WE NEED EACH OTHER

Several months ago, a friend of mine was going through a physical and emotional down time. She was sad because her group of friends didn’t know what to do with her. She felt dropped and alone. Don’t think badly of those who don’t know what to do, just search out new friendships. There are those in life who do understand what pain and trials are, because they have no doubt been through this journey themselves.
I encouraged her to search for friendships at places such as: bible studies, church, family and maybe a neighbor. Since this friend was part of a bible study group, she started befriending those whose gifts were encouragement. She had 2 choices: withdrawing and being defeated by fear, discouragement and disillusionment, or reaching out. REACHING OUT took effort, because making new friends takes action.
We cannot grow or heal alone. From the start of creation, God created two. We grow as those close to us HELP FILL IN THE GAPS. We were created to help, encourage and fill in for weaknesses in others. That is where we receive our fulfillment. The scripture that says: “GIVE AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN TO YOU”, is so true in the scope of life.
If you’ve not noticed we are all SO DIFFERENT: where I am weak – you may be strong; where I am hurting – you may be well; where I am shy- you may be bold; where I may serve- you may pray; where I am full of doubt – you may be full of faith.
“EVERYONE HELPED HIS NEIGHBOR
AND SAID TO HIS SISTER, ‘BE OF GOOD
COURAGE!’”
Isaiah 41:6

Let us become active participants in this area of reaching out, accepting and sharing. If you start looking for someone to HELP or someone to HELP YOU, you will be amazed at the results you find.

During January and February of 2007, we will continue on this subject.

Dear God:
My desire in 2007 is to do all I can in becoming a well, happy, peaceful, productive woman through you and for others. I pray for direction in finding those who can make my life more complete and in searching out those with whom I can pour my life into. May your Holy Spirit lead me, direct me and guide me in this adventure. May your word become a light unto my feet and a light unto my path. AMEN.

LET US APPROACH HEAVEN IN 2007

Many of you are thinking about the year 2007 and making decisions on how you can improve in body, soul and spirit. I’ve never given much emphasis to “New Year’s Resolutions”, because most people start off with a “bang”, and “fade out” like an old cloth. BUT I want to encourage you to commit to improve at least one area in your life in 2007. Why not start with PRAYER!
Hebrews 4:16 says: LET US APPROACH THE THRONE WITH CONFIDENCE…”
Several years ago, our family of four generations of women started sharing and journaling our needs with each other every month. We would get together, reviewing our requests and give praise for answers. We were amazed at how the answers came when we brought them to God and all prayed in unity.
The eldest member of our family is my mother-in-law who is 90, and the youngest is my 18 year old granddaughter. When each of us saw how powerful this time was, our FAITH was lifted to new heights. Some of the requests were “biggies” while others were just small challenges. A member of our family had a liver disease that was of great concern. We prayed together every month for one year for this request. One week, after a test, this member of our family was given a clean bill of health.
There were others who had job challenges, relational challenges, physical ailments and others going through major seasonal changes in their lives. All of us from the eldest to the youngest found a peace in knowing we all supported each other and believed the answers were on the way. God gave each of us a new appreciation for each other along with a greater faith in prayer.
I would encourage you at the start of 2007 to attach yourself to two or more women of like faith to share, pray for needs, and give God praise. Because this group has been so special, I have wanted to share with other women this small way of seeking HEAVEN IN 2007. Since moving to a new community, I have found a group of women of faith who meet weekly to encourage, share and pray for each other. I cannot tell you the comfort and faith it brings to know I can share and know someone is joining me in prayer. Throughout the year, it is a joy to meet some of the members of the families who we have been praying for.
May God bless you in the New Year of 2007. May you grow in faith and grace. May you be an influence on your family and friends.

Love, Sharon

THE GIFT OF LIFE:

This past week our family experienced one of the greatest miracles on earth, the birth of a child. Our youngest daughter and her husband became the proud parents of a 9 pound 1 ounce baby boy. Joy filled the hearts of his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. The proud parents gave praise to God for this gift of life. For months as this little one grew in the womb, we prayed that the hand of God would be upon his life.

Most of our minds at this Christmas Season are turned toward the baby born in Bethlehem on that starry night. Every event from the very beginning was unusual and so unlike the birth of our grand baby. Jesus’ mother was a virgin and his father was unprepared, but willing to have a part in this strange phenomenon. Mary carried the Savior of the World in her womb and gave birth to Him in a manger.

Psalm 92:4 says: “O LORD, I SING FOR JOY AT THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS.”

Psalm 139:13 says: “THE LORD CREATED MY INMOST BEING; KNIT ME TOGETHER IN MY MOTHER’S WOMB.”

It was no accident that Mary was chosen to carry the Savior of the World. It is no accident that God chose the parents for our grand son on this day in Texas. There is a plan and purpose laid out for his life and it will be exciting to watch it unfold. We will pray for him, his parents will love, teach and train him, and God will do the rest.

There is a plan for your life you know! It was no accident that you were born. You may have thought the plan got all turned around and all mixed up, but “not true”! Take this time when we reflect on the celebration of the birthday of our Lord, to ask Him to take control of your life. At this Christmas Season when our eyes are turned toward our Savior, don’t neglect to find the Christ in your Season.

Gloria Gaither’s mother quoted this:

IF LIFE HAS NO MORE PURPOSE
THAN TO FIGHT TO KEEP ALIVE,
IF ALL THERE IS TO LIVING
IS TO STRUGGLE AND TO STRIVE
WITHOUT A CONTRIBUTION
TO SOME WORTHWHILE TOTAL PLAN,
GOD WENT TO TOO MUCH TROUBLE
JUST TO FASHION MAN.

Say with me, in confidence:
“THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT BE AFRAID”. Hebrews 13:6

DO NOT FEAR

YESTERDAY MY FRIEND AND I ENTERED A SHOP AND WAS MET BY A YOUNG GIRL WHO SEEMED TO BE VERY GENUINELY HAPPY. WE NOTED A PICTURE ON THE COUNTER OF ANOTHER YOUNG GIRL IN A HOSPITAL BED. WE STARTED ASKING QUESTIONS AND WERE INFORMED THAT THIS WAS THE 25 YEAR OLD SISTER OF THE YOUNG GIRL. SHE WENT ON TO SAY HER SISTER HAD SARCOMA ALL OVER HER BODY, BUT THEY WERE HOPEFUL AND THANKFUL FOR SO MUCH.
I COULD NOT GET THIS PICTURE OUT OF MY MIND. THIS MORNING I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU MY THOUGHTS. FEAR IS BLOCKED OUT BY HOPE AND THANKFULNESS; HOPE IN GOD AND THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE DO HAVE.
ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE DO WHEN THINGS DON’T GO OUR WAY OR GET OUT OF CONTROL IS: BLAME & TALK, FEAR AND PANIC, DOUBT AND FIGHT, AND RUN.
THE WORD TELLS US: DO NOT FEAR, BE STILL AND LET GOD WORK, AND WATCH GOD MOVE.
IN EXODUX 12 & 14, WE ARE REMINDED OF HOW FEARFUL AND TERRIFIED THE ISRAELITES WERE BECAUSE OF THE WICKED RULER AND THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. THEY BLAMED MOSES BECAUSE THEY WERE FEAR, FULL OF DOUBT AND WANTED TO RUN BACK INTO SLAVERY.
GOD SPOKE AND TOLD THEM TO: NOT BE AFRAID, STAND FIRM AND WATCH GOD MOVE IN THEIR BEHALF. EXODUS 14:13 & 14
THERE IS NO DOUBT THERE IS NOTHING MORE FEARFUL THEN SARCOMA, BUT WE LEFT THE SISTER WITH OUR PRAYER SUPPORT AND A CARD FOR HER SISTER: www.encouragingwomentoday.blogspot.com FOR ENCOURAGEMENT. SHE WAS THRILLED FOR THE ADDED ENCOURAGEMENT FROM COMPLETE STRANGERS.
YOU MAY BE FEARFUL TODAY BECAUSE OF YOUR PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES. REPLACE THE FEAR AND DOUBT WITH GOD AND HOPE.
A Prayer for you to repeat and accept:
Dear God: We come to you with our fear, doubt and direction. Our circumstances are hard; we are broken, hurt and confused. Realizing that You major in brokenness, healing and direction, we accept your healing in our broken spirit. We have run from you and the situation, we want to go back and allow You to be God in spite of who we are or what we’ve done. Forgive us for our unbelief. Give us strength and hope to accept you and your will for our lives today. Thank you for the provisions that are available to us today. Send someone into our lives that will encourage us.
In Jesus Name, AMEN