Encouragement

I found Proverbs 31 Ministries recently and their writers always seem to know just what I need to hear.  Today's email I felt led to share with anyone who is feeling discouraged.  I have been in the pit of discouragement before where I felt I couldn't even see my way out.  I am blessed today that I don't feel this way, but I know that many others do.  So I wanted to share.  When you are in that pit please realize that there is one thing, the enemy, and he has come to steal your peace and get you to believe lie.  I think we can make it more than it needs to be and therefore give the enemy more credit than they deserve.  But if we go the other way and think there is no enemy then that can also be very dangerous (even more dangerous I believe)!  

In John 10 we learn "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy".  When we ignore all the annoyances that come up in the day....the "peace stealers" I like to call them, then hopefully the enemy retreats defeated.   To give you an example of how this can happen.  One day (back before kids when I was working a million hours/week) I left my house for work.  I got up the street, already late, and realized I forgot my phone.  Super frustrated, I whipped into somewhere to turn around, my blood boiling.  Really tired from being up all night thinking about all the things that I had to get done and not sleeping, I was in a fog of deliriousness.  Practically on two wheels I flew back into the neighborhood and into the driveway, heart racing in a panic.  Coming to a screeching stop I opened the door to my car as the garage door continued its ascent.  Well I never put the car in park and it started to roll....into my house!  I jumped back in the car, slammed on the breaks just inches away from destruction.  As I look back on this I see how distracted (enemy's most common weapon) I was by "things".  Obviously life for me now in tropical paradise is much calmer.  Life seems to be slower.  I am not working a million hours and not sleeping.  But I can also look at things differently, because there are still distractions.  When I am late for something now instead of speeding and putting myself (and others) in danger...I turn on some Christian music and meditate to the words.  I will there when I get there.  Oh, I forgot my cell phone....well I can live without it today.  Which day sounds more peaceful??


I really don't miss the typical American lifestyle (working a ton to pay for stuff you couldn't afford and driving in crazy traffic).  I really can't see myself wanting it back anytime soon.  Simplify and start the day in His Word making that important can set the day off on the right foot!  


In His Grip, Jodi

April 18, 2012 It's Not Supposed to be This Way By Renee Swope "We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." Hebrews 10:39 (NIV, 1984) "I can't do this." "Things will never change." "My life isn't going to get better." "I'll never have the confidence I need." Those are some depressing thoughts, aren't they? But oh how quickly they slip into our minds and convince our hearts that they are true. There have been times when I felt almost paralyzed by thoughts like these that were laced with uncertainty. Times when I let self-doubt convince me that feelings of inadequacy and discouragement were normal. Times when I've shrunk back from changes and challenges, as well as opportunities and open doors. Other times I've pulled back in my relationships - with family and friends, and even God. Shrinking back into a place of unbelief ... settling for less than God's best. All because I was tired of muddling through apprehension and indecision. Are there days when doubt convinces you that feeling inadequate and discouraged is normal? Or that having confident assurance isn't possible for someone like you? I think we sometimes forget we have an enemy who uses self-doubt against us - who shouts from the sidelines: "It's too hard." "You might as well quit." "Go ahead and give up." "You don't have what it takes." It's time for us to take a stand and stop listening to these lies. God wants us to know and believe that with Christ all things are possible - even a confident heart. Otherwise doubt, and the enemy, will win every time and our hearts will be eroded by attitudes and emotions of defeat. But it's not supposed to be this way. All throughout scripture, God tells us things can change; life can be better. He declares with confidence: "See, I am doing a new thing!" "I am working all things together for good for those who love me and are called according to my purpose." "All things are possible to [her] who believes." (Isa. 43:19; Rom. 8:28; Mark 9:23) So how do we stop listening to our doubts and start living in the power of God's promises? By choosing to believe God's truths more than our feelings and fears. By moving beyond believing in God to really believing God as we rely on the power of His Words and live like they are true - no matter what our feelings tell us. It is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day, doubt-by-doubt decision where we process our thoughts and emotions with God, positioning our hearts and minds to let His perspective redefine ours with each uncertainty we face. Some days I do better than others, and you will too. But I have found that it's possible to have lasting Christ-confidence by choosing to remember to believe. Let's choose to remember today, and every day, the words of Hebrews 10:39, that we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed - but of those who believe and are saved! Lord, give me a confident heart in Christ. I want You to lead me beyond believing in You to truly believing You. Help me rely on the power of Your promises and live like they are true. When self-doubt tells me I can't overcome my insecurities, I will believe Your promise that all things are possible to whoever believes. In Jesus' Name, Amen. Related Resources: Today's devotion is based on truths Renee also shares in her powerful book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises. Are you ready to live in the power of God's promises? To take hold of the security of His love? Join Renee's online study of her best-selling book, A Confident Heart, beginning April 23rd. Here's what others are saying about her study: Through this online study of A Confident Heart I have learned to seek and find the strength God desires me to have. I can also be confident that when I do fall short God still loves me anyway. What a blessing and a gift! ~ Cindy This book and online study has made such a difference in my life. I now see myself as God sees me, and that gives me confidence to be more of the person He has always desired me to be. I am beautiful in His eyes, and now believe He is really the one who matters! ~Sherri Click here for more details about Renee's online study or sign up here today! For more daily encouragement and powerful truths, join Renee's Confident Heart Facebook page. Reflect and Respond: Have you ever agreed with the whispers of doubt and found yourself stuck in a cycle of defeat? Is there a promise in today's devotion, or in the power verses below, that ministers to your greatest need? Why not write it down and pray it out loud - claiming God's truth and letting it become yours today. Power Verses: 2 Corinthians 2:14, "But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ." (GW) Romans 8:37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (NIV) © 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 Ministries 616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road Matthews, NC 28105 www.Proverbs31.org

What is your calling?

I still struggle with this...and I am a missionary! Or am I? What does that mean? I do know that I need to be intentional and to be a follower of Jesus Christ and not just a fan. I am not just a Christian but I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I don't just believe what I hear from others...I seek out His Word for myself.

I read this today and I wanted to share it with you.  It is from Proverbs 31 Ministries and I thought some of you might need this too!  As Moms I think it is easy to go days and feel like you are accomplishing nothing.  Can I get an Amen?

April 11, 2012 Unfolding By Amy Carroll

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90:17 (NIV)

I stared into the frustrated eyes of my friend last week as we talked about her calling to write. She has big, big dreams, and her dreams seem to be coming true far too slowly.

I told her how much I understood. Stepping into my calling was a long time coming, too.

My specific calling is to teach, speak and write. Your calling may fall into a myriad of other categories, but every calling is equally high when it's in obedience to the Most High. We're ALL called to ministry of some sort.

My calling didn't materialize in a year. It has unfolded during the last 35 years, and each phase of that unfolding has shaped and re-determined the final product (which I know won't be final until my last breath!).

The unfolding looked kind of like this:

Becoming a passionate teacher of young children.
Marrying my best friend.
Investing years in my little boys' lives.
Teaching adults as they chased dreams that passed them by in their teens.
Volunteering in women's ministry.
Visiting home after home as the "Welcome Wagon Lady" in my new town.
Accepting invitations to speak at my church and others close by.
Joining the Proverbs 31 Ministries' speaker team.
Returning to a frustrating year of elementary school teaching.
Stepping in to my calling of equipping others in their calling.

I've look at my list many times and thought, "Wow. I wasted a lot of years." But I've come to realize it's just not true. Every relationship, every job, every opportunity has prepared me. Psalm 90:17 reminds me that God establishes the work of my hands. With each change, I've had an opportunity to view that next place as stepping into a calling. Sometimes I did. Sometimes I didn't.

Often I was irritated at the seeming meaninglessness of what I was doing, but now I see. Every diaper changed, every knee kissed, every book read, every late night listening, every dying to self, every lesson plan made, every story crafted, every presentation made, every meeting attended, every spreadsheet created, EVERY THING...

It all counted.

Every moment was an unfolding of my eventual calling. God used each stepping stone to establish the work I'm doing now.

Don't despair today when you can't see it. Obey God and trust that He is working. His timing is so rarely ours, but it is always perfect. Instead of chaffing under the seemingly mundane, embrace each task as a building block for the dreams in your heart. Don't give up hope.

I promise ... it's coming.

Dear Lord, it's been difficult waiting as the years have come and gone without stepping into my calling. Please help me appreciate each seemingly mundane task and day as a means to you establishing the work of my hands. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Follow this link for beautiful encouragement from Amy on her blog.

Register today for She Speaks! Our annual conference that helps equip women in their calling to lead, speak and write.

The Reason We Speak and For the Write Reason, Gen Ed. Marybeth Whalen

What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst

Reflect and Respond:
Every moment is an unfolding of your eventual calling.

Make a list of the "mundane" things and ask God to show you how He's using them to establish the work of your hands.

Power Verses:
Matthew 9:38, "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (NIV)

1 Peter 4:10-11, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (NIV)

© 2012 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org