Ageless Love

I remember it vividly: I saw them just as I was walking through the doors into the lockdown unit at the nursing home I worked at.  (This is the unit where they keep those residents who might try to wander off.)  They were sitting in the dining area.  One of them was a frail whisp of a woman: grey and white hair intermingled, flat against her sweet, wrinkly face.  She wore a bright red dress with white dots.  This lady was a regular; I had seen her often sitting in that same chair at the nursing home, staring blankly at the opposite wall, occasionally calling out some unintelligible words to whoever was nearby to listen.  That day was different, though.  On that day, sitting to her right was a man.  I could not see his face.  He was in a sport jacket, and white hair rimmed his balding head. He sat ever-so-close to the woman, and he had his arm placed gingerly around her, pulling her close to him.

I stood, unbeknownst to them as I invaded their corner of the world, while fixed to my one square tile out in the hallway.  Something about the way he sat, the way he held her, just made my insides fall to pieces.  Yet as I watched, the man pulled his dear one close yet again, and gently placed a kiss on her precious, aging, dying face.  As my heart sank deeper in my chest, I closed my eyes and turned to leave them to themselves.  They never knew what a beautiful moment they had left etched in my mind, yet I will never forget.

As I walked that hall I found myself wondering: what is it that causes a man, still with all his physical and mental capabilities, to return day after day, in devotion and tenderness, to this woman who may not even know who he is?  In that moment, I could hear God whispering to my soul: "Child, is that not what I have done for you?"  He is always so good to remind me.  When I chose not to know Him, when I wanted nothing to do with Him, when I asked Him to leave me be and let me do what I wanted, still He stayed, holding me close, longing for the day when I would turn to Him, with recognition lighting my eyes, and say, "My love, My King!"

As I finish Ephesians, I am praying that someday it may be said of me that I loved "our Lord Jesus Christ with an incorruptible love." (Eph 6:24, NASB)  A love that doesn't die, it doesn't end, it cannot be corrupted, no matter what the cost.  When I look at my life, and how He waited, and how He forgave, and how He continues to forgive me and love me... incorruptible love is the best I can give in return.  For that, I cannot wait to hear him say, "Well done."

Wednesdays in His Word

We have our armor.  Belt, shoes, shield, helmet and sword.  We are ready for battle.  Each and every day we must clothe ourselves.  Our days get busy and we might overlook putting our belt of truth on, or not take our sword with us because its hard to open the word of God daily.  Sisters, there isn't a day that goes by that we are not attacked in one way or the other.  We have been given the full armor of God, it's up to us to put it on! 

Continue reading on into verse 18 and it gets better.  God equips us with one more weapon, the weapon of prayer.  The Message version reads, " In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each others spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out". 

This verse is full of good news!  It tells me that we aren't alone either!  We are not a one woman army.  Each of us that gets ready with Gods armor is heading into battle together!  Sisters, pray hard and long!   We have to stay alert and pray for others so that no one is left behind!  Guard yourself in all that the Lord has given us, carry (and use) the sword which is the word of God, stay alert and remain in prayer, and the evils of this world have no chance.  Each morning when we each take the time to properly clothe ourselves, I can just hear the devil cursing under his breath!  Equip yourselves sisters and prepare for battle!

 

~Andrea W.

Reading this week

M-6:14-15

T-6:16-17

W-6:18

Th-6:19-20

F-6:21-24

 

What are you wearing?

As girls we like to look cute, right?  Also we like to wear something that is fitting for what we are doing.  If we are going to be at home with the kids all day we don't pick an evening gown and if we are going out with our husbands we don't pick out the big t-shirt and sweatpants.  In the same regard most of us like to look our best especially when going out.  Nothing is worse than running into the grocery store your hair a mess, no make up and sweats and you run into your child's friends mom who looks like she just walked out of a magazine ad, or maybe that's just me.

We worry or spend so much time on our physical appearance but how much time do we spend on our spiritual wardrobe?  I am ashamed to say that I spend much more time on my physical appearance everyday compared to my spiritual, but I want to get better and being in the word daily is a big step.  Today's reading is Eph 6:14-15 NLT "Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared."

Girls we can look as cute, stylish or sporty as we want but if we don't dress ourselves with truth, God's righteousness, and peace we are an easy target for the evil one.  He is looking for anyone he can get to and when we aren't dressed in our armor he will surely attack and we will not be prepared.

So, spend time working on your spiritual appearance too because in the end that is all that God cares about!  Have a great week as we finish up Ephesians.  I pray that this study has been a blessing to you!

Reading this week

M-6:14-15

T-6:16-17

W-6:18

Th-6:19-20

F-6:21-24

~Missy D

Stand

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Eph 6:13

A good Christian woman, trying to live like Christ demands, must wear armor.  I hope you have some - does your armor look like this one?  Mine is pink and sparkly.  God did make me a princess, after all.  But there is one way my armor resembles this one.  It covers all of me!  When I wake up in the morning and put on my armor, I must be sure that I wear every piece of it.  God's word tells me to put on the FULL armor! 

*Sigh* I must admit... even as I'm writing this I've forgotten to bring my sword of the Spirit with me.  A 4-year-old girl who was supposed to be cleaning her room, was instead making more mess... and I did not show her an example of a gentle and quiet woman of God.

It brings me to the ground in sorrow and frustration when I forget to wear part of my armor.  That leaves me vulnerable to the enemy, unprepared for the next attack.  And then the weakness is discovered, and Satan finds me sinking lower and lower, less able to stand up to him.

I want to STAND!  I want to stand in readiness.  I want to stand in strength.  I want to fight so well that when all is done, and I don't think I could possibly stand one more moment for the extreme fatigue coursing through every muscle in my body, I still stand.  Because HE makes me stand.  His Word makes me stand.  I just have to choose to wear His full armor!!  Pink and sparkly, ladies.

-Kelly T

Wednesdays in His Word

Summer jobs.  Nobody really wants one but we all want the spending money.  So when I was in high school, I got my first summer job.  I worked at a Pool and Pond store.  I use the word store very loosely!  It was basically a greenhouse with a cash register, ponds full of koi fish, and me.  Boy was that a hot summer job.  It was a family owned business and I was left to man the store more times than not.  At the beginning of the summer it was somewhat fun.  I got to catch fish, get a tan and help the occasional customer.  As the summer drug on and the temperature started to rise, my attitude got worse by the day.  All I wanted to do was sleep in, paint my nails and watch TV.  Not wade around algae infested fish tanks and sweat to death.  And to  not have the owners son follow me around pestering me all day.  And I didn't want to deal with customers.  Quickly, the enthusiasm was gone.  The joy of the experience was out the window. 

Since working that job I have encountered countless numbers of employees in all types of jobs just like me.  Unhappy and incredibly lacking in enthusiasm for their job.  Everyone probably wishes they were anyplace else, working for someone other than their boss and dealing with no customers.  I get it.  I understand the lack if joy.  But when I went to that summer job, I was going for me.  I wanted the paycheck, period.  I did it selfishly.

In Ephesians 6,  Paul tells us to, "Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."

Whoa!  That changes EVERYTHING!  Work for the Lord rather than for people!  If I had gotten up every day, gone to work each morning with that attitude, don't you think that summer would have gone by a little differently?  I was serving me.  I was serving customers and the owners.  I wasn't there serving my God.  Even now in my life, with my job being "mom" what a change in my mindset it is reading this verse!  On those days when it's frustrating, when it seems impossible to do anything right, I need to do it and do it enthusiastically!  This is an ah-ha moment!  Sisters, we have to change our attitudes.  We have to live, breath, work for HIM!  Not selfishly for ourselves or for what it will give us, but do it for our mighty Father!  Verse 8 of chapter 6 tells us that He will reward us for the good we do.  Sisters, don't get caught up in the earthly reward we get for working.  Our reward will be grand because it will come from God! 

Obedience!

Ah obedience a word that we love and hate all at the same time.  Today's reading I have read several times and can remember when I was younger hearing it and thinking it was pure torture.  I mean come on what adult can really understand what a teenager is going through, ha.  As a teenager I remember thinking my parents have no idea what I am going through and they are making all these rules just to make my life miserable.  Paul tells us different "Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth."  Eph 6:1-3 NLT

Obey your parents for this is right, it's not because God is wanting to make us miserable but he knows a secret that children and teenagers don't.  God knows that your parents have been through things and life experiences that will help get their children through life.  A parent tells a child not to go play in the street not because they are being mean but because they love that child and know that it is dangerous.  Then when the child obeys the parent and doesn't go in the street they are protected.  It may sound silly but its true. 

I also liked how it says to obey your parents because you belong to the Lord and He gives a promise with it life will be better and longer if you obey.  How many confrontations could have been avoided when I was younger if I just would have obeyed and honored my parents because they were my parents.  Growing pains!  Unfortunately I can't tell you how to get perfect children that will obey your every command, but I know that if we teach our children and teenagers God's word they will know the truth and if they see us living it they will be more apt to obey.

When we live our life obeying God's word and teaching this to our children then ultimately their obedience is not just to us but our heavenly Father.  It's not about getting them to follow all the rules we lay out because we say so but teaching them and helping them to grow in the Lord.

This Week's Reading

M-6:1-3

T-6:4-6

W-6:7-8

Th-6:9-10

F-6:11-13

~Missy D

A Marriage Made Like Heaven

At the end of Ephesians chapter 5, we are told that our marriages are like "Christ and the church."  I have often read that and thought how cool it was that God designed marriage to be an illustration of Christ's love for the church.

However, today in my reading I was corrected in my thinking.  My study Bible explained that the marriage relationship was compared to Christ and the church because Christ's beautiful, perfect relationship with his church is OUR illustration, OUR example of what our marriages should look like.  Christ loved his church unconditionally, allowing himself to be murdered - brutally - because of his deep love for his bride. 

I am embarrased that I have believed that our human, imperfect marriages could've been my example of Christ's love.  Especially the way the world treats marriage - not even as sacred anymore and certainly not a commitment or selfless love.  Christ longs for people to see his love for his church and mold their marriages more in THAT love!

I am more deeply in love with my husband the longer we are married.  But when I read this passage and think about Christ's love for his church, I just long to go deeper yet in the love of our marriage.  Praise you, Jesus, for knowing exactly what we would need to live and prosper on this earth!  Yours truly are the words of life!

-Kelly T

Wednesdays in His Word

Growing up as a little girl, I believed the books I read.  I wholeheartedly believed in the love of fairy tales.  There was a handsome prince that rode in on a white horse and would save me from the evil stepmother.  He would see me and feel deeply in love despite the tattered clothes.  We'd ride off together to the most beautiful cabin in a forest where birds sang all day every day.  Our love would grew by the moment and fill a house full of perfect children who sparkled they were so clean.  And of course, we would live happily ever after, with no effort at all.

Even writing that I get tickled.  Life is not a fairy tale. I didn't wear tattered clothes and I didn't even have a stepmother, much less one that was evil.  I live in a very non forest town and would probably would have avoided any fella who came near me on a horse! I do have a child, but trust me, she is far from perfect and rarely sparkles.  The only part that really does exist is that love, that sort of fairy tale love.  Only it wasn't created in childrens storybooks, but in Gods  book. 

In Ephesians 5 (the message version), it instructs the prince of your life to "go all out in your love for your wives."  Paul speaks of this love that is "exactly as Christ did for the church-a love marked by giving, not getting".  Sounds like fairy tale love doesn't it?  But it isn't.  It is how love was created!  It is what marriage should be.  As a woman, and not the husband, all I can do is give this same kind of love to my spouse.  You get what you give.  How can I hope to receive this amazing gift of love without giving it as well?  Seek your true fairy tales of love sisters, it does exist! 

-Andrea W.

What are you filled with?

What are you filled with?  Sounds kind of like a funny question, have you ever thought about what you are filled with?  We live our lives filling ourselves up with lots of different things from what we listen to, read, watch or even the people we are around.  The reading for today from the New Living Translation reads:

"Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, ¹⁹ singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. ²⁰ And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Paul tells us we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and what comes out of that, singing psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, and making music to the Lord in our hearts!  I don't know about you but that sounds like the way to spend a life.  What we fill our lives with will determine what comes out of us.  If we fill ourselves up with a bunch of junk then that is what will come out of us.  The junk that we fill ourselves up with will ruin our lives, but if we fill ourselves up with the Holy Spirit our life will be a blessing to others and bring glory to God. 

Dont' forget the last part of the reading either, "give thanks for everything to God the Father" He is our Father who has blessed us with so much don't forget to tell Him thanks!  Have a great day and make it a great week!

This week's reading

M-5:18-20

T-5:21-24

W-5:25-27

Th-5:28-30

F-5:31-33

~Missy D

The God Thing

When the hubby and I lived in Oklahoma, we worked with some inner-city kids.  I can remember when some of them came into my house - suddenly it was like it was a circus.  They infiltrated every room, playing on the beds, running around the backyard, and.... what?!... are they getting food out of my fridge?!  I recall with shame the horror I felt at their "rude" behavior.  It seemed to me that these children needed to learn that when you go into someone's house, there was a certain way to act.  Most importantly, you always ask before eating someone's food!!

My intentions were good - attempting to teach these kids how to "function" appropriately in society.  But as I look back, I realize that those were not necessary lessons for young kids from inner-city Oklahoma.  They were not acting out of rudeness or disrespect, they were acting out of cultural understanding.  It was part of who they were and how they grew up to have a "my house is your house" mentality.  Surely God would've preferred me to just let it go and love them right through their differences from me.

Ephesians 5:15 & 17 says, "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise... Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."  Paul says to "be very careful" when choosing how to live, and to figure out what God's will is.  I must be cautious about making quick decisions that seem to be the right thing to my human mind (after all, Proverbs 3 tells me that I should not lean on my human understanding).  Instead, I want to seek God in all my decisions and then wait for His leading (an hour? a day?  a month?  just wait and listen, dear one!).  Then, and only then, will I have full assurance that I am not just choosing the "good" thing, but the God thing!

Love and Grace to you, my Soul Sisters!
-Kelly T

Wednesdays in His word

With the scorching temperatures, I have been dreaming of Autumn. I love that time of year.  I also love Halloween.  I love the ghosts and goblins, and most of all the haunted houses.  We have a love/hate relationship.  I love being scared and screaming but hate it at the same time.  The darkness that surrounds you.  The unseen noises that creep around you.  The tall frightening ghouls that linger in the dark. 

A few years ago I helped work a haunted house.  We toured during the day so we could have a good lay of the land.  We were able to see the goblins hiding places, the sweet old men that wore the scary mask and the levers that blew air at you to send you into panic mode.  So as night fell on that haunted house, the spooks weren't quite as spooky anymore.  The illusion of the haunting wasn't so haunting anymore.  The light exposed the mysteries.

Sisters, we are living in somewhat of a haunted house.  When we lived in the darkness, the ghouls were frightening.  Our surroundings caused fear and disillusionment of reality.  Once we become alive in Christ, we are surrounded by light! 

Ephesians 5 describes it perfectly, "For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!  For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.".

We no longer have to stumble around in the dark!  We no longer live full of darkness.  No more creepiness from the shadows.  No more mysteries.  No more fear.  Live in the light sisters!  Seek Him in every moment of every day and you will never be in the darkness again!

~Andrea W. 

This week's reading
M-5:3-5
T-5:6-8
W-5:9-11
Th-5:12-14
F-5:15-17

Our dialect

You'll never guess what I just found out? Intriguing isn't it? Unfortunately it's phrases like this and what tends to follow that can get us in trouble, especially us girls. I'm talking about gossip. Now I know that everyone wants to know what's going on and most the time you are just passing on information, but I caution you of what you pass on to another person. There are lots of things you may find out in life and even be true but you don't necessarily need to pass it on to someone else. I am a person who likes to be in the know and unfortunately that has got me in trouble. I have to remind myself, "Missy you don't have to know everything that's going on!" Gossip though is so intriguing and tempting of course that is why God warns us against it. A good friend and I have a code word, if one of us starts gossiping we say the code word. It then stops the conversation and we move on to something else.

In our reading today I liked the Message version especially v 4, "Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that. Don’t talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn’t fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect." (Ephesians 5:4 MSG)

Wow not only does it say not to gossip but that we, as followers of Jesus have better uses for the language. We have better things to talk about then what is going on with Suzy and Dan or what Jane was wearing. It goes on to say we need to have a dialect of thanksgiving. So Sisters let's have a dialect of thanksgiving and not talk silly. When we have things to say let them be uplifting and encouraging to those who are listening.

This week's reading
M-5:3-5
T-5:6-8
W-5:9-11
Th-5:12-14
F-5:15-17

-Missy D

Wednesdays in His word

Last night I was laying in bed holding a flashlight while my husband performed surgery on himself.  Alright, that's a tad dramatic, but he did have needle in hand attempting to remove a deep splinter.  Under bright lights I got a good look at his hands.  They were covered in callouses, small cuts and of course a splinter.  His hands show a lot of work.  From hard yard work, to mundane tasks around the house, and the daily work of being a police officer.  They aren't perfect hands or even soft to touch, but they are what I call, manly hands.  They are honest, hard working, giving and loving hands.  

My husband has Ephesians 4:28 hands....Paul tells us if we are a thief, quit stealing.  Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need."

He has chosen to not have perfect manicured hands.  He has chosen to be a worker.  He has chosen to get up every day, even when he doesn't want to, and give everything he has to that day.  I am blessed to be married to a man with Ephesians hands.  What do your hands look like sisters?

~Andrea W.

This week's reading:

Mon-4:21-24

Tues-4:25-27

Wed-4:28-29

Thurs-4:30-32

Fri-5:1-2

New Life!

The reading today really hit me.  This is from the Message Version:
     "My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything - and I do mean everything - connected with that old way of life has to go. Its rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life - a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you."  Eph 4:21-24 Message

This is the first time I have read this version but have read other versions before it always says to put off your old ways and put on your new ways.  It takes effort to be different and live for Christ.  There is no miracle that happens as soon as you believe in Christ you think like him, act like him and have no problem with sin.  If you are thinking that way you will be setting yourself up for failure and disappointment.  It takes work.  You have to make a conscience decision to put off the old and put on the new.

What really hit me today was how this version said "we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything - and I do mean everything - connected with that old way of life has to go."  "Get rid of it!"  Now that we know the truth we have to live like it.  We shouldn't hold on to little things no matter how little they are if they are ways of our old self.  We are a new creation!  The only way that we can put on the new self and live a life after God's own heart is if we make the decision to put off the old self and seek the Holy Spirit that dwells within us to live a "God-fashioned life". 

Sisters I pray that we will all make the decision to put on the new and live a "God-fashioned life" for it will be far greater than anything we could ever imagine!

Have a happy, fun and safe 4th of July!
~Missy D

This week's reading:

Mon-4:21-24

Tues-4:25-27

Wed-4:28-29

Thurs-4:30-32

Fri-5:1-2

Wednesdays in His Word!

This last fall, my husband and I were blessed to build a home.  What a fascinating process.  I found myself driving out everyday to see what had been done!  There wasn't a handful of men that built our house, but countless numbers.  A group of men were hired to dig the hole, then a new group were brought in to pour the foundation.  Some that built the frame of the house, did the electrical, the plumbing, the sheetrock.  They were nearly a hundred men that had a hand in building our house. 

Each man specialized in something.  They were extremely gifted in their specific job.  I wouldn't want the plumber to lay the tile in my house, or the concrete pour-er to paint my walls.  Each had an important and vital role in building what is now a home.

Paul tells us that we each have been given special gifts as well.  Each of our gifts are unique and vital to building the body of Christ.  The "gift" I've been blessed with isn't the same as yours.  Trust me, you wouldn't want me standing from a pulpit.  And I'm sure that some of you would agree that the last place you should be is on a tiny little chair singing Bible songs with a three year old! 

The Lord knows what our gifts are because He gave them to us.  He has fully equipped us to serve the body of Christ.  Just as those who built my home, we are here to build His church!  Each with different roles, God has a plan for us!

~Andrea W.

This week's reading:
Mon-4:7-8
Tues-4:9-10
Wed-4:11-13
Thurs-4:14-16
Fri-4:17-20

Special Gift!

As a woman especially who doesn't like getting gifts?! This last weekend was my birthday and I was blessed to receive wonderful gifts from my friends and family. One of the best gifts this weekend was from my 13 yr old who sacrificed her sleeping in time to make me pancakes in bed. Now to a mom that was a very special gift, it was done on her own and although she had to sacrifie her extra sleep she wanted to do it for me.

In today's reading Paul tells us about a special gift, However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures say,"When he ascended to the heights,  he led a crowd of captives  and gave gifts to his people." (Ephesians 4:7-8 NLT)

Christ gave us special gifts, first he set us free from eternal captivity and led us to eternal freedom by dying on the cross for our sins. He set us free! He also gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit so that He can dwell in us. Then he gave us other gifts for us to serve how He wants us to. He equips us with what we need to fulfill the ministry He has for us.

Now I don't know about you but when I receive a gift I feel special and loved by the one who gave the gift. Christ loves us and gave us a very special gift! We need to remember that when we are feeling down on ourself, Christ gave us special gifts, we are special to Him!

This week's reading:
Mon-4:7-8
Tues-4:9-10
Wed-4:11-13
Thurs-4:14-16
Fri-4:17-20

-Missy D

Wednesdays in His Word

In my life, I have called on the Lord countless times.  I have gone to Him in celebration, in fear, with high hopes, and I have gone before Him pleading for life.  I have fallen at His feet as a child of God and stood on my tip toes shouting His name in admiration.   I go before Him  because He is mighty. My God is mighty and powerful.     

Ephesians 3:20 reads, " Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.".

Can you grasp it?  Not only is HE mighty, but his mighty power is at work in us!  In little ole me.  And you.  He is working!  Continue reading the end of the chapter you realize that it's even bigger.  He is able to accomplish more than we even think or ask!  It's big.  Its bigger than we can imagine girls!  So if you think that your problem is too small to take before Him, your wrong.  If you think your problem is too big for God to handle, you are mistaken.  If you don't think God has a plan, HE DOES!

I plan on spending the rest of my life going before my Lord.  In those moments of celebration,  in fear, in hoping and pleading, I will go before my God.  HE is mighty, HE is able.  All glory to God!   

~Andrea W.

This week's reading:
Mon-3:17-18
Tues-3:19
Wed-3:20-21
Thurs-4:1-3
Fri-4:4-6

Strength

Im not a very strong person and just by looking at me you can tell. I have skinny arms, skinny legs, and I don't work out. My physical strength is weak. Now there is also my spiritual strength which you can't see by just looking at me. I will be completely honest and say that my spiritual strength is not where I would like it but I am working on it. The best thing is though I don't have to rely on my strength. In today's readin it says 3:17-18 "Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is." As we know God at a deeper level by reading His word and experiencing His love we will begin to trust Him more. As we trust Him more our roots will grow deep in His love and we will be made strong. Our strength will be from Him, our roots will be in His love. When we trust Him and our roots grow deep within His love He will show us how deep, high, wide and long His love is. I know that my strength will come from Him if I allow myself to grow in Him, He will be my strength. I don't know about you but I want to be like Psalm 1:3 "He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers." Trees planted firmly by streams of water are strong. Their roots are deep and strong because they are continually being fed by the source. When we allow ourselves to grow in God our roots will become strong in His love and we will be able to show others His great love.

This week's reading:
Mon-3:17-18
Tues-3:19
Wed-3:20-21
Thurs-4:1-3
Fri-4:4-6

-Missy D

Wednesdays in His word

When I was a little girl, I used to play "mommy" all the time. I always knew I wanted to be a mom. When my husband and I were expecting I was overjoyed. Quickly, the excitement turned into a real and true fear! What did I know about being a mom? What if she was choking or spitting up? How do I really get that teeny tiny outfit over her head without hurting her? Do I scrub us both down with anti-bacterial every time we leave the house? I soon realized just how under qualified I was to be a mom. It was too late to back out, she was on her way! What have I done?

And then, there she was. Pink, tiny and perfect. And the strangest thing happened, I was a mom, one that actually knew what to do. I was under qualified but fully equipped with what I needed in order to be this little ones mom.

In Ephesians, Paul called himself under qualified too. He called himself the least deserving and not qualified to reveal Gods plan for us. He had no background experience in spreading the message and yet God saw more in him.
“God saw to it that I was equipped. (Ephesians 3:8)

Just like Paul, God equipped me for the job. I was once the least qualified to be a mother and here I am. God saw to it that I was prepared as well. My perfect little pink tiny baby did spit up, did choke and had a few outfits smooshed over her head in the last year and a half. But verse 7 of Ephesians explains my journey fully, “It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details.”
~Andrea W.

This Week:

Mon - 3:4-6

Tues - 3:7-9

Wed - 3:10-11

Thurs - 3:12-13

Fri - 3:14-16

Riches Inherited

Maybe we haven't experienced it first hand but we have heard of someone who has inherited something great from someone else.  Now usually those who inherit something are very close to the person giving it, and if there is a big family those closest to the person get the best.  Our heavenly Father is different.  In verse 6 from the New Living Translation it says, "And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children.  Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus."  Did you read that, all share equally in the riches because we belong to Christ Jesus.  No matter your position here on earth you receive the same riches that all children of God are blessed with if you believe in the Good News!  I don't know about you but that is exciting to me.  I don't have to be the richest person here on earth, or be liked by the most people, or any of that, God says that if I believe in the Good News and belong to Christ Jesus I will inherit the riches he promises to all His children.  What a blessing that we are all equal in His eyes.

This Week:

Mon - 3:4-6

Tues - 3:7-9

Wed - 3:10-11

Thurs - 3:12-13

Fri - 3:14-16

~Missy D