Encouragement for Today

Started by Judy Harder, September 01, 2008, 07:57:31 AM

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Judy Harder

December 1, 2010
Don't Overthink It
Rachel Olsen

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6 (NLT)         

Devotion:
I don't know what I'm supposed to do with my life - and I'm running out of time to figure it out. What if I never find it? Will I always be unhappy and unfulfilled? Will I never achieve my purpose? What will God do about that - will He call me a bad servant? But I can't help it. Why doesn't He answer my prayers for direction?


Maybe I'm just too sinful or something. I know I should read the Bible more. Is this limbo I'm in some kind of punishment for that? Am I really so much worse than everybody else? Maybe I just don't have any special gifts or talents. Or they just never got developed. Maybe that's it, and maybe now it's too late. So what do I do now? I don't know what I'm supposed to do ...


Does this resemble your thinking sometimes? Perhaps not about your calling, but about finding a spouse, or affording a house, or exercising regularly, or a conflict with your mother or boss. Do you tend to overthink things? To worry and ruminate? To endlessly, passively, excessively ponder the meanings, causes and potential consequences of your problems? Do you dwell on them?


Many of us believe that when we feel down about something we should try to evaluate our feelings and our situation from every angle to attain insight and find solutions to relieve our unhappiness. However, a host of research in the last 20 years has shown that dwelling on thoughts like this creates negative outcomes: it sustains or worsens sadness, fosters negative thinking, depletes motivation, saps energy, interferes with concentration, and typically impairs our problem-solving.


Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky writes: "Although people have a strong sense that they are gaining insight into themselves and their problems during their ruminations, this is rarely the case. What they do gain is a distorted, pessimistic perspective on their lives." She adds, "You need to free yourself from the clutch of your ruminations - in other words, immediately stop overthinking."


Based on what he wrote in Philippians 4:6-13, I think the apostle Paul would agree with the professor. Pause and scroll down to read the whole passage now in the "Power Verses" below and then come back.


As we see, in verse six, Paul gives three clear instructions for those of us who ruminate on our problems. He says:


1) do not worry about anything

2) pray about everything

3) thank God for everything


What if today we took this instruction to heart and put it into practice? What if today we decided not to worry about anything? What if when we found ourselves worrying, we stopped and handed the situation over to God in prayer? What if we then thanked Him for taking care of the issue?


In fact, what if we spent most of our mental free-time today thinking about what good care our awesome God takes of us?


What if we counted our blessings and God's acts of faithfulness today - and again tomorrow and next week too? What would happen then?


Paul says in verse seven, we will begin to experience amazing peace - a kind of peace we can't even imagine. Peace that makes no earthly sense! This kind of peace is so powerful that it has a protective function on our hearts and minds - which only makes it easier for us to stop worrying and be thankful. 


That sounds like a state of happiness to me! So let's not over-think it today. Let's not under-pray it either. Let's actively choose to have a happy, thankful day. And then let's get up tomorrow and do it again.


Dear Lord, I'm turning over all my fears and problems to You to handle today. I can't fix a single thing by worrying about it - but You can fix anything because nothing is impossible for You! Thanks for being in charge of my day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Related Resources:

Have you gotten a copy of Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know?


Visit Rachel's blog today and leave a prayer request, or a statement of thankfulness. One commenter will be randomly selected to win a free copy of Rachel's new release It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know?


When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity by supporting the many areas of ministry we provide at no cost - like this one! Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!


Application Steps: 

Open your Bible and highlight Philippians 4:6-7. Memorize those two verses.


Reflections: 

Do I generally think about what is good, lovely, pure and right -or do I think about what is flawed, frustrating, unfair and wrong?


Day-to-day do I tend to over-think and under-pray? How often do I express gratefulness?


Power Verses:

Philippians 4:6-9, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." (NLT)

© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.

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

:angel:
Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

December 2, 2010
No One is Beyond the Reach of Truth
Lysa TerKeurst


"...I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me..." Romans 15:18a (NIV)         

Devotion:
I'm more convinced than ever that people don't care to hear about our Jesus these days until they meet the reality of Jesus in our lives.

Don't skim past that last sentence too quickly. Our history with Jesus is our most effective salvation message to share with others.

If you look at the word 'history,' it's interesting to break it in half and see the words, "His story." That's the thing this world is dying to hear- how His story has been woven into our story. People can debate and argue theology all day long but they can't argue what Jesus has done personally in our lives. Truth lived out is the best sermon.

And while I find people are a little more receptive at Christmas to talking about Jesus, I still find it stressful sometimes with friends and family members. Do you? I think it's important to think about. We've all got people in our lives who need us to break past our hesitations and share the reality of Jesus.

I was profoundly reminded of this a couple of weeks ago when I spoke at a Pregnancy Care Center dinner in Florida.  At the end of the night, the center's director asked a board member to come forward and close the evening in prayer.  I almost fell out of my chair when I saw this board member was a guy I'd known in high school.

Well, let me clarify that. I knew who he was.  He didn't have a clue who I was.

He had been in the uber popular crowd - star athlete who dated the beautiful girls. I was one of those girls in high school who was easy to miss. I felt sort of invisible back then.  And judging by the blank look on his face when I made the connection we'd graduated the same year, my assessment was pretty accurate.

He apologized profusely for his wild behavior in high school and acknowledged that he could have been voted, "Least likely to grow up to be a pastor." I agreed. But then again, I wasn't exactly on the fast track toward ministry back then either.

After we chatted for a few minutes, he got a very serious look on his face. Then he said something I won't soon forget.

"You know what is really odd, Lysa? All those years of high school and college, I was a very visible person. I had lots of friends. Then I got a college scholarship to play basketball at a major university and there were even more people who knew me. But no one - no family member, no peer, no girlfriend, no teacher, no coach, no professor, no fan - no one - not one person ever told me about Jesus. All those years, all those people, and not one time did someone try to tell me the truth. Finally when I was 21 years old, someone took that chance to share with me how they met Jesus and it radically changed my life."

His statement startled me. And I hope it startles me the rest of my life.

No one is beyond the reach of truth.

Not the wispy, invisible girl who thinks of herself as nothing more than a little background noise. And not the star athlete revered by thousands.

Everyone deserves to hear about Jesus sooner rather than later.

And we must never assume that surely someone else would do a much better job than we would.

Who is in your sphere of influence that needs to hear a bit of your HIS-story this week?  Don't let Satan whisper that this message is meant for other people. It's not. If you read this, it's meant for you sweet sister.

And don't fret trying to figure out how to arrange the perfect situation to connect with that person that came to mind. Just tell Jesus you are willing. He's very capable of handling all the details. Our job is obedience. God's job is results.

Dear Lord, thank You for loving me before I even knew You. Give me Your eyes and Your heart to be able to see anyone who needs to know about You today. And give me the right words and the necessary courage to share with my friends and family members. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Related Resources:

For helpful hints on sharing Jesus through your life story, visit Lysa's blog by clicking here.


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


If you are looking for a non-threatening, but eye opening book to give to your unsaved friends and family members Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst would make the perfect gift.


This book is also a great resource to use in a group Bible Study along with the Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set- click here to order.



Shop With Us for Christmas!

Did you know when you purchase anything through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity? Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we'd love to offer more discounts, we simply can't compete with online warehouses. We are extremely grateful when you shop with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:

Who could you share your story with this week?


Pray. Seek God for the right words and the right opportunity. Take a step of faith. Trust that God will be glorified.


Reflections:

Don't let Satan tell you that this message is meant for other people.


Power Verses:

Philippians 1:27a, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." (NIV)


Romans 10:20, "And Isaiah boldly says, 'I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.'" (NIV)


Philippians 2:4, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (NIV)

© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

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

:angel:
Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

December 3, 2010

Holiday Blues

T. Suzanne Eller

"There is joy for those who deal justly with others and always do what is right."

Psalm 106:3 (NLT)

Devotion:

"I don't like the holidays," I whispered.

I used to love holidays. Before I was married. Before I felt the pull to be everywhere at the same time. Before any decisions that I made left someone upset or angry or feeling left out.

I struggled with a desire to be home, to start my own traditions with my young children and husband. We were the first to be married in both families, and thus the first to break "how it's always been."

Thanksgiving was a time to be thankful. All I felt was stretched thin. Christmas was a time to be joyous but I usually felt frustrated.

As we had children, I tried to mask my frustration with enthusiasm. We had fun setting out pumpkins. We decorated the house. But inside I wrestled because I knew what was coming.

Looking back, I wonder why I didn't say anything. Instead, I simply let it fester. I didn't take into account that if I kept silent things would never change. I just simmered in anger.

Deal with others, but do what is right.

Thirty years later, I treasure the holidays. It took time, but we finally learned to share our needs. "Trying to be everywhere in such a short time is exhausting," we said.

We began by trying to see other's point of view. An empty nest left gaps that traditions used to fill. We didn't approach in anger, but with a willingness to work through the conflict with honesty and grace.

Some were open. Others were not, especially in the beginning. If they were flexible, we rejoiced. If not, we didn't take it personally. Change takes time.

Perhaps the greatest gift that we received came later. When our children married, suddenly there were several families in the mix. We told our children that it's not the date on the calendar that makes holidays special. It's the heart behind the holidays. It's spending time with people you love.

So, sometimes we get together on Thanksgiving, or maybe the week after. Maybe it's Christmas only, while Thanksgiving is spent with other family members. If they aren't with us on a specific day, my husband and I fill that time with a new tradition--just the two of us.

What we discovered is that by letting go, they come more often because there's no pressure. They let us in on their traditions. Regardless of the date, when we do get together it's so fun! It's a gift.

Maybe you've been singing the holiday blues. What is one step that you can take to change your tune?

Dear Lord, thank You for my family. I'm grateful for so many things, and one of those is family who loves me enough to want to be with me. Help me to share my needs with my loved ones, and to do it with grace and gentleness. Help me not to take it personal as they struggle with change. If I am the one that is inflexible, help me to bend and grow. Help me to be thankful every day for all that I have been given. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Visit Suzie's blog where she is doing a "Holiday" give-away!

The Mom I want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future
by T. Suzanne Eller

25 Days, 26 Ways to Make this Your Best Christmas Ever by Ace Collins
Click here for great ideas of how you can include others who may be in the same boat as you!

Shop With Us for Christmas!

Did you know when you purchase anything through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity? Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we'd love to offer more discounts, we simply can't compete with online warehouses. We are extremely grateful when you shop with us. Thank you!
Application Steps: 

Have you shared your needs? Articulate them on paper.

Share them at the right time, in the right attitude.

Don't take responses personally. Change takes time.

Exchange the holiday blues for a new song. Worship God as you thank Him for all the good things around you.

Reflections: 

If I am the one struggling with change, am I willing to be flexible?

Instead of focusing on a specific date, I can focus on the heart of the holiday.

I'll write down all the things for which I am thankful to share with my children.

Power Verses:

Psalm 106:1-2, "Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for his is good! His faithful love endures forever. Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough?" (NLT)

© 2010 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.Proverbs31.org

:angel:

Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

Monday, December 6, 2010   

What's that Smell?
Zoe Elmore

" live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" Ephesians 5:2 (NIV).
         

Devotion:
I could smell the billowing smoke before I even opened the door to our garage, my nose was right, our house was on fire. Literally falling up the stairs I screamed for my husband and son to get out of the house! The firemen arrived and extinguished the flames then they escorted us away from our home. It was midnight, all the neighbors had returned to their beds so we took our smoky, smelling selves to the nearest hotel.

I returned to our home the next morning and was greeted by the awful, putrid odor only smoke can leave. As I walked through our home that horrible smell had penetrated and permeated everything inside. Even after months of repairs, rebuilding and repainting, that unwelcomed odor lingers and will not soon be forgotten.

In contrast, I fondly recall the warm and inviting fragrances of the Christmas season. The heady scent of freshly cut pine boughs intermingled with homemade chocolate covered cherries and Greek pastries. These are the smells I welcome wafting through our home.

While both smells have distinct characteristics and both make and leave a definite impression, one is overpowering. One leaves a negative impression and isn't something you want to be near, while the other is welcoming and inviting, leaving you wanting for more.

Have you ever considered the metaphor of fragrance to describe your spiritual life? For believers in Jesus Christ our lives should demonstrate the penetrating influence of Christ in our lives. As we allow our lives to reflect His goodness the unique and inviting aroma will be pleasing to Christ and to others.

This priceless fragrance isn't sold in stores, nor is something you can manufacture; this fragrance is a natural extension from knowing Jesus Christ in a personal relationship. As we abide in Christ we spread the sweet fragrance of His goodness, like a lovely perfume.

Everyday our attitudes as well as our actions exude a fragrance. Will it be one that draws others to Christ or deters them from ever wanting to know Him?


Dear Lord, teach me how to be a sweet fragrance. I pray that You are evident in my life and that other's see You and want to know more. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Application Steps: 

Choose to wear your favorite fragrance today and throughout the day let it remind you to keep your eyes on what is pleasing to Christ.

Consider the lingering fragrance your life leaves behind.

Reflections: 

What are the some of your best characteristics that invite others and welcome them into the family of Christ?

Is God pleased with the fragrance you're wearing? If not, how can you change it? Draw near to God and allow Him to redirect you.

Power Verses:

2 Corinthians 2:15, "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (NIV)

© 2010 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.

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

:angel:

Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

 December 7, 2010
Unwrapping His Christmas Presence
Renee Swope


"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you will call Him Immanuel, God with us." Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

Devotion:
Plans for the perfect Christmas danced across the stage of my mind. My mom, my brother and my husband's parents were coming to see us. Plus my dad and his wife would be here Christmas day, and JJ's brother and family were coming too. Inviting our out-of-town families to our home for the holidays for the first time was a dream come true. The fact that they could all come at some point between Christmas and New Years was just short of a miracle.

I'm so embarrassed to admit this, but by the time everyone got here I couldn't wait for them to leave.

In the midst of all the preparations, I'd gotten tangled up in Christmas lights and unrealistic expectations. It all started when my husband and sons petitioned for blinking colored lights on the tree. We don't do colored lights on the tree. I am a "white lights" kind of girl, I insisted. But then JJ suggested our decorating decisions should be a "family activity" that year. Who was this man and why had he not brought this up in pre-marriage counseling? I wondered.


The control freak in me started to freak out. Don't get in the way of my perfect Christmas with white lights that make me and my home feel peaceful.

Further attempts to have the perfect house, perfect menu and perfect table settings were stealing my holiday joy. This being my first time hosting a holiday dinner, I'd failed to notice that my Christmas place mats didn't coordinate with my everyday cloth napkins, and I didn't have festive napkin rings. Worst of all, I didn't know how to cook a turkey.

In the midst of all the holiday obligations I'd placed on myself, I experienced one of my worst Christmas days ever. I had a house full of people, but an oh-so-empty heart.

As I walked through my living room picking up wrapping paper, I wondered why my dreams of the "perfect Christmas" hadn't come true. Many of the elements seemed to be in place: kids running around with remote control cars, adults on the couch snoring to the tune of Jingle Bells, and grown men playing sidewalk hockey in the driveway. We'd lit Advent candles and set out the nativities. Still, something was missing.

Trying to escape the holiday noise, I went upstairs to my bedroom and sat down on the floor in my walk-in closet. Taking a deep breath, I opened my Bible to read the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2. Slowly, I let each word remind me of that first Christmas night and God's promise that came true in Bethlehem. "She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger..." Luke 2:7 (NIV).

A cross reference led me to Isaiah 7:14: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you will call him Immanuel, God with us."

Closing my eyes, I pictured Mary wrapping baby Jesus. Her hands carefully folding each corner of cloth. Like a beautiful bow on the perfect Christmas gift, she placed a kiss on his forehead.

That's when I realized what had been missing. In the hustle and bustle of creating the perfect Christmas, I'd forgotten to unwrap the perfect gift, the most important gift of all, the gift of Immanuel, God with us.

Bowing my head, I opened my hands and my heart, and unwrapped God's presence in my closet that day. I invited Jesus to bring calm to my anxious heart. To bring His perspective to my expectations and to help me enjoy the gifts of my family that were waiting downstairs. Simply pausing to acknowledge and thank Jesus for being with me brought peace to my heart unlike anything white lights and matching table settings could ever bestow.

It ended up being the perfect Christmas after all!

Dear Lord, no matter how busy life gets or how lonely I feel this Christmas, I want to unwrap the gift of Your presence each day. Help me to see You, hear Your voice speak to my heart, and pay attention when You lead me with Your peace and perspective. I seek Your purpose in all of my plans. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Immanuel, God with us?


Unwrapping His Presence, a Christmas Message on DVD by Renee Swope


Living and Leaving a Legacy - Two Session Conference on DVD by Renee Swope


Visit Renee's Blog to download a free Christmas prayer that is guaranteed to prepare your heart and home for the holidays! And enter to win her Christ-Centered Christmas give-away worth over $35!



Visit Renee's Facebook Page where she will be sharing ideas to keep Christ in Christmas every day in December!
Shop With Us for Christmas!

When you buy Christmas gifts through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we'd love to offer huge discounts, we simply can't compete with online warehouses. So, we are extremely grateful when you shop with us. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Application Steps:

Make a list of expectations and preparations that could steal your focus this Christmas. Place the list in a gift box and wrap it in a prayer, asking God to give you His perspective and peace for everything you listed. If you start getting anxious, remind yourself that each assignment and challenge is wrapped in God's peace. Trust Jesus and thank Him that no matter what comes your way, He is with you!


Reflections: 

What days might be most challenging this month? How can I plan time on those day to be with Jesus each morning, sitting with Him, soaking in His perspective and peace before my busy day starts.


Power Verses:

Isaiah 26:12, "Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us." (NIV)



John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV)

© 2010 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.

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

:angel:
Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

December 8, 2010
Financially Free Christmas
Marybeth Whalen


"For nothing is impossible with God."

Luke 1:37 (NIV)         

Devotion:
The reality of our poor financial choices hit my husband and me one night just a few days before Christmas several years ago. What should have been a time of festivities and celebrating became just another cause for stress in our lives. We didn't know how we were going to afford the expensive presents on our kids' lists. We didn't want to tell them no, yet to buy gifts meant adding to our already overwhelming debt load. We took God at His word when He said that nothing is impossible with Him. And yet, from where we sat, our financial situation looked impossible.


For years, we had been trying to do something to change our financial picture, to no avail. We desperately wanted to stop using credit cards, yet financial emergencies always cropped up that drove us back to credit card purchases. We wanted to begin tithing and saving, yet there was never any money leftover to do that. We wanted to begin chipping away at our debt, and yet we saw no way to do so. We felt trapped at every turn. We had gotten ourselves unwittingly into a financial mess. Never before had we felt so strongly about getting out of that mess than that night.


I watched from our parked car as the other shoppers "rushed home with their treasures" like the carol says. I vaguely wondered how many of them were slipping deeper into debt as they charged purchases they couldn't really afford. Meanwhile, my husband and I sat in that parking lot for over an hour. We talked through what it would take for us to change our spending habits and take steps towards achieving our dream of being debt free. God met with us there and united our hearts with a purpose and a passion to see it through.


The plan we mapped out was not a quick and easy solution, but it was the real picture of what it would take. Though neither of us realized it then, that night was the beginning of a major change in our lives. We were embarking on a journey that would enable us to escape the bondage of debt and begin to enjoy financial freedom. It took us four and a half years but we are so glad we did what it took to change our family's financial picture.


If you are approaching the Christmas season with that same sense of fear and dread, I urge you to not let another day go by without making a plan and committing to do whatever it takes to avoid debt. If you're married, have this hard but necessary conversation with your spouse. By next Christmas your financial situation might not be 100% better, but it will be better than it is this year. And each Christmas, with perseverance, it will get better. It won't be easy, but it will be the one of the best things you will ever do for your family. Ask me how I know.


Dear Lord, I want to honor You with my finances. I want to tithe and save and stop borrowing money. Please help me and my family to know what steps to take, and to seek out the wise counsel we need to change our financial picture. I trust You to do the impossible. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Related Resources:

Visit Marybeth's blog


Living Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriage by Marybeth and Curt Whalen


A Recipe for Christmas Joy (E-Book) by Marybeth Whalen

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey
Financially Free - Everyday Life Encouragement
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!


Application Steps:
If you are already financially free, is there someone you can counsel who might need to know how to make wise decisions with money?


Reflections:
What one thing can I do today that is a step towards financial freedom?


Can I prayerfully set up a time to talk calmly with my spouse about what it would take to change our financial picture?


Is there a local church or organization that I can get counseling from to help me devise a plan?


Power Verses:

Psalm 37:25, "Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread." (NLT) 


Psalm 34:9, "Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing." (NIV)

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

:angel:

Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

December 9, 2010
The Gift Giver
By Rachel Olsen

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 (NIV)


Devotion:
On Christmas morning I'll watch with joyful anticipation as my family opens the gifts that I've given them. I can't wait to see their faces light up with surprised pleasure and gratefulness. In moments like these I understand why Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35, NIV).


A few years ago my daughter reached the age where she could find the hidden stash of unwrapped presents if she really tried. So I warned her that if she peeked, and I found out about it, I would return those presents to the store and she would not receive them.


Sounds a bit harsh I know, but I really wanted her to learn some important lessons: to exercise self-control and delayed gratification, and to respect the act of giving by not robbing me of the pleasure of seeing her open her presents for the first time. I wanted her to see that giving and receiving are irreversibly linked, and good for both parties involved.


It's essential for God's children to respect the act of giving as well as receiving - He calls us to live a life of both. I also believe it can help us better understand God's core nature and our relationship with Him. God is a gift-giver! And He always knows the exact perfect gift to give. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17, NIV).


Let's unwrap today some of the awesome gifts He has given us ...


He's given us physical life: "The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." Genesis 2:7 (NIV)


And eternal life: ""For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)


He's given us family: "God sets the lonely in families ..." Psalm 68:6 (NIV)


He's given us wisdom: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 (NIV)


He's given us peace: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." John 14:27 (NIV)


He's given us joy: "You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 1:6 (NIV)


He's given us rest: "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'" Matthew 11:28 (NIV)


He's given us a personal counselor: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you." John 14:16 (NIV)


He's given us an inheritance: "...you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." Colossians 3:24 (NIV)


And He's given us freedom: "God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom." 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV)


In return for all these glorious gifts, God simply wants us to receive and respond with thankfulness and a heart that is ready to emulate His gracious nature. I can't think of a better time than now to respond with gratefulness and enjoy the act of giving and receiving - Merry Christmas!


Dear Lord, thank You for Your graciousness towards me. I praise Your generosity! Help me to receive all you have for me in the coming year. And help me to value giving as much as I value receiving, in Jesus' Name, Amen.


Related Resources:

Do you know The Gift Giver?


If you enjoyed this devotion, you'll love Rachel's new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know - we think it makes a great gift for girlfriends!


Visit Rachel's blog today, where she is doing a giveaway, and tell her what gift of God you most want or need this holiday season.


When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost, like this one. 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!


Application Steps:
Curl up in front of the fire, kick back in front of the Christmas tree, or just steal away to a private spot for a few minutes today and connect heart-to-heart with The Gift Giver.


Reflections:
What gifts had God bestowed upon you this year? Thank Him!


What gifts do you need or desire from The Gift Giver? Ask Him!


Power Verses:
Re-read the thirteen verses contained above, letting them settle into your heart.

© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.

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

:angel:
Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

 December 10, 2010
Birds of a Feather
Amy Carroll


"When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.'" Luke 19:5 (NIV)         

Devotion:
Breaker of social norms. Savior. Messiah. The Christ. Maybe you can think of some other titles and characteristics of Jesus, but what do you think about that first one?


I read a challenging book recently that made me ponder Jesus as someone who flew in the face of socially acceptable relationships. As I thought, I realized that although Jesus' associations might not raise eyebrows in today's culture of "tolerance," He had some friendships that were very controversial in His time.


Jesus ate with sinners. He took time to teach women. He told favorable stories about Samaritans, a group hated by the in-crowd for their race. Turning things upside down, He chose to befriend the people that most of His culture rejected.


"Birds of a feather flock together" didn't seem to be true for Jesus, but I know it's been true for me. I have tended to befriend those like myself. I naturally gravitate toward women who look like me, think like me and worship like me.


But Jesus often calls us beyond our natural inclinations into the realm of the supernatural. In His counter-cultural world, Jesus calls us to love our enemies. He commands us to bless the poor. He invites us to love the seemingly unlovable.


I've been examining my own thoughts and habits, and I've recognized that often I think and act in a way completely opposite of Jesus. I have endorsed the religious and dismissed the lost. I have embraced my peers and ignored wise elders. I have elevated the educated and disparaged the simple. I've adored those with their feet on a pedestal and written off those with no platform at all.


Ringing around in my little girl memory, along with old friendship advice, is a Sunday school story about a man named Zacchaeus. He didn't have the right job, and he wasn't tall in stature or long on respect. Zacchaeus wasn't positioned well in society. He positioned himself to see Jesus, though, and for Jesus that was enough. They became friends for eternity that day.


It makes me wonder who I have overlooked that God may want to position as my friend? The gray-haired widow walking slowly down the hall at church? The woman sitting on the park bench that may have slept there the night before? The lady who speaks with an accent or may not speak my language at all? The poor, the lonely, the different-than-me? Let's make a pact to look up from our comfortable circle and look out at a world that's dying to have a friend like Jesus...or like you and me.


Dear Lord, I have not chosen my friends as You did. Would You help me to see value in each person the way You do? Help me to look beyond my current circle of friends and begin to include those that You include. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Related Resources:

Visit Amy's blog


The Guest List is a free resources loaded with inspiration to reach out beyond our circle

Welcome to Community: Experiencing Life the Way God Intended by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
Host a tea party for new friends with ideas from Tea with a Twist: Entertaining and Cooking with Tea by Lisa Boalt Richardson
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
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!


Application Steps:
Plan to put yourself into a new situation where you might meet new friends.


Reflections:
Are all my friends very much like me?


Is God putting anyone different in my path that He might want me to befriend?


Who might be waiting for my friendship and the knowledge of Jesus?


Power Verses:

Luke 19:7, 9-10, "All the people saw this and began to mutter, 'He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.' Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.'" (NIV)

© 2010 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.


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

:angel:
Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

December 13, 2010
Keeping It Simple
Melanie Chitwood


"...his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)         

Devotion:
My excuses for not decorating my home, not cooking a big meal on Christmas day, and not shopping till I dropped were valid ones. Our new business would be opening two weeks after Christmas, and I was working furiously to meet a book deadline. My husband and I had more to do than we had hours in the day.


When December approached, my neck stiffened and my heart skipped beats as I anticipated the stress more activities would bring to our already overstuffed lives. The thought of more clutter, even my favorite Christmas decorations, in our topsy-turvy home with all the undone laundry and crowded kitchen counters about sent me over the edge. So I began to think about how we could eliminate some stress to have a peaceful Christmas.


"Keep it simple" became my catchphrase. With my family's assurance they'd join me with the simple Christmas idea, I gave myself permission not to do it all. I wouldn't say yes to every invitation or fill the calendar every night, and I didn't even send the annual Christmas photo and newsletter. These choices brought me a large measure of peace.


Each family member named some traditions they wanted to keep. We included a live Christmas tree, a wreath on the front door, reading the Christmas story from the Bible, Christmas Eve church service, limited gifts, helping with a toy drive, favorite Christmas movies, and a few get-togethers with good friends. Being more selective about our Christmas traditions brought us less stress and more peace. In addition, because we weren't caught up in the seasonal frenzy, the activities we did include became more meaningful. We were able to focus on what really mattered: time with our family and hearts centered on the birth of Christ.


At the end of Christmas day we agreed that despite the stressors of a new business and meeting my deadline, and despite giving up some of our usual Christmas activities, we hadn't missed out on a thing. Simplicity had given us breathing room and fresh hearts to celebrate the Prince of Peace.


Dear Lord, don't let us miss You this Christmas season. Help us to simplify our activities and traditions so we can focus our celebration on Your birth. Thank You for being the Prince of Peace, and I ask You for that supernatural peace to reign in our hearts. Thank You for the simple but life-changing message of Your love for us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Related Resources:

Do You Know the Prince of Peace?


Visit Melanie's blog -- What Matters Most


Pair Melanie's books as a Christmas gift! What a Husband Needs from His Wife and What a Wife Needs from Her Husband


A Recipe for Christmas Joy (E-book) by Marybeth Whalen


"A Simple Christmas" - Our "free" feature article from The P31 Woman magazine (December 2010 issue)


Shop with Us for Christmas!

When you buy Christmas gifts through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we'd love to offer huge discounts, we simply can't compete with online warehouses. So, we are extremely grateful when you shop with us. Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Application Steps:
Ask your family which traditions are important to them. Can you focus on including these while letting go of other traditions that are not priorities?


Read the Christmas story in Luke 1:5-56 through 2:1-20.


Reflections:
What would a simple Christmas look like for you and your family?


How can I keep my eyes focused on the Prince of Peace?


In which situations of my life do I need the Prince of Peace?


Power Verses:

John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (NAS)
Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (NIV)

© 2010 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.

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

:angel:
Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

December 14, 2010
Dressed for a Party
Rachel Olsen

"Then the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' And he added, 'These are the true words of God.'" Revelation 19:9 (NIV)

Devotion:

For many, this time of year means party invitations populating our mailboxes - office parties, holiday parties, school parties or family gatherings. And every once in a while, an invitation to a Christmastime wedding. Each of them urge us to RSVP and save the date.


In Jesus' day, a person throwing a soiree sent servants door-to-door to issue invitations to the guests, and gather their responses. There were no card companies or postal carriers. The invitations noted the day of the gathering but not the hour. The hour depended on when everything was ready. Plus, there were no cock towers or Timex watches either.


Once everything was ready on party day, servants went out again to call the guests to the feast. Those who had said they'd come were expected to be dressed and ready, waiting for the call. When the servant knocked on their door, they were to head for the banquet.


This scenario mirrors what happens in the spiritual realm. God sent His Son and servant Jesus to issue an invitation on the cross. As I share in my book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know, "God's own hand addressed this invitation some two thousand years ago, at the desk of the cross, on the parchment of Christ's body, in the ink of His blood."


Those who accept, who "RSVP to God," are born anew spiritually—then expected and empowered to live in such a way that they are ready for the day Jesus will return, calling us to a heavenly banqueting table.


Though we don't know the day or the hour, we will be ushered to a great wedding feast: the marriage banquet for Jesus and His bride. Jesus' bride is the church - you, me and all who respond to His invitation throughout the ages.


But here's the thing, will we be dressed and ready for our groom at party time? Jesus once told this story:


"A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When all was ready, he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to come. But they all began making excuses. One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, so he asked to be excused. Another said he had just bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out. Another had just been married, so he said he couldn't come." (Luke 14:16-20)

It upset the master that his planned guests were too busy with work, new purchases and their relationships to come to His lovingly prepared feast. So he invited others to attend the banquet.

This story makes me sad - sad for the master, but even more so for the distracted party guests. Sidetracked by the ordinary, they missed something special.

I don't want that to be me - or you - this month. With the coming holiday in celebration of the birth of our heavenly groom, I don't want to miss what is special and sacred about this time of year because I'm busy or distracted.

So will you join me in saving the date of December 25th and preparing your heart for its approach? Because savvy sisters are always dressed and ready for a party!

Dear Lord, thank You for your invitation to life - to spiritual life, eternal life, and life as Your bride. Open my eyes to the sacred today; let me see and celebrate it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Related Resources:

Have you RSVPed to Him?


Visit Rachel's blog for some ideas for preparing your heart for Christmas.

This devotion is based on the chapter "Always RSVP: Revealing the Secret to Responding to God" in Rachel's book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know. Why not order one for yourself and a friend this Christmas?
Shop with Us for Christmas!

When you buy Christmas gifts through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports the many areas of life-changing ministry we provide at no cost. Although we'd love to offer huge discounts, we simply can't compete with online warehouses. So, we are extremely grateful when you shop with us. Thanks and Merry Christmas!


Application Steps:

Spend a few minutes quieting your mind, closing your eyes, and worshiping the Lord. Praise His holy name. Thank Him for His promises and provision. Express to Him your gratitude and love.


Visit Rachel's blog for a list a ways to prepare your heart for the celebration of Christmas.


Reflections:

What excuses do I make for not being ready - for not meeting with God?


Am I too busy or distracted with the ordinary to see the sacred?


Power Verses:

Revelation 19:6-7, "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:  "Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." (NIV) 

© 2010 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.

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

:angel:
Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

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