Monday, December 26, 2011

Once Upon a Time

I’m so grateful to Jamie Britt for allowing me to be her guest blogger today! Jamie has such an incredible passion for women, and it’s an honor to be included on her blog.

Christmas tends to bring out the child in all of us and one of my favorite parts of being a child was of course, books. Not just any books—but specifically fairy tales. Today I want to share my own story with you.

Once Upon a Time

There once was a poor girl who wanted to be loved. But she was a slave, completely under another’s domination. One day a young man appeared on a white horse, he was a prince and she hid in shame of who she was, dirty and unimportant. But she was the one he sought. 

He came to her, like she was someone important, someone worthy to be loved.  And he pledged that love to her, forever. Then, before he could take her away, her master pulled her back, refusing to let her leave. Her prince didn’t give up easily. He fought for her and won her and carried her off to reign with him and live happily ever after.

Sounds like many fairy tales we grew up with, doesn’t it?  But guess what, this is my story and it’s all true.

I once was that slave, and sin was my master. My prince came for me, with love and hope and a promise. He fought for me and paid a terrible price to win my freedom. 
He comes after all of us, no matter where we are, pursuing us with a love do deep he paid with his life. 

All he asks is that we accept his love, his sacrifice on our behalf.

Ladies, your prince is calling you.

Maybe you have strayed, he’s still pursuing you, come back to him.

Maybe you have never answered his call, you’re still hiding, unworthy and unloved, believing a lie.  Now is the time, run into his arms, experience the joy of happily ever after.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believed in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Monday, December 19, 2011

What's In a Name?

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given
And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, New King James Version)

What's in a name? Have you ever wondered the significance of your name? Perhaps your child's? A friend's? Well, there's a person whose name means more than any of our names. His name is Jesus. His name can mean whatever you need Him to be for you. Do you need a counselor? He's the one. Do you need peace? He's your source of peace when you feel weak and like your world is crumbling around you. Have you had a miracle happen in your life? He is a Mighty God! He's mighty beyond any of our weaknesses or temptations. Let me encourage you, ladies, if you need peace; call out to the only one who can give you that peace. If you need counsel, go to the best counselor of all. Beyond any of these names however, there's one that's often overlooked. He's wonderful! When we're up on the mountain, it's not hard for us to say He's wonderful. The hard time is when we're going through a trial. Even then, He's wonderful. I want to end this month of Christmas focus devotions with this thought. When you can't praise Him for what you're going through, praise Him for who He is. Praise Him for being your counselor. Praise Him for being a Mighty God. Praise Him for being your Prince of Peace. Praise Him for being Wonderful. Let's just praise Him because He's worthy!

Father, we give you praise You today. We praise you for sending your son in that manger that precious night.
We praise You because He didn't stay there! He died on that cross so we could have life! Lord we give you praise and we love You. In Jesus Name, Amen.!

Monday, December 12, 2011

There's Power In Forgiveness!

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven may forgive you". Mark 11:25

Ok, I can think of several things that are easier to do than forgive someone who's hurt me, can you? In fact, we would rather just dwell on how bad we were hurt and stay angry about it. Maybe you grew up in a very abusive home, or you had an employer that treated you really bad,a close friend whom you trusted betrayed you, or something worse....the list goes on! The truth is that as long as we're alive on this earth there will always be those opportunities that will caoose us to chose to forgive or not. To chose TO forgive is the best thing you could ever do for yourself. I heard it once said that to NOT forgive was like drinking poison and wanting the other person to die. Wow, such powerful, thought provoking words!That unforgiveness is poison to our spirits should be enough to move us to forgive!

Jesus was the perfect example of forgiveness. Imagine that He was beaten so badly that you could not even recognize Him. Then He had nails driven through His hands and feet and was hung on a cross, and yet He looks up and says "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do". It was by His love that He died for you and He would forgive. God loves you so much and He wants to heal you of every hurt! He does that as we chose to forgive and release that person/situation to Him. Forgiving those who have wronged or hurt us allows God to release great blessing into our life. What blessings is that? It's blessings of PEACE, JOY, HEALING, and WHOLENESS.

Mark 11:24 says "Therefore I tell you, whatsoever you ask for in prayer, believe that you receive it and you shall have it". Because when you prayed, you chose to forgive, you are able to receive whatever you ask of your Heavenly Father without the weight of the hurt and unforgiveness. You are FREE to experience all that God has for you, because remember, there is power in forgiveness!

I encourage you to, by faith, forgive and let go of the hurt that was done to you. Begin to pray for that person, even if you don't feel like it, and I promise if you will do that, God will put HIS love in your heart for that person and you will experience a joy and a freedom like never before!

PRAYER- Father I chose today to forgive that person who hurt or wronged me. I release them to you and pray that you would touch their heart. Thank you Lord for healing me of every hurt, I release all unforgiveness and resentment to You now and receive all that You have for me in Jesus' Name..Amen


Lisa Miller- Guest Blogger

Monday, December 5, 2011

What Gift Are You Bringing?

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
(Psalm 51:10, New King James Version)

I want you to picture a beautifully wrapped package. With this being the month we're so focused on gift-giving, we're so worried about the presentation of it. We're worried about what people will think of our gift. Ladies, that's how we come to God. We come to Him with our little pretty packages and think that's enough. I've got news for us all, He's not looking for our pretty little wrapped packages. He's looking for our hearts. In this season of Christmas, will you give Him your heart? Will you let Him create in you a clean heart? Will you let Him fashion you into what He wants you to be? I can promise you ladies, that will be the most precious gift you can give Him-and the most precious gift you can receive for yourself. Ladies, I love you, and I want nothing more than for us all to say, "yes Lord, do in me what you will!"