Investments

Have you ever asked yourself the question; Who am I sowing into, or who am I investing in? It's an interesting question to wrestle with and take the time to answer.

It's really important to spend time and build relationships with others. My in-laws are really good at this. They always have been. Their list of friends span generations. They may initially meet someone from a younger generation because of their kids, but the development of the relationship and the priority to stay in touch comes from their desire to be friends and to spend time with others. Relationships are important to them. Heb 13:1 says, "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters."

I am challenged to get to know people from all generations - both "older" and "younger" than myself. The depth and richness in those relationships is often beyond words. Can you find others to invest your time, your money, your wisdom, your perspective, your successes, your failures?

A few of us spent the weekend investing in those "younger" than us and it was tiring and exhilarating at the same time. We gave out You Matter magnetic picture frames to the youth at YC Manitoba. Here are a few pictures of the weekend.

There were youth groups that travelled up to 10 hrs to come to YC Manitoba and I believe lives have been forever changed! The services were powerful as individuals were challenged, convicted, set free and redeemed. Way to go youth leaders, youth workers, parents and those who helped to get each of these individuals to YC Manitoba. At the end of the Saturday evening session there were more people at the altar than in the seats. The following couple of pictures capture people pressing in and worshipping.

Our youth are worth investing in! Take the time to get to know them and enjoy who God created them to be!

Jo-Ann

For Me

Colossians 2:14 (The Message)  "All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross."

When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant cancelled and nailed to Christ's cross.

Denise is a lady I have provided pastoral care for over the past 5 years. One day we were discussing her relationship with God and she used a phrase “I just go to the cross .” If she needs healing, if she needs financial help, when she is looking for guidance, in other words whatever her need she will “go to the cross.”

I have pondered this and pictured myself looking at the cross.

Where can I go

But to the cross to the cross

For there my shame

You have washed away

Where can I go

But to the cross to the cross

For there You gave

Up Your life for me

You gave Your life for me

You stretched Your arms out wide

I lift my hands up high to my Savior

You stretched Your arms out wide

I lift my hands up high to my Savior

So Lord I run

To the cross to the cross

Surrender all to my Savior King

Be my everything

Chains are broken

Shame has fallen

All my sins are gone

Why am I there?

"It was down at the cross where my Savior died,

Down where for cleansing from sin I cried

There to my heart was the blood applied

Glory to His name"

I would go to the cross to rejoice in my salvation.

"At the cross, at the cross,

where I first saw the light and

the burden of my heart rolled away.

It was there by faith

I received my sight and

now I am happy all the day!"

I go to the cross to linger in its shadows.

"Near the cross! O Lamb of God

Bring its scenes before me

Help me walk from day to day

with its shadows over me."

He was nailed to the cross for me!

Marietta

Marietta is a wife, mother, grandmother and a godly woman. She works on staff at her church and is involved with pastoral care.

Perspective

A few weeks ago I heard a sermon about Gideon that has given me lots to ponder. Do you know the story of Gideon? It begins in Judges 6 … go read it. I’ll wait.

I just want to look a bit at the beginning of this story. An angel appears to Gideon and says “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:12). In the context of the whole story this isn’t odd, however at the moment that it is proclaimed, it seems really out of place.

Gideon is not even a soldier. He is a farmer, trying to salvage some harvest in secret. Using a winepress to thresh grain. Hiding from the enemy.

Resourceful - yes! Mighty warrior – I don’t think so!

Gideon evidently didn’t think so either. In essence he says, ‘Really God?? If you are with us what about all this stuff that is going on? And – you tell me to go in strength – what strength?’ He says, "I am the least in my family." I am a nobody…

Gideon wasn’t wrong in what he said but it is all about perspective. Gideon only saw the present. God knew the plan.

The encouragement, the promises that Gideon needed to grab hold of are two phrases spoken by this messenger. "Am I not sending you?" (vs14) and "the Lord answered, I will be with you…" (vs16).

When the angel greeted Gideon with the title ‘mighty warrior’, it is almost like it is spoken as a promise.

I am calling you … sending you … I will be with you …you may be hiding in a winepress now but I have a plan for you and I will equip you.

What if God calls you to something …something that may take you out of the relative safety of the winepress?

Do you ask the ‘who am I’ questions? You are HIS! And that means that not only does he call you but he will also go with you and equip you! You don’t go alone. You don’t accomplish in your own strength.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Is. 41:10)

Ruth

Tasting Discipleship - Pt. 1

The first time I had someone disciple me I was in jr. high. I remember I had seen and known a girl who was in high school whom I secretly admired. She was someone people respected and also was super cool - lol. The great thing was that she was an active member at my church, led drama team and was a leader in our youth group. As a young woman, she had an understanding of who she was in Christ and I remember the feeling of encouragement and empowerment that radiated off of her. I also knew in my young heart I wanted to be like her. Fast track five years and I found myself, shockingly enough, her position. Leader at youth, leading drama team and being asked (and sometimes non creepily followed) by younger girls who wanted to spend time with me. I often look back at Kristen and think, if she had thought she couldn’t invest in someone, or just would rather not and shrugged me off, my jr. and sr. years would have looked very different. She took time out of her busy weeks to take me out for lunch, coffee and even as simple as giving me a ride to drama class or hanging out with me after church for a bit. It was about simply spending time with her. Nothing had to be perfect or organized.

Discipleship, in my honest and personal opinion, should never have a set of rules…other than The Word. Kristen taught me to pray out loud; before then I was waaaay too shy. She was one of the first women I saw preach and teach, and every time I speak or teach now I remember how the Lord taught me through her. She taught me that it's all about Him and His glory. She taught me that even if you’re young God is still going to use you to change people’s lives. She also taught me how to disciple others...just do it. One night before she was leaving to attend Master’s Commission in Illinois she took me aside and told me that she now was passing the leadership and discipleship of the drama team to me. She prayed over me and when she came back at Christmas spent time with me going over things and still pouring into my life. I, through her discipleship and through God’s timing, attended Master’s Commission also after graduation. Today its been 10-15 years since those first initial imprints were made on me and I look at what God has done in and through it. I am amazed that how when one of us simply gives a little of who we are (faults included) that others, for God’s glory, are forever changed. Today within my design company and in my personal life I always have two discipleship circles. Its an ongoing part of my life that I have set aside time for. In the busyness of work, ministry, my other relationships I see discipleship as something that is essential to our lives as Godly women. Throughout the New Testament Paul so beautifully illustrated both the discipling and being discipled example for believers. I encourage you take a few moments out today and read through 2 Timothy, all three chapters, its only two pages, allow it to help you see the love and overall incredible working of Christ through a discipleship relationship. As you’re reading, ask God, to help you to see more HIS bigger picture and how discipleship is about so much more than what we see here on earth, right now.*

Mary

Safe

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

Ps. 121:1-8

Perhaps these are familiar verses for you, perhaps you have heard part of it in a song, or perhaps it's a needed truth for you to read today. Whether they are familiar verses for you or not I pray God's word would be speak reassurance, peace and confidence into your heart.

Jo-Ann

Shopping

Yes, sometimes you have to go shopping! Live aware!

This week we were out shopping for some new clothing and footwear. I was delighted to be able to make some great finds and even more so with a crazy, unexpected insight. At one point my husband looked down at my feet, looked into my eyes and said, “Honey, it's time”. Little did I know that it was the start of realizing just how complacent I had become – about my choice of footwear. He gently pointed out that the shoes I had been wearing were very broken down and looked like they were uncomfortable – YIKES! He was right! Please tell me I'm not the only gal with a pair of favourite, convenient slip on shoes – past their time. Had they served me well? Yes! Was it time for a change? YES!

As we perused the shoe aisles, I found a few pairs that I liked – some unavailable in the size I needed (which of course changed depending on the brand). I get so frustrated by that – why can't there be universal sizing on shoes and clothes and such? I must admit I love to shop but hate the time it can consume. My sweet husband was amazing though – sifting through all the styles and colours and encouraging me along. As it came closer to decision time, I found myself comparing what I liked about different shoes and found myself already adjusting what I was willing to “settle” for. Once again, I ~almost~ bought a pair that looked cute – but wasn't necessarily comfortable – till I stopped myself and determined that I only wanted to take home what really worked.

Why am I sharing all these details? Well, have you ever “settled” for stuff in your life? Just getting by? The convenience of the familiar or the ordinary? Unwilling to be inconvenienced or changed? Me too...those shoes were no longer comfortable to wear, they were no longer attractive and they needed to be changed.

So it is with our attitudes and habits. Sometimes, we need to be reminded and encouraged that it may be time for a change. How are your attitudes and habits serving you?

The District WOMEN's team was in Dryden, ON this past weekend with Arlene Mason who shared on Micah 6:8. It says, "What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Now, those are some worthwhile disciplines!

Press in and press on,

Giselle

P.S. The shoes I wore in the store were promptly thrown away and replaced as we left it.

Travelling

It was a dreary, gray Sunday morning. I was in Winnipeg and had to be up and about earlier than I would have liked if I was going to be back home in time for the morning service.

It had already been a busy weekend. Lots of travel and some sleep lost due to my mind refusing to slow down when my head hit the pillow.

Packing up the vehicle for the trip home, the cool, damp air seemed to add to the weariness. A stop at Timmie’s was definitely in order before leaving the city!

As I was heading out to the highway which would take me home, the fog rolled in. The road was dry and there wasn’t much traffic but I switched on the fog lights and reduced my speed a bit, just to stay safe.

Some miles down the road, after stopping to refuel and replenish my coffee, I send a text just to say that I am on my way but may not arrive on time. The reply comes,” travel safely.” Travel safely….

I know this road well and have travelled it many times. Driving in the thickening fog though is disorienting. I suppose that better sleep would have helped but a few times I find myself wondering just where I am…which towns have I passed? Are those curves coming soon? What is up ahead? No matter, I know this is the road that takes me home. I determine to keep going.

Once the decision is made to follow Christ, we can rest assured that we are on the road that will take us home. That doesn’t mean that the whole road will be plainly before us though. Sometimes straining to see what lies ahead can cause weariness…even despair. It can be like the fog that closes in and disorients, maybe even leading us to wonder if we are even still on the right path.

I think that David knew this feeling and recognized what he needed along the way.

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,and my hope is in you all day long.” (Ps. 25:4 & 5)

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Ps. 23:2 & 3)

Rest, restoration, revelation of His ways…teaching & guidance…we need to be open to all of these provisions as we travel our road, because sometimes the path ahead is obscured…we can only see the next step. Without these provisions, we will become disoriented…but in Him…with Him…we will travel safely.

Ruth

Facing Fear

If I told you some of my greatest fears you’d probably laugh. I'm almost 30 years old and I am still afraid of the dark. To this day I sleep with all the lights on, still haven’t overcome that. I pray about it and other fears that sometimes creep up on me…not living the life God has for me, getting older (lol), possibly being a Mom one day, losing my Mom. There are many more too, but the simple truth is this, Jesus said: "I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS….TO THE VERY END OF THE AGE." Mt. 28:20.

As a woman I have a lot of womanly fears too (as above mentioned) and when I meditate on the words of JESUS…"I AM WITH YOU….ALWAYS". Knowing that He is there, fighting for me, with me, when I am facing fears, knowing that HE put fear to death! He IS the conqueror of fear. WOW! That truth alone fights fear in the moment. Knowing God’s Word by heart…meditating and memorizing it gives us more confidence in Christ. In the Bible are His own words for us to hold onto in those moments when we are clouded and plagued by fear. The Bible is alive and full of power…and that same power who raised Jesus from the dead dwells inside of us. Praise God! How encouraging for us to never forget.

So I admit I still sleep with the lights on, I usually wear as many layers of night cream as I can (and drink tons of water) and I make as many memories with Mom as I can. All that said though, knowing the truth that He is with me, He has conquered this, makes me realize how much greater HE IS than anything else I could fear.

Mary

WOMEN's Day Retreat

We had a great day with the ladies this past weekend. We are so thankful for our speaker Arlene and the message the Lord gave her from Micah 6:8.


"What does the Lord require from you? To act justly, to seek mercy and to walk humbly with your God."


Here are a few memories of our time with the ladies.

Perspective

I have found that perspective can be a very subjective thing – but should it be?

I’ve been “laid off” and out of work for the past three months now and every day seems to be a struggle to find “the mind of God” and keep my focus on the positive. It would be easy to wallow in righteous anger and self pity and, believe me, I have done my fair share!!

Last week my morning devotions took me to Isaiah 40. WOW! Talk about perspective. God sits in the heavens and looks down at creation. He is in control and His truth is not subject to change!

“Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? Haven’t you been told from the beginning?” (vs.21) And I find myself ashamed for my lack of faith.

For me, at least, tough times tend to show me just how much I need to grow in my faith and trust the God who promised to care for me and prosper me. Once again God assures me that He is in control and I am very much on His mind.

“The eternal God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t grow tired or become weary. His understanding is beyond reach. He gives strength to those who grow tired and increases the strength of those who are weak” (vs.28,29)

Maybe you are struggling with perspective in the middle of some circumstance today. No matter what you are dealing with the truth of God will never change or waver. He has a plan for you and it is a good plan!

“The Lord is waiting to be kind to you. He rises to have compassion on you. The Lord is a God of Justice. Blessed are all those who wait for Him.” (Isaiah 30:18)

Let’s be intentional in adjusting our perspective so that it aligns with the eternal and unchanging will of God toward us.

Linda

Linda is a mother to two adult children and she daily walks out her faith in the real, everyday circumstances of life. She is a godly woman who continues to grow and mature in her walk with the Lord.

Love Letters

I keep a very plain box tucked away that holds some “things” very precious to my heart...love letters. Notes back and forth from my beloved and I. I have other precious containers too, that hold treasure troves of letters and notes. One is heart shaped and tucked inside are words of encouragement, thankfulness and wisdom to cheer me on. It is from a very special group of friends we had moved miles away from. I remember the day it arrived. I remember eagerly unwrapping the shipping box, and discovering to my delight, that my friends and their children had taken the time and made the effort to combat my loneliness and bless me. I have gently unwound and rewound the closure many times since receiving it – each time drawing more strength from the words it contains.

In the Bible, Paul describes Christians as living letters known and read by everybody; not written with ink but with the Spirit of God on human hearts.

You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;

clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us,

written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God,

not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh,

that is, of the heart.

2 Corinthians 2:2-3

Whom are you receiving your letters from? To whom are you writing? God has blessed me with so many letters. Beautiful creations arriving just on time. Sometimes for just a short while, others come in and out my whole life through. Still others that were difficult to open and digest, but stretched me in ways God knew I needed.

Fact is, you and I are both letters from Him too. We have been sent here with a message and others see Him in our actions. Will others be hungry to read the news we share or toss us aside like junk mail? How can we exhibit being a love letter that inspires others to move closer to Christ? Will you purpose to be that today?

Press in and press on,

Giselle

The Fab Four

Once there were four friends – well five actually. We know very little about this group. The fifth of this little band was paralysed. We’re not told how that happened. Had the five of them been out on an epic adventure that didn’t turn out according to plan? Four came back without a scratch and one changed for life – paralysed – spending his days lying on a mat. Is that why the four were so attentive, so determined?

There is no recorded conversation between these friends – just an account of their actions really. It would be interesting to know…the day the four came to pick up the paralysed man…did he have a say in the matter? Did he ask for help? Or, did he just go along with the plan because, really, it wasn’t like he had options…

Jesus was in town. The four decided that their friend needed to see Jesus. So, they picked him up, literally. Carrying him, mat and all, and off they went.

It probably hadn’t been their plan for the day. They had other things in their day planners. Things that needed to get done. Important things….but Jesus was in town…and their friend needed to see him.

I wonder about conversation when they got to the house where Jesus was speaking. It was pretty obvious that there was no way to push through the crowd – maybe one of them could have made it but that wasn’t the plan. The plan was to get their friend to Jesus.

Now what boys? Less determined friends may have turned back. It just wasn’t meant to be. Today wasn’t going to be the day. They had tried. They could come back tomorrow. Maybe Jesus would still be there.

Were they discouraged? They had been so sure that they should bring their friend to Jesus…and that it needed to be today…

Are they about to turn away when one of them speaks up…maybe the quiet one in the group…a little fearful of what the reaction will be because they have laughed at his ideas before…"What about the roof? Why don’t we dig through the roof?"

Today they don’t laugh. Today they don’t tell him that it’s a ridiculous idea. Today their friend needs to see Jesus.

Without arguing, without hesitation, without one word about who is going to clean up the mess that they are about to make, they head for the outer staircase. The climb to the roof strains their muscles. It is no easy task to carry a paralysed man to the roof top. But it is the only way and they need to get their friend to Jesus.

They begin to tear up the tiles of the roof. It disrupts the teaching going on below as bits of dirt and rubble begin to fall. And the noise! Getting their friend to Jesus has become a little messy.

The roof is damaged but…their friend meets Jesus and his life is forever changed!

There is a verse in this story which both gives great hope and challenges at the same time.

"When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'" (Mk 2:5)

When Jesus saw their faith the fifth man’s life was changed. No longer paralysed. Forgiven…healed…free!

Their faith…four friends who knew that they had a friend who needed to have an encounter with Jesus. Four friends willing to carry another and who wouldn’t let obstacles deter them…not a crowd, not stairs, not even a roof. They were persistent, determined, faithful friends.

Anyone in your life who needs to have an encounter with Jesus? Have you tried to get them there but were turned back by obstacles? One friend couldn’t have completed this task. To expect one to carry the paralysed man …that would have been an unbearable burden. But four…there was no stopping them. No doubt they spurred each other on.

I’m still learning this lesson…to share the burden…to have my own ‘fab four’ who can help me bring someone I love to meet Jesus…but I am determined to do that because when Jesus saw their faith…amazing things began to happen!

Ruth

White on White

A few days ago something happened to my Mom that I found to be a very distinct picture of something that takes place in each of our lives. My mom was attempting to copy and paste one document to another file like she has often done. However, it appeared she had correctly copied and pasted it yet nothing was showing up on her page. It remained a white, blank page. Now normally I love a good white on white scheme, but this wasn’t exactly one of those times - lol. It didn’t take her long to discover that the reason she was having trouble was because the colour of the font she was copying was indeed white…and therefore, pasting it on a white page would not show up. Everything was working like it should, like it had every other time, but just this time she could not actually see it.

Sometimes I think our lives reflect such an example. Whether we’re working hard towards something and it seems like we’re not making any strides, or desiring to live an example of a Godly life for our families or friends and it feels like we’re just not succeeding. Success comes from Jesus, the answers, results and overall accomplishment is for His Glory and by His power. Trust Him, even when it seems like nothing's showing up, getting through or being accomplished. He’s working, just sometimes we can’t exactly see it. Keep going Dear Friend*

Mary

Follow-Through

I don't know if you've ever been a pitcher in baseball or swung a golf club, but I understand follow-through is a very important part if one is to be consistent and accurate.

Now I don't know about you but sometimes my intentions are good, but my follow-through is rather poor.

I was recently listening to a preacher preach and on many levels I was stirred. The location, the people, the message to name a few. Later in the day I shared a bit of what was stirring in my heart and told my husband I was going to do these certain things. If I could have walked out of the building and put my stirred emotions to good use I wouldn't be sitting here today trying to remember how I felt in the moment, as well as wondering if I should still follow-through with those thoughts. I need to remember some of those thoughts and ideas (which I believe were God-planted) are not to be forgotten and this somewhat failing memory of mine needs to find a way to remind myself to follow-through. A note on the calendar, and piece of paper on the counter a whispered word to someone else...

Sometimes God has planted wonderful thoughts and ideas in our heads and then we get home, we get busy and become forgetful, or perhaps loose the passion of the moment. But those ideas, which were God's ideas, never become a reality because we didn't follow-through.

Has God been speaking to you lately? Does He want you to step out and do something with those God-given plans and ideas?

Ps. 33:10-11 says, "The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."

Jo-Ann

Who’s your Daddy?

Do you *know* Him? Here’s a powerful reminder from Dr. S.M. Lockridge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE

I love Dr. Lockridge’s passion! This Easter like others, our family will continue the tradition of baking resurrection cookies, egg decorating, watching Jesus of Nazareth, and there will no doubt be a hefty family meal shared – but I’m determined this year to not only remember the story – but really reflect on the power! The power of this Almighty God – Lord of lords – King of kings that we serve. His almighty resurrecting power that our hungry world needs to consume. That I need to consume, reflect, and praise daily.

"And if it seems evil for you to serve the LORD,

choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,

whether the gods which your father served on the other side of the river,

or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!"

Joshua 24:15

He IS my all – that’s my King! He is risen. He is risen indeed!

Because of Him, press in and press on.

Giselle

Created

What an amazing world we live in! Do you stop to consider it – the beauty that surrounds us daily? Sometimes we make opportunity to be amazed by God’s creation – a vacation at the lake, a trip through the mountains, a hike through the woods in fall as the leaves are changing. Occasionally the moments that take our breath away seem more random. The northern lights dancing on a cold December night, the scent of lilacs in spring, the wonder of a newborn…

Do words ever fail you? Phrases from scripture come to mind… "…the whole earth is full of His glory." "...the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." (Ps.19:1)

Even if I were a poet and could pen the most splendid verse, it would still fall short in describing the magnificence that is this created world.

In the record of creation from Genesis, day after day, as God completed that day’s work we are told that "God saw that it was good." After six days of creative work that included the creation of man & woman in God’s image, scripture tells us that "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." (Gen. 1:31) Kind of a master of understatement!

In taking a very basic anatomy course a few years ago, I began to see how intricate and complex our human form is…I was amazed over and over again. Again, a phrase from scripture… "I am fearfully and wonderfully made…"

I believe that, and yet it can be painful to walk past a mirror…because while I can acknowledge that I was knit together in my mother’s womb, I look in that mirror and see the shortcomings, the failures, the brokenness and all the parts that aren’t quite enough…

One of the problems with remembering ‘phrases’ from scripture can be that they are just that – ‘phrases’. We need to read the entire thought.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Ps. 139:13, 14)

It was not just my physical form that God put together. He "created my inmost being" – the part that makes me – me.

Think about this. There is a word that is not in God’s vocabulary. He did not use this word once as he created this world. He did not use it as he created man and woman. He has not used it since that time as he has continued to create – knitting each of us together. That word is "OOPS!" Seriously!

He still wants to mold us – still wants us to grow into the image of His Son, but we are fearfully and wonderfully made, inside and out. You are His creation. His creation! No "oops". There is nothing in you that takes him by surprise. Created by Him, for Him and He delights in you!

God’s works – that means you – are wonderful. Know that full well!

Ruth

Beautiful

I recently saw this picture on facebook and unfortunately I haven't found the original site. However, I think the picture is powerful and I hope it's simple message resonates deep within your heart.

You are a multi-faceted creation and you are beautiful.

Ps. 139:14 says, "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!" NLT

Jo-Ann

Believing God

I have found many women, churched and non-churched, who wrestle with trying to find their value as a woman and as a daughter of the King. I truly believe my value as an individual, our value as women, can only be found in Jesus. Gen. 1:27 says we were created in God's image and I believe the only way we will feel truly valued and treasured will be if we measure ourselves against God's standards. As God's creation we bear the image of God as one of His creations. I find that freeing, but also difficult to understand. I, like many of you, don't want to compare myself to the magazine covers or those I see on TV with the proper lighting and perfectly, airbrushed makeup. I want to be free, content and settled to be the woman God created me to be, but sometimes I'm just not sure who that woman is. If you're like me do you want to commit yourselves to figuring that out in the coming days and weeks ahead? Will you intentionally read your bible with fresh eyes for God's truth about what He thinks about you?

Can you make the shift from believing in God to believing God?

We are valued, treasured and created in God's sight so we can confidently share with others how much they matter to God and how much they matter to us.

God's truths:

You Are Valuable

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Eph. 3:17b-18

You Are Treasured 


"You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure." Deut. 14:2 (NLT)

You Matter 


"I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Is. 49:15b-16a

Jo-Ann