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When Night Lingers

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when night lingers imageAll that night the LORD drove the sea back.  Exodus 14:21

The following comes from a devotion in the book, “Streams in the Desert.”

In this verse, there is a comforting message showing how God works during darkness. The real work of God for the children of Israel did not happen when they awoke that morning to find they could cross the Red Sea, but it occurred “all that night.”

There may be a great work occurring in your life when things seem their darkest. You may see no evidence yet but God is at work. God was just as much at work “all that night” as He was the next day, when the Israelites finally saw the evidence. The next day simply revealed what God had done during the night.

Are you reading this from a place in your life where everything seems dark? Do you have faith to see but are still not seeing? Are you lacking continual victory in your spiritual growth? Is your daily, quiet communion gone, and there is nothing but darkness all around?

“All that night the LORD drove the sea back.”   “Don’t forget it was “all that night.” God works through the night until the morning light dawns. You may not see it yet, but through the night of your life, as you trust Him, He works. 

God worked through the darkness of the CROSS to bring each one of us life, hope into every corner of our lives, and light into the night of our souls giving us abundant life through Jesus.

We all need reminding at times that God is in the night before the day dawns.

Blessings,

The WM Team

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Reflections

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reflections imageSometimes it is good just to stop and reflect on some of God’s truths. We hope the following will lift your spirits and encourage you this day or any time the clouds close in on you.

Remember these truths:

You are loved                                        John 3:16

God is the lifter of our heads              Psalm 3:3

He is the lover of your soul                 Romans 10:9

He delights in you                                Psalm 149:4

He sings over you                                 Zephaniah 3:17

He is your strength                              Psalm 28:7

He is your rock                                     Psalm 18:2

You are His and He is yours               Jeramiah 32:38 and 2 Corinthians 6:16

 

We encourage you to look up the scriptures and let God’s Word minister to you.

Blessings,

The WM Team

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Relationships

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relationships imageNavigating relationships can be one of the most challenging things we do. But in building authentic relationships we lay aside brave faces and allow someone to see the real us. The following is from a devotion I kept and I go back and look at periodically. It really does speak volumes and thought you would enjoy the treasures within.

“When we allow our busy schedules, weary spirits, or the fear of being hurt to prevent us from pursuing authentic relationships, we create a tremendous void in our lives. Not only do we neglect our own God given need to be in community, but we forfeit opportunities to extend God’s love to others. Letting people see the real you can be terrifying! But the relationships worth building will value a genuine heart over a fake smile any day. This doesn’t mean you should bear your soul to everyone you meet.

The best relationships are those in which we love, encourage, and challenge each other without the need to impress one another.

The following are reminders to us about ourselves and we should be willing to extend to others.

*Patient-we don’t always get it right the first time. Be Patient

*Kind-no one wants to be treated poorly. We treat others as we want to be treated. Be kind.

*Humble-we are all flawed and we know it. We admit it, own our mistakes. Be humble.

*Forgiveness-restoration is about second chances. We’ve all be given one. Be forgiving.

*Selfless-fulfillment comes from putting the needs of others before our own. Be selfless.

*Respectful-we don’t always have to agree, but we are not disagreeable. Be respectful.

*Honest-we speak many languages but lying is not one of them. Be honest.

*Committed-we never, never, never give up. Be committed

We all need and desire to have individuals in our lives who are authentic. They see the good, the bad and the ugly and stand by us. Hold us accountable and challenge us!  May we all be blessed of God to have such people in our lives and may we be that individual to someone else.

Open my eyes, LORD, so that I can see how You want to use me this day. Give me the ability to see the world through the lens of Your heart, to see others as you see them, to recognize Your divine appointments and to have the courage to say, “Yes.”  In the Name of Jesus, Amen.”

(Taken from devotion by Chuck Swindoll, insight.org)

Blessings,

The WM Team

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Strongholds

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We all face them. One of the biggest is our thoughts! Once we have accepted lies into our thoughts, then we start to believe and actually bow down to those thoughts resulting in us being prisoners.

It’s like a child that was told over and over “you will never amount to anything” or “you were a mistake we didn’t plan you” or “why can’t you be more like your sister”. Those words not only cut like a knife, but the rejection becomes a part of that child and affects them in all of their relationships. Even their relationship with Jesus if she has accepted Him. They start to believe they don’t matter and will never be anything!  Now God’s Word tells us we are precious in His sight.

Fast forward to adulthood. That child has experienced one disappointment after another and in their mind believes they don’t deserve any better. They won’t get that promotion, be chosen for that special project, find someone who truly loves her. So how does the cycle stop? There is only one way; truth must take the place of the lies. That process begins when she starts to hear truth from God’s Word, and maybe for the first time realizes she counts. By God’s grace she comes into a personal relationship with her heavenly Father and starts a journey to wholeness.  But she must do her part by taking the truth of God’s Word and putting that into her mind to tear down the lies.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

This applies to any kind of thoughts that are not in line with the Word of God. Jesus died to set us free and gives us a full, abundant life.  Scripture tells us “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17) And now that you are free, do not put on another yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)

Our minds are a battleground. But we have “the mind of Christ,” and we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus. It is a daily surrender but we can be victorious, because Jesus is in our corner. We must agree with and apply Truth. Jesus is our strength, our confidence, and our identity – not what someone may have spoken about us or to us.

Blessings,

The WM Team

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Compromise = Rebellion

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compromise image

This week in studying about Samson, it really brings to the forefront how we can easily be doing our own thing, going after what we want, instead of seeking God and obeying Him.  Samson’s strength came from God, but he forgot that and got prideful in his own strength. He went after whatever he wanted without any regard to God and His commands and ways and totally left God out of his choices.

Samson didn’t realize that God had left him until he went to use his powers after Delilah, a woman he wanted for pleasure, betrayed him. Now Samson ended up being captured and both of his eyes gouged out, and the Philistines used him as a grinder of grain and to entertain them. When they had him brought out to entertain them, the temple was full of men and women. All the leaders were there plus about 3000 men and women watching from the rooftop. Samson asked the young man who was leading him by the hand to put him between the pillars that held the temple so he could lean against them.

Samson cried out to God to remember him. Samson took hold of the two pillars supporting the temple and leaned against them and said, “Let me die with the Philistines.”  He was broken and God heard his heart cry. The temple fell.  Samson had come to the end of himself and that’s when he found God’s strength again.

This serves as a warning for us that compromise creeps into our hearts. His story reflects the rebellion of Israel’s heart at the time. Bit by bit compromise comes in and takes over, and we find ourselves in the muck and mire of the world and far from God’s ways. The beautiful grace and mercy that was extended to Samson also awaits us when we return to God and turn from sin. We can be rebelling in ways we aren’t even aware of and that’s why we must call on God to search us.

Maybe like me, you need a spiritual checkup on a regular basis. We can ask God to search us and reveal any wicked ways in us. His word promises if we confess our sin He is faithful and will forgive us.

Had a checkup lately?

 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1John 1:9 NAS

 

Blessings,

The WM Team

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Changes

redbankwomen

changes image

We are just beginning to feel the changing of seasons approaching. I think we will all welcome those crisp mornings and comfortable days. But when it comes to changing of schedules or habits we naturally get our backs up a little. It’s human nature, and from the time we are little we fight it. Just try changing a child’s bedtime and see what happens! However, as a tree displays radiant and breathtaking color as its foliage dies, we as God’s children display more of who we are in Christ as we die to ourselves daily.  It isn’t easy.  It is continually denying ourselves and submitting to God’s authority over our lives. And let’s be honest, it goes against our natural tendency. It takes the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who lives in us to bring this about – as we cooperate with God, He is changing us from the inside out so that the beauty of His Son shines through to be a witness to Him.

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

Just as we look for sincerity in our children’s actions, so does our heavenly Father. Half- hearted actions hurt Him and delay our transformation. We are all like caterpillars leaving behind the ugliness of our sin and becoming who we really are in Jesus. That caterpillar goes through some stuff to reach its transformation and we will too. All of it will be sifted through our Heavenly Father’s hands first and will be worked out for our good and to His glory.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2 NIV

Father, thank you that once we are your child, you guide us to be more and more like Jesus. Give us courage to move forward. Remind us that you are our strength and that is the only way we can daily surrender to you and be changed. We love you. May that love be the driving force behind our obedience to you as we enjoy the personal relationship we have with you – by your love displayed on the Cross through Jesus. Amen.

Blessings,

The WM Team

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What Is Rest?

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What do you think of when you hear the word rest? How about an afternoon nap after enjoying a good meal? Catching some zzzz’s while your little one is at a play date?  Taking days off to exhale and be refreshed, or floating in the pool with no schedule to meet? Whatever comes to mind, we all need physical rest to allow our bodies to recoup and be able to get up the next day and do it again!

Jesus extends an invitation to us in Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me and I will give you rest – all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke for it fits perfectly and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”  TLB

(The Greek work for rest means to repose, be exempt, by implication to refresh, take ease….rest)

As much as we need physical rest we also need spiritual rest. After we become God’s children He wants us to rest in Him. Beth Moore included the following nine things in one of her studies:

“God wants us to rest in knowing:

  • I don’t have to perform for God
  • I’m acceptable to God
  • I’m not in charge of all my loved ones
  • I’ve done everything I know to do in that situation
  • I’m exempt from that class or that project
  • God will fight for me
  • If I obey He will bless
  • Who I am and who I am not
  • Where I am going….this is not my home.”

We can become exhausted and get tied in knots by forgetting any one of these. I’m sure we all have a membership into the “Yeah, I identify with that_______”   We have to remind ourselves daily to whom we belong and rest in that truth and all its promises.  Maybe like me you have at times taken three steps forward and then two steps back. Don’t be discouraged. God is always in our corner rooting for us and waiting to help. You and I just have to listen, obey, surrender, and take that next step!!

 

Blessings

The WM Team 

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Time Well Spent

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time well spent pic

WHEW!!!!  It has been hot. I can’t believe we are in August! Before we know it, we will be talking turkey and celebrating the birth of our salvation. Time waits for no one. It can just slip through your hands and you are left wondering where did it go?

We say “I did not get anything accomplished today.” Let’s just sit on that for a minute. So the dishes are still in the sink, the floor didn’t get mopped, and you can write your initials in the dust on the table. And you are frustrated with yourself. You spent time with Jesus, and then poof, the day was gone.

Well, did you spend time with a friend who is going through a difficult time, color with your child or grandchild, encourage your son or daughter to keep trying whatever they may be doing and let them know they are not a failure? Maybe you just sat down with your spouse after supper and caught up with the day and each other. Or some friends called to get together and you went.

Well you know what, you accomplished a lot.

YOU invested into the lives of others and that time is priceless – it multiplies in their lives and yours. Besides, ladies, we all know those dishes will still be there when we get back to them. But the smiles, laughter, and encouragement would have passed by if we had not stopped and left our to-do list to another day. Which one do you think Jesus would do?

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

Proverbs 16:9 NLT

How will you choose to spend your time today?

Blessings,

The WM Team

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Mirror Image

redbankwomen

mirror image pic

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you see beauty? Or do you have difficulty finding something you like about yourself? We grow up with the world around us bombarding us with images and ideas of what we should be and what will make us happy, beautiful, and of course, sexy. Make-up clothes, exercise gadgets, colognes – all aimed at every little girl or grown up that this item is what you need!

We definitely want to take care of ourselves and look good. We all like receiving compliments on our outfit or hair, but the goal here is to make us feel inferior or that we don’t measure up. Well, measure up to what? What the world says we should look and act like. More and more, young girls are having plastic surgery to look better trying to match the images of the girls they see in ads.  We can fall into the trap laid by society that we must have our looks altered to be a worthy member of society.  And to top it off they use sexual innuendoes to sell their product. Selling the product this way plants the idea that if you want to be sexy and irresistible, you must have this product. Maybe like me it saddens you to see young ladies who believe they are too tall, fat, short, not smart enough, and the list could go on and on. They believe their worth is tied up in how they look, what they wear, etc. This can and does carry over into being an adult.

As a daughter of “The King” we are beautiful in God’s eyes. It doesn’t matter if we are a size 2, have perfect hair, and perfect nails. You see, God is busy transforming us from the inside out, and the change is for eternity. Not for the short while we’re here on earth. There is nothing that can compare to the beauty God is working in our lives, and this beauty is permanent. No matter how much money a company pours into their ads to sell a product, it cannot hold a candle to the beauty God is pouring into our lives that will be a witness to the world of Him. Because He is making us a mirror image of His Son.

There are many things that can make a young lady or woman feel less than the awesome individual God created her to be. Cruel remarks, actions taken against them, people making fun because they don’t do as the world.  The road to realizing just how beautiful she is starts with her personal relationship with Jesus. Let all of us remember the pain of not measuring up to someone else’s idea of how we should look and put the measuring tape into the hands of Jesus. We are clothed in the wealth of heaven through Jesus. You can’t buy that off any rack! Jesus is available to all who believe no matter your size, color, or position. He is the lifter of our heads and the lover of our souls!

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. It should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

1Peter 3:3-4

Love in Christ,

WM Team