Posts made in December, 2010

Slow Down

Posted by Laurie on Dec 31, 2010 in Devotion, Holiday, Reflection, Women | 4 comments

As a child I can remember being spun on the merry-go-round. At first, spinning really fast was so much fun. But after awhile, I got dizzy and just wanted to get off. It seems like my life is much like a spin on a merry-go-round … it just goes around faster and faster.

Its hard to not take on too much, but if truth be told, most Christians take on more than they can handle. Many of us are juggling careers, family, hobbies, and doing ministry. The problem with taking on too much at one time is that we cannot enjoy what we are doing and even worse, we do not do the best job that we can because we feel dizzy from the whirlwind. It doesn’t take long before we feel just like riding on the merry-go-round, we get to the point of wanting to throw in the towel and jump off of the ride.

God did not intend for us to take on the world all alone. It is His desire that we slow down, sit at His feet and do what He wants us to do. The problem is we try to do the latter part but we forget to slow down to sit at His feet.

Recently, I came across a poem written by a young girl who was fighting against cancer. The poem did not list her name, so I cannot give her credit but I think the message in her writing is exactly what I need to apply to my New Years Resolution…to slow down and allow God to pace my steps.

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly’s
erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun
into the fading night?

You better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.

Do you run through
each day on the fly?
When you ask, “How are you?”
Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.

Ever told your child,
We’ll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die,
Cause you never had time
To call and say,’Hi’

When you run so fast
to get somewhere
You miss half the fun
of getting there.

When you worry and hurry
through your day,
It is like an unopened gift….
Thrown away.

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

It is my prayer for the New year that each of us will slow down enough to hear the music before the song is over!

You can find daily devo’s over at my personal blog… http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/

Forgetting The Past - Looking Forward

Posted by Michele on Dec 30, 2010 in Devotion, Faith, Inspirational, Life, Reflection | 5 comments

I would like to repeat my post from last year at this time with a few additional thoughts. I started to dwell upon my goal for 2010 and the Lord has impressed upon me to set the same goal as well as the same devotion.

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT)

Paul had reason to forget the past – he had held the coats of those who stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:57, 58, Paul called Saul here). We have all done things for which we are ashamed, and we live under the pressure of what we have been and what we want to become.

As we come to the close of another year, many of us reflect upon the goals we had set for ourselves this past year. We may even “beat ourselves up” for not achieving those goals. But since our hope is in Christ, we can let go of our guilt and look forward to what God will help us to achieve and become. We need not dwell on our past mistakes or what we did not accomplish this past year. Instead, let us grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on our relationship with Him now. Let us realize that we are forgiven, and then move on to a life of faith and obedience.

I have multiple passions and left to my own devices I would tend to get over burdened and in turn not accomplish much of anything because I would have my hands in too many works for the Lord. I have a passion for the underdog; the down and out; those with chronic illnesses; caregivers; and pastors and their families. I have a passion for my own family to be Christ-like; serving Christ in a healthy church; to be healthy; and have good jobs; and a nice place to live. I have a passion to be a healthier me – spiritually, physically, and mentally. Most of all I have a passion to see souls come to know Christ as their personal Savior and grow in Christ.

The entire above mentioned are virtuous passions, much needed ministries and even attainable goals, but I also know my limitations so I have chosen – with God’s leading, to set one main goal for 2011. To know Christ more - to be more like Christ, to seek out and be all Christ desires of me. Like an athlete in training, I must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract me from being an effective Christian. If I set my sight on that one goal, then everything else in my life will fall into place.

Let us look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life in 2011, because of our hope in Christ our Savior.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:7 (NKJV)

Establishing the Work of Our Hands

Posted by Marsha on Dec 29, 2010 in Devotion | 3 comments

It’s easy for me to get bogged down by taking on too much, by DOING rather than BEING. I’m a passionate person, so I tend to get swooped up into the moment and become a crusader for something or someone. In the past several years, the Lord has clearly defined what passion He desires me to follow in serving others.

My personal mission statement is “Being uniquely designed by God, I am to use my uniqueness to passionately serve others in a spirit of humility for the purpose of bringing glory to God.” It’s based upon 1 Peter 4:10,11.

I try to weigh what I do in light of that statement. Am I utilizing my uniqueness, my giftedness, to passionately serve others? Am I doing it in a spirit of humility? Am I seeking only to bring Him glory? The passion the Lord has given me is for women and children, especially ”the least of these.” The unpopular, the down trodden, the abused are among the women and children God has called me to serve.

At this time of year, I ask the Lord to show me what works of my hand He would like me to commit to Him for His glory. This year, I’d have to say they would be:

~ To be able to demonstrate His victory over sin in all areas of my life. He has brought me through so much over the past several years. He has humbled me and brought me to my knees. He’s given me victory in many areas of my life. But there is one area that needs “the work of His hand” in my life. I put everyone and everything before myself, at the expense of my health. I want the work of His hand to establish me by getting my weight under His discipline and control. It’s the only way I can show others that God cares about all areas of life and that they all belong to Him.

~ My heart breaks for the downtrodden women and children of the world. I’m an active voice, with hands, and feet within my own community. I’m committed to continuing the work of His hand that He’s established in my life by bringing women of all ages to the point of becoming disciplemakers themselves.

~ I’ve travelled and taught His truths to women on 3 continents, and the women at these Bible studies and retreats represent 5 continents. I’ve been humbled by the experience. To see the hunger and reverence these women have for the Word of God. To hear the passion with which they pray. Their total abandonment to serve Him at all costs. After all, what do they have to loose? Most of these women have nothing or next to it, right? Actually, their abandonment has come at great cost. For some, it’s cost them their lives, their homes, their families. How can I even think for a minute I have anything to give them save the Lord shining through this earthen vessel? It is because of these women, especially the women of the 3rd world countries that I have met either personally or vicariously through my friend Michele Rickett with Sisters In Service, that I am inspired to be their voice here in the land of plenty. That is my 3rd work to commit as the work of His hand. He has given me a loud, booming voice for a reason. I’ve been thankful for it when I’ve had to speak to large groups without microphones, but now that voice must be heard in as many creative ways the Lord can give me. I’m committing to continue to declare Him through printed word, speaking engagements and over the airwaves on Christian Women Affiliate’s “Grace Cafe.”

What about you?

What works of His hand are you committing to Him for this new year? Share them with us below so we can encourage one another one.

The Sum of It All

Posted by Joan on Dec 28, 2010 in Devotion | 4 comments

As I sit here at my desk, trying to put my thoughts into words, I am tempted to become frustrated with myself. So much has happened over this past year that to somehow try to wrap it all up into one simple blog posting would be impossible. My heart is full of joy as I see what the Lord has brought us through these last twelve months, but to capture that emotion in mere text seems beyond my ability.

We have faced many challenges since last December, but God has proved faithful every step of the way. During the times of uncertainty and even fear, God calmed us and showed us His strength. We learned that when we place our trust in Him, He never leaves our side. “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:10). And by His side, we have witnessed miracles. From the surprising ways God stretched our income right when it was needed the most, to the healing of our daughter through a life-saving operation, God’s compassion and provision has amazed us.

This year, our faith has grown as God has taught us patience. Sometimes His plans may seem unclear or slow to us, but He has shown us that His timing is always perfect. Through waiting upon His timing, we were able to witness God’s glory. We learned that quite often it is in the journey that God prepares us for what is to come. And without the winding path He leads us on, the destination would not otherwise be found. “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed” (Habakkuk 2: 3).

And so, if I were to summarize all we have experienced this past year and put it into one word, I would choose the word “love”. For God has shown us His love through every experience we have had and through every lesson He has taught. As the year 2010 rolls to a close, I am praising God for the sum of it all - His everlasting love.

One of The Greatest Gifts He Gave

Posted by Heather C on Dec 27, 2010 in Christmas, Prayer | 2 comments

It was a flurry of paper, ribbons flying across the room, tiny Barbie accessories caught up in the piles of plastic trash and I sat there in awe of it all. Was this what Christmas was all about? I had no idea what gifts anyone had received or from whom. The children were content to rip through packages like they click through television shows - hmmm, interesting…that look s good, come back to it later…might like this one…let’s see is there anything better?

When it was all over, we sat in a room full of trash and toys intermingled with a dazed look on our faces. Some gifts were already in use; new slippers on feet, dolls in arms and balls flying through the air over our heads to the intended basket. For the hours spent finding the perfect gift, wrapping it beautifully and the thought that went into each present, the glory of Christmas morning was over in mere minutes.

As I thought about the greatest gift of Christmas, I remember many Christmas mornings past. Gifts that weren’t quite what was desired along with duplicated gifts went back to the store the following day for exchanges as we sought to meet our inner desires or our true needs.

But the greatest gift of Christmas isn’t something we can ask for with specifications on size or color. It isn’t a gift that can be exchanged if it doesn’t fit and it certainly can’t be outdone by sparkling wrapping paper or shiny ribbons. Of course I’m talking about the gift of Jesus - God’s gift to mankind. His own Son, made with flesh so that He could live like us, experience all of our trials and tribulations and be made into a perfect sacrifice for our sins. He was called the great High Priest because He intercedes for His people as a perfect priest - He’s never sinned, but He has been tempted and understands our weaknesses.

Tucked away in that manger over 2000 years ago was one of the most amazing gifts we’ve ever been given: an open door to Heaven. Through Jesus, God grants us entrance into His most Holy place that we might bring our deepest concerns to His feet. He opens up His heart and His ears to hear our every cry and to listen to each plea. He desires to commune with us and to give us what we truly need: mercy and grace.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

So, God’s gift to us isn’t just the ability to look forward to an eternity in heaven with Him, but the opportunity to come to Him NOW with our every need and to trust that He hears, He cares and He answers prayer.

I believe that God answers prayer, but I know some people who doubt it because they haven’t seen dramatic changes in their lives. I wonder, have you? Have you experienced the truth of this Scripture - the amazing connection we can have with God? Have you seen His answers to prayer and known the fellowship of communicating with our loving God?

Prayer is truly one of the greatest gifts God has given us; a confidence that He desires relationship with us and He is attentive to our needs. May you rejoice in this gift today!

Heather