Encouragement for Today

[Judy Harder]

 July 19, 2012

Boundary Lines
Lynn Cowell


"And the Lord God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.'" - Genesis 2:16-17 (NIV 1984)

Several years ago my husband and I had the opportunity to get off our couch and be two of the screaming fans attending the Super Bowl. Knowing this was an once-in-a-lifetime event we arrived at the stadium hours before the game to watch preparations.

We took in everything, including the field maintenance crew pushing their carts, carefully chalking in the white boundary lines. At any football game, depending on the weather, these lines face a tough day.

Rain, snow, cleats, and smashed bodies beat against them for hours. At the end of the game, they are no longer white, straight and clean. In some places, they may have been completely rubbed away. But when game time rolls around the next weekend, the maintenance crew chalks the lines back in.

Often, as a parent of three, I grow weary of "chalking in the lines." Peer pressure, TV, music, and Facebook all beat against the boundary lines of safety and godliness I have helped put in place for my kids.

When they leave the house with keys in hand, I'm tempted to think: I don't have to remind them to not blare the music. They know. I've told them.

But then I remember that the world is constantly repeating its opinion on what is fun and acceptable. So I chalk in the lines—again—by reminding them of the boundaries the Lord has called me, as their parent, to put in their life. These boundaries are to spare them from the consequences of bad choices.

Sometimes it's hard to stick to our boundaries when we're tired and busy. Or when every show on TV reveals too much skin and our kids complain, "There's nothing else on." Or when a song has an abundance of crass language, but "everyone else is listening to it." Yes, at the end of a long day, it can be easier to relax the boundaries, but I know I have to keep on chalking in those lines.

The Lord is our best example of setting boundaries for our children. In the Garden of Eden He made it clear to His children they were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He set the boundary. It was then up to Adam and Eve to obey. They crossed the lines God had put in place, and had to live with the consequences of their sin.

Just recently, I had to chalk the lines again with one of my kids and they were not happy!

But I remembered a conversation we had several months ago when my son said, "Mom, thanks for my curfew. It's kept me out of trouble lots of times." That was evidence enough for me that when I set boundaries, with love, my kids know I care deeply and want to protect them - even if they don't like the boundary I've set.

I wish I could say all my boundary lines have kept my kids within them, but that wouldn't be true. As they become adults they have to determine their own boundaries and sometimes they aren't what I know God wants for them. But when that happens, and my heart breaks, I am comforted knowing I did what God called me to do as a mom. The rest is in His hands. I pray for them daily and wait to see how God will work His ways in their lives.

My prayer for you is that when your day has been long and you're trying to cook, run a load of laundry and figure out when the next sports practice is, you will not grow weary in "chalking the boundary lines." And that one day your children will come back and thank you.

Dear Lord, help me. Sometimes I get tired of going against the world that seems to have no boundaries. In Your strength, help me to lovingly show my child the way. Soften their heart to accept and trust me as I follow You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
His Revolutionary Love by Lynn Cowell is a wonderful book to study together with your daughter.

Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart CD message by Lynn Cowell

Visit Lynn's blog where she is giving away a copy of His Revolutionary Love and Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart. In it she shares how to put boundaries in place in a way that our kids can hear not just our words, but our hearts.

Moms Together is an encouraging Facebook community of mothers. Click here to join!

Reflect and Respond:
Write a list of boundaries for your home. During natural conversations (in the car, during breakfast) bring these up, making sure your child knows your family's boundary lines.

Are there any areas in your own life where you have overstepped God's boundaries?

Discuss boundaries with your child calmly and fairly, guarding against the conversation turning into a heated argument.

Power Verse:
Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (NIV)

© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

 July 20, 2012

Your Spouse ... Your Best Friend?
Melanie Chitwood


"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NAS)

Although I can say my husband Scott is my best friend today, that hasn't always been the case. When we first got married, I was so close to my twin sister Scott felt excluded when the three of us were together. Gradually, however, we both learned to develop our friendship with one another.

We reached a big turning point when we left Atlanta, where I had been single and then newly married. We packed up and moved to Florida for Scott's new flying career. Living in a new city where we knew very few other people, we learned to depend on each other for friendship in a way we hadn't learned before.

Now Scott is the one I turn to first just to be my friend, not in the way a girlfriend is a friend, but in a way that only a husband can be. The support that this kind of friendship brings is reflected in Ecclesiastes 4:9: "Two are better than one."

Over the years I've discovered some specific ways we can develop a close friendship with our spouse. First, we can take an interest in what's going on where we each spend a great deal of time, our workplaces.

Has he talked about a stressful project? Has he said how energized he is by a new assignment? Follow up by asking for more details and remember to pray for these situations. This shows our thoughtfulness and support. Acknowledging you know his job can be difficult shows that you appreciate him!

Secondly, a great way to forge bonds of friendship is to share an interest. What do you both like to do? You may need to think about what you did while you were dating.

My friends Tracey and Ron take short trips to the mountains. It's more Tracey's passion than Ron's, but he's learned to enjoy it too. My mom and dad are great cooks and have created some incredible meals together. Scott and I have watched countless basketball games together. If you don't already have a shared hobby or pastime, start trying out some activities. It's easy to let the day-in and day-out responsibilities of life to crowd out time for relaxation and laugher, so you'll have to make the choice to have fun together.

Finally, we need to ask ourselves if we're making friendship with our spouse a priority. Do we save our best energy for developing friendship with our spouse or are we too busy or tired? Sometimes we have to say no to other pursuits so we can have time to protect and nurture the gift of friendship in marriage.

The seeds of friendship we plant today will continue to bloom later in our marriages. We've all seen older couples sitting at restaurant tables, eating their entire meal in complete silence. I don't want to look like those silent couples, and I'm sure you don't either. I want to grow old relishing my friendship with my husband, a friendship forged over years of sharing interests and making each other a priority.

Dear Lord, show me ways to nurture friendship with my spouse, so we can continue to enjoy each other through the passing years. Lord, today, I commit to making friendship with my spouse one of my top priorities. Where I need to give up some activities so I'll have time for friendship with my husband, give me eyes to see that. Thank you for the lifetime friendship you've given us in marriage. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood

Today's devotion is adapted from Melanie's book, What a Wife Needs from Her Husband

For daily encouragement, visit our Facebook page.

Reflect and Respond:
Plan to do something fun with your spouse. Do this within one week's time, and don't let anything interfere with these plans.

What do you want your marriage to look like ten years from now? What can you do today to reach your desired outcome?

Is there room in your life for friendship with your spouse? Is there anything you can take out of your life to allow space for your friendship with your spouse to grow?

Power Verses:
Genesis 2:18, "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone; will make him a helper suitable for him.'" (NAS)

Ephesians 5:28, "So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself." (NAS)

© 2012 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

 July 23, 2012

Living in a Season of "How Long?"
Wendy Pope


"How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" - Psalm 13:1 (NIV 1984)

Several years ago my husband Scott began to experience health problems that were extreme and unexpected, especially for someone his age. We had no idea when he'd get better. Weeks and months dragged by. Wondering, "How long?" took its toll on us.

Facing our uncertain future left my faith weak and I questioned if God had forgotten me. Despairing, I felt tired and lonely, and I wanted out.

King David was in a similar place of questioning God as we see in today's key verse. "How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" (Psalm 13:1) David's circumstances had turned from promising to troublesome.

He'd been anointed king but didn't step into his role immediately. While he waited for God's plan to come to fruition he served the current king, Saul. During this time David gained respect and affection from the people of Israel, as well as those in King Saul's court. Because of this, Saul became jealous of David and threatened his life numerous times.

As David wrote Psalm 13, he was on the run from King Saul and found himself in a hard place of losing hope. He needed encouragement and strength. In his desperate place of darkness, he asked God "How long?" The words that filled his heart fell from his lips as he cried out to the Lord.

Are you living in the unbearable days of "How long?" How long will I be unemployed? How long will my child be a prodigal? How long will I live with this life-threatening diagnosis? How long will I be lonely?

Sometimes our stay in "How long?" seems indefinite. The long stay causes us to become discouraged and lose hope for deliverance.

Knowing King David asked God "How long?" can strengthen our weakened faith. God used David's words to strengthen Scott's faith and mine. Praying his words in Psalm 13 renewed our communication with God by helping us realize the "right" words weren't necessary. We could simply let the words filling our hearts fall from our lips as we cried out to God for help. Our strengthened faith equipped us to walk the long medical road to a diagnosis, treatment plan, and trust in God's faithfulness through our "How long?"

Dear Lord, thank You for King David's vulnerability. His words strengthen my faith and renew my hope for deliverance from my "How long?" Help me remember the lesson You've taught me today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Would you like to bring Wendy's message of What to do in the W.A.I.T.: Finding Contentment in God's Pauses and Plans, to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Wendy as your next retreat / key note speaker.

Visit Wendy's blog to win a copy of her CD What to do in the W.A.I.T. Wendy will also share ways to endure your stay in "How long?"

What to do in the W.A.I.T. CD by Wendy Pope

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 you currently living in a season of "How long?" Carve some quiet time out of your day to write your own "How long?" psalm. Let the words that are filling your heart pour from your lips.

Has God delivered you safely through a season of "How long?" Carve some quiet time out of your day to write a psalm of praise. Let the words in your heart pour from your lips.

Power Verses:
Psalm 17:1, "Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer — it does not rise from deceitful lips." (NIV)

Psalm 51:15, "O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise." (NIV 1984)

© 2012 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

July 24, 2012

Unglued Mama Mornings
Lysa TerKeurst


"You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV 1984)

As the new school year approaches I'm making a bold commitment: No more unglued mama mornings. I want our mornings to go better this year with less frustration, yelling, and chaos.

I started thinking about this last spring when we had a string of really hard mornings.

One day, as I pulled up to the school, the atmosphere inside the car was thick with tension. Not wanting the last words spoken to my daughter to be harsh, I tried to change the course of our conversation before she headed into her day. "Listen, I love you. I'm sorry we had a rough morning."

"We always have rough mornings," she shot back before slamming the car door.

Nothing quite makes a mom feel more successful than a little dialogue like that.

As I rubbed the stabbing feeling in my chest, I thought, "Something has got to change. Each day I promise myself I won't yell at the kids. But each morning something triggers me and I just lose it."

Ever been there?

It's not like we wake up in the mood to get frustrated with our people, right? I mean honestly, I usually wake up in a pretty good mood. But then the stress of getting everyone ready and to school on time makes the crazy creep in.

This one can't find her shoes. That one needs a report printed and we have no ink. The bread for sandwiches is still at the grocery store because I forgot to buy it yesterday. And to top it all off, I have no cash to give the kids so they can buy lunch at school.

The whining. The complaining. The feeling that I can't ever get it all together. It all escalates and sends me over the edge.

Well, I want this school year to be different. I want to be like our key verse today describes: "made new in the attitude of my mind." The Greek word for "made new" is kaino. One of its definitions is uncommon. I want to be an uncommon calm in the midst of chaos and an example of peace for my kids in a world of pressure. For that to happen, I came up with a plan:

Tell the world to wait.
When I wake up, my mind is like a dry sponge. What I soak up first will saturate me most deeply. If I don't want to be consumed with the stresses of my day, I must soak up what will renew my mind instead — God's Word. Even if it's only for 5 minutes, I've got to put the world on hold until I've checked in with God.

Remember I'm managing blessings.
If I want my attitude to be made new, I must keep things in perspective. While my frustrations seem big, things like lost shoes and less than perfect lunches aren't big problems. They are small aggravations that come with managing blessings.

Let my kids own their 'irresponsibilities.'
My kid's irresponsibility will not become my emergency. I need to communicate my expectations so they know they're going to have to own the consequences of their choices. For example, if they wait until the last minute to print their report and the printer has no ink, they'll have to print it at school or turn it in late. Either way, I can't own this situation and let it throw me into frantic, fix-it mode. I can let the consequences of my kid's choices scream, so I don't have to.

All of this is going to take some intentionality and I seriously doubt I'll do it perfectly. But I'm excited about trying. I'm excited to "put on my new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Which is a fancy way of saying I'm excited to have less unglued mama mornings and a lot more peace this school year.

Dear Lord, thank You for the grace You give me every day. I don't want to live in the same pattern of coming unglued anymore. Lord, help me put these principles into practice. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do you desire more calm this school year? Click here to join us for the "No More Unglued Mama Mornings Challenge." We're taking 5 days to make mornings better with our kids!

Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Unglued, goes to the heart of the matter and helps equip you with ways to choose calm in the chaos. Click here to pre-order your copy, releasing August 7.

The accompanying Unglued Bible Study is a wonderful resource. To pre-order your copy, click here.

Reflect and Respond:
What is the Lord showing you about your role in your relationship with your children today?

Which of the following action points can you put into practice tomorrow?
1. Tell the world to wait.
2. Remember I'm managing blessings.
3. Let my kids own their irresponsibilities.

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

Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)

© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

July 25, 2012

Feeling Guilty?
Lysa TerKeurst


"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 (NIV 1984)

I gathered the restaurant bags, sighed, and crammed them into the overstuffed trash can. A friend had sent me a recipe that day which involved peeling and chopping and simmering. I imagined her trash can full of fresh veggie peelings and other things that proved her kitchen produced way more homemade goodness than mine.

And a little thread of guilt wrapped around my heart.

Sometimes I feel more guilty for what I'm not than thankful for what I am.

But there was sweet grace waiting for me in a yogurt shop that night. My daughter had asked if I would come and speak to a little Bible Study she was helping organize. "Mom, I think there are going to be a lot of people that show up."

So, instead of cooking that night I ordered out. Again. And then I drove to the yogurt shop with the girl whose heart was full of excitement and expectation.

People were everywhere. Young people. Invited people. And parents. Nearly 200 people packed inside the yogurt shop and overflowed outside. My daughter smiled.

I took the microphone and spoke from my heart. I told my story. I taught truth. I invited the people to let Jesus be the Lord of their hearts.

And many who had never done so said yes to God that night. A teen girl who'd tried to commit suicide last year. She stood to accept Jesus. A young man with tears in his eyes. He stood to accept Jesus. A mom and a dad. They stood to accept Jesus. Along with many others.

In the yogurt shop.

With a woman whose trash can was filled with take-out bags.

A woman who isn't the greatest cook. But a woman who wants to learn to be more thankful for what I am than guilty for what I'm not.

Maybe you are the friend with the veggie peelings in the trash can and steaming homemade goodness on the table.

Celebrate that.

Or maybe you are like me. And your gifts are less tasty.

Celebrate that.

And cut the threads of guilt with the edge of grace.

Dear Lord, You made me in Your image and that is something I seem to forget daily. Please help me remember to celebrate and live in who You made me to be and not in what I wish I was. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Click here to join Lysa TerKeurst for the 5-Day "No More Unglued Mama Mornings Challenge." She'd love to walk beside you as together we conquer guilt with grace.

Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Unglued, encourages you to cut the threads of guilt and embrace your unique wiring. Click here to pre-order your copy, releasing August 7.

The accompanying Unglued Bible Study is a wonderful resource. To pre-order your copy, click here.

Reflect and Respond:
As a mom, wife, or woman what have you felt guilty about in your daily life?

"Sometimes I feel more guilty for what I'm not than thankful for what I am." This is such a powerfully honest statement. Think about three things you previously saw as negative, but can now celebrate about yourself.

Power Verses:
Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (NIV)

Psalm 139:13-14, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (NIV)

© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

July 26, 2012

Mistaken Identities
Karen Ehman


"He who belongs to God hears what God says." John 8:47 (NIV 1984)

I poured a cup of coffee and logged on to my laptop to peek at a friend's Facebook page.

When I tried hopping over to see her latest pictures, I couldn't get her name to appear in the search bar. I was puzzled. This had always worked before. Glancing at the top of the screen, I realized I wasn't logged in to my own account. My son had forgotten to sign off when he'd been on earlier so I was actually logged in as him instead.

I couldn't get where I wanted to go because I had mistaken my identity.

With a quick click of a mouse I switched accounts and used Facebook as "me." Under the right identity I was free to view pages, leave comments with ease, and get where I wanted to go.

Sometimes in life we encounter the same issue—we don't realize we have mistaken our identity. We log into our day and encounter wrong thinking that makes us forget who we really are. This may happen when a voice from our past or our own negative self-talk urges us to forget our identity in Christ. When we do, we're blocked by doubt and can't get where God is calling us to go: to a life lived with our security and value rooted deep in His thoughts toward us.

Instead we hear:
"You can't do that. You aren't good enough."
"You'll never change."
"Why can't you be more like your sister?"
"If only you were more ____________ instead of so ___________."

When statements of self-doubt seem to scream and discouragement sets in, we need to log out of the lies we believe and log into God's truth. It's the only way we will know and live in our true identity so that we can navigate our lives according to God's Word.

Here are some truths we can tell ourselves to remember our who we are:
I am the daughter of the Most High God.
I am loved, redeemed and renewed.
I am chosen, blameless and holy.
I was bought at a great price.
God knows me thoroughly and yet loves me completely.
He has plans for my future that include hope, not harm; blessings, not banishment.
I belong to Him.

John 8:47a tells us, "He who belongs to God hears what God says." We need to listen to His Word, let it take root in our minds, and allow it to eradicate any untrue, destructive thought patterns. Replacing the negative chatter with assuring scriptures will gently, but firmly, remind us who we are as children of God.

Yes, if we "belong to God" we will hear what He says. As we log into His truths daily, no longer will we mistake our identity. We will know the confident reality of who we are in Christ.

Dear Lord, when I am tempted to think of myself in a way that is neither healthy nor true, remind me both of who I am and to Whom I belong. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

For more on this topic, including 5 Ways to Prevent Mistaken Identity and a chance to win a copy of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope, visit Karen's blog.

A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God's Promises by Renee Swope identifies lies we mistakenly believe and equips us to overcome them so we can take hold of our true identity and live confidently in the truth of who God says we are.

Reflect and Respond:
What are some counter-productive or self-doubting thoughts that race through your mind at times? The next time you sense this happening, find a promise to replace each doubt. Find more strategies on Karen's blog today.

Power Verses:
Romans 1:6, "And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ." (NIV 1984)

1 John 3:1a, "Consider this: The Father has given us his love. He loves us so much that we are actually called God's dear children. And that's what we are." (GW)

© 2012 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

 July 27, 2012

The Choice is Ours
Rachel Olsen


"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..." 1 Peter 1:3  (NIV)

I watch Samantha Brown, Travel Channel host, as she explores Old Town in Ecuador's capital city of Quito. Watching her experience the charming hotels, mouth-watering food, and tropical adventures there, I'm slightly envious. But as she points out the sights of this South American city, my mind wanders back in time.

I've been to Quito. Not to enjoy the food or see the architecture, but to visit people there who Jesus loves.

As the camera pans over Samantha's head, I'm looking for the spot where I visited a single mother, Maria. She and her baby lived in one room smaller than my home office. She had a twin size bed, a chest of drawers, and a small electric stove.

On the stove she fried plantains for me. I had trouble at first with the idea of eating them, knowing they were from her very limited food supply. As Maria happily served me, I wondered if I would choose to share my food so freely if it were as scarce for me as it is for her.

Maria told me she had received Jesus, and was now receiving training in child care, nutrition and child development through Compassion International. She'd received these South American bananas from them too. I noticed Maria had a visible hope that her life and her child's life were now on a better path.

Around the corner from Maria lived a young boy who has also been touched by Jesus. He is a sponsored child. When we met, Eduardo told me he hopes to be a pastor. He quoted scripture to me from memory—he was eight.

Our meeting wasn't planned, he just happened to stop by Maria's door while I was there. After talking with us briefly, Eduardo reached into his back pocket, pulled out a small New Testament and handed it to me. Said he wanted me to have it. And he wanted me to read it.

Said he hoped it would remind me of him, so I would pray that he could become a pastor.

I didn't tell him I have plenty of full-size Bibles at home. Or I wouldn't be able to read much of that one in Spanish. Instead I took the small red book, said "gracias," and prayed over him and his future ministry. He smiled a smile full of possibility and disappeared out the doorway.

I'm certain that around the corner from Maria there are other single moms and young boys who don't have this hope. They feel trapped, depressed, maybe hungry and short-changed.

It is my prayer they will find "new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:3).

Samantha Brown discovered Ecuador's luscious fruits, famous hat-making trade, and its romantic colonial architecture. Here's what I discovered:

• We always have a choice between hope and despair - no matter what circumstance we are in.

• We always have a choice between fear and faith - no matter how bleak things look.

• And we always have the choice to give and serve - no matter how little we own.

It's Jesus - and His church at work on the Earth - that affords us these choices.

Honestly, I wouldn't trade my trip to Ecuador for Samantha Brown's any day. Even if she did get to visit the stunning cloud forest. I'm thinking we'll have cloud forests in heaven to enjoy. And I'd like to see as much of the Ecuadorian population there as possible.

I think my eight year-old friend would like to see that too. I'm certain he will do his part toward that end - will we also do ours? We have that choice to make.

Dear Lord, thank You for living hope. Thank You for living water that quenches our eternal thirst. Anoint young Eduardo to share this hope with others in Ecuador. Show me how I can share it with others too. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Compassion International has helped Maria, Eduardo and thousands of others. Visit here and click on the tab "Rescue Babies & Mothers" - choose a set to pray for or to support today.

Visit Rachel's blog for a chance to win a copy of her book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know

Reflect and Respond:
What can you give or share today?

What can you do to tell or show others about Jesus today?

Power Verses:
John 4:13-14, "Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'" (NIV)

© 2012 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

 July 30, 2012

The Invisible Battle
Tracie Miles


"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)

I was in a field, in the middle of the night. Others were around me, but I could not see them clearly; only moonbeams pierced the dark.

Out of nowhere, unseen forces pressed me to the ground, keeping me from defending myself. Hatred spewed from the invisible evil. Fear and confusion encompassed me. I sensed God whispering to me that His Word was my only hope. I knew His truths held power over this wickedness.

As could only happen in a dream, I shrunk to the size of a pencil. I threw myself onto an open Bible, grabbed a handful of pages and rolled with all my might. The papers tore from the creases as I wrapped myself tightly in God's Word. Instantly, the faceless enemies retreated.

I woke up listening to my rapid heartbeat and staring at the 3 a.m. blackness. My thoughts stumbled over one another, trying to figure out what had just occurred. Although I knew I was safe in my own bed, my heart was ravaged by this battle I'd experienced in the recesses of my mind.

I felt an overwhelming need to pray and spent the next hour talking with Jesus. Fears, hurts and longings of my heart overflowed. Soon a sense of freedom and peace washed over my spirit; one I hadn't experienced in a long time.

My family and I had been engaged in fierce spiritual warfare. The past year had been marked by one harsh blow after another. Instead of giving credit where credit was due, I'd merely attributed it to 'life.'

God showed me, like in the dream, we were under oppression. He helped me see I'd been trudging through life unknowingly carrying the crushing weight of disappointment, resentment and stress.

Negative emotions which stemmed from being hurt by someone I loved, various family concerns, as well as frustration and discouragement regarding circumstances in my life, had all erected a barrier between God and me.

I'd grown weary of praying prayers that seemed to go unnoticed. My feelings overshadowed my faith and I'd been relying on my own advice for handling adversities, rather than seeking God's wisdom.

As a result, I'd given the devil a foothold in my heart. So much time focused on my circumstances and feelings had inadvertently minimized my time focused on God's Word and His truths that would set me free.

Although I was feeling alone, God had never left my side. Deep down I still knew that only He held the power to release me from my oppression.

Through this dream, God opened my spiritual eyes to see I had not been choosing the right weapons to fight this battle. His Sword (His Word) was what I needed to deliver me from the stress and oppression, just as today's key verse explains.

Victory can only be found by spending time with Jesus and choosing His Word as our weapon - not only against life but also against the enemy who wants to steal our hearts.

God never leaves us to fight battles alone. His Word tells us many times that the battle is His, but we must choose to wrap ourselves in His promises and believe that He's our Protector who will fight to the death for His children.

In fact, He already did.

Dear Lord, set me free today from the grip the enemy has on my heart. Forgive me for thinking I could fight this battle on my own and help me to wrap up in Your Word. Intervene in my life and my circumstances, and lead me to victory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Visit Tracie's blog for more discussion on choosing your weapons to fight spiritual warfare.

Tracie's new book, Stressed-Less Living: Finding God's Peace in Your Chaotic World, will be releasing soon! Visit her blog to find out when the book will be available and how to sign up for her upcoming 10-Day Stress Detox.

We need to soak in God's Word so His voice is louder than the enemy's. Jesus Calling is a wonderful devotional book to help us tune in to the Lord's truths.

Reflect and Respond:
Have you felt oppressed lately and inadvertently given the devil a foothold?

Have you been focusing on your problems, or how God wants to work in the midst of them?

Power Verses:
Ephesians 6:13-18, "Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out." (MSG)

Proverbs 4:23, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." (NLT)

© 2012 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

July 31, 2012

When Doubt Tries to Bully Us
Renee Swope


"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31 (NIV)

One morning I woke up feeling beat up by discouragement. My mind was being bullied by thoughts of doubt: I can't do it all! I am not cut out to be a wife, a mom, a daughter, a speaker, a writer and all the other things God has called me to. My thoughts were against me, and my feelings were too.

As I lay in bed feeling completely inadequate, my radio alarm came on. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by Twila Paris singing to me. With confident assurance, she spoke truth to my soul, telling me this was no time for fear, but a time for faith and determination. She challenged me not to lose my vision or be carried away by my emotions, but to hold on to all that I had hidden in my heart, and all I believed to be true. Then she reminded me of the most important truth of all: God is in control. [1]

As I heard these words, my thoughts aligned with God's truth. It changed my whole perspective. I went from feeling afraid to feeling determined and from feeling out of control to knowing God is in control.

We have the choice either to let doubt beat us up or to let God's truth build us up.

If we have Christ in us, we have full access to God's power and His promises to live with a confident heart. But it won't just happen because it's possible. We have to take action.

When my alarm came on that morning, I was so glad I'd set my radio to that station the night before, so I would wake up hearing encouraging music and truth. Just like I tuned into that station, we need to get intentional about tuning our thoughts into God's thoughts toward us, every day.

In the same way a radio has AM and FM frequencies, so do our thoughts. They are either AM (against me) or FM (for me) thoughts. The truth is, we are often our worst critics and have a lot of AM thoughts.

And if our thoughts are against us, our feelings will be too.

So, the next time you get those feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt, stop and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you are thinking that is making you feel that way. Then compare your thoughts about that situation to God's thoughts, which are reflected in Scripture. Do they match? If not, find a promise in God's Word to replace the lie that has filled your heart with doubt. Here are few to get your started:

• When doubt comes against me, saying I'm weak and all alone, I will focus on the truth that God is for me! I can be strong and courageous because the Lord my God is with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV)

• When doubt comes against me, saying I'm not good enough for a certain role or position, I will remember that God is for me! He says I am His masterpiece, created to be new in Christ so that I could do good things He planned long ago. (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

Lord, Your Word says I am a chosen woman, a royal priest, a holy daughter, a woman belonging to You. Help me remember that You are calling me out of the darkness of my doubts so that I can tell others about the Light I've found in You. Thank You that You are with me to fight for me against my enemies of insecurity and inadequacy. In all these things, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Today's devotion is based on chapter 6 of Renee's life-changing book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.

Join over 40,000 women who have lost the weight of self-doubt and gained a confident heart! Sign up for Renee's FREE "7-day DOUBT Diet" that includes a week's worth of FREEdevotions from A Confident Heart. To sign up for "The 7-day DOUBT Diet" click here.

Learn how to recognize the bully of doubt and his AM thoughts, and replace them with God's FM thoughts towards you! Visit the FREE resources page on Renee's website for an expanded list, and when doubt tries to beat you up you'll have God's promises to build you up instead!

Connect with Renee on Facebook for life-changing perspectives and promises from God's Word!

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. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:
What area of your life—as a woman, mom, wife, friend, daughter, housekeeper, professional, leader, etc.—do you currently have the most "against me" thoughts in?

When feelings of self-doubt come, write down the AM (against me) thought you're thinking and look for a FM (for me) promise in Scripture to replace the lie that has filled your heart with doubt. Click here for a list of more AM/FM thoughts.

Power Verses:
1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (NIV)

Deuteronomy 20:4, "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." (NIV)

Romans 8:37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (NIV)

[1] "God Is In Control," © 1993 by Twila Paris. All Rights Reserved. From He Is Exalted: Live Worship CD.

© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.

[Judy Harder]

August 1, 2012

Dealing with Daily Frustrations
Lysa TerKeurst


"But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." - Luke 8:15 (NIV 1984)

I was talking with a customer service agent from an online company I have enjoyed doing business with for years. I called thinking she could help me with a return. But when I explained I needed to return this certain item, things started to head south with our conversation.

She informed me that my item wasn't on the returnable list. It was on the final sale list. I had no clue there was a returnable list and a final sale list. It wasn't posted online or stated in their catalog.

I logically stated my case and felt syre she would see things my way. But she didn't. No matter what I said or explained, she wouldn't budge.

I knew the lady on the other end of the phone was just following procedure, but it made no sense. It wasn't right and I was frustrated!

And my tone of voice made it clear just how frustrated I was.

Later that same day, I was in line at the grocery store behind a man who wanted to use an expired coupon. The check out gal calmly stated she couldn't honor his coupon. Well, he didn't like that one bit. And he made sure everyone around them knew how much he didn't like this situation.

I stood back appalled at his actions.

Until ... I started thinking about the fact that I'd acted almost the same way with the customer service agent who refused what I wanted. The conviction wove its way through my heart and made me feel so badly for the way I'd reacted toward that woman.

After my call, she probably moved on to the next frustrated customer. And then the next. And then the next. Suddenly, I felt so sorry for her.

I decided it wasn't her desire to not be able to help me. She was truly just following the orders of the higher-ups at her company. I imagined her packing up her things at the end of another long day and heading home. A home where she had to face her own daily aggravations and frustrations.

That's when it hit me. While on the phone, I never pictured her as a person really. To me, she was just a voice on the other end of the phone that was causing me extreme frustration.

How might my reaction have been different if I'd stopped to think about her as a woman just like me? What might it be like to be her, to live her life, and to have to go to her job every day?

I decided God was trying to get my attention to be more aware of my reactions. More aware of handling daily frustrations in a way that reflects a heart that loves the Lord. In today's key verse, Luke 8:15, Jesus reminds us, "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." (NIV 1984)

I want Jesus' message to fall on a heart that is humble and fertile enough to:

Receive God's Word ...

Retain God's instruction, and ...

Reflect God's character in both my action and reactions.

When I stop to think about this I am challenged. Whether I am talking with a customer service representative I don't know or interacting with those I do everyday life with, I want to work towards being a woman who displays godly character. Just like Luke 8:15 encourages, whether I'm having a frustrating conversation or a friendly one, may God's messages of truth have such an impact on me that my heart and my mouth remain noble and good.

Dear Lord, it's easy to honor You with my carefully thought through actions but, sometimes much harder with my reactions. Even when I'm caught off guard, may Your love and patience be the spillover from my heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Sometimes it can be really hard to keep our emotions in control on a daily basis. In Lysa's new book, Unglued, she shares personal experience and scriptural wisdom to help us make right, godly and healthy decisions with our reactions. Click here to order your copy today!

The accompanying Unglued Bible Study will help you understand what the Bible says about better ways to react. To order your copy, click here.

We'd love to share a chapter of Unglued with you! Click here to read a section of this life-changing book and hop over to the Unglued website. It's a great resource to help equip you in making wise choices in the midst of raw emotions.

Reflect and Respond:
This week as you interact with many people, how can you prepare your heart for reactions that honor God?

Use this formula for studying God's word this week:
Receive God's Word ... write out the verses you want to focus on.
Retain God's instruction ... memorize and internalize the truths you've been studying.
Reflect God's character ... in both action and reactions. Focus on practicing the truths you've been learning.

Power Verses:
Psalm 37:30-31, "The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip." (NIV 1984)

1 Corinthians 13:1, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (NIV 1984)

© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.