Monday, January 29, 2007

Put Your Future in God's Hands

The "Lie" that wants to take residence in the souls of many single women is, "I have to have a husband to be happy." We are going to deal with this untruth in the same way that we learned to refute the former ones. We will recognize this statement as a lie that comes to us directly from the Father of Lies, our enemy. Following this realization comes a deep desire to discover the Truth from God's Word. It is time to go hunting for treasure!

"My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." ~~Psalm 62:5

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes." ~~ Psalm 118:8-9

"Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.'" ~~Jeremiah 17:5-8

If you are not married, consider your own desires for a husband. Have you believed that you could only be happy if you could get married? Perhaps your focus has been something other than what God lovingly knows is best for you. Perhaps your focus has been on "the man" and not on the One Whose desire is to supply all of your needs.

As you take time now to respond to God, remember that He knows your future. Therefore, He knows how to prepare you now for what He has planned for later. We have nothing to fear as we put all of our expectations in the Lord.

Lord, I realize that great joy comes when I trust you fully, and so I give you my future. I ask for the strength and grace to walk forward into what you already know. Help me in my weakness, Lord. I love You. Amen.

Love, Karen

Monday, January 22, 2007

The Heart of the Home

One of the most devastating Lies that permeates our society today is the one that convinces us that women cannot possibly be fulfilled by staying at home and raising their children. Of course, we as Christian women know that Satan is the originator of this lie. Our culture propagates it, also, tempting us into somehow believing that this ideology has and will set women free.

According to God's Word, nothing could be further from the truth. When we are faced with this Lie, we become unsettled and confused because we dwell in this culture and are inundated with the beliefs of it. Our only defense is to saturate ourselves with the Word of God so that we are able to think and act clearly on the foundation of Truth.

In the garden, Adam lived by himself for some time and experienced lonliness. God then created the beasts of the field, and even allowed Adam to name each species according to his desire. However, Adam was still lonesome and saw a need for companionship comparable to him. The following narration is found in Genesis 3:

"And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place, then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, He brought her to the man. And Adam said: 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.'"

A woman's purpose is clear and there is no shame in it. Woman was created for Man. Neither man nor woman is better than the other; just like a enlisted soldier, we have our marching orders. We will find great security and fulfillment when we operate within God's plan. A wife is an assistant, a helper, and a great influence for the benefit of her husband.

We will discover that we can help our husband the most by making a comfortable home, full of love and warmth, for him to come home to. "Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

A woman's treasure is her husband and children. Our purpose is to make a place of refuge for them where they are safe from the world's deception and influence. This can be done in a myriad of ways, depending on each of our particular gifts, strengths, and personality.

Lord, help me as I purpose to accept Your design for me within my home. Thank You for creating me so that I will find the greatest fulfillment as I walk in Your ways. You know what is best for me, and You love me so much that You want my best. I love you, too. Amen.

Love, Karen

Saturday, January 20, 2007

The Simple Truth: Draw Near to Him

Our Bible study this week takes us to the end of chapater 5 in "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free." It is clear to see that we are not racing through the chapters of the book; rather, we are taking ample time to realize, reflect, and respond to the Lord regarding each Lie that we encounter. Our walk with the Lord is not measured by the quickness of our step as we live our lives. In the same way, the success of this Bible study cannot be measured by how fast we go through the pages. No, the benefit of studying His Word is that others will see Jesus Christ in our lives. This will take place as we draw nearer to Him by spending time with Him.

It is interesting to note that there is no short-cut with the Lord.

Love, Karen

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

The Value of God's Word in Our Lives

As we seek the Lord with humility and expectancy, He actually allows us to find Him -- and then He blesses us with wisdom and insights far above our own abilities. This is because of His grace. He loves it when His children run to Him with questions because our God wants a relationship with each one of us.

We are going to put into practice the seeking of His Kingdom now as we study the following verses from Psalm 119. Remember that God's Word is Truth, and it is Truth that will keep us from being deceived.

Verse 9, "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word."

Everywhere we look in the world we find temptation to lead impure lives. It is impossible to stay pure on our own, but when we daily go to God's Word and apply it to our lives, our way is cleansed.

Verses 25, 28, "My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your Word."

This verse reminds us that our Lord comes along side of us and makes us able to walk and live when the strength of our mind, will, and emotions has vanished.

Verses 50, 52, "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life. I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord, and have comforted myself."

The Word of Truth comforts us when we can be comforted by nothing else.

Verse 72, "The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver."

We are made wealthy and prosperous by following the rules, guidelines, and instructions of God's Word. Earthly riches pale in comparison to God's blessings.

Verses 98-100, "You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts."

Intelligence and experience do not necessarily make a person wise. God's wisdom allows His children to look at the situations of life from His perspective. We cannot do that if we do not get to know Him and His Word in an intimate way.

Verses 104, 130, "Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple."

A daily dose of God's Word will help us recognize a lie when we see or hear it. This is because the light of Truth is in distinct contrast to the darkness of untruth. (1 John 1:5, "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.")

Verse 165, "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble."

Do others sense a difference in you and someone who is not a Christian? If you love the Lord, you will love His commandments. If you love God's law you will have peace. Peace manifested in your life will cause others to ask about the difference. Be prepared to answer and give an account of the hope that lies within you.

May the Lord bless you richly as you meditate on His Word.

Love, Karen

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Time Enough

According to the author, the next Lie is the number one deception that ladies across the board identify with. I would like to take some time to examine and refute this lie with the Truth of God's Holy Word.

The Lie ~ "I don't have time to do everything I'm supposed to do."

Even though twenty-four hours in a day was God's idea, have you ever thought that you could really live a better-organized life if you had twenty-five? Well, you are not alone. Satan lies within this Lie by insinuating that if we were adequate, we could accomplish the work. More likely, the accusation that rings in our ears is, "You will never be able to get everything done." The result of acting on this lie is that we become overwhelmed and frazzled. This deception works its deed because it is partially true: we are inadequate without the Lord! We, who are also prone to worry, will begin comparing ourselves with other women who seemingly have it all together. We may try harder to get organized so that we can fit more into our schedule. What a treadmill!

If you are one of the many women who can identify and even have lived out this Lie, please take some time right now to meditate on the following Scripture. These are the instructions of Jesus and are found in Matthew 6:25-34.

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things, But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Jesus Himself instructs His disciples (you and me) to make our priorities right. What are we to "seek first" in our lives? "The kingdom of God and His righteousness." This means to turn to God first for help, to fill our thoughts with his desires, to take his character for our pattern, and to serve and obey Him in everything.

Lord Jesus, this is our prayer.
I want to care about what you care about. Teach me what that is, and then help me to prioritize according to Your ways. Forgive me for failing in this area, and help me to get on track, and to make it a habit. I love you, Lord, and I thank You for Your faithfulness. Amen.

Love, Karen