Devotional For Women Blog
Acknowledge Him
Where do you need to see God at work today? Come talk to a mentor.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
We both entered the doorway at the same time. She paused and looking at me, waved her arm in front of her gesturing me to go first. Acknowledging my presence she let me lead the way. In much the same way God has given us the wise instruction to acknowledge Him in all of our ways; to look to Him and let Him lead the way. With that instruction comes the promise that He will direct our paths.
Today as you go through your day, be mindful to acknowledge the Lord God in everything that concerns you. In doing so He will enter every situation and conversation ahead of you and He will direct the way.
As you wake up not feeling enthusiastic about going to work:
Lord, please go ahead of me today as I walk into work. Give me peace and confidence as I acknowledge You as the source of this provision for me. Guide my path through this day as I work diligently for You.
As you walk into a meeting, a conversation, a chance meeting on the street:
Lord, I step aside right now and ask You to step ahead of me and prepare the way so that my words and attitudes will bring Your light into this moment.
As you engage in your relationships and your work in your home:
Lord, thank you for my family. Right now I acknowledge that I need You to prepare the way as You go ahead of me into… this supper hour/this hour that I work on my bills and finances/this time that I help the kids with their homework/this mountain of work that overwhelms me/this conversation I need to have with my spouse. Thank you for Your presence and Your promise.
As you feel weary and frustrated with tiredness and health issues:
Lord, I acknowledge You as my strength and my Great Physician. Please direct my path to greater health and give me Your strength and grace today.
Lord, I trust You with every detail of my life. I want to trust You more whole-heartedly every day. I know that my own understanding is so limited and I thank You that You see the whole picture. I ask You to go before me today, to remind me to acknowledge You throughout the events of my day. Thank you that You will guide me with Your wisdom and strength and You will make the way straight for me. I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, amen.
Question: How does it make you feel that God is directing every step of your day? Does that change how you will react and respond to your situations?
Chosen Love
“How great is the love the Father has LAVISHED on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1, NIV, emphasis mine)
I heard the heartache in my best friend’s voice, “We had to hospitalize our son last night. He was threatening violence.” I could feel the pain and anguish through the phone lines and my heart went out to her.
My dearest friend is living day in and day out with an incredibly difficult situation. Times without number she has felt that God has asked her to handle situations that are beyond what she can bear. Yet, every time I see God’s grace exhibited in her life and in the life of her son.
Seven years ago, she and her husband chose to love a young boy that was not their own. They welcomed him into their family and he became theirs. He immediately had all the privileges of a son – love, care, family vacations, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles and Cousins, wealth. Most important of all he was able to learn about God and His love for him.
Isn’t that what God did for us? He chose us to be His own children and welcomed us into the family with all the rights of an heir. We hold the same privileges as His Son, Jesus. “But when the right time came, God sent His Son . . . God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as his very own children . . . Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are His child, everything He has belongs to you.” (Galatians 4:4-5, 7)
This journey has not been easy for my friend and her family. I know she would say that it is, hands down, the hardest thing she has ever done or will do. Even so, the future is not guarenteed.
You see, their little boy, even though he has been given this amazing gift of love, cannot accept it. His past and the things that happened to him before he came to live with them have scarred his life and are holding him captive. He is unable to embrace this love, to bask in its warmth and to allow its light to shine in his life. He has built a fortress around his heart and to let that love in is too frightening and threatening for him. He wants the love and is drawn to it but then pulls away because it threatens to break down his defenses.
As I watch this gifted and talented young boy run from true, unfailing, unconditional love, I cannot help but see myself reflected in him. I do this very thing with God. I am His chosen child and I want His love, in fact I’m drawn to it like a moth to a flame. But I find myself pulling away because His love exposes my innermost being and I don’t like what I see. Why does my heart do this yo-yo dance with God?
I think of my friend and her incredible love for her son. She has given everything for him. She loves him unconditionally and no matter how she is treated by him, she continues to give of herself, to endure through the pain and to love unconditionally.
She is my hero! She is the strongest person I know and she demonstrates God’s great love and incredible patience with him every day 24/7, 365 days a year! In her weakness I see her strength in God grow and in her brokenness and pain I have seen God bring her unspeakable joy.
As I see myself reflected in her son, I see God reflected in her – His grace that I did nothing to deserve, His patience when I am obnoxious and hurtful, His love when I am unlovely, His gentle touch when I am hurting and in pain. That’s how my friend loves her son and that’s how God loves me!
Questions: Why is it so hard to receive pure and undefiled love? Why do I allow fear to keep me from completely enjoying and reveling in God’s incredible love?
I Have a Choice
Are you struggling to face another day? Talk to a mentor.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
How do you face another day? Do you look forward to it with joyful anticipation or do you think, oh no! Not another day.
Just as I have a choice as to what I’m going to wear for the day, I have a choice as to what my attitude will be. I can put on the glasses of pessimism or hope.
When we put on the glasses of pessimism, we see fear and despair, distortion, things are littered with “what ifs” and “if onlys.” But with the glasses of hope, we have faith and a pleasant perspective of the future. After all I serve a God of hope, not of despair. What a difference it makes when you put on the glasses of hope.
Lord, You are God, my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Questions: How can you put on glasses of hope today? What can you do when faced with pessimism?
Rejoice?
Today’s free lesson will help you develop a heart of worship.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4:4-6)
How is your heart this morning? Are you feeling like rejoicing? “Rejoice” may not be the first word that springs to your mind as you awaken in the morning. Yet that is exactly what God’s word calls us to do, and with good reason.
God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our tendency to allow the clamor of the day and the never-ending “to do” list to consume us and eat away at our joy.
He knows our tendency to be “edgy” with those around us when we feel pressured or overwhelmed. He knows anxiety can be quick to come pounding at our heart’s door. That’s why He gives us specifics of “how to” along with the command to “rejoice”. He knows us … and He gives us His wisdom. Listen:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4:4-6)
First, we make a clear cut choice to “rejoice in the Lord.” When our eyes open and the day begins to flood in we can make a deliberate choice to focus our thoughts on the Lord Jesus Christ and all He offers us as our feet hit the floor.
You can pray, “Thank you Lord, that You offer to me all that I need today. Help me rest in the confident expectation that You are right beside me.”
Because the Lord is right beside you, offering what you need today, you can allow gentleness, not edginess, to be your response to those around you.
“Thank you Lord, that Your gentleness can be on my lips and can change my attitudes today. Let gentleness, poured upon my heart by Your Holy Spirit, be evident where edginess usually reigns”.
As the day rolls out and anxious thoughts begin to surface, remember that the Lord is near. Begin to thank Him for the good things in your day. Thank Him for the strength and wisdom He alone can give you. Begin to quietly present your requests to Him in the midst of your present need and in the bumpy parts of your day.
“Thank you Lord, that You alone are big enough to handle all that concerns me today. I give you this concern right now and ask for Your wisdom and strength. I trust Your unfailing love for me today as You work in my circumstances. Help me keep my eyes focused on You, My God and my Savior; my Help and my Strength.”
Then watch the amazing peace of Jesus that will guard your heart and your mind and cover you as you walk through even the most difficult of days… and your heart will rejoice! It’s a complete circle. Be mindful of your choices today.
It’s easy to forget to make that early morning choice to focus on the Lord and all He offers as we step into our day and the morning news greets us.
Some ways to help may include:
*Choosing worship music to wake up too.
*Saying a prayer, before your feet hit the floor, and thanking Jesus that He is right beside you and will guide and give you wisdom and strength today.
* Writing the above Bible verse or a favorite one on a stickie and putting it on your makeup mirror or where you brush your teeth.
Anytime of the day you can pause and pray to Jesus and ask Him for the strength and wisdom He alone can bring. As you choose to rejoice in His presence with You He will be right there to let His peace guard your heart and mind! Thank you Jesus!
Questions: Are you struggling to rejoice? What truths did you learn from this devotional that you can incorporate into your life today?
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Don’t treat prayer like an oil change. Prayer is so much more than that.
“I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it… In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (John 14:13-14 and John 16:23)
“It’s been good talking with you. I know You heard me. And by the way…in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Whether the prayer has been a simple conversation with God or was poured out from a breaking heart, how often we hurriedly tack on four words that we presume necessary to make it a “proper prayer”. It’s as if we believe that God must hear us now because we have finished the formula.
In Jesus’ agonizing time in the Garden of Gethsemane, His words were simple, a cry of His heart to a Father He knew loved Him and heard His voice. During heartbreaking, confusing times like those, formulas are useless because they involve only the mind. When hearts are breaking and minds slog through muddiness, words are from the heart, real, desperate and loaded with emotion.
“In Jesus’ name” is not a formula. Praying in His name means praying with Jesus’ authority and asking God the Father to act upon our prayers—in His time and way—because we come in the name of His Son. When we pray in His name, we are praying His will, as if in His stead, much like when we act on behalf of a loved one in a power of attorney situation. We are praying just as Jesus would.
Dr. Mark Roberts says that when he was young, praying “in Jesus’ name” was something like a magic formula, ensuring that God would hear his prayers. He goes on to say that it might be good not to use the words unless—or until—we have given serious thought to what we are praying: does our prayer in some way lie within the realm of God’s will? And for clearer understanding of that will, we must spend concentrated time in discovering the glorious God of the Bible and in careful listening to His Spirit. “In Jesus’ name” then becomes a powerful statement of faith.
Question: How does praying the way Jesus prayed affect your prayer life?
Chipping Away
Is there a challenging relationship in your life? Come talk to a mentor.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Recently the Lord put a woman in my path who was haughty and proud, but claimed to be a devoted Christian. How can that be? Her blunt, hurtful temperament rubbed my soul like sandpaper. How easy it was for me to look down my nose and point a finger at her. She certainly hasn’t been transformed by the blood of Christ. She’s not “different”, not patient or gentle or even compassionate, even in church.
Then I watched a film about a Michelangelo. They said he could “see” inside a slab of marble and envision what work it held. He chose each slab purposely for every one of his statues because he could visualize the way it would turn out in the end.
It made me realize God is the same way. God is still working in me like a master carver. He is slowly chipping each chunk of self-centered pride away, a bit at a time. His beautiful craftsmanship becomes more and more revealed inside this stone called me. Perhaps you remember the old bumper stickers “Not perfect, just forgiven”, or have heard the phrase “God is not finished with me yet.” I am far from a finished work.
Neither is He finished with that haughty woman. God sees beauty in her as well. At least she is willing to be chipped away by the love of Christ in her life. Then another thought hit me. God gave me the gift of discernment, but unless I rely on Him to show me daily how to use it, I can become haughty and proud as well and think me a better Christian than others. I was acting no better than that woman. I shouldn’t judge, lest I be judged. Ouch — that strike of God’s chisel cut deep in me.
Paul ends the 3rd chapter of Colossians with this- “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17) I prayed Christ would reveal to me the beauty He saw inside of her, so I could see her as He does. It has helped my attitude and we have become casual friends. It’s a start.
Heavenly Lord, thank you that you are not finished with me yet. Thank you for Your forbearance and forgiveness, for Your grace and mercy towards me. Teach me daily to see others through Your eyes with compassion and kindness, patience, and above all, humility. Because we all fall short, let me see the good more than the faults. Set my mind on things above, and my heart also, so I can see Your handiwork in me, and in those around me. I ask this all through Your Son, Jesus and proclaim it in His name. Amen.
Question: Will you pray right now for Christ to reveal the good in that person who rubs you the wrong way?
Your Kingdom Come
Prayer: discovering God’s authority in our surrender
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)
We consider a country a kingdom when the monarch rules with absolute authority like in Saudi Arabia or Vatican City. The leader exercises his control over every aspect of life and his wishes in every realm. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He told them to say, “Your kingdom come”.
Jesus was talking about God’s rule and dominion. In God’s kingdom, God reigns supreme with complete and recognized authority. Subjects fulfill God’s will, plan and purpose. Everyone and everything bows in submission to God.
Unlike the earthly domain we live in, God’s domain functions differently:
· “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luke 7:28)
· “The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)
· “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:31)
When we ask for God’s kingdom to come, it means we invite God’s dominion in our lives. We surrender our wills in order to carry out His will. We submit to His plan. God desires His kingdom – His rule and authority – be at work in those who seek Him. We don’t need to wait for eternity to begin experiencing God’s kingdom. Instead, we can live in His kingdom today.
Heavenly Father, We pray as Jesus directed us to pray. You are God in heaven. Holy is Your name. I ask Your kingdom to come in my heart, in my home and in my community. I want Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Questions: What area of your life do you need God’s kingdom to come? Why do we need God’s kingdom to come in our lives first, before we worry about others?
Your Kingdom Come
How can we pray for you today?
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)
We consider a country a kingdom when the monarch rules with absolute authority like in Saudi Arabia or Vatican City. The leader exercises his control over every aspect of life and his wishes in every realm. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He told them to say, “Your kingdom come”.
Jesus was talking about God’s rule and dominion. In God’s kingdom, God reigns supreme with complete and recognized authority. In this kingdom subjects fulfill God’s will, plan and purpose. Everyone and everything bows in submission to God.
Unlike the earthly domain we live in, God’s domain functions differently:
- “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luke 7:28)
- “The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)
- “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:31)
When we ask for God’s kingdom to come, it means we invite God’s dominion in our lives. We surrender our wills in order to carry out His will. We submit to His plan. God desires His kingdom – His rule and authority – be at work in those who seek Him. We don’t need to wait for eternity to begin experiencing God’s kingdom. Instead, we can live in His kingdom today.
Heavenly Father, We pray as Jesus directed us to pray. You are God in heaven. Holy is Your name. I ask Your kingdom to come in my heart, in my home and in my community. I want Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Questions: What area of your life do you need God’s kingdom to come? Why do we need God’s kingdom to come in our lives first, before we worry about others?
In My Image
What do you pray for your kids? Beth Scholes has some excellent prayers from a parent’s heart.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.” (Philippians 4:4-8)
There’s a picture on my windowsill of my three children, smiling back at the camera. Taken years ago, they’re so little in this picture. Our daughter looks so much like me. God has made an extension, a likeness of myself. She is her own person and she lets us know it. She was created for her time, for such a time as this. However, she bears my image.
In that family image captured three years earlier I see our happiness and the closeness that we share, a closeness that is still growing today. I pray our children will have been blessed with an upbringing that will undergird their lives for the purposes the Lord has for them. May their childhoods adorn the testimony of their lives for the glory of the Lord.
We have a quiver of children. What are we aiming them at for the trajectory of their lives? What path are we setting for them in childhood? When we let the arrow go and they move out of our home, which target will they fly toward?
The child, unlike the arrow, has a mind of its own. That thought could make me anxious. So I bring this as well to the Lord in prayer.
Lord, I praise you for your never ending, never forsaking, always hoping, love for us. Thank you for the blessings you have bestowed on my family. Thank you for our love. Have your way in our family. Help us to serve you as you desire. Remove anything from our lives, from our relationships, that would be contrary to your will. May we be found at the end of our short time on earth faithful to you, and having fulfilled your purpose for our lives. I pray that in all things, we will display your image. May you be glorified. In the strong name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Question: How can you help direct a child to Jesus in your life?
Jesus Paid it All
Gain a deeper understanding of grace with our free study in the book of Ruth.
“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:6-8)
Jesus Paid it ALL
All to Him I owe
Sin had left a Crimson Stain
He washed it white as snow (Author, Elvina M. Hall)
We sang that old hymn this morning in church and honestly, I just wanted to sit down and bawl my head off. Maybe it is just PMS but I don’t think so.
I grew up in a Christian home; in fact my parents were missionaries in the frozen tundra of Alaska. I was the oldest in my family and a people pleaser. I never did drugs, never drank before I was 21 and basically kept my parents from feeling like they weren’t terrible at their job. I never really saw my true depravity and that led to become a pretty arrogant and superior young woman.
Every once in a while, I would realize I wasn’t perfect. Like the time I tripped and fell down the stairs, after an older gentleman had praised me for my “maturity”. But it really wasn’t until I began to have children of my own that I began to see myself for who I really was. My children brought out this monster in me that I never knew existed!
I began to see that I truly did need a Savior and that my heart was dark and evil and wanted to go its own way. I was in desperate need of a Redeemer. This experience of mothering was the turning point for me. God began to show me that I was just as much in need of a Savior as anybody else, that my sin was just as evil and destructive as the next person.
He slowly softened my heart and I became less judgmental. How can you judge someone else when you know in the deepest darkest place in your heart, it’s just like theirs or even worse? Evil is evil, sin is sin and it all turns us away from God.
So remember:
Jesus paid it ALL – I did nothing to save myself
All to Him I owe – I owe Him everything!
Sin had left a Crimson Stain –The stain on my heart I could not in my own strength make clean
He Washed it White as Snow! - God did EVERYTHING
In the words of another hymn, “Oh Sacred Head Now Wounded” (author, Bernard of Clairvoux)
What language shall I borrow?
To Thank Thee dearest friend
For this Thy dying sorrow
Thy pity without end
Oh, make me Thine forever
And should I fainting be
Lord, let me never, never
Outlive my love for Thee
Question: Are there any uncovered sins you need to bring to the foot of the cross? How can you share your story of faith with another person?
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