No matter what you’ve believed in the past, choose by faith to believe that you are valued, priceless, and adored by God. Go in His love today. Be assured of it. Share it. Be changed by it and let it flow through you to others.
August 12, 2010
Strength for the Storm
Today’s Truth.
Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. Endurance then develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.”
Friend To Friend
Life is filled with storms of one kind or another. In the midst of those storms, we tend to respond as if God has somehow been caught off guard. The storm makes no sense. We can’t explain why terminal illness strikes godly people. We don’t understand how our strongest friends can become our fiercest critics. The anguish of a broken marriage or the overwhelming heartbreak of a prodigal child drives us to doubt God’s purpose, plan and provision. The fear of financial ruin paralyzes us. God understands.
The Bible is filled with men and women who were storm survivors - people of God who endured great pain and weathered intense life storms because they chose to follow Him. The Apostle Paul, known for persecuting and murdering Christians, was forever changed when he met Jesus Christ. While God gave him a life of great power and eternal impact, it was also a life filled with great storms. Paul learned to “patiently” endure the troubles, hardships and calamities that came his way. (2 Corinthians 6:4 NLT)
Because grain was a precious food source to the Romans, threshing grain was a natural part of every day in ancient Rome. In pictures of early Rome, one man is always seen stirring up the sheaves while another rides over them in a crude cart equipped with rollers instead of wheels. Sharp stones and rough bits of iron were attached to these wheels to help separate the husks from the grain. This simple cart was called a “tribulum” from which we get our word “tribulation.”
No Roman ever used his tribulum as a tool of destruction - only refinement. God uses our trials and storms as tools of refinement to build in us endurance. The word “endure” comes from two Greek words that when combined, give the meaning “to remain under.” It is the capacity to stay under the load, to remain in the circumstances without running away or looking for the easy way out.
The purpose of every storm is to purify and cultivate endurance. Like Paul, we may sometimes feel as if we are being torn to pieces under the pressure of circumstances. But his challenge to the Romans compels us to re-examine our perspective and response to each storm we face. “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. Endurance then develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation” (Romans 5:3-5 NLT).
Endurance is never passive. It is the picture of a soldier staying in the heat of the battle under terrible opposition but still pressing forward to gain the victory.
There are few things that we can count on in this unpredictable life - but we can count on storms to come. We can also count on God’s continual and unfailing strength for those storms. When the hard times come, when bad things happen, we do not have to wonder where God is. Instead we can hold on to the promise that is found in Jeremiah 16:19, “Lord, you are my strength, and my protection. You are a safe place for me to run in times of trouble” (NLT).
An old seaman once said, “In fierce storms we can do but one thing. There is only one way to survive. We must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.” Richard Fuller commented on the old seaman’s words:
“This, Christian, is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Only a single course is left. You must stay upon the Lord; and come what may — winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers — no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm and hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness and his everlasting love in Christ Jesus.”
No matter what storm rages in your life today - no matter how fierce the winds or how high the waves may be - where you are is no surprise to God. Heaven is not in a panic. Keep your gaze on Him and your glance on the raging waters. “Lash yourself” to Him and He will supply everything you need to stand firm in the storm.
Let’s Pray
Father, I am so tired of trying to weather the storms of life on my own. I need Your power and strength to face each one. Please teach me to turn to you first. Help me learn to patiently endure the hard times and honor You in the midst of them as I walk by faith.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
July 22, 2010
I Don’t Feel Like It!
Today’s Truth
Proverbs 25:28 (NIV) “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”
Friend To Friend
You have probably discovered that you simply cannot trust your emotions because they are unreliable, misleading and will constantly betray you. A family member verbally blasts you and rage consumes your spirit. Your career is in decline and depression slithers into your heart. Caught in the comparison trap, you find yourself avoiding those who have bigger, more influential jobs. Anger is a constant companion, finances are tight and rest is a distant memory. A sense of bone-deep weariness saturates your soul as your own heart ridicules the sincerity with which you serve. “You might as well give up. It’s no use. Just quit!” the enemy taunts.
Negative emotions can take hold of and destroy a life void of emotional control. Control puts emotions in their God-shaped place, discarding negative emotions as the spiritual leeches they are while safeguarding and reinforcing positive emotions. I am amazed at the number of women who base eternal decisions on feelings while seeking confirmation and even direction from emotional responses. I almost missed one of the highest plans for my life because it didn’t feel right.
My husband, Dan, was Youth Pastor at Sheridan Hills Baptist, a dynamic church in Hollywood, Florida where Bill Billingsley, one of the greatest men I have ever known, was senior pastor. He and his amazing wife, Betty Jean, had an enormous impact on me personally, and the ministry of speaking and writing to which God has now called me. It was in the midst of my God ordained transformation at Sheridan Hills and the youth program’s greatest growth that Dan dropped the bomb - he felt God calling him back to Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Well, I felt God calling him to stay put!
I loved Sheridan Hills! It was home! Going back to seminary meant I would have to go back to teaching elementary school fulltime. Teaching wasn’t the problem but placing our young son, Jered, in daycare. We had waited so long for this chosen baby, and the thought of relegating his care to strangers broke my heart. How could this possibly be God’s plan when it felt so wrong?
My favorite worship time at Sheridan Hills was the Wednesday night service - for two reasons. I enjoyed the contemporary worship and in-depth bible teaching. I also treasured the fact that, each week, while Dan was in meetings and Jered was in the nursery, I could slip into the empty, darkened auditorium for an hour of solitude.
However, the Wednesday night after Dan shared the numbing probability of our return to seminary, my usually refreshing solitude dissolved into a tantrum of crying, praying and pleading with God to let us stay at Sheridan Hills.
When a hand gently patted my shoulder, I looked up into the tear-filled eyes of my pastor. “I have something to tell you,” he said. Pastor Billingsley was not only a spiritual mentor in my life, but a loving father figure as well. Expecting a word of wisdom or encouragement, I was shattered by his words, “I have cancer.” Speechless, we sat in pain-filled silence, weeping; each flailing in our own sea of emotions and questions. Bill Billingsley then spoke the words that have guided my steps from the moment he gave them life. ”Mary, just remember that God’s will penalizes no one.”
I immediately knew I had a choice to make. I could mulishly hold on to my emotional comfort or submit to God’s will. My choice to obey God plotted the course for an incredible journey filled with purpose, a life of sharing God’s hope and healing with women across the world through speaking and writing. Had my emotions ruled, I would have missed God’s best for my life.
Emotions are a gift from God. While emotions themselves are not sin, the place we give them can be. Since God created us with the capacity for strong emotions, we can rest assured that He will equip and empower His plan for managing them.
Let’s Pray
Father, I come to You, honestly and sincerely asking You to be in control of my emotions. I live too many days dictated by how I “feel.” I am so sorry, Lord. Forgive me for not allowing the Holy Spirit to have free reign in my heart and mind. Please help me live a life marked with peace and with hope
I once asked a very good friend of mine what made her decide she wanted to date her current boyfriend. I asked her because she is the type of Christian I’ve always looked up to and seems most at peace out of all of my friends. I want to share her reply because I feel it could help many others not just myself.
“That is definitely a great question to ask before dating someone. I’m not a dater and I don’t really see the point of dating someone if you can’t see it going somewhere. I recommend being good friends first. There is nothing wrong with dating someone casually and getting to know them but only if there is a definite distinction made between casual dating and being officially together. Being in a relationship is serious business, you must uphold, respect, be equally yoked (both Christ followers), and truly care for one another without alternative motives. I really am sad when I think about how society has cheapened relationships. There is much responsibility. When in a relationship be cautions, because someday you will likely be married and a marriage relationship is sacred. Be careful to not give away what belongs to your future husband (the same goes for guys). I’m not just talking about sex but something as seemingly simple as a kiss and as great as your heart. Being prudent is a sweet characteristic that pleases God. You are a treasure of God and a man perusing you should treat you that way. The two of you should complement each other and make each other want to grow in the Lord. There is a lot to think about :). Questions to ask yourself: What do you like about the person? How do you feel when you are around them? Do they trust in the Lord? Do you feel pressured from the person (you shouldn‘t)? Could you spiritually grow with them?
One more word of advice. Don’t date potential. Meaning someone you could see being a potentially great fit for you someday but isn’t currently. :) Don’t compromise because God has wonderful plans with you in mind.”
August 13, 2010
The To-Do List Abyss
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
Proverbs 31:17 (NIV) “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”
Friend To Friend
Many of us check off neatly penciled boxes. Some draw lines through the tasks we’ve finished. A select few of us even add tasks that we’ve already completed to our list so that we’ve got accurate accomplishment records at the end of the day! (Present company included!) J Some of us keep track of what we need to do each day in our heads, while others track progress of daily goals electronically.
There are days I fluff up my list. Instead of simply writing, “Do three loads of laundry,” I’ll create twelve list items to check off that read:
· Wash whites
· Dry whites
· Fold/hang whites
· Put away whites
· Wash colors
· Dry colors
· Fold/hang colors
· Put away colors
· Wash darks
· Dry darks
· Fold/hang darks
· Put away darks
Oh, how I love to check boxes! Why? I want to be productive woman. I want my work to matter. It’s pretty much a daily struggle for me. As an eternal optimist, I wake up anticipating that the seconds, minutes, and hours of each day will bend to cooperate with the demands of my list.
Yeah, right.
I’m such a dreamer. It just never seems to work out that simply or efficiently.
I’m guessing that you are in this daily struggle with me. Right? No matter what it looks like, thinks like, or prints off like, many of us feel overwhelmed by the abyss of a rarely satisfied to-do list. We face constant demands that call to us and vie for our attention. We sift through the essentials and the fire drills, then we go to bed, wake up, and do it all again. The abyss of a to-do list can be so exhausting!
The good news is that we don’t need to face our lists alone. God offers to come along side of us daily to provide the strength, perspective, and wisdom we need. In the Bible, we read of a woman who approached each day with God-power and God-perspective:
“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks” (Proverbs 31:17, NIV).
Though this is an impressive statement about her work ethic and though it seems this fictional woman dominates her daily to-do list, it’s important to consider the source of her strength: God. At the end of the chapter, Scripture shows us that she “…fears the Lord…” (Proverbs 31:30, NIV). Her source of strength is rooted in faith and in her dependence on God. Ours should be, too.
Your list looks different from mine. We all have unique ministries, friendships, jobs, responsibilities, and families. Whether you are in the work force, unemployed, or retired or a stay-at-home mom, a single mom, or an empty nester - a wife, a widow, a single woman, or a divorcee - God can and will give you strength for each day when you prioritize Him and fear Him.
Consider the following verses:
“Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” (Galatians 3:3, NIV).
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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” (Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV).
God longs to strengthen your arms for the tasks on your to-do list today. Place time with Him as your first priority. Check your God-box. Go to Him now. Pray. Listen. Call on Him for direction, wisdom, renewal, and strength. Strong arms await you, girlfriend!
Let’s Pray
God, I was created by You and for You. Please forgive me when I rush into a day without calling on You for my strength. I need you, Lord. Please prioritize my heart and my list today.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read Proverbs 31:25-26: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”
How closely do you relate to the above verse?
What steps need to be taken in your life to move toward a deeper dependence on God’s strength verses your own? Are you willing to go there? Take a moment to talk to God about it.
July 30, 2010
Friends That Sharpen
Today’s Truth
“Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose]” (Proverbs 27:17, AMP).
Friend To Friend
Whether it’s over a steaming mug of dark roasted coffee, a frilly lunch served at the local sushi restaurant, or a power walk in the wee hours of the morning, my accountability partner and I meet regularly to speak into each other’s lives. We trust each other. We challenge one another. I’m a better woman because she’s my friend - because she speaks with honesty and courage - because she is for me - because she turns my heart toward God and His ways.
As much as I love girlfriend time - and I truly do love girlfriend time - there’s a depth to this particular friendship that flows to the core of who I am. I often feel uncommonly exposed during our conversations. Vulnerable, yet safe. She gets in my grill about my priorities, marriage, mothering, ministry, and faith matters … and I welcome it. I need it.
We all need friends. We need people in our lives that will love us where we are and help us get to a place of higher living. We need friends that will hold us accountable to God’s standards - friends that sharpen us.
The Bible makes a compelling to point about this type of friendship. “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose].” (Proverbs 27:17, AMP)
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible says of this principle: “We are cautioned to take heed whom we converse with. And directed to have in view, in conversation, to make one another wiser and better.”
Take time to consider your friendships today. Do you have any friends who sharpen you and challenge your “worthy purpose”? Who make you wiser and better? Is there anyone in your life who asks you tough questions, shares godly truths, and confronts you when you need confronted? If so, thank God for her. Purpose to connect with her regularly, grant her permission to continue to speak into your life, and ask that she give you permission to do the same.
Are you that friend to anyone? Do you long to have deeper friendships? If you find yourself in a wide pool of shallow friendships, I’d encourage you to pray about it. Pray that God would bring meaningful friendships to your life and that He would teach you what it looks like to be a good friend.
Sharon, Mary and I delight to come along side of you each day as your Girlfriends In God - to spur you on and encourage you towards Christ, but we could never replace the real-life friendships God intends for you to have. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NIV)
When we have a friend that sharpens and we become a friend that sharpens, our lives are enriched. Think about what our churches, our neighborhoods, our marriages, our work places, and our lives would look like if we all had this type of friend in our lives. Helen Keller said it beautifully: “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.”
Let’s Pray
Dear God, Thank You for friendships. You know the people in my life and the needs of my heart. Please help me to grow as a woman who is able to pour into the life of her friends. Help my heart be open to constructive feedback that a friend might speak to me, and give me the capacity to love my friends as You love them.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.
August 2, 2010
Don’t Do It
Today’s Truth
“Flee from sexual immorality…Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God. You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:18, 19-20 NIV).
Friend To Friend
Can I talk girlfriend to girlfriend for just a moment? It’s about a very uncomfortable subject, and honestly, one most of us would rather pretend does not exist in “Christian circles.” It’s sexual sin.
In my last devotion, we stood road-side and looked at the story of the woman caught in adultery, and of Jesus who set her free. Even though she wasn’t behind prison bars, she was in bondage to a sinful lifestyle. Sexual sin is highly addictive and the search for love in all the wrong places, insatiable. It is a drink that never satisfies the soul and leaves the partaker only thirsty for more.
A woman is enticed by a syrupy word from a co-worker, an e-mail from an old boyfriend, an invitation on Facebook, or an alluring smile at a neighborhood gathering. Loneliness fills the room and passion comes knocking at the door. But when the smoke clears, loneliness returns with new hunger pangs laced with regret.
Sex outside of marriage can lead to many things: unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, divorce, mistrust, regret, shame, loss of family and a whole list of undesirable dominos that tumble in succession. But in Jesus’ day, a woman caught in the act of adultery faced possible execution. In some parts of the world, that law is still enforced today. So why would the woman that we meet in John Chapter 8 who was caught in the act of adultery take the risk? Was it worth it? No. The answer is always no.
There is no greater longing in the heart of a woman than to be loved, cherished, and cared for. It can cause the strongest to break a resolve and succumb to the tempter’s lure. Adultery has been the cause for church leaders to crumble, ministries to melt down, and families to falter. Sexual sin has caused the most sensible to act like a fool, the most moral to march into madness, the most devout to be devoured by desire. The desire to love and to be loved can sometimes scream over the din of reason.
The yearning for love gnaws at the heart. And then the brush of a hand, the glimpse of the eyes, or the stirring of a comment blows on a spark and sets it ablaze. Loneliness echoes in a hollow soul, just as passion come scratching at the door. Never doubt this, my friend: Satan is an opportunist who takes advantage of the lonely heart (Luke 4:13).
To be loved is one of the strongest desires of the human heart. God planned it that way because He longs for us to have that longing filled by a relationship with Him; but so many settle for a sip from the rusty tin cup when God offers an everlasting stream.
A woman can risk it all for a few moments of passion. She can lie to herself that a sexual relationship or liaison is love. Then after the brief pleasure lies exposed by the morning sun, she realizes what felt like love was tainted with the poison of shame. It can happen. It does happen. It did happen to the woman standing before Jesus with an angry mob of rock-holding Pharisees gathered around. It has happened to many women who e-mail me every day.
I sat in a movie theater with a friend who had succumbed to sexual temptation. She had lost her husband, her family, and many of her “friends.” During a preview for another movie, the film showed a woman contemplating an affair with a suave Frenchman. Martha (not her real name) spoke a bit too loudly for the moviegoers sitting in the darkened theater. “Don’t do it,” she cried aloud. The words came out of her mouth before she could stop them. Martha was living the devastation of yielding to sexual temptation, and her audible cry was the overflow of her pain-filled heart.
Can I shout with Martha for just a moment? “Don’t do it!”
I know this devotion is not for everybody. But if there is one woman out of the 200,000 or so that receive our Girlfriends in God devotions every day…just one woman who will turn away from the temptation that is knocking on her door today, then it is worth it.
Don’t do it. Turn to God and allow Him to fill the emptiness in your heart today. He’s waiting with open arms.
Let’s Pray
Dear God, I pray that I will be alert to the devil’s schemes today. Help me to see when and where he is tempting me to sin against You. Give me the strength to flee temptation and run straight into Your arms. I cannot do this on my own. I need the power of Your Holy Spirit to empower me to do what is right and good in Your sight. Thank You for being all that I need.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
