Encouragement for Today

[Judy Harder]

January 24, 2013

Where Faith Gets Awfully Messy
Lysa TerKeurst


"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Last year I had emergency surgery on my ears. And while the pain went away, there is still a really loud, constant ringing in my left ear.

Because of this ringing, I've had many sleepless nights. But one night in particular proved to be more than I thought I could handle. The screeching in my ear reached an all time high and not even medication helped. My throat tightened as frustration of this situation threatened to spill out in a million tears. I could feel myself slipping over a terrifying edge ... that edge where hopelessness steps into the moment and you feel too weak to resist it.

I whispered, "I'm slipping God. I can't stand this another minute. Much less five more minutes. Or five more hours. Seriously God. I can't. I'm trying to be brave. I've begged for Your healing. And I truly believe You are healing me. But I'm freaking out. And I'm so sorry if 'freaking' is a bad word — I'm still on the fence about that one. But God, I feel myself falling and I can't figure out what to grab onto."

This is where faith gets awfully messy, isn't it?

Faith.

Most days, I'm like a little kid on the swing going higher and higher without fear. I know the swing will hold me. I know the chains are secure. I'm bold. Assured. Confident.

That night though, I was terrified of the swing. The chains felt more like unraveling threads with a screaming me dangling at the end. My faith felt small.

But my faith was right in front of me. And when one falls, out of instinct they grab onto whatever is right in front of them.

And I just want you to know that even small faith is completely able to hold you. It held me that night. Through the minutes and hours I didn't think I could press on.

I started recounting all the ways God made sure my faith was front and center for this slip. I thought about the ways I'd seen His hand even in the previous days.

Recounting His faithfulness secured the chains. Showed me I wasn't dangling by a thread out on my own.

One of those ways was discovering my husband's sound machine is a gift. That crazy sound machine has aggravated the stink out of me for years. But when put on the rain setting, it helps soothe the screeching in my ear.

Without having told my pastor about my ear, he sent me a text saying he was praying for me and God had put 1 Kings 18:41-46 on his heart.

And what are those verses about?

Rain. The sound of a heavy rain.

A rain that happens in between two vastly different displays of faith in Elijah's life. One minute he's swinging with great faith so bold and secure he calls fire down from heaven.

Then only a few verses later he's dangling by a thread as he runs and hides in a cave.

The Lord comes to Elijah in a gentle whisper and shows him what to do at the end of that thread. "Go back the way you came." (1 Kings 19:15a NIV)

God was saying, "Backtrack and remember all the places I've been faithful in your life. And know with assurance. And boldness. And confidence. I AM. I AM the same faithful God."

So, I let these words slip into my soul. I turn up the sound of rain. I grab onto my faith right in front of me. And discover, I am held by the great I AM. I guess I just wanted to be that friend today who reminds you, no matter what you're going through — the same is true for you.

Dear Lord, thank You for being so faithful, even when it feels like things are slipping away. Help me today as I let Your promises and truth sink deep into my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa's blog for a fun giveaway and an update on her hearing.

If you feel like things are slipping and you are out of control, Unglued, by Lysa TerKeurst, was written just for you. Take a few minutes to read the first chapter by clicking here.

Order your copy of Unglued by clicking here.

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
What past trials has the Lord helped you through?

It is so important that we remember God's faithfulness. It can carry us through those dark times in our lives. Write down three specific situations when the Lord has proven faithful even when you felt hopeless.

Power Verse:
1 Samuel 12:24, "But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you." (NIV)

© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

[Judy Harder]

January 25, 2013

Don't Yield Your Mind Turf
Julie Gillies


"Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way." Proverbs 23:19 (ESV)

For years, I walked around with a destructive and negative mindset without recognizing it. Raised in a tumultuous home that simmered with anger, resentment, and critical words, I picked up these deadly thought processes early on. Sadly, it's how my family operated, and I considered it completely normal. Critical thoughts spread like weeds throughout my mind and threatened to choke out every positive thought.

Years later, enduring a miserable marriage, I regularly cried myself to sleep. I was still unaware that negative mindsets poisoned my thoughts. Thinking the best of others was foreign to me. Each morning I'd wake up and rehash my husband's harsh words of the night before. I'd tell myself that things were never going to change, and meditate on my critical thoughts and feelings. I was extremely unhappy.

My unhealthy mindset made it hard to forgive, because I replayed hurtful words and situations in my mind over and over. It's very difficult, (if not impossible!) to forgive what you regularly focus on. This set up a destructive cycle in my marriage. Instead of forgiving and letting go, I rehearsed the hurt and held on. And I always felt it was warranted because I felt my husband's words and actions toward me were wrong.

It wasn't until a women's retreat that I suddenly became aware of my dangerous mindset. During a time of reflective prayer, God helped me to see that my consistently critical thoughts toward my husband were destroying our relationship. I began to understand that even though my husband's actions toward me might be wrong, my response as a Christian was just as wrong.

Over time my mindset slowly changed, but it remained a real effort not to give in to the negative thoughts I had regularly entertained most of my life. It took time and concerted effort, but as I prayed and spent time reading my Bible, wrong mindsets were replaced with healthy, godly thoughts.

You may not battle with a negative or critical attitude like I did. Maybe worry, fear, or insecurity bombard your mind regularly. That's the enemy's plan: to consistently assault our minds until we surrender.

We must fight every step of the way. As busy women, we don't have one brain cell to spare. And as godly women, we cannot yield any mind-turf to the enemy. The first goal when praying for our minds is the ability to recognize when we're under attack. God's Word tells us, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7 NIV)

The number one way to resist the enemy is through prayer. Though the attacks against our mind can be subtle, God gives us wisdom when we ask Him. He will reveal to us what we are not always capable of discerning apart from His help: flawed, potentially destructive thoughts and mindsets. Whether the intrusions in our minds are remnants from the distant past or yesterday's hurts and disappointments, we can face every day with clear minds and godly mindsets.

Dear Lord, equip my mind with Your helmet of salvation. Protect my mind from every evil influence. I submit my thoughts to You and thank You for granting me ever-increasing discernment, wisdom, and an understanding mind. Thank You that I have the mind of Christ, and I hold the thoughts, feelings and purposes of His heart. Renew my mind and grant me a fresh mental and spiritual attitude and a godly mindset. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
This lesson is adapted from Julie Gillies' new book Prayers for a Woman's Soul, an invitation for busy, overwhelmed women with long prayer lists to pray for themselves.

Click here to visit Julie's Blog today and sign up for 5 Days of Extravagant Prayer, a FREE opportunity to refresh and pamper your soul!

Reflect and Respond:
Do you recognize the enemy's assault on your mind this week?

What specific thoughts and mindsets do you need help changing?

Apply the truths you've learned today and determine to spend this week praying for your mind.

Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 14:20, "Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults." (NIV)

Romans 12:2, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (NLT)

© 2013 by Julie Gillies. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

 January 28, 2013

Open Her Heart ... and Mine
Suzie Eller


"One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart and she accepted what Paul was saying." Acts 16:14 (NLT)

She stood in front of me. "I wanted to go down," she said. "I just couldn't."

Her grandmother stood nearby, silent. Hope etched her features.

I took her hands. "It's scary sometimes to take an unfamiliar step," I said. "But we're here now. Can we pray together?"

This woman grew up in church, but she'd taken some wrong turns in life. After years of living apart from her family, she had arrived on her grandmother's doorstep out of desperation. She came to the women's conference because someone had given her grandmother free tickets.

Admittedly, she came for a free meal and to make her grandmother happy. She was fully prepared to leave with her stomach full and her heart empty.

Except God saw her walk through the door.

The words from Scripture reached past her tough exterior to land right in the tender spot of her desperate heart. While walking to an altar seemed impossible for this vulnerable woman, she hoped someone would pray with her before she left the church. Which is how she ended up in front of me.

In return for my prayers, I received a kiss on my cheek. Wrapping her arms tightly around me, she said "I love you," with joy on her face.

She didn't see the tears running down mine, as she turned away.

Just as that grandmother had stood with hope for her granddaughter, I've been praying for years for a loved one. There are days hope recedes, and I find myself on my knees again, asking for a refill.

In Acts 16, Paul met a woman named Lydia. In many ways she was different from the woman who stood in front of me that day in the church. Lydia was a seller of purple cloth, so she was financially well off. And she was a worshiper of God, likely a devout Jewish woman.

But she was also similar to the woman at the conference, in that she hadn't yet met Jesus Christ. Two thousand years ago the Lord opened Lydia's heart. She was so changed by her new relationship with Jesus that she became one of His most devoted followers.

God still opens hearts.

He opened Lydia's heart to receive the truth.

He opened my new friend's heart to receive relationship and restoration.

He opens my heart to hope.

Maybe, like me, you have been praying for a loved one for a long time. Perhaps there are days when it feels as if the prayers aren't working. But like carefully planted seeds, those prayers are received one by one by our Heavenly Father, until one day they poke through the ground of our loved one's heart to receive the Light.

I will continue to pray that God opens the heart of those I love. As I wait, I will also pray that God opens my heart to receive the hope He so generously offers.

Dear God, open my loved one's heart to receive and accept Your grace, mercy, and transforming love. But also open my heart. Today I stand on Your promises and delight in what only You can do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Visit Suzie Eller's blog for three ways to fill up your hope reservoir when it runs low.

First Love, a DVD by Karen Ehman

Join Suzie's Live Free Facebook community for daily encouragement.

Reflect and Respond:
Hope: [noun] to cherish a desire with anticipation.

When we pray for a long time without seeing an answer, do we focus on the problem or person, rather than the promise? Let's begin to cherish our desire for our loved ones as we anticipate what God is doing, unseen. How He is planting those prayers like seeds in the heart of our loved ones. Let's cherish the day those seeds will poke through hardened ground to receive nourishment and Light.

Power Verses:
Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)

Romans 8:24-25, "We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)" (NLT)

© 2013 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

January 29, 2013

When My Wild Heart Pushes the Boundary
Lysa TerKeurst


"LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places..." Psalm 16:5-6a (NIV)

"Mrs. TerKeurst, your dog ran away to our house ... AGAIN."

"Mrs. TerKeurst, I think I might have just seen your dog running down the street."

"Mrs. TerKeurst, this is one of your neighbors. Just letting you know we're about to drop off your dog—we saw him running around our neighborhood."

"Mrs. TerKeurst, this is the animal clinic. I believe we have your dog."

"Mrs. TerKeurst, do you own two dogs?"

I own three dogs. But my two outside dogs, Champ and Chelsea, are sometimes delinquent. I love them. They love me. But they love running away more. Even though we didn't have a fence, we had other systems in place to keep them safely at home!

I can't tell you the number of sleepless nights I've had fretting over my dogs. Several times we've enlisted our friends to pray for Champ and Chelsea. But this sort of backfired on us once.

One of our friends knew Champ had gone missing and miraculously found him in a yard miles from our home. He was amazed Champ had run so far. He pulled into the driveway, coaxed Champ into his car, and called me with breathless excitement to announce he'd found my beloved dog.

But five minutes before my friend got to my house, Champ came home. When my friend pulled into my driveway carrying a Champ lookalike, we both about fell over. My friend had kidnapped someone else's dog—right from their front yard!

Oh my glory be.

It was time to do something.

I used to think invisible fences were cruel. I couldn't stand the thought of my dog getting a shock. So, I looked into getting a regular fence. But we live in the country and installing a regular fence was simply out of the question.

An invisible fence it would have to be. After all, a shock to keep them inside the safe boundary is a lot better than what might happen outside the boundary.

Boundaries aren't cruel barriers meant to keep my dogs from freedom. They are protective restrictions meant to define where safe freedom can be found.

And my dogs aren't the only ones who need to remember this lesson. I need to remember this, and apply it to the protective restrictions God has for me.

Why? Because there's usually some sort of boundary my wild heart tries to push against.

Have you ever found yourself rationalizing some situation in your life where you know you aren't doing what God said we should do?

Does God really want us to love our enemies? Is it really important to not let the sun go down on my anger? Do I really need to pray and read my Bible every day? Oh, grumbling isn't so bad ... I mean everyone finds something to complain about.

I push against the boundaries. Sometimes I even break through them. But what's waiting on the other side isn't freedom.

Oh Lord, let my wild heart always remember ...

Your instructions, Your boundaries, aren't cruel barriers to keep me from freedom. They are protective restrictions meant to define where safe freedom can be found.

And Lord, if You can teach this same lesson to my dogs, my neighbors, friends and I would be ever so grateful.

Dear Lord, thank You for the protective hand that You have placed over me. Cultivate in me an obedient heart that seeks to live in the safe freedom of Your boundaries. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Join Lysa TerKeurst TONIGHT at 9pm EST for a fun "Women Of Faith Come Unglued" webcast! Sheila Walsh and Lisa Harper will be sharing stories from real life when they've been stretched and frazzled, but God has helped them keep it together. Gather your girlfriends and join us by clicking here.

Lysa TerKeurst's New York Times bestselling book, Unglued, gives a fresh perspective on how to be obedient to the Lord with your emotions, reactions, and decisions.

Start the New Year with a dose of daily encouragement. The Unglued Devotional is an amazing resource to use as you strengthen your relationship with the Lord.

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
What is one thing that God has been asking you to surrender to Him?

Any need we try to meet outside of God's perfect will is a step into a danger zone. Spend some time today reflecting on the power verses below as you surrender an issue to God that you have been rationalizing.

Power Verse:
Psalm 119:66-67, "Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust Your commands. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your word." (NIV)

Job 36:11, "If they obey and serve Him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment." (NIV)

© 2013 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

January 30, 2013

When Hurt Robs Us of Hope
Renee Swope


"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 (NIV)

How could this be happening? She had given up so much to be with him and now this?

My friend had left her very successful career and friends in Louisiana, uprooted her three kids and moved to North Carolina to get married and live in her new husband's hometown. And now, six years later, she answered the phone and was shocked by the confession of a woman who called to tell her that she'd been having an affair with my friend's second husband — for the past four years.

I held her as she sobbed. And I listened as she questioned everything about her husband. Every business trip, every late night at the office, everything she thought was true that was now laced with deceit.

Something in my soul cracked that day, and every bit of hope I ever had that I would one day get married ... it was gone. I swore that I would never, ever trust a man.

Has there ever been a time when pain from your yesterdays or disappointments in your todays has stolen your hope? When you have been wounded, the risk of getting hurt again seems more costly, and perhaps even more likely, doesn't it?

The things that hurt us are as varied as the lies we believe because of them:

• Like my friend who was sexually abused by a neighbor when she was eight years old. Shame convinced her she would always be dirty and worthless.

• Like my friend who was raped at knifepoint by a masked stranger the week of her college graduation. Fear held her for years in a personal prison, telling her she'd never be free.

• Like my friend who was married and divorced multiple times. Condemnation convinced her she'd never be good enough for a man or God.

• Like a woman I know whose mother called her names and criticized everything she did. Humiliation holds her hostage, convincing her she'll always be useless.

• Like my friend who had an abortion when she was a teenager. Paralyzing grief and disgrace convinced her God could never use her in ministry.

• Like my friend whose son is in prison awaiting trial as a sex offender. False blame keeps her up at night, convincing her she must have done something wrong as a mom.

The pain of our past makes it hard to believe God's promise of hope for our future. It's easy to lose confidence in Him, in other people and especially in ourselves.

Yet hope comes when we allow Jesus to search our hearts and bring Truth into our wounded places. Today's key verse reminds us that He wants us to "trust in Him, so that [we will] overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 15:13). And the only way that can happen is if we let Jesus pour His healing power into our lives, allowing His love to flow into our pain and cleanse the wounds from our past.

I watched my friend's heart break into pieces in the following months, as her future and her marriage were shattered by the lies. But I also watched her come to know God and fully rely on His love for her, over time.

I learned to trust and hope again, too. And I made a new vow — I promised myself and God that I would not allow the pain of my past to determine my future any more.

We don't have to allow our hurts to steal our hope. Instead we can ask Jesus to help us trust Him more through them. Let's ask Him to show us what is true about who we are and what we have been through that caused us to start losing hope. And then we can ask Him to help us redefine our future — not through the filter of our past and our pain, but through the power of His hope-resurrecting promises.

Dear Lord, You are good and have good plans for me. But sometimes, people and circumstances rob me of that truth and cast a shadow on Your goodness. Please restore my trust and hope in You. I'm leaning on all You are. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Need help working through circumstances and relationships that have left you feeling hurt, hesitant and sometimes hopeless? If so, Renee's truth-bearing book, A Confident Heart, may be just what you need. {Read chapter one here.}

Connect with Renee on Facebook for more powerful promises and perspectives from God's Word.

Sign up for a week's worth of FREE Confident Heart devotions here.

Reflect and Respond:
Is there an area of your past that is holding you back from trusting God? Sit and listen for His truth and good plans for you today.

Hope comes when we allow Jesus to search our hearts and bring Truth into our wounded places.

Power Verses:
Ephesians 1:18-19a, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." (NIV)

© 2013 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

January 31, 2013

God's Rubric
Van Walton


"Jesus called out to them, 'Come, follow me, and I will show you how...'" Mark 1:17 (NLT)

The accusing words jumped from my computer screen, feeling like a slap in the face. A concerned mother was sharing her thoughts about her child's performance in my class, and she wasn't happy.

I gathered my wits and reached for the rubric I had given my students. Had I miscommunicated something? No, my expectations for the project were carefully outlined.

Rubrics are assessment guidelines used in many classrooms. They communicate the teacher's expectations for a task by listing the subject matter that should be included in the final assignment.

That afternoon, mother, student and I met to discuss the assignment and desired outcome. With the rubric in the center of the table we agreed: it had been ignored. We decided the student would re-attempt the assignment, this time following the guidelines.

It filled my heart with joy to watch a secure young lady walk out of my classroom with her rubric. I had no doubt she understood the expectations. Her next project would shine and her confidence would soar.

Jesus, the greatest teacher who ever lived, also used rubrics. He never gave assignments without clearly laying out expectations. After all, any teacher's goal is the students' success. Success leads to confidence. And confident people become world changers, which is what Jesus called His followers to be.

I'm intrigued by Jesus' teaching methods and style. His classroom moved with Him, as He used daily occurrences as lessons. Jesus challenged His students to soar by using His rubrics.

Mark 1:17 invites us into Jesus' classroom. The Teacher's first words to His students clarify His expectations: "Come follow me." Then He says, "I will show you how ..."

Jesus is the rubric. His life is the subject matter we study. His ways guide our daily performance leading us to spiritual success.

In the midst of the teaching on the Beatitudes Jesus says, "Let your good deeds shine out for all to see ..." (Matthew 5:16 NLT) We know Jesus didn't simply tell what to do. He showed how to perform good deeds. He ate with sinners. He touched the sick. He spoke with outcasts.

We hear Jesus speak for the first time in Luke 2, shortly after His parents took Him to Jerusalem. Along the route on a return trip to their hometown, Mary and Joseph realized Jesus was missing. A search found Him in the temple "sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking questions." (vs. 46b NIV) In response to His mother's scolding, Jesus explained in verse 49b, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" (NIV)

Here is our first rubric. As a student of Jesus, I clearly understand what is expected of me. He has shown me by His actions.

1. Spend time in the Father's house. In other words, attend church.
2. Sit with teachers, listening to them.
3. Ask questions.

God's rubric tells me exactly what to do. Jesus' life as chronicled in the Gospels is a perfect rubric for me, as I seek direction. Won't you join me this year as a student of the Teacher? Let's follow Him and let Him show us how to live.

Dear Jesus, You offer to show me and teach me how to live. Because of Your life I can live confidently, secure that my life has worth. In Your Name, Jesus, Amen.

Related Resources:
Visit Van Walton's blog for spiritual rubrics found in God's Word.

From the Pound to the Palace, book and DVD, is a story illustrating for children the clear "rubric" of obedience and steps to an eternal relationship with the Teacher.

What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst

Reflect and Respond:
What is one area in your life you need direction and clarity in?

When we find ourselves at life's crossroads, we can be confident which direction to choose by looking to God's Word, His rubric.

Power Verses:
Luke 6:47, "I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it." (NLT)

John 14:26, "But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you." (NLT)

© 2013 by Van Walton. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

February 1, 2013

How Do I Know If I'm Called
Wendy Blight


"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

I stood at the sink and gazed out the window. In that moment, the Lord impressed the strangest words on my heart: "Wendy, your house will become a house of prayer and teaching."

The thought of opening my heart and home to share Jesus was not even a blip on my radar screen. I did not know a soul in this new town and had no idea what God meant by those words. Was He really calling me to teach and pray for women?

As I sought God's will for that time in my life, He led me to Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." It was the start of God confirming His calling in my life at that time.

Here are some steps the Lord showed me to know I was hearing Him correctly:

• Humble your heart before the Lord.
Humility is necessary for a teachable heart. To discover our calling, we must set aside our agendas and surrender to God's. We cannot have a predetermined plan and then invite God to complete it. We need to ask, "What are You calling me to do right here and now?"

• Examine your life experiences and current circumstances.
God uses life experiences (family, education, vocation, spiritual gifts, trials, etc.) to mold, train, and equip us. Sometimes what we want to hide - the horrible trials we want to forget - are the very things God wants to use the most.

We all suffer trials. Sometimes we surrender and lean on God. When we do, we come out the other side victorious and God is glorified. Nothing is worthless. Everything has value. God uses it all to shape us for our calling.

• Apply your gifts, talents and abilities.
Gifts and abilities will give you the strongest indication of what your calling is. God will match your calling with your capabilities. He equips those He calls.

In determining your calling, look at your gifts:

What are your strengths?
What brings out your passion?
How do people respond when you act in your giftedness?
• Read, study and pray God's Word.
As we seek God's calling, He will direct our steps and confirm what He says. The most common way He does this is through His Word. He can also use avenues like pastors, friends, and Bible studies to direct us, or even things in the culture around us.

• Trust in God's timing and in His answer.
God will lead you to do things that require you to TRUST in Him. They will always be perfectly orchestrated and timed to display His honor and glory.

The more you need God to do a task, the more you will rely on Him. If you feel rushed, unorganized, and lack inner peace, these are signs you are not in His will or it is not in His timing.

As I opened my home for my first Bible study, joy and amazement filled my heart as the women came through the door one by one. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I remembered God's Word to me that first day in my kitchen. "Wendy, your house will become a house of prayer and teaching."

What has He told you that you are called to do?

Father in heaven, thank You that You have good plans for us. You know our every need, deepest desires, and hurting places. Lord, as we seek to know You and the calling You have on us more, would You open the eyes of our heart to see the wonderful things You have planned? In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Wendy Blight has taken her years of wisdom learned from leading Bible studies and shares them in her life-giving book, Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner.

Hop over to Wendy's blog to learn more about and sign up for her On-Line Bible studies.

Replace any lack of self-confidence with lasting God-confidence with A Confident Heart by Renee Swope!

Reflect and Respond:
Humble your heart before the Lord.
Examine your life experiences and current circumstances.
Apply your gifts, talents and abilities.
Read, study and pray God's Word.
Trust in God's timing and in His answer.

Power Verse:
Philippians 1:6, "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (NLT)

© 2013 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

February 4, 2013

The Joneses are Overrated
Karen Ehman


"For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13 (HCSB)

Psst ... I have a little secret.

The Joneses are overrated.

Oh, I know we'd never think that from the way the Joneses appear, but they are not all they're cracked up to be.

In my mom's day, you only saw the Joneses a few times a week. Maybe you bumped into them on your way into church or perhaps at the PTA meeting. You know, as you were getting into your dented and faded grey mini van while they were piling happily into their new spit-shined Chevrolet.

What a difference a decade (or two) makes! The Joneses now perpetually parade in front of our eyes nearly 24 hours a day. Where?

On our computer news feeds. And smart phones. On Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. The "look at me!" Joneses and all their profile-picture-perfect lives. It can tempt us to become jealous and discontent.

One day an online friend posted: "Fettuccini Alfredo, fresh beans from the garden, and my famous raspberry cheesecake. It's what's for dinner!" A second friend's status read: "Who-hoo! Paid off the mortgage. We're now debt-free!" And still another, "Our Jimmy got student of the month!"

All of this took place while I was ordering pizza (for the second time that week!), piecing together the mortgage money and answering a call from the middle school vice-principal's office where my son sat, busted for an inappropriate prank.

Yes, the Joneses invade our homes and our thoughts several times a day through social media and the Internet, robbing us of contentment. Why?

Comparisons.

Comparisons always deal a deathblow to our contentment. When we see others owning, enjoying, or experiencing what we do not have, but wish we did, it may make us discontent.

In a letter to the believers in Philippi, the Apostle Paul penned Philippians 4:11-13 which begins "For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."

The Greek word rendered "content" here denotes more than just a throwing up of arms in reluctant acceptance. At its hub it literally means: "to be satisfied to the point where I am no longer disturbed or disquieted."

God has already prepared a place of contentment for us when the car breaks down, the bills are hard to meet, and our "Johnny" acts out ... again. We find that place when we take our eyes off of our situation (and off of the screen) and fix them solely upon God.

When we adopt this attitude, we live out the truth I once heard author Elisabeth Elliot declare: "The difference is Christ in me. Not me in a different set of circumstances."

To truly embrace our circumstances, we must decide to stop pleading, "God, get me out of here!" and learn to humbly ask instead, "Lord, why have You brought me here? What are You trying to reveal to me that I would never discover if You were to suddenly pluck me out of this situation? What godly character qualities are You trying to grow in me? Patience? Trust? Faith? Compassion?"

When we cease making comparisons and instead willingly embrace our current lot in life, welcoming all that God will teach us through it, we will finally unearth the secret Paul knew. True contentment is not merely having what you want, it is wanting nothing more than what you already have.

We can only do this when we stop looking at the Joneses and turn our eyes to Jesus Christ who gives us strength.

Dear Lord, forgive me for looking around and comparing myself or my circumstances to others. May I look only to You for contentment and peace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
If you want more encouragement on this topic, check out Karen Ehman's new book and DVD curriculum LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith.

To connect with Karen and others today to discuss contentment and to enter to win a contentment giveaway including a signed copy of LET. IT. GO. visit Karen's blog.

Join over 3000 others in an online study of Let. It. Go. Click here for more information and to sign up.

Would you like to bring a life-changing message to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Karen as your next event or keynote speaker.

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
In what areas of your life do comparisons impact your contentment? Marriage? Children? Finances? Work? Relationships? Looks?

Pick one of those areas and write out a prayer to God asking Him to shift your perspective from comparing to being content. Post it next to your computer screen or on your bathroom mirror.

Power Verse:
Proverbs 14:30 "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones." (HCSB)

© 2013 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

February 5, 2013

The Good Wife
Sharon Glasgow


"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10 (NIV)

Being a good wife is a lot like being a good cook.

Any cook using the same recipe and instructions can produce a dish that tastes entirely different from another's. Why is this?

Well, attention to detail is one characteristic that distinguishes a good cook from an average one.

Take fried apples for example. All you need are apples, sugar, butter and cinnamon. But, not every cook prepares them the same. I cook mine on high (I want them caramelized) and I never put a lid on the pan or they get mushy. If you take the same ingredients, cook them on low with a cover, you get a dish that doesn't resemble mine at all. The same recipe produces a totally different result.

The same is true between a good wife and an average wife. There are hundreds of recipes for being a good wife using the same few ingredients: love, respect, communication, intimacy, time, service, and prayer. Even if the recipe is followed without one ingredient omitted, the outcome can be totally different.

If you love in proportion to what is given you, the recipe will not rise to the fullest. Our key verse, Romans 12:10, tells us to be devoted in love. The word love as used here is an unconditional one with no expectations of a return. Love with every ounce of your being and when you have given all, squeeze even more out.

I grew up lacking an understanding of respect. I loved my husband, but didn't respect all of his ideas or his role in our family. But through reading Scripture, God showed me the importance of respecting my husband. In fact, Romans 12:10 encourages us to honor our husbands by thinking more highly of them than ourselves. This meant I had to stop thinking my way was the only way! Once I learned to listen before reacting and respect his thoughts, I find Dale is actually right most often.

Communication is a delicate balance of listening and talking. Listen not only with your ears but with your heart. One author broke down our key verse by saying, "They should speak honourably of each other ... and discourage that evil practice of whisperings, backbitings, and innuendos; they should treat each other with honour and respect in their common conversation."* Allow nothing to hinder this vital ingredient, including interrupting, assuming, or past conversations. He needs to know you care about his every thought, goal, and burden.

Do not neglect intimacy! The spicier you make this ingredient, the easier the other ingredients gel together into the perfect recipe.

I'm not the perfect housekeeper, but I try my best. Serving my husband by keeping our home organized and clean, cooking meals he enjoys, and creating an atmosphere of love makes my recipe great!

Time with him is a vital ingredient too. So, I go everywhere he goes whenever possible. When our five girls were little we would all hop in the vehicle to get gas or pick up nails from the hardware store just to be with him.

Many nights I wake up and while he sleeps, I watch him and pray. I pray for his health, his work, and his dreams to be fulfilled. Make time each day to regularly pray for your husband, and sprinkle in prayers throughout your day as well. The Lord will be faithful to answer.

The Good Wife Recipe is about being devoted to one another in love and honoring each other above ourselves. I've noticed that the more I put into the recipe, the more I get out of it ... and the more passionate my marriage is. The more passionate it becomes the less work it is. My desire to love becomes greater, ability to respect becomes second nature, communication becomes like-minded, intimacy is sweeter, and time with him is my desire not a duty.

Being a good wife is a lot like being a good cook. Anyone using the same recipe and instructions can produce a marriage that is entirely different from another. The secret toThe Good Wife Recipe: do not neglect one ingredient. It will be how deliberate you are with the finer details that will determine the outcome.

Dear Lord, help me be the wife I need to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Visit Sharon Glasgow's Blog for more on marriage and enter a drawing for a free gift.

Many of us struggle with fully loving our husbands because of past wounds. If forgiving your husband hinders you from being a "good wife" might we encourage you to join Suzie Eller for her online study Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness on Facebook?

Pre-order An Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness by Suzie Eller (release date February . An Unburdened Heart uses the power of story along with biblical teaching to lead readers into healing and a forgiving lifestyle.

Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst

Reflect and Respond:
Are you using all the ingredients mentioned in this devotion in your marriage?

Everyone's taste is different. Which ingredient needs adjusting for your husband's preferences?

Power Verse:
Proverbs 12:4, "A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones." (NIV)

* Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

© 2013 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

February 6, 2013

Remind Me Who I am
Glynnis Whitwer


"One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him." John 13:23 (NIV)

As a freshman in high school, a boy gave me the nickname "hips." Although I was thin, my shape wasn't popular like the models of that time. And from that point on I was keenly and uncomfortably aware that I didn't have a "desirable" figure.

The name "hips" stuck in my mind for years, as I labeled myself un-athletic and uncoordinated. It didn't help that I got hit in the head at softball tryouts and was in the first cuts from the volleyball and basketball teams. I did get called back for a dancing spot in the school play, but went to the auditions in Levis 501 straight leg jeans. Not exactly sure what I was thinking that day ...

Un-athletic isn't the only label I've given myself over the years. Some have been positive, others negative. Some based on fact, yet others based on emotion. The way I describe myself has a powerful effect on how I see myself ... on my self-worth, value and choices.

The New Testament tells of a disciple of Jesus who had an interesting definition for himself, one that seemed to impact his life as well. In the book of John, one of the disciples is described this way: the one whom Jesus loved.

Interestingly, this description is only found in the book of John, and scholars believe John the Apostle, the author of the book, was referring to himself.

For years, I assumed this was a title the other disciples gave John. Perhaps they believed Jesus loved John more than the others. That wouldn't be uncommon, as siblings tend to have an unspoken understanding of one child being favored. But what if this title, this label, wasn't given by the others?

Recently it hit me that this identity - one loved by Jesus - was how John described himself.

John was confident of Jesus' love, and this had a powerful effect on how he lived his life. He didn't fear man's threats as he stood at the base of the cross, caring for Jesus' mother. Nor when he was among the first at the tomb, possibly facing bewildered and angry Roman soldiers. After the resurrection, John fearlessly preached the Good News alongside the others, and faced persecution and imprisonment. John's confidence of Jesus' love emboldened him.

As I thought of all the descriptions I've given myself over the years, I realized that this one might be the most life-changing for me. It's one thing to identify myself as a Christian, as if it's a set of beliefs I adhere to. It's quite another to place myself in the "inner circle" because of Jesus' love for me. There's something that seems slightly presumptuous about that, and so it's safer to skirt on the edges of this relationship I have with Christ.

And yet when I dare to admit the possibility that Jesus might love me as much as He loved John ... and that I too could call myself the one whom Jesus loves ... this knowledge changes who I am.

I'm invited to His inner circle, today. The only thing that has ever held me back is me - and my faulty definitions of myself.

Today, dear friend, this same identity is available to you. You are the disciple Jesus loves. Can you claim that for yourself? This life-changing identity is waiting for you to accept it.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me unconditionally. Thank You for inviting me in to Your inner circle. May this truth embroider itself on my heart. And may I walk in faith, strengthened by Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
The Word of God is the best love letter you'll ever receive! God's compassion, tenderness and abundant grace are poured out on every page. Click here to order your copy of the brand new Proverbs 31 Ministries Devotional Bible (NIV)!

Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog for more Scriptures that confirm our worth and value.

A Confident Heart by Renee Swope

I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
What labels have you accepted as true for yourself?

How would your life be different if you believed you were the disciple Jesus loves?

Power Verses:
Ephesians 5:1-2, "Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (NIV)

Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (NIV)

© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.