Encouragement for Today

[Judy Harder]

May 18, 2010

Controlling a Complaining Spirit

Glynnis Whitwer

"Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD,

and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and
consumed some of the outskirts of the camp." Numbers 11:11 (NIV)

Devotion:

As we were getting ready to leave for vacation, one of my children asked for a new video game to play on the drive.  Knowing all of our available funds were ear-marked for the trip, I told my child "no" and explained in a compassionate and clear reason why I would not be spending money on a video game prior to a vacation.  I explained how much fun we would have and how much this fun would cost.  Which, as I was sure he understood, did not leave money for buying video games.

At what I thought was a perfectly logical explanation, that same child, who should have been agreeing with me and trying to find ways to help make this wonderful vacation happen, actually got annoyed. With me.  He said, with a very frustrated voice, that he never got anything he wanted.  Accompanied with a heavy dramatic sigh, crossed arms and pout. 

The tone of his voice, his negative words, and his dramatic body language, raised my eyebrows (I would have only raised one if I could). My back straightened and one hand rose to my hip.  "Really?" I said in a low and deceptively calm voice.  "You never get anything you want?  On the day before we are leaving for an amazing trip that your father and I have worked hard to give you, you can actually say that you have nothing you want?" 

Can I just tell you that an ungrateful spirit really is really hard for me to deal with?  Especially when I know what is in store. 

Sometimes I wonder if that must be how God feels when I grumble about what I don't get.  Like when I went through infertility for three years before getting pregnant ... three times ... then adopting.  In hindsight, God was really giving me three more years of wearing a size ten and a brain that could finish a complete thought.  At that time, all I saw was emptiness.

The truth is, my child was just demonstrating a human reaction to being told "no" or "not now" by someone who knows what the future holds.  Sometimes God withholds a "yes" knowing we need to be prepared to receive His goodness in His time.  Other times, when we've been told "no" due to our own bad choices or those of others, God withholds a "yes" to teach us something.  Or it's a permanent "no" to protect us.  Whichever way, God is always working things together for the good of those who love Him. 

I don't think my son ever fully understood why I said "no" to the video game.  But over time, as he grew and matured, he learned to trust me more, and believe that I really loved him in spite of saying "no."  Even as adults, we have trouble understanding God's ways.  Sometimes we may never understand.  When that happens, I choose to do a few things that help me mature as a believer.  Maybe they will help you too:

1)     I choose to not complain to others about God.

2)     I am honest with God about how I feel, but I don't accuse Him of evil or being out to hurt me.

3)     I choose to trust Him. When the doubts start to surface, I choose again to trust Him again.

4)     I sing His praises.  It reminds me of God's true character, which is always good.

Hearing "no" is never easy.  However, as children of a loving Heavenly Father, we can learn over time to trust that He really does have something planned that we are going to love more than what we want right now. When we trust God is working behind the scenes for us, we can control a complaining spirit that threatens to steal our joy. And restore our faith in God's goodness.
                                                                                                                                                                         
Dear Lord, I know I'm often like a child when I get told "no."  Help me to understand in my head and in my heart, that You truly love me, and that You are planning something good.  Forgive me when I doubt you and voice those doubts in a complaining way.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

If you are a mom who needs help dealing with common issues your child faces, you'll enjoy When Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer

30 Days to Controlling your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues

Visit Glynnis Whitwer's blog

Application Steps: 

Read Numbers 11.  Write God's response to the complaining of the Israelites.

Reflections: 

What does complaining to others reveal about your character at that moment?

What are some things you can do to stop the complaining cycle and start being more positive?

Power Verses:

Psalm 142:2, "I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble." (NIV)

Philippians 2:14-15, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." (NIV)

© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org

[Judy Harder]

March 19, 2010

Climb Up in His Lap

Lynn Cowell

"..Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure, in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders."

Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV)

Devotion:

I thought I lost it!

I thought I lost one of the only things on this planet that is important to me: a delicate necklace that my husband gave me for our twentieth wedding anniversary. I looked on my necktie-turned-necklace rack. Not there. I unpacked my makeshift jewelry bag from my last trip. Not there. Was it stolen from our hotel room? I pulled out all my earrings. Not there. My heart was trying so hard to panic, but I knew I didn't want to go there. Still, I could never replace this necklace. I prayed. Even though it is an earthly possession, I knew Jesus would care about me.

I had the thought...go back and check again. There, hidden behind a bulky set of baubles, I caught a twinkle. My small jewel.

Some days, I feel like I have lost things much greater to me than my pendant. I miss my father who went to be home with Jesus. I miss dear friendships from my old town that just aren't the same on FaceBook. I miss times when life was simpler - little children laughing and playing. I miss my old body and energy level!

Do you have days when you mourn the loss of something important to you? A marriage that is no longer? A friend who moved away? A child gone astray? A parent who passed?

The writer of Psalm 73 certainly felt loss. Starting in verse 2 he says, "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold." He goes on speaking of the struggle he feels as he looks at those around him who seemed to have it all together. Then in verse 23 his heart comes back around to the truth about God: "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

The writer says, "I almost lost it! But then I remembered who I am; like a child with his father, you take my hand. I remembered who You are. You are all that I need." He laid aside his pain as God's strength came in with comfort and strength. Fear and frustration became faith.

Sometimes, pain or uncomfortable circumstances try to block us from seeing our treasured thing. It is hard to see God at work. We may think that we won't experience love again or that a relationship we treasured can never be restored. That is when we need our faith to help us to keep believing that God is in our situation and He will help us to find His treasures again.

Maybe you have experienced a loss, or maybe like my delicate necklace behind the hefty beads, you just can't see the good because of the bigger-than-life things that surround you. Breathe deep and take a moment to pray. Deuteronomy 33:12 says we are to rest between his shoulders. You know what is right between his shoulders? His heart! That is a place of peace, warmth and love. He wants to pull you into His lap so you can find the rest and peace you need for today.
         
Dear Lord, sometimes my sense of loss is a dull ache, other days it threatens to engulf me and I feel like I can hardly breathe. Today, Lord, I choose to climb in your lap and lean against Your heart and find comfort in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Through a Season of Grief: Devotions for Your Journey from Mourning to Joy

Treat yourself or a friend to a year's worth of the P31 Woman magazine

Visit Lynn's blog

Application Steps: 

Write out Deuteronomy 33:12 and carry it with you today. When you feel sadness trying to overtake you, pull out the verse and read it. Then shut your eyes and picture yourself crawling up into your Father God's lap.  I like to even picture Him stroking my hair, whispering His words of love to me.

Reflections: 

Is the loss that you feel a real loss or is it a perceived loss?

In your grieving, is there a joy that you are missing? If you are grieving the loss of your child as they prepare to leave home, are you missing the joys of those still at home? If you miss a loved one who has gone on to heaven, have you spent time thinking of the great reunion that you will one day have?

Power Verses:

Psalm 27:13, "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." (NKJV) 

© 2010 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org

[Judy Harder]

May 20, 2010

Planning Funerals that Won't Happen Today

Lysa TerKeurst

"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?"

Matthew 6:27 (NIV)
     
Devotion:

A couple of years ago my teenage son came to me and asked if he could take his brother and sisters to go get ice cream. How fun! How thoughtful! "Sure," I said, "Let me grab my keys and we'll go."

"No, Mom ... we sort of want to go just us kids," he quickly replied.

"Oh," and that's about all I could get my mouth to say as my brain started racing and reeling. In my mind's eye pictures started flashing of a terrible accident, a phone call from the police, planning a funeral, and then thinking back to this moment when I could have said no.

And it was that strange sense that everything depended on me and my decisions that made me want to say no. Absolutely not. You will stay home today. You will all stay home forever. I have to keep you safe.

Why do we moms do that? Most of us live with this gnawing, aching, terrifying fear that something will happen to one of our children. We carry the pressure that ultimately everything rises and falls on whether or not we can control things. And mentally, too often we plan funerals that won't happen today.

We do it because we know the realities of living in a broken world where car accidents do happen. Tragedy strikes old and young alike. We have no guarantees for tomorrow. And that's really hard on a mama's heart.

I stood at the front window of my house chewing my nails and watching as the entire contents of my mama heart piled into one car.

And I realized I had a choice.

I could run myself ragged creating a false sense of control that can't really protect them. Or, I could ask God to help me make wise decisions and choose to park my mind on the truth.

The truth is:

God has assigned each of my kids a certain number of days.

My choices can add to the quality of their life, but not the quantity. They could be at home tucked underneath my wings and if it's their day to go be with Jesus, they will go.

"When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:15-16)

Jesus conquered death so we don't have to be afraid of it any longer.

Of course, the death of anyone I love would make me incredibly sad, heart-broken and dazed with grief. But I don't have to be held captive by the fear of death.

"Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Death is only a temporary separation. We will be reunited again.

In 2 Samuel 12, when David's infant child died, he confidently said, "I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (v. 23). David knew he would see his child again--not just a faceless soul without an identity, but this child for whom he was longing. He would know him, hold him, kiss him, and the separation death caused would be over.

I know these are heavy things to process on a Thursday morning. And I certainly don't claim that these truths will help you never ever fear again. But I do hope these truths will settle your heart into a better place.

And the next time my kids go get ice cream together, instead of chewing my nails I'll only pick at them while awaiting their return. See progress? It's good.

Dear Lord, the fear of something happening to one of my children is so raw.  And I guess the thing that makes it so hard is I know we live in a broken world and awful things happen to kids.  But if I focus on this fear, it will consume me.  Instead help me focus on You so I'll only be consumed with Your truth, Your love, Your insights, and Your power. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Click here to visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog for a list of three practical things we can do when we start to feel consumed with fear.

Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you!  To check for a city near you, click here.

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. This book is the perfect 6 week summer book for personal devotions or group Bible Study!

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set - Contains 6 sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each on one DVD for only $24.99. Perfect for your Bible study group or neighborhood Book Club.

Application Steps: 

The next time you find yourself worrying and getting consumed with fear, see it as a trigger to pray and ask God specifically to use His truth to comfort you. 

Think of what commonly triggers your heart to go to those fearful places and pray for Jesus to help you work through these.  Ask for Him to show you verses in scripture that will speak truth into your situation.

Reflections: 

How did this devotion comfort you today?

What is one nugget of truth you can commit to memory and use the next time fear grips your heart?

Power Verses:

Psalm 139:15- 16, "When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (NIV)

Hebrews 2:14-15, "Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death- that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." (NIV)

© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org

 

[Judy Harder]

May 21, 2010

Dying for Some Entertainment

Amy Carroll

"You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."

Leviticus 20:26 (NIV)

Devotion:

"How can we allow ourselves to be entertained by the things that Jesus died for?"  This questions bounded around and around in my head and heart as I watched TV, chose movies, and tuned my radio dial.  I heard it at a retreat earlier this year, and it has stuck with me like a burr in my sock after a walk in the woods.  It came to my thoughts so often as I soaked in the entertainment of my culture, and it brought conviction on a regular basis.

There was one night in particular that the quote broke powerfully into my life.  My son had received a whole season's recording of one of our favorite television comedies.  After watching several episodes, I found myself squirming in my chair.  Our family has begun reading the Bible through in a year, and we had just completed Leviticus.  Time after time as God finished a section of the Law, He would declare, "You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own" (Lev. 20:26).  As a family, we had read this phrase over and over.

The Old Testament law makes it clear that the wages of sin are truly death.  Until reading these passages myself, I had operated under the false assumption that the Israelites only made a few sacrifices a year.  The fact is that 1,231 animals were sacrificed each year in order for the Israelites to fulfill the law.  In God's grace, He allowed animals to be sacrificed instead of insisting on the death of the humans that had committed the sin.  Can you imagine, though, being a priest in the temple and watching death and blood spilled every single day?  Hebrews 9:22 explains it this way, "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (NIV). I believe God's people must have had a very sobering view of the cost of sin and the price of forgiveness.

How lightly I often treat sin today!  Jesus, the Lamb of God, paid the ultimate price in giving His life.  He allowed His own blood to be shed so that He could be the Sacrifice of all sacrifices.  He was the final and complete sacrifice.  Jesus' death set us free from sin and death and paved our way to a life of holiness.

As I contemplated the sitcom I was watching in light of such a sacrifice, I realized that there was a choice to be made.  I could continue to laugh at things that the Bible clearly calls sin and turn my back on the gift that I had been given, or I could choose holiness.  It made my heart ache that I had chosen entertainment over Jesus for even a minute, so I hit the "stop" button.  I turned to my boys and softly said, "How can we allow ourselves to be entertained by the things that Jesus died for?"  I gently explained to them how God had been convicting my heart and asked them to choose holiness with me. 

I'm sure this will be an ongoing struggle as God calls me to evaluate my entertainment, but I'm choosing to win one small victory at a time.

Dear Lord, we are inundated everyday with choices to be made about our entertainment.  I desire to honor Your sacrifice. Help me to choose wisely.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

Visit Amy Carroll's blog

Intimacy With God Prayer Journal

Application Steps: 

Evaluate your own entertainment by scriptural standards.

Reflections: 

Do I ever feel conviction as I watch TV, take in a movie, or listen to music?

Will I accept that "nudge" as a message from the Holy Spirit to make a choice that honors God?

Power Verses:

Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (NIV)

© 2010 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org

[Judy Harder]

May 24, 2010

God Isn't Distant in Disaster

  Micca Monda Campbell

"Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

Devotion:

The city of Nashville, Tennessee, was declared a national disaster after floodwaters rose last week. Meteorologists are calling the disaster the 500-year flood, which caught thousands by surprise. At least 90% of those hit by the flood are without flood insurance making this blow painful on all accounts.

My family was spared. While we experienced some local flooding, not a drop of water entered our home. Others were not as fortunate. As the Cumberland River filled, it spilled into places with no discretion. The famous Opryland Hotel, the historical Grand Ole Opry House and Schermerhorn Symphony Center, home of the Nashville Symphony, were among countless buildings damaged by the flood. Many citizens lost their homes, their cars, and their lives. When tragedy strikes, it causes some to question God's loyalty to care for us.

In the Bible, God promises His care and protection. Why then does God seem distant when disaster strikes? Is He snoozing on the couch? Is He on a coffee break? Worse yet, perhaps God isn't the promise keeper we think He is. Or maybe we're not looking at the whole picture.

Yes, God promises to care for us. At the same time, He never promised we wouldn't face adversity. Christ warned, "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" (John 16:33, NIV). You and I experience Christ's peace when we realize that peace isn't the absence of pressure. It's the presence of God in the midst of our chaos.

As the pressure of stress and worry weigh on us, it's easy to forget or ignore God's peace. Often times it's us who distance ourselves from God—not the other way around. But when you and I quiet ourselves and acknowledge God's presence, peace washes over our anxieties. The truth is God is always near in times of trouble and He cares deeply about our pain.

You and I do not have a God who doesn't understand our pain and emotions. He knows. According to dictionary.com the Hebrew word for "to know" is "yadaa." In Greek, it is "yada" which means "a deep emotional experience; a bonding between two people when one truly feels the emotions of the other." That's our God, friends! He may be working for a higher purpose  that we can't understand right now, but He is NOT detached from our pain. Let this truth calm your fears and soothe your heart. God knows; He's been there and He's there still.

Often the trials we mourn are really gateways to the good things we long for, like a deeper relationship with God, greater patience, and a compassion for others. I see this natural disaster as a way for Nashville churches to reach our communities.  Whatever God's plan is, we can rest assured it's a good one. While we wade through the process, we have His promised presence, provision, and understanding. Elisabeth Elliot states it this way, "It is God with whom we travel, and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place."

Dear Lord, You are with me when I'm strong and when I'm weak. You never leave my side. Today and everyday help me to trust Your promises, experience Your presence, and feel Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears by Micca Campbell

Visit Micca's blog

When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
Application Steps: 

Sometimes God feels far away because we distance ourselves from Him, not the other way around. Draw near to God today. Tell Him your problems, fears, and concerns. Soon, you'll find yourself experiencing His presence and peace.

Reflections: 

Why is it hard to trust God in times of trouble?

Does knowing God cares help calm your fears? If not, why?

Power Verses:

Isaiah 43:2, "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." (NIV)

Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (NIV)

© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org

 

[Judy Harder]

 

May 25, 2010



When Worship Makes No Sense

By T. Suzanne Eller



"Christian brothers, I ask you from my heart to give your bodies to God because of His loving-kindness to us.

Let your bodies be a living and holy gift given to God. He is pleased with this kind of gift.

This is the true worship that you should give Him." Romans 12:1 (New Life Bible)

Devotion:

The book of Romans stumps me. It doesn't make sense. Honestly.

It was written during the hardest part of Paul's life, a time when he was in jail and he had done nothing wrong. He wrote when the church people who once applauded him now plotted to kill him or waited in the streets, tearing their cloaks in rage because they couldn't stone him. 

It puzzles me because it is filled with sayings like "nothing can separate me from God's love," and "my brothers, consider it all joy when you encounter trials." It is a book of hope, of joy, and of life. Yet Paul wrote it from such a place of darkness.

Paul was a real person, not a superhero. What did he discover during those hard times that prompted such rich writings? I think the treasure is found in today's key verse, Romans 12:1. He was a worshipper. I know he sang songs because Scripture shows him singing at the top of his lungs when he was in jail. I don't think, however, that Paul is limiting this to a hymn. It became a way of life. In spite of the dark places, he looked toward the Light, and there he found joy.

Ten years ago a drunk driver slammed into my son. I stood in the church several days after the wreck. I had a bag packed in my car, prepared to go back to my son as soon as service was over. I was weary. I felt helpless. I had come to church only because my husband made me.

"Babe, you have to have a break," he said, promising to stay by Ryan's side.

My son was in pain and had months ahead to heal. The drunk driver had passed away, leaving behind only an underinsured policy that left us with piles of hospital bills and debt.

I grieved for my son. I grieved for the drunk driver's family. I grieved for the loss of normalcy. I grieved--period.

All I knew to do was to raise my hands and lift my face. Tears washed down my cheeks. I wasn't praising God because of my darkness, but because He was the only Light I knew to reach for. "God, I don't know what the future holds. I don't know how we are going to make it. But I know You."

It was both a physical act - raising my hands - and an act of the heart. I climbed into my Abba Father's arms and wept out of gratefulness. I danced on the inside though there were no dancing shoes in sight.

I thought Romans confuses you, Suz.

That's what I love about it best. In the natural it makes no sense, but supernaturally I totally get it. Darkness holds no power when I hold on to the Light. How can I help but worship Him when I discover that immense truth?

Dear Father, I pray for my sister who feels discouraged, overwhelmed, or lost. I worship You, for You are our Light in the darkness. You see her and rejoice in her faith, even faith as small as a mustard seed but large enough when placed in Your hands. 

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller

Making It Real: Whose Faith Is It Anyway by T. Suzanne Eller

Six Habits of Highly Effective Christians by Brian T. Anderson and Glynnis Whitwer and Brain Anderson

Visit Suzie's blog where she shares how to pray when you have no words.

Application Steps: 

It's not wrong to acknowledge the darkness. It's there. It's tangible.

It's also not wrong to open the door, to flip the light switch to on, to open the shades and let the light come in. 

Paul paints it as a physical act. It's overriding feelings to step into truth.

It is a gift to God, but ultimately it is a gift to you, also, as the Light blankets the darkness. 

Reflections: 

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. ~ Reverend Martin Luther King

Power Verses:

Romans 8:35, "Who can keep us away from the love of Christ? Can trouble or problems? Can suffering wrong from others or no food? Can it be because of no clothes or because of danger or war?" (NLB)

Romans 8:37-39, "But we have power over all these things through Jesus Who loves us so much. For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord." (NLB)

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org

[Judy Harder]

May 26, 2010

Homeless, Not Abandoned

Luann Prater

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."

Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
       
Devotion:

I got a text saying my sister was on the news in our home state.  I raced to my computer to pull up the local station.  As director of a home that houses young, troubled women, she was pleading that the homeless be counted in the 2010 Census.

It seemed like not too many years ago my sister and I could have ended up in that home.  Our lives could have taken a "Mary turn."  I met Mary at a fundraising banquet for the Rescue Mission.  She sat next to me and we immediately connected.  Two years earlier she had stepped into the wrong car.  A man took what he wanted from her, then left her for dead on the side of the road.

She'd already known a hard life. As a child she'd rebelled against her parents and run away.  For 21 years she had lived on the streets. But then she went with a fellow homeless girl to the Rescue Mission.  When they entered, she witnessed something that touched her deeply. The Mission folks embraced her friend and told her how much they had missed her and been praying for her safety.  In 21 years no one had ever done that for Mary. 

There was something different in this place.  Mary physically healed there while Jesus ministered to her soul through the love of His servants.  She discovered what it meant to be a child of the King and gave her heart to Him.  She learned how to make wise choices, obey Mission rules, and become faithful to herself and to Jesus. 

Mary now has two jobs, lives in her own apartment and serves at her church nearly every time the doors are open.  She glows with God's brilliant grace and looks like she just stepped out of a fashion magazine.  Her smile lights up the room.

She said her momma never stopped praying for her.  She now praises God for the years of heartache and hardships because they put her in touch with the Savior.

My parents, too, were on their knees for my sister and me many times.  Maybe that person you see on the street has parents with calluses on their knees. 

Watching my once wayward sister stand up for the homeless on TV that day made my heart smile. Our parents would be smiling too, for she displays the Lord's splendor in the Rescue Mission.

Are you His witness?  Go display His splendor today because I see His brilliant grace shining on you!

Dear Lord, forgive me for walking right by the hurting without even noticing.  Open my eyes to see the world through Your eyes.  May I point a broken heart to the Great Healer.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know the Great Healer?

Visit with Luann on her blog and Encouragement Café

Sponsor a child; change a generation - Compassion International

Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most by Dr. Wess Stafford

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself by Mary Lance Sisk
Application Steps: 

Volunteer at a Rescue Mission in your area.

Pray about releasing a child in poverty through Compassion International.

Reflections: 

What am I really doing to reach out to the brokenhearted? 

How can I make a difference in my corner of the world?

Who around me needs God's love to flow through me and onto them?

Power Verses:

Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (NIV)

Mark 12:31 "The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV) 

© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org

[Judy Harder]

May 27, 2010

Parking My Mind on Truth

Lysa TerKeurst

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

John 8:32 (NIV)
         
Devotion:
Whatever we are facing in this moment we can choose to grab on to the truth. Let everything else go. Let go of the anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and frustration.  Park our mind with what is true. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).

What truth can do for us is really amazing.

A few weekends ago I was wrapping up at a conference where I'd been speaking.  My friend Beth and I were talking about where the team would be meeting for dinner that night. Suddenly, a very frantic arena staff member came over and told us there was an emergency and we were needed right away.

A lady attending the conference had just been told her two grandchildren had been killed in a fire that day.

We rushed over to find a lady surrounded by her friends. She was sobbing to the point she could hardly breathe. She'd just been with her grandbabies ages 8 and 4. They'd spent spring break with her last week. She'd held them, rocked them, stroked their hair, and kissed them all over their faces. How could they be gone?

It was too much for her brain to process.

The EMT stepped aside so we could hold her hands and pray over her. At first I stumbled my way through requests for Jesus to pour His most tender mercies into this situation. I prayed for comfort and the reassurance that these children were being held by Jesus in this moment.

It was so hard. My mommy heart ached so deeply for this woman. My eyes welled up with tears refusing to stay contained.

As Beth took her turn to pray I noticed something miraculous. Every time we said, "Jesus" her body calmed, her crying slowed, her breathing stopped sounding so panicked.

So, when it was my turn to pray again I just said His name over and over and over. This sweet grandmother joined me, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."

As we said "Jesus" over and over, truth flooded my mind.

I remembered what I'd written in last week's devotion about fearing death... Death is only a temporary separation. We will be reunited again.

I remembered this truth from 2 Samuel 12... When David's infant child died, David confidently said, "I will go to him, but he will not return to me" (v. 23b). David knew he would see his child again- not just a nameless, faceless soul without an identity, but his very child. He would know him, hold him, kiss him, and the separation death caused would be over.

The only thing that seemed to calm my devastated sister was the name of Jesus and His truth.

What a powerful reminder to us all.

Hold on to His Word, sweet sister. Speak His truth and the name of Jesus out loud in the midst of whatever you are facing today. Our souls were formed to recognize and respond to the calm assurance of Jesus and truth.

Never has this been clearer to me.

Please pray for my friend and her family.

And remember in the midst of whatever you face today...

We can choose to grab on to the truth. Let everything else go. Park our mind with what is true. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free," (John 8:32).
                                                                                                                                                                         
Dear Lord, I lift up my friend and her family today.  I also lift up my mind, and ask You to help me remember to speak Your Name and Your truth in any situation I'm in that seems overwhelming- little things and big things. Truly my soul was formed to recognize and respond to the calm assurance of truth.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Visit Lysa's blog for a list of powerful verses every woman should memorize

Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you!  To check for a city near you, click here

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. This book is the resource you have been looking for to learn to read the Bible and really apply it to your everyday life. 

Also, consider doing this study in a group setting by ordering Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set and leader's guide- Contains 6 sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each on one DVD for only $24.99!  Perfect for your Bible study group or as a neighborhood Book Club.

Application Steps: 

When you face a hard situation today, determine to speak the name of Jesus and ask Jesus to help calm you and reassure you.  Use the verses from my blog today to start filling your mind with essential truths.  Click here to get those verses.

Reflections: 

What situation are you facing today where you need some fresh insights and truth?

Why is truth so powerful?

Why is just the utterance of Jesus' Name so powerful?

Power Verses:

John 14:6, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (NIV)

John 6:47, "'I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.'" (NIV)

© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org

[Judy Harder]

May 28, 2010

Becoming the Hands and Feet

Tracie Miles

       "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,

but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

Devotion:

We sat in an empty waiting room for hours, anxiously waiting for an update on my sister's surgery.  When the doctor finally entered the room, the news was not good. He explained how it was worse than expected - not exactly comforting news - and proceeded to explain the lengthy recovery needed. He wanted to prepare us for the long road ahead.

You could have heard a pin drop as we all sat there with eyes filled with tears and hearts filled with worry. But the silence came to an abrupt halt as another family entered the room with a lot of hustle and bustle.

I immersed myself in my own feelings and tried to tune them out until I heard the Name of Jesus filling the room.

In that moment, when fear and anxiety hovered, just the mention of Jesus' Name was music to my ears. I lifted my head to see a beautiful white-haired woman, with sparkling eyes and an engaging smile.  She sat in a wheelchair, telling her family how she was praying that the Lord would heal her precious husband. Despite her grim situation, her face was glowing with joy.

I quickly averted my eyes, but within seconds she was staring at me and hollered, "Hey honey! How are you?" I managed a pitiful smile, said "Fine, thank you," and intended to keep to myself. She, however, had other plans.

Before I knew it, she had rolled her wheelchair across the room and stopped right at my feet. She talked about her family, why her husband was in surgery, and what a wonderful godly man he was. She asked about our situation and began encouraging me with God's promises.

Although at first I wished she would stop talking, I soon found myself wanting to write down her every word as she poured out her sweetness all over me.

Then she said something I will never forget. "Honey, I hope God blesses your sister. If  He can only save one person today, I hope it is her. My husband is 85 years-old and has lived a long and fruitful life."

I was literally stunned by her selflessness. I was shocked that she would even consider the thought of putting a total stranger's life ahead of the life of her dear husband. I didn't know how to respond to such a sacrificial, heartfelt, godly expression of love. Then she took my hands into hers and prayed for my sister out loud.  Afterwards, I prayed for her husband, and she disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.

I walked out of that waiting room having seen a glimpse of Jesus in the face of a frail, elderly woman, a woman who was willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

This sweet lady had countless reasons to be depressed, discouraged, and hopeless. Instead she chose to be expressive, encouraging and hopeful.  Most importantly, she spread those gifts to everyone around her. She replaced her worry with concern for others. She filled her heart with joy instead of sadness.  She put aside her own anxiety to ease the anxiety of a total stranger.  She loved on me when she needed to be loved on herself. 

She willingly chose to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and I can only hope to be just like this sweet lady one day. I hope

...to become such a strong woman of faith that I can have joy and contentment even during the storms of life.

...to become such a strong woman of faith that I would sacrifice my own needs and desires for those of a stranger.

...to become a woman that leaves other people feeling as if they have seen Jesus through the light that shone through me.

Dear Lord, give me a longing to be Your hands and feet to someone in need today. Open doors for me to spread Your joy and hope.   In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Visit Tracie's blog

A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others by Karen Ehman
The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson
Inspire a man in your life to be the hands and feet of Jesus with Hero: Unleashing God's Power in a Man's Heart by Derwin Gray
For more encouragement, read our free resource God's Messengers
Application Steps: 

Ask God to give you a heart consumed with meeting the needs of others.

Reflections: 

Would I be willing to make a personal sacrifice for a total stranger?

Do I embrace opportunities that Jesus puts in my path to be His hands and feet?

Power Verses:

Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." (NIV)

Mark 12:31, "The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV)

© 2010 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.proverbs31.org

 

[Judy Harder]

May 31, 2010

Entering into God's Will

Rachel Olsen

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16- 18 (NIV)

Devotion:

I remember many times in my life feeling desperate to know God's will for me.  A lot of people want to know what the will of God is for their life.  Usually it's a question we ask while agonizing over a certain decision we're facing - Should I go to this college, or that one? Should I accept or decline this offer? Should I move or stay put?

There aren't any verses in the Bible that answer these questions. Scripture is clear about God's will when facing a temptation to sin, but not so much in the "neutral" decisions in life - like choosing between two equally good choices.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss writes, "...when you go to the Scripture for insight on the will of God, you don't find a lot about things to do, places to go, or people to meet. That's because God's will is not so much a place, a job, or a specific mate, as it is a heart and a lifestyle."  She is correct. And some verses nestled in 1 Thessalonians plainly reveal what those heart and lifestyle choices look like: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (vs. 16-18).

It's easy to read a verse like that - glossing through it with a general feeling of positive agreement - and not really digest the truth of what it says. So let's break it down.

Praying continually and giving thanks are specific actions we can begin today - we can do right now - to position ourselves inside of God's will. Praying our way through our days keeps us continually in touch with God, in synch with Him. When our heart and mind is in synch with God's, we're more open to His leading. The Holy Spirit has access to our thoughts. So prayer is necessary for the person seeking to operate in God's will. It doesn't take hour-long prayer sessions four times a day.  Just keep God at the forefront of your mind and keep talking to Him as your day unfolds.

Why is it so important that we also give thanks in all circumstances?  (Surely, it's not that God needs to hear "thank you" to feel appreciated.) Giving thanks helps us notice what we have to be joyful about. It also forces us to think about our God: His goodness. His faithfulness. His provision. His sacrifice. Giving thanks for our gifts includes the Giver in our thoughts.  And it affords us a right view of Him - one that acknowledges He delights in caring for us, guiding us, and providing for us. That calms our oh-Lord-what-am-I-supposed-to-do worries. We need a right view of God in order to walk in His will.

This verse also instructs us to be joyful every day. That sounds like a hard one some days. But in my experience, praying and giving thanks with regularity goes a long way in developing a heart capable of joy in all circumstances. I want to point out that joy is a fruit of the Spirit.  That means it is something produced by the Spirit of God in us. We can't totally produce or sustain it on our own apart from Him.  So when we pray, we should pray for joy. And thank Him for supplying it.

The Bible states that it is God's will for you to pray, give Him thanks, and cultivate joy. So no matter which college you go to, no matter which offer you accept, and whether you live here or there, be joyful, pray daily, and give thanks regularly. Could it be that if we focus on these things, the path will unfold before us?  Or that He will work all out for good, no matter which choice we make?

That means the pressure of making the exact right decision, or else entirely missing God's will, is off.  And that's one thing we can give God thanks for today!
                       
Dear Lord, thank You for your faithfulness and for the loving kindness You've shown me year after year. Please develop in me a heart of joy.  I choose to trust You with my life, and to rejoice amidst my circumstances today. Guide me in my decisions today, to Your glory.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Read more, and share a praise or blessing at Rachel's blog today.

The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life by Louie Giglio

You are My Hiding Place, Lord: Finding Peace in God's Presence by Emilie Barnes
Application Steps: 

Stop now and talk with God.  Praise Him.  Give Him thanks. Write out a list of your blessings. Lay any confusion, requests or decisions you are facing at His feet. Then ask Him for joy and peace in Jesus' Name. 

Move forward into your day with the supernatural joy and peace of God, and a commitment to pray and praise Him again later in the day.

Reflections: 

How often am I in God's will in terms of being joyful, praying and giving thanks?

Have I asked God for a joyful heart lately?

Power Verses:

Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org