Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

December 28, 2010 

Pruning our Lives 

Sharon Jaynes

 


Today's Truth 

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful" (John 15:1 NIV).

Friend to Friend
In 2006, I sat down to write my annual Christmas letter and it began with these words: "This year has been a year of change."  Then I realized that was the very same way I had begun our traditional letter the year before!  I tore up the letter and decided to skip our Christmas letter that year.

Have you ever had one of those years when everything in your life seemed to change?  I had two years in succession where God left no area of my life untouched...except my marriage.  I did get to keep my husbandJ  My son graduated from college, I stepped down from leadership at a ministry where I had served for ten years and my voice went off the radio for the first time in a decade. But perhaps the biggest change was that we left a home we had lived in for twenty years.  This was a home we had built, filled with wonderful memories in every room.  My adult son's two-year-old handprints were stamped in the concrete of the driveway, his growth was charted on the kitchen doorframe, and echoes of laughter and tears lingered in the now empty rooms.

But Steve and I packed up our memories and moved out into the country to a house overlooking a beautiful lake.  And while we loved the view and the house, the yard was a mess.  The shrubbery around the house was terribly overgrown and there were just too many bushes.  Steve began the arduous task of cutting the bushes back, and while he is quite a Rambo with a hedge trimmer, the job was too big for him.  We hired a crew to finish the job.  The men hauled off truck loads of trimmings.  All-in-all, they carted away 2,000 pounds of cuttings!

As I watched the last dump truck pull away from our newly trimmed yard, God began to show me a picture.  He seemed to tell me that over the past two years, He had been pruning my life in order to make room for healthy new growth.  My life had become too full with what I had been comfortable doing.  Yes, there was fruit, but He wanted me to produce more fruit.  The only way to make room for what He had in store was to lop off areas of my life that had become overgrown.  Was it comfortable? No.  Was it spiritually profitable? Yes.

Jesus explained this process to the disciples in one of their last conversations together before the cross:  "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful" (John 15:1). 

As you move into the New Year, ask God what parts of your busy schedule need to be pruned or cut back.  Perhaps, like me, He has some new and exciting ventures waiting just around the corner, and He's waiting for you to make room in your life before He reveals them.

Let's Pray
Dear God, sometimes I don't like it when you prune my life.  It's uncomfortable and I'm not crazy about change.  However, I know that You are the gardener who knows what is best to produce the best crop in my life. Forgive me when I whine and complain about the process.  Help me to trust You more and give up what needs to be removed with an attitude of expectancy and anticipation of a bumper crop of spiritually healthy fruit.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

More from the Girlfriends
One of the ways God blessed me with more fruit was by bringing me to Mary and Gwen to start Girlfriends in God.  It has been such a joy to join hands with you and share our lives together.  What does God have in store for you this year?  If you would like to learn more about how to listen to God's direction in your life, you might want to check out Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God.  He's speaking; can you hear Him?

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

[Judy Harder]

December 29, 2010 

Time for Rest 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Psalm 23:1-3 (NLT) "The LORD is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He refreshes my soul."

Friend to Friend
Life is so daily and often filled with uncertainty, a reality that can make me very nervous. I want to know what the plan is and how that plan is going to be implemented. Details! I need details! Instead, God calls me to rest. I don't want to rest. When I rest, I feel guilty. I have places to go, people to see and important things to do. I hear the quiet whisper of the One who knows me best and loves me most, "Mary, it's time to rest." I have tried to ignore that whisper on more than one occasion but it is only a temporary maneuver on my part. The Lord is my Shepherd, He is used to dealing with stubborn sheep like me. He will lovingly make me lie down in green pastures and firmly lead me beside quiet waters. Why? Because He wants to refresh my soul and give me the peace that can only be found at His feet. Rest is not really an option. It is a spiritual discipline that needs to become a spiritual habit in our life.

Admit your need for rest.  Many of us have bought into the lie that who we are is based on what we do or don't do. We fill every waking moment with something or someone in order to prove our worth. After all, we must be worthy if we are doing worthy things, right? Busyness does not always equal productivity. When we admit our need to rest, we are acknowledging the fact that we are imperfect and that our human power is limited. We need to rest in Him.

Turn to Jesus to find rest. Recreation is anything you enjoy doing while relaxation is any activity that slows you down. Restoration is an inside job and can only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We once had an Australian cattle dog named Dallas. Australian cattle dogs are extremely loyal to a master of their choice. Dallas chose our son, Jered, to be his master. When Jered came home from school each day, Dallas would greet him at the door and follow him wherever he went. If Jered was doing homework in his room, Dallas would find a spot under the desk. If our son was working in the garage, Dallas was with him. When Jered ran an errand, Dallas went for a ride. Dallas instinctively knew that the only place he would find genuine rest was at the feet of his master. The same is true in our life.

Lay your stuff at Jesus' feet. The number one stress is the result of bearing a burden that is not yours to carry. Exhaustion comes when we take on a responsibility God never intended us to have. The twin of exhaustion is emptiness that comes when we fail to take on a responsibility God does intend for us to assume. God empowers His plan and agenda for our life. When we step outside of that plan, we are stepping into our own power and depending on our own strength, both of which will soon be depleted.

Realize you are not alone. For years, our family vacationed in the mountains of North Carolina in order to escape the brutal heat of South Florida where we lived. We all had our favorite thing to do while on vacation. Dan loved to read and take long walks in the cool, green forests. The kids loved wading in creeks, looking for "gold." My favorite activity was shopping for antiques. Now let me define "antiques" and "antique stores" according to Mary. The best stores were nestled in the mountains on some remote dirt road and the "antiques" were what most people would call junk. One year, I walked into a shop and stopped in my tracks when I saw the yoke. Matthew 11:28-30 is one of my husband's favorite passages of Scripture where Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you and you will find rest for your souls." For years, I searched for just the right yoke to give Dan as a special gift. It seemed that every yoke I found was either too big or too small and in less than stellar condition. The yoke before me was in perfect condition and was just the right size and price. Upon closer inspection, my excitement faded. 

Yokes have two loops of leather or wood attached to a sturdy wooden frame. Two working animals wear the loops around their necks in order to bear whatever load they are given. The loops on this particular yoke were not the same size - one larger than the other. When I pointed out the flaw, the shop owner said, "It is supposed to be made like that. The stronger animal is placed in the larger loop to help the weaker animal pull the load. A shared load is a lighter load. 

Are you tired and exhausted from trying to live life on your own? Come to Jesus and find rest in Him. 

Let's Pray
Father, thank You for the promise of rest. It seems like I am always tired and every step is hard. Please forgive me when I turn to You as a last resort instead of running to You first. Today, I turn to You, Lord, for rest.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now it's Your Turn

        Read Genesis 2:2. How does this verse apply to your life?

        Read Lamentations 5:5.  How does rest apply to the difficult people in your life?

        Read Job 33:26.  Notice every "action" word in this verse. What does God promise when we choose to apply the steps He outlines in this verse?

Identify the areas of unrest in your life. Bring them to God in prayer and seek rest in Him.

More from the Girlfriends

Rest has always been a struggle in my life. Seriously? Fatigue is not a spiritual gift. In fact, when I refuse to rest physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, I am choosing to sin. When I think I have the least amount of time to rest is when I need to rest the most. How about you, friend? Isn't it time to find rest?

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 30, 2010 

Taming the Evil Yes Monster 

Gwen Smith 


Today's Truth
"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said." Luke 10:38-39 (NIV)

Friend To Friend
Have you ever bitten off more than you could chew?  Have you ever said, "Sure, I'll be glad to do that!" when you should have said, "I'm sorry, but I can't commit to that right now?" Has an over-loaded schedule ever added stress to you, your family, or your relationships? I would think you've answered, "yes" to each of the previous questions.  I know I did.

I'm constantly trying to make positive life adjustments. Two areas I evaluate regularly are my calendar and commitments. Trust me, I'm not the boundary queen. I won't even pretend to have all the answers about this topic, because I don't. I bow to the evil "yes monster" more than I care to admit.  I'm in the trenches with you, constantly struggling to find a healthy balance between faith, family, friends, fashion, and ministry.  (Okay, fashion doesn't really belong on that list, though it's terribly fun, I just wanted to see if you were paying attention!)

Jesus had some friends named Mary and Martha.  Martha was a busy girl who allowed her to-do list to keep her from worship.  Mary just wanted to be with Jesus.

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"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 10:38-42 (NIV)

As we face a new year, let's choose what's better! It's so important that we establish healthy boundaries in our lives to keep us from being too busy to sit at the Lord's feet. Over the years, I've been forced to grow in the area of setting boundaries in order to bless and preserve my faith, family, friendships and ministry. In an article called Setting Boundaries, Dr. Richard J. Krejcir wrote, "A boundary is a fence to ward off potential problems and to protect those in its guardianship."

What does that look like in real life?  How can we possibly spend time with the Lord, keep our homes clean, run errands, go to meetings, serve on committees, change diapers, shower, find missing teddy bears, take Johnny to little league, run Sally to dance practice, and have a hot, healthy dinner on the table by six o'clock? I'm sure it will look different for each of us, but there's one basic parameter that applies across the board, whether you are married, divorced, single, or widowed, or with or without children: make time for God.

Jesus said that the highest call on your life is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). Keep the main thing the main thing! Nothing should replace your personal time with God. Set aside time each day for Bible study, prayer, and worship.  Jesus tells us that we must remain in Him. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

And one additional thought: protect your passions.  What do you love to do? Is there time in your life for it?  Make it a priority.  Allow yourself time to refuel and relax by scheduling fun time.  Whether it's taking a hike in the woods, playing the piano, having lunch with a girlfriend, reading a book, or bargain shopping, keep your heart fed with fun.  You'll be a better you for it!

Once you've established faith boundaries that prioritize and protect your time with Jesus, you can freely say "yes" to the opportunities that are in line with your passion and interests. You can also say "no" to the yes monster that tries to rob you of God's best and to dilute your focus.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, please forgive me for the times when I clutter my life with busyness and fail to put You first.  Help me to discern what is best for my schedule according to Your perfect will, and equip me with the wisdom and courage to make any changes that are needed. I love You and long to know you more with all my heart, mind, and soul.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Do you relate more with Mary or Martha?

Are you saying yes to too many things? Protect you and your family from the evil yes monster. Take a few moments to consider if any of your activities could be eliminated.

More From The Girlfriends
Friend, don't be discouraged if your calendar seems off-the-charts crazy.  I know what that's like. This devotion wasn't written to condemn, only to challenge. Let's choose the best together and clear a space everyday to sit and worship at the feet of Jesus. "Uncluttered" is a CD filled with songs that sweep you away from excess 'life-noise', this music focuses your heart and mind on the one thing that matters: your relationship with Jesus Christ. Order your copy today.

Got FACEBOOK?? Let's meet there and do life together on a whole new level: 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

[Judy Harder]

December 31, 2010 

Patience Pays Off 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."  (NIV)

Friend to Friend
Patience is not one of my greatest strengths. In fact, I tend to live each day with a schedule in mind, an agenda by which to live that day and several goals I need to meet before the day's end. God does have a sense of humor. I can't tell you how many times my schedule falls apart, the agenda is completely forgotten and I have to move today's goals to tomorrow. I am learning that when God wants to build a certain quality in my life, He puts me in the opposite circumstance. For example, if God wants me to be more patient, He arranges the hours and minutes of my day in ways that demand patience. 

What is patience? To be patient is to have the ability to endure, but it doesn't stop there. Patience must also have the capacity to be wronged and not retaliate. In other words, patience is love persevering and love waiting. We are not only to be patient in the way we face difficult situations but in our relationships as well.  That just about covers life, doesn't it? 

One of the most powerful Bible passages on patience and perseverance is found in the book of James.  "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." Do you want to be blessed? Stand firm in your trial. Do you want to be rewarded? Stand firm in that tough circumstance. Be patient - because patience really does pay off. God promises blessings and rewards to those who persevere and stand firm in hard times. The reason we can stand firm is because God loves us unconditionally and promises to walk with us through every dark moment life will bring. Nothing touches our life that does not pass through God's hand, with His permission. 

Remember the Bible story of the man named Job? Job was a faithful servant of God, strong in his faith and unwavering in his obedience to God. Satan didn't like it. In fact, he went to God and asked permission to test Job. I love it! The devil had to go to God like an errand boy in order to get permission to touch His child, Job.  Satan was convinced that if Job lost everything God had given him, his health, his family, his possessions, he would curse God and follow Satan. God told the serpent to give it his best shot, convinced that Job would persevere. Satan stripped Job of his health, his possessions, his wealth and his family - everything Job held dear. Job stood firm. 

Every trial must come through His love but every trial has a purpose. Every pain has a purpose, every ordeal contains a seed of victory and there is a promise for every problem you and I will ever face. The psalmist writes, "The LORD is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy" (Psalm 28:7).

Patience pays off in many ways, but one of the greatest rewards of patience is joy, a deeply-rooted confidence that God is in control. Warren Wiersbe says that "when God permits His children to go through the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat!" God will never let us face more than we can handle with His help. Hebrews 12:12 says it so well, "So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs." I have been there, done that and can relate to a weary heart and shaky legs. Can't you?

Patsy Clairmont shares the true story about her son, Jason. When he was seven, she sent him off to school one day. After a little while, there was a knock at the door and when Patsy opened the door, it was Jason.  "What are you doing here?" she asked. "I've quit school" he said. "Why have you quit school, Jason?" she demanded. Jason said, "Well, it was too long, it was too hard and it was too boring. And I didn't like a lot of it!"  Patsy responded, "Jason, you have just described life. Get back on the bus!" When God sees patience at work in your life, He is pleased by your choice to "get back on the bus" in obedience and in faith. 

An evangelist told the story of his friend who, during the depression, lost a job, a fortune, a wife and a home, but he held onto his faith because it was all he had left. One day, he stopped to watch some men building a stone church. One of the workers was chiseling a triangular piece of rock. "What are you going to do with that?" asked the friend. The workman said, "Do you see that little opening way up there near the spire? Well, I'm shaping this down here so that it will fit up there." Tears filled the eyes of the broken man as he walked away. It seemed that God had spoken through the workman to explain the trials of his life. God is using the trials here on earth to refine and purify us. In Colossians 1:11, the apostle Paul writes, "God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient!" 

No matter where you are today, where you have been or what you are facing tomorrow, be patient, knowing your God will strengthen you to stand firm. 

Let's Pray
Father, please forgive me when I am impatient.  Help me to see You at work in the trial and choose to depend on Your strength instead of my own.  Help me to see Your purpose and plan but even if I can't understand it all, help me to stand firm in faith.  Lord, make me more patient so that others will see You in me. 

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now it's Your Turn
Read Romans 12:12 "Be patient when trouble comes."  What trouble in your life today requires patience? Are you willing to choose faith and obedience by trusting God with that trouble?   

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14 "Be patient with everyone."  What relationship in your life demands patience from you?  Evaluate how patient you have been in this relationship.  What one thing do you need to change in order to choose obedience to God as you relate to this person?

Read Ephesians 4:2 "Always be humble, gentle and patient."  Notice that patience is listed along with two other important qualities that God wants to see in us.  How do you think patience relates to humility and gentleness?

More from the Girlfriends
God uses the difficult people and painful trials in our life to teach us patience. We can choose to let those tough times painfully rub off the rough edges of our character or we can just choose to endure the pain time and time again. The only thing worse than learning from experience, is not learning from experience. I am right there with you, friend. I encourage you to check out my book, Sandpaper People, as a resource for those difficult relationships in your life.

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]

January 3, 2011 

What Does It Mean to be Lost? 

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" (Luke 19:10 NIV).

Friend to Friend
It was our first trip to Disney World and my video camera was poised to capture those precious memories. But the video didn't start out as I had planned. As it begins, we're in some type of welcoming center where children are running around climbing on various objects, crawling through tunnels, and swinging from monkey bars.  As the "movie" comes into view, the first thing I see is my husband, Steve, running toward the camera, his face growing larger and larger until it fills the frame.

"Where's Steven," he cries. "I can't find him anywhere!"

Then the screen goes blank.

What a way to start our vacation! Steven had wandered away, climbed into one of those tunnels and had yet to emerge. Of course we panicked. Who wants to lose their kid at Disney World? Of course we found him. He had no idea he was even lost.

Ah, did that last sentence give you pause? He had no idea he was even lost...

Even as I wrote it, God quickly reminded me that I was in the same situation. There is no one more lost than someone who doesn't even know that he is lost. I had no idea I was lost, and yet my Heavenly Father found me.

Lost. It is still very relative to the human condition. What does it mean to be lost? How did we get into this situation of such lostness, darkness, and emptiness? It all began in the Garden of Eden when man chose to disobey God and sever their relationship. The Bible tells us, from the very moment Eve sunk her teeth into the forbidden fruit, and every person has been born with a live body and soul, but a dead spirit - separated from God. Rejected. But God did not leave us that way.  As soon as Adam and Eve disobeyed God, the shadow of the cross appeared on the horizon and God began to unfold His magnificent redemptive plan. 

After Adam and Eve disobeyed, they hid from God.  When He came looking for them in the cool of the evening, He asked the first question recorded in the Bible...Where are you?  That question runs like a scarlet thread from Genesis through Revelation.

Where are you?  No matter what you've done, no matter how far you've strayed from His perfect plan for your life, He is always in pursuit of you.  We come into this world lost, separated from God, wandering around looking for something, and yet not even sure what that something is.  All you have to do is come out from hiding and say...Here I am, Lord.

From Genesis through Revelation, we see that plan unfurl right before our eyes. In my next devotion, I'll look at what it means to be saved. The book of Romans outlines the steps of salvation beautifully. We're going to take a walk down the Romans Road to discover how to move from rejected to accepted...how to receive the gift of eternal life in the future and abundant life today.

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, Thank You for pursuing me, for finding me, and for saving me. I was so lost and didn't even know it. Thank You for rescuing me even in my ignorance. 

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

How would you describe what it means to be spiritually "lost"?

To be "lost" is one of those church words that many Christians would have a difficult time describing. Let's get a good handle on what it really means rather than simply saying the word. 

Let's think of some other words that describe what "lost" means to someone who isn't familiar with the concept. Go to www.sharonjaynes.com/facebook and share your answers. I'll start. Here is one word I think that describes being spiritually lost...empty.

More from the Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's book, I'm Not Good Enough...and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves. If you have believed the enemy's lies that you are not good enough, totally worthless, would be happy if..., etc. and are ready to begin living in victory by believing God's truth, then this book is for you!  It's time to be set free to see yourself as God see you: His holy, chosen, forgiven, and dearly loved child. Now that's a truth worth repeating. 

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

January 4, 2011 

Standing Firm in the Storms of Life   

Part 1   

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth 

2 Corinthians 6:6 (NLT) "We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, our sincere love, and the power of the Holy Spirit."

Friend to Friend
Just as storms in life are a certainty, so is the provision of God. Life can be messy and bad things will happen but every crisis and every storm is also an opportunity to trust God. He calls us to a heavenly perspective when facing challenging times. He calls us to see the storms of life as He sees them - opportunities for His power and purpose to be illustrated in human terms. How can we face the storms of life in a way that honors God?

First truth: Live a pure life.
2 Corinthians 6:6 (NLT) "We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience."   


The apostle Paul was certainly no stranger to storms. In his writings to the church at Corinth, Paul lists several actions we can take to survive and even thrive in those storms. Notice that purity is listed first. Paul is sending a clear and certain message. Integrity and power for daily life are the result of a heart committed to purity. A clean heart unleashes the authority of God in us and through us. Impurity corrodes stability while purity generates a supernatural strength. It is that power and stability that keeps us from falling. 

Psalm 51:10 (NASB) "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

The Psalmist links a pure heart with a steadfast spirit. "Steadfast" literally means "fixed or unchanging" and defines the kind of strength that can only be found in a right relationship with God. Stability is essential when those blustery winds of life storms are raging. Some storms come to uncover that cherished sin we try so hard to bury. But make no mistake - the purpose of the storm is always to purify - then empower. If we refuse to deal with the sin in our life, God will urge us toward obedience by allowing the storms to come. 

Second truth: Seek understanding. 

2 Corinthians 6:6 NLT) "We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience."

Understanding is only as good as its place of origin. Human understanding is limited and tainted while Godly understanding is infinite and unspoiled. Our greatest lessons are learned in the fiercest storms. I know you have heard that statement many times - but are those words a living reality in your life?

A teacher was asked a question by one of his students who had come across Deuteronomy 6:6 that says, "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts." The student asked, "Why does it say to put God's commandments upon our hearts instead of in our hearts?" The wise teacher responded, "It is not within man's power to deposit truth directly into his heart. All we can do is place truth on the surface of the heart so that when the heart breaks, it will fall in." 

Every circumstance that results in brokenness is designed to produce greater self-control and a fresh perspective. We can face every storm with confidence, knowing that God will redeem it for understanding and truth.

Third truth: Learn to be patient.

2 Corinthians 6:6 (NLT) "We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience." 

I must confess that I am not the epitome of patience. In fact, I hate to wait - on anyone or anything - which may very well explain the presence of certain storms and trials in my life. James had the same problem but a much better attitude.

James 1:2-8 (NIV) "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

I tend to consider it pure joy when I can escape trials of many kinds, but James tells us that trials can and should be faced with patience and an attitude of joy. Not joy for the trials but joy in the trials. Don't miss this vital truth. Joy is deeply-rooted confidence that God is in control. Joy is a chosen attitude and understands that trials are not punishment. 

Take a $5.00 bar of steel. If you cut that bar into ordinary horseshoes, it is worth about $10.00. That same $5.00 bar of steel cut into needles is worth $350 but cut into delicate springs for watches, that same $5.00 bar of steel is worth $250,000.

Trials are a test, a measurement of growth. Patience gives God permission to work and even expects to be tested. We go to great lengths to avoid trials and shelter ourselves from the storms of life. The result is spiritual immaturity. God will not build our character without our cooperation and He will not work in us without our permission. We must surrender, invite Him to work and then by faith, patiently embrace that work in our life.  Warren Wiersbe writes, "When God permits his children to go through the furnace, He keeps his eye on the clock and his hand on the thermostat." Doubt puts our circumstance between us and God while faith puts God between us and our circumstances. Patience comes when we give up the responsibility for the outcome to God.

Let's Pray
Thank You, Father, for Your faithfulness in my life. Sometimes my motives are not pure and are so often self-serving. Right now, please cleanse my heart of all sin. Give me eyes to see the treasure buried at the heart of every trial and help me to choose joy - even when I don't understand what You are doing in my life. Teach me, Lord. Let my life be an illustration of Your strength perfected in my weakness.     

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now it's Your Turn

Read Hebrews 12:12 (The Message) "So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs." 

What does it mean in your life to "take a new grip" and "stand firm" even on shaky legs?

Do you really believe we can experience joy - even in the midst of the fiercest storm?  Explain.

Looking back at the storms in your life, how would you rate your response to those storms? What changes do you need to make in order to experience victory?

More from the Girlfriends
I know your trials are many and that you have been battered by some brutal storms. But more importantly, God knows. In Him, you can be a storm survivor!  And when you are face to face with a storm, you are standing on the edge of a miracle. Don't tell God how big your storm is. Tell your storm how big your God is! Stand firm!

Mary's message, Strength for the Storm, is available in DVD, CD, MP3 and E-Bible Study.

A daily time alone with God in prayer and Bible study will strengthen you to face whatever life throws at you. 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 17.

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.

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]

January 5, 2011 

What Does It Mean to Be Saved? 

Sharon Jaynes 


Today's Truth
"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9 NIV).

Friend to Friend
I walked through the receiving line during the visitation for a godly man who had passed away a few days before.  As the person in front of me embraced the wounded widow he whispered, "Oh, but you will see him again."  My heart broke as I heard her reply, "I hope so.  I don't know if I've been good enough." 


This was no place for me to reprimand or scold, but my heart was torn in two.  This eighty-six-year-old woman had been in church all her life.  She read her Bible often, pondered devotions daily, and attended church regularly.  And yet, she believed a lie.  Somehow she believed that she had to earn her way to heaven...that she had to be "good enough to get in."

Oh dear friend, we will never be good enough to earn our way to heaven.  We will never be good enough to "get in."  If we could, Jesus would not have had to give His life in our stead.  It is a free gift.

So many are trying to earn what they already have.  And it is the lie of performance-based acceptance that keeps women bound.

Perhaps you have found yourself believing the lie that you have to earn your way to heaven, or that you could somehow lose your salvation if you did not perform properly.  Let's expose that lie and learn to walk in God's incredible gift of grace.

Or perhaps you have the helmet of salvation fixed securely in place and it has never left your pretty little head.  If that's the case, just sit back and thank God for His precious gift and rejoice with your sisters who are about to pluck the bow from the most precious gift of God and join the party.

What does it mean to "be saved?"
The word "saved" has been tossed about so much in the church that I feel it has lost its wonder and mystery.  What does it mean to be saved? 

The word salvation is used five times in Romans and the verb form, saved, occurs eight.  It means "deliverance" or "rescue."  So what are we saved from?  Through Jesus Christ we are saved from lostness (Matthew 18:11), the wrath of God (Romans 5:9), the penalty of sin, the realm of darkness (Colossians 1:13), eternal separation from God, and eternal punishment in hell (Revelation 20:6).  We are saved from the penalty of sin the moment we believe.  We are being saved from the power of sin as we continue to live on this earth and become more and more conformed to the image of Christ.  And we will be saved from the presence of sin when we leave this earthly body to spend eternity with God. 

Saving faith involves our entire being: mind, will and emotions.  With the mind we understand the truth of the gospel, with the will we choose to submit to God and make Jesus Lord of our lives, and with the emotions we express sorrow over our sin and joy over God's mercy and grace.  Salvation is more that a "get out of jail free" card.  It is more that a ticket into heaven.  Eternal life begins the moment you believe, and God's desire is for you to experience the abundant life here on earth (John 10:10).  It is passing from spiritual death to spiritual life in the twinkling of God's eye.  We are not saved by how we behave, but by how we believe.

So here's the question.  Are you saved?  Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?  If you are still exploring, join me in my next devotion as we walk down the Roman Road to the Cross.

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that while I was still a sinner, lost and separated from You, You sent You One and Only Son to save me.  Jesus did for me what I could never do for myself.  In His Name I pray,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
In my last devotion I asked you to define or describe what it means to be lost.  Now let's describe what it means to be "saved."  Pretend you are describing it to someone who has never heard the gospel.  Don't use "churchy" words.   Remember, that lingo is like a foreign language to someone who did not grow up in the church.  I'd love to hear your answer.  Let's chat.  Share your description on my Facebook page.  www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes. 

In 10 days, I'm going to pick my favorite description and send a free copy of "I'm Not Good Enough"... and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves!

More from the Girlfriends
Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's book, I'm Not Good Enough...and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves. If you've believed the enemy's lies that you are not good enough, totally worthless, would be happy if..., etc. and are ready to begin living in victory by believing God's truth, then this book is for you!  It's time to be set free to see yourself as God see you: His holy, chosen, forgiven, and dearly loved child. Now that's a truth worth repeating.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

January 6, 2011 

Standing Firm in the Storms of Life 

Part 2 

Mary Southerland
   
Today's Truth 

2 Corinthians 6:6 (NLT) "We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, our sincere love, and the power of the Holy Spirit."

Friend to Friend
It would be just fine with me if I never had to go through another storm. However, God is more committed to my character than He is to my comfort. Every storm is an opportunity to grow in Christ and trust Him more.

The Apostle Paul was well acquainted with vicious storms and harsh realities. In his writings to the church at Corinth Paul offers five truths that - when applied - will enable us to stand firm in the storm.

Truth 1:  Live a pure life.

Truth 2:  Seek understanding.

Truth 3:  Learn to be patient.

Truth 4:  Practice kindness. 


When bad things happen, we cry out in desperation for someone to care. More people come to Christ during a crisis than at any other time. Kindness is simply compassion at work and love in action. We need to constantly refocus our success-targeted eyes, crucify each self-promoting heart motive and look for the needs around us. I often wonder just how amazed we will be when we get to Heaven and find the unlikely, unknown but devoted servants of God exalted above all others - rewarded for their quiet and often unseen acts of kindness.

A preacher once described his mother as a woman of great compassion. One day he came home from school to find her sitting at the table with an elderly, homeless man. Apparently, she had gone shopping, met the man on the way and invited him home for a warm meal. During their conversation the visitor said, "I wish there were more people in the world like you." The woman said quickly, "Oh there are! You just have to look for them!"  The old man simply shook his head and smiled, "But lady, I didn't need to look for you. You looked for me!" 

Needs constantly parade before us day after day but we don't see them. We are too busy to see the broken lambs the Shepherd sends our way. We view them as intrusions or annoying interruptions in our very important schedule. These uninvited and unscheduled guests may very well be divine appointments sent by God. The warning of Hebrews 13:2 is a haunting one. "Remember to welcome strangers, because some who have done this have welcomed angels without knowing it." How many angels have we missed because we were too busy?

Perhaps we fail to be kind simply because we don't care enough. A little girl was sent by her mother on an errand. She was gone far too long so when the little girl returned, the mother demanded an explanation. The little girl said that on her way she had met a friend who was crying because she had broken her doll. "Oh," said the mother, "then you stopped to help her fix her doll?" "Oh, no!" replied the little girl. "I stopped to help her cry!" We are never more like our Father than when weathering relationship storms with kindness and love.  Jesus says that if we really love God we will really love each other. Kindness and compassion are directly related to the health of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The truths in 1 John 4:20 are clear, "If people say, 'I love God,' but hate their brothers or sisters, they are liars. Those who do not love their brothers and sisters, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have never seen." We can be very religious and not care enough. Kindness does not look for reasons. Compassion doesn't ask for limitations. It searches for opportunity. 


Truth 5:  Experience and practice love. 

We not only need God in the midst of the storm, we need each other. The essence of love is tested within the context of relationships. Paul writes that we must "prove" ourselves by being patient and kind. How we handle relationships exhibits the depth and validity of God's love at work in and through us.       

Ephesians 4: 2-3 (NCV) "Always be humble, gentle, and patient, accepting each other in love. You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way."

Learning to build healthy relationships is crucial to a fulfilled life. Someone will always be disappointed, disgruntled, or displeased with us. We have a choice to make - to honor God by waging peace or venerate Satan himself by entertaining conflict in relationships. God is committed to unity. If we don't make "every effort" to eradicate discord, a storm may come to help us do so. 

I have a friend who raises and works with horses. She once explained how a group of thoroughbred horses confronts an enemy. They stand in a circle, facing each other and, with their back legs, kick out at the enemy.  Donkeys do just the opposite, facing the enemy and kicking each other. Enough said.

When golf balls were first manufactured, their covers were smooth. Golfers soon discovered that after a ball had been roughed up a bit they were able to get more distance out of it. Manufacturers then began producing golf balls with dimpled covers. Life is a lot like that. It takes some rough spots to make us go our farthest. It takes some storms to teach us that God is faithful. When was the last time you threw a party to celebrate a trial or storm in your life?   

James 1:2-3 (NLT) "Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

God's ways are higher than our ways and most human reactions are in direct opposition to the paradoxical ways of God. Honestly, there are times when what He has asked me to do simply does not make sense - to me. And there we find the problem. Faith is a matter of blind obedience, not human logic. At the heart of every storm is victory - waiting to be claimed! 

What storm is raging in your life today? What step do you need to take in order to experience His strength for that storm? Your Father stands ready to meet you in your darkest hour. He longs to wrap His arms around you until the winds die down and the waves are stilled. Right now - surrender. Celebrate the storm that dashed your battered life on the shores of His unyielding love and let Him give you the strength to stand firm.   

Let's Pray
Lord, thank You for being with me every step of the way - especially in the storms of life. I praise You for Your sufficiency in my life and for Your love that never fails. I pray that I will learn how to stand firm in the storms ahead and grasp the lesson each storm holds. I want to please You, Father. Change my comfortable heart to an obedient heart, a heart that is always ready to praise You - no matter what!

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now it's Your Turn

When you face a difficult situation, where do you turn first for help? 

What is your attitude about the storms in your life? How does that attitude need to change?

Examine your life for any sin that is blocking God's power. How can you eliminate that barrier?

How can you best prepare for the storms ahead? 

More from the Girlfriends
I hate storms, but have finally come to terms with the fact that they are certain. So is God's deliverance.  Sometimes He delivers us from the storm and other times He delivers us in the storm. Either way, God is with us. 

Mary's message, Strength for the Storm, is available in DVD, CD, MP3 and E-Bible Study.

A daily time alone with God in prayer and Bible study will strengthen you to face whatever life throws at you. Check out Mary's 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 17.

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.

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

[Judy Harder]

January 7, 2011 

What Really Matters 

Gwen Smith 

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

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

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

God knows that our selfish and demanding hearts bring loads of unnecessary anxiety to our days. His Word gives an amazing solution to our priority problem. He promises that when we chase His heart, we can relax and rest in His peace. Our needs will be met because He loves us.

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

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

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

The Message version of the Bible says it like this:

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

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

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

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29, NIV). Please know that I am not suggesting that we shouldn't go to God with our burdens. We must! But God wants your love before your list.

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

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

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

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

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

Add ten minutes to your prayer time each day for the next five days, then stand back and see how God blesses you!

More from the Girlfriends
Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29) Please know that today's devotion is not suggesting that we shouldn't go to God with our burdens. We must! But God wants your love before your list.

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

LOVE TO WORSHIP? Order a copy of Gwen's new CD, Uncluttered. 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.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

January 10, 2011 

The Romans Road 

Sharon Jaynes 

Today's Truth   

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13).
 
Friend to Friend 

In my last two devotions, I looked at what it means to be lost and what it means to be saved.  Today, let's look at four key verses from the book of Romans that explain why we need to accept Jesus and how.  We'll look at the problem, the penalty, the provision, the promise, and the prayer.

The Problem
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 5:23.
There is not one person who has ever been good enough to achieve the right to go to heaven, and no one can work their way to heaven.  This is perhaps one of the greatest differences between Christianity and other world religions. Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam all teach that a person has to earn their way to God. Guess what. We can't. 

Imagine you are standing on the east coast of the United States, peering out over the Atlantic Ocean.  On the opposite shore, God is sitting on His throne.  All you have to do is put on your goggles and flippers and begin the swim to the other side.  Would you make it?  No.  Likewise, there is no way that you or I could ever work our way into heaven.  God requires sinless perfection in order to enter into His presence, and as the writer of Romans reminds us, we've all failed.

The Penalty
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23).
From the very beginning, God warned Adam and Eve that if they disobeyed Him and ate of the forbidden fruit, the penalty would be death.  And while their bodies did not die the moment they sunk their teeth into the fruit of disobedience, the process was set into motion and their spirits died totally and completely.

Through one act of disobedience, the dike was opened and creation was flooded with sin.  However, just as one act of disobedience ushered sin into the world, one act of obedience delivered grace.  Jesus Christ's sacrifice made eternal life available to all who believe.  Notice that Paul refers to eternal life as a gift.  Salvation is not something we earn. It is not a paycheck at the end of a long life.  It is a gift to be received, unwrapped, and enjoyed forever.

In his letter to the Ephesians Paul wrote, "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved...For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:4, . So how do we receive this incredible gift? We simply confess and believe.

The Provision
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:.
All through the Old Testament, men and women realized that they could not meet God's standards for holy living. There is a cycle of obedience, rebellion, repentance, revival, obedience, rebellion, repentance, revival throughout Israel's history.  And don't we see that in our own hearts?  I am so glad that God loves us despite our weaknesses and human frailties. 


At the perfect time on God's kingdom calendar, He looked at His Son and said, "Now is the time."  And on that starry night in Bethlehem, God-man was born to a virgin named Mary, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.  Smelly sheep, dirty cows, and clucking chickens welcomed the King of Kings into the world as the angels sang a symphony of praise heard by common men.
 


Jesus lived a perfect sinless life, even though He was tempted and tried, just as you and I are today.  Then as the angels hovered low, Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice and died a cruel death as He hung on a Roman cross and breathed His last.  He was the last sacrifice required by God, once and for all.  But three days later, just as Satan's victory party was in full swing, the almighty power of God raised Jesus from the dead, the stone was rolled away, and the resurrected Christ burst forth in fullness of life! 

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly (that's you and me).  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrated his own love for us in this:  while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8).

The Promise
"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved" (Romans 10:9-10).
God gives us this promise: if we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved.  There is not a long list of rules to obey, only a person to follow.

Confession is an outward expression of our inward belief.  It is more than simply saying something out loud.  Even the demons know that Jesus is the Son of God. Many times in the Bible they acknowledged His true identity.  John McArthur wrote: Confession "is the deep personal conviction, without reservation, that Jesus is that person's own master or sovereign.  This phrase includes repenting from sin, trusting in Jesus for salvation, and submitting to Him as Lord."  The Greek word "confess" means to say the same thing, or to be in agreement with someone.  When we confess Jesus as Lord, we are agreeing with God's declaration of Jesus' true identity. 

We confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts.  And what are we to believe?  Here Paul says, "Believe in your hearts that God raised him from the dead."  Without the resurrection, there would be no salvation.  Jesus would be just like every other religious leader who walked the face of the earth - dead.  But what makes Christianity infinitely different from all other religions is that our God lives!  He was resurrected from the dead and lives now at the right hand of the Father praying for you and me all day long! 


The Prayer   

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13).

If you can't remember a time when you accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord, why not clear that up right here and now? 

If you have never asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, and would like to accept that precious gift from God, we can do that today as well.

Let's pray together.

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you today as a sinner in need of a Savior.  I confess that I have sinned and made many mistakes in my life.  I am unable to live a holy life on my own.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son, who was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, and gave Himself as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for my sins.  I believe that He rose from the dead on the third day and now lives forever with You.  I ask you to forgive me and save me.  I come to You in faith, believing, and thank You for giving me the gift of eternal life.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

If you prayed that prayer today, I'd love to hear from you. Please e-mail me at mailto:Sharon@sharonjaynes.com and let's celebrate together! 


Also, there is a wonderful new website to help you in your spiritual journey. Please visit www.jesusforwomen.com.  While there, you'll see a brief video of my testimony and how I came to Christ.

You might consider memorizing the key verses in today's devotion as you share your faith with others.

More from the Girlfriends

Today's devotion was taken from Sharon's book, I'm Not Good Enough...and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves.  If you've believed the enemy's lies that you are not good enough, totally worthless, would be happy if..., etc. and are ready to begin living in victory by believing God's truth, then this book is for you!   It's time to be set free to see yourself as God sees you: His holy, chosen, forgiven, and dearly loved child.  Now that's a truth worth repeating. 

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