2009 December » PWOC International Blog

Peace

Dec 312009

Precious PWOC Women,

What an amazing holiday season I have been celebrating with my family and friends this year. This has been a season filled with a flurry of activities, even snow flurries (and blizzards). To my amazement, I even got out a few Christmas cards. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to my whole list because of family photo issues. Seems that of the family group photos we took this year, one of my two young men were missing…either my son, or my son-in-law. I couldn’t bear to leave one of them out of our family photo, so I opted to send a photo of myself bending down in prayer at a beautiful waterfront to the few, until I could get a full family photo taken for everyone else.

You couldn’t tell the photo was me, so I thought it would be a good one to send to people who didn’t necessarily know my family. I felt lead to write in gold on the photo a part of the following verse: ”I will extend peace to her like a river…” Isaiah 66:12. Because of what our nation is going through, I thought the Scripture spoke hope. In the midst of all the craziness surrounding us, the Lord gives us His peace. We need not be fearful of the uncertainty of 2010, but we need to seek Him and know Him in deeper ways than ever before. God loves each of us deeply and wants to show us this love.

PeaceImage

I have seen His love released in this ministry in beautiful ways this year. There was evidence of this at our regional conferences and at my own local PWOC. God knows what we have to endure in the military. His sweet presence and love has been quite evident.

I know that some of you are in the midst of deployments, which is difficult to endure. I want to encourage each of you, no matter what season of life you are in to seek the Lord and trust Him. God is with you and wants to show you His deep love in the midst of your trials and suffering. You can trust Him. Allow His peace, which surpasses all understanding, to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Praying for an incredible increase in your awareness of God’s love for you in 2010.

Captivated by His Love, Brenda, President, PWOC International

Merry Christmas!!!

Friday Fruit

Dec 252009

ChristmasMessage_PWOC

The Beautiful Plan

President's Pen, Seasonal teaching

Dec 242009

As I reflect on this special day, I think about how the birth of Jesus Christ set into motion a beautiful and divine, majestic plan of His kingdom reign, which knows no end.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

The birth was the point at which Jesus Christ, fully God in the form of man came to live on earth and be with us.

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel—which means “God with us.” Matt 1:22-23 (NIV)

He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Knowing in the beginning that He would need to come to earth to become the redeemer for all mankind who would accept Him.

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:6-11 (NIV)

Christmas Day is the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to fully receive His free gift of salvation. If you are unsure of whether or not you have accepted His free gift, visit our web site where you can pray through the steps of salvation at http://www.pwoc.org/Resources/Resources_Downloads/StepsToPeace.pdf

Jesus is our everything, He is our all in all. His birth announced to the world, that His kingdom has come and that His throne will last forever and ever.

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.” Ps. 45:6 (NIV)

May your Christmas day be filled with the fullness of the beauty of His plan for you, His beloved.

Brenda Marlin, PWOCI President

Arise For The Lord (Prince of Peace) Extends His Scepter

Seasonal teaching

Dec 232009

Submitted by: Saleta Johnson PWOCI Theme Logistics Coordinator

A Gift Money Can’t Buy

One of my favorite verses of scripture to reflect upon during the Christmas Season is Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a Child is born, unto to us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Let me ask you a question. During this busy time of the year do you find yourself feeling stressed, anxious, or even downcast? Does peace sometimes seem impossible to attain? If your answer is yes, I have good news for you.

As children of God, we have been given perfect peace because Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He is Jehovah Shalom, “the Lord my peace”. This is a gift that many in the world are in search of and no amount of money in the world can buy.

Let me say it another way. If you are a born-again believer, peace lives on the inside of you. Jesus on the inside of you gives you strength. Peace is also one of the fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:22. If you are not a born-again believer please go to our home page and read how to have peace with God. Excepting Jesus is the first step to walking in peace.

You may ask, how do I experience or tap into this peace? The answer is to choose peace. The choice is ours to make.

Jesus promises us that if we trust Him and keep our mind stayed on Him, He will keep us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). We have to tell ourselves in the midst of opposing circumstances that “I’m taking my thoughts off the problem and will instead focus on God’s goodness and promises”.

In John 14:27 amp Jesus says: Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

Wow, this is powerful. Jesus is confirming that the choice is mine as to whether I’m troubled, agitated, fearful, or disturbed.

He tells us in John 16:33 that in Him we can have perfect peace and confidence. “In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you].

Let’s not allow the busyness of the season and the cares of this world, to choke out the seed of the word of God. His word to us is Peace.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6-7

The Lord bless you, and keep you: The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14

The Heart of Christmas

Devotions

Dec 212009

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me One Who will be ruler over Israel, Whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

Micah 5:2

700 years later, Joseph and Mary come to Bethlehem to fulfill that promise. God Incarnate, who chose to make His dwelling among us through this only begotten Son. In Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest, he says “His life is the highest, the Holiest entering in at the lowliest door. His birth was an advent/coming.”

As we enter this last week of Advent, we should be putting the finishing touches of preparation to our hearts and homes for the Lord’s coming. As Chambers so beautifully puts it, “Just as our Lord came into human history from outside/heaven so He must come into me from outside. Have I allowed my personal human life to become a Bethlehem for the Son of God?” Is Jesus in my heart? Do I have a saving faith and if so does the Lord Jesus have His rightful place in my thoughts and affections? Does this love of God loom before me as I see that for which He destined His Son, the redemption of mankind? Do we bask in this unhindered sweet fellowship with the God of heaven and earth? It is He who poured all of His wrath on His Son – towards all the sin committed past, present and future – so we could have the privilege of knowing Him intimately. We were made for God, to know Him and worship Him with all of our hearts. To the degree that we live with an abiding sense of His love for us in Christ, to that degree will we love God with all our heart, soul and mind (2 Cor. 5:14).

As you read the Christmas story, may you be reminded that your heart is a “Bethlehem” for the Son of God. Don’t let anything squeeze this one true pearl, one true bread, one true drink of the Lord Jesus Christ that forever satisfies (Ps 27:40).

Prayer Points for December 20th -26th

Prayer Points

Dec 182009

²¹“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

²²Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

²³“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME EMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”

Dear Father,

God I praise you for the glorious miracle of Jesus’ birth. I praise you that you, the God who spoke the universe into being, became a little baby, helpless and needy. Thank you for understanding how much we need you to come. Thank you for knowing how alone, how lost, how lonely we are for you.

I praise You for being Immanuel. We worship You, Immanuel. The God who wanted to be with us. The God who gave up everything to be with us. The God who desires and longs and looks for us. Thank you for searching for us. Thank you for dying for us. Thank you for drawing us to yourself. What an amazing, joyful, precious thing to know that You are Immanuel. You never leave us or forsake us. You bring us to your banquet table. You anoint us with your spirit and allow us to partner with you in the earth. Help us to lift You up in our lives so that other will be drawn to You. You give us your beautiful Name! We look forward to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. We look forward to being with you forever.

Today, give us grace to slip away with You, to spend time with You, to worship You. Feed us with the apples and raisins of Your Word. We soak in Your Presence. We rest in Your goodness.

God, reveal yourself in us! Let us be so one with you that your glory blazes through our lives to touch others who are alone and afraid.

We love You, Immanuel, God with us! In Jesus Name, Amen

10 more days till Christmas!

Seasonal teaching

Dec 152009

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:39-45 (NIV)

Ten more days until Christmas! Have you already been asked at least 10 times this week if you’re ready? It seemed that each time I heard that I’d feel a bit more anxious. I know that it is one of those rhetorical pleasantries, but it really made me think and ask myself, “Am I Ready?” Being a good Army wife, I had to do a little research on readiness. So, I went to my SOP, to come up with a plan and glean some strategies from others getting ready for ‘Christmas.’ I landed at Gabriel’s departure and Mary’s arrival at the door of Zechariah and Elizabeth.

What was Mary’s plan of action? She accepted her special commission, got up and got going to see the first issue of God’s great possibilities!

What was Elizabeth’s readiness response? What was the response of the baby in her womb? Elizabeth received the favor and proclaimed the blessings of the Lord! John leapt for joy!

My Assessment and Readiness Plan: Only through Christ is it possible for me to be shown the favor of being chosen, royal, holy, special and His own – one called out darkness and into His marvelous light! The next time I’m asked if I’m “ready for Christmas” I will say, “Yes, I am blessed!” – and with great joy I’ll leap (with one foot or two, depending on the available space J)!

Oh, I can’t wait to be asked again!

Prayer Points December 13-19

Prayer Points

Dec 112009

⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:6-8 (NIV)

I have heard this preached a thousand times. We need to make room for the Christ Child. We need to allow Him room, this is true. But let’s think from a different perspective. When the story is told, the Innkeeper is often described as harsh, greedy, or selfish. They say he didn’t make room for Jesus. Is that true? He had a lot going on during that census. He could have brushed Mary and Joseph off, but instead he DID find room. He actually had the courage to give something to God that wasn’t perfect, that wasn’t “good”. He just gave what He had. He didn’t know that his willingness to share the humble things would be told around the world for centuries. He didn’t know the comfort our hearts would receive today as we ponder a king who would leave His throne and palace to be born in an animal feeder for the purpose of dying to save us. We praise Jesus humility for doing those things, but what about the inn keeper’s humility? We would all rather show God to the guest rooms with the beautiful bedding and the sweet smelling soap. But what about the barn out back? What about the failures, the mistakes, the shame. What about the dangling issues we can’t figure out? Do we have the humility to give ALL to Jesus and watch His glory shine through our own barns and mangers?

Dear Father,

I like to show you my good side. I really like to fix myself and bring you a pretty package. But I acknowledge that isn’t working out so well. I have some things I am ashamed of. I have some issues I can’t fix and I can’t control. I willingly bring you my strengths and gifts. Today I am letting you come to stay in the barn too. Would you please come in to the weak, broken places today with your tender grace? Thank you for not judging me or condemning me. Thank you for forgiving me, healing me and wonder of wonders, loving me with a relentless passion through it all. Oh God, your kindness leads me to repentance today. I confess perfectionism as sin. I confess hiding behind a mask. Set me free, My Deliverer! I surrender all. Take it. Take me. Make me clean. Draw me near to you again. Come in; come in, King of Glory! I am yours.

I love you so much!! In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Reason for the Season

Friday Fruit, Seasonal teaching

Dec 112009

Submitted by Barbara Boykin, PWOCI Leadership Selection

Jesus is the reason for the season!!! This is my favorite time of the year, considering my birthday is only two days away and Christmas is right around the corner. When I was growing up I never got birthday parties because my birthday was so close to Christmas. My first birthday party was given to me by my husband the December before we got married. It was a joyous occasion and one I will never forget. I have always loved Christmas from the time I was a little girl and it continues to be time for family gatherings, food and so much love. I think about the love of God shed abroad in our hearts and in this season we can give abundantly just as God gave to us.

The abundant life is knowing the best that God has to give. It is higher than your highest dreams, deeper than your deepest desires, greater than your greatest hopes. You can be content because you know your life in Him means you are not missing out on something better. Your heart can rest because when you have found Him to be your life; your search for meaning is over. When you have heard His call, your need for purpose has ended. When you have followed His way, your longing for direction has been fulfilled, so you can rest in quiet trust. Quietness is a state of peace at heart and personal well-being that does the will of God with an attitude of praise, a disposition of gratitude and a makeup of joy. It is the assurance that you are doing what God wants, in God’s way, at God’s time, for God’s glory.

So as this season manifests itself in your home and in your life, may you find the peace of God that passes all understanding, the love of God that transcends all things beautiful and the power of God that gives you the strength to run the race in VICTORY.

SuperBalls®

Seasonal teaching

Dec 102009

Submitted by: Nancy Wheatley, PWOCI Resource Coordinator

The large black SuperBall® whizzed past my head, ricocheted off the door I had just walked through, and narrowly missed knocking my glasses off as it rebounded in the general direction of a sheepish 11-year-old boy. A fine welcome home.

I was returning from a great morning at PWOC. I had been the speaker at our program that morning and had been excited about what the Lord gave me to share. I was still basking in the glow of successful service to God as I walked through my front door and the above-mentioned SuperBall® nearly went head-to-head with my designer frames.

A quick hug, a sweet “Sorry, Mom,” and a (disingenuous, I’ll wager) promise to cease all indoor bouncy-ball activities, and the incident was past. But the Holy Spirit had a few comments to make about it that have stuck with me.

One of the things I love about PWOC is the chance to discuss inspiring truths. Passages of Scripture like I Corinthians 13 (Love is patient, love is kind…) and I John 3 (For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another…) are wonderful fodder for an idealist like me. Every week I leave PWOC armed with truths which are surely going to revolutionize my existence. And then I walk back through the door into my actual life, where SuperBalls®, both literal and figurative, are pitched at my head, and suddenly I need more than theories.

The love that God requires of His children is not an ivory-tower, ethereal concept. It is a hardworking, in-the-trenches thing that wears coveralls and gets its hands dirty. Listen to this: …”be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger…” (James 1:19). This includes when my teenager is taking too long in the bathroom and I’m late for an appointment. How about this: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other…” (Ephesians 4:32). When God inspired Paul to pen those words, He really did mean for them to shape my response to that thing my husband said that hurt my feelings. You get the picture.

I believe that God designed the family to be our learning laboratory. If I can be light and salt in my home where real life happens on a very daily basis, I can do it anywhere. I will continue to fill my soul with the lofty ideas that bend it toward the person I want to be, but I will listen to the Holy Spirit’s whisper that I am only as Christlike as I am in my own home when the SuperBalls® are flying.

Older Entries

PWOC International Blog

Peace

Merry Christmas!!!

The Beautiful Plan

Arise For The Lord (Prince of Peace) Extends His Scepter

The Heart of Christmas

Prayer Points for December 20th -26th

10 more days till Christmas!

Prayer Points December 13-19

Dear Father,

I love you so much!! In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Reason for the Season

SuperBalls®

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