Esther

Today's devotion is written by Mary Davis, a woman in my church.  Mary is a woman who listens for and hears the voice of God.

“After He has gathered His own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know His voice.” John 10:4


Did you ever dream of being a beautiful princess rescued by a handsome prince? What about becoming the bride of a king? I’m sure as a child most of us have.

Esther was born and raised for this very reason. The main factor in the outcome was her willingness to be expendable for kingdom purposes.

What was Esther’s primary objective? Nothing short of doing the right thing for her people and God…that was the primary objective in her life. Her purpose placed her in a position where she would be used of God in a rare capacity.

God often places dedicated women in strategic locations to further His redemptive plan. But like Esther we must be sensitive and open to His voice. When the picture came together, Esther’s response in a great time of need is what spared God’s people the evil determined against them.

What about you? Are you in a strategic position for such a time as this?

Heavenly Father, we are truly your princesses. We are the bride of Christ awaiting the wedding supper. But until that time comes, touch our hearts and help us to see that nothing short of doing the right thing for you and Your people, and doing it at the right time is what You require from each of us, individually and corporately. From this time forward, help us to determine to make this our ultimate goal. Thank You Father, Amen.

Blessings,

Fruit of the Spirit - Peace

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

We continue are reading of “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. It is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit. Today we look at chapter four – “Experiencing God’s Peace.”

The fruit of the Spirit is…peace. Galatians 5:22

The author says “we who are God’s children can experience His peace – no matter what is happening in our life – when we walk by His Spirit. As we are blessed with the peace of God in the midst of life’s trials, we experience a new closeness to Him.”

Peace is not the absence of problems nor related to problems. Rather it is the presence of God in our lives and acknowledging that God will supply our every need. The author states:

• “Our peace has nothing to do with our circumstances, and everything to do with knowing we have a right relationship with God.

• Our peace has nothing to do with daily challenges or crises, and everything to do with knowing that our times are in God’s hands.

• Our peace has nothing to do with the conditions of our life, and everything to do with knowing that God is all-sufficient.

• Our peace is an inward repose and serenity of soul that indicates a heart at rest – regardless of our circumstances – as we place complete confidence in God minute by minute.”

“True spiritual peace comes with knowing that our heavenly Father is continually with us.” To enjoy this peace, we need to trust Him and abide in Him. We either trust God or give in to the emotions of our flesh. When we choose to trust God, we experience peace even in the most difficult times. When we choose to trust God, “we can have the same peace in God that Christ had in the storm at sea and in many other scenes from His life.” In times of panic, we need to choose peace. In times of mounting pressure, we need to choose peace. His peace is always available to us.

The author asks the reader several thought provoking questions.
• “Can you trust God this way?
• Can you let Him, His Son, His Word, and His Holy Spirit be channels of peace?
• Will you trust in God as soon as a reason to panic arises?”

The author uses Martha as an example of how one can let the mounting pressure get to them. “First, Martha’s manner was a dead give-away. Her behavior has been described as cumbered, distracted, worried, and busy. …Martha’s mouth revealed her lack of peace. ‘Lord, do You not care…? Martha’s confusion about her mission also robbed her of peace. In her efforts to serve God, Martha failed to remember that ‘man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.’ So at last we come to Martha’s mindset and the priorities which kept her from knowing God’s peace: Martha was preoccupied with details and secondary issues.”

Then the author shares what we can learn from Martha’s sister. “First of all, Mary rested at the Lord’s feet while Martha was restless. Mary’s manner clearly revealed a soul at rest and the ‘imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit…’ And Mary’s mouth rested, too. …Jesus spoke the words of life…and so Mary was quiet. Like her sister, Mary’s mission was also to serve, but she also understood the more important priority of worship. Clearly Mary’s mindset was pleasing to the Lord. She had her mind set on things above, not on earthly things.”

Let’s look at our own manner, mouth, mission and mindset. What would someone see in us? “Are you in turmoil, or are you trusting and at peace? Are you running around in circles, or are you resting in the Lord? Are your words revealing a sense of panic and pressure, or are they words that edify and encourage, that minister grace to those who hear? Are your actions reflecting the priorities God would have you set? Is your relationship with Him first, or are you too busy to sit at His feet and enjoy His presence?”

May God enable us like Mary to choose to make our number one priority ‘the good part which shall not be taken away’ – our relationship with Him!”

Here is a thought provoking question the author asks at the end of chapter four:
Personal Peace – What concerns in your life tend to cause you anxiety and rob you of peace? More specifically, what current situation tempts you to worry?

Let’s pray. Father, we thank You for the peace You provide for us. Peace that we can have in the midst of turmoil and difficult circumstances. Peace in having a right relationship with You. Peace in knowing that we are in the palm of Your hand. I thank You for the peace that passes all understanding that I have experienced in my own life. I pray now for those reading this that may be going through a difficult time and need to experience Your peace in a deeper way. I pray that You will bless them in every way possible. Thank You Father. We love and appreciate You. We declare that there is none like You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessings,

Mary Magdalene

Today's devotion is written by Mary Davis, a woman in my church. 

Compassion is the thing that sees not the sinner, but the heart. When Jesus looked at Mary Magdalene, he saw beneath the tainted lifestyle she was living.


After her conversion she became his faithful follower. He saw the ministering blessing she would ultimately be to His own heart as well as to others. She followed Jesus all the way to the cross. She had found life in and through Him.

One could often find her where Jesus was. She stood at the cross when he was crucified. The first at the empty tomb. The first to herald the news that He was risen from the dead, and He personally appeared to her in His resurrected state. It can be said that she was one of the most devoted women disciples. The story of her life reveals that she was a woman of integrity, fortitude, devotion, and courage.

Heavenly Father, it’s my prayer that during the month of November You will lead us to find time each day to show compassion to someone either through prayer or action. Help us this month to reconsider other areas of our lives such as faithfulness, devotion, fortitude, and integrity of the sole purpose of becoming women of excellence. May we bring pleasure to You by practicing the above attributes. Thank You Father, Amen.

Blessings,

All for Him!



Romans 2:29 …And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. (NLT)

My children attend a small Christian school whose motto is “All for Him”. Before every game, after every huddle, the teams say these words. They are saying that their playing is all for Jesus.

During our mid-week service at church, the adults are studying the book of Romans. I have read Romans and heard sermons and lessons from it as well. During the current study, we have gone into a lot of the background and what is behind the words of Paul. It has been very good.

The other week as we were going through chapter two, part B of the last verse in the New Living Translation stood out. Immediately the school motto came to mind.

We see people around us, and perhaps our own selves, who seek praise and recognition from people. What came to mind is that if our words and actions are pleasing to God, then they will be pleasing to those around us.

May it be our desire and our lifelong pursuit to seek praise from God. Let’s keep our focus on Him and pleasing Him. In doing so, everything else around us will fall into place.

Blessings,

Sports Update

Sarah's volleyball team has continued their winning streak.  Their overall record is 14-1.  Last week they played the team of their only lost and won big time.  I guess when they played them the first time it was a way off night for the girls.  Right now they are 1st place in their conference and if they win the rest of their games they will be the VCC season champs!  I have no doubt they will win the rest of their games, unless they have a really off night. 

My husband usually goes to the away games (away games are really away).  I have to remind him to get a picture. He did but it was quite a bit away.  Sarah is at the front of the right side of the net.  At this game, Sarah spiked the winning point!

Stephen's football team lost on Saturday.  Their opponent was undefeated but our boys played hard and kept the score down.  Below is a picture of him warming up.  He is still the starting quarterback. 

Saturday was our homecoming.  Stephen was crowned Homecoming King!  It was quite an honor to be selected.  He was surprised and I think his team mates were happy that he was selected.

This week Sarah only has one game during the week and Stephen has a game on Saturday.  Just a few more weeks of fall sports and then on to winter sports.  Both kids play basketball.  The fun continues!

I am very thankful for the God-given abilities my children have to play sports.  And I am thankful that they honor God in their playing.

Until next update...

Blessings,

Fruit of the Spirit-Joy

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!


We continue are reading of “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. It is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit. Today we look at chapter three – “Offering the Sacrifice of Joy.”

The fruit of the Spirit is Joy. Galatians 5:22
…that your joy might be full. John 16:24

There are over 70 references to joy in the New Testament. In those references we read that joy was important to Jesus. “Jesus wanted his disciples to know the joy of fellowship with Him, joy to the fullest.” We also read that genuine joy is an expression of godliness. The author gives us three reasons to be joyful.

1. Our joy is permanent. The Holy Spirit causes this fruit to grow in our lives as we abide in Christ and walk in obedience.
2. Our joy is always available. Whatever the circumstances of our life, we have ready access to the Source of true joy anytime we turn to Him.
3. Our joy is inexpressible. We can’t explain why we experience joy when nothing in our life suggests we should be joyful.

Let’s talk about the difference between happiness and joy. Webster’s online dictionary defines happiness as a : a state of well-being and contentment; b : a pleasurable or satisfying experience. The author defined happiness as “a state of good fortune and prosperity related to and depended on our circumstances.” She goes on to say “Happiness can be a false joy and, since easy circumstances are not life’s norm, happiness is elusive.” “True spiritual joy is not happiness.” Our joy as Christians…

1. is not dependent on circumstances, but on the spiritual realities of God’s goodness.
2. is not based on our efforts, accomplishments, or willpower, but rather on the truth about our relationship with the Father through the Son.
3. is not merely an emotion, but the result of choosing to look beyond what appears to be true in our life to what is true about our life in Christ.

“…our joy is not ‘an experience that comes from favorable circumstances but is a sense of well-being that abides in the heart of the person who knows all is well between himself and the Lord.”

There are five sources of joy:

1. God Himself is a primary source of our joy.
2. God’s salvation is a great reason for joy.
3. God’s promises are another cause for great joy and His promises are many.
4. Christ’s kingdom is a reason for us to have joy in our lives.
5. Our future in Christ should also bring us joy.

The joy of the Lord is available to us any time, no matter what we are dealing with. We need to keep our eyes on God and not on our circumstances. “You and I cultivate the fruit of joy when we ask God to keep us walking with and abiding in Him.”

“True spiritual joy shines brightest against the darkness of trials, tragedy, and testing! And the blacker the background, the greater the brilliance. Similarly, life’s dark struggles make Christian joy more intense and our heartfelt praise more glorious.”

The author tells us how we can cultivate this fruit of joy in the Lord in our daily walk with God.

1. Offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually – even when you don’t feel like it.
2. Consider it all joy…when you encounter various trials.
3. Give thanks in everything.
4. Bless the Lord at all times.
5. Focus on the reality of God promises.
6. Look up. Shift your eyes and your hopes away from your suffering and focus instead on the splendor of God.
7. Obey God’s command to be joyful always.
8. Go to God to be filled with His joy whenever you need it.

Now all of these eight things are not easy.  We don’t like to encounter various trials, but when we do, somehow we must consider it all joy.  It’s not easy to give thanks in everything.  Sometimes not-so-good stuff happens to us, to our families.  Somehow we must give thanks in those times as well as the good times.  We need to lean heavy on God and He will help us.

Have you ever been around someone whom you know is going through a rough time, but they don’t act like it. They have a smile on their face, a chuckle on their lips. I can think of a young lady right now who is going through a family crisis. Looking at her you would have no idea what she is facing on a daily basis. She gives God glory and continually has a thankful heart. She is walking in joy.

What about you? Are you facing a difficult, dark time in your life right now? Count it all joy. Joy? Yes, joy. God promises us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Again, lean heavy on Him and He will help you and strengthen you.

Here is a thought provoking question the author asks at the end of chapter three:

When do you find it hardest to experience joy in the Lord? How do circumstances generally affect you joy? What sacrifice of praise might you offer even when circumstances weigh you down?

Let’s pray. Father, we thank You that in You there is joy. We thank you that we can joy in salvation, Your promises, Your Kingdom, and our future with You. We thank You that no matter how dark the night might be, Your joy is always available to us. I pray now for those reading this that might be going through a difficult time. I ask You Father to help them, that the joy of the Lord will be their strength. I pray that they are able to offer a sacrifice of praise, to deliberately choose to give thanks in everything. I pray that You will help them to walk with and abide in You. Thank You Father. We love and appreciate You. We declare that there is none like You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Blessings,

Fruit of the Spirit-Love

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

We continue are reading of “A Woman’s Walk with God” by Elizabeth George. It is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit. Today we look at chapter two – “Looking to God for Love”.

The fruit of the Spirit is love. Galatians 5:22

Whenever I read about God calling women to something, I take notice.

Elizabeth George states “We can’t read very far in the New Testament without realizing that love is important to God. He calls us as women who love God…
• to walk in love (Ephesians 5:2)
• to love one another (John 15:12)
• to love our husbands and our children (Titus 2:4)
• to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:39)
• to love our enemies (Luke 6:27)”

She then gives us five basic principles from God’s Word that can help us understand Christian love.
1. “Love is an act of the will. Every fruit of the Spirit requires decisions
2. Love is action – not just words. Love is something we do, not merely the words we say.
3. Love reaches out to the unlovely. It’s easy to love the lovely, but it’s much harder to love the unlovely.
4. We need God to help us love. Christ calls us to love our enemies by allowing God to love them through us when we can’t do it on our own.
5. Love expects nothing in return. We need to love without any thought of personal award. “

How is love defined? “God always defines biblical love in terms of self-sacrifice. It involves effort, not merely emotion. It demands action, not just feelings. It is something to do, not something we only feel or say.”

“How are you doing when it comes to loving sacrificially?”

How do we live out love? “It helps me as a Christian woman…to see my call to live out love as an assignment from God to love anyone and everyone He chooses to place in my path.” This is definitely not easy. That’s why we need to act on our will instead of our feelings making the decision to love.

“At times the love God fills me with in the morning seems bountiful and unlimited, and I can share His love until the sun goes down. But then come those days-those hard days!-when I seem to be beating a path back to God minute after minute. Maybe the task is harder, maybe the heart of the person I’m trying to love is harder, maybe my own heart is harder, or maybe I’m not spending enough time with Him to receive what I need to share…” Wow! Have you been there? I sure have. Some days are much easier than others to love those who cross my path. The author gave me some good thoughts about why it is harder to love. I need to make sure that my heart is not harder or that I am spending time with God to receive what I need. If the other person’s heart is harder or the task is harder, then I cannot control those things. I need to make sure that I am alright.

We see love lived out in the story of Ruth and her mother-in-law. Ruth left her homeland to return back to Naomi’s homeland. “Ruth sacrificed herself and allowed God to provide for Naomi through her.”

“One way we walk in love-God’s love-is to look to Him to fill us with His love…the kind of love that we’ve been learning is an act of the will, that takes action rather than being content with mere words, that extends itself to the unlovely, that gives for the sake of loving, and that involves the sacrifice of self.”

Here is a thought provoking question the author asks at the end of chapter two:

1. According to Luke 6:35, when you love the way Jesus tells you to love, what should you expect in return? And what can you ultimately expect?

Let’s prayer. Father, I thank You for filling me with Your love. Help me to love and serve the people You put in my path. Help me to recognize quickly when I am running low and need a fresh supply of Your love to share. Help me to always extend Your love to everyone. Thank You Father, for your help. We love and appreciate You. We declare that there is none like You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessings,