Devotional For Women Blog
Let’s go to His House
Are you searching for a source of peace? We are here to listen.
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1)!
Do you feel that way on Sundays? I have to admit, there are days I really don’t. The sloth in me moans to lay back, snuggle into another cup of coffee and veg out on an old movie on TV instead. Getting up, getting dressed, getting going is a hassle. Now maybe if they allowed us to come to church in our PJ’s . . . no, cancel that thought.
The thing is, I always feel better when I go to church. It is good to see the friendly faces and get the warm hugs. It is reviving to be with people who care about me and each other. I feel a sense of belonging. The worship music and the Bible passages boost me, pumping into me life like a transfusion. My faith seems less anemic. And sure enough, I learn a lesson or get an answer to a prayer or end up being someone else’s answer.
I know people say they do not have to go to church to be a Christian. But the cross has two planes – vertical between God and man, and horizontal between each other. Church gives us a sense of community. We feel stronger when we are together as a group than if we are standing alone and battling the temptations that bombard us daily. Church bonds us together in a common twofold cause – loving Christ and loving our neighbor. Like a chain-linked fence, when we are intertwined in each other’s lives, we are stronger.
A dear friend says she loves to come to church and see everyone in the pews. It is her check list, making sure all of her friends are okay, healthy and happy. She relates it to when she’d check on her teenage girls in the middle of the night. Yes, they were home and safe. All is well.
Growing up, we all knew the house on the block where we were welcome. It was the house of a widow. She’d let us romp in her big yard; she’d play the piano for us, and always had fresh, just out of the oven cookies and ice cold milk on her kitchen table.
When I had my own son, I strove to make our house that inviting. One day, I overheard some kids talking as I waited to pick him up from school. “Let’s go to his house, his mom is cool.” “Yeah, we can have fun there.” Another piped up, “Mom always let me go over there. She says she never worries about me when I am there.” They were my son’s friends and later that day when they rang the doorbell, my heart warmed.
Church is that for me. I hope you find one that is that way for you. A place where you can feel safe and loved and have some fun. I hope when you are with your friends you say “Let’s go to His house.”
Question: How do you feel about the church you attend? Are you attending a church? If not, why not?
About the Author Julie Cosgrove
Who Trains My Hands for War!
Is your spouse addicted to porn? This study will help to find strength to face life’s challenges.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly place” (Eph 6:12, NKJV).
Every day over every city there is a war going on in the spirit realm. Darkness and light are battling it out for the souls of the city, and the results are evident in the natural as we see both godliness and evil manifested in the lives of the people. Mankind participates in that war by giving power to darkness through sin, or by giving power to the light through prayer, fasting, and righteous living.
Even though Daniel’s prayer for his nation was heard the very first day, and his prayer was immediately responded to, it was three weeks before the angel was able to get through the spiritual battle with a message for Daniel. Daniel’s fasting and continued prayer contributed to victory for the angel and ultimately for his nation. (Daniel 10:12-14)
If we want to see change in the natural, we first have to have victory in the spiritual. Be confident that when you engage in prayer, fasting, and righteous living, you are using weapons that will impact the spirit realm and change the atmosphere in your city, preparing a way for a greater openness to the gospel among the people.
“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle” (Psalm 144:1, NKJV).
Questions: There is a spiritual war going on continuously. What is the battle about? How are you participating in this war?
About the Author Emmie Stanley
Two Can Do
Is your best never good enough? Talk to a mentor.
Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.
I have often held one-meeting “Camper Bible Clubs” at my campsites when my daughter Lori and I have gone camping. I’ve always known the Lord was with me, but it really felt good to have Lori with me too.
I would ride my bike around to camp sites to tell parents and children about the meeting to start in an hour. Lori stayed at the campsite in case any children come early. I would return well ahead of time to tend to last minute details such as getting my accordion out. Children “casually” walked by, and seeing Lori there already reassured them and they joined us.
When Lori was 15 she learned to play simple chords on a guitar, and she could play some children’s choruses in the key of “D” or “G” (the favorite chords of new guitarists). When children started coming, she strummed on her guitar, started singing a familiar song and the children gathered around her singing. This encouraged other children to come.
Many of us shy off from witnessing or working for the Lord by ourselves. Jesus knew that! He sent His disciples out by twos; so they not only had companionship, but encouragement along the way. The Apostle Paul took Barnabas, Silas, Luke, or Timothy with him on his missionary
journeys.
Somehow it makes us bolder for the Lord when we have a companion with us. One youth group wasn’t doing much for the Lord until a new youth director trained them to go on visitation together. Before long they were winning as many five people to Christ a week, and their youth group tripled in size.
Through working together for Jesus, lasting friendships are formed. The Christians encourage one another in the Lord and share their witnessing experiences. When I went to Arizona with a friend, she and I passed out tracts all along the way.
Two do better in prayer, too. Jesus declared, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19).
Two find courage to go to jail to conduct services for prisoners. I know a well-known evangelist who came to Christ through such a ministry. Two can also visit nursing homes and go to help with services at missions.
Ask the Lord to give you a companion or two for some venture He lays on your heart. He will do it! He never calls us to something without enabling us to do it, and giving us whatever we need to do it.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friends can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”
Questions: Why do we shy away from witnessing for the Lord? Why is it good to go with another person as you go to share Christ?
About the Author Muriel Larson
Why Did God Let It Happen?
Hurting from the pain of losing a baby or child? We care and want to pray for you.
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“Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb” (Job 3:11)?
Have you ever felt that low?
So many things had gone wrong in Job’s life — for no apparent reason — that he despaired of life. He had lost his children, his marriage, his belongings, his health and his reputation. When he asked, “Why?” his four friends said, “You must have sinned grievously or God would never allow this to happen to you.”
“But I’ve always tried to do what’s right,” Job replied.
“You couldn’t have,” his friends insisted. They kept accusing him of sin and Job kept defending himself. After thirty seven chapters of this, they were no closer to an answer than when they started.
That’s when God showed up and spoke for Himself. Although He cleared Job of all sin, He did not give him an answer as to why he had suffered. Instead, God asked Job questions which he, being a mere man, could not answer. And what was Job’s conclusion? “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5,6).
Job worshiped.
We worship God when we leave it up to Him to interpret our circumstances. We worship God when we allow our heartache and our horrible circumstances to crowd us closer to the One who grieves with us because He loves us more than we can imagine.
Like Job, I’ve discovered that God doesn’t give us an answer to our why questions. Instead, He offers Himself: a listening ear, a refuge in the storm, a center when persons we trusted forsake us; a foundation when everything caves in. Suffering provides an opportunity for us to get to know God in a deeper, more personal way.
I’ve stopped asking why to life’s inexplicable situations. Instead, I ask now what? Now that this thing has happened, what can I do to make my life a little better? How can I help to bring some relief to those who are also suffering? I can’t do anything about the why, but I can do something about the what. And that’s where I want to put my energies.
Dear God, I want to trust You even when I don’t understand what’s happening in my life. Amen.
Questions: How can you help to bring some relief to those who are also suffering? Why does God allow suffering?
About the Author Helen Grace Lescheid
Empty Stomachs
Is your marriage satisfying? Talk to someone who will come alongside you.
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“I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to Me, declares the LORD” (Amos 4:6).
It’s hard to think of an empty stomach or crop failure or pain or a lack of employment as a gift. It’s even harder to accept that it could be a gift from God. Yet, in the book of Amos God lists these unusual “gifts” that He gave in order to motivate the people to seek His face and return to His ways:
“I gave you empty stomachs” (4:6)
“I withheld rain from you” (4:7)
“I struck your gardens and vineyards…with blight and mildew” (4:9)
“I sent plagues among you” (4:10)
“I overthrew some of you” (4:11)
After each of these statements the refrain is repeated, “yet you have not returned to me”.
The people of Israel had strayed from God. They worshipped idols and lived contrary to the good laws God had given them. So God used trouble to get their attention. He knew that when the economy is good, when there is plenty of food and work, people forget Him. It was true in the past and it is true today.
Trouble makes us turn to God and too often prosperity makes us forget Him. Let us heed the warning of this ancient prophet. Let us not be guilty, as the Israelites were, of not returning to God when He brings trouble and hardship into our lives to get our attention.
Holy God, forgive me for the times that I have left Your ways. May the trouble that I experience in my life remind me how much I need You. I want to seek Your face and return to your ways. Amen.
Questions: Do you think trouble can come from God? How has God managed to get your attention?
About the Author Suzanne Benner
What You Do
Do you feel you can’t be real with anyone? Take this free online course on the topic of secrets.
Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.
What will your hands be busy with today? Do you feel grateful for the tasks at hand? Is there joy in doing what’s on your list today?
Many of us just hurry from one thing to the next. Delays frustrate us and people who aren’t directly related to our tasks can annoy us with their interruptions.
Pause in your thoughts for this one moment. Thank God for the work ahead of you today in spite of what you would rather be doing.
You will be amazed at the change in your outlook as you focus on being thankful.
You are where you are today… that’s a reality. You can make choices to change that reality. The first choice is to choose a grateful attitude. It will widen the road you are on and bring a perspective that will lighten your step.
The prayer of the Psalmist is a good prayer to echo today, “Establish the work of my hands, O Lord, establish the work of my hands” (Psalm 90:17).
Heavenly Father, Right now I want to offer the work of my hands to You today. Help me to have a grateful attitude as I do what is in front of me today. May I give these tasks to You as my offering. I do them in Your name. Amen.
Inspired by “The Rest of God” Chapter 1 by Mark Buchanan
Questions: How can you change your attitude towards the work that is at hand if you would rather be doing something else? How do you handle interruptions in your busy work schedule?
About the Author Gail Rodgers
The Rest of My Life
Has your world shattered and left you with no hope for your marriage? Talk to us.
Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.
“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5).
I witnessed a meaningful baptism of a teenager at church where the grandfather stepped into the baptistery with his grandson to baptize him. “It’s a pleasure to baptize my grandson,” the grandfather began. Then speaking directly to his grandson he said, “Jonathan, I’ve known you since you were a little twerp, and I’ve watched you grow into a fine young man.” Then he asked his grandson, “How long do you plan to let Jesus control your life?”
Without hesitation, his grandson replied with a strong voice, “The rest of my life.”
With that the grandfather baptized his grandson. Then putting his arm around his wet grandson, the grandfather prayed, “Lord, help Jonathan to keep his eyes on You. Help him serve You and live with integrity and faithfulness to You. I commit him to You to be a servant of the gospel the rest of his days. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
As the grandfather said amen, I wiped my eyes. I pictured each of my four grandchildren and asked God that they too would want to serve Him the rest of their days and would make a public commitment to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
The congregation clapped for joy to celebrate a life dedicated to God. And in my mind, I thought I heard applause in heaven as well.
Heavenly Father, may others see my sincere faith and want to obey You. As David prayed for his son Solomon, so I pray my grandchildren and others I love will want to follow You with wholehearted devotion the rest of their lives (1 Chronicles 29:19).
Questions: Who is in control of your life? How do we continue to follow Jesus wholeheartedly?
About the Author Lydia Harris
The Spirit and PCs
Feeling lonely and unloved? We’re here. Talk to us.
Suppose you could acquire the most complex computer in the world – one that would make you the wisest person who ever lived. It could give you the answers to every problem. It could make you a beautiful person. It could give you the sweetest disposition.
It could give you direction. “What should I be in life?” you could ask. Pressing buttons, you’d list your interests, your talents, your training. And the answer would come. You ask advice on something. Red light flash! Watch out, look where you’re going! Just think of the problems it could save you.
It could give you self-control, peace, joy, hope for the future. It could even give you eternal life. Wow! You touch the right key–and zap! You’re immortal!
How to get this wonderful gift:
You have to go to your manufacturer – with a capital “M.” Yes, it’s God who wants to provide your new Central Processing Unit. Actually, He is a Person who can do all those things and more for you: God the Holy Spirit. To receive Him, we have to turn in our own defective personal computer.
The Holy Spirit urges us to be truly sorry for our sins and turn from them. And He makes it personal, so that we understand how much God’s Son suffered for love of us. Then He urges us to receive Christ as our Savior. The Bible says, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
When you receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, the Holy Spirit comes into you and causes you to be “born again” into God’s family (1 Peter 1:23), to become a totally new person. He becomes your helper, your guide, and your source of power. He can make you beautiful inside and out, with His fruit: love, peace, joy, goodness, gentleness, patience, humility, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
But what if you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and you have fallen away from following Him, and the new spiritual PC you received has not been in operation? The old clunker (otherwise known as “old self”) has been in control of your life. What can you do?
Like a Father, the Lord has been waiting for you to come back to Him and have your new PC restored. First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Oh, come back and claim your wonderful inheritance!
Questions: Is your old self in control of your life? What can you do about it?
About the Author Muriel Larson
Hidden Talent
Are you searching for purpose in life? Talk to us.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
During care group, we were discussing the talents and gifts God has given us. A question was asked by the facilitator: “Do your talents change as you get older? Our group consists mostly of people aged 55 and older.
Almut enthusiastically shared that when her children had grown, she decided to go back to work. She was hired to manage volunteers in a second – hand clothing store. Although she enjoyed the work, her favorite day of the month was the day she did the bookkeeping – balancing the books. She enjoyed bookkeeping so much that she took an accounting course and has been the financial accountant for her church ever since – and she loves it. Earlier on in life, she never knew that God had given her that talent.
Anita told us that after she retired from work she started dabbling in paints and discovered she has an artistic gift that never had shown up before.
Mark Gerzon, in his book Listening to Midlife writes:
“As we age, we human beings yearn for wholeness. We yearn for parts of ourselves that have been in the dark to find sunlight, and those that were sunburned to find shade. We yearn for parts that have been underdeveloped to grow, and those that were overdeveloped to be pruned. We yearn for the parts that have been silent to speak and those that were noisy to be still. We yearn for the parts that have been alone to find companionship and those that have been overcrowded to find solitude. We yearn to love our unlived lives.”
We have at least a third of our lives left to try new things, learn new skills, go on overseas adventures – to serve God by being everything He created us to be. Life is not over when we reach 55. We are just entering a new exciting season of life. Let’s not waste these most wonderful years by sitting on a rocking chair waiting for the kids to come over.
Father you have told us in Psalm 92:14, “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. Give us the creativity and courage to use every bit of life for your glory. Amen.
Questions: Are you concerned as to how God will use you when you get older? Do your talents change as you get older?
About the author Katherine Kehler
Generosity
Are you searching for a source of peace? We can pray for you.
Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.
Generosity is the currency of life. Generous people generate things… they produce and create. Sometimes it’s in the tangible things of life and other times it’s what their generosity creates in the hearts of others.
Choose today to give. Hold your hands open and offer yourself to God first. Let His wisdom, strength and power flow through you. Offer to be His conduit.
Then give yourself to others. Give your time, give your attention, give your resources and give your care.
God’s word speaks the truth when it says, “The world of the generous gets larger and larger – the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller” (Proverbs 11:24).
Be generous today and just see if your own world doesn’t expand in some way.
Think about stingy-ness. The mark of the stingy person is the attitude of fear that convinces him there never will be enough. Ask yourself if you are stingy in any area. Making a change will enhance your life.
Choose wisely. If you are a manager and have people working under you, be deliberate in having a generous attitude as you respond.
Surprise yourself today as you reach out to make a generous choice in some unexpected way.
Lord, fill my heart to overflowing with gratitude for Your love and faithfulness. Help me to pass Your love on in some way today. Amen.
Inspired by “The Rest of God” Chapter 5 by Mark Buchanan
Questions: Are you a generous person? Are you stingy in any way? What changes can you make to enhance your life?
About the Author Gail Rodgers
