Small Thing, Big Damage – Girlfriends in God – February 28, 2020

February 28, 2020

February 28, 2020
Small Thing, Big Damage 
Kelly Balarie

Today’s Truth

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9, NIV).

Friend to Friend

I noticed a scratch on the kitchen floor.

“Where did that come from?” I asked, as I pointed it out to my husband.

“I don’t know.” He replied.

The next day, I looked down on the ground and there were probably about 5 more. What in the world?! I had just put felt bottoms on those chairs, for this exact reason. It makes no sense at all that the chairs would be ruining the floors like this. But they were!

I got down on my hands and knees and flipped the chair over, only to find a rock about the size of two specks of pepper.

This little rock could do that much damage? I said to myself while holding it in my hand.

It certainly can.

What little rock do you have in your life right now? Maybe you get angry or frustrated when circumstances don’t go right. I complain.

I speak-out: what is not right, what hasn’t happened, and what isn’t coming together. I focus on the negative. I gripe. I act a little dour and sour — commenting on small things.

Not everything I want to say, needs to be said.

“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:9, NIV

The reality is: I haven’t been creating a hospitable atmosphere for my family. The environment shifts the second I speak-out – with a bad attitude. Worst of all, bad attitudes can be contagious. I notice, the more I get negative, the more my kids do and the more it brings my husband’s spirit down.

What about you? Do you realize the power you hold in your tongue?

Are you uplifting others or killing the joy? Speaking life or making everyone participate in your every annoying moment?

I once heard someone say, people don’t remember the food we made them, the house decorations we had, nor the gifts we sent them home with — they remember how we made them feel.

This makes me wonder today, how do I make the Holy Spirit feel, as He lives within me? Am I being hospitable to the Holy Spirit, who indwells within?

Today, I commit again, to do my best, to mind my mouth. But I wonder — what about you? Might you join me?

Let’s intention in our heart to mind our words, allowing only what is uplifting, good, valuable, worthy and helpful – to proceed forth. Of course, we won’t speak perfectly, but I believe, even small changes will have an immense impact in the environment of our home and with our relationship with God. Why not give it a chance?

Let’s Pray

Father, changing my words feels hard. Will You help me? Will You lead me in identifying what needs to be said and what doesn’t? Thank You so very much.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn  

In what way do you need to mind your words? How can you begin to effect change? What new thoughts can you think, before you speak?

More from the Girlfriends 

Kelly Balarie, blogger at Purposeful Faith and author of the new book “Battle Ready: Train Your Mind to Conquer Challenges, Defeat Doubt and Live Victoriously” is passionate about joining hands with women who often find themselves stuck in the pits of life. Step-by-step, word-by-word, her dream is that together they can emerge better – fear, fret and panic-free. Get all of Kelly’s Purposeful Faith blog posts by email for a dose of inspiration and encouragement.

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The Potential For Greater Power In You – Beloved Women – February 28, 2020 February 28, 2020

The Potential For Greater Power In You – Beloved Women – February 28, 2020

READ: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:12-13 ESV)

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Are you sitting behind a desk pushing papers and answering calls all day wondering if this is even making an eternal difference? Perhaps your 9 to 5 is tripping over toddlers as you try to tidy up the house and run errands. Or maybe your days are spent studying and filling out job applications. No matter where you find yourself at work today, Jesus reminds us of the magnitude of power believers hold in their hands, their words, and footsteps.

In John 14, Jesus says He is going to be with the Father so that we can not only do the works Jesus did on earth, but greater works even.

Today, you hold incredible power in whatever it is Jesus has called you to. Whether it’s parenting, sitting behind a computer, or being a neighbor and friend, you have magnificent power behind all that you do! You can walk with your head a little higher, your feet secure, and use your words to encourage others knowing there is great power at play.

PRAY: Jesus, I see You on the throne advocating for me. I can’t diminish what You’ve called me to do when Your word tells me You are doing an even greater work through me. I trust You to guide my time and talents for the glory of Your name. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

REFLECT: Do you find yourself downplaying the kind of power you hold in Jesus because of your profession, your age, or your location? What would your problems look like if you answered them with this promise?

CONNECT: Find more encouragement from Trisha Keehn at www.trishakeehn.com.

RELATED RESOURCE: Need motivation to study the Bible? Think Bible study is too hard? The LIFE Bible Journal is here to help you experience the benefits of intentionally studying the Bible. Each study page guides you through your personal Bible study helping you to practically understand and apply God’s Word to your everyday life. See how simple and rewarding Bible study can be with the LIFE Bible Journal. Click here to get your LIFE Bible Journal today!

© 2020 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

For more Beloved encouragement including Daily Devotionals, practical advice for everyday Christian living, Bible Studies, and more be sure to visit us at www.belovedwomen.org.

Land and the Blood Shed On It – Daughters of Promise – February 28

February 28, 2020

LAND AND THE BLOOD SHED ON IT

And the Lord said, “What have you done?  The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.  And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from you hand.”  Genesis 4:10-11

Now, this is a message we don’t hear much about. The land holds the memory of blood shed upon it. The land, as well as people, can be cursed and found begging for forgiveness.

The piece of ground upon which Abel was brutally murdered pulsated with the memory of the traumatic event. God could perceive its cry. That’s not surprising since He is also the One who says that the stones will praise Him.  He hears the sounds of earth that are undetected by men.

Some time ago, I was invited to hold a Prayer Mapping Conference at a Christian retreat center. My assistant, Elizabeth, and I were confused when we encountered some of the worst spiritual warfare we had ever experienced. As I tried to teach, I could feel the swirling of evil spirits around my head.  It was hard to think, even get words out  Our normal kind of warfare praying didn’t bring freedom. After the first day had ended, God led Elizabeth and I to do a history of the retreat center, what it had been originally. Providentially, God led us to discover that the very site we were sitting on had been the place where the Underground Railroad ended during the Civil War.  It was the stopping place where thousands of battered and wounded slaves got off the train. Trauma still marked the place.

We covered this in prayer, asking God to release the land from the effects of the memories. We dedicated that land to God and asked that He bless now, in full measure, the ministry of the retreat center. Teaching that day was a different experience. The room was peaceful and the ministry fruitful.

As Christians pray over their homes, we must also remember to cover the land that our homes sit on. We never know, from history, what the ground remembers. Isaiah, as well as many others, reinforced this.  “For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain.” Is. 26:21

How the earth and its inhabitants cry out for a redeemer! And there is One. We just need to ask our Redeemer, Jesus, to forgive and cancel the curse of sin.  Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant, and sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:24

There are many ways for me to rule my garden. Bringing freedom to the land is your mandate. You promised to heal our land if there is repentance.  Amen.

For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org

Submit to God YouVersion Devotional

Submit To God.  “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬ Submit your ways to God. Submit your gifts, talents and abilities to God. Submit your heart to God. Submit your life to God. Submit every area of your life over to God. Submit your plans to Him. Submit to His Will. Submit to His Way. Submit to His Plan. Submit to His Purpose. Pursue Christ and He will lead and establish your path.  James‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭AMPC‬‬ declares, “So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.” Subject yourself to God. Surrender to His Word. Surrender to His Will. Let His Word become the bedrock of your heart. Let His Word become your sure foundation.  Let His Word become your Cornerstone. Let nothing deter you from pursuing God. Don’t let the idols and the things of this world interfere with your relationship with God. Resist the devil by staying rooted and grounded in His Word.  James‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ declares, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Submission requires humility. According to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word for “Submit” is, ‘hypotassō’ (G5293) which means, “To arrange under, to subordinate, to subject, put in subjection, to subject one’s self, obey, to submit to one’s control, to yield to one’s admonition or advice, to obey, or to be subject.” Humble yourself before God. Arrange yourself under Christ. Obey Him. Submit to His Way of doing things. Yield to Christ.