To Read This Week: Exodus 3 & Isaiah 6

Challenge: What do you need to trust God with this week? What step of faith do you need to take?

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I love email. I know it’s silly, but I truly love receiving emails – especially from women who are a part of my ministry, Christian Work at Home Moms. I love hearing what God is doing in their lives and how He is creating businesses out of the very fabric of who they are and the things that they love to do.

I received an email not long ago, however, that wasn’t nearly so encouraging. The woman was upset. She had been hurt by people during her work-at-home journey, she felt used and abused. She took that anger out on me. I was heartbroken as I read that email and felt this woman’s pain. My heart ached not just for the anger that she expressed, but at seeing the pain behind her words.

Words give us power. They allow us to communicate what God is teaching us. They give us the ability to share the joys and triumphs of life.

And yet, words can be used to wield another sort of power as well – the power to injure. We can so easily hurt others with the words that write and speak. I can think of countless times that I have spoken something without thinking – with no intention of hurting someone – and injured the person on the receiving end.

James 3:3 -6 tells us:

“Take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.
Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

What a powerful statement that last line is. Read it again: “It [the tongue] corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” The words we speak can corrupt us if we choose to speak words that belittle others, hurt others or tear others down.

On the flip side, in Proverbs 31:26 we find out how a godly woman uses her words:
“She speaks wise words and teaches others to be kind.”

A woman who fears the Lord chooses her words carefully. She is calm and patient and thinks before she speaks, therefore she speaks “wise words.”

This is of such importance both as mothers and as businesswomen. We have the power to use our words to build up those who work for us, to make things right when a customer is dissatisfied, and to encourage and equip our children to live godly lives. The flip-side is true as well. We have the power to tear our children down, to complain about colleagues or customers, and to speak words that will do much more harm than good.

If I were to ask your family or friends if you are woman who speaks wise words or words that corrupt, how would they answer?

Let’s take some time today to evaluate the things that are coming out of our mouths. Let’s slow down and think before we speak. Let’s choose words that show our children our love for them even in the midst of frustration. Let’s reach out to our co-workers and colleagues and tell them that we appreciate them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

An old year is fading and a new year is upon us again. Each year I go kicking and screaming into the New Year, and not because I am against change. My pants pocket is full of change.

I simply cannot remember to change the year on the checks I write until May. By the time, I remember the correct year I have forgotten to make deposits into my checking account. I need a reality check, which with any luck will not bounce as high as my checkbook.

That is not the only reason I hesitate going into a new year. The biggest reason has to do with the mistakes I made during the old year.

Looking back over the old year, I worry that my blunders were not as bad as they could have been. Did I make all the gaffes I possibly could? Did I fill my quota? What is my quota, anyway? Read the rest of this entry »

 The following is the preface from Daily in His Presence by Andrew Murray with Bruce Wilkinson:

“Why are so many Christians reluctant to spend time in prayer? If, on the human level, spending time in the company of a parent is normally something quite natural and enjoyable for a child, what is it that hinders God’s children from doing the same with their heavenly Father?

One answer could be that we are too focused on our human limitations, on our own meekness and sinfulness, and not enough on God’s greatness, holiness, love, and omnipotence. The thoughts and feelings that fill our hearts and minds influence our prayers. If we dwell upon our own needs and desires, our own efforts, and our own faith, we shall soon find that there is no real power in our prayers.

It is essential that we see prayer in the light of God: the deep interest He takes in us, the great love with which He desires to answer prayer, the omnipotence of His power, and the magnitude of His strengthening grace.

As with all else, in prayer God must be first. Prayer, to be effective, needs to first be approached in the light of heaven and the infinite glory of the living God. It is when, by this marvelous grace, we have been lifted up into His fellowship and love that He bestows upon us the blessings we need. The first thing, then, must be to bow in lowly reverence before God, offering Him our adoration and worship.

We need to take time to adore God and to secure some sense of His presence. Give God time to reveal Himself to you. Then adore Him. God is in the temple: Let all who appear before Him do so in awe. Prostrate yourself before Him with deepest reverence. Own Him alone as your God and Savior, and praise His name forever.”

Excerpted from Daily in His Presence by Andrew Murray with Bruce Wilkinson Copyright © 2011 by Andrew Murray with Bruce Wilkinson. Excerpted by permission of Multnomah Books, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. 

 “When the night is the darkest, the stars shine the brightest.”

This simple proverb was shared with me in the midst of the darkest period of my life. Making one poor choice after another had me in a deep, deep hole. I dug that deep hole with my own disobedience, though I failed to see it that way. In my own warped view I was not to blame for the world crumbling down all around me.

My nights were so dark and my heart so hardened that rather than crying out to God for help I blamed him for “allowing” such terrible things to happen to me. At the time I failed to see that what I saw as obstacles in my path were really opportunities for positive choices.

With so much going wrong in my life I failed to see what was going right and what I had to be thankful for. Though I was wandering through the desert of disobedience God still had His hand on my life.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2)

Hmmm…Even through the darkest nights, God?

“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)

Seriously, God?!! What about all this stuff going wrong in my life?! How am I supposed to respond with everything going wrong in my life?!

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

What about the tough times, God?

“Give thanks in all circumstances…”

What about in the times I hurt the most, God?

“Give thanks in all circumstances…”

You see, “all” is one of those comprehensive words. It is not a selective word. We are not to give thanks for what we deem as “thankable” in our lives. We are to thank God even when the word crumbles with bitterness as we speak it.

Through my darkest nights he taught me to be thankful and in my thankfulness I was able to finally look up and see the beauty of the brightest stars shining in the sky of my darkest night. He was there with me through it all. It is not for us to know why different things, good and bad, happen in our lives. Whether we know the purpose or not, whether things are good or bad, we are called to give thanks to God in ALL circumstances.

Now that I am walking in a wonderful relationship with our savior does not mean I have life figured out nor does it mean ‘bad things’ no longer happen. It does mean, though, that through it all I have learned to be thankful.

What are you thankful for today? Can you see the valleys God has brought you through as times to be thankful for? Can you see that our thanksgiving should not be reserved only for the mountain-top experiences in our lives? Thank God for ALL things.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Pebbles Jacobo loves a good adventure. Her time in Africa as a missionary is just one of the many adventures she has experienced. From her adventures, Pebbles found her love for challenges. Of course, in our ever-changing world challenges freely abound. After starting her own business working from home as a virtual assistant, Pebbles found herself thoroughly intrigued and fascinated with the world of social media. Her love of of social media has grown over the years and she now offers social media marketing to her clients. What better way to feed her need as a Facebook junkie and get paid for it! Connect with Pebbles on Facebook or on Twitter.

Do you feel like a success? As work-at-home moms it’s easy to get caught up in the “look what she has accomplished” mindset and fail to see all that God has done in our own lives and businesses. We need to shift our perspectives from  “what I want to accomplish” to “WOW! Look what God has done!”

Thanksgiving is upon us and this seems like the perfect time of year to think about how God sees you and your success. Do you believe that He wants you to succeed?

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Believe it or not, the sentence above is a quote directly from Scripture – Psalm 20:4. If our hearts are right with God, we are on track for success in life. Now, this may not mean that each of us can be a millionaire, but it does mean that God wants to lead us down the path to success.

This proverb (see Proverbs 2:7) is a powerful reminder that our God is a God of justice. He “holds success” for the upright. Does that mean wicked people can’t be successful? No. We must look at the sentence following and be reminded that God is our shield – if we trust in Jesus. Only by trusting in the person and power of Jesus can we be seen as “blameless in God’s sight.” (1 Corinthians 1:8)

You see, God looks at us much differently than we look at ourselves. We see our sins, failures and shortcomings. However, when we believe in Jesus as our salvation, God sees us as blameless. What freedom there is in that truth!

There are other areas of life where we need a perspective change as well. You see, many of us, especially Americans see ourselves as poor.  We makes comments like, “I’m so broke.”  I’ve been guilty of this more times than I can count. But I recently had a wake-up call as to how God sees my financial status.

In his book Weird, pastor and author Craig Groeschel shares:

If you earn $37,000 a year, you are in the top 4 percent of all wage earners alive today – certifiably rich by anyone’s definition. If you make $45,000 a year or more, you are in the top 1 percent of wage earners in the world.

How many of us can say our family income is $37,000 or more a year? Many of us easily fit into even the TOP 1 PERCENT of wage earners worldwide. That is a staggering truth. That makes us not poor, but RICH in the world’s eyes….and in God’s eyes. Sadly, we believe we are poor because we do not manage our finances responsibly, nor do we share much of what we have with those in true need.

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

Ephesians 4:28 reminds us that have a God-given responsibility to share. This Thanksgiving, let’s change our perspective. Let’s see ourselves for who we truly are – children of the King, co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), people who have been given much and who need to look outside of ourselves and see the need that exists around us.

Let’s make this Thanksgiving a time of not only thanking God for what He’s given us, but going a step further and changing our lives to reflect our gratefulness.

“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25 NIV

Leadership is a hot topic; in schools, in relationships, at work and at home. Who should lead and who should follow? Beyond even the male-female dynamic, what are we teaching our children when it comes to leadership? Are we realistic? Are we teaching based on the current culture, our own beliefs, or the Word? Are we setting a good example?

First, at school. What are they learning? Typically, the United States culture teaches that we should all be leaders. We reward leadership qualities, those that fight to get ahead. And then we wonder where the disobedience comes from. How can we expect children to follow leaders respectfully if we never teach them how to be followers? If we are all leaders, then who are we leading?

Secondly, in relationships. Are we, as parents, exemplifying what it means to lead and follow? The husband is to be the head of the home, and the wife is to submit to his authority. But he should also submit to Christ’s authority. So in all, there should be an example of humble following and strong leadership. The fact that someone can be both a follower and a leader is not something that children should miss out on. It doesn’t make you weak to follow, nor does it make you strong to lead. Balance in all things.

Third, at home. Not only does the husband-wife dynamic play into your children’s views on leadership, but your relationship as a parent affects them drastically. Even single parents can show their children what real leadership looks like. It is not dictatorial, not tyrannical, but rather like Christ loves the church. It is loving, giving, merciful, but still strong. Remember, it is not wrong to say no, as long as it is said in love.

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NIV

Finally, be an example at all times. Even when you mess up. Show your children what it means to sincerely apologize. How can you get mad at them for not saying they’re sorry if they’ve never seen you do it? It shows true leadership to admit that you’ve done something wrong but you continue to lead anyway. Leadership is the foundation for every relationship. Teach your children what it looks like.

But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28 NLT

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  This is a guest post from Laura Backes, she enjoys writing about all kinds of subjects and also topics related to internet service providers in my area.  You can reach her at: laurabackes8 @ gmail.com.

By Jill Hart (Taken from Faith Deployed . . . Again by Jocelyn Green, ©2011. Used with permission of Moody Publishers.)

I remember the first time I pulled up to the gate shack by myself. My husband had warned me that any trouble I got into on base would be getting him in trouble. Now, I’m not a troublemaker, but I was terrified that I would do something without thinking. I wanted to show Allen that he could trust me and, I guess, prove to him that he’d picked the right girl.

My husband worked the night-shift in those early days of our marriage, so it was after midnight when I pulled up to the gate at Offutt and went searching through my purse for my brand-spanking-new ID card. After fumbling around for a bit, I located it and gave the gate guard a nice, sincere smile. I think he thought I might be a bit looney, but he had the grace not to say so and allowed me to pass through onto the base.
As I look back at those days it strikes me that, in some ways, my identity was found in that ID card. It gave me access to get on base and allowed me privileges such as using the BX, the fitness center and the base hospital. All that because I had one small piece of plastic declaring that I was “ok;” that I was “one of the family.”

How much more incredible is it that God has made a way for us to belong to the family of God? 1 John 3:1 tells us,

“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!”

As much as I defined myself as a “military wife” back in those days, I even more confidently define myself as a “child of God.” Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, my identity is found in Him. And it goes beyond that. Because of Jesus, we are not only children of God, but heirs.

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” -Romans 8:17

So, how do we go through our daily lives living as children of God? There are a few ways to keep your mind focused on the truth – that your identity rests not in what you do, or what ID badge you carry in your purse, but it’s found in Christ and the sacrifice He made for your sins. We can:

KNOW What The Bible Says – Reading from God’s Word each day is a great way to learn more about our Creator and more about our identity as God’s child.

TAKE Captive Every Thought – When those negative thoughts begin popping up (“God could never love you,” “You’re no good”) stop them in their tracks. Recite one of the verses above and remind yourself that it’s what God says that matters.

Heavenly Father, please show me who I am in You. Help me to run to you when the voices of doubt and discouragement break through. Remind me that I am a daughter of the Kings of Kings.

1. Have you read a verse recently that you can post somewhere prominent to help remind you of WHOSE you are?
2. What steps can you take to make sure you are spending time in God’s Word daily?

By Jill Hart (Taken from Faith Deployed . . . Again by Jocelyn Green, ©2011. Used with permission of Moody Publishers.)

Then [the older women] can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,  to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.  -Titus 2:4-5

When I graduated from college I was with an organization called Cadence International that ministers to men and women in the US military. As I trained with the Cadence missionaries (I would later meet my husband at a base Bible Study!), I was astounded by how many of the female airmen are young – fresh out of high school. Many of them are scared and alone.
As military wives, all we have to do is look around us to see the many young, female airmen in need of someone to care about and mentor them.

“I’m not mentor material,” I hear you saying to yourself. That’s what I thought, too. However, not long ago I was listening to a talk given by Beth Moore. Beth made a comment that stuck with me. She said that God had chosen to use “while [she] was still sinning.” It hit me when I heard that – I will be a sinner until I get to heaven. I’m going to make mistakes, I’m going to make wrong choices. No matter how hard I try to be perfect I cannot attain it this side of heaven.

Romans 5:8 tells us that, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He didn’t die for perfect people. He didn’t die for religious people. He died for sinners – you and me.

The Bible tells us that the older women should mentor younger women. To quote the verse, we’re to “urge [them]…” All we need to do in order to mentor younger women is to “urge” them, which can simply mean encouraging them by sharing with them what God has done in our lives. We can fill them with His hope and encourage them to “do good deeds” (Heb 10:24).

What are some practical ways to accomplish this?

1. Build Relationships – It all begins and ends here. They must learn to trust us before we can truly speak to them about what God has done in our lives.
2. Speak The Truth In Love – We want these gals to know that we care about them and accept them. However, we must be diligent to speak God’s truth into their lives. When something comes up that goes against God’s Word we can simply say, “did you know that the bible teaches…” and share with them what God says on the subject.
3. Pray – We can share God’s love best sometimes by simply praying for the young women in our lives.

Look around you today and find a young woman you can reach out to and share His love.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Please open my eyes and help me to see the lonely, broken-heartened younger women around me. Help me to set a good example to and to reach out to them with your love.

1. Who in your life can you reach out to today?
2. Is there a ministry at your chapel or church that would help you get involved in the lives of young women in your community?

We were mostly college-aged North American missionaries in the 3^rd poorest country in the world. We were in Tanzania, for the sole purpose of sharing the Gospel, traveling to villages and small towns day to day, holding Billy Graham-type gospel meetings.

Our esteemed leader, Guillermo, was a prayer warrior. Not only did he stress prayer at every team meeting, he oftentimes could be found praying off by himself. I prayed. Not as much as Guillermo, but just as much as I deemed necessary. Was it enough? I soon discovered Guillermo’s intense fascination with prayer and the strength he gleamed at kneeling before the feet of Jesus with his concerns, burdens and praise.

One village in particular proved a stronghold of Satan. On the very first night of our arrival our faith was tested.

That night we stayed in a hostel (picture a single level u-shaped hotel with an open courtyard and gated entry). We were awakened in the middle of the night to the sound of drums and chanting. We could hear them for miles and miles away as they approached our hostel. Eventually they circled our hostel. The message was evident with the accompanying intense oppressive vibes we got: “You are not wanted here. Take your message elsewhere. This is MY town.”

We were there to bring the gospel, but Satan didn’t like that.

“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15

We were there to share of the healing love of Jesus, but Satan didn’t want the people to hear it.

“Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”  Isaiah 53:4-5

We were there because ALL deserved to hear. Satan wanted to keep this village under his oppression. Throughout the night we prayed. At first we prayed on our own, in our rooms, two by two.

After 2 hours of this, we all gathered together and prayed.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

We prayed for the guard at the gate NOT to allow them past the gate. We prayed for the guard’s safety. We prayed for the village the next afternoon we would begin sharing God’s word over the loudspeaker (which could be heard for miles away). We prayed for the people of the village that they would come to know Jesus in a personal way, to know the spiritual freedom only Jesus gives.

“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 4:6-7).

Yes, God’s peace guarded us. We knew we were in the right place at the right time. We knew He was in control. We knew we could trust on Him.

Over the next couple of days of services over many came to Christ.  A new church in that village was born.

Reflection

What had happened if we’d fled in fear, not trusting God, not praying for strength and courage? What happens when we pray? Do we actually see mountains moved? Probably not. But we can see the evidence of God’s working in others’ lives by our attention to prayer.

Pebbles Jacobo loves a good adventure. Her time in Africa as a missionary is just one of the many adventures she has experienced. From her adventures, Pebbles found her love for challenges. Of course, in our ever-changing world challenges freely abound. After starting her own business working from home as a virtual assistant, Pebbles found herself thoroughly intrigued and fascinated with the world of social media. Her love of of social media has grown over the years and she now offers social media marketing to her clients. What better way to feed her need as a Facebook junkie and get paid for it! Connect with Pebbles on Facebook (http://facebook.com/PebblesJacobo) or even on Twitter (PAJacobo).