Posting: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 - Daily Encouragement - "Off Season Training"

5:00 a.m. Prayer
5:30 a.m. Devotion/Daily Encouragement
5:40 a.m - 6:30 a.m. P90x Plyometrics
6:40-6:55 a.m. Jog outside

Devotion song: "Champion"


Off-Season Training
Glynnis Whitwer
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Devotion:
The temperature was pushing 100° Fahrenheit on that hot summer evening. Golden sunshine tinted the trees and shadows lengthened, as the lone runner caught my eye. He looked like one of the high school boys on my sons' wrestling team. But what was he doing running now?
With wrestling season still months away, his dedication to training impressed me. Training in-season is common; training off-season, rare. And yet the off-season warriors consistently push themselves to their personal best, out-performing those who begin training in-season.
Readiness characterizes these highly trained athletes. They are ready at a moment's notice to face the next opponent. Seldom surprised, they move with grace and assurance. Their discipline pays off when needed most.
I've watched this same principle lived out in the lives of godly men and women I've known. They apply themselves to spiritual training, are committed to learning God's Word, and pursue a life of faith. Day in and day out, they discipline their minds and hearts to stay in alignment with the truth. They strengthen their devotion to Christ in spite of circumstances. They take false thoughts captive.
Then, when they least expect it, their training is called into action.
There's usually no warning. It's a phone call. A medical test. An email. In an instant, their "opponent" is raging. Fear, grief and despair threaten. But they aren't overwhelmed.
Shaken? Maybe. But not devastated.
These past few years I've faced events that have shaken me. From losing our savings due to the economy to having kids make choices far from how they were raised, life has rocked me a few times. I've faced things I never thought I would face, and no one gave me a map to navigate the details of these circumstances.
In the darkness of these times, I've held on to what I know to be true in the light. When my flesh wanted to panic and run screaming, God's truth told me He will provide. When I wanted to despair that I'd lost my child forever, God's wisdom reminded me that everyone sins. Without training, I'd have collapsed on the floor in a confused puddle of fear.
Being a woman of faith is easy when life is smooth. It's easy to love others, be a good steward and make wise decisions when everything is going great. It's when there's no warning and a storm hits that we need to be well-trained.
No one can do this for us. We are the only ones who can study God's Word. We are the only ones who can push through a dry season and spend time in prayer. We do this in-season (when circumstances are rough) and off-season (when circumstances are smooth), so that when the battles of life strike, we are ready.
The good news is you can start your training today. In fact, you already have by reading this devotion. Take time to read the scriptures below and answer the questions. Pray and ask God what He wants you to learn. Ponder the truths you find and let them burrow in to your heart. Each time you do this, you'll be stronger.
And when you face a battle, this discipline and training will pay off in peace, confidence and joy in spite of your circumstances.
Dear Lord, I praise You as the source of all truth. Help me to have the discipline to read and study the Bible on my own, so that I'm ready when faced with trouble. I ask for more of Your wisdom and discernment to build my life on a solid foundation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
P31 Woman magazine General Editor, Glynnis Whitwer
Visit Glynnis' blog for a discussion of how to train in and off season.
When Your Child Is Hurting by Glynnis Whitwer
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen

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:
Identify one truth you've learned from the Bible that has helped you stay strong in the tough times. Visit Glynnis' blog and post your answer or just your thoughts on today's devotion. She's doing a drawing and giving away a copy of the One Year Chronological Bible to one person who comments.
Reflections:
What kind of mindset do we need to be able to train off-season?
How does knowing the Word of God equip us for "every good work," as our key verse mentions?
Power Verses:
John 8:31-32, "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" (NIV)
1 Timothy 4:7, "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourselves to be godly." (NIV)

Posting: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - Daily Encouragement (Stained and Ruined)

5:00 a.m. Prayer
5:30 a.m. Devotion/Daily Encouragement
5:45 a.m - 6:45 a.m. P90x Chest, Triceps, Biceps (30 min)/ Insanity Pure Cardio (30 min)

Devotion song: "Our God is an awesome God"

May 10, 2011 Stained and Ruined Melissa Taylor

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
Devotion:
Looking back, it seems like I'm viewing the story of another person. I hardly recognize the little girl I became in that dark moment.
I was walking home from the bus stop. The walk took about ten minutes unless I stopped to talk to a friend or neighbor, which I usually did. Mr. Parks, a retired man, was sitting in his driveway waving to all the kids walking by. He was so friendly. On this particular day, he invited me into his garage. He said he had some candy to give me.
I walked in that garage an innocent trusting little girl. I walked out scarred for life.
Mr. Parks sexually violated me. I didn't understand what was going on. I didn't know what to do. He became someone else; I didn't recognize the man he changed into once that garage door was closed. He did things to me and made me do things to him that I never imagined existed. I was absolutely terrified. When he was done, he said, "Come back tomorrow." And for some reason, I did.
The experience of being sexually abused left me devastated. I felt stained and ruined.
In my mind, what I had done was so bad, I couldn't tell anyone. And because it happened more than once, I felt like it really was my choice; my fault. That's what he told me. I felt dirty and filled with shame.
Shame is a joy stealer. My joy was completely gone.
Over the years I perfected the art of pretending everything was okay. I was good at wearing masks.
On the outside, I looked great. However, on the inside I felt completely unworthy of any good thing. When I experienced success, I would usually sabotage myself or quit. I apologized for being good at something and downplayed my God-given strengths.
It must break God's heart when we allow shame to steal our sense of worth.
Jesus gave His life to prove how very valuable we are. Our key verse tells us, "By his wounds, we are healed." Jesus became stained and ruined on our behalf. And because of His promise, we don't have to live in fear or condemnation over anything that has taken place in our lives, whether it was our fault or not.
When I accepted Christ as my Savior, I also accepted freedom from my past hauntings. Still, I have to remind myself of this every day. My thoughts must center on Jesus or they can easily slip back to the darkness of that garage. Yes, even 38 years later, I still have flashbacks of what happened to me.
That's when I look up to heaven and say, "By Your wounds I am healed. Thank You, Jesus. I am not stained and ruined. I am clean, pure, and precious. Mr. Parks has no hold on me anymore."
My final triumph in this horrific ordeal was the most difficult: forgiveness.
I claim forgiveness for my sins everyday through Jesus. In doing that, I'm faced with the fact that I'm called to forgive. "Mr. Parks, I forgive you. I know you must have been very sick and your heart was stained with sin. I hope and pray you accepted Jesus before you died. What you did to me was the worst thing anyone could do to a little girl. I want to hate you. Instead, I choose to hate what you did, but forgive you."
I can only do this with Jesus at my side. I'm not capable any other way.
No longer do I believe I am stained and ruined. I am clean. I am worthy. Jesus has set me free. "By his wounds we are healed." I believe that. I hope you do too!
Dear Lord, I need You every day of my life. Please remind me that I am worthy and delete the lies that haunt me. Help me live to the fullest for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Melissa's blog to sign up for her free online Bible study of Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner. Join Melissa as she leads a community of online friends to come closer to God, find hope and healing, and move from victim to victor. All are invited! Today she's giving away an autographed copy of Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner written by Wendy Blight!
Words by Ginny L. Yttrup. This is the She Reads pick of the month. It is a compelling story that deals with the heart wrenching topic of sexual abuse. This story offers hope, healing, and truth.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: the Transforming Power of God's Story by Wendy Blight. All books purchased through Proverbs 31 Ministries will be autographed by Wendy!

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:
If you are suffering due to your past, seek Christian counseling in your area.
Stop by Melissa's blog today and sign up receive her "Top Ten Ways to Know you are Worthy" list. Also, sign up for her next online Bible study.
Spend at least a few minutes each day reading God's Word, His love letter to you. Begin each day by saying, "Lord, because of You, I am healed and valuable."
Reflections:
Is there something in my past keeping me from living the life God intended?
Do I believe Jesus has washed me clean?
Have I shared what Christ has done for me with anyone lately?
Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 14:2, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession." (NIV)
Isaiah 43:18-19, "Forget what happened long ago! Don't think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, in thirsty lands." (CEV)
Isaiah 45:3, "I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." (NIV)

Posting: May 09, 2011 Daily Encouragement - Bring Them to Me

5:00 a.m. Prayer
5:30 a.m. Devotion/Daily Encouragement

7:30-8:00 pm. Strike Class

Devotion song: "How Great is Our God"

May 09 - 2011
Bring It to Me


Marybeth Whalen

"Bring them here to me." Matthew 14:18 (NIV)

Devotion:

"Mo-om," my six year old son called from the den where he was working on math, "I can't do this!"


I was in the kitchen washing dishes. "If you can't do it," I called back, "Just bring it to me."

In a whoosh, I heard God's still small voice, coming in on the heels of what I have just spoken aloud. "Isn't that what I say to you?" He reminded me.


When I am overwhelmed: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."

When I am angry: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."

When I am hurting: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."

When I am confused: "If you can't do it, just bring it to Me."

Thousands of years ago, the disciples faced a situation they couldn't do. They couldn't feed 5000 men and their families lunch even though the people were hungry. They knew that allowing them to leave would mean missing a great ministry opportunity... but their resources were sorely lacking.

Then one little boy stood up and offered his lunch. Jesus responded, "Bring them here to me." He took that meager offering — the tiniest bit offered in faith — and multiplied it beyond anyone's expectations.

I need God to do that for me every day. When I think that I can't do something, I need to faithfully take what little I can do and place it in His hands. And then I need to stand back and watch Him multiply my humble offering into something amazing.

What are you feeling like you can't do today?

Take on a challenge God is calling you to?

Respond to a ministry opportunity even though it is scary?

Stay in a marriage that looks over from where you're standing?

Persevere in your efforts to pay off debt?

Offer forgiveness to someone who hurt you?

Whatever it is, know this: you are right. You can't do it. So bring whatever it is to Him. Picture yourself offering it up, just like that little boy's lunch. Then stand back and prepare to be amazed.

Dear Lord, I praise You for being my burden bearer. Thank You for always taking my "I can'ts" and transforming them through Your power and Your blessings. Help me to remember not to be anxious or worried when I face difficulties, but to simply bring my issues to You again and again. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?



Becoming a Woman of Influence (Audio) by Marybeth Whalen



Visit Marybeth's blog or click here for more of her resources.



She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen. A novel for every woman who has looked at another woman's life and said, "I want what she has," She Makes It Look Easy reminds us of the danger of pedestals and the beauty of authentic friendship.



Application Steps:

In your journal, list all the reasons why you can't do some aspect of your life — paying off debt, staying in your marriage, homeschooling, getting a job, etc. After you list all those reasons, take a red magic marker and write over top of the list: "Bring it to Me." Rejoice that these are Jesus' words personally to you today!



Reflections:

Is there something I am telling God I can't do? I'll spend some time today telling Him to take my pitiful efforts and multiply them as only He can. Every time I start to worry, I'll go back and bring it to Him.



Power Verses:

Psalm 115:11, "You who fear him, trust in the LORD — he is their help and shield." (NIV)



Psalm 116:7, "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you." (NIV)

Encouraging others Spiritually and Physically: Thursday- May 5, 2011 - A Three Things Wife

Encouraging others Spiritually and Physically: Thursday- May 5, 2011 - A Three Things Wife

Thursday- May 5, 2011 - A Three Things Wife

5:17 a.m. Prayer
               Song "I'll Do What It Takes" - Myron Williams
http://youtu.be/mfPuYmyDWKM


5:20 a.m. Daily Encouragement

5:45 a.m. P90x Ab Ripper / Insanity Plyometrics

A Three Things Wife
Lysa TerKeurst

"Marriage should be honored by all..." Hebrews 13:4a (NIV)

Devotion:
Have you ever felt overwhelmed with expectations you perceive other people have of you?

When I first got married I was determined to figure out how to do this "wife" thing well. I wanted to truly honor my marriage like Hebrews 13:4 encourages. So, I made note of what I perceived other 'good wives' did.

• She cooks meatloaf.
• She vacuums every day so there are lines in the carpet indicating its cleanliness.
• She sticks love notes in her husband's brief case.
• She buys and wears lingerie.
• She likes wearing lingerie and wears it three times a week.
• She gives her husband his space when he gets home.
• She hangs up the phone when he walks in the door.
• She learns facts about football and watches games with him.
• She prays for her husband every day.

And the list grew and grew.

Eventually, the list in my head of what a good wife does so completely overwhelmed me I cried. I felt inadequate. I started to shut down.

I assumed the list in my head was in my husband's head too.

I grew bitter. And in a moment of complete exhaustion, I yelled, "Your expectations are ridiculous!"

To which he replied, "What expectations?"

"The list... the list of hundreds of things I need to do to be a good wife," I sobbed.

His blank stare dumbfounded me. He had no such list.

I had so broadened my scope of things to do, I had diminished my vision of simply loving him.

Can you relate? I knew I needed to do less so I could be more. But, how do we figure out which things to keep and which to let go of? We ask.

"Honey," I said feeling the entanglements of expectations loosening their grip on me, "I can't do everything good wives seem to do. But I can do three things. So, tell me your top three things and I will do those well."

After all, I could spend a whole marriage doing a hundred things half-way with a bitter attitude and an overwhelmed spirit.

Or, I could do three things whole-heartedly with a smile on my face and love in my heart.

His three things were simple... Be an emotionally and spiritually invested mom with our kids, take good care of my body and soul, and keep the house tidy. (Notice it says tidy — not perfectly clean.) That's it.

He could care less about so many of the things I'd been running myself ragged doing. And he was more than happy to take care of some of those things I can't stand doing like balancing the check book and getting the cars inspected. Whew... what a relief.

Of course, I do more than three things most days. But, if I don't have time to cook or vacuum, I don't feel like I'm letting him down. It's not one of his top three.

Now, he didn't say anything about lingerie. But, he could argue that's a subplot of me taking good care of my body. However, that's a topic for another day entirely.

For today, I've narrowed my scope to doing three main things really well which has broadened my vision for a great marriage.

I am a three things wife who really desires to honor her marriage. It's simple. And simple is good.

Dear Lord, I want to have a great marriage. Help me to see Your vision for my marriage so that I can honor You and love my husband well every day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - Are you troubled and stressed, how are you handeling it?

Dear Lord, I want to be ruled by Your Spirit, not by my emotions. Help me to focus on You today and not my troubles. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


7:00 a.m. Prayer
8:30 a.m. Devotion

?? Exercise - Insanity Pure Cardio

Feeling Emotional

Rachel Olsen

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." John 14:1 (NLT)

Devotion:

Frustration hit me full force about a quarter 'til dawn that morning. I woke up to find my child was sick, again. With my husband away on business, it was up to me to help the young boy who was standing beside my bed coughing.

He'd been sick the better part of that month with cold after cold. I thought he was finally turning the corner. I thought we were done with decongestants, germy tissues, and Clorox wipes. That is, until that morning.

The first thing I felt was frustrated.

When my child is out of commission, it puts me out of commission as well. He was already behind on his school work, and I was already behind on about a half-dozen things. I could feel my stress level rising as I poured the cough syrup into the plastic measuring cup.

I thought about the things I was supposed to accomplish — the scheduled meetings, the deadlines, the errands. A scowl settled into my forehead. I closed the medicine cabinet door with much more force than really necessary.

I felt sorry for my pitiful son. And I felt disappointed that my prayers had not prevented this relapse in illness. I felt angry that yet another day would be interrupted by some virus. And I felt bad because I knew I wasn't handling it well.

I felt, I felt, I felt ... all I was doing was feeling, letting my emotions spread out and lay claim over every aspect of my day.

I had this notion in my head that a mature Christian wouldn't be feeling this way. Shouldn't I be so spiritual that I'm above getting upset over things like this?

After taking care of my son, I sat down and scanned the gospels to see if Jesus ever felt emotionally strained. Sure enough, I found instances where Jesus is described as feeling "deeply troubled" and "distressed." (Mark 14:33, John 13:21, John 12:27, NLT)

If Jesus got emotionally agitated, then it's unrealistic for me to expect to go through life without feeling some stress. The problem isn't my emotions, it's my reaction to them. The trouble comes when I give them free reign in my heart and mind.

That's when I become unstable.

That's when I lose sight of God.

That's when I say or do things I regret.

Jesus spoke today's key verse to His disciples, knowing what their futures would hold. He knew His death was coming and it would trigger fear, sorrow and doubt in their hearts. Not wanting them to wallow in those emotions, He counseled them ahead of time to keep their focus on God and all that He'd been teaching them.

Jesus, knowing what our day holds, speaks the same words to us. He tells us to not let our emotions fly about, creating an unstable and troubled heart. Instead, our trustworthy Lord tells us to focus our attention on Him.

Eventually, I made the decision that morning to pray and place my trust in God, despite how my day was shaping up and despite how volatile my emotions felt. He calmed my anxious heart, and my son seemed to feel better as well.

It feels good when I trade in my troubled emotions for a source of strength that will get me through my day. And that's one feeling I think Jesus would love for me to wallow in.

Dear Lord, I want to be ruled by Your Spirit, not by my emotions. Help me to focus on You today and not my troubles. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen

Are you able to help a child who might not have access to health care and cough syrup? Consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International.

Visit Rachel at her blog for more encouragement in trusting God on days when you’re feeling emotional.

The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life by Louie Giglio

Application Steps:

Start your day praying for God to give you the mind of Christ, and emotions that are submitted to Him.

On days when you get off track, like I did today, resolve to shorten the amount of time between the emotional trigger and the moment when you release your feelings and the situation into God's care.

Reflections:

What is getting the best of me today? Anger? Bitterness? Depression? Fear? Lust? Greed? Frustration? Or Christ?

Am I willing to release these emotions to God and not let my heart be troubled?

Power Verses:

Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (NIV)

Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)

Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (NIV)

Monday, May 2, 2011 - Know the truth and the truth will set you free!

7:45 Prayer

Devotion

12:30 pm - Recovery - P90x - Week 4

May 2, 2011




I Need to Know the Truth

Ginny L. Yttrup

She Reads Featured Author

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 (NIV)

Devotion:

The diagnosis was unexpected. Unsettling. And followed by tears of...relief? I climbed into my car, fastened the seatbelt, and wiped away the tears. Why am I relieved by difficult news? I wondered.

As my doctor's words ran through my mind, so did a surprising phrase: I'm not crazy. The relief, I recognized, was founded in the truth that the diagnosis revealed.

When did I start believing I was crazy? I recalled the chronic pain I've suffered for the last two years. As I did, familiar accusations ran through my mind: You're such a wimp. There's nothing wrong with you. You're crazy. Ah, there it was, the lie that had slithered unbidden into my mind and nested there.

I've spent many of my adult years uncoiling the lies I've believed about myself. Venomous lies that poisoned my mind following a dozen years of childhood sexual abuse: You're worthless. No one will ever love you. And the heartbreaker... God doesn't care.

I'm not the only one who has believed the lies, right?

You don't have to be a survivor of childhood abuse to believe lies. I think they're part of the human condition. And women seem especially susceptible. Perhaps that susceptibility is an imprint of the fall when Eve believed that first untruth the serpent hissed at her in the garden.

But good news comes with the truth. Not our truth. But the Truth — Jesus Christ.

The Bible says, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1). In other words, when condemning accusations coil around my mind, I know — I can be fully assured — they're not from God. And if they're not from God, they're not worth believing.

I'm learning to combat the lies by submitting them to the Truth, Jesus.

When the enemy says, "You're worthless."
Jesus says, "You are a pearl of great value."

When the enemy says, "No one will ever love you."
Jesus says, "You are My beloved."

When the enemy says, "God doesn't care."
Jesus says, "I gave my life that you might have eternal life."

After my doctor's appointment when I recognized I'd fallen prey to the lies again, another thought went through my mind: You'll never get it right. Good grief! This time, I had to laugh. I was aware of the crafty serpent and wasn't falling for another lie. Instead, I turned to Jesus and thanked Him for the freedom found in Him, the Truth.
While the enemy will continue to try and thwart God's truth, we can know he's already lost the battle. It's a done deal. In Genesis 3 we read that the head of the serpent will be crushed under Jesus' heel, defeating him for all time. He holds no real power over us.

The longer we walk with Jesus, and the more we seek His truth, the more we'll recognize His voice and enjoy the freedom found in Him. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. (Galatians 5:1, NIV)

Dear Lord, I pray that I'll recognize Your voice above all others. Give me ears to hear You. Teach me how to live in the freedom of Your truth and thank You for the gift of Your grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.