God's Faithfulness

Recently, I was reminded of God’s faithfulness. The fact
that He never leaves me, or forsakes me. He’s always there, even when other
people aren’t. He loves me unconditionally, regardless of how much or how
little I’m loving Him at any given time. God continues to love and hold me even
when my heart gets distracted by other things. His faithfulness is like no
other. Great is His faithfulness!

Kindness and Truth

Do not let kindness and truth leave you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 3:3

When I read this verse the other day, I stopped to ponder its meaning. We need to let kindness and truth invade our lives. They should be in everything we say and do. They should be what characterize us. And we are to do everything possible to not let them leave us. “Bind them around your neck”. This made me think of putting a necklace on. Kindness and truth should adorn and grace our lives like a beautiful necklace. This verse also says to “write kindness and truth on the tablet of your heart”. A couple of images came to mind when I read this. When I went to Israel, I had the opportunity to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and a tablet of stone with writing on it that proves Pontius Pilot lived. That stone and the scrolls have survived for centuries. They were meant to be permanent when they were written. Kindness and truth should be ingrained in us permanently as well. If a stone and scrolls with important writing can last centuries, kindness and truth should be able to last our lifetime. So write kindness and truth permanently on your heart and adorn your life with their beauty, and they will never leave you.

Trusting God

Carolyn Mahaney was asked: “If you could parent your daughters all over again what would you do differently?” Her answer was:

“I wish I had trusted God more. For every fearful peek into the future, I wish I had looked to Christ instead. For each imaginary trouble conjured up, I wish I had recalled the specific, unfailing faithfulness of God. In place of dismay and dread, I wish I had exhibited hope and joy.”

While I am not faced with raising children at present, I was encouraged by this quote. Each of us, no matter what our season of life, has times when we look at the future and wonder what it holds. We often have fears and what if’s. It’s good to be reminded to trust God. And,

For every fearful peek into the future, look to Christ instead.
For each imaginary trouble, recall the specific, unfailing faithfulness of God.
And replace dismay and dread with hope and joy.
Trust God.

No Vacancies!

“A heart that is truly guarded must have no vacancies -- no empty spaces that need to be filled, no voids that leave open places and room for the enemy to get in. When God asks for our heart, He asks for all of it. He wants to fill every part with Himself. He completes us. Only when we are satisfied in Him will we be able to selflessly give our lives for others. We need to put up a sign that says ‘No Vacancies’. Except we don’t need a sign - others will notice simply by our lives. They can see if our heart has voids and is unfulfilled, seeking attention from others, or if we are filled with Jesus, overflowing with love and joy, and seeking to spread His light everywhere we go.” ~ Sarah Mally

Recommended Reading Review ~ A Woman after God's Own Heart

A Woman after God’s Own Heart
By Elizabeth George

God called David a man after His own heart. What an amazing description! Wouldn’t you love to be described as such? In her book, A Woman after God’s Own Heart, Elizabeth George encourages women to become just what the title says. The chapters of this book are filled with Biblical, practical advice and instruction on living with God first and at the center of our lives. Mrs. George helps the reader see that there are priorities in life and that they need to be in order. When all these priorities are in their proper order, with God always the number one priority, life runs smoothly and God is glorified in our daily lives. A Woman after God’s Own Heart is a book that every Christian woman should read. Whether single or married, we can apply the principles in Mrs. George’s book, and become women after God’s own heart.

"There you are!"

People have always been self-focused, but it seems as if people have become more so as time goes on. Sin-nature tells us to “look out for number one” and to think about “what will make ME happy”. However, as Christians, God calls us to think differently, to put others before ourselves. When we walk into a room full of people, we have a choice to make: are we going to make the focus be on us, or are we going to focus on others? We have to consciously make the decision to focus on others. And we have to be honest with ourselves about it as well. We are so good at saying we are serving others, but our real motive is to be noticed. It’s not just our own hearts that know what our attitude is, everyone else can tell as well right when we walk in the door. When we enter a room, our expression and presence says either, “Here I am” or “There you are”. The first is self-focused while the latter is others-focused. May we be women of God who are truly others-focused.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

God brought me this beautiful passage shortly after a dear saint passed away. While we do mourn our loss of those dear to us, if they are fellow believers, we are to rejoice with them. They are in Heaven with the Savior! They have no more pain, struggles, or sin! And one day we will be reunited with them and spend eternity praising the Lord together!

The Christian Home

As Christians, our relationship with Christ and His work in our hearts should overflow into every aspect of our lives. As women, one of these aspects is the home. A Christian home should have a different atmosphere from non-Christian homes. Our homes should proclaim Christ to both those who live there and those who visit. But how do we encourage a Christ-centered atmosphere in our homes? Well, there is an opportunity next month that will help us in this area!

On Saturday, May 8, 2010, 8:30am - 4:30pm, Biblical Womanhood Seminars will host their spring seminar at Cedar Springs Christian Conference Center in Sumas Washington. The title of the seminar is Christ in Me … The Heart of the Home. Nine women will be sharing how we, as Christian women, can create a Christ-centered atmosphere in our homes using the fruits of the Spirit. The seminar costs $15 per person, and includes breakfast and lunch.

I have attended three seminars hosted by Biblical Womanhood Seminars and have been greatly encouraged by the teaching and the fellowship. It is a group of godly women striving to live Christ-centered, God-glorifying lives, and encourage other women to do the same.

If you would like information on how to register,
please e-mail me at: brighthope4him@gmail.com!

God's Love for Me

February 14th means different things to different people. Generally, it is recognized as a day to express your love for a certain person. But, I have found that many singles, especially ladies, find it one of the worst days of the year. I have heard of it being renamed “Singles Awareness Day”, a day when singles remind themselves and everyone around them that they are single. However, I find that viewing the day in this way causes a slight, or severe, case of self-pity and discouragement. So, I decided to see the holiday in a different light this year. Instead of looking at the love two humans have for each other, I looked at the love God has for me. I searched for verses in the Bible, songs, and quotes that tell me of God’s love for me. As I studied and read, I again realized that I am loved by the God of the universe with the greatest love of all time, and found myself falling deeper in love with Him. I would like to share with you some of the things I found, and invite you, whether single or married, to join with me in celebrating God’s love for us this Valentine’s Day.

The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me
and have believed that I came forth from the Father.
John 16:27

God’s steadfast, sure love for us is:
Unbelievable - so worship!
Unwarranted - so rejoice!
Unshakable - so love!

God’s steadfast, sure love is unshaken by:
Death - when you die God’s love keeps going.
Time - God’s love never wears out.
Sin - sin does not break God’s eternal love for you.

Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
Romans 8:35a

The Love of God
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell,
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest Hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin.

When years of time shall pass away
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love so sure shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade.
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure,
How measureless and strong.
It shall forever more endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss.
The Father turns His face away.
As wounds which mare the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there.
Until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life.
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us,
that we would be called children of God; and such we are.
1 John 3:1a

Building Sibling Relationships ~ Part 7

Where to Start

I’ve written quite a bit about building sibling relationships in the past few weeks, hopefully you’re not overwhelmed! It’s been a lot of information and a lot of ideas. You may be thinking “I want to build relationships with my siblings, but where do I start?” Start by being thankful for your siblings. God has designed your siblings to be your siblings. He placed you in the same family for a reason, and you need to be thankful for His wisdom in making your siblings just the way He did. Next, express thankfulness for and to your siblings! You need to thank God for your siblings, but you also need to show gratitude to your brothers and sisters. When was the last time you told your sister “Thank you for being my sister”? Or told your brother that you love him? Telling them these things will draw your heart to them, make you love them even more, and will draw the two of you together, building your relationship as siblings.

Building Sibling Relationships ~ Part 6

Activities for Siblings in General

I’ve written and being friends with sisters, brothers, and baby siblings. Now I would like to give you some ideas of things you can do with any of your siblings no matter how old they are or whether they are brothers or sisters.

• Read together ~ whether someone is reading aloud or each has their own book, sit together and read. One day last year, my mom came up to my bedroom to find me sitting on my bed reading my girly Jane Austen book and my brother sitting next to my with his World War 2 book.
  
• Cook together ~ get everybody together in the kitchen to make something together, or work on different dishes.
  
• Clean together ~ my siblings and I had fun cleaning the whole house together one weekend when our parents were out of town. It’s not too hard to find jobs for everyone to do; even a 2-year-old can wipe baseboards.
  
• Art and craft projects ~ gather everyone at the table to color, paint, make cards, etc.
  
• Talk! ~ Siblings need to talk to each other. Good communication is crucial in a family. My brother and I talk about everything from serious topics like life situations to not-so-serious ones like something funny that happened that day.
  
• Just spend time together ~ take the time to spend time with your siblings. Relationships take time and energy. So put some into your siblings.

Building Sibling Relationships ~ Part 5

Being Friends with Baby Siblings

Babies are so cute and fun! Their tiny hands and feet, and big eyes that take in everything around them. You may be thinking, “Why is she talking about babies in a series about building sibling relationships?” Well, I believe that good sibling relationships should start here. Don’t wait until your baby sibling is older to begin building a relationship with them, start now. Snuggle them. Play peek-a-boo and clapping games with them. It may seem weird some times, but talk to your baby sibling. Babies study peoples voices, that’s how they get to know people and learn to talk. So, talk to the baby, tell them how much you love them. We all have the need to know we are loved. We should begin telling our siblings we love them when they are babies. Something fun that builds a relationship with a baby sibling is a nickname. Nicknames create a special bond. I am blessed to have a sister 16 ½ years younger than me, and I have a nickname that I call her. Her face lights up when I call her by it, because she knows I am the only person who calls her that. Begin building a relationship with your siblings when they are babies, and you will find it easier to build on to it in the years to come.

Building Sibling Relationships ~ Part 4

Being Friends with Brothers

Brothers. I only have one brother, but I know that brothers are very different from sisters, and that’s because boys are different from girls. So, we relate to our brothers differently than we relate to our sisters. We build relationships with them in different ways from our sisters. While I was thinking about this, I asked my brother what a girl can do to build a relationship with her brother. He thought about it for a minute and then said, “Bake cookies!” That just proves that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and that includes brothers! So bake lots of cookies! :)

Another way to build relationships with our brothers is to show interest in their interests. People generally like to talk about the things they are interested in. Our brothers are no exception. We can show interest in their interests by listening when they talk about their interests. My brother has an interest in computer networking and programming and likes to share with me what he’s learning. I listen to him talk, but eventually he starts using terms I don’t understand and I have no idea what he’s talking about except that it has something to do with computers. When this happens, I politely stop him and tell him that I don’t understand some of the words he’s using. He then backtracks and explains the terms he used. This builds our relationship because my brother knows I really am listening to him. On this topic of showing interest, my brother did give a caution. We need to show interest, but not take the interest. My brother explained to me that if I had decided to show interest in his interests by learning about computers with him, he would have felt like it was a competition to see who could know the most about the topic, and lost interest in it. So be careful. You and your brother can have similar interests, but make sure it’s something you really are interested in.

A very important way we can build relationships with our brothers is by helping them be men. Boys were created to grow up to be men; to be leaders, protectors, and providers. We as sisters can help them become the men God created them to be by letting them lead. This can be hard to do (especially for older sisters!). We like to be in charge. However, we need to build up our brothers and encourage them to take the lead. When your brother makes a suggestion (maybe about what game to play, or how to play it), don’t just brush him off. Even if the idea sounds crazy, or like it won’t work, try it anyway. You might try asking your brother what he would like to do, or if he has a suggestion on how to do something differently. Of course, if you ask him, you have to be willing to do it!

The relationship between a brother and a sister can be cold, strained, and practically nonexistent, or it can be warm, strong, and pleasant. Build your relationship with your brother today by showing interest in him and letting him lead. And don’t forget the occasional batch of cookies! :)

Building Sibling Relationships ~ Part 3

Being Friends with Sisters

Being friends with sisters sounds so easy. They’re girls and we’re girls. But sometimes it’s not as easy as it sounds. Sometimes we have different personalities. I have one sister who loves pink. She would have the bedroom and everything in it pink if she could. My other sister, however, doesn’t care for pink so much. We each have differences like these, and sometimes it seems like we don’t have anything in common. But that’s when we get to learn and be creative! If you don’t think you have anything in common with your sister maybe you just need to learn more about her or learn to enjoy some of the things she enjoys. Something else you could do is find a new activity that both of you enjoy.

I think one of the best ways to build relationships with sisters is to have fun being girls together. On a cold, rainy day, pull out the teacups and have a tea party together. Get dressed up in pretty dresses together for special occasions. Learn to do each other’s hair. Have a girl’s movie night and watch a girly movie. One summer evening, my sisters and I did pedicures. We clipped and filed our toenails, put lotion on our feet, and then painted our toenails (pink, of course!). It was a lot of fun, and built memories that we’ll keep forever. So find some ways to enjoy being a girl with your sisters, and take the time to build relationships with them while you do it together.

Building Sibling Relationships ~ Part 2

Why You Should Be Friends with Your Siblings

You may be thinking, “Why do I need to be friends with my siblings? I have other friends, and, besides, they’re my siblings.” Well, I have three reasons why you should be friends with your siblings.

The first reason is a verse found in the Old Testament. Psalm 133:1 says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” This verse tells us that it’s good and pleasant for siblings to be friends. It’s a good thing and it makes life more pleasant for you and everyone else.

Another reason we should be friends with our siblings is that our siblings will always be our siblings. Friendships change, people move away, start going to a different church, or their interests become different from ours. However, our siblings will always be there. I have had many friendships change over the years, but my brother and sisters have continued to love and support me and will continue to do so.

A third, and I believe the most important, reason we should be friends with our siblings is that we are Christians. The World, the people who do not follow God and His ways, expect siblings to fight and not like each other. However, because we are Christians, we should treat our siblings differently than non-Christians treat their siblings. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” and Ephesians 4:24 tells us to: “Put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”So, we are to stop treating our siblings as the World expects us to, and start treating them the way God wants us to treat them.

Hopefully, these three reasons I’ve given have helped you to see that we should be friends with our siblings.

Building Sibling Relationships ~ Part 1

It seems impossible that two people could live in the same house and only be mere acquaintances. And yet that is the state of most sibling relationships. We spend years living and growing together, but we don’t take the time to learn about our siblings and build a relationship with them. God has blessed me with good relationships with my siblings. I have a very special and unique relationship with each of them. We enjoy spending time together, and because we spend so much time together, we know each other. Besides my parents, my brother is the person who knows me the best. Having good relationships with siblings is not something that comes easily or quickly. It’s something we have to work at. It takes time and energy. Over the next few posts, I’m going to share with you ways to build relationships with your siblings, and encourage you to make them your closest friends.

Another Year Is Dawning

I found this hymn by Frances R. Havergal and was so encouraged by it. May this be our prayer as we begin another year.

Another year is dawning: Dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy Presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love;
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning: Dear Father, let it be,
On earth or else in heaven, another year for Thee.

Happy New Year!

Contentment & Our Promised Land

I came across the following paragraph in the book Emotional Purity. It was a great encouragement to me as I read it.

“You’ve heard “hind-sight is twenty-twenty”. I think the children of Israel must have coined that phrase. Did they understand what God was going to do when they stood at the Red Sea with their enemies behind them? No. Did they understand or know where their food, water, and provision for their basic needs would come from? No. Did they understand what God did when He said the land He gave to them was filled with giants? No. They continued in their discontentment and the cost became deadly. The Israelites rebelled against God over and over in the desert, and often we do the same thing. The correlation between the children of Israel and us is clear: they were in bondage to the Egyptians, we are in bondage to believing that marriage is going to save us from this state of discontented singleness. God performed a grand exodus to save the Israelites from slavery; God sent His Son to save us from slavery. He led the Israelites through the desert of testing to worship and serve Him there; He wants us to come through the desert of testing to see if we trust Him. Then He allowed the Israelites to enter the Promised Land; and, if you allow God to take you through the arid desert of trials, you will come through trusting and obeying Him. The promised land is not marriage, but rather a place of knowing that you are in the Father’s hands and that you will not be single a day longer than He plans for you.” ~ Emotional Purity: An Affair of the Heart, By Heather Arnel Paulsen, p.92

I love the comparison Heather makes between us as singles, and the children of Israel. It is so important that we gain contentment before marriage. As I have heard repeatedly, “If you’re not content before marriage, you won’t be content after you’re married”. I think the Israelites are a good example of this. Even when they got the freedom they wanted, they still weren’t content. I also love the last sentence in this paragraph. Ladies, marriage is not our promised land. It is so good to be reminded where our focus is supposed to be and what our promised land is and in Whom it can be found.

A Citizen of Zion

PSALM 15
Description of a Citizen of Zion.
A Psalm of David.
O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity,
and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
In whose eyes a reprobate is despised,
But who honors those who fear the Lord;
He swears to his own hurt and does not change;
He does not put out his money at interest,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.

David begins this psalm with questions. He is asking the Lord what the characteristics of a citizen of Zion are. He then answers those questions. This psalm describes to us how a citizen of Zion should behave. From our side of the cross, we can say that this psalm is a description of a Christian. They are good guidelines to be reminded of. Also, if we do these things we will “never be shaken”. What a wonderful promise!

Living to be Used by God

What we believe shapes who we are. When we base our lives on the truth of the Bible and allow God to work in our hearts, we become the godly women He wants us to be. However, God doesn’t want to make us beautiful merely for His own personal pleasure. He wants to use us to show others what the Christian life is really like. What do others see when they look at our lives? Do they see Christ? Are they attracted to us because we are different from even other Christians? The difference should be a life focused on God and a willingness to be used by Him. When we have a willingness to be used by God, it needs to be a willingness to be used where He has us right now. The Bible tells us of a young woman who was taken from her home and family to live in a palace. While she recognized it as a great honor, it wasn’t where she wanted to be. However, as she was reminded, God had placed her there for a reason. Esther was willing to be used where she was. Like Esther, God has placed us in this time and place for a reason. Instead of wishing a certain part of our life is different, we need to be alert, watching for opportunities, and allow God to use us in the lives of others. While we might not save an entire race of people as Esther did, we may be the only light of Christ in some peoples’ lives. The Word of God, our relationship with God, and peoples’ souls are the only things that will last forever. God can use His Word in our lives and our relationship with Him to show others the love of Christ and their need for a Savior. As we become beautiful to God, let’s shine forth that beauty and let Him use us for His glory.

“You don’t have to do something for God,
you just have to be willing to let Him work through you.”