Change Happens

by Angela L. Craig
www.girlfriendsingod.com

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Right now as I am writing this devotional, the world is changing. My children are growing-up, I'm facing one of those birthdays with a zero at the end, and the price of gas has probably gone up five cents in the time it has taken me to write this first paragraph.

I am famous for holding on to the illusion that I have total control over my world, but the truth is - I don't. I have come to realize that whether it is by personal choice or by circumstance, change is inevitable in our lives. How about you? What changes are you facing in your life? I imagine that for many of us, the changes we are facing are not as trivial as growing children and wrinkles. Uninvited change brings with it a river of emotions, doesn't it? The fear of failure, heart wrenching feelings of loss, obsession with the "what if" questions, and emotional instability are just a few of the things we experience. My personal favorite is the fear that I will never get to the other side of change; that I will be stuck in transition forever.

Luckily for you and I, there is someone who is in control: God! The Bible teaches us that change is one thing in life that is guaranteed, but we don't have to fear because God is in control and He has plans to do good things! God just needs us to perceive it and believe it (Isaiah 43:18).

Although change is inevitable, there are four ways we can manage the transition with God's help.
1) Focus on today. Sometimes the big picture can be overwhelming and paralyzing. A very good friend of mine taught me that when I feel overwhelmed by the big picture, I should focus only on the very next thing and let God handle the rest. You will feel insurmountable peace when you practice this exercise.

2) Focus on others. When you serve others, it is impossible to think about yourself. And by the way, doing laundry and dishes does not count. Be the change in your community by volunteering one hour per week in an area of service you are passionate about. Doing good has been scientifically proven to heal, so go for it!

3) Incorporate exercise into your day. Add "sprint" (short duration) exercises to your day. For example, try doing 10 push-ups and 20 sit-ups before getting in the shower or pick up some weights during the commercials of your favorite T.V. show. Adding two or more sprint exercises to your day will increase your endorphin level and relieve stress.

4) Change the way you think about change. Instead of dreading change, embrace it. Instead of thinking, "This change is completely freaking me out. I feel frightened for my future. What if this or that happens?"

Speak these words to yourself instead: "God is my rock and my fortress (Psalm 1), He has a plan to prosper and not harm me (Jeremiah 29:11). I do not need to fear for God is with me (Isaiah 41:10). Nothing is too hard for my God (Jeremiah 32:17) I have great expectation for what God has in mind for my life and I can't wait to see His plan revealed!"

The secret: when you start matching your thoughts and words with God's thoughts and words you gain power and courage that you never thought existed!

Let's Pray: Dear Lord, I need your strength and peace today as I face change. I pray Lord that you will help me keep my eyes on You. Lord, show me the steps I need to take towards the life You have designed for me. Help me to face change with courage and faith. I thank you Lord that Your plan is always for good! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

The Finish

With the end of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China there are some great stories and illustrations that will be shared for years to come. Not having an ounce of athleticism in me I am awe struck with what the human body and spirit can endure and accomplish. But I am often more amazed at the depth of heart in the stories behind the events.

I’m reaching back to a very special year in our lives when our daughter was born and the Detroit Tigers won the World Series. The 1968 Olympic Games were in Mexico City and John Stephen Ahkwari of Tanzania was one very excited marathon runner.

The starter’s pistol fired and the race began. A little over 2 hours later, the first runner crossed the finish line. Other runners finished the race shortly afterwards, but John was not among them. Over an hour after the winner had crossed the finish line, with only a few spectators remaining in the stands, John Stephen Ahkwari finally entered the stadium.

Bandaged and bloody, John finally crossed the finish line. A sports reporter, asked John why he didn't just quit. He answered, "My country did not send me 5000 miles to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me here to finish."

A pearl to string: John Stephen Akhwari did not receive a prize or a medal, but he did endure. He didn't just start the race, he finished it. Sometimes being a Christian feels like a race but God didn’t just call us to start the Christian race, He called us to finish it! When it’s all said and done I want to be able to say just what it says in 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." And then I want to hear the words spoken in Matthew 25:21; "Well done good and faithful servant…… come share your master’s happiness".



May His presence light your way,
Lyndi

Stretcher Bearers

By Sharon Jaynes
www.girlfriendsingod.com

One day Jesus traveled to Capernaum, Peter's hometown. The people had heard about how Jesus healed the sick, made the lame to walk, and cast out evil spirits. That evening, so many people came to hear Jesus at Peter's home they were crowded into every nook and cranny, even overflowing out the door.

However, Jesus' voice was not the only thing heard among the crowd. Sounds of hammering, pounding, digging, and scraping mingled with voices. Jesus suddenly felt clay from the ceiling begin to rain down on his head and sprinkle his lashes. Dust piled up around his sandaled feet and showered his now powdery cloak. As Jesus raised his eyes to the ceiling, he discovered a growing opening in the ceiling and four very determined men.

The crowd stared wide-eyed as a man was lowered through the opening in the roof and placed at Jesus' feet. Jesus looked down at the paralyzed man lying on the palette before him and simply said, "Your sins are forgiven."

But wait; is that what the man really longed for? Is that what his friends had in mind? Oh my friend, sometimes it is our sin that paralyzes us. One of Satan's most damaging tactics is to paralyze us with our own emotional wounds. He wants to fill us with shame, weigh us down with guilt, and cripple our progress toward the cross, but Jesus came to set us free! He tells us to get up and walk!

Another facet of this story sets my heart to singing! The man's friends loved him enough to carry him to Jesus. Sometimes we don't have the energy to make it to the Healer alone. How blessed to have friends who will be the stretcher bearers that carry us to the Savior, risk the rebuke of digging a hole in the roof, and are not afraid of getting a bit messy in the process.
Someone once said, "A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails." A friend can remind me of God's faithfulness when my memory is clouded by the circumstances of life.

God sometimes uses friends to be our "stretcher bearers", those willing to carry us through the difficulties of life and set us at the feet of Jesus. At other times, He might call you to be that willing friend for someone else.

A pearl to string: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!". Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10 NIV

My prayers for you my friend have made me one of your stretcher bearers.
You are loved,
Lyndi

You Never Let Go

The Pig and the Billboard

String a pearl: This was one of my favorite in a long line of devotionals by Pastor and friend James Ryle.
http://jamesryle.blogspot.com/

"For God does speak—now one way, now another— though man may not perceive it."
(Job 33:14, NIV)

Years ago I was invited to conduct a training seminar in a neighboring city. I arrived at the pastor's house on the evening before the event was to begin and settled down for a good night's rest, but just before I fell asleep I saw a vision of a billboard alongside a highway. Standing in the grass beside the billboard was a little pink pig. I looked at the pig and asked the Lord, "What does that mean?" He did not answer me, so I began to think of all the verses in the Bible that mentioned pigs.

I thought maybe the Lord was trying to tell me that the people would be like the pigs that went back to wallow in the mud after they were cleansed; or that there would be demons in the meeting tomorrow, and that I was to cast them into pigs; or perhaps that I shouldn't even teach because it would be like casting my pearls before swine. I even thought maybe He was telling me not to look at any pretty girls who might be there because they could be like a gold ring in a pig's nose!

Obviously, I was being quite ridiculous in my efforts to solve this riddle. And despite my ardent efforts, I could not come up with anything that made sense out of this strange vision.
Finally I stopped and asked the Lord what He was trying to say to me. He said, "James, did you read the billboard?"

Ooops. I hadn't even thought about that. I couldn't recall the vision, so I was unable to say what had been on the billboard. I said, "Lord I'm sorry. I was so taken by the pig that I didn't even look at the billboard. What did it say?"

He showed me the vision again and I read the words that were written on the billboard: "Don't Be Distracted!"

I felt so foolish. The very thing that the Lord was trying to tell me not to do was exactly what I was doing! The Lord continued, "I am speaking to My people in billboards all of the time, but they are so distracted by the little pigs that they seldom ever notice what I am saying."

How about you....seen any pigs lately?

Changing the Face of Love

I must be getting old – a quick glance and I see my mother’s hands at the end of my arms – yes I am getting old. I think I’m getting a little cranky too because I do not like what I am seeing on TV. Pardon my spew but show after show after show and over half the commercials deal with illicit sexual content. What is that teaching our young people? Just this week the Parents Television Council reports the broadcast television networks favor adultery and promiscuity over marital intimacy, and in a new study, suggests that “many in Hollywood are actively seeking to undermine marriage by consistently showing it in a negative manner.” In addition the violence is so graphic and it’s ok to use foul language and use the Lord’s name in a disrespectful & highly offensive manner. The choices have grown very small as to what various age groups can view on TV these days. The Disney channel is about where regular TV was 40 years ago – in need of parental guidance. We’re down to a few game shows, sports, men quit laughing, and a small percentage of the reality shows. That’s about it.

I was reading in 1st Corinthians chapter 8 where Paul is addressing some of the issues of the day that members of the church had requested his counsel. And while I am aware he is addressing dietary issues the 9th verse just leapt off the page at me.

But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat and no better if we do. Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. -- 1 Corinthians 8:8-9NIV

String a pearl: In the God’s Word translation, “But be careful that by using your freedom you don't somehow make a believer who is weak in faith fall into sin”.

Yep, that’s verse 9 again – different translation – yes I am repeating it – instant replay if that terminology is more comfortable. We have so much freedom in this country that we have run amok! We’re changing the face of love. What does TV show the face of love to be? Certainly not family – God maybe? Not on my TV. Wow, if this keeps up we’re all going to be forced to turn the big box off and talk to each other. Oh Revelation!

I don’t know what the face of God looks like but I love the familiar optical illusion of Him where truths about God are etched in His face. I think I would also see my husband, my family, my friends, my church and myself in the face of His love. You too?
You are loved,
Lyndi

Philosophy of "Peanuts"

The people who make a difference in your life are the ones who encourage you in your Christian walk, who encourage you with spiritual strength in times of trouble and the ones who help you see your value to the Kingdom of God.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

A Symbol of Hope

Photo by Sandrine

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 'I tell you the truth,' he said, 'this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’ Luke 21:1-4

Ruele Howe tells about growing up with his parents in the country. When he was 15 years old, the house caught on fire. They escaped with only the clothes on their backs. There were no close neighbors to help, so he and his father walked to a distant village to get supplies. As they returned they saw something that stayed with Ruele Howe all those years after. Beside the charred remains of what had been their house, his mother had laid out lunch on a log. She had placed a tin can filled with wildflowers on the log. It was a symbol of hope in the midst of tragedy.

This is the Christian faith, isn't it? She didn't try to cover up the disaster with flowers, but in the midst of that gloomy scene she had placed a symbol of hope.

The two coins that the widow placed in the temple treasury were her wildflowers. That was her symbol, her way of saying I know God will provide.

A pearl to string: How about you when you go through a valley or a desert trial?
What’s your symbol of hope? Do you put your trust in yourself or your capabilities? Do you fully rely on a doctor to give you all the answers? Must you have all the answers in a crisis? Are you content with the gifts God has given you or do you long for what others have? Are you waiting to be rescued? Do you need some hope? My symbol of hope is a saying I made up years ago. “One thing to remember about a desert experience – you’re only one S away from dessert.” Having a Savior is SWEET! Add an S to your desert!

'Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.' Jeremiah 33:3

Lean into the Lord, read and learn from your Bible and symbols of hope will spring up all around you. There is hope everywhere BUT it’s not in the things seen - the things of this world. Hope is in that which is unseen. Real hope is in the real Lord.

You can shine
Under the Son
Lyndi