Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

October 14, 2011
The Broken Way
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today ... the LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still (Exodus 14:13-14, NIV).

Friend to Friend
While at a football game of my son Preston's, I had a moving conversation with another team mom. It was the first time we'd ever dialogued beyond socially expected niceties. Between cheers that went up to our football-playing boys, she stumbled upon the fact that I was a Jesus-loving girl and was excited to share about how God has intimately drawn her heart to his over the past five years. How He met her where she was, ministered to her through the hands of others. How He sparked life into her soul through His Son Jesus Christ. She was radiant and she spoke with excitement, joy in every sentence, praise on her tongue for the God who gives her strength and life. This dear lady opened her heart and told me of her grueling battle with an aggressive form of breast cancer.

She was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 35 – as a wife and mother to three small children. Initially, she was angry with God for allowing a disease to ravage her body, furious that her husband and children might have to live without her. Though she fought to understand the "why" of it all, she confidently testifies that God used the pain-filled journey on the broken road of cancer to lead her to saving Grace. She is now grateful for the broken way that God breathed new life into her soul as she battled death in her body. As she spoke, the troubles of my life faded to a humble corner of my heart. Her words reminded me that God really can and should be glorified through each hard place we find ourselves in. I was freshly reminded to trust God.

Life is filled with challenges. The struggles we endure often leave our hearts breaking and our minds aching for reprieve. I've not battled cancer, but I have experienced my fair share of times when I've been crushed by circumstances that are beyond my control ... just like her.  As a wife, mother, daughter, and friend, I've learned that hard times are inevitable and that they hurt.           

Toward the end of our conversation about her cancer and faith, my new friend confided that fear still tries to invade her days. She said that she constantly has to choose faith and to trust God instead of dwelling on the possibilities of another future diagnosis. Every one of us doubts at times. We all fail to trust. But Scripture assures us that even when we are faithless, God remains faithful. As we walk broken paths that challenge our faith, the truth remains that God does deliver in and through the pain. Though there are struggles that we might take to the grave with us, God is still good. Each hard place is an opportunity for Jesus to show His power in and through our lives.

When we find ourselves on the broken way, we often feel like we are wandering in the wilderness. In Exodus 13:17-14:31, we see a dreary desert drama of the Israelites. Stop here to read the full account now if you can.

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea (Exodus 13:17-18a, NIV).

As God moved through the leadership of Moses to bring His people from captivity to freedom, from poverty to inheritance, the Israelites were not led the easy way. They didn't get to take the "paved" road – even though it was shorter. They had to walk through the desert. God led them the harder way because He knew it was best for them in the long run. Sometimes we are led the harder way too. The broken way. Even though our minds conceive an easier solution, He knows what is unknown to us, He sees what is unseen to us, and His ways are trustworthy and best.

By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." (Exodus 17:21-22, NIV)

"Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left (Exodus 14:19-22, NIV).

God has given us his Holy Spirit to lead us by day and by night, to be our Strength, our Power, and our Direction in the deserts of life. Just as God made a way for the Israelites when they called on Him as they faced a seemingly impossible Red Sea situation, He will make a way for you. Call on His name. Trust His plan. Reach for His hand.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times when I try to navigate the broken path of life on my own. When my heart is heavy with burdens, please give me Your strength and remind my soul to trust You. I need Your guidance and power today.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Do you feel like God has led you through the desert?

Do you trust that He can and will make a way for your broken paths to be made straight when you call on Him?

Grab a journal (if you're a journal girl). Spend a few moments contemplating the circumstances of your harder way. Then lift your eyes from your situation to your Savior. Call on God, and say to your soul: Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today...the LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still (Exodus 14:13-14, NIV).

More from the Girlfriends
I've seen it in my own life. God delights to deliver us from our hard places in and through the pain. Hang in there, friend. He knows each tear you've cried and He has never left your side. In the words of a beloved hymn by Helen Lemmel, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."

WALKING ON THE BROKEN WAY? God delights to heal and transform lives ... including your own.  In her book, Broken Into Beautiful, Gwen Smith invites you to experience how the unconditional love of Jesus can change your life and bring strength and healing to your heart.  He can transform your life into something beautiful. To order the book, go to Amazonor, for a signed copy, order from Gwen's website: www.gwensmith.net.

GOT FACEBOOK? Stop by Gwen's Facebook Music Page at www.Facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic. While you're there, be sure to listen to a few songs, leave a message on her wall, and add her as a friend!

[Judy Harder]

October 17, 2011
What's the Plan?
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I set you apart! (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV).

Friend to Friend
I want to be successful – don't you? And the awesome news is that God wants us to be successful as well. When we know and seek God's perfect plan for our lives, we will find success. Our immeasurable value rests solely in the fact that God created us, that His stubborn love sets us apart and the amazing fact that He designed and empowers a unique plan for each one of us. Yes, I know that plans are rampant in your life. God loves you and everyone else has a plan for your life, right? But the only plan that matters is the plan made for you by the One who formed you - the One who loves you, knows you and has set you apart to be His own. And it is a great plan!

1.Your life plan is customized. Psalm 139:16 You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!

You were born in response to the determined plan of God, not as an afterthought. Before you took even one breath, every day, every step and every circumstance in your plan was recorded. God's plan uses your strengths as well as your weaknesses. We all have strengths - they are part of the plan. We all have limitations - they are also part of the plan. We all have seasons of life that are essential to the plan as well. True success comes when, instead of constantly fighting against or trying to change the plan, we learn to identify and build on our strengths, accept the limitations as hedges of protection from God, and yield to the seasons in life as God's avenue of perfect timing. God's plan for you is not a "one-size-fits all." It is customized and just your size.

2. Your life plan is good. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

For some reason we tend to think that God sat down one day and designed a sinister life plan laced with pain and defeat. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This train of thought contradicts the very nature of God and misunderstands His heart - the heart of a loving Father who wants the absolute highest and best plan for His child. It is a good plan!

3. Your life plan is guaranteed. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

God always empowers what He calls us to do. With the plan comes every resource that we will need to accomplish that plan. For many years, my life mission was really quite simple. I tried and often succeeded in filling every waking moment with activity. Oh, it was wonderful activity filled with good things - but they were not the best things or the highest things for my life. I did many of those things in order to feel worthy and important, hoping they would bring my life into balance and under control. I hoped that doing good things would provide a purpose and plan for the restlessness in my soul. While sitting at the bottom of a deep, dark pit named "Clinical Depression," I discovered a truth that has redefined who I am and altered my soul perception of God. I now realize that the most powerful life flows from a clear life plan not to it!

How do we discover our life plan?

At first glance, that question may seem complicated and almost impossible to answer, but when we spend time with the Plan Maker, that question is easily answered as we step out in obedience to God. When we begin to saturate daily life with His truth and continually turn our hearts to conversation with God, His plan naturally unfolds as we take every "next step" in obedience. Consider the following questions when praying about and asking God to reveal His plan for your life:

·         What are your spiritual gifts?
·         What are you passionate about?
·         What are your natural abilities?
·         What is your personality type?
·         What are the spiritual markers in your life?
·         What do others see in you?   

After a two-year battle with clinical depression, I realized that I had lived a great deal of my life based on the wrong plan. I began to ask these questions, looking for the gifts He has given me instead of the ones I thought I should have or wanted to have. I began to accept my limitations knowing that He had woven them into the seams of my journey for my good. I began yielding to the seasons of life, trusting Him to lead the way through this foreign land called life.

Guess what? I looked around one day to find myself smack-dab in the middle of His life plan for me. It was suddenly so simple and amazingly clear! I am learning to say "no" to those things that do not fit into that life mission. Certainly, I fail and have to begin again. And sometimes I am misunderstood because I have chosen to follow God's plan instead of someone else's. But I would rather be misunderstood than disobedient. I had to choose a new audience for this race of life and so must you. I had to make a decision about the One I wanted to please and so must you. Don't waste another minute on anything but God's very best plan for your life.

Let's Pray
Father, I want to know and live out the plan You have for me. Sometimes my faith is weak but I really do want to please and honor You. Guide my steps, Lord. Give me Your strength to be obedient. Thank You for giving my life purpose and meaning. Today, I choose Your plan above all others and celebrate the joy I find in knowing You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Read and memorize Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Spend time alone with God in prayer and ask Him to help you answer the following questions:

·         What are my spiritual gifts?
·         What am I passionate about?
·         What are my natural abilities?
·         What is my personality type?
·         What are the spiritual markers in my life?
·         What do others see in me?   

More from the Girlfriends
Want to be successful in your work? Check out Mary's four-week study, Take This Job and Love It, to discover six principles from the life of the Proverbs 31 woman that will help you be successful in your work, no matter where you work or what your job may be. Study guide included.

Come as You Are, Mary's NEW Online Bible Study, has just begun. Enroll now and have access to all 2011 lessons. Need a friend? Connect with Mary on Facebookor 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]

October 18, 2011
Avoiding Burnout Part 1
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where he prayed (Mark 1:35, NIV).

Friend to Friend
I sat on the edge of my seat as I watched my son's first track meet. The crowd was abuzz as moms and dads chatted, waiting for their teens to dash, sprint, or endure the eight laps of the thirty-two hundred meter race. But when the boys lined up for the hurdles event, the visiting stopped and the crowd watched with rapt attention. Why? In the hurdles event, the stakes were higher. It became less about who would win, and more about who would gracefully leap and clear the metal roadblocks or tip and topple over the barriers.

Hurdles - they are not simply found on the asphalt of track and field but also in the great race called life. As women, we struggle finding balance with our many roles and responsibilities. Our flame of enthusiasm begins to diminish when we are doing more than God intended or when we are doing what God intended, but on our own strength rather than His.

In the Bible we see many who experienced times of burnout. After Jonah's miraculous delivery from the big fish and prophetic announcement to the people on Nineveh, he sank into a depression and wanted to die (Jonah 4:3). After Elijah called down fire from heaven that miraculously burned up the sacrifices of Baal, the fire in his own life went dim (1 Kings 18-19). Elijah prayed, "I have had enough, LORD. Take my life," (1 Kings 19:4). Both of these men wanted to quit.

How do we avoid those same feelings of burnout? The first step is to realize that it can happen and does happen to the best of us.

What was God's response to Elijah? Let's take a look at 1 Kings Chapter 19.

He allowed Elijah to sleep. (19:5) – rest
He sent an angel to provide food for him to eat. (19:5) –  refreshment
He allowed Elijah to sleep again. (19:6) – more rest
He sent an angel to provide food for him to eat again. (19:7) – more refreshment
He caused Elijah to ponder what he was doing. "What are you doing here?" (19:9) – reflection
He spoke to Elijah personally. (19:11) – response
He caused Elijah to ponder what he was doing, again. "What are you doing here?" (19:13) – reflection
He told Elijah what to do next. (19:15) - redirection
He showed Elijah who He had appointed to help him. (19:16) - reinforcement


Rest
Refreshment
Rest
Refreshment
Reflection
Response
Reflection
Redirection
Reinforcement

Girlfriend, exhaustion is epidemic among us gals.  I tell you what... let's talk more about this tomorrow.  For today, just rest in knowing that God has a plan for your life and that He loves you dearly!

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, I'll admit, I'm tired today. I need the refreshment that only You can give. Send the Holy Spirit to reinforce my spirit today!  I am expecting His energizing force! Help me to reflect on You and Your goodness all day long.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Go back up to the R's and note what each one of those ideas would look like to you.  Be realistic.  I know Hawaii would be a great idea for refreshment, but that probably won't happen in my life today.J

For example: Rest – stop all activities at 8:00 p.m. rather than 10:00 p.m. and soak in a long hot bath.

More from the Girlfriends
This devotion was taken from Sharon's book, Building an Effective Women's Ministry.  To learn more about having a balanced life, see A Woman's Secret to a Balanced Life, co-authored by Sharon Jaynes and Lysa TerKeurst.  Balance isn't easy. That's why it took two of us to write it. J

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


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

[Judy Harder]

October 19, 2011
Avoiding Burnout Part 2
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where he prayed (Mark 1:35, NIV).

Friend to Friend
Yesterday, we looked at the problem of burnout or exhaustion. Burnout is defined as "a state of mental and/or physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress." Sound familiar? We also looked at several men in the Bible who struggled with spiritual and mental exhaustion. So if the great leaders of the Bible struggled with exhaustion, how do we avoid it?

The most effective way to avoid burnout is to be in constant communion with God, the Father. In Mark chapter one, Jesus gives us the key to avoiding overload: "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where he prayed," (Mark 1:35 NIV).

Early in the morning Jesus went off by Himself and spent time alone with His Heavenly Father. Interestingly, Simon and his companion interrupted Jesus' time of prayer. "Everyone is looking for you!" they exclaimed. The day before, Jesus had healed many men and women. No doubt, the disciples and the townspeople wanted Jesus to return to perform more miracles. But Jesus had a different idea..."Let us go somewhere else - to the nearby villages - so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."

I don't know about you, but by 8:00 in the morning, my phone is ringing with people making requests and demands on my time. How do we know when to say "yes" and when to say "no?" How do we know what God's will is for us on any given day? Jesus gives us the answer right there in Mark 1:35. We begin our day with God by praying and asking Him to give us our marching orders.

Would it have been a good and noble thing for Jesus to go back to Capernaum and minister to the people there? Yes, it would have been good, but perhaps not God's best. Because Jesus had spent time with God in the morning, He knew what God's plans were for Him that day and He could say "yes" and "no" with confidence.

Inviting God to fuel and fan the flames of enthusiasm for life each day is the key way to avoid burnout. But our friend, Elijah, gives us an example of how God tenderly re-ignites that flame if it has dimmed to a mere flicker. No matter where you are on the continuum of blazing spiritual passion or smoldering wick, here are some ideas to avoid burnout or rekindle the fire.

Rest often. (God rested on the 7th day.)
Refresh with proper diet.
Re-evaluate priorities and responsibilities on a regular basis (monthly).
Relegate and delegate.
Review commitments regularly (monthly).
Resist saying "yes" to demands and requests that do not line up with what God has called you to do.
Resist being ruled by your schedule and allow for divine appointments from God that may not be on your schedule.
Remove superfluous activities that interfere with or choke out with God's agenda.
Refocus on what God has called you to do rather than what others would like for you to do.
Remain in close and constant communion with God.
Let's Pray
Dear Lord, You know that I have a tendency to take on too much. Please help me to hear Your still small voice telling me when to say "yes" and when to say "no."  Today, I commit to remain in constant communion with You. You are my strength and my provider.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Go back and look at the activities that you engaged in last week and ponder the following questions:

Were they all necessary?
Could they have been done more effectively by someone else?
Was there anything on your schedule that you wished you had said "no" to?
Consider memorizing today's Key Verse and making it the filter for your daily  activities.
More from the Girlfriends
This devotion was taken from Sharon's book, Building an Effective Women's Ministry.  To learn more about having a balanced life, see A Woman's Secret to a Balanced Life, co-authored by Sharon Jaynes and Lysa TerKeurst.  Balance isn't easy. That's why it took two of us to write itJ

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


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

[Judy Harder]

October 20, 2011
I Love it When a Plan Comes Together!
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare (Psalm 40:5, NIV).

Friend to Friend
Family vacations always begin with "the plan." Before packing one sock or booking one hotel room, the Southerland family is summoned to a family meeting with one item on the agenda – a discussion of the vacation plan. Everyone has the opportunity to make suggestions and share ideas. My husband Dan and I then pool those ideas and make a final decision. Once the destination is chosen, Dan goes to work, charting every stop, logging the number of miles between stops, booking hotel rooms when we can't take any more stops and locating favorite restaurants along the way. When our children were young and still living at home, we fell into a lovely rut as far as vacation spots go. Our favorite vacation spot tended to be nestled somewhere in the smoky mountains of North Carolina. Dan couldn't wait to pack up our faithful old van, plug in the country music and hit the road! He claimed that just this side of the North Carolina state line he could actually begin to smell those mountains.

Over the years, every family member discovered a different reason for loving North Carolina. I was drawn to the quaint little towns filled with antique stores and smiling people. Dan loved the winding mountain roads and slower pace of life while our two children clamored to stop and play in the icy mountain water of every stream or creek they saw. However, their all-time favorite spot was Sliding Rock, a gigantic boulder that has been transformed into a huge water slide by the powerful falls above it.

Our first experience at Sliding Rock – when our son, Jered, was five and our daughter, Danna, was two - proved to be quite an event. Wiggling out of my arms, Jered ran straight to the rock, hurriedly plopped down,  squealing with delight as the chilly rushing water carried him over the frozen slab and into the icy pool at the bottom. Danna just watched; her big brown eyes wide with questioning fear as she witnessed her brother's disappearance down the mountain. When Jered's curly head popped out of the water, Danna's face flooded with relief as she clapped and cheered for "Bubba." Dan was next, whooping and hollering Texas style as he catapulted down the watery slide. Coming up for air he held out his arms and shouted, "Danna! Come with me!"

Now my daughter did not fully comprehend what was being asked of her but she undoubtedly did recognize who was asking – her daddy. To my amazement our usually tentative and fearful daughter rushed into the outstretched and familiar arms of her father, tightly clutching his neck as he positioned her in his frozen lap. Down they went!  I waited and wondered at the outcome. When they popped up out of the frigid pool, Danna was laughing and sputtering and begging, "We do it again, Daddy! We do it again!" Danna did not understand the plan but she knew and trusted the "plan maker".

We can do the same.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT).

God has a unique plan for each one of us that is beyond human understanding or expectation. It is called His will. God has been making His will known from the very beginning of time. In the Garden of Eden, God revealed to Adam and Eve His will or plan for their lives. It is important to note that with the revealed plan He also gave them the choice to obey because He is a loving Father and a gracious God. Knowing that His way was right, God still allowed Adam and Eve to choose the wrong way. They blew it by making the wrong choice - but He still loved them and forgave them. He will do the same for you.

The Bible promises that God's plan is the best plan; the one for which we were created.  Psalm 32:8 "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life." God agrees to not only show us the plan, but He promises to provide all of the strength and resources needed to carry out that plan. His sufficient and constant power is unleashed by our choice to accept and follow His blueprint for victorious living.

We were created by the One who knows us best and loves us most. There are no accidents with God. He never has to say, "Oops!" Before we were ever conceived in the heart and mind of man we were conceived in the heart and mind of God - wanted, loved and planned since before the world began. He had a plan in mind and lovingly, purposefully created us in response to that plan.

I know that there are days when the will of God seems completely wrong and we simply do not understand. Every moment is pregnant with darkness and our hearts are numb, paralyzed by fear and doubt. We are treading water in the storm tossed sea of life, desperately longing to see Him walking on the treacherous waves toward us, rescue in His hand. It is in those shadowed moments that we must choose to trust the Plan Maker even though our faith is small and we cannot understand the plan. His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. And one day, every one of our question marks will be yanked into exclamation points as we see that high plan as He sees it – perfect!

Girlfriend, set aside your meager agenda. Lay down your limited life arrangement and look for God to meet you at the point of surrender - power and victory in His hands.  Now that is a great plan!

Let's Pray
Lord, I want everything you have for me in this life! I don't want to settle for anything less than Your best. Teach me how to seek and follow You with my whole heart and how to fully trust You to direct my steps. Thank You for Your love and grace that completes me and fills my life with hope.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Read Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

These verses contain three steps we must take in order to experience one promise that God will make our paths straight. Grab your journal and in your own words, explain what each step requires and what you think God means when He says that He will make our paths straight.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart_________________________________________
Lean not on your own understanding_________________________________________
In all your ways submit to him_______________________________________________
He will make your paths straight_____________________________________________

More from the Girlfriends
Want to be successful in your work? Check out Mary's four-week study, Take This Job and Love It, to discover six principles from the life of the Proverbs 31 woman that will help you be successful in your work, no matter where you work or what your job may be. Study guide included.

Come as You Are, Mary's NEW Online Bible Study, has just begun. Enroll now and have access to all 2011 lessons. Need a friend? Connect with Mary on Facebookor through email.

[Judy Harder]

October 21, 2011
I'm Right Here
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
Fear not ... I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you... (Isaiah 43:1-2)

Friend to Friend
While walking into the opening session of a marriage conference that we had been looking forward to, his cellphone rang. He answered the call and we took our seats. As the emcee kicked off the weekend with gracious greetings, my husband, Brad, leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Preston fell on a rock at camp and is on his way to urgent care to get stitches in his chin." He took my hand and whispered again, knowing from my expression that I was alarmed, "It's just a few stitches. He'll be okay, honey."

My stomach flip-flopped. We locked eyes and shared pain – both wounded in the heart for our firstborn son. This was not the way we had imagined that our weekend away would begin. As the session began, my momma-bear instincts kicked in and my mind reeled. Though he was a hundred miles away and though he's a man-cub teenager, I ached to be by Preston's side while the doctor stitched up his chin. I am always by his side when he gets hurt. Yet, there was comfort in knowing that this was "just a few stitches."

As that first session came to a close in prayer, Brad's cell phone invaded the quiet. He leapt up and left the room swiftly to get an update on Preston. Right behind him, I asked repeatedly, "What are they saying? Is everything okay?"

"He said that Preston broke his jaw," Brad said with a tone of disbelief. Again he said, "The x-rays showed that he broke his jaw. I can't believe this. They need us to come get him and take him to Charlotte. He might need surgery."

Gripped by his words, I struggled to think clearly, "A broken jaw? Surgery? It was just supposed to be a few stitches! Well – it's probably just a small fracture. I really hate that I'm not with him right now..." Bags were packed quickly and by the time darkness fell on North Carolina, Charlotte was on the horizon.

The next several hours were a blur of doctors, x-rays, CAT scans and surgery plans. Bad went to worse as we learned that Preston didn't just break his jaw... he broke his jaw in three places, and, as the doctor phrased it, "he pretty much broke his jaw as bad as you can break a jaw." Nice.

Surgery began and the wait was on... and on... and on. The heart-distance between the operating room and the waiting room was a thousand miles. It killed me to not hold his hand and stroke his hair while his jaw was reconstructed for seven and a half hours.

In the wee hours of the morning, surgery was complete and Preston was wheeled to his room. Brad and I rushed to his side as they brought him to his room and though he was heavily sedated, I reached for his hand and assured him, "Preston! I'm right here! I'm right by your side. I will stay here beside you. I know you're in pain, buddy, but you're going to heal well now. I'm right here and I love you." His eyes flickered open for a split second to let Brad and I know that he heard our love then he drifted back to post-surgical sleep.

Several times an hour the nurses came in to check his vitals. I hadn't slept in nearly a day and was thoroughly exhausted, but each time a nurse entered the room I leapt to his side and whispered to my wounded child, "I'm right here, Preston! I'm right here. You're not alone."

After the third or fourth time of reassuring Preston of my presence, I lay back down and whispered to God, "Lord, please heal my son! Please heal him." And in the still of the night, in the quietness of my bleeding momma-heart, my soul sensed Him whispering right back to me, "I'm right here, Gwen! I'm right here. For him. For you. You're not alone."

Peace. I heard the voice of Peace speak His presence and tenderness into my pain. He heard me. He knew of my plight. He knew I needed a word of encouragement. Not an audible word – just a heart whisper. He was right by my side. I knew it as I remembered His Word, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18). Peace.

There are times when your heavy heart-burdens cry so loudly that you struggle to hear the voice of Peace. Times when your prayers seem to go unanswered and your broken situations seem unfixable ... and painful. Oh, so painful! We all know ache. We can't get through this life without knowing ache. The Bible says that not a tear falls from your eye that isn't known to God. (Psalm 56:

He knows all about your heart-burdens. He knows that you need a word of encouragement today. Hear His whisper now, friend. Whispers from His Word ... from His heart, "I will never leave you or forsake you. I know your name and have engraved it on the palm of my hand. I hold your tears in a bottle and ache with you. My grace is sufficient and I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. I'm right here." (Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 139, Psalm 56:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9, John 16:33)

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You for reminding me that You are always with me, that You see me, and that You hear my prayers. Please help me to know deeper levels of peace today.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Read Isaiah 43:1-3,5a. "But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Do not be afraid, for I am with you."

How does this speak to your circumstances today? To your heart? Pray about it and journal if you're the journaling type... then let's meet on my Facebook page to talk about it and pray through it together. www.Facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic.

More from the Girlfriends
If this devotion resonated with you and if you would like to learn more about how your brokenness can be reworked into a picture of God's beauty, don't miss Gwen's book Broken into Beautiful. Every step of transformation begins with the heart of God. Broken into Beautiful will take you there. To order the book, go to Amazonor, for a signed copy, visit Gwen's website: www.gwensmith.net.

LOVE MUSIC? Check out Gwen's new CD, Uncluttered. Now available oniTunes! 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.

[Judy Harder]

October 24, 2011
Giving Back
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15, NIV)

Friend to Friend
My husband sat across the table with a friend who was raising money for their university Alma Mater. The friend was giving a large sum – a very large sum.

"The reason I am giving so much to the school building project is because I owe them so much," he enthusiastically explained.  "If it weren't for the school, I wouldn't have this great career and this lifestyle that I enjoy. No telling what I'd be doing. The amount I'm giving is the least I can do as my way of saying thanks. I owe them so much.

Steve and I know this person very well. He's brilliant and would be successful no matter what school he had attended or what profession he selected. But he felt an incredible amount of gratitude to his school for the education and training he had received.

As I reflected on Steve's lunch conversation, God spoke to my heart. See, this man was willing to give because of the education he had received. How much more should I want to give to God because of the eternal life I have received?  For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son and whoever believes in Him will never perish but have eternal life!  What a sacrifice. What love. What an inheritance. What an education. What an opportunity to receive abundant life – the best "lifestyle" of all.

Jesus said, "I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly," (John10:10).  More than an academic education, more than a skill to produce a good income, more than any other man-made institution or ideal, it is God to Whom I owe my gratitude.

Oh how I love Him! Oh how I appreciate Him! Oh how I owe Him for all that I am and ever will be. Where would I be without Him? Thinking about this friend's burning desire to repay the school for all they had done to contribute to his success has compounded my desire to give to God for all He's done for me. 

Let's Pray
Dear Father, I am overflowing with gratitude for all You have done for me.  My life is but a breath, and yet, You loved me enough to give Your one and only Son to pay for sin. I give You my day. I give You my life. May Your incredible gift be ever on my mind today.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Name a person who has made a big impact in your life for good.

What did that person do for you?

Now, write down what God has done for you. What did He do on your behalf?

How can you give back to Him?  I'd love to hear your answer.  Let's chat at www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes.

More from the Girlfriends
Did you know that Sharon has a devotion book filled with devotions just like the ones you read on Girlfriends in God?  It is titled Extraordinary Moments with God.  It is a small padded covered book that can fit right in your purse!  A perfect gift. See all of Sharon's books and other resources on her website.

[Judy Harder]

October 25, 2011
The Power of One Broken Seed
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise (Psalm 51:17, NLT).

Friend to Friend
I am famous for my "brown thumb." Even though we have moved several times over the years, changing climates, states, neighborhoods and soil conditions, nothing has altered the fact that if I touch any living plant, its chances for survival are slim. My husband has fared no better in his numerous attempts to plant trees and flowers. I fear that the "brown thumb" disease is contagious. There is more. I see undeniable evidence that this gardening malady is hereditary. My son, bless his heart, has tried to rescue wilted flower after crispy plant from his mother's clutches. But there is hope! My daughter, Danna, is not only able to keep living plants alive for an impressive amount of time, she can plant seeds and green things will actually grow! It is absolutely amazing to me!

When Danna was in kindergarten she had a very creative science teacher, Miss Kay, who constantly planned fun activities and projects for the children. Danna loved her and was always talking about what she learned in science class. One day, as I waited for Danna in the carpool line, I spotted her standing by Miss Kay, grinning from ear to ear, jumping up and down as if she simply could not wait for me to get there. I pulled up, Danna hopped into the car, gave a huge sigh of satisfaction and stretched out her tiny hand, proudly displaying the reason for her enthusiasm - a wadded up paper towel.

Now I am normally very good at being excited about the things my kids find important, but for the life of me, I could not fathom why Danna would be so thrilled with a crumpled paper towel. "Honey, what is that?" I asked. She looked up at me with sparkling brown eyes and whispered, "Mom, there are seeds in here. Miss Kay gave them to me and I am going to plant them and they are going to grow. Can you believe it?"

Given my morbid experience with seeds, I declined to answer that question but instead, chose to join my daughter in her excitement – until I saw the seeds. Evidently, Danna had been carrying them around all day because when she carefully unfolded the paper towel, all I could see was a big mess of broken, mismatched, crushed and crumbled seeds. Looking into the eager eyes of my daughter I said, "Honey, if these seeds don't grow for some reason, remember that we can go to the store and buy some new ones."  Clutching the seeds tightly to her heart and safely out of my reach, Danna said, "Mama, they have to grow 'cause I prayed and asked God to please make them grow and He said He would!" I began planning a trip to the gardening center.

Danna was silent all the way home but when we pulled into our driveway she jumped out of the car and darted into the house, leaving her doubting mother behind. Moments later Danna reappeared with a small paper cup in her hand. I watched as she scooped up dirt from the front flower bed and marched confidently back into the house. I followed her, moaning my silent complaint, "Father, do you realize that your reputation is on the line here? Why did she have to pick that particular flower bed, the one we filled with decorative rocks because nothing, not even weeds, would grow there?" Once again I tried to reason with Danna. "Honey, why don't we just buy some new seeds?" Ignoring my obvious lack of faith, Danna stuffed the broken seeds down into the cup,  marched to the kitchen sink and, placing the cup under the faucet, turned the water on full blast. Just as fast as the seeds and dirt spilled over the edge of the cup into the sink, Danna scooped them up and poked them back in, all the way to the bottom of the cup so they could not escape.

"Miss Kay says that they have to have sunshine to grow." With this announcement, Danna placed her soggy cup of broken, mismatched seeds on the kitchen window sill that looks out over our screened-in porch; a place purposely designed to receive no sunlight at all. By this time, I knew my words were falling on deaf ears and decided to let God handle this one on His own.

Several days later, I was standing at the kitchen sink preparing dinner, when I glanced out on the porch to see my daughter's faith on spectacular display. A small paper cup filled with green sprouts confronted my doubting heart. I could not believe my eyes. Dropping the potatoes in the sink, I literally ran to Danna's room shouting, "Danna! Danna! Your seeds are growing!" I found her calmly playing "Chutes and Ladders" with Danielle, her best friend. "Danna! Did you hear me? Your seeds are growing!" A brief glance and knowing smile from Danna said it all. "That is so neat, Mom. I knew they would." She and Danielle resumed their game, leaving me to gaze in awe and wonder at the faith of my child who dared to believe in a broken dream.

I know that you are desperately clinging to the broken and mismatched remnants of your life, wondering how you can go on. Whispers of the enemy creep into your heart, soul and mind, taunting you with the lie that you are just too dirty and broken for God to love or use. It seems as if nothing and no one can change that reality, so you might as well give up, throwing your life away.

Nothing could be further from the truth, girlfriend. In fact, God is drawn to broken people, choosing the most broken to do His highest work. His light shines best through broken people. Never underestimate the power of one, tiny broken seed. Placed in the right hands, it will surely grow into an expression of His beauty for all to see.

Let's Pray
Father, I come to You, broken and desperate for Your love and grace. Please heal the broken places in my life. I surrender my hurt and pain to You and ask You to transform it all into something beautiful that glorifies You. I choose to trust You – not my feelings or human understanding. I choose to walk by faith and not by sight.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
If you really want God to change your life and teach you how to embrace your pain, you must be willing to make several choices:

I choose faith over doubt.
I choose to believe God's Word over man's wisdom or logic.
I choose to stand firm and trust God when the storms of life come.
I choose to count on God's holiness and perfect plan for my life instead of my effort.
More from the Girlfriends
Women are amazing! Every day, we receive e-mails from women who are facing seemingly impossible circumstances, and yet choose to believe and cry out to God. Doesn't sound like enough, does it? In reality, it is everything! No matter where you are, God is with you...and so are we! For more help, check out my book, Escaping the Stress Trap, to discover 9 practical ways to overcome overload. Looking for a Bible Study? Be sure to check out my E-Book Bible Study, Strength for the Storm.

Come as You Are, Mary's NEW Online Bible Study, has just begun. Enroll now and have access to all 2011 lessons. Need a friend? Connect with Mary on Facebookor 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]

October 26, 2011
Getting to the Root of the Problem
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man (or woman) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV).

Friend to Friend
Several years ago I owned a car that continually overheated.  The first time I saw the little red needle pointing to the big H on the dashboard, I assumed it meant the car was hot. It was in the middle of August and frankly, I was hot too, so I wasn't terribly alarmed. I decided to mosey on down to the dealership about twelve miles away to have it checked out. Big mistake.

After about a minute or so, steam began billowing from under the hood, the engine began knocking angrily, and the little engine that could, decided it couldn't any longer. It died in the middle of a busy intersection on a Friday afternoon in 5:00 traffic. The car was towed to the dealership where the mechanic delivered the unfortunate news.

"Mrs. Jaynes, you see that needle that is pointing to the 'H'?" the repairman asked.  "That means that the engine is runnin' hot.  When you see that, you've got to stop right away.  Since you kept goin', you burned up your engine. It's a goner. You'll have to get a new one."

"That sounds expensive," I moaned.

"Oh, it'll be about four thousand dollars," he answered, while continuing to poke around under the hood.

Four thousand dollars! And all because I didn't stop the car when it overheated...all because I didn't heed the warning signs. It was a painful and costly lesson.

The mechanic installed a new engine. You can imagine my alarm when I noticed that little red needle pointing to H a few weeks later. This time, I stopped right away. Once again, my car was towed to the dealership. Once again, they made adjustments, gave reassurances, and sent me on my way.

Over the following weeks, my car overheated three times. Each time, it was towed to the shop and the mechanic made adjustments. Finally, I said, "No more." I got rid of the car.

The trouble was, the mechanic never fixed the cause of the problem, but only tinkered with the symptoms. He fixed first one thing and then another, but never got to the root of the problem to find out why the car was overheating in the first place.

How like us. We continue to tinker, fixing one flaw and then another, but never getting to the root of the problem. Many times when reading the Bible, we want the "how to-s" without the "why for-s." In this age of instant messaging, instant food, and microwave cooking, we want a quick fix without understanding the deep truths of Scripture. We say, "Just tell me what to do and I'll do it." "Give me a ten-step program and I'll check off the steps one by one."  But in order to experience lasting change – we must begin with ultimate truth.

When we dig deep into Scripture, we discover the root cause of our problems and God's amazing solutions.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, I have been tinkering with my problems long enough. My hot button has gone off more times than I care to admit. Would you please show me the root cause of this problem? You are the Heavenly mechanic and my engine is in need of repair. I open my hood (heart) to You and pray that you will help me run like a well-Holy Spirit - oiled machine.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
When is the last time your emotion meter hit H for Hot?

What was the problem?

Now look at your answer.  Did you blame it on someone else?  If so, you are tinkering, tinkering, tinkering. (I love you, girlfriend.)

Think...pray...now answer the question again.  What was the problem?

More from the Girlfriends
Sharon's book, Becoming Spiritually Beautiful, takes us back to the root cause of the problems in all of our lives and how God wants to fix it. Most of what we call problems or characters flaws are only symptoms.  If you would like to get under the hood with God and take a look at what's broken so He can fix it, then this book is for you! This book also comes with a Bible study guide that is perfect for group or individual study.

[Judy Harder]

October 27, 2011
Never Lost
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands... (Isaiah 49:16a)

Friend to Friend
A few years ago our family got a bouncy little puppy named Roman. One of the first things we did when Roman became a Smith was head to the pet store for doggie supplies. In addition to purchasing chew toys, a collar, and food, we ordered Roman a nameplate to go on his collar in case he ever gets lost. The cashier sold us two tokens for the tag, and sent us to the other side of the store to the engraving machine.         

The kids and I approached the engraving machine with giddy hearts. After we slid the two metal tokens into the coin slot, we looked at our ID options and settled on the blue bone for Roman's collar. Then the engraving machine prompted us to enter Roman's puppy information. Once we were satisfied that all the information was accurate, I gave the command for the computer to begin the engraving.           

The machine engraved just one letter at a time. With each stroke of the machine's needle, Roman's name began to appear, along with our address and phone number. When the engraving was finished, we immediately put the tag onto Roman's collar. The blue bone boasts that Roman belongs to the Smith family.           

For us, in this world, we have to put our names on things so we don't lose them. We put our names on our luggage, on our pet collars, on our backpacks, and in our Bibles. I even have a "page" button on my cordless phone so it can beep when I lose the phone in my house. I've also been known to lose my keys, my driver's license, my cell phone and my purse. (Scary!) Thankfully, God doesn't have the same problem with losing things. He doesn't need to put His name on anything. What's His is His forever.           

If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, take comfort in the fact that you can never be lost and that you are never out of God's sight. There might be times when you feel invisible - times when you feel lost – times when you stubbornly choose your ways over His – or times when you feel alone, but the Bible tells us that your name is engraved on the palms of God's hands, and that nothing can separate you from God's love or snatch you from His hand. Nothing.

"I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." Romans 8:38-39, MSG

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, andthey will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father,who has given them to me,is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out ofthe Father's hand." John 10:27-29, ESV

"All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me]." John 6:37, AMP

God knows your name. He knows where you live. He's got your number. You're never lost. Praise Him!

Let's Pray
Heavenly Father, Thank you for engraving my name on the palms of your hands. Please help me to remember the way home when I get lost, distracted or confused. "Because Your love is better than life, and my lips will glorify you!" (Psalm 63:3, NIV)
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Read Romans chapter 8 today.

How does it make you feel to know that nothing can separate you from God's love? Let's talk about it on my Facebook wall: www.facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic.

How committed is your love for Him? Do your daily choices line up with His standard? Take a moment to ask God to search your heart and reveal how your ways could line up better with His standard.

More from the Girlfriends
As a mother, I know what it is to love a child, but as much as I can love my kids – the love I have is stained with imperfections. God loves perfectly...no matter what. Be sure to relish that thought today – and spend a few moments to direct the attention of your heart to His in worship!

GOT BEAUTY? God delights to transform lives...including your own.  In her book, Broken Into Beautiful, Gwen Smith invites you to experience how the unconditional love of Jesus can change your life and then stand back and watch the wonder of grace at work.  He is willing to eternally forgive and forget and to transform your life into something beautiful. To order the book, go to Amazonor, for a signed copy, visit Gwen's website: www.gwensmith.net.

NEED SOME SOUL REST? Check out Gwen's new CD, Uncluttered.Now available oniTunes! 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