Encouragement for Today

[Judy Harder]

 March 23, 2012

I Know What I Should Do, But ...
Glynnis Whitwer


"If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." James 4:17 (NIV)

It was just like any other day when my friend felt a lump in her leg. Thinking it was nothing, she didn't worry. A week later it was bigger. She didn't ignore it any longer, but made an appointment with her doctor. Tests confirmed the quiet suspicions; it was cancer.

In the past five years, friends have rallied around her with prayer and practical support. For a while I was able to help intermittently. Then I went through a season of constant family and work needs, and neglected to contact my friend ... for months.

Occasionally she would pop into my mind, and I would think of some way to bless her. I knew her family loved brownies, maybe I could bake some as a treat. Perhaps she'd like to get out and walk around the mall. A funny card would cheer her up.

But good intentions slipped away and rationalizations took their place.

One morning I read James 4:17. It was as if God took a highlighter, swiped it over the words and wrote my friend's name in the margin:

"If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them."

I immediately stopped reading and rushed to my computer. Fingers furiously typed an apology for being a distant friend, and asked if I could bring her lunch. We set a date and had a great time of catching up and prayer.

Thankfully God prompted me that day to follow through on my good idea. But my heart aches at the times I've either ignored or forgot those promptings. It's so easy to find reasons why not to do something. Excuses pop up like weeds. However, today's verse makes it clear that sometimes something else is at stake. It's not like forgetting to buy milk at the store; if there is good God is calling us to do - and we don't - it's sin.

I've learned when I listen to the nudge in my spirit to do good, I'm always part of God's bigger plan. It's like God is assembling a jigsaw puzzle with a beautiful picture only He can see as He asks me to care for the needs of others. To do this, He needs me to listen for His direction, and then prioritize my obedience. Not question, dismiss or excuse it away.

I'll be honest. Sometimes the needs of others overwhelm me. Without meaning to, I become numb, even to those around me. But then God reminds me I only have to do my part - and He'll tell me what that is. Sometimes my part is to take a friend lunch. Sometimes my part involves more.

I wonder what would happen if I always obeyed? And what if I wasn't the only one? What if everyone leaned in when God whispered, "Will you?" What if, instead of rationalizing why my little effort won't make a big difference, I just trusted God had a bigger plan ... and I simply obeyed.

It's got to start with me. Today. And the good I know I should do. No more "buts" about it.

Dear Lord, thank You for never withholding good from me. Forgive me for the times I've minimized this in my own life, or found excuses of why I can't do good for someone else. I long to be a woman who reflects You in all I do. Help me to follow through when I know I should. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
The P31 Woman magazine offers monthly encouragement for following God's will in all areas of a woman's life.

Visit Glynnis' blog where she shares about the biggest "yes" she and her husband ever said and how God is using that act of obedience.

I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer

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

Reflect and Respond:
What are some common excuses women make for not following through on good ideas? How can you overcome some of those excuses in your own life?

Has God nudged you lately to do good for someone else? Write it down and commit to obeying this week.

Power Verses:
1 Samuel 15:22, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." (NIV)

1 John 4:11, "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (NIV)

© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

 March 26, 2012

Stop the Masquerade
Micca Monda Campbell


"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

During elementary school, my daughter was friendly and outgoing. But when she entered middle school she changed. Being friendly to everyone in sixth grade wasn't cool. Peyton quickly found out if she didn't conform to her friend's new standards she'd be an outcast. Worst of all was the betrayal. When she didn't change to be like her friends, they spilled her secrets.

That's when it happened. Peyton started wearing masks to fit in and please people.

She hid her accepting and sweet personality, and lost her true identity. Almost like a masquerade ball, she'd wear a different personality or mask, acting in ways her friends would want.

There was only one problem. Peyton was miserable hiding behind her masks and pretending to be someone she wasn't. Sound familiar?

I think most of us understand Peyton's need to fit in. It's one reason we wear our own masks. To please others. To hide our pain. To disguise fears and failures. We put on fronts to protect ourselves from an unaccepting world. And in doing so, we mask our true identity and lose our individuality.

Why do we keep up the masquerade? Because we want acceptance.

And often we're willing to lose who we truly are in order to keep important relationships, like friends or family members. Most of us can recall a situation when a trusted person hurt us by judging our God-given personalities, traits and talents.

In our attempt to hide our insecurity or avoid betrayal and hurt, we create a mask—a look we're willing to let the world see in order to be accepted.

I was determined to help Peyton stop doing this very thing. I encouraged her to return to truth. God didn't create us to conform to other's standards, but to stand out through our own God-given uniqueness. Our key verse reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. This truth gave her the courage to remember who she was before she put on the masks.

Soon Peyton found friends who were like-minded, and started participating in activities that reflected her interests. By being true to her identity and rekindling her dreams, Peyton has followed her God-given purpose. Today, she's studying foreign language in college and hopes to teach in Japan or work on the mission field.

Maybe someone along the way has discouraged you. Put you down for being creative, quietly reading books, or loving adventures. Or maybe for dreaming big, or laughing loudly, or enjoying working with your hands. Perhaps a parent, teacher, pastor, friend or even a stranger didn't accept how God created you to be and you transformed yourself to fit in their preferences.

God sees behind our masks; He loves us and longs for us to be free from the fear of being rejected. If you're constantly changing masks to fit in, then you know the awful burden of maintaining the false you. Aren't you ready to stop the masquerade? Listen closely and hear God confirming to your heart today, "You are wonderfully made."

Dear Lord, I desire freedom to lay down my masks and be myself. Help me identify my false sense of self. Enable me to recapture the person I was before I started masking my fears and insecurities. I no longer want to fit in where I don't belong. I want to be all You created me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

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

Click here to join our new online study of Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart with Melissa Taylor. It just started yesterday but it's not too late to join!

Visit Micca's blog for more encouragement and enter to win a copy of An Untroubled Heart.

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

Reflect and Respond:
Create a mask that represents the qualities of your false self. You can draw or use parts of a magazine and words. Then, offer that mask to God and ask Him to help you recall yourself before you wore the mask.

What are some expectations you put on yourself or false concepts you have of yourself?

Do you think you need to be a certain way to be loved and accepted by others?

Power Verses:
Psalm 139:15-16, "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, 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)

© 2012 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

March 27, 2012

When Time Keeps Slipping Away
Tracie Miles


"Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." Psalm 90:10, 12 (NLT)

Recently my family experienced an unexpected treat. For the first time in many months, we had the joy of a weekend with no obligations! No ballgames, no travel, no commitments—just unstructured time.

Savoring my coffee Monday morning, I thought about the laughter, conversations and relaxing moments. Each had brought a peaceful feeling over my spirit and reminded of how precious the gift of time is, yet how often I take it for granted.

For weeks my thoughts had been continually nudging me to do more, yet my heart had been whispering do less. At the same time I sensed Jesus calling me to rest, and spend more time with Him and my loved ones. But life had just been so busy, and other demands had screamed for my attention.

I realized how I had let time slip away without investing it wisely.

The Bible records the words of Moses, a man who understood the value of time. In Psalm 90, Moses recognizes the brevity of life, and the importance of making the most of the time we have been given.

Perhaps Moses wrote from a place of frustration. After all, he'd watched his entire generation wander aimlessly for 40 years because they didn't trust God's promises. They kept busy with jobs, chores and responsibilities. But they apparently spent more time grumbling than getting to know God better, or enjoying the blessings and people in their lives.

Many of us experience this same dilemma, wandering through daily routines and overbooked schedules. There's little time left at the end of the day to spend with Jesus or those we love. Before we know it, the days turn into years and our hearts are no wiser. We get in a rut of grumbling about troubles and busyness, while ignoring the necessity of rest and the benefits of unstructured time.

I used to view "down time" as being unproductive. I would feel guilty for sitting down with a good book when the sink was full of dirty dishes, or snuggling with my children on the couch to watch a movie when I had errands to run or work to do.

Yet God designed rest because our hearts, minds, bodies and spirits need it. Slowing down and paying attention to what fills our day allows us to refocus and rest.

It gives us time to soak in His Word, have quiet prayer, and invest in our family. These are easy to disregard when life's too busy. Even if we're busy with good things, they may draw us away from what the Lord would have us do.

As we understand the brevity of life and value our time, we'll gain a wise heart that seeks the Lord's will. Let's ask God to show us each day how He wants to fill the hours we are given. Whether He guides us to enjoy personal time, rest and relax, hang out with friends or family, study His Word, or enjoy some fun activities, if He is leading our choices, we'll find peace, contentment, and joy.

Dear Lord, only You know how many breaths I have. Please help me use my time wisely, and invest it in the people and things that matter most. Help me consciously plan time for myself, my family and my faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Tracie as your next retreat / key note speaker.

Visit Tracie's blog for more encouragement on the importance of rest.

10 Smart Things Women Can Do To Build A Better Life by Donna Carter

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

Reflect and Respond:
How do you spend the majority of your time? Is it spent on the things that matter most?

Does it seem that life is flying by, and you never have time to enjoy it or the people in it? What changes can you make to remedy this problem?

Get alone with God and His Word to determine if you need to realign your priorities regarding how you spend your time. Set some challenging goals that reflect wise values that will honor Jesus.

Power Verses:
Ephesians 5:16-17, "...making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (NASB)

© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.

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

[Judy Harder]

March 28, 2012

A Call and Response
Samantha Reed


"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7 (NIV)

His wee body curls in the crook of my arm as we rock. So tiny, so new, only two days old. Six pounds and fifteen ounces, yet he bears the weighty truth, the Truth. Timeless and eternal.

"His first name means 'Remembered by Yahweh.'" His parents share in a hush. "Anytime God reminds us in His Word that He remembers, it is a reminder of His faithfulness; that we're always on the Lord's mind.

"His middle name means 'faithful.' Put together, they're a call and response."

This tiny newborn's first name calls to mind the richness of God's character: unfailing, hopeful, sure. Every time he says his name, he'll recall the goodness of the Lord. His middle name elicits our response: Yes, Lord. Because You are faithful, so shall I be.

God is ever calling, desiring our mind, heart and will to respond to who He is. His Names testify to every attribute He possesses.

I'm beckoned by this wisdom. So I open the pages of Truth to know more of the Name I call upon to be saved.

El Shaddai completely nourishes, satisfies, and supplies as a mother would her child. He is our sustainer. (Genesis 17:1, 28:3, 35:11, 43:14 and 48:3)

El Roi is our God who sees us. Not one of our pains or needs is out of His periphery. (Genesis 16:13)

Jehovah Nissi gives encouragement, hope and a focal point when in battle. Jehovah denotes our God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Nissi means banner. In battle, opposing nations flew their flags on a pole at the front lines. This gave soldiers hope and a place to focus. (Exodus17:15)

Jehovah Rapha restores and heals. Our Great Physician makes better our physical and emotional needs. (Exodus 15:26)

Jehovah Mekoddishkem calls us to holiness and gently reminds us that it's God who sets us apart. (Exodus 31:13; Leviticus 20:

To know God, His nature and His Name, awakens our voice. His steadfast character and everlasting Name are calling. A call to our mind—to which thoughts respond. A call to our heart—to which emotions respond. A call to our will—to which actions respond.

El Shaddai calls ... I satisfy. We respond ... I will be nourished by You.

El Roi calls ... I see you. We respond ... I will find comfort in You.

Jehovah Nissi calls ... I cover you. We respond ... I trust Your protection.

Jehovah Rapha calls ... I heal. We respond ... I will ungrasp my heart for You to heal.

Jehovah Mekoddishkem calls ... I make all things new. We respond ... I believe You create beautiful things from dust.

There are so many more Names of God throughout Scripture. Names that help us become better acquainted and really know the nature of the Lord. So when troubles call, we respond by putting our faith, hope, and love in Him. And around every corner and with every birth, and death, and life lived in between, we continue to call on the Name of the One who is faithful.

From age to age His Names testify of His goodness. Let's respond to His call today.

Dear Lord, You are worthy of a mind that meditates on You daily; a heart that loves You steadfastly, and a will that follows Yours. When You call, help me respond according to who I know You to be: faithful. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Embraced by the Father: Finding Grace in the Names of God by Susanne Scheppmann

Visit Samantha's site for more on God's Names, and to enter to win a gift card and two copies of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope - one for you and one for a friend!

A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. In this wonderful book, Renee leads us to a place of lasting confidence by helping us know God's Names, trust God's character and live in the security of God's heart toward us.

We would love to encourage you throughout the day. Join us on Facebook!

Reflect and Respond:
Will you call on one of God's Names and its meaning ... inviting your heart, mind and will to respond?

As you pray this week, talk to the Lord using one of His Names in this devotion. Praise Him for the attributes in that Name: sustainer, hope, healer, etc.

Power Verses:
Nehemiah 9:5b, "Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise." (NIV)

Jeremiah 9:24, "'... but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD." (NIV)

© 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

 March 29, 2012

A Complete Waste of Time
Lysa TerKeurst


"Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear." James 1:19 (MSG)

My daughter Brooke got in the car the other day and sighed. It was one of those sighs that said, "I'm going through something, but unless you ask me, I'm not freely revealing this information."

I casually inquired, "Tell me the high from your day and your low."

"Mom," she groaned letting me know she secretly loved that I was asking, but all the middle school in her was making her play it cool.

I waited quietly knowing she'd eventually tell me. And she did. Something hard had happened at school that day.

I put my hand on hers, "I'm sorry sweetheart. I know that makes you sad."

To my surprise, this normally emotional child said, "Actually no. I've decided sometimes being sad or mad over stuff like this is a compete waste of my time."

And just like that she smiled and was ready to get on with her day. No tears. No tirade. No lamenting and wearing herself out with a tidal wave of emotion while over-processing this situation.

Just a 13-year-old's decision that this wasn't worth all that. The child turned tutor. The young one doling out wisdom.

Sometimes being sad or mad over stuff like this is a complete waste of my time.

I've mulled her statement over in my mind a hundred times. It's good. It's truth.

Indeed there are things to be sad about ... but so much of what pulls at my emotions isn't worth the time and energy I give it.

I love how James 1:19-21 reads in Eugene Peterson's paraphrase: Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation garden of your life.

Is there something you've been sad or mad about that maybe is a waste of your time? Ask God to help you have a different perspective.

Dear Lord, some days my emotions seem to steam roll me. Please help me reconnect with You and know that many times being sad or mad over stuff is a complete waste of my time. I'd rather focus on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Is there something you've been sad or mad about that may be a waste of your time? Ask God to help you have a different perspective. Leave a comment on Lysa's blog by clicking here letting her know how she can pray for you ... it would be her honor.

Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl is a perfect addition to spending time with the Lord and in His Word.

Lysa will be speaking in over 40 cities this year and would love to meet you. Click here to see her schedule.

Reflect and Respond:
Sometimes being sad or mad over stuff is a complete waste of time.

Replace anger or sadness with praises to the Lord today.

Power Verse:
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, 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)

© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

 March 30, 2012

Broken
Kelly Langston


"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Broken.

It was now broken, with an asymmetrical flutter to its wings that moments before lifted the butterfly in a dance around the church lawn.

The butterfly wasn't what first caught my eye though as I stood in line to pick up my son, Alec, from a day camp for special needs children. It was the boy with autism that first captured my attention. He was tugging on the arm of his caregiver with a brawny strength, roughly pulling her this way and that.

As I watched the two in their strange dance, my heart ached for the boy just as it does whenever I see a child with autism. A familiar feeling rose in the pit of my stomach. It was the same one I felt when I didn't know how to reach my autistic son in his younger years. I'll never forget how hard and long the days could be.

Lost in my memories, I was more than happy when the butterfly caught my eye. As I watched it, in one quick swoop-and before his caregiver could stop him-the boy's hand captured the butterfly in a clenched fist. She pulled it free from his grasp and I watched fragile wings fall to the sidewalk. The butterfly fluttered for a few moments before dying.

Isn't it strange how something so simple can hit you so hard? Grief rose in the back of my throat, but I wasn't sure what hurt me most. Was it the brokenness of a boy who longed to touch something beautiful and carefree, only to crush the life from it? Or was it the thought of how quickly something so lovely can die? The vivid scene stuck with me all night, broken wings falling to the ground.

The next morning, I walked with Alec up to the church for another day at camp. I stepped onto the sidewalk behind a little girl with Down Syndrome. Without a care in the world she sang, and when I heard the words, I stopped in my tracks:

"I am a beautiful butterfly! I am a beautiful butterfly"

With each light step, she twirled and sang this little song. I realized then what God was showing me.

Yes, Lord, I get it! These children are like that butterfly. They are full of beauty! Full of grace and wonder, and even so, they are broken. But oh, how lovely and special they are to You, Lord. And how precious to behold one single moment of the beauty that lives within them!

As a parent to one of these broken, beautiful butterflies, it is a privilege to see God carry him through painful days. And I know I'm graced to be touched by the beauty that exists in brokenness. To feel the loss of what might have been, the crush of overwhelming need, and the Divine Light that runs through it all and makes it worth our efforts.

Alec's teenage camp buddy leaned down to greet my son with a high five and a smile. It was then I noticed the counselor's shirts with the words "I am a New Creation" on the front and on the back was the week's Bible verse:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Like the butterfly, we're all broken. But, praise God, there is great beauty within our brokenness when we allow God to carry us through the pain. Better yet, we are new creatures with a future and a hope of eternity—unbroken—in Christ. One day each broken body will be resurrected to a new beauty unimaginable in this life.

Dear Lord, thank You for choosing me to love a child with a special need. Help me to see the beauty in my child through Your eyes, as a marvelous creation, beautiful and full of potential. You've promised a purpose and a plan for my child. Your Word tells me that You use broken individuals to do amazing things for Your glory. Help me then, Lord, to be all that my child needs me to be, as I rely on Your strength to carry us through difficult days. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Visit Kelly's blog for more encouragement.

Autism's Hidden Blessings: Discovering God's Promises for Autistic Children & Their Families by Kelly Langston

Reflect and Respond:
Scripture is filled with stories when God chose people who were overlooked by others to do great things for Him. Never underestimate God's power to use your child to bring Him glory. God has a marvelous purpose for your child!

What is one weight of life you can trust God with today? Lean completely into His care. He did not spare His own Son to demonstrate the extent of His love. Knowing this, you can be certain He will honor every one of His scriptural promises for you! Take heart, your God is for you.

Power Verse:
Revelation 21:4, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (NIV 1984)

© 2012 by Kelly Langston. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

 April 2, 2012

Strong One
T. Suzanne Eller


"That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NLT)

The wind blew through my fingers as I held my hand outside the window. The bright sunshine seemed foreign after several days in the small hospital room.

My husband had insisted that I go home. "Take a long bath, babe. Take a nap in a real bed. I've got this."

After four weeks, my world had shrunk to my son's bedside, X-ray rooms, the therapy wing, and a dimly lit cafeteria in the basement. I had no idea how long my son would be in the hospital, or what awaited us when he was released. The doctors used phrases like, "It's uncertain at this time."

Before the drunk driver hit my son, I was strong. It wasn't that my faith hadn't been tested; it had. But this was my child, broken and battered at the hands of another, and I couldn't fix it.

As I drove home, I heard these words deep in my spirit:

When you are weak, you are strong.

That didn't make sense to me. I felt anything but strong.

When I arrived home I took my bath and a nap. Afterwards, I pulled out my Bible and flipped to the verse. And there it was. Paul's words:

"For when I am weak, then I am strong."

The apostle suffered with a "thorn in the flesh." Scripture doesn't tell us what that was exactly, but we do know that it was something he couldn't fix on his own. When he prayed, God reminded Paul that His power comes through when we are at our limits.

There was no mistaking it. Like Paul, I was at my weakest point. As a mom, I wanted nothing more than for my son to be okay and the wreck to be behind us. I wanted my son at home. I was exhausted by long nights on a too-small, too-thin cot, and days of caring for my child as he battled extreme pain.

Yet God was trying to tell me something. Something I hadn't realized until that moment.

I didn't have to be the strong one all the time. While I was caring for my son, God was caring for me.

It took a year of therapy and prayer to make my son well; there were many more weak moments ahead for this momma.

But in each, I paused and I whispered these words:

"When I am weak, then I am strong."

My strength was not found in my own abilities or even my staying power. Instead, I was strong because God sustained me and filled me with His grace in the midst of the battle.

Sometimes, when that period of my life is brought up, friends remark, "Suzie, your faith was so real during that time."

I can't help but remind them that I was far from having it all together. What they were seeing was God's grace and love poured over my weak places.

Are you struggling today? Do you feel weak? Whisper it with me:

"When I am weak, then I am strong."

Dear Lord, thank You that Your grace is all I need. Thank You for Your power in the midst of my weak places. I offer up my need to be the "strong one" and replace it with the knowledge that Your strength is sufficient. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do your weaknesses ever make you doubt you can fulfill God's calling or purpose for your life? A Confident Heart, by Renee Swope, is a great resource to help you stop doubting yourself and start living in the power of God's promises. In it you'll learn how to rely on God's strength and truth in every area of your life.

For today only A Confident Heart Ebook on Kindle is FREE! Be sure to tell your friends and download your copy {This amazing FREE Ebook download ends at midnight!}

Visit Suzie's blog where she's giving away 5 {paperback} copies of A Confident Heart and sharing four things you can hold onto when you need strength the be the strong one - for yourself and others.

Join Suzie in her "Live Free" Facebook community to find daily encouragement on how to live free.

To bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church, click here to find out more about Suzie as your next women's event speaker.

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

Reflect and Respond:
Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up. ~Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (November 4, Morning).

Today, exchange feelings of defeat for praise. Thank Him for doing what you cannot.

Write down one way that only God can lift you higher than the weak places.

Power Verses:
Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV)

Philippians 4:13, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (NIV)

© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

April 3, 2012

An Empty Nest
LeAnn Rice


"I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5 (NIV)

Does a rose bush have thorns or does a thorn bush have roses? It really is all about perspective, isn't it?

My perspective on my upcoming empty nest is full of thorns. I try hard not to think about the fact that I will be alone (except for the cat!) when my son graduates and leaves for college this summer.

It has been just Nick and me for the 15 years since my husband died. Life as a single mom has been rough. But watching my little boy grow into a godly young man has been my greatest joy. I've loved every moment of his sweet toddler giggles, little boy vroom-vroom truck sounds, and even the sounds of video games that come from his room now.

I've tried to distract myself from thinking about the day we will pack the car and head off to college by watching mindless movies, serving others, and keeping extra busy. But I fail miserably and end up crying myself to sleep.

Why? When Nick leaves, I'll be cooking for one. Cleaning for one. Doing everything for just one. There will be no sweet sounds to come home to. No one to help me unload the groceries from the car. No stories about what happened in school. No fits of laughter as he plays with our ornery cat.

The thought of letting go and being alone brings on the tears and my pillow gets soggy. It isn't pretty.

On those days when I get bogged down with thoughts of my impending empty nest, I'm never in a hurry to jump out of bed. I just want to lie there and wallow in self-pity for a little longer. What's the rush to get on with another day? It means one more day closer to his leaving.

And then a little ray of light sneaks into the bedroom. The cat cries because she wants to go outside. The teenager who is still mine to take care of decides he's hungry. Life returns.

I have to function. I want to enjoy every moment of the time I have with my not-so-little boy.

No time for soggy pillows, half empty days, or rose bushes with thorns.

It's time to get out of bed and face the new day and the changes coming. It's time to remember that even in my loneliness, I am never alone. It's time to relish the beautiful roses on those thorn bushes.

• I am loved with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)
• I am the apple of His eye. (Proverbs 7:2)
• My name is engraved in the palm of His hands. (Isaiah 49:16)
• I am carried through every storm. (Mark 4:35-41)
• I am wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
• I am watched over day and night. (Psalm 121:1-8)
• I am forgiven. (1 John 1:9)
• I am rejoiced over with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

My life is more than half full. It overflows. I just have to be willing to see, and enjoy, who God is and the beautiful things He's given me.

Thorns are painful, but the world is filled with many roses. My prayer for each of us dealing with or facing an empty nest is that we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the beauty of the Lord's goodness and the sweet fragrance of all He is to us. Though children will eventually leave our nest, God never will.

Dear Lord, help me to see the roses among the thorns. I want to see that You're always with me and that You watch over me every moment of every day. I love You. I am grateful to belong to You and that I am not alone. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Visit LeAnn's site, She Cooks, for loads of fun and encouragement ... and tasty recipes too! Also, hop over to A Widow's Might for hope and truth.

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp

Reflect and Respond:
An empty nest is hard. Take some time to sit down and make a list of everything that is good in your life. When we start looking for the roses instead of letting the thorns overwhelm us, we are surrounded by His sweet aroma and reminded of who we are, Who we belong to, and all He can do in and through our lives.

Power Verse:
Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (NIV)

© 2012 by LeAnn Rice. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

April 4, 2012

I Can't Think Straight!
Glynnis Whitwer


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

I felt like I was walking in circles. My to-do list was long but I was accomplishing nothing. Nothing except shifting messes from one place to another and getting increasingly frustrated with myself.

Why couldn't I think straight!? Urgency pulled and tugged, creating anxiety, yet I couldn't get myself unstuck.

Many days I just plod along, hoping that somehow I'll pull myself together and move forward. Sadly, my success rate with that approach is pretty low. Just doing more doesn't help when my mind is scattered.

My biggest challenge with bringing order to my day and home usually isn't found externally. It's not too much to do, too small closets, or too many kids running around. Yes, those can be challenges, but they aren't the biggest one.

My biggest foe is my cluttered mind. When I don't think straight, I can't solve problems.

Our minds are the command center of managing our lives. We may blame outside pressures for our problems, but many times the issue is within: minds that aren't seeking help from the Source of all wisdom and clarity—God.

As Christians we have a direct line to God's wisdom as our key verse promises. Plus, we have the Holy Spirit living in us who is our Counselor (John 14:26), and as the Bible tells us, we have "the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16). That's a powerhouse of help!

But we don't always tap into this Source of help. And when we do, if the truth were told, we often don't really expect God to answer us. Others, those super-spiritual types, may hear from God. But not me, we think.

And so we struggle with problem-solving. We are frustrated at our circumstances, confused about what to do, discouraged and defeated. It's a downward cycle.

For years, I never even thought to ask God for help making little decisions. Maybe I'd bring Him in on the big decisions, but the little ones I figured I could handle myself. Oh, how I missed out on so much clarity and focus.

If you are having trouble thinking, ask God to clear your mind and direct your decision-making. Then trust He is doing just that. Once you ask God to speak to you, expect it to happen. This expectation is crucial to hearing from God. Here what James 1:5-8 says:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."

If you do start to doubt, then take that thought captive and choose to trust that God has spoken. Listening and trusting are important parts of prayer, because prayer is not always to get God to move.

Many times, prayer positions us to hear God's direction on how we should move. Through prayer, we align our hearts to God's heart, and things become clearer.

Is the clutter in your mind making it hard to think clearly? Perhaps one of the problems is you're trying to figure things out on your own. We've been given the mind of Christ and we are offered the wisdom of God. Let's ask and receive.

Lord, You know how hard it is for me to focus sometimes. It's hard to figure out what needs to be done. I just feel overwhelmed and discouraged. I know You aren't a God of confusion, so I ask for Your wisdom and clarity to help bring order to my chaotic mind. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer

Visit Glynnis' blog for some tips on how to manage your ideas.

Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer

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

Reflect and Respond:
Are there areas of your life that seem harder to figure out? Why do you think that is?

If you feel overwhelmed, sit down and write out your thoughts. Ask God to show you His priorities for you this morning, afternoon or evening. Write down what He tells you, and spend some time thanking Him for His faithfulness.

Power Verses:
Romans 8:6, "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." (NIV)

Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." (NIV)

© 2012 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

April 5, 2012

God, I'm a Little Mad and a Lot Confused
Lysa TerKeurst


"From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2 (NIV)

When God doesn't seem to be answering our prayers it can be hard. Sometimes, down right awful.

One minute I'm determined to trust God.

In the next, I feel myself slipping. The "why" questions tumble in so hard. My heart hurts. My eyes leak. And in those raw moments I just feel a little mad and a lot confused.

Ever been there?

I don't want to oversimplify what to do in these times. I know from prayer requests I've received over the years many of us are facing really tough issues. Situations where the answers aren't easy or clear cut.

But I have discovered a few things that help me when God seems silent ...

* Press in to God when you want to pull away.
When I really want to hear from God but He seems silent, I sometimes find I want to disengage from my normal spiritual activities. Skip church. Put my Bible on my shelf. And let more and more time lapse between prayers.

But the Bible says we will find God if we seek Him with all our heart. Jeremiah 29:13, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (NIV). All my heart includes the parts that are broken. Bring it all to God.

He can handle your honesty and will respond. But we have to position ourselves to go where truth is. Go to church. Listen to praise music. Read verses. Memorize verses. And keep talking to God.

* Praise God out loud when you want to get lost in complaints.
In the midst of what you're facing, find simple things for which to praise God. I don't mean thank Him for the hard stuff. I mean thank Him for the other simple, good things still in the midst. A child's laugh. A bush that blooms. The warmth of a blanket. The gift of this breath and then the next.

Psalm 40:3 reminds me God will give me a new song when I make praise the habit of my heart and mouth. "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD" (NIV).

* Put yourself in the company of truth.
That friend that speaks truth? Listen to her. Stay connected to her. Let her speak truth into your life even when you're tired of hearing it. Stand in the shadow of her faith when you feel your own faith is weak. Let her lead you back to God time and time again.

Proverbs 12:26, "One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor ..." (ESV).

It's okay to feel a little mad and a lot confused. Our God is big enough to handle our honest feelings. But don't let your feelings lead you away from God or away from His truth. Press into Him. Praise Him. And put yourself in the company of truth.

As you stay with God in these ways, you will become ready to receive His answer when it comes.

Dear Lord, thank You for hearing every 'why' my heart sends up to You. Forgive me when I retreat from You and Your Word. I want to trust You more. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
If you need a truth friend, Lysa would love to have connect with you on her blog by clicking here. It's free and easy to sign up. Just put your email address in the box in top of the right hand column. Then you'll start getting her simple truth notes in your email inbox each day.

Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl is a perfect addition to spending time with the Lord and in His Word.

Reflect and Respond:
Bring it all to God. He can handle your honesty and will respond.

In the midst of what you're facing, what simple things can you praise God for?

That friend that speaks truth? Why not give her a call and set up a time to get together?

Power Verses:
Psalm 42:3-5, "My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, 'Where is your God?' These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (NIV)

© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.