Hope and Inspiration

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Comment by Leonora 4 hours ago

Hello Everyone,

I pray all is well with you and yours!

I am so happy to see my Sister Kelly allowing God
to use her in every way. whooo hoooo!

Now I have to play caught up on all this word! :)

My dad is doing well; He is home now and getting
back to his old self. lol funny as ever!!

I thank you all for your prayers, they have been answered!

Did I not tell you that God answers pray?

Well I was not worried at all, "because I serve a God"

Lord have mercy!! When I think of His goodness and all the
He has done for me, my soul cries out glory hallelujah to His
Name.

Don't get me to shouting, see I have a reason to shout,
not only do I have a reason, I have a right!
Not only do I have a right, it is my responsibility to praise Him.

Thank you Lord!!


See when I speak of His goodness, something starts to bubble
up in side, it makes me want to shout!!

I got to go I need to praise God in advance for whatever
He does!

Love you and I will be back in the midst come next week!


You sister Nora

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 9:59am

Daily Courage from Open Doors®
from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)

Lucien Accad

As parents we like our children to be safe and to have the best training for a happy future. Too often, however, these wishes are according to human standards. Noah knew that obedience to God is the standard by which we can face the future in a positive way. He was able to perceive that the real danger came from a sinful society which is only interested in material benefits and which is predominantly selfish. The building of our boat has to become a family enterprise around the person of Jesus Christ. It is only in Him that we will find real safety.

Sometimes we, as a family, have been tempted to run away from Lebanon because of the war, assuming that other parts of the world would be safer for our family. But God's Word reminds us that our real security, happiness and future are in Christ and in obeying God's will.

The safest place on earth is still in the centre of His will. The most dangerous place is to be outside His will.

Copyright [C] 1995 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 9:58am

In Touch Ministries Daily Devotional
with Dr. Charles Stanley

November 6
Know What You Believe

2 Timothy 1:12-14
All people have a belief system, whether they realize it or not. Even those who claim there is no God have faith that He does not exist. What we believe affects every area of our lives and shapes every decision we make, yet few of us take the time to really think about what we accept as true.

All belief systems have a foundation. Some people base their convictions on what fits their lifestyle, reasoning, and desires. However, Jesus calls His followers to adapt life to their faith in Him and the authority of His Word.

Anytime we add other philosophies or ideas to Scripture or pick and choose which parts of the Bible to believe, we create our own version of faith based on personal reasoning. God's Word is the only true and reliable foundation for belief, because it contains the recorded thoughts of an eternal, all-knowing God. All other concepts must be measured against it
to determine their validity.

Knowing what the Bible says is essential for developing a sound system of beliefs founded on the truth and wisdom of God. This world will offer you a variety of philosophies which sound good but are laced with lies. A faith anchored in the Scriptures is your protection against deception.

Each time you face a problem or decision, search for the answer in Scripture. Begin your day by reading the Word and asking God to help you understand what He is saying. He loves communicating with you, and as you spend time with Him, He'll open your mind to know His thoughts.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 9:56am

Girlfriends in God

November 5, 2009
Are You Ready for the Holidays?

Mary Southerland
Today's Truth

Luke 2:16-20 (NIV) "So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told."

Friend To Friend
Are you ready for the holidays? For some people, that question spurs exciting thoughts of beautifully decorated tables filled with scrumptious meals, festive shopping trips, extended family time, brightly wrapped gifts under a tree ... the "Walton" kind of holiday. For others, the holiday season is a very difficult and dark time that is to be endured rather than enjoyed. According to the American Institute of Stress, more than 110 million Americans take medication for stress-related causes each week. During the holiday season, another one million people battle what experts refer to as the "holiday blues." I am very familiar with depression and the pain it holds and must constantly battle to stay out of that pit.

Depression is an emotional, mental, physical and spiritual disorder. Something is out of balance. We have buried some pain instead of confronting it. We have misplaced our trust and sought help from impotent sources. In order to deal with depression, we must first come to a place of total and complete surrender to God and His plan of healing - even if we cannot see or do not understand that plan. The bottom line of God's heart toward His children is always restoration and healing.

While I am not a big fan of television, I do enjoy watching a few select home improvement shows. On a recent program, an interior decorator and home owner were discussing a list of changes that needed to be made in order to update the home. "First, we have to do something about those windows," the decorator announced. I was surprised that she had listed this task first - until I saw the house. The existing glass was not only an ugly shade of gold but was thick and chunky as well. The windows let in no light and made it virtually impossible to see in or out. The result was a dark, isolated home. The distressed homeowner protested, "But I like my privacy. And if I thought anyone could see in, I would feel totally exposed." When it comes to dealing with depression, many people feel the same way.

We construct walls over which no one can climb because the cost of friendship is too high or too risky. We fill the windows of our soul with emotional excuses in order to avoid dealing with pain. The result is darkness, loneliness and missed opportunities for restoration. We don't want to understand depression or find the treasures of that darkness; we simply want to be rid of it. Many people try to understand and deal with depression on a surface level - refusing to face painful experiences, difficult relationships and, in general, the broken places where darkness lives. We look for the nearest exit, hoping to bypass transparency because the price is just too much to pay. Emotional integrity is an essential step to recognizing, understanding and dealing with depression. We must be real before we can be right, and until we are willing to risk being transparent, we can neither understand nor effectively deal with depression during the holidays or any other time of the year.

The holidays seem to tug at the masks we carefully hold in place and push the emotional buttons we desperately try to hide. The arrival of family members can resurrect painful issues that have never really been resolved. Financial pressure opens up like a sink hole waiting to steal our joy and destroy our peace. Schedules demand every ounce of energy and false expectations leave us empty and hollow. Before we realize it, the dark, slimy pit swallows us. It is not supposed to be that way, girlfriend! Now is the time to do something about it!

Thanksgiving can be a time of praise if we choose to focus on the victories and joys we have experienced during the year and then find ways to share that victory and joy with others. Christmas can be a true celebration of fresh starts and new beginnings, if we choose to focus on a tiny baby born in a manger, come to save us and give us true life. And a new year? What a great opportunity to start over! The darkness can be destroyed if we choose to face and deal with whatever it holds. Right now, get ready for the holidays by choosing an attitude of joy, by focusing your mind on the things of heaven - not earth, and by fixing your heart on Jesus Christ.

Let's Pray
Father, I want this holiday season to one that is filled with light instead of darkness. Please help me discard my emotional masks and be real before You as well as with my family and friends. Give me the courage to be obedient to You in every holiday setting. Give me eyes to see those You bring into my life that need my encouragement because they are on the same journey. Make me a peacemaker, Lord. Father, prepare and enable me to make this holiday season an offering of praise to You.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Take a few moments to re-visit the holiday season of 2008.

What was the best part of those holidays for you? Why?
List three changes you would like to make this year.
What is the first step you need to take to make those changes happen?
Read Luke 2:1-16. Answer the following questions after reading the Christmas story.
What was the attitude of Mary and Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem?
How did the shepherds react to the news of Jesus' birth? What did they do?
How would you describe the emotions and thoughts of Mary? How can your choice to "ponder" on the miracles of Jesus' birth change your perspective through all of the approaching holidays?
Write a letter of commitment to Jesus, asking Him to empower the choices you have made concerning this holiday season. Make a step-by-step plan or a list of "dos" and "don'ts" that will help you experience the best holiday season of your life. Include your family in making this plan and make the commitment to hold each other accountable.
More From Your Girlfriends
Can you believe the holidays are already here? I have been on a diligent search this year - to discover the secrets of having the best and most Christ-centered holidays of my life. I am excited about my MP3, How to Have a Joy-Filled Christmas,and believe it will help you learn how to prevent and control holiday stress and how to give God the gifts He wants to receive from us. Want to know how to give ten wonderful gifts without spending a dime? Check out my MP3, Giving the Perfect Gift.

Mary also has two NEW E-Book Bible Studies available! I Need a Friend and Time: Friend or Foe? These studies are perfect for personal or small group study. Each study is presented in an attractive PDF format, is easy to download and copy on your home computer and includes a helpful study guide as well.

Need gift ideas? This year, why not give gifts that are life-changing? Enroll a friend or family member in Mary's weekly online bible study, Light for the Journey. Browse through Mary's online store for that perfect gift of encouragement - a book, CD, MP3 download, E-Bible Study and special gift items. And be sure to check out the NEW MP3s now available!

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 8:48am

Parenting by Design

Exasperating your kids

Eph 6:4: Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord (NIV).
Today's devotional focuses on the first part of this verse. Tomorrow's focuses on the second.

This verse is packed with parenting instruction. It immediately follows the passage instructing children to honor and obey their parents (Eph 6:1-2), and it helps us see how to make it easier for our children to obey us. The key is to avoid exasperating them.

The Greek word translated "exasperate" means to provoke to anger or to enrage. And, the fastest way to exasperate a child is to micromanage every move, correct each misstep, and point out all the areas he needs to improve. Kids who are nagged and lectured soon become frustrated and often respond by rebelling, withdrawing, or "losing heart." We are so inclined to over-correct, we often end up fighting about small things that aren't important. We may win the argument, but lose the war as we find our kids disconnecting from us.

Instead, try walking beside your kids as you lovingly allow them to experience the consequences of their choices. This is a far better way to create an environment in which a child can understand and embrace God's design for his life.

Pick your battles and avoid exasperating your kids.

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 8:45am

Integrity Moments
Workplace Wisdom by Rick Boxx

Blogger's Booty
By Rick Boxx
November 3, 2009

Blogs have become a source of guidance in buying products. Many bloggers share their product recommendations with readers.

But what if their recommendations are biased? Some bloggers receive free products and pay from companies hoping for a favorable plug. However, readers may not know of this potential conflict of interest.

With 25 million bloggers now on the web the Federal Trade Commission wants more transparency. New guidelines require bloggers to disclose any pay or free products they receive.

The Apostle Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 4:5, "The Lord will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God."

The right thing to do is to disclose anything that may impact our motives.

FEATURED RESOURCE

Integrity Moments

You can now be inspired and encouraged daily with 90 days of Rick Boxx's "Integrity Moments" devotionals. Biblical wisdom and insights for the workplace are illustrated with daily stories, a biblical principle, and a prayer for the day. Click here to order your copy now!
For more biblical teaching and resources from Rick Boxx and the Integrity Resource Center please visit integrityresource.org.

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 8:31am

Today God Is First
Daily Workplace Inspiration by Os Hillman

God Is Not About YOUR Success
By Os Hillman

November 2


"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24-26).

God is all about your death so that HIS success can be realized through you! This is why the Church is having such little impact - there are too many believers who have not yet died to their old nature so that Christ can live fully through them. When believers come to the end of themselves they will lose their lives to Him and live through the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to see the reality of a living gospel that impacts lives, workplaces, cities and nations.

"Much of modern Christian enterprise is 'Ishmael.' Born not of God, but of an inordinate desire to do God's will in our own way - the one thing our Lord never did," said Oswald Chambers. The psalmist describes what it means to live in our own strength:

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves" (Ps 127:1-2).

How does one die so that Christ can be our all and all? It usually takes a crisis of significant proportions for most people to relinquish the control of their lives. It means we come to the end of ourselves and our striving to control the events in our lives and we finally come to the place where we can say, "Lord, I surrender. Please take full control of my life."

Have you come to this place with God in your life? Let go and let God make you a success His way.

Contact Os Hillman at www.marketplaceleaders.org.

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 8:27am

A Woman's Walk by Margaret D. Mitchell

Week of November 1
Awakening

"Wake up, Deborah, wake up! Wake up, wake up, and sing a song! Arise, Barak! Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam!" ~ Judges 5:12

God suddenly alerted Deborah to speak a battle command to Barak, Israel's military leader, that would free their nation from 20 years of captivity and oppression.

Like Israel, how long and how often have we found ourselves held captive by ruthless consequences of sin? Perhaps by our own volition or that of others. Perhaps even by generational iniquity. Did it not it feel like an eternity? And did we not cry out for God to rescue us, just like the Israelites?

Indeed, God hears our cries. And in His time, His gavel falls. And when it does, it is swift. Because He loves us, He not only puts an end to our suffering by driving a tent peg through the enemy's head, He revives us (Judges 4:21). And we begin anew.

An awakening is a revival or renewal of something. It is the beginning of a new beginning, a spring season in bud. In Deborah and Barak's case, it was the beginning of a renewed freedom for Israel, a complete turnaround.

Awakenings are a call to action that give us a sudden, glorious opportunity to remove the grave clothes, shake off the dust and get it right. They are rooted in God's infinite mercy and His heart of love for us.

Consider Peter. Acts 12:7 tells us, "Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel tapped him on the side to awaken him and said, 'Quick! Get up!' And the chains fell off his wrists."

As in Peter's case, divine awakenings offer us miraculous opportunity for escape, and they reposition us to fulfill God's plan. Awakenings awe us and burst open doors of opportunity for us to receive God's abundance of life. In divine awakenings, we are quickly relieved of burdens. We are reminded that God's yoke is light (Matt. 11:30).

Divine awakenings send our hearts singing out of gratitude and joy.

Just last week, while sitting in my office, I noticed a bird singing right outside my window. I don't often hear birds singing this time of year, and when I heard it's lovely chirp, I immediately sensed a spring season in my spirit.

This occurred a few more times during successive days, which prompted me to pray about what God was telling me. He responded by showing me the word, "Awakening." As I continue to seek His heart, I believe the Lord will reveal what type of awakening He has at hand.

Are you in need of God's awesome awakening, His miraculous and "sudden" turnaround? Spend time in His presence seeking His heart, worshipping Him, and ask Him for one. God can reverse your circumstances in an instant and can reset you on a path of freedom to complete your divine destiny. He can awe you!

Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the God's Love at Work 2009 Women's Conference & Expo [http://www.godsloveatwork.com/2009womensexpo] in the Atlanta area on Saturday, November 7.

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 8:15am

Home Word Where Parents Get Real Answers
with Jim Burns

Build It Right
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

The foundation that has already been laid is Jesus Christ, and no one can lay down any other foundation. But if people build on that foundation, using gold, silver, jewels, wood, grass, or straw, their work will be clearly seen, because the Day of Judgment will make it visible. That Day will appear with fire, and the fire will test everyone's work to show what sort of work it was. --1 Corinthians 3:11-14 (NCV)

A parable has been told of a carpenter, who on the verge of retirement, was coaxed into building one last home by a wealthy client. The carpenter was pressed by his own thoughts to put his working days behind him, so he made decisions to cut corners on the project. He used inferior materials and his workmanship was suspect, at best. Clearly his heart was not in the work. Eventually, the carpenter finished the home. It looked good from the outside, yet the carpenter felt guilty, as he knew the quality of the home was not up to his old standards.

On the day that the wealthy client was to take possession of the home, the carpenter received word from the client, saying, "I'm aware of your reputation as a builder. I know how hard you've worked for your clients throughout your career. So, I wanted to reward you at your retirement. I'm giving you the house you've just built." The carpenter was shocked! If he had only known beforehand that this was to be his home, he would have built it with the finest materials and workmanship. But, now it was too late.

This parable reminds me that we all build our lives, much like a carpenter builds a house. Our home-building materials are "what" we build our lives with and include characteristics such as faith, love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and kindness (or their opposites). And our workmanship looks at the "how" we build our lives. Are we living purposefully, pursuing excellence, working with all our hearts, in the name of Jesus and for His glory? Or, has shoddy workmanship been the story of our lives? My own confession: Too often I forget that I'm building my own house. How about you?

One day, the house-building project that is our life, will be completed. And, each of us will stand before the Lord and give an account for our workmanship. Don't be like the carpenter in the parable. Be prepared. Build intentionally. Build it right. Our motivation ought to be to hear the Savior say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

GOING DEEPER:

What does the parable remind you of about your own life?
Is your life in need of some re-modeling? What needs to be fixed?
FURTHER READING:?1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Matthew 25:14-30; Colossians 3:17; Romans 14:12

Comment by Kelly P on November 7, 2009 at 8:11am

John North,
Ambassadors For Christ International

Time With God

Genesis 2:18

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."

Build friendships that will help you live a godly life!

We were made for relationships. We need one another. It is a terrible mistake to try and face temptation and grow spiritually without the support, encouragement and accountability of spiritually-minded people around us. As AW Tozer put it, "God knows nothing of solitary Christianity". Or as our passage says, "It is not good for the man to be alone".

We need to be building meaningful relationships in two directions. On the one hand, we need to be spending time with people who do not have God in their lives so we can be walking with them towards Christ. But our spiritual lives will always be in danger of falling into temptation if we're not also building spiritual relationships with people who love the Lord.

If you want to stand firm in your spiritual life, beware of lonely moments. Loneliness leaves you open to temptation. Rather, work hard at your spiritual relationships. Talk to your Christian friends about taking your relationship to the next level.

Pray together and hold one another accountable for your responses to temptation and for your responses to God's purposes in your life. Discuss what God is teaching you. Listen and learn. You won't be sorry!

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