Encouragement for Today

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August 26, 2011

What do I Have to be Angry About?
Lysa TerKeurst


"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and
clothed me with joy..." Psalm 30:11 (NIV)

When my girls were little we had a love-hate relationship with kid's
menus. I loved that they had creatures to color and crayons were
provided. However, it never failed that someone would color on someone
else's sheet and squeals and screams would have all heads turning our
way.

Then I would sit there in disbelief that my kids had caused such a
fuss over colored on menus. Menus that would soon be covered in
ketchup and juice and tossed in the trash.

I thought about these menus last week. I thought about them at the
strangest time.

I was standing on Hollywood Boulevard looking at the stars walk of
fame when a woman approached my friend, Amanda, looking for money.

It took my brain a few seconds to figure out why her face was
familiar. So familiar. It was my friend from skid row, Juanita. We'd
gotten Juanita off the streets the day before and taken her to the
Dream Center. A safe place for her to detox and find healing.

But less than 24 hours later she'd walked away. Away from help. Away
from hope. Away from restoration.

There she was begging for money to buy a bus ticket to get back to
skid row. And in a city of 13 million people, somehow our paths
crossed again. What are the odds? Surely it was a sign to her of how
much God cares.

"Oh Juanita, why did you leave the Dream Center? Can I take you back?
I can call for a Dream Center bus to come get you right now. Please,
please let's go back." I asked Juanita. I begged Juanita. But she just
shook her head and quietly whispered, "I have to go back to the
streets 'cause I know where to put my blankets there. I don't know
where to put my blankets anywhere else."

"To skid row?" I asked with tears brimming my eyes. She nodded.

I asked if we might pray for her. She agreed. We circled and prayed
and then watched her walk off. Up to another to beg for money. And
then another. Rejected most of the time. But slowly walking away-away-
away.

It was in that moment I thought of those stupid kid menus. Menus that
were fought over. And then covered in ketchup and juice and tossed in
the trash.

And my anger burned. Not at my kids. But at myself. And all the many
dumb things I can find myself getting all bent out of shape about.

I am no more mature than my kids arguing over throw away menus. How
dare I get angry over things so inconsequential? God, forgive me.

Yes, there are things that should make me angry. Like Juanita not
knowing her whole life she could put her blankets somewhere safe. And
now the place she keeps returning to is skid row.

Heroin alley on skid row to be exact. Where pimps sell women to do
unspeakable things in make shift tents right on the street. And where
kids play with dirty needles. And where teens are passed out with
needles in their toes because they don't have veins good enough to
shoot drugs into their arms.

Yes, there are things to get angry about today. But not slight
inconveniences and little things that bump into my happy.

God help me and my kid menu life. If Psalm 30:11 is true in my life,
that God has turned my wailing into dancing and removed my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy, might I dare look for a way to help the
Juanita's of the world.

Yes, might I dare help instead of getting in a huff over the small
stuff.

If you want to help women like Juanita who are caught in a world of
drugs, sex trafficking and destitution, visit Lysa's blog by clicking
here for a simple yet profound way you can make a difference today.

Instead of being paralyzed by the enormity of the problems of this
world, what if we all determined to do something? When we do what only
we can do, God will do what only He can do—and the world will be
changed.

Dear Lord, help me step outside my world and to see people with Your
eyes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog to read more about her "Dare to Dream" Gift Card
campaign. You will have the opportunity to write a letter of
encouragement and enclose a gift card that will be used to help women
in the rescue and rehab programs through the Dream Center.

For more information click here.

Lysa's book, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God now has a 6 week
DVD teaching series that is perfect for women's Bible Study groups.
For more information click here.

Application Steps:
Determine to not walk away from embracing a chance to help someone
today.

Reflections:
Yes, there are things to get angry about today. But not slight
inconveniences and little things that bump into my happy.

Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:29-32, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your
mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to
their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve
the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of
redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and
slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to
one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave
you." (NIV)

© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

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August 29, 2011

A Dying Faith Revived
Wendy Blight


"Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard
through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17 (NIV)

Law school. Two words that scare some and impress others.

I gave three years of my life to the study of law...compiling facts,
reading case law, applying that law, and making arguments. I spent
hour after hour in the law library. Researching, studying, and writing
consumed my every day. My hard work paid off when I made law review.

It paid off again when I passed the bar.

It paid off again upon graduation when I walked through the doors to
begin my first day at one of the largest, most prestigious firms in
downtown Dallas.

It should have been the best time of my life, but instead it felt
empty, without purpose. I found no joy, no satisfaction in what I did
every day. I spent so much time and invested so much money to get to
this place. Something was missing.

What I felt in the depths of my soul was the cry of a dying
faith...hunger pangs of a weary soul. I had filled myself full of
worldly knowledge, yet I had starved myself of spiritual knowledge.

Friend, do you feel that way as you read my words? Do you feel empty,
dry, and weary? Faith feeds on the Word of God. Without a steady
intake of God's Word in our lives, we grow weaker and weaker. I tried
to feed my faith on a two minute devotional in the morning...maybe a
few times a week...if that.

When we starve our faith, we move farther and farther from our
Father's heart. We find it hard to trust Him. Sometimes we avoid
worshiping Him. We feel guilty. We feel alone. Listen to words from
our Father's heart:

• "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard
through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17 (NIV)

• "Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4
(NIV)

• Blessed is the one whose "delight is in the law of the Lord, and on
His law [she] meditates day and night. [She] is like a tree planted by
streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does
not wither. Whatever [she] does prospers." Psalm 1:2-3 (NIV)

Faith feeds on the Word of God. Our faith has no life apart from what
we receive from the Word. I came to the realization that I needed to
alter my diet. I needed to feed on something other than case law and
legal memoranda.

God drew you to this devotional today. Ask Him why. Has the Lord
pricked your heart? Does my story strike a chord with you? With all my
heart, I encourage you to not ignore His Word to you today.

Let's be like the blessed one in Psalm 1 who meditates on God's Word
day and night. Will you commit with me today to memorize one
scripture? To start, find a verse, maybe one from this devotional, and
memorize it. You will be putting "faith food" into your heart and
mind. Throughout the next few days, feed on that verse, speak that
verse, and share that verse. Watch what God will do.

God will bless your obedience. Your obedience will bear fruit. You
will prosper.

Wait and watch and see!

Dear Lord, today I feel weary, empty, and so very far away from You.
Please come near, feed me with Your Word, revive my dying faith. Make
me like the tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit and
prospering in all I do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Visit Wendy's blog and share your memory verse with her. She would
love to pray for you. Also, be sure to sign up for her next on-line
Bible Study on the book of Hebrews that will begin in October.

Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story by
Wendy Blight

All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life
(E-Book) by Wendy Blight

Proverbs 31 Ministries offers many Bible studies! Shop online today
for one that fits you.

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch
eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving
ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't
compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we
are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us.
Thank you!

Application Steps:
Pick a verse from the devotional or your own verse and commit to
memorize it this week. Please stop by my blog and share your verse
with me. I would be honored to pray for you as you take this step.

Reflections:
What is it that takes my time and keeps me from being in God's Word on
a consistent basis?

What one step can I take to spend more time with God in His Word? I'll
commit to take that step.

Power Verses:
Matthew 4:4, "Jesus answered, 'Man does not live on bread alone, but
on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (NIV)

© 2011 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.

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August 30, 2011

A Ram is on the Way
Glynnis Whitwer


"So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day
it is said, 'On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.'"
Genesis 22:14 (NIV)

Have you ever been in a situation so desperate that it looked
hopeless?

Have you ever sat at the kitchen table wondering how you were going to
pay the electric bill? Have you ever stood at a door that's been
slammed in your face by an angry teenager and despaired at having a
relationship with him again? Have you ever had your heart broken so
deeply that you wondered if you would feel whole again?

Sadly, we live in a broken world where desperate situations happen
every day. I know someone reading this devotion is wondering how she
will make it through the day because her situation looks hopeless. If
that is you, I encourage you to keep reading. I believe God has a
message of hope for you today.

That message is found in the Bible, in the story of a man who was
dealing with his own desperate situation. His name was Abraham and he
faced the greatest testing of his life. After longing for a son for
many years, God finally gave Abraham a boy, whom he named Isaac.
Abraham never imagined God would test his faith by asking him to
sacrifice his son. But it happened.

It had to have been the darkest day of Abraham's life as he trudged up
the mountain, with firewood strapped to his son's back. Every step
took Abraham closer to what he believed to be the sad ending of a
hopeless situation—the death of his son. Yet in spite of his sorrow,
Abraham trusted God. His heart wasn't soaring with joy. He wasn't
dancing up the mountain. But he put one foot in front of the other.
Walking through the darkness of the situation; obeying His God's
commands.

Unbeknownst to Abraham, something else was walking up that mountain.
Quietly. Out of sight. On the other side of the mountain. Something
else was putting one foot in front of the other. Only Abraham couldn't
see it.

For every step Abraham took, a ram on the other side of the mountain
took a step.

All Abraham saw that day was his solitary journey of pain. As he got
closer to the top of the mountain, his dread must have increased. I
wonder if he asked himself any questions. I would have. I would have
wondered why hadn't God intervened? Why hadn't God stopped this
testing? Couldn't God see that Abraham was a man of faith? Why test
him in this way?

But there was no answer. There was no voice from heaven. And so
Abraham kept obeying his God's command. He put Isaac on an altar and
prepared to sacrifice his one and only son.

And just at that very moment, at the very last second, when it looked
like the end had come, God spoke, stopping the sacrifice. Abraham
looked up and there caught in the thicket was a ram. Abraham took his
son off the altar, replaced him with the ram, and offered the
sacrifice to God.

Abraham named that place "Yahweh-Yireh" or "The Lord Will Provide."
And the story was written down for generations of God-followers to
read. It was written so that you and I today would read it as we face
our own hopeless situations. It was captured in print so that you and
I would know that God is already planning for our provision. We don't
see it. We don't hear it. But we can trust that our God is at work. On
your behalf, and on mine.

I choose to trust God today. A ram is on the way.

Dear Lord, You know how desperate I am today. You know that my faith
has wavered. Although I want to trust You, I'm having trouble doing
so. I ask for Your intervention in my situation, and for an increase
of my faith while I wait. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T.
Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer

A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the
Security of God's Promises.

What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst

Visit Glynnis on her blog for more encouragement and enter to win a
copy of Renee Swope's new book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop
Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch
eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving
ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't
compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we
are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us.
Thank you!

Application Steps:

Read Psalm 91. List the promises God has for those who love Him.

Reflections:
God's timing is not our timing. What are some reasons God might wait
to answer our prayers?

Read the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. What are some of
the things Abraham did right that I can apply to my situation?

Power Verses:
Psalm 91:14, "'Because he loves me,' says the LORD, 'I will rescue
him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.'" (NIV)

Psalm 22:5, "They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and
were not disappointed." (NIV)

© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.

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August 31, 2011

Living Beyond the Shadow of My Doubts
Renee Swope


"You are a chosen [woman], a royal [priest], a holy [daughter], God's
special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called
you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

I stood in front of my bathroom mirror getting ready for a large event
while begging God to zap me with confidence, or send Jesus back before
it was time for me to speak. I had been struggling with paralyzing
self-doubt that week, and it was making me question everything.

Although I was honored when the event leader called months before, now
I questioned why I'd accepted the invitation. And my internal dialogue
was relentless...What if I forget what I'm going to say? What if my
points aren't that powerful? What if they don't connect with my
stories or laugh at my humor? What if...?

When I turned around to put something in my suitcase behind me, I
noticed a huge nine-foot shadow on the wall. I was surprised how big
the shadow was and how much it distorted the image of my five-foot,
two-inch frame.

All of a sudden, I realized my uncertainty had also created a huge
shadow—a shadow of doubt. It was distorting my thoughts and
overpowering my emotions.

As I stood there looking at the humongous shadow, I sensed God
whispering to my heart: Renee, you can only see the shadow because you
have turned away from the light. Turn back toward the light.

Slowly I turned back toward the lights above the mirror, and realized
I was no longer standing in the shadow. And, I also realized I had
created the shadow by blocking the light.

Shadows are created all around us when something blocks light. And so
it is with the shadow of doubt. When we focus on ourselves and how
inadequate we feel, or what others are thinking about us, we cast a
shadow of doubt in our minds and block the light of God's Truth in our
hearts.

Yet, we were not designed to block the light or to be the light.

We were created to live in the Light, by focusing on what God thinks
about us instead. I love how John the Baptist is described as "a
witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all
might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness
to the light." (John 1:7-8, NIV)

The same is true for us. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the
light of life." (John 8:12b, NIV) When we follow Jesus closely in our
thoughts, we find our confidence in Him.

As we shift the focus from our feelings of inadequacy to His promises
of all-sufficiency, we can exchange our lack of self-confidence with
lasting God-confidence. And in doing so, our lives become a witness,
testifying of the One who called us out of darkness into His wonderful
light (1 Peter 2:9, NIV).

Are you ready to become a more Jesus-dependent, God-confident woman
whose assurance is found in Him alone? If so, when you find yourself
standing in the shadow of self-doubt, instead of wishing for more self-
confidence, pray for lasting God-confidence! Then turn towards the
Light so your heart can focus on and live in the security of His
promises:

• When you feel inadequate, remember God says: You are CHOSEN.

"'You are my witnesses,' declares the Lord, 'and my servant whom I
have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I
am he.'" (Isa. 43:10a, NIV)

• When you feel unable or unstable, God says: You are ABLE.

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of
a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." (Hab. 3:19, NIV)

• When you feel unworthy, remember God says: You are LOVED.

"You are precious and honored in my sight, and...I love you." (Isa.
43:4a, NIV)

Lord, Your Word says I am a chosen woman, a royal priest, a holy
daughter, a woman belonging to You. Help me remember that You have
called me out of the shadows of my doubts to tell others about the
Light and hope I've found in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
You can download a list of more powerful promises from Renee's blog
where she's also giving away a series of Confident Heart conference
calls. Click here to find out more and enter to win!

We're celebrating the release of Renee's new book, A Confident Heart:

How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's

Promises. To find out more about this life-changing message or order a
copy, click here.

Join Melissa Taylor's FREE Confident Heart online Bible study based on
Renee's book, A Confident Heart. It starts September 19th! Sign up
here.

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you

support the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost.
Thank you for each and every purchase you make with us!

Application Steps:
What are your most common thoughts of self-doubt and how do they make
you feel? (inadequate, uncertain, indecisive, etc.) Click here for a
list of powerful promises to replace them.

Reflections:
"When we focus our attention on ourselves, we turn our attention away
from God. We leave no room in our thoughts to listen to what God is
thinking about us, because we have given that place away to be
occupied by other people's opinions." — from A Confident Heart

Power Verses:
Luke 24:38, "Why are you frightened?" [Jesus] asked. "Why are your
hearts filled with doubt?" (NLT)

Romans 8:6, "The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on
the Spirit is life and peace." (NASB)

© 2011 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.

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September 1, 2011

When My Mean Girl Wants to Come Out
Lysa TerKeurst


"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy
may be complete." John 15:11 (NIV)

Do you ever have days where someone tries to rip the joy right out of
your life?

I do.

And it's really hard. It's a battle. The good girl part of my brain
says, "Be nice. Honor Jesus with your actions. Your response is your
responsibility. Self control, Lysa, self control."

But the mean girl part of my brain says, "How dare they act that way!
I'll show you!"

One part of me says fold your hands in prayer.

But another part of me says throw your hands in the air and pitch a
good old fashioned hissy fit.

Issues.

I have them. Maybe most of us girls do. Especially that one special
week a month.

But God.

I love how those two words interrupt me. Redirect me. Remind me.
Comfort me. Battle the mean girl in me. And cause me to pause.

Pause. Just for a minute, pause. And it's in that pause where we give
the Holy Spirit room to interrupt the mean girl response just dying to
come out and bloody the situation.

The Holy Spirit says, "Lysa stop and think. It might feel good in the
minute to scream, retaliate, pitch a fit and flood the situation with
scary emotions. But it won't feel good in the long run. It will feel
awful in the long run. You'll feel the sting of regret. Come on
Lysa... be rare. Be a girl who looks ahead and determines to do what's
best in the long run."

Yes, it stinks that this other person is determined to steal our joy.

It really does.

But in reality, my joy can only be stolen if I let it be stolen.

In John 15:10-12 Jesus says, "If you obey my commands, you will remain
in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in
his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that
your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I
have loved you."

Several things struck me as I read this verse. Each interaction I have
with others I'm faced with the choice to either remain in God's love
or retreat from God's love. I can't control how this other person is
acting towards me. But I can control how I act and react. If I chose
to remain in God's love and react to this other person kindly, it
affects my joy. Jesus interjects His joy right into the heart of a
kind person. If I make the choice to be kind, instead of my joy being
depleted, it will be completed.

So back off mean girl part of my brain. The Jesus girl in me is taking
over. And holding on to every ounce of joy that's rightfully mine.
Circumstances can steal stuff from me. But not my joy.

Dear Lord, this sounds so good in this moment. But it will not be easy
when I have an interaction today with "that person"... the one who
makes my mean girl want to come out. Will You help me remember these
truths? Will You help me remember this person can not steal my joy?
And help me remember if I react kindly my joy can be completed rather
than depleted. And that's what I want. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Click here to visit Lysa's blog for a list of three practical things
we can do to keep our mean girl from coming out today.

Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet
you! To check for a city near you, click here.

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. This
book contains three chapters all about what to do when our mean girl
wants to come out. Learn how to conquer your anger, envy, and stress
today!

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD and Participant's Guide
— Contains six sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each on one DVD and a
Participant's Guide for only $24.99! Perfect for your Bible study
group or as a neighborhood Book Club.

Application Steps:
If you know you will be interacting with someone who has a habit of
trying to steal your joy, plan how you can remain calm and kind. Also,
plan how you can limit the time you spend interacting with them.

Keep these three thoughts in your mind:

This person can only steal my joy if I let them.

I can't control this person, but I can control how I act and react.

If I make the choice to be kind, instead of my joy being depleted, it
will be completed.

For a list of three practical things we can do to keep our mean girl
from coming out today, click here.

Reflections:
What situations in my life might get better if I apply what I'm
learning in this devotional today? Do I want frustration or joy to be
my reality today? What would it be like to live with Jesus' complete
joy in my heart?

Power Verses:
John 15:10, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just
as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love." (NIV)

John 15:11, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and
that your joy may be complete." (NIV)

John 15:12, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved
you." (NIV)

© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.