrapped in gratitude pondering Your amazing gift.

In Jesus' Name, Amen

Now It's Your Turn
If you have any more gifts to wrap, think about that first Christmas gift and thank Jesus for His amazing gift.

Girlfriend Hint:

Dollar stores have lovely wrapping paper and gifts bags.

Use brown paper and let your children color trees, bells, and stars on them. 

Buy gift wrapping after Christmas and save it until next year. (Just don't forget where you put it!)

I'd love to hear your ideas on how to keep Christ the focus of the holidays.  Let's share.  Visit www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes

More from the Girlfriends
I just love Christmas and love helping people remember the reason for the season.  If you'd like more helpful ideas for the holidays, see Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas on my website.

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]

December 24, 2010 

And Jesus Said "Yes" 

Mary Southerland 


Today's Truth
Psalm 91:4 "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge."

Friend to Friend
An article in National Geographic several years ago provided an interesting picture of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. At the base of a tree, one ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes. Dismayed by the strange sight, the ranger knocked the bird over with a stick. To his amazement, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, sensing the impending disaster, had carried her chicks to the base of the tree and gathered them under her wings. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. The blaze had descended upon her, scorching her small body, but the mother remained steadfast, willing to die so those under the cover of her wings would live. 

God's love is like that. God defined His unconditional and relentless love for us when He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth as a baby. And Jesus said, "Yes!"  What an amazing gift! The love of God for you and for me compelled Jesus Christ to willingly exchange a throne for a manger, divinity for humanity and Heaven for Earth. 

God's love changes everything and everyone it touches. It protects and breathes life and purpose into every minute of every day. God's love is a gift beyond measure that surrounds us and covers us when the fire of life rains down. It is God's love and the very reason for the season we call Christmas - or it should be.

I know many of you are experiencing those "fires" of life this year. No job and no prospect of one. Someone you love is very ill or maybe you are the one battling to survive each day. A rebellious child has broken your heart. A secret addiction is slowly destroying your life. Your spouse packed his bags and walked out the front door because he no longer wants to be married. It is hard to celebrate anything in the midst of such darkness.

I have great news for you, girlfriend.

You can celebrate Jesus. Do not believe the lies of the enemy when he tells you that your God has forsaken you. God is with you - Emmanuel. God understands your fear and loneliness. He endured the cross, completely and absolutely alone because He loves you and because no one can take your place in the Father's heart. No matter where this Christmas Eve finds you - you can celebrate Jesus.

Let's Pray
Father, I celebrate You and the love You so freely offer. I may not understand some of the things happening in my life right now but I choose to trust You with each one. My faith is small, Lord. Give me Your strength for each step and help me to remember that You are with me. Lord, today I celebrate Your birth. Thank You for the gift of life and love I find in knowing You. My Christmas gift to You is everything I am, everything I have, everything I hope to be.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now it's Your Turn
Find some time today to spend alone with God. Praise and worship Him for who He is, Lord, King, Father and Shepherd. Celebrate the perfect plan and design of God for your life.

More from the Girlfriends
Sharon, Gwen and I pray that this Christmas is a true celebration of Jesus Christ at work in your life. It is such an honor to do life with you.   


May God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith; 

The warmth of Christmas, which is love; 

The radiance of Christmas, which is purity; 

The righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; 

The belief in Christmas, which is truth;
The all of Christmas, which is Christ. 

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]

December 27, 2010 

The Trust Fall 

Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you." (Psalm 56:3, ESV)

Friend to Friend
Our arms were braided across each other's and our hands were locked tightly. As the young girl stood on the tall tree stump above us she looked over her shoulder and saw with her eyes that our formation was tight ... that we were ready for her. She heard with her ears that we would catch her ... that we would not let her get hurt. Yet the fear that screamed in her head told her not to do it. Not to fall backwards.

Her legs shook and lips quivered. Other campers had gone before her and her cabin mates had successfully caught each one. But this camper hesitated - allowing the looming possibilities of failure and pain to paralyze her into inaction. The risks just seemed too great.

She trembled.

We encouraged.

She cried.

We encouraged.

Then, finally, with determination in her heart, she took the plunge. She fell straight backwards onto the safety net of our arms. We bent low to the ground giving way to her fall and caught her with cheers of excitement. She did it! As her trembling legs regained their confidence, she stood tall and beamed from ear to ear - realizing that she had faced her fear. Joy was felt from heart to heart as each of us rejoiced with her.

Mission accomplished. Early in the day we had trekked across the campgrounds to the "trust fall station" as a group of counselors and campers who didn't have a shared experience among us. An unconnected strand of strangers. Now our wooded team-building time had come to an end and we left the trust fall station having bonded deeply as a group of new girlfriends prepared for a fresh journey of fun and adventure.

Each of us took turns at the trust fall that day. We all faced a set of scary circumstances and were forced to work through our doubts, tremblings and fears. As a result, we learned valuable lessons and strengthened our relationships.

Since my days of being a camp counselor, I've faced many scary life trust falls: financial trials, relationship strains, relocations, sick loved ones, and difficult family matters. I've trembled and I've cried. I've been paralyzed by "what ifs" and "whys." We all go through difficult seasons and trials. Times when we want to see the invisible arms of the One who says He will catch us. Times when we are afraid to fall into them.

Where ever we go and whatever we face, God is with us - yesterday, today and forever. He bids us to live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). He wants us to trust Him. He catches us when we trust fall ... when we live by faith. And to encourage us along the way He spurs us on by sending a cloud of witnesses who testify of His faithfulness. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1, NIV).

Today, whether you identify with the shaky young camper on the trust fall stump or with the cabin mates who were filled with encouragement for another, God wants you to trust Him ... right where you are. It might be scary. Tears might be shed. But God is faithful and can be trusted.

Like the psalmist, let's choose to say, "But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?" (Psalm 56:3-4, ESV)

When we trust fall from our struggles into the faithful arms of God, we are freed from the fears that paralyze us. Trust Him today, friend. A cloud of GiG witnesses are cheering for you!

Let's Pray

Dear Lord,

You are good, loving and faithful - and You know exactly what I'm facing. Please take this burden from me. Help me today to fall into a deeper place of trusting you.

In Jesus' Name I pray,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

What is God asking you to trust Him in or through? Spend a few moments in prayer over this.

Who has been there for you when you faced scary circumstances? Consider writing her a note or sending her an e-mail of thanks.

Do you have a friend who seems to be struggling to trust God with her tough places? Maybe God wants you to encourage her or him.

More from the Girlfriends

CHRISTMAS is right around the corner! If you still have people on your list to shop for, my new CD, Uncluttered, is now available exclusively on my website. (It won't be in stores for a few more months!) I've never been more excited about a CD project! The songs of Uncluttered are purposed to sweep you away from life-noise and to focus your heart and mind on the one thing that matters: your relationship with Jesus Christ. We have a low-priced bundle SPECIAL available too! For more information, go to http://www.gwensmith.net/store/specials.htm.

Got FACEBOOK?? Let's meet there and do life together on a whole new level: http://www.facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic 

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