Devotional For Women Blog
Things or Memories
How can you be a better friend? Find out in “The Friendship Reflection”
“I thank my God every time I remember you…” (Philippians 1:3)
On the first Saturday of this past December, I opened the doors of the kitchen cabinet that is high above all others. In that cabinet I store the red plates and cups that grace our table each Christmas. It is not just their color that makes them appropriate for the holiday season. Almost twenty years ago while living in Germany, a friend called to invite me to travel with her and a few other friends to a famous factory where Christmas dinnerware was manufactured. Unfortunately, my schedule was full for that day, but I asked her to bring back three or four of the less expensive plates and mugs.
A week or so later I opened my front door to see Cathy standing there with a complete set of the deep red dinnerware! Conflicting emotions immediately surfaced: “How absolutely beautiful our Christmas table would look!” And, “There is no way I can pay for all this.” But before the latter words came out of my mouth, Cathy said, “This is my Christmas gift to you.” And so through all these years, Cathy’s generosity has come to mind as I set our Christmas table.
This past December I noticed that the dinner plates were no longer bright and pristine. Surface scratches could no longer be hidden with white dinner plates set atop. It was time to pack up the plates and donate them to the re-sale shop down the street.
Even while twinges of sadness rose in my heart, I was reminded that while things wear out, memories remain. If I found replacement red plates, they would not be the same ones given by Cathy, but her generosity and love would be remembered. The temptation to grasp things is strong, especially in later years when such things seem to be the only tangible evidence of the past. But letting go of things while treasuring memories is a healthy way to live.
Dear Father, Thank you for the gift of friendship. Help me to be a good steward of the people you have placed in my life. Amen.
Questions: Have you ever received an unexpectedly generous gift? Has God ever asked you to go above and beyond? How did you respond?
T Before I
May we pray for you today?
“And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment–to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” (Ephesians 1:9-10)
One of the things I love about the English language is how words can contain hidden meanings. The same letters, when arranged slightly differently, can give us a whole different perspective. Take the words UNTIE and UNITE for example.
By simply flipping two letters, the entire meaning of the word changes. One word is becomes the opposite of the other. One binds together, the other separates. Spell check won’t pick that up by the way, since both are real words. But oh, how different the meaning becomes when you mistakenly switch those two letters.
Two letters make all the difference. I like to think that the “I” stands for “me” and “T” stands for “their, they or them”. If I put their needs above my own, I take on the servitude attitude of Christ. But, as long as I stay in the two-year-old phase of my spiritual growth and think the world revolves around my desires I will separate people from me. My motives will be I-centered, not they-centered. Instead of being a unifying factor, I will push people away with my self-centeredness.
But, you say, “Wait. That doesn’t work. In the word UNITE, I is before T.”
True, it doesn’t work, unless you add the UN – which means not. Therefore, if I am “un” I, (or not me-orientated) I will unite. But, if I’m “un” T (or not them- orientated), I will untie what once united me to them.
So what does the “E” stand for since it is at the end of both UNITE and UNTIE? It stands for everything. Reread Ephesians 1:9-10.
As Christians we are in the uniting business. We are to unite our wills to Christ. We are to unite as a body of believers. We are to bring people together instead of letting pride, envy, greed, prejudice or anger separate us. We have all fallen short of the glory of God, and while not condoning sin, we should not let anyone’s sin cloud our judgment. We are to love the sinner into remission and help them back on the right path, uniting them back into the fold.
Christ is ultimately the uniting factor of all. He takes the unit (each of us) and makes it one. With Him as my guide, I can try each day to do that as well. T before I.
Heavenly Lord, You came to unite all of us to You, to reconcile us by Your sacrifice on the cross and the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Help me each day to put “them” before “I” in all I do, say and think, so I may draw those around me into Your loving embrace. Amen.
Question: What will you deliberately do to be “un I” today?
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a Mustard Seed
Do you have faith the size of a mustard seed? Do you believe God can use you to impact His Kingdom? We have an awesome opportunity to reach hundreds of thousands of people each month. Will you help us impact this world?
“[Jesus] told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32)
Jesus told many parables comparing the kingdom of God to something familiar to help people understand what Heaven is like. He said it’s like a tiny mustard seed (Matthew 13:31, Mark 4:30, Luke 13:18); like yeast that works through a large amount of dough (Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:20), and like the seed a man scatters, which grows even though he doesn’t know how (Mark 4:26).
God doesn’t build His kingdom through a complex international strategy with a slick business or marketing plan. It doesn’t make national news. Instead, quietly – starting with one person of faith – it grows and spreads.
It starts with a person like you, who may not possess great communication skills, but who believes Jesus’ sacrifice paid for your sin. As you live in the freedom that forgiveness brings, you influence your husband and your children. The peace and joy displayed in your life changes the atmosphere of your home. Impatience, criticism and selfishness begin to melt away. Friends and neighbors start to notice.
A teaspoon of yeast can make three cups of flour rise. A single mustard seed grows into a plant large enough for birds to sit on its branches. Flower seeds planted in the garden each summer germinate and sprout while we sleep! It doesn’t take much because God does the work. We don’t even have to understand how it works; we just need to surrender our lives to Him.
Holy God, help me to understand what Your kingdom is like. May I willingly allow You to spread Your kingdom through me. Amen.
Question: When have you seen a small step of faith produce something great?
When You Can’t, God Can
“With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
When we are going through a trial it’s hard to imagine how things will get better. God wants us to depend on Him in every trial we face. When we can’t, God can. Because God loves us as dearly loved children, He is willing and able to turn our situation around if we will depend on Him, trust in Him, and wait on Him.
In Genesis, when Pharaoh had a disturbing dream foreshadowing the seven years of famine that would come upon Egypt, he told Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” (Gen. 41:15) Joseph was the king’s last hope. I imagine the pressure on Joseph to interpret the king’s dream was intense.
Instead of making something up to humor the king, like other wise men probably did in hopes to save their neck, Joseph openly admits to Pharaoh “I cannot do it”. Clearly this was not the answer Pharaoh wanted to hear. However, Joseph goes on to say “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Gen. 41:16) “But God” — I bet those two words were music to Pharaoh’s ears. Joseph couldn’t give Pharaoh the answers he sought, but God would. Not only did God give Pharaoh the interpretation to his dream, He used Joseph mightily to prepare for the famine and exercise his gift of administration.
What are you facing today that only God can turn around? No matter what you are facing, no matter what you may face, no matter what your need—rest assured, when you can’t, God can. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5), but with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26).
God thank you that no matter how discouraging my circumstances may be, I can have hope because You can turn it all around and make a way when there was no way. Help me Lord to do my part to trust you and wait on your deliverance. Amen.
Question: When you need help, which Bible verses do you turn to for wisdom and assurance?
Feeling Rejected?
How do you define yourself? Take our free lesson to find out.
“And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored.” (Genesis 29:16-17, KJV)
Have you ever been the victim of rejection? Have you ever felt like you were a contestant in a game of favorites and lost? If anyone knew the pain of rejection, it was Leah. She was treated differently because she was not as attractive as her sister. Talk about hurting your self-esteem! Can you imagine how much Leah must have hurt knowing that she was not loved as much because of her looks? Rejection is painful!
Maybe you’ve never faced that kind of rejection. Perhaps your rejection is of a different sort. Could it be that you were fired from a job because “the other woman” was a suck-up? Maybe you’ve eaten your lunch alone because you weren’t popular enough to eat with the “in crowd.” Perhaps your loved one walked out on you because he found “someone better.” At some point in our lives, we have all faced rejection.
The good news is that God knows all about our rejection. He knows how much we hurt. He knows all about our heavy hearts. He knows, and He cares. If you’ll read on in chapter 29 of Genesis, you’ll see how God dealt with Leah’s rejection.
“And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. . .And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, ‘Now will I praise the Lord: therefore she called his name Judah’; and left bearing.” (Genesis 29:31,35, KJV)
Not only did the Lord give Leah children, He gave her Judah, the child that would be the start of the line of Christ. What a gift! True, Leah may have been rejected by her family and friends, but God never rejected her.
The same can be said for us. Many times it seems like we don’t have a friend to stand with us. At times, we can be brought so low that we wonder if anyone really cares. Well, I’m here to remind each of us that God does care. He will never reject us! After all, we were ugly in our trespasses and sin, yet He still sent His only Son to die for us. Now that’s true love!
Questions: Do you feel rejected? How can you learn from Leah’s story about God’s love?
Back on Track
Be encouraged! Failure is not fatal.
“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” (Hebrews 12:1)
At the beginning of each New Year, multitudes of people make a resolution to change a particular area in their life that needs improvement. The most common ones are to lose weight, reduce debt, and stop smoking. Most have every good intention to correct the problem, but many give up by February, if not sooner.
As followers of Christ, often we too set out to renounce particular habits and behaviors, along with solemn promises to embark a more dedicated walk with the Lord. We might pledge to read our Bibles and pray on a daily basis, to faithfully attend church and tithe regularly, or to serve in a particular church ministry or outreach. However, just like the majority of people who break their New Year’s resolutions, we too may have fallen off track, abandoning our commitment and forfeiting the victory we earnestly desired.
If this sounds all too familiar, today is the day to get back on track! Do not allow the enemy, your flesh, nor guilt and shame to keep you disqualified from that which you wholeheartedly desire. Get back in the race so you can achieve the goals you set out to attain on behalf of God, yourself and others.
In Proverbs 24:16 we read, “for though a righteous man (woman) falls seven times, he (she) rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.” Refuse to allow the enemy to bring you down into calamity, eliminating you from receiving that which God desires to see you win.
With determination and self-control, realistic goals, continuous reliance on the Holy Spirit, an accountability group (if needed), and fixing your eyes on Jesus, you’re on the way to victory. In Hebrews 12:1 we read, “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Ask God to reveal the ‘weight and hindrances’ that are entangling you. Pray that the Holy Spirit will aid you in overcoming fleshly desires and the works of the enemy so you can come out a winner. Remember, it is never too late to get back on track, become victorious in all that He seeks to accomplish in and through you, and pass some of your victory unto others that are struggling.
Heavenly Father, pardon me for my shortcomings. May Your Holy Spirit empower me to live a victorious life that brings honor and glory to Your name. May I run this race with perseverance in hopes of bringing others into the victory lane as well. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen
Question: Is there a certain area of weakness you have been battling?
This is a Grace-Day
Do you find it hard to accept God’s forgiveness? Come talk to a mentor.
“In him (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:7-8)
God calls us to practice grace in a fallen, unjust world, where fighting or avoiding each other is more common than forgiving each other. We need to remember that we are recipients of grace, God’s undeserved favor.
Because of God’s holy justice, we deserve judgment for our sin. But Jesus paid for our sin-debt in full, so that now God offers us mercy and grace. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting favors we don’t deserve. “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8) Grace is a gift, which he has freely given us in Christ.
Not only do we receive God’s grace at salvation, but He pours it on us lavishly moment by moment. He equips us to be His agents of grace in our families and our neighborhood.
I will remember that today is a grace-day:
Great Riches At Christ’s Expense are mine.
I will immerse myself in the ocean of His grace. I will feed on promises of His grace. I will be a grace-giver in prayer, and in my walk and talk.I will bless someone with grace today.
Dear Father, I’m truly amazed at your grace which you keep pouring out on me. I want to bless someone with your grace today. Amen.
Questions: Can you think of someone who needs to know and experience the grace of God? Will you reach out to that person today?
Do Not Give Up
Does it feel like your life is under construction? Find hope for today and tomorrow with our free lessons in the book of Philippians.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Several years ago, my life was going through some tough terrain. If I had given up hope and allowed my circumstances to get the best of me I would not be carrying out the plans God had for me today. During this time of great pain and suffering, God inspired me to write a book about the ordeal I found myself in. This is a piece of it:
“I knew God still had plans to use me and no way could I allow my present affliction to thwart His will. According to scripture, He knew how many hairs were on my head, especially now with so few. I refused to let the shedding of my hair keep me down. I had too many important things to accomplish…the good plans God destined for me to carry out…I believed God knew my heart and concern, thus, I prayed and sought help to aid me through this valley of darkness.
Accordingly, I found a specialty shop that sold wigs. The owner understood my concern. She treaded similar grounds, along with the array of other customers walking through her door. The two of us took nearly an hour to find the appropriate wig for my petite head. It took almost another hour for her to perform her miraculous works, cutting and trimming it to accommodate my features. With my back to the mirror, I had no idea what was taking place. She assured me I’d be very pleased. She had many years experience doing what she loved the most.
Once done, she turned me around and I couldn’t believe my eyes. A huge smile blanketed my face, accompanied by a sparkle in my eye. Wow! What a difference. I love it! Thank you so much. I knew I’d be on my way to embracing the things I sought to accomplish without hindrance. I recognized she held a gift, a divine knack to aid and comfort those undergoing change and acceptance. Upon leaving, I thanked God for placing one of His working angels in my path. I believed He fated her to be a blessing unto others as she was to me. I hoped she fully recognized her awesome gift, her contribution to this imperfect world. The wig assisted me for a season, paving a way for me to press on.”
Thankfully, during this season of hardship, God placed the right people within arm’s reach to aid, comfort, and encourage me. No matter how bleak my situation appeared, I was determined to do my best regardless of the momentary affliction. God is faithful to those who diligently seek Him.
If you are currently going through a difficult time right now, seek God and be aware of the special people He places in your life. Do not give up…for God has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Questions: Do you need some hope in your life? Who are some special people in your life who can be of comfort to you?
He Called Me Sister
Do you feel like part of the family? Come talk to a mentor.
“I’m praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me”. (John 17:20-21, The Message)
It was a simple conversation in a crowded room with a man from another country. We had met only once before, almost a year earlier. I knew a few details of his Christian experience; he knew none of mine. As we stood surrounded by people, he prefaced his remarks with one word: Sister.
In his culture it is common and comfortable to address a Christian with the term “brother” or “sister.” It also happens in some other cultures when Christians gather. But to me that evening, the word took on the brilliance of neon. I am his sister. He is my brother. We are connected to each other and to the Father. The family tie is unbreakable.
This powerful connective moment has happened before in my life and always with a person from another culture. It is as though God wants to strike me with the importance of plural pronouns in His Kingdom. “Don’t you (all) know that you (all) are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in the midst of you (all)?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
While we are individually accountable to respond to God’s invitations, once we are in the family, we are one unit. Jesus’ prayer for us just before His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane almost aches with His desire that we relate as brothers and sisters, that we work out in daily experience what Christ accomplished in reality. The Apostle Paul put it plainly: “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
When Jesus’ disciples asked for a lesson on prayer, it is significant that Jesus began with “OUR Father…” “Our” is a personal pronoun that packs a Kingdom punch.
Question: Do you feel like you are part of God’s family? If you don’t, ask the Lord to guide you to good church, small group or new friends.
Under Toe
God’s protection is just one side of His character. Get to know Him even better with our free study on the character of God.
“Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.” (Psalm 77:19)
When I was a child, my family would head for the Texas coast on Memorial Day. Being too young to frolic in the waves by myself, my father would lift me onto his shoulders. As the waves flowed to his waist and chest, they would swirl around my legs. I could touch the waves and splash, but my dad was protecting me, holding on tight. His feet dug into the sand to steady us, just under the water.
Secure and giddy, I never felt any danger. I wasn’t afraid of the ocean even though I had seen the news reports of the hurricanes and witnessed the leftover damage along the beach. But on those summer days on the Gulf, the ocean was my friend because Daddy was there, his feet in the sand and me on his shoulders.
When I grew older and wanted to venture in on my own, I learned about undertow – the mucky sand pits that can swirl around your feet and threaten to topple you as the waves ebb and flow. You can feel the power of their pull on your ankles and if you stand there in the current long enough, you will start to sink into it, get stuck, and the waves can pound over you. There were also things lurking under the water you could not see, like broken shards of sea shells, sticky tar balls, Man O’Wars and Jellyfish.
“Footprints in the Sand” is a very familiar inspirational poem. The footprints in the sand along the beach of time were sometimes in twos as God and Man walked side by side. But when there was only one pair, it was when God was carrying Man.
This verse from Psalm 77 gives another image of God’s footprints. It shows them, like my dad’s, unseen because they are deep below the surface. They are under the waves, dug into the sand—under-toe, so to speak. But just because we can’t see them doesn’t mean they are not there steadying us. Perhaps those are the times that we learn He not only walks on water, but walks underneath it and through it as well—all for our protection.
Life is better and safer when we are on our Father’s shoulders. He knows what lies below the surface of our lives. I prefer to frolic in the safety of his grasp—don’t you?
Questions: When has God carried you? When have you felt the pull of life “under-toe”?
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What Do You Fear?
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