Character: Part Five

By Carol Dickey
Ephesians 4:23 (AMP) states, “Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude].” As we renew our mind, we will begin to understand and cooperate with God’s purposes for our life, rather then fighting against His purposes.

Renewing our mind is a two-part process: 1) taking off the old and 2) putting on the new!

What we believe determines how we behave.

When you and I believe the wrong thing, it works its way out in the form of wrong behavior. Right thinking paves the way to right behavior. In Colossians 3:9,10, the Bible tells us about laying aside our old ways and putting on the new.

In our society women are told in a thousand different ways that in order to be lovable they must be beautiful and that lasting relationships are because of physical appearance. While few women would admit buying into that line of thinking, fewer could deny having acted on it.

On the other hand, men are told that the key to their happiness is a newer model vehicle that requires less maintenance.

Repeated exposure to the lies of this world takes its toll. Over time, many lies get woven into the fabric of our thinking. We are not always aware that they are there. In fact, often we are unaware of the ideas that form the basis of our decisions and attitudes.

Our mental picture of God may be that of Santa Claus and if you are more nice than naughty, He will be generous to you in the end. Maybe you think of God as a tyrant and no matter what you do it will never be enough to quench His anger. Sure He loves me, because the Bible says He loves me, but He does not like me.

If you believe the world is flat, you are not going to stray far from the shore. If you believe happiness is found in the accumulation of possessions, you are not going to be very generous. If you believe that people cannot be trusted, you are not going to have many close friends. If you believe you cannot change, you will not. If you believe God accepts you on the basis of your performance, you either will perform yourself to death or give up all together. This is why you promise, commit and rededicate yourself over and over again without ever making any progress. Until we deal with our belief system, our behavior will never change!

Renewal is a daily ongoing process. It does not happen all at once. Transformation is not a one-time event; it is a way of life!

Character: Part Four

By Carol Dickey
Renewal is what transforms us. Paul did not say, “Be transformed by rededicating your life,” nor does he talk about making promises to God, feeling extra sorry or praying very long prayers. Only renewing your mind leads to a changed life. It is the process that produces godly character.

The best way to determine where renewal needs to take place in your life is to examine the way you respond to God’s laws and principles for living. Our natural tendency is to hear God’s principles and edit them to fit our lifestyle. We rationalize our actions instead of conforming to His standard. This is human nature.

The following responses indicate a need for renewal:
  • “Surely I am not supposed to take the Bible literally.”
  • “I know I shall put others first, but...”
  • “I know he or she is not good for me, but...”
  • “I know I should not watch that stuff, but...”
  • “I know I do not have any business going there, but...”
  • “I know I should forgive, but...”
  • “I know I should be kind, but...”

The process of developing character depends in part on our willingness to cooperate. God is trying to clothe us with His character, but if we do not understand what He is trying to accomplish (or why) we will likely make the process more difficult and time-consuming. Just as when a mother dresses a little baby who squirms and wiggles, we often squirm and wiggle, resisting what God is trying to do in our lives.

God is consistently working to shape our character. He wants us to have fully developed character (James 3:2). He loves us too much to give up or let up. He began this process at our birth and will continue it until we take our last breath.

God’s agenda for us is to form our character into the likeness of Christ. What is our agenda for ourselves? Is our priority the same as God’s? Do we invite Him into our decisions only when we desperately need help or just when it fits our lifestyle? Imagine the potential if we work with Him rather than working around Him!

Character: Part Three

By Carol Dickey
The three elements that are always part of a healthy relationship are respect, trust and communication. Certainly, this is true of our relationship with God. We demonstrate respect when we acknowledge that God’s standard is THE standard by which we live.

After describing the person of character in detail in Psalm 15, David concludes that the one who does these things will never be moved (or shaken).

This is a benefit you do not experience immediately. It is one of those things that comes from weeks, months or even years of investing in your character. It is the result of adopting a lifestyle. Think of two trees in a storm. While the same storm sweeps over both trees with the same force, one tree may be destroyed while the other is left standing. Men and women of character are not always delivered from the storms of life, but they are delivered through them by God. Their roots go deep and their faith is strong.

Character comes from the Lord and also paves the way for closeness with Him. To know Him is to trust Him. To trust Him is to live with the confidence that He will not allow you to be shaken.

If someone spent a week carefully watching your lifestyle -- what you laugh at, where you go, what you allow into your mind -- what conclusion would he or she draw about your God? How would the picture he or she developed compare to the picture that we find in Scripture?

Our love for Christ will be reflected in what we tolerate in our life. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (NKJV). Remember how you felt when you became a Christian? Remember how you were willing to do whatever God asked? There was a high level of trust and certainty. You felt God could be trusted, so you stepped out in faith and looked to Him to intervene. God has not changed; He can still be trusted and He still has your best interests in mind.

Character requires a sensitive heart. To become a man or woman of character we must have a renewing of our minds: “And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude]” (Ephesians 4.23, AMP).

Romans 12:1,2 also states this: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (NKJV).

Character: Part Two

By Carol Dickey
We will all give an account for what we say on the day of judgment (Matthew 12:36; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5).

Character is not only submitting to God’s standard of right and wrong. It also means surrendering to God our expectations of others. If we extend anything less than the grace of God to those who wrong us, then we fall short of God’s standard. Character involves “loving our neighbor as ourselves,” even if they don’t return the love we show to them (Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8).

The instructions God has given us are critical to our survival. Without integrity, it is a matter of time before we destroy each other. If we can be honest about ourselves with others, it can give them hope for their own failings and turn them towards our gracious God.

We will never be truly successful or know peace until everything in our lives is done in honesty and integrity.

To some, it is a daily challenge to be honest in all things. Way too often people take shortcuts when it comes to expense accounts, insurance claims and income taxes.

There are countless people of flawless integrity. Unfortunately, we do not hear about them very much. These people go quietly about their lives conducting themselves with honor and earning the respect of others.

Nine traits of a person of character who is close to God are found in Psalm 15. The description of a person with godly character is as follows:
  1. His or her walk is blameless.
  2. He or she does what is right.
  3. He or she tells the truth.
  4. He or she does not gossip.
  5. He or she does not mistreat people.
  6. He or she keeps his/her word.
  7. He or she lends money to those in need without interest.
  8. He or she does not take advantage of people for financial gain.
  9. He or she does not repeat bad reports about others.

Character, Part One: What is Character?

By Carol Dickey
The dictionary defines character as a distinctive trait, quality, kind or sort, behavior-pattern, reputation, status and position.

Biblical character finds its source in the nature of our Creator rather than in the behavioral pattern of man. We want to find in others such virtues as honesty, loyalty, self-control, faithfulness, patience and kindness. We may not want to commit to these actions ourselves, but we certainly want to count on these characteristics in the people we associate with.

Character demands a commitment to do what is right, because it is the right thing to do as defined by God. In order to become men and women of character, we must surrender to God’s ownership.

Our character is on display to a watching world.

Without character, people will soon destroy one another; eventually the friction of our differences will take its toll, and individuals who seem destined to be together will tear each other apart.

There is no clearer measure of our character than the health of our relationships. Healthy, long-term relationships are evidence of the presence of strong character. The pursuit of character means having a genuine concern for the people around us. It requires that we serve them. (Matt. 23:11) “He who is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

A person of character is someone who quickly owns up to his or her mistake instead of blaming others. A person of character is quick to give credit to the person who originated an idea rather than taking credit for him or herself.

We find ourselves wanting to be like them. We enjoy their company.

When there is character, there is compatibility. Where character is lacking, there is conflict.

Are You Suffering from a Spiritual Identity Crisis?

By Kathy Smith
You are an extraordinary person, made in the very image and likeness of God. You are His special treasure, hidden in an earthen vessel. He has given unto you all the power and authority over all the power of the enemy. You, dear child of God, have a wealthy Daddy. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He spoke and the whole universe was established! He exhaled and the stars slipped into place. What an awesome God we serve. Beside Him there is no other!

In light of these facts, does it not seem incredible that many in the body of Christ are weak, sick and poor? Why you might ask? Knowledge is power, but not knowing who you are can make you weak. You could have untold wealth and power, but if you did not know you had it, nor knew how to access it, it would be worthless to you. Having a million dollars in the bank in your name would be worthless to you if you did not know you had it. Many in the body of Christ are living on less than God’s best. Why? They simply have no idea who they are or the power they have in the name of Jesus. I call it a spiritual identity crisis.

We are extraordinary people. We were made in the very image and likeness of God himself. We are extraordinary, not because of who we are, or what we have done, but because of who we are in Him. Christ in us is the hope of glory.
Who are you?

If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior you are:
A member of the blood-bought Church, saved and sanctified.
It is God’s promise to fill you with the Holy Ghost!
You are kings and priests.
You are members of a royal priesthood.
You are heirs... joint heirs with Christ.
You are seated in heavenly places with Him.
You are overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony.
You are the head and not the tail.
You are above and not beneath.
You are victors and not victims.
You are blessed and not cursed.
You are well and not sick.
You are rich and not poor.
You are the children of God, made in his very image and likeness. 
YOU Are Extraordinary!

Hope Floats

By Kathy Smith
“Lay hold of your hope, it keeps you afloat, in the midst of life’s storms.”

The poorest person on the face of the earth is the one who has no hope. The person who has no hope, also has no dream. What is hope? Is it not the earnest expectation of our dreams and desires?

The Message Bible says, “ I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out — plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else,” Jeremiah 29:11-13.

Even before God knit you together in your mother’s womb, He knew you. Embedded in the fibers of your being is the hope of God for you in the form of dreams and desires. It is your spiritual DNA. He knows the plans He has for you; He created you for a purpose. You are no accident. God does not have accidents, and He makes no mistakes. You are special, you are extraordinary, and you are unique. The dreams and desires stirring in your spirit are the hope of God for your future.

We all have days, and sometimes even months, when it seems like nothing is going right, when it seems that everything and anything that could go wrong has gone wrong. Nothing you put your hand to turns out right. Where do you turn?

Have you ever tried to mix oil and water? They simply don’t mix. So it is with hope and adversity... they don’t mix; oil will always float to the top. And so it is with hope, in the midst of the storms and in the midst of the trials, hope always floats. It’s like a life preserver that keeps you from sinking. Just remember to lay hold of your hope and hang on.

Hebrews 6:18-19 says, " That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast..."

What is hope? It is our built-in homing beacon which motivates and propels us toward our expected end, the purpose that God Himself formed and created us to fulfill. If we will pursue our hopes and dreams, we will discover the purpose of God for our life.

Dreams and desires give birth to hope, but it is faith that gives hope substance. Hebrews 11:1 tell us, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

So if it is faith that gives our hopes and dreams substance, then it is love that acts as a catalyst to our faith to make it manifest. Our hopes and dreams are given substance by faith, and activated by love. If faith were the flour in bread dough, then love is the yeast that makes it rise.

"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love," Galatians 5:6.

If I were to ask you what is a cake made of, you might say flour, sugar, and eggs. Just as cake is not a cake until you put all the ingredients together and allow it to bake...
So a dream is
NOT a reality
Until it is conceived in hope,
Given substance by faith,
And birthed by love.

The Cost of Following Him

By Judy Cheetham
There is indeed a great cost for choosing to follow our Messiah, Jesus Christ; however, when we first chose to follow Him, did we really know what that price would be?

I can personally say I did not know. I remember hearing the gospel over sixteen years ago. Never once did anyone tell me that the decision to follow Him would cost me nearly everything that I held dear.

No one rushed to point out what Jesus said in Mathew 10:22:
“You will be hated by all for My name’s sake,” (NKJV)
or in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 12:51-52 when He also said:
“Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three” (NKJV).

I am not sure one really considers the sacrifices that they will need to make or the persecution it will bring them when they hand their life over to the Savior. However, as our journey in Christ deepens, we begin to realize how heavy the cross is that we are required to carry.

The weight of this cross meant I would suffer rejection from family members and friends. I no longer receive phone calls from siblings just to chat, nor is my home a place where frequent stops are made by family and friends as it once was. Most of them say, “You’re in over your head” and that I have become fanatical about Jesus.

Well, they are right; I am fanatical about my Savior, but are we not supposed to be this way? Should not our love for Him be this great?

I do not agree that I am “in over my head,” because I so desperately long to go deeper still in this relationship with Him. Jesus said in Luke 14:26:
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.”
The word “hate” in this passage does not mean to literally hate these people or yourself. Its translation comes from the Greek word miseo, which means “to love less” (Carroll Roberson, The Christ, His Miracles, His Ministry, His Mission, 2005.)
Therefore, instead of just acting fanatical about my Savior, I am actually being obedient unto my Lord and putting Him first in my life over all things, including family, friends and the desires of my flesh.

This transformation did not happen to me overnight. In fact, I sadly admit it took many years for me to reach this point in my life. It was not until I was filled with the Holy Spirit that I began to slowly die to myself. The more I removed the things of this world out of my life, the more room there was for Jesus to take over. The more He took over, the deeper my love for him grew. However, the more I grow in Him, the greater the persecution I face from family and friends. A famous hymn states exactly how I feel about this transformation in my life:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of his Glory and Grace
(Helen H. Lemmel, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” 1922. Retrieved from library.timlesstruth.org).
Does this hymn reflect the transformation you have also experienced?

When we examine ourselves, we should be able to see the radical changes that have taken place in our lives. We should be experiencing persecution and rejection from our family and friends.

However, if we have not experienced either of these and if our life has not been significantly changed from what it was previously, then we must ask ourselves, “Have I truly made Him the focus of my life?”

It is when we allow Him to sit in the driver’s seat of our lives that we experience the cost. As followers of our precious Savior, let us be set apart from this world and make Jesus the priority of our life. If we will be obedient, put our hand to the plow and never look back, making it all about Him and not about us, then we can be filled with His perfect peace and unspeakable joy.

I have learned that the more I empty this vessel of mine and allow Him to fill the empty space, the more I will be able to stand the testing for His name’s sake. I do not consider any of the things I have left behind to be a sacrifice, because I have gained so much in return. I am not less than I was before, but rather more than I was before. Every breath I take I strive to make for Him and with Him. When we give ourselves over wholly to our Lord, we are giving Him the honor and glory He truly deserves. Therefore, let us be fanatical about Jesus; let us become obsessed with our King. In return, the reward will greatly exceed the cost of following Him.

In His Love,

Judy Cheetham

Help! I’m a Woman in Ministry!

By Karen Jones
This is not a devotional about women pastors/ministers, but women in ministry. I believe that if you are a woman that is a Christ-follower, then you are a woman in ministry.

I am not called to preach, but I am called to speak into the lives of people. I am a wife to a pastor/minister... BUT I am not a “two for one” special; unfortunately, this is the only job it seems people try to make a requirement! :) I am a woman in ministry!

Four Priorities I Live By:

God First
My relationship with Him is first. I cannot depend on my spouse’s relationship with God. That’s not his responsibility to me; it’s mine!

Spouse Second
My “hunka-hunka-burnin’ love.” He is my most important human relationship! No one else should be able to make him feel loved like I can.

Kids Third
My/Our most important and utmost responsibility besides honoring God and each other is our kids! We must let them see and experience what it means to have a daily walk with God and what marriage should look like and be like. Whether you like it or not, you are training your children about these two things, good or bad.

Career/Ministry Fourth
Yep, it’s the last on the list and it has to stay there. This doesn’t mean I don’t care; it just means I care more about the other three priorities above it. If I will keep the other three in order, this fourth one will just fall into place.

If you don’t believe in this set of priorities, you must understand that they are biblical. God himself set it up this way. If you don’t believe me, take it up with Him!

The Names of God

By Diane Russell
“For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20, NIV).

“And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you!” (Exodus 3:14, AMP).

So what did that mean back then and what does that mean for you and me today?

As a young man, Moses knew about God and His power; however, his zeal set him on a misguided mission to bring God’s people out of slavery. He failed miserably and ended up on the backside of the desert for 40 years.

After an encounter with God that brought him into a relationship like no other he had ever experienced, he became a vessel of leadership that God could use to lead an entire nation out of bondage to a land that flowed with milk and honey.

When God told Moses “I AM THAT I AM,” Moses began to understand that the “I AM” is more than enough! This explains God’s name
Jehovah and signifies that HE IS...
  1. Self-existent: He has His being of Himself.
  2. Eternal and unchangeable; always the same, yesterday, today, and forever.
  3. Incomprehensible; we cannot, by searching, figure Him out: this name prevents all bold and curious inquiries concerning God.
  4. Faithful and true to all His promises, unchangeable in His Word as well as in His nature;... . “I am, and there is none else besides Me.”
“El Shaddai, Elohim, Adonai... through His names, God reveals His character and His love. He is the Creator and the Everlasting God, the God Who Sees Me, the Lord Who Heals, The Lord My Rock, The Lord My Shepherd, and the Father who is calling us into [a] deeper, more satisfying relationship.”
(From Ann Spangler’s book, Praying the Names of God.)

To know Him is to love Him. To have that deep and intimate personal relationship with the Lord is to draw into a depth, a secret place that is set apart for you and God alone.

There is no reason nor excuse NOT TO know God and have that close personal relationship with Him. When the veil in the Temple was rent at the time Jesus was on Calvary, full access was granted into the very presence of God. He has given the invitation to you and me and it is our choice to draw close, to get to know Him, to accept His invitation. When you truly know Him, like Moses, you will become that vessel He can flow through to draw others to Himself also.

“For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (Romans 8:38-39, AMP).

The War on Fear, Part Four: Overcoming the Fear of What People are Going to Do to You

By Rachel Clothier
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,” (2 Timothy 1.7).

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest,” (Joshua 1.9).

If you’ve ever been fired from a job, had to face a judge, or been surrounded by a bunch of people who were just “‘out to get you,” you know the fear of thinking about all the things that are going to happen to you.

David said, “In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (Psalm 56.4). He was mighty confident in His God to deliver him. Several times in my life, I have felt like Elisha’s servant who saw the great enemy host surrounding them. I know that he must have felt and thought, “This is the end.” Terror can grip you and steal your ability to speak, move or even breathe. But Elisha said, “Lord, open his eyes.” The servant was then enabled to see that the host of God’s Army was surrounding them and ready to protect His children with horses and chariots of fire (see 2 Kings 6.17).

God always has us surrounded by His army, an army that we cannot see with our natural eyes. Not only this, but also, the things people mean for evil, God intends to turn around for our good (see Genesis 50.20).

REMEMBER:
  1. FEAR is faith in the devil.
  2. There is NOTHING that will come against you that you AND God cannot handle.

The War on Fear, Part Three: Overcoming the Fear of Lack of Money

By Rachel Clothier
With many people losing their jobs, this fear is all too real. It would be nice if we could find a man of God with a “Vessel Ministry”; someone who would tell us to go and get all the empty vessels we can find to fill with oil (2 Kings 4), so we could pay off our debts and live from the surplus.

Unfortunately, there is no man with this ministry.

Several years ago, my husband was laid off from work for a month without pay. It was then that I discovered that a man’s self-worth is tied to his job and ability to support his family. My husband went into a deep depression worrying about bills, how to put food on the table and gas in the car. There is nothing like seeing your husband weeping with fear for you to get in earnest with the Lord. After an intense season of prayer, God reassured us that He would take care of us. The Lord reminded me of Malachi 3:8-12. In these verses, He promised that if we paid our tithes and offerings faithfully, He would rebuke the devourer (the big bad wolf) for our sakes.

It was God who sustained us for those 30 days. He opened doors for us to work at a few odd jobs and we had a garage sale. He also told us to INCREASE our Sunday school offerings and missions giving. We never missed a payment, nor an offering at the church, even when we had a special speaker one Sunday. He was faithful to his Word and took care of us just like any good and loving Father would do.

He WILL BE faithful to YOU! Just follow these rules:
  1. You must be a faithful tither and offering giver, not just a $1.00 giver in Sunday School and a $5.00 giver in the offering plate! (See Malachi 3:8-12.)

  2. You must put God FIRST. Remember, the Lord sustained the widow because she baked a cake for the man of God FIRST. (See 2 Kings 4.)

  3. You must be a good steward of what God gives you.

  4. Believe that God can and will take care of you. David said that he had never seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging for bread (see Psalm 37:25).

  5. God is your source of supply. He always has been and always will be.
    “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth... ” (Deuteronomy 8:18, KJV).

The War on Fear, Part Two: Overcoming the Fear of Death

By Rachel Clothier
If you’ve ever been given a bad prognosis and told that you have very little time to live, you know the kind of crippling fear that can hit you in the middle of the night.

Satan loves to come sit on your bed around 2 a.m. and remind you that you’re dying. Then, just like the widow who was going to make a pancake for herself and her son and die (see 1 Kings 17), we start making preparations to die. Not only this, but new fears arise every time a new pain or symptom shows up.

I was told that I was in stage three of a disease. Since I knew that stage four was my last step on my way to heaven, I missed many nights of sleep. I was waiting to die! EVERY single night, Satan showed up just to remind me that I was a “goner.”

However, God reminded me of four important things:
  • HE is the final authority on when I’m going to Heaven, not the devil.
  • Going to see Jesus is really not such a bad deal.
  • The only way to fight fear is with the Word of God.
  • The way to receive healing is by hearing God’s Word.

Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (KJV).

I bought four healing Scripture cassette tapes; every night I played them loud enough for Satan to hear as he sat on the corner of my bed. I also listened to them all day long. I taped healing Scriptures on mirrors, over the washer and even by the kitchen sink.

My greatest testimony is that I am still here today! Did you hear that Satan? And I am still believing Scripture!

The War on Fear, Part One: Fear Has Torment

By Rachel Clothier
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love”(1 John 4.18, KJV.)

Several years ago, a man broke into our home during the night while we were in bed sleeping. I happened to wake up as he entered our bedroom. Thinking it was my son, I sat up and spoke to him. The man then turned and ran off, taking my husband’s wallet with him. I screamed and my husband took off after him, but he got away. Then the nightmare began....

After the police left, we went back to bed, but I was unable to sleep. In fact, I did not sleep for three days, because every time I closed my eyes, I saw the intruder’s face. Every noise sent me into a panic. I wired the doors shut, nailed the windows shut and looked under every bed. I did not want to stay in the house by myself, even during the day. The man may have gotten away with very little money, but the most important thing he took was my sense of security and peace of mind.

I was tormented day and night and thought I was going to lose my mind. In desperation I called on Jesus to help me. The only way I could feel any peace was to put the face of Jesus in the place of the man’s face every time I closed my eyes. The Word of God comforted and strengthened me when I thought I could not go one step further living in fear.

Now I know that, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1.7, KJV). May God grant you this knowledge as well!

An Invitation to Intimacy

By Dr. Angela Reid
A determined young woman slowly saunters down a backwoods country road. She is alone … by choice. No dusty trails today: she breathes in the fresh, damp air newly cleaned by the summer rain. The gravel softly grinds under her walking shoes in cadence with each step she takes. The evening sun now peeks over the whitened clouds and pierces through the shadows of the trees. The whistling birds light atop their perches, attentively watching for dinner to emerge from the wet earth. As she continues down the narrow lane, a glistening array of wild flowers dances about her in the gentle wind, their vivid colors and fragrant aroma a welcome reminder of the ingenuity and creativity of their Maker. She notices it all.

She remembers the phrase, “sometimes being is more important than doing,” and she is glad she has taken a moment to just be. This is her alone time. This is time with God and with herself; time to step back, take a breath and renew her spirit. She guards it carefully, for she knows that there are 101 projects that lie in wait to steal this moment with their seeming urgency. Phone calls to make, bills to pay, e-mails to answer, family projects to attend to, meals to plan, appointment dates to schedule, chores to complete -- but none of that is for now. The noisy burdens of reality fade into the background and are replaced by the serenade of nature as she orients her heart and mind toward the things of God, one step at a time, down that gravel road. She knows that God is in the details of life, but she also knows that big picture thinking with a big picture God will help to keep life’s priorities in the line of vision and will keep the details from becoming a noose around her neck. She is ready for renewal.

Each evening as she begins her walk, she starts by softly singing or humming an old, familiar chorus to herself:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
This is her cue to take her mind off the day’s work and focus on what is truly important. After the short song, she follows with a period of silence. Still walking and simply taking in her surroundings, she allows herself to be reminded of the splendor and majesty of the Lord God as she marvels at the beauty and complexity of His creation that surrounds her. This is a quiet time, but it is powerfully full of meaning. She practices the principles of Psalm 46:10-11:
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah ” (NKJV).
She honors God during this time of silence. She allows the still small voice to direct her heart. She will soon begin to intentionally reflect on life itself, especially its purpose and her place within it. She wants to find meaning, she wants to make sure that what she does counts for something, and she wants to please God in the thoughts of her mind, the intents of her heart and the actions of her life. Inspired by Paul’s writings, she knows that contentedness and joy must be purposefully pursued and persistently practiced.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you,” (Philippians 4:6-9, NKJV).

Sometimes in the middle of her walk, during her time of purposeful reflection, there blooms an emerging competition for what will be the focus of her heart on this would-be rejuvenating journey. Some of the background noise she has worked to leave behind seems to be following her, playing its tune louder than she would like. It weighs her down just a bit before she fully recognizes it. Then, acknowledging what has happened, she turns the unwanted noise down once more. She remembers Luke’s story of Mary and Martha, and how Martha was busy working and trying to take care of the needs of the day. From Martha’s point of view, Mary was slack in attending to her responsibilities, but Jesus was pleased that Mary had stopped her busyness to spend time with Him. Putting it all in perspective, the Lord said,

“And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her,” (Luke 10:41,42, NKJV).

Mary had chosen to sit and listen at the Lord’s feet rather than be distracted by the seeming immediate needs of the day. According to the Lord, this was the most important thing of all and it represented both a connection in relationship (being with) and a connection to redemption - the manner through which life itself is restored -- by relating to the Redeemer and Giver of life.

With that gentle rebuke, she is prompted to stop her own mental busyness and as she continues to walk, she accepts the Lord’s invitation to “just be with me” while letting the worries and cares again pass by. She trusts God to direct her heart and mind as she purposefully communes with Him. With each encounter, she grows in strength, character, resolve, trust and relationship. She grows in intimacy as she lets herself just be with God.

Given the intentionality of her time with God, it is no surprise that her discipline drifts over into other areas of her life. She records some of her conversations with God, some of her thoughts and experiences, some of her longings and prayers, and particularly relevant insights from the study of God’s Word. Having kept a journal of her spiritual journey for some time, she is able to see a progression of God’s direction in her life, concrete examples of answers to prayer, and timely Divine provision. Several themes have repeated themselves, and she is grateful for God’s hand in her life. Among these themes, she has realized several aspects of spiritual contentment and personal growth.

First, she is able to capture a glimpse of who God is. God is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. By Him all things were made. He is Creator, Provider, Redeemer, and Friend. Knowing this, she is able to understand better who she is and how she is to relate to those around her. She is a child of God, a servant of God and a friend of God. She is a co-laborer in the Kingdom, along with fellow believers. She is both a giver and receiver of nurture and care. She is a giver and receiver of instruction. She is to both give love and receive love. Created in the image of God, she is lovable and she has worth. She is redeemed. With her focus on God, she has joy in her heart because she can see past the sometimes burdensome details into the realities of the truly important things in life and in the Kingdom of God. In her journal, she lists a few of those important things:
  1. Loving God.
  2. Loving people.
  3. Loving and accepting myself.
  4. Seeing myself and others as God sees us.
  5. Fulfilling what God has called me to do.
  6. Maintaining a thankful heart and a joyful spirit.
  7. Appreciating the small moments of life as gifts from God.
  8. Renewing and aligning my spirit daily in His Word.
  9. Accepting an invitation to intimacy with my Creator.
  10. Just being with Him.

It is nearing the end of her jaunt; she is almost home. The sun is setting quickly, and the frogs and fireflies have become late walking companions. She is tired and refreshed at the same time, and is sure to remember those things the Lord speaks to her heart in the quiet moments of life. Relying fully on foundations from God, she finds confidence to complete the tasks He has set before her. She finds personal strength and validation from knowing and accepting His unconditional love and His desire to just be with her each day. After a long walk with the Lord, she appreciates the rest and rejuvenation. Indeed she finds herself by becoming lost in His presence, and she realizes that the invitation to intimacy spans more than just a moment in time.

© Angela Reid, PsyD, July 2009

Bitter Water

By Donna Morton
Exodus 15:23-27:
And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

No one enjoys something bitter to the taste. I have a pill I take for high blood pressure and it is a bitter pill to swallow. I try to have something to put in my mouth right away or a Coke to drink or something to remove that bitter taste from my mouth.

We might expect medicine to be bitter; some cough medicines taste awful! You have your mind all set for something pretty awful and are ready for it, but when you put a piece of candy or a soft drink in your mouth, you expect a pleasant taste.

That’s what the children of Israel felt like on that hot, dry day in the desert. They had been in the wilderness for three days now following the crossing of the Red Sea and had found no water. They were thirsty and complaining.

Imagine that day with me as they came over a hill and saw that water at a distance. It looked so blue and pretty and it was just what they wanted. How pleasant it was to see and look forward to in their condition. No doubt they began to run toward what they thought would bring satisfaction in the desert, but when they drank it, it tasted bitter.

Isn’t that just the way things seem so often to be? Things are not what you thought they would be; they are BITTER! (In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for bitter is marah, meaning a great and heavy discontentment.) The children of Israel were unhappy because that water was not all they thought it would and should be. They thought that all their problems would have been solved if only that water would have been sweet and met with their expectations.

Moses immediately went to prayer and asked God what to do... there’s nothing like prayer! Listen, when bitter trials come our way and we may feel like there is no way out, prayer IS the answer, because God always has a way!

God showed Moses a tree that when he threw it into the water, the water became sweet and the people were then made satisfied and content because of the water. Right there—at that bitter place—God proclaimed that if they would do things His way and right in His sight, He would heal them.

Sometimes in life bitter trials come our way. It is in those times that God wants to prove Himself to us and show us who He really is!

There is a spirit of discontentment over the land today and it is great and heavy.

People are running everywhere trying to find something to satisfy themselves.

Instead, they find much bitterness.

The world looks good; it has shiny clubs and sandboxes to play in, tasty things to drink and fancy clothes to try on. People are running to get to what they think will satisfy them, but when they try it, it’s bitter! Others feel like if they could just be wealthy and have everything they want, they would be content. They run for that water, but even when they drink all they want, there is an emptiness inside that becomes bitter. Inside each man and woman is a place that nothing but the Living Water will fill.

Only when the tree was put in the water did the water become sweet! This world is full of bitterness and everyone is searching for the cure. There is only one tree that can fill up that emptiness and wash away the discontentment; IT IS THE TREE OF MOUNT CALVARY!

There is no rest when discontentment is strong. The soul is constantly searching for the living water. The first thoughts of the day are, “What can I do today to find what I am looking for?

Who can I hang out with that will help me find that satisfaction?

What can I do to get that water? What can I buy that will quench this thrist?”

Exodus 15.27 says the children of Israel moved on and were able to camp in Elim and find happiness because the bitter water was gone. At Elim, they could drink from 12 wells and enjoy the shade of 70 palm trees.

The soul that is resisting the Lord has no contentment or rest. The goal of those in the world is to find someone or something that will make them happy, but ONLY JESUS CAN SATISFY THEIR SOULS!

It’s a supernatural act of God to take a tree and make bitter water sweet.

How can something I can’t stand to be around become sweet to me? How can the laws of God that seem to tie me down become so sweet to me that I love them? How can the preaching of the Word that aggravates me and makes me feel bad become sweet life to me? How can a life not worth living because everything has gone wrong become a life so sweet that I actually enjoy it?

IT’S THE TREE! When you throw the tree into the bitter discontentment of this life, everything changes supernaturally and life becomes sweet. Nothing in this world can make a soul content but the cross of Christ. Only Jesus can make it right again!

When you surrender your life to him, the bitter, dissatisfied feeling will leave and His quiet contentment will move in. Today I offer you Jesus Christ, the sweetest name I know.

The Testimony of Our Lips

By Victoria Smith
“For there is not a word in my tongue [still unuttered], but, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether,” (Psalm 139:5, The Amplified Bible).

It is essential to guard our words and thoughts to live effectively and fully for Christ!

You and I sometimes fail to comprehend that God’s presence is with us at all times. Imagine for a moment that the Lord Jesus was visible to you. If during the course of life, you had Him visibly walking by your side, sitting at your dinner table and riding in your car, how careful you would be about your words! Reflect on this past week and ask yourself if you said anything that would grieve His heart. Maybe it was a harsh word spoken, words contrary to His Word or words that were not as tender, nor as full of faith as they ought to be. If you and I will constantly focus on being filled with His Spirit and glory, we would be less likely to fall into such temptation. Often you and I fail to realize He is listening to our every word and thought. The Lord Jesus desires us to be meek and to walk humbly towards others, just as He did on earth. You and I must imagine standing in the constant presence of Jesus as we go about our daily lives.

“There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18, The Amplified Bible).

You and I are capable of speaking words that are like the piercing of a sword. God’s Word tells us that if we offend those little ones that believe in Him, it would be better for us to have a millstone tied around our neck and to be drowned in the sea. The opposite side of this truth is that the tongue of the wise can be used by God to bring life and health. When we are filled with His Word, wisdom and revelation knowledge in our hearts, we abound with His character, thoughts and purposes. Bringing life-giving words to others are a direct result of Christ being formed in us; certainly, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. If we are filled with His divine love, those that are lost in the sins of the world will be drawn to Christ’s love in you. On the other hand, if our words are piercing as a sword, others will not see Christ in us and may consequently never surrender their hearts to the Lord.

“He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin,” (Proverbs 13:3, The Amplified Bible).

If you or I become sick, we should watch our words. We should be speaking God’s Word and acting in faith, rather than putting our confidence in the symptoms or in bad reports. We should ask God’s light to stream through us and reveal anything that has come from our lips that has hurt others or ourselves. We should also ask the Lord to cleanse and forgive us for sinning against those whom we have injured through saying things contrary to the redemptive, healing work of Jesus.

“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?” (James 3:8-11, NKJV).

Our tongues can be unruly and full of poison. This Scripture is speaking to God’s own people, the saints. We must bridle our tongues. James 1:26 says, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless,” (NKJV). If we have a bottle of poison in the house, there will be a symbol of a skull and crossbones on the container warning us to avoid its contents. Imagine what it would be like that when we speak words contrary to our Lord’s will, that we were labeled with a skull and crossbones for all to see! If we decide to be full of God’s wisdom and knowledge every day, then our conversation will be good and profitable to the hearers.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life],” (Proverbs 18:21, The Amplified Bible).

Our lips are the gatekeepers of our words. God’s Word in our hearts determines what proceeds out of our mouths. What does God want us doing with our lips? Jude 1: 20 says, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. . .” (KJV). If God’s Spirit is being stirred in us and we pray in the Spirit, His glory will dwell in us. Where His glory dwells, our faith is ignited and expands to dynamic proportions. Imagine what can happen as God’s miracle-working power dwells in your temple, your body! Can anything contrary to God’s word prevail where His glory abounds?

The Word of God formed creation; our words will impact eternity!

God's Messenger Boy

By Victoria Smith
“We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose” (Romans 8:28, The Amplified Bible.

My mom and dad separated before I was born. According to my mom, my dad was not interested in being a part of my life. I had very few memories of seeing him. When I was 16, I sought out my father. The encounter was awkward and difficult for both of us. The time together did not fill the void of my father’s love in my heart.

The attempted relationship went nowhere. Then a few years later, at the birth of my first child, I called to tell him he was a grandfather, but he did not call nor visit. I was crushed emotionally, and I decided I did not need to open that wound any more. I did not know the Lord at that time in my life. A few years passed and I came to know the Lord as Savior and decided to try once again to have a relationship with my dad. I went to his auto glass shop and walked in the office; he leaned out the window and said, “May I help you?” Here was my father and he did not even recognize me and my young daughter who was coming to meet her grandpa. I was crushed again with the pain of feeling unknown, unwanted, and unloved. After this meeting, I decided I had done my part to bring about healing and to build a relationship and therefore, I did not need to be hurt again. I decided I needed to guard my heart to keep from feeling such intense pain and rejection.

Years later, I had relocated to another area of the country and my second daughter was born. My husband urged me repeatedly to contact my dad as he had a right to know he had another granddaughter. It was my impression that I did nothing but complicate my father’s life and felt it was best to continue to guard my heart. Time went on and we moved back to the area in which he had previously lived. Out of curiosity, I drove by his last business address and it was no longer there. I also looked in the phone book to see if he was listed in the area. There was no listing. So I had done my part again and he was not there. Deep down inside I was concerned as to where he was and what was going on.

One cold winter night, just two days after Christmas, my husband called to say he was stranded because “Ol’ George,” his truck, had broken down. He asked me to come help him. When I got there, we could not get the vehicle started, so we went to a nearby auto parts store to buy a tow chain. We hooked the cars up and my husband gave me some tips on how to get the truck moved to a location where we could leave it overnight. We managed to get just a block away and mysteriously the tow chain came loose and shattered the back window of our only working vehicle. It was below zero, freezing rain was falling and we had very little money since Christmas had just been a few days before.

Here comes the part where the devil was God’s messenger boy! What the devil meant for bad, God planned to use for my good. I did not get that message at that point. All I could think was, “What are we going to do now?” We left “Ol’ George,” taped up the back window of my car and drove home feeling very defeated.

When we arrived home, I mentioned to my husband that my dad used to own an auto glass shop to which he replied, “This is probably not the best time to contact him.” I told my husband that I had tried to find my dad months before and was not able to do so, but I just wondered if he still was doing that type of business. I called several auto glass dealers and asked them “Who owns the shop?” Each caller replied with an unknown name. One thing that was determined was the back window that was broken was extremely expensive, due to the high tech electronics embedded in it and some suppliers did not have one in stock. It was a Thursday evening, and if I was going to get it replaced, I needed to make an appointment for the next day. I closed the phone book and said a prayer. “Lord, we don’t have the money, this is the only working vehicle we have and I need to know what to do. If this incident is to bring my father and I together, then it is in Your hands.” I was prompted to open the phone book one more time, close my eyes, point to an ad and call the store to which I had pointed. I called and asked, “Who’s the owner of the shop?” and the person on the other end of the line stated my father’s name and asked if she could help me. At that point, I nearly fell out of my chair. I asked if he was available, and she said no, that he had gone home early that day. The young woman insisted on helping me, and I began to tell her of our broken window and that I was his daughter and was wondering if he could help. I was told that my dad had been trying to find me for the past couple of years and the glass could be replaced the next day for a fraction of the cost of other suppliers.

I went to the shop the next morning. I entered and asked for my dad, and was told he did not come in that day, but they were going to get my car fixed up. I thought to myself, “Here it goes again, the pain I remembered from before.” I was then introduced to my step mom and step sister and was told my dad was very ill and had stayed home. When I went to pick up the car, I was told there was no charge and was invited to come to their home in a few days for dinner. I accepted.

When my family and I arrived, the house was decorated with many Christmas decorations, and as I entered the living room I saw a beautifully decorated tree. Under the tree were many presents. We exchanged hugs and caught up on the past few years. After a little while, we were all handed presents under the tree to open. Here I was, 40 years old, and these were the only presents I ever recalled receiving from my father. The moment was more special than words can express.

I learned that Dad had Hepatitis C and was in need of a liver transplant. The doctors had given him about ten years to live without a transplant. We spent time together throughout the next couple of months. In fact, he came to our Easter drama presentation at church, in which I was one of the actresses. I felt like a little girl when her daddy comes to her first dance recital. I later learned that my dad had not been to church for many years and had bought a special suit just for that day.

About a month later, Dad got sick and went to the hospital. I spent as much time with him as I could. I was asked while at the hospital if I would consider donating a portion of my liver to be transplanted into his body. This could potentially give him new life and hope. I would only be a candidate for this procedure if I was a match; however, I was also told that the risk could be death for me. I began to understand how Christ felt when he made the decision to give his life for people that may not have loved him in the way He wanted them to love Him.

After a couple of days, the doctor said Dad was improving and that he would likely go home the next day. I left that evening and went home to update my husband. My husband said, “I’m going to the hospital to see your dad.” He left and I went to bed.

The next morning, my husband told me that the Lord had impressed him to go visit with my dad and talk to him about the Lord. During my husband’s visit that night, he was able to confirm Dad’s salvation, which was the purpose of his visit. Then I received a call. “Your dad is in a coma and they have moved him to Intensive Care.” I went to the hospital to see Dad right away. Just a few days later, he died.

Finally, I had developed a relationship with my dad and he was gone within five months. What I then realized is that I was his last “unfinished business.” When our paths crossed, the Lord was able to take 40 years of pain and sorrow and exchange it for love, joy and forgiveness. Yes, forgiveness! Guarding my heart was a form of unforgiveness. I did not realize it until I got alone with the Lord. When my unforgiving attitude was dealt with, then God could mend all the pain and sorrow.

Do you have unfinished business that the Lord is longing to finish? Will you surrender to His will today?

After You Have Suffered a While

By Karren Farley
“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you,” 1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV).

To suffer means to feel pain or great discomfort in body or mind. It also means you endure or put up with something painful or unpleasant.

We can look around our world and see the suffering that is taking place. Sometimes life is not fair. It is painful and sometimes it is scary. People have lost their jobs, homes, even their life-savings. In some cases, individuals are better off. They took a detour, not of their choosing, and found a job that they love. Others have learned the dangers of living outside of their budget.

Many are learning to trust God as never before. I believe God has allowed this to happen to get our eyes off of prosperity and back on Him. Suffering is not pleasant, whether it’s a lack of material things or suffering that takes place because of your stand for Jehovah God. In today’s society we are told we must be “politically correct,” so there will certainly be times that we must take a stand for God’s standard rather than man’s.

The rest of the verse says the God of all grace will “...perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.” Wow, what a prayer Peter is praying over us! He doesn’t pray that we will be excused from suffering, but that suffering will be for a limited amount of time.

We celebrated Father’s day last month. It gave us a chance to let our dads know how we feel about them. For some, picking out that right card for Dad was easy; for others, it was hard. Why? Because there are issues that need to be faced. You may have been abused by him, never encouraged by him or always belittled by him. God is saying, “I see your suffering, your sadness, your hurts.” He is saying, “Give it all to me now.” You are an adult now, so let God strengthen you, establish you and settle you into the path He has for you.

Let’s pray!
God, you see the issues that I am dealing with;
Please forgive me for holding on to them.
You see how it has affected my whole life.
I now forgive everyone that has caused me undue hardship, suffering and pain.
I have been walking through life burdened by these things, so now please give me the strength to live a meaningful life with You fully in charge.
In Jesus Name, AMEN!

Be Steadfast in Faith

By Karren Farley
“Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (I Peter 5.9, NKJV).

I discussed resisting Satan in the last devotion. Now I want to talk about being steadfast in the faith. Steadfast means “to be firm and unwavering in purpose, loyalty or resolve.” Wow, if we were all steadfast in our faith what a difference we would make in our families, in our local churches, in the workplace and in the world!

Peter was concerned about Christians’ faith.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary says;
It was the faith of these people that Satan aimed at; if he could overturn their faith, and draw them into apostasy, then he knew he should gain his point, and ruin their souls; therefore, to destroy their faith, he raises bitter persecutions, and sets the grand potentates of the world against them. This strong trial and temptation they must resist, by being well-grounded, resolute, and steadfast in the faith: to encourage them to this.
Times have not changed; it is the same today. We have a real enemy who is out to destroy us. I was talking with someone this week that is always angry with God. He is having trouble trusting in Him and I‘m sure it goes back to something that happened in his past. He blames God for everything, looks at circumstances and then curses God. It is easy to slide into this negative cycle once we let the guard down in our hearts and minds. We cannot hold on to bitterness, nor resentment. If we are unforgiving of the offences committed against us, we open the door for demonic thoughts to control us. We must be steadfast in our faith!

We need strong, steadfast women of God in our society. I don’t mean loudmouthed, strong-willed, domineering women. I mean that we need to become women who are strong in faith. We must have strong prayer lives and consistent relationships with God even in the rough times. I’ve been told many times that people have been encouraged by the example I have set with all the “ups and downs” I’ve had in my life.

People are watching us! Yes, they are watching you. Are they seeing someone who is steadfast? Let’s work on it this week.

Prayer:
God, I ask that you help me to become
a consistent, steadfast woman of God.
Forgive me where I have failed.
In Jesus Christ’s Name, Amen.

Resist Satan and Be Steadfast in Faith

By Karren Farley
“Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (I Peter 5.9, NKJV).

We are instructed to resist Satan. To resist means saying “no” to temptations we are fighting. It means saying “no” to fighting with somebody and it also means refusing to give in to something. As we fill our hearts with the Word, spend time in prayer, attend a good Bible-believing church, we will learn what God’s standard is for us. We know walking the Christian path can be hard at times, but what a blessing it is to have the power of God in our lives as Bible-believing women!

We must learn to resist the plans of Satan for our life. God’s plan is for us to have eternal life. Yes, as Christians we face obstacles, adversities, temptations, and health crises. However we have a mighty weapon to use--prayer to our Almighty, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent God!

1 Peter 5:9 says “...knowing that the same sufferings, are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” The trials we go through and what others go through can make or break us. It can draw us closer to God, to each other and to our church, OR it can tear us away from them. Look at all the examples in the Bible. Think about Moses, David, and Peter, then consider Deborah, Abigail, Esther, Hannah, and Mary, the mother of Jesus.

What made them great was the trials they went through. Sometimes they didn’t follow what God would have liked for them; however, they repented, turned back to Jehovah God and went on to be great women and men of God. That is why we are still talking about them today! You will be a blessing to others when you share how God brought you through a difficult situation. It may be a simple remark to someone in the grocery store, to a mom in the doctor’s office, or to the mom in court whose husband or child is facing charges.

I was in Joplin, MO in June 1996 when my husband was admitted to a hospital with chest pain. We found out he had nine blockages.  I was alone and 1,200 miles from home. I was crying and very scared as I remembered that my father in-law, Rev. G. M. Farley, had died after cardiac bypass surgery.

As I was calling my daughter, Felicia, from a pay phone to tell her that her father was to have heart surgery, someone came up behind me and touched me on the right shoulder. I turned around and a nice-looking gentleman in a suit told me that my husband would be OK and immediately walked away. I have no idea who he was, but I had peace from that moment forward. Personally, I feel it was an angel that God sent to strengthen me and give me peace. This was in 1996; that touch and that word still comforts me to this day! Yes, my husband was OK. That word of encouragement gave me strength to face that whole ordeal. We truly serve an infinite God!

My husband, as he was leaving to go to work this morning, said that “I was his sunshine in the storm.” We have been each others’ strength since we were married in 1970. No matter what we have faced, Jesus Christ our Lord, has been the One that has brought us through the storms of life.

My prayer for you is that you will allow God to strengthen you to become a powerful, anointed women of God. When the storms of life come at you in full force, fight back with God’s Word! Cast all your cares on Him and you will be able to resist the Devil.

Casting All Your Care Upon Him

By Karren Farley
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you,” 1 Peter 5:7, NKJV.

Our son Jason called us at 8 a.m. on June 29, 2008. It was a beautiful Sunday morning, and he asked if we would watch his 1 year-old son one more night so he could go on a motorcycle ride with the members of his club, Shiftn Steel Sport Riderz. Three hours later we were informed that Jason had been killed in a motorcycle accident. He was only 29 years old. He was my third child and our first son. Wow, what a nightmare we have been through since then.

As I was thinking about writing for the Women’s Ministry devotional, I came across this Scripture, “Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you,” 1 Peter 5:7, NKJV. No matter what we face in life, and when I say no matter what we face in life, I mean it. NO MATTER WHAT WE FACE IN LIFE, we are to cast every care upon Him.

Cast means “to fling something down, away.” It means to throw something away from yourself, usually with force. Whatever the concern we may have, whether it is spiritual, temporal, great or small, God is concerned. So many times I have felt like I had no strength to go on, especially around the holidays.

That seems to be the time when the lost, lonely, empty feelings are ever so strong. I will let my tears come, wipe them and force myself to get busy doing something to get my mind occupied. I must CAST by force; I have to throw all my feelings and my loss to my Creator, God. I had to make a choice. Face depression and go it alone OR take the path that Christ has for me. By following this Scripture, I have chosen to rise above it.

Sometimes when asked how I am doing, I will say, “Hey, for not using anti-depression pills, prescription drugs, smoking, nor drinking but going through grief the natural way, I feel I am doing pretty good.”

Whenever I’m down, He comes along and lets me cast my cares over onto His shoulders. This lightens my load and allows my feet to stay steady on the path He has for me. No matter how heavy the weight, He has the strength to carry it for me. We need to remember that our God cares for us. Yes, He cares for you so very much. He cares about your distractions, anxieties, burdens and your fears.

Vineyard has a CD I enjoy; it is entitled “Women In Worship.” The song I Receive has blessed me in my weak moments. I will sometimes stop what I am doing and just worship the Lord as I play the CD several times and sing the song. The chorus very simply says, “I receive your love for me.”

We need to receive God’s love for us daily. Let God’s love come in and touch your heart and soul today and cast all your cares over to Him. That is my prayer for you this week.