Be Courageous, Be Strong

This is a mantra for everyday living, knowing that God will give us the grace to overcome and endure. He will fight our battles if we let him.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. 

Be courageous. Be strong. 

1 Cor 16:13

What do you think about when you first open your eyes in the morning? The bills? What you said or did yesterday that you now regret? What you have to do today that you are dreading? Or do you wake up grateful for a new day, a new opportunity, and His new and tender mercies that greet you on the dawn of the morning? Waking up is a physical process of opening our eyes, becoming conscious, and tuning into the first thoughts on our minds. Waking up can also be a spiritual process that is divine, deliberate, methodical, and sets the tone for your entire day. 

"Oh God, you are my God; Early I will seek you..." Psalm 63:1

We have no way of knowing what the day holds for us - but God does. Not only does He know what the days holds, but He knows what this life holds. He saw you before you were born and every day was laid out and recorded before one day had passed as David says in Psalm 139:16. Each morning, humble yourself before the Almighty and be determined not to let any thoughts come before your communication with Him. Be deliberate in your prayer - thanking Him for what He has already done. 

"Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning."

 Psalm 30:5

Know that this time too shall pass. If you think back over your life, there have been many troubled days that you thought would take you out. But God said "No", and gave you the grace to endure, then He said "Enough" and the trouble season was over.  While God does not cause the trouble, He does allow tribulation to help shape us into who He created us to be. How we handle trouble is a good measure of where we are in our walk with Christ, can help strengthen our faith, and keeps us humble (knowing we are human and He alone is God). So why is the trouble you are facing this time any different? it may be a different situation or circumstance, but it's all masked as "trouble". Remember if the God of this universe is for you, who can be against you? 

"In the day of trouble I will call upon you for you will answer me." 

Psalm 86:7

Regardless of what the day brings or what season you may be currently in feels like, wake up in the morning praising God for his deliverance, and then go to bed at night thanking Him for what He has done. Vow to stay focused and faithful. Keep your eyes on Him who can and will deliver. Remember when Peter was on the boat and walked on water until he took his eyes off Jesus? This is the lesson we all must get. When you know who is really in control, you know this time too shall past and you will be better because of it!

Father, I look to you expectantly this morning, knowing that your love for me surpasses all understanding. Thank you that no one or nothing can come between your love for me. Despite what I am going through or how I am feeling I choose you. I choose to stand on your promises and wait expectantly for you to deliver me. Keep me as the apple of your eye and give me the strength to wait for your deliverance. You are my rock and my redeemer, and I will praise you with all of my heart for what you have already done. In Jesus Name, Amen.

-Stacey
Women of Grace Member
Community Bible Church 

"God-fidence"

"...when trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." James 1:2-4

One of the first things I learned as a new Christian was that anything the world tells you is valuable, wise, important, or the "right" thing to do was the opposite of the truth, God's Word. One of those "worldly sayings" tells you to have confidence in yourself and do what you feel. To my detriment, that mentality has gotten me into trouble more times than I care to count. Through prayer and study, I have come to find that my personal confidence is powered by what I call "God-fidence", meaning not having confidence in myself at all but placing that confidence in what God the Father can and will do through me. James Chapter 1 pointedly explains what we must do to avoid the pitfalls of this world, which includes obedience, faithfulness, watching our tongue, carrying God's promises in our hearts and minds, and having a right attitude concerning the trials and tribulations that we will go through. What is even more important is that Jesus told us that we would have trials and tribulations, but not to fear, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Contemplate

• Are you an overcomer? John 16:33
• Do you put on your armor? Ephesians 6:11-18
• Do you ask for wisdom? James 1:5-6

Practice 
We are running a race to a glorious finish and anything less than striving to be what Christ has called us to be is what can make this race disappointing for us, and the disappointment comes in the sense of knowing what our Father expects of us and not acknowledging Him in any and every situation. We won't be perfect, and that is not the goal, perfection is only Christ. The goal is having a relationship with Christ and following His commands while allowing Him to carry us through the trials and tribulations, fight our battles, and "perfect that which concerns you"(Psalm 138:8). While we run this race of life, ask for forgiveness, be humble, and watch how Christ moves on your behalf. Place your confidence in Him and see how your "God-fidence" grows.

Prayer
Father, forgive me. Forgive me for any sin, attitude, doubt, and unedifying words that separates me from knowing You fully. You are my everything and the source of my strength. It is You who provides all of my needs. My confidence is not in myself but in You who is the creator of all things. Give me the wisdom I need to navigate the pitfalls of this world and the revelation that these trials and tribulations I am facing are for my good and Your Glory. Strengthen my confidence in You so that I can boldly accomplish those things You called me to do. Help me to see where You are working and encourage me to continue in this race. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your forgiveness. I praise You right now for all that You have done, in Jesus' Precious Name, Amen.

~ Stacey
Women of Grace Member

The Confident Planner

The Lord will work out His plans for my life - for your faithful love O Lord, endures forever. Do not abandon me, for you made me. Psalm 138:8

As a new Christian, one of the many challenges I had to overcome was being confident (and comfortable) knowing God is working His plan for my life, even if  I don't know the details.  Early in my college career, and not unlike some of you, I had no idea who or what I wanted to be when I grew up. Some of my classmates knew exactly what they wanted to do, where they wanted to go, and who they wanted to be, right down to  the number of children they would have and what type of house they would live in. Not me. I did not have a clue about tomorrow, much less 5-10 years later.  But God knew. He knows all. And what is even better, He is working it all for your good.  Looking back, my college days were years ago, and years before my "encounter" with the Lord when I received His gift of salvation. And while it took me some time to see how He was working His plan in my life, I now know and have confidence that He is, even though I still don't have all the details.

It took me spending time with the Lord, learning His promises, trusting Him daily, and seeing how He carried me from situation to situation to really know that He is in control. This pattern has repeated consistently over the years, so much so that I now have confidence, not in myself or my plans, but in Christ Jesus, who is ultimately working His plan in my life. His plan is better than anything I can think or imagine, and I'm glad He didn't allow me to do it myself!  Once I "let go and let God" as they saying goes, I saw what He was capable of accomplishing in my life and what I was not. For the person I am and for how rich and fruitful my life is, I could not have created something so wonderful and perfect for me. Not perfection, because that is only Christ, but perfect for my situation, my personality, my talents, and my passions. 

Practice:

So whatever you are planning, or not, seek Christ first. Pray over whatever you are doing or want to do. Then stand in confidence that He will work His perfect plan for your life. 

Prayer:

Father, thank you! Thank you that you think of me the way you do. Thank you that you authored all of my days before I even came to be. My life is yours, and because you love me so much, you will only give me your best. You gave me the ultimate gift which was your son Jesus Christ, and now there is nothing else that you will not give me, for my good and for Your glory. Thank you for loving me so. In Jesus' Precious Name, Amen. 

~ Stacey
Women of Grace Member

And we know God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:38

The Year of Sevens

2014—is a year of Sevens (2+0+1+4=7 & 14/2=7)

 What significance does the number seven have for Christians? Well, many! Here’s just a few:

In the bible, the number seven represents fullness, completion/finality, rest, and spiritual perfection (Gen 1:31 & 2:1-3; Dan 9:2, 12: 5-7; Rev 10:5-7, Rev 16:17—consider reading the amplified (amp) version of these verses).

http://www.biblewheel.com/Topics/SevenfoldLight.php --discusses the Menorah and some of the other articles/furniture pieces (totaling seven) in the Arc of the Covenant and how they are built on the concept of sevens. This is great because as we get ready to do the Daniel fast and delve deeper into the Books of Daniel and Revelation led by Harold we can see God bringing all of this together for us. The discussion on this site will also bring to mind some of the things God led Harold to reveal to us when he first visited our class and instructed on the contents and meaning of the Arc of the Covenant.

As we’ve also been learning more about the Jewishness of our savior via “Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus” the following excerpt may also strike as interesting and relevant to where God is leading our studies:

"In the Hebrew, 7 is shevah. It is from the root savah, to be full or satisfied, have enough of. Hence the meaning of the word "seven" is dominated by this root, for on the seventh day God rested from the work of Creation. It was full and complete, and good and perfect. Nothing could be added to it or taken from it without marring it. Hence the word Shavath, to cease, desist, rest, and Shabbath, Sabbath, or day of rest."

It is 7, therefore, that stamps with perfection and completeness that in connection with which it is used. Of time, it tells of the Sabbath, and marks off the week of seven days, which, artificial as it may seem to be, is universal and immemorial in its observance amongst all nations and in all times. It tells of that eternal Sabbath-keeping which remains for the people of God in all its everlasting perfection.
In the creative works of God, seven completes the colors of the spectrum and rainbow, and satisfies in music the notes of the scale. In each of these the eighth is only a repetition of the first.”

This excerpt can be read in its entirety at:
 http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/7.html
where there are other significance of the number seven mentioned such as the seven fold blessing of Abraham, God’s seven part covenant with Israel, and the seven sprinklings of the temple.

Scriptures to Ponder and Apply: Psalms 12:6 (amp) says, “The words and promises of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over”. Now, read the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:19-30 (amp). In the second half of verse 19 Nebuchadnezzar “ordered that the furnace be heated seven times more than it was usually heated [emphasis mine]”.  When the whole ordeal was over (finished) in verses 28 and 30 King Nebuchadnezzar “Blessed” God and “Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon”. 

What can we learn from these verses that should be directly applied to our lives in this year? If you’ve been praying about a situation for awhile, have gone through what seems like trial by fire, have been trusting God and holding out, then your circumstances and barriers will begin to bless God and you’ll be promoted to the next perfect level God has planned for you. God’s word/promises that He has made to you personally will be refined/realized/perfected in this year of sevens. 

My Humble Prayer for Us:  Abba, your word says that you will perfect that which concerns us (Psalms138:8) and again that you know the thoughts you have for us—thoughts of peace to give us hope (Jer 29:11); therefore, thank you for gathering our concerns, bottling our tears, dispelling our fears, addressing our needs and perfecting your WORD in our lives in this 2014 year of perfection. You instructed us to be perfect because you ARE already perfect (Matt 5:48)—thank you for perfecting us to affect others for your glory. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Keisha Blackwell

Women of Grace Member

Community Bible Church

Confidence NOW in Christ

The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? 
The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 NKJV

I had an aunt that used to say, "how do you know, that you know, that you know?" 
Basically, what she was asking was, "how do I know for sure, without an iota of 
doubt, that this is true"? Reading God's Word and His promises daily gives us 
the confidence we need to cast our cares on Him and find refuge in His presence. 
When you made the decision to accept Christ as your savior, in that instant, you 
also supernaturally changed who is fighting your battles. No longer are you 
alone, now you have the power of Christ to protect you. And long before you 
accepted Christ, He was there. In Psalm 139, David says " where can I go from 
your spirit? If I ascend into heaven you are there, if I make my bed in hell, you are there also...

"Even there you hand shall lead me and your right hand shall hold me".  

Contemplate:
Think back to a time when you were not sure whether you were going to overcome a 
challenge or survive a situation. How did that make you feel? Afraid? Alone? 
Helpless? Defeated? And how did you feel when you were victorious? Was your 
faith strengthened?
Scripture:
Psalm 27 says, "The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" 
When you meditate on this scripture and put it in perspective, is there anything 
or anyone who can compete with God? Romans 8:38 and 39 explains succinctly
how wide, deep, and powerful God's love is for us. 

When you have someone who loves you this much, how can you doubt anything He says? 

Practice:
A great practice for building your confidence is to remember and praise. Remember all 
that He has brought you through, remember how He delivered you, remember how He 
made a way when you didn't know what to do, and remember that He alone is God. 
Praise Him for the accomplishments, the favor, the battles won, and the 
resources He provided. If you like to write or journal, this is a great way to 
capture your thoughts. Going back later and reading your account of how God 
delivered you will encourage you every time you read it.

Prayer:
Father God, thank you for helping me to see that ultimately you are in control 
of all things. Give me the ability to cast my cares on you and to trust you. 
Help me to NOT lean on my own understanding but on the One who understands all. 
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain 

that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times. - Martin Luther 

Living The New Life

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Col 3:1-4 NLT

2014 is another great opportunity to live the new life you were given when you accepted Christ as your savior, so what are you going to do different, better, more of, and less of? And how will you hide your life in Christ so others can experience you as a Christian? Allowing others to "experience" you is not defined only as in what you say, but also in your beliefs, motivations, attitudes, and actions. As people get to experience you over time, and every time you are in their presence, you make a positive or negative impression that accumulates to who they say you are. While you might think this is a difficult feat to accomplish, know that God gives us the grace to do what we are doing now and so much more. 

Contemplate This: When Christ is revealed to the whole world, and we get to share in all His glory, who will you be on that day? What will you have accomplished in His Name? Will you be excited and relieved? Or will you be anxious and nervous? Where will you be and who will you be with? Ponder this scene in your mind and let your beliefs, motivations, attitudes, words and actions all represent your life that is hidden in Christ. Now is the time to get rid of the old nature and walk in this new life that Christ has given you. 

New Life 2014

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Col 3:17 NLT

Are You Really Losing The Battle?

As the holiday season is upon us and we start to reflect on what we are most grateful for, the Women of Grace used this topic as a round table discussion to draw out not only what we were thanking God for, but also the load we are still carrying. As the conversation progressed, each woman told of situations, circumstances, struggles, and current challenges that continue to hold us back from truly surrendering and being the Godly women we all aspire to be.

During our talk, we encouraged each other through scripture references, personal testimonies, and recommendations for books that spoke to the challenges we are facing. Before the session concluded, the Holy Spirit gave revelation to us that the very thing we think is defeating us, He is using for our deliverance! Hallelujah! How can you not be in love with the God we serve?

In John 16:33, Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world".

Jesus makes this statement shortly before going to the cross. If you review the events after this statement, they are as follows: He prays for Himself, He prays for His disciples, the arrest happens, He goes before the high priest, Peter denies Him, Pontius Pilate allows Barabbas (the robber) to be released instead of Jesus (as the Jews wished), He is mocked, tortured, and crucified. 

How bold is our Savior, to make this statement (John 16:33), knowing what was right before Him! Jesus told us we will have tribulation while in this world. This should not be a surprise when we are facing a crisis, unfavorable situations or circumstances, but then the question becomes: How are you dealing with the tribulation? 

• Prayer - Jesus prayed, shouldn't you?
• Purpose - Jesus knew His purpose, do you?
• Power - Jesus overcame the world, are you leaning on His power?

We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us, but we have to lean on His Power to carry us through. To the world, Jesus was losing the battle, and our Father turned this world upside down with His victory on the cross! Do whatever you need to do to remind yourself daily who is really in control despite what it looks like.

Stacey
Women of Grace Member