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Daily Devotion

5/25/2017

Good morning ladies. It is Thursday. PK tried to convince me that it's Friday by telling me I had an appointment today. After a quick moment of panic, I told him that my appointment is tomorrow. Today is only Thursday. Yes, just a few things going on! How about for you? Any stories about your life/family, funny things that happened, or something God is doing in your life? I've been finding it interesting being in our new apartment. It takes time to get used to the noises, both above and below. Yes, you can actually hear the people below us quite well. And the noises have patterns as far as timing goes. It seems that people over-sleep every morning, because right around 7:00, we start to hear all kinds of running going on. Then, for the good part of the day, things are quiet--so nice. Around 3:00, the noise starts up again. Yep, the kids are home from school. And they like to yell between apartments about who's doing what. On top of all this, we're in a dog building, so there's plenty of barking. This is fine with me, but it drives Molly crazy. She has the need to go out and investigate! I will say we've had some nice walks together. It's a beautiful area! Then, around dinner time, there are different sounds; parents getting home from work. Sometimes yelling. I'm guessing kids who didn't do what they were supposed to? Ah, apartment living at its best! And, I'm pretty sure we aren't the quietest either! We have met a couple of our neighbors. LORD, help us to be Your Light shining in this building.

Prayer & Praise

I failed to mention to be in prayer for the families over in England who were tragically affected by the terrorism the other night. We have friends near Manchester, but they have been on holiday this past week. PK and I remember being in that stadium for a 'football' match quite a while back. Our prayers for the peace of God are much needed.

Devotion

I think we all know what it's like when a friend is hurting. It's difficult to know how to respond or what to say. And I'm positive that we have all been through times of hurt and frustration ourselves. This devotion is so helpful, and I love the written conversation with God 'idea.' Have a Thankful Thursday ladies!

“Holding On Through Heartbreak”

“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
Nahum 1:7 (NIV)

We’ve all felt the sting of deep hurts, disappointments and how we thought life would be. But even though I’ve experienced devastation firsthand, sometimes I really struggle with how to help others hold on through the heartbreak.

A few years ago, a dear of friend of mine was going through a divorce. I remember agonizing over how to help … what to say, what not to say. So, I avoided reaching out for fear of saying the wrong thing.

Until one day when a moving truck pulled up to the front of my friend’s house. Sometimes moving signifies something exciting and new. Sometimes … it doesn’t.

This move signified an end. A few hours into the process of emptying her home, the movers carried out her wedding portrait, and called to her, “You want these photographs to go with us, or are you taking those separately?”

“I’ll be taking those separately,” she said, the irony not escaping her.

Separately. That was how she’d be living now. Separate from the way she thought her life would be.

She took the wedding portrait from the mover as a feeling of confusion washed over her. She sat down on the front steps and called me. Through her tears she said, “I don’t know what to do with this portrait. What do you do with the things that have no place anymore? We built a life together and now there’s no more together. There isn’t a place for that in my mind. What am I going to do?”

As soon as I heard her shaky voice, I felt so awful for not calling.

And though I still didn’t know exactly what to say, I knew this was my time to do something.

So I finally said to her, “I’m crying with you. I don’t have answers, but I do have prayers. And I’m going to write out conversations I have with God, so you’ll know He’s not being silent right now. He sees you. He hears you. And through His Truth He will comfort you.”

I pulled out my Bible and poured out the hurt and sadness. “God show me. Show me the right truths. Use my hand to write out some comfort from Your Word for my friend. She’s afraid and needs Your comfort more than ever.”

I put pen to paper and wrote out the verses God revealed to me in conjunction with what I felt Him impressing on my heart.

Me: Lord, I have to tell You it’s a hard thing to watch my friend hurt so much. She begged You to help her marriage, and it feels like You don’t care.

The Lord: Do the words of Job 17:11a express the way you are feeling? “My days have passed, my plans are shattered.” (NIV)

Me: Yes, Lord, and I’m confused. Lord, don’t You see her tears? If seeing her sadness breaks my heart, I know it must break Your heart, too. It’s hard for me to understand why this happened.

The Lord: Recall the beauty of trusting the only One who can see what is and what is to come. Remember my words in Nahum 1:7 … “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”

Me: I do trust You, Lord. But for everything to end like this is so hard. It just seems so pointless.

The Lord: Oh, nothing I allow is pointless. Nothing you go through is pointless. Even in the midst of hurt I will work good. I will work good for her now, and I will work good for her in the future. I still have a grand plan and purpose for her. Proverbs 19:20-21 … “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” (ESV)

Me: I just need to know why she has to go through this.

The Lord: You don’t have to have answers, Lysa. You just need to trust. Isaiah 55:8a, 9 … “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways … As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (NIV)

Me: But what about the desires of her heart, Lord?

The Lord: I am the only one who even knows the full scope of those desires, Lysa. I will give her new desires and help her so those desires come to pass. Just encourage her to trust me and make wise choices. Psalm 37:3-4 … “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (NIV)

After I wrote all this out, I sent it to my friend. My letter didn’t fix her hurt or answer her questions. It didn’t give her a place to put those things that seemed to have no place right now. But it did get her to open up God’s Word and start having conversations with Him for herself. And as she moves on, this was a good first step to take.

Dear Lord, help me connect the truth of Scripture with the very real things I’m facing today. And show me where I can be a light in the darkness for someone else who desperately needs You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
Lysa TerKeurst

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Remember that one day recently where you were dealing with all the stuff? Issues. Stresses. Disappointments. Unrealistic expectations. Frustrations.

And in the swirl of everything begging you to lash out at those around you, you remembered God’s truth. It came through the “Encouragement for Today” devotion that you received that morning from Proverbs 31 Ministries.

You remembered what you learned, and you made a different choice. You responded in a way you knew was better. And right.

Your response didn’t fix your circumstances. But it changed everything about that moment.

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REFLECT AND RESPOND:

What are you struggling through right now? Write out prayers using Scripture to help make connections between your heart and God’s.

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Daily Devotion

5/22/2017

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Good morning ladies. It's glorious to see the SUN this morning after a LOT of rain. I'm excited to finally be able to put out the beautiful flowers and pots on the patio. I was afraid that maybe we bought them a little too early with the colder temperatures, but they survived it. So, how was your weekend? Anything fun that you'd like to share? We didn't do anything too unusual, but were pretty busy. Saturday was the day for errands and I was feeling fairly energetic so I was able to go along. While Casey is in Europe, we decided to help him out and get a few maintenance things done on his car, but that meant going out to Crown College (for the umpteenth time in the last week), getting the car, and then dropping it off at his service place. Fortunately, it's only a few miles from the school. I drove for the first time in a very long time. I was so excited to be driving that I ended up driving all the way back to Maple Grove. Yay! On Sunday we had an emotional day as we said goodbye to our Associate Pastor and his family. Michael was so sick yesterday, though, that he wasn't able to make it. Hopefully, he's feeling better today. His wife Tina spoke and it was such a blessing. They will be greatly missed. They are moving to a new ministry in Cody, Wyoming. In Sunday School yesterday we talked about how God moves people, how sad it can be, but all is done for His purpose and glory. Stretching times. Growing our FAITH.

Devotion

Although we'd all like to think we don't ever have envy in our lives, it's very difficult not to at times. Oh, we might think it's not a serious thing, but it certainly can get the best of us and control our thoughts in a negative way. I can remember a time in my life when envy ravaged itself to the point that I felt "less than," as the author talks about in today's devotion. I compared myself to a college roommate who always seemed so beautiful and put together. By comparing myself, I was letting lies creep in and take over. God makes each one of us beautiful and unique, gifted with talents that only we can use for His glory. A lot to think about. Have a Magnificent Monday ladies!

“A Serious Case of Envy”

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

My friend Carla always had a knack for decorating her home and making people feel welcome.

Everything she created was masterful. From picture-perfect decorations to adorable seasonal food, she made it all look effortless.

I, on the other hand, don’t have that kind of crafty talent.

Carla and I were friends from church and spent time together regularly. For every season and holiday, even the minor ones, Carla had just the right touch to decorate fabulously and show others hospitality.

Over time I began to compare myself to her and believed my creative skills didn’t measure up. I thought my meager efforts to make my house into a home fell ridiculously short of the ideal.

I once grumbled to my husband Steve, that I couldn’t believe Carla even had matching curtains for the holidays! I wish I had been proud of my friend for using her gifts and talents, but deep down, I felt insecure and had a serious case of envy.

Thankfully, Steve wisely reminded me how matching curtains weren’t the only gifts God could use. I didn’t need to have the same talents Carla did; God had wired me differently.

His gentle response reaffirmed me: “Can Carla play piano like you did for the worship team last weekend? Did she serve on the building committee and brainstorm ways to involve the church?”

His comments opened my eyes to the lie I had believed. Somehow I believed my friend got the better talent. And my natural gifts and talents were less than and not good enough.

Whether it’s at home, on the job, with a friend or as a mom, I often need an objective source — be it a godly friend or God’s Word — to help me see a lie at face-value. I need reminders to focus on truth.

Our minds are often a spiritual battleground. We have a very real enemy who tries to capture our thoughts and bring us down with lies. But God wants to take our false narratives and re-write the script. He’s given us divine power to take control of our thoughts through the power of His Spirit.

In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, the apostle Paul reminds us that our enemy doesn’t fight the way the world does. But God has given us everything we need to have the victory. Paul writes: “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (NIV).

It’s definitely not easy though. It seems I’m always wrestling with my thoughts because these internal battles are just so … daily. Maybe I don’t have the most craft-oriented skill set, but that doesn’t excuse me from fulfilling whatever else God has called me to do.

Sadly, my friend Carla passed away last year, dying all-too-young after a valiant battle with cancer. And although I’m still severely lacking in the crafty home décor area, each holiday since then my envious thoughts have been replaced by appreciation for what God did in and through her. With God’s help, I’m learning to appreciate His work in me, too.

Dear Lord, some days I’m capable of remembering my worth in Your eyes, but a lot of days I need some outside help to identify and capture my negative thoughts. Father, empower me with Your truth that You’ve made me to do great things for Your glory, and help me use the talents and gifts You’ve given me and not be envious of others’ abilities. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
Stephanie Raquel

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (NLT)

John 8:32, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NLT)

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Daily Devotion

5/2/2017

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Good morning ladies. The sun is shining on this new day! How are you today? I have to say that I felt humbled yesterday after 'complaining' about having snow in May when I watched the news last night and saw that there were some terrible storms taking place in the south. Lives lost, homes ruined, and people devastated. An item for prayer, for sure. Well, today looks like it will be a lot like yesterday for me. Just putzing away at last minute packing things. It's almost to the point where the rest has to be done on Friday since we still need to use a few things. It was interesting last evening because I wanted to make rice and we had a pan left out but no measuring cups. I thought about it and decided that rice was 1/2, one cup rice to two cups water. I decided that a plastic drinking cup would work just fine, one part of rice and two more of water. Oh my, it's been interesting. Teaches you to be more creative.

The devotion really ministered to me today. I felt like I was reading about myself. For so long, I've seen myself as ordinary, nothing special, even though I know in my heart that God made me unique and special. I think this one will touch your heart as well. And I love her use of the Amplified Bible to give us our key verse. Have a Terrific Tuesday ladies!

Proverbs 31 Ministries
Kay Warren

“God Loves to Use Average People”

“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”
Philippians 4:13 (AMPC)

Growing up, my family moved a lot. My dad was a pastor, and it seemed like every few years we changed churches, homes, neighborhoods and schools. I was always the new kid.

By temperament, I’m an introvert, and regular upheaval to routine and familiarity only increased my sense of being on the outside, of not fitting in.

To make things worse, I saw myself as just an average person; there was nothing special about me. Actually, I felt average in every way — so ordinary. I wasn’t ugly, but I wasn’t beautiful. I could play the piano, but I wasn’t great. I did OK in school, but I don’t think I ever made the honor roll even though I tried hard. I had a few good friends, but I was certainly never one of the “cool” kids.

By the time I reached college, I was fairly certain that although I loved God with all my heart, He probably wouldn’t be able to use me for anything significant in His kingdom.

Then I met this guy — Rick Warren — and for some unknown reason (at least to me!), he thought I was wonderful. Shortly after, he proposed, we got engaged and within a year and a half, we were married. He was studying to be a pastor, so I transferred my dreams of being something other than ordinary in the world of academics or music to being the best pastor’s wife EVER.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that once again, I was just average. I couldn’t even tell Bible stories accurately to the toddlers in the nursery. My husband was amazing; I was ordinary.

Driving in my car one day, I turned on a Christian radio station to distract myself from the deep sadness, dissatisfaction and disappointment I felt about myself. I was seeking a message of hope or a song that would encourage me, and an old gospel song, Ordinary People, was playing. The lyrics said that God chooses and uses ordinary people — those who are willing to give Him their all. The song continued with “little becomes much when you place it in the Master’s hands.”

That moment radically altered my perception of who God was and who He had made me to be. I sobbed with relief and gratitude; my long search for identity and purpose had found an answer. It was God who had chosen me to be an average, ordinary woman. He could have made me prettier, smarter, more talented, more popular or more gifted, but He didn’t. Instead, His intention was for me to bring Him glory by giving Him my little — my averageness, my ordinariness — and then allowing Him to multiply it in ways far beyond what I had ever dreamed of.

My pursuit of being “special” was shelved. My earnest quest to be the best at something was put aside. My focus shifted to accepting and enjoying who God made me to be: an average, ordinary woman who was willing to give her all to the One whose hands lovingly formed and shaped her.

I began to entrust myself — who I am and who I’m not — to God. If He opened doors of opportunity, I would walk through them. If He didn’t, then so be it. What mattered then and what matters now, is that in all things, I am His to do with as He pleases.

I had some relearning to do; I had to adjust my perception of myself. Instead of seeing myself as inadequate or incapable — too shy, too much of an introvert, not smart enough, not gifted enough — I began to believe and apply the truth of Philippians 4:13, “I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses His strength into me.” Anything. Anything. In my strength? No! Only in His strength poured in me.

Dear God, I delight in the knowledge that You have chosen me to be who I am and that You love me exactly as I am. Every day may I be willing to give You my small offering, believing You will multiply it in ways that bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Psalm 119:73, “You made me and formed me with your hands. Give me understanding so I can learn your commands.” (NCV)

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Daily Devotion

5/1/2017

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Good morning ladies and Happy May Day!! Making it to May is always significant for me....it means we'll be seeing a lot of new life bursting out. Some of you in the warmer climates have already been welcoming the tulips and admiring the forsythia. We are probably just a bit behind you but it's coming! Even hearing the birds singing is so refreshing. Yesterday I set my camera out near the patio door so it's ready when I see those beautiful birds come close. It's kind of a funny routine I have....sneaking up on them ever so gently just so I can get a shot. Of course, it doesn't help when Molly notices me acting weird and has to run to the door to see what I'm looking at. By then I'm thinking, okay, what bird?? She's definitely more interested in catching one, but that will probably never happen. All the same, she keeps trying.

So, how was your weekend? Mine didn't go at all as planned, unfortunately. I didn't even make it to church on Sunday. Boo. Since being off of my Lupus medication, I am really struggling with fatigue. I've been off my infusion since last November and I can't go back on it until this whole hip surgery stuff is over. It makes me realize how much this medicine helps me. In the meantime, though, it's pretty frustrating. Especially in the midst of moving. Yes, that day is quickly approaching--this coming Saturday!! I think we're in pretty good shape. PK helped a lot on Saturday and there's probably just a few things left to do. I still have that overwhelming feeling though that I won't get it all done in time. I know it will all work out though. It always does.

Okay, wow. The devotion today really put some things in my life into perspective. It touched me on many levels, especially with becoming a grandma in just a few weeks. I know that it will touch your heart as well. And I was able to see the key verses she used in a whole new way. Have a Magnificent Monday ladies!

“Choosing to See Beyond Your Grief”

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”
Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)

I remember when I heard the news. I was elated and squealed and cried! I hugged our kids, my husband, the dog and anyone else close enough to grab!

I asked my son and daughter-in-law a million questions. And then, hours later, alone in my bed, I processed the news … alone in the reality of fresh loss. The sadness closed in like the final curtain after a beautiful play. Elation was replaced by reality — a reality that brought feelings I never expected.

The reality is, I’m blind. I am about to become a grandma, and I won’t see my grandbaby’s eyes. I won’t know if he has Clayton’s nose or Caroline’s mouth. I won’t see his smile. I won’t see his tiny hands balled into fists as he toddles on chunky little legs taking his first steps. I was deflated. I wept. I asked God a million questions as I hugged my pillow.

Lord, I won’t be able to care for him or take him to the park or color with him or even play peek-a-boo.

Will he think of me as the grandma who isn’t fun? Will he feel safe with me? Will I be the grandma he’s unsure of until he’s old enough to understand?

As I tossed and turned and prayed and cried, I thought of how much I wanted to feel gratitude, not grief. Joy, like when I first heard the news … before sorrow clouded my vision.

I lost my sight at 15, but now at 53, becoming a grandma is forcing me to grieve blindness in new and unexpected ways.

Grief and gratefulness can share the same heartbeat, but they don’t always share the same viewpoint. I want to see beyond grief and fix my eyes only on gratefulness.

That’s why I need to see with my heart. And, sister, I have a strong feeling I’m not the only one. But we can’t unless God opens the eyes of our hearts, as our key verse says:

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people” (Ephesians 1:18).

When God opens the eyes of our hearts, we can see the hope to which we are called. We’re not called to despair or constant grief; we are called to hope.

God wants to open our spiritual eyes so we can see hope with our hearts. When we see with our hearts, we see blessing and potential tucked within loss and disappointment.

When we see with our hearts, we focus on what we have, not what we’ve lost. We view our situations, our whole lives, through the eyes of gratefulness. And grateful eyes will always see hope.

Seeing with our hearts doesn’t mean we won’t still hurt. It doesn’t mean we see everything through rose-colored filters. Grief is still real, and grief still hurts. But when we ask God to open our spiritual eyes, we see beyond the loss.

I may not see little dimples and dancing brown eyes with my eyes, but I can feel wonder when I touch that satiny skin. I may not see that baby’s sweet face, but I can hear a thousand anthems of praise in his giggle. I can caress infant skin bearing the fingerprint of God and feel gratefulness and hope radiate through my grief. I can and will see that baby with my heart.

You may hold unexpected grief in your heart today. Maybe you carry a burden that makes you grateful or a gift that makes you cry. No matter what life looks like for you today, God can help you see it with the eyes of your heart.

I know He can, my sister, because that’s what He’s doing for me. When we see with our hearts, hope bursts on the horizon, no matter how cloudy or dark the day.

God is the one who opens eyes. He opens eyes of the blind and those who see perfectly but are blinded by disappointment, loss or grief.

So, if what you see discourages you, ask God to open the eyes of your heart and fix them on what is unseen. Because what is seen is temporary, and what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Dear Lord, focus my spiritual eyes so I can see Your hand, Your heart and Your purpose in all I experience. Let me see with my heart today and every day, so I can see hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
Jennifer Rothschild

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (NIV)

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