Prayer Points for December 27th- Jan 2nd

Prayer Points
Dec 312010

Matthew 2: 9-11

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped Matthew 2: 9-11 over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

What an amazing story!!  Men who studied the stars for wisdom, which is a bad thing to do, somehow found God.   Astrology is occult.  It is forbidden in God’s Word.  But there must have been a true hunger for God in their search because He revealed Himself to them.  Not only by His Star that interrupted every other star they studied, but also by warning them in a dream to stay away from King Herod.

The wise men brought Jesus prophetic gifts.  God refines us like gold.  His glory reflects in our lives.  The streets of His Kingdom are paved in gold.  God says the prayers of the saints are like bowls of incense being presented before the altar of God.  Our prayers before Him are like a sweet fragrance of the evening sacrifice.  The bitter myrrh represents the bitter suffering Jesus experienced.  It is an embalming spice used in the Middle East.  This baby shower gift foretold His death.

Dear Father,  Thank you for the promise that when we seek You, we find You.  We lift up those around us, even those seeking in darkness or doing things that are wrong.  We pray that would be filled with true hunger for You and find You.  Thank you for revealing yourself to hungry hearts then and now.

Thank you for the gifts the Wise Men brought You.  God, refine us as gold.  Burn off every obstacle to Your Love and let us reflect your glory and grace in our lives. God we lift our prayers of praise, of thanksgiving, of need and want to You.  Let our prayers be a sweet smelling fragrance before Your Throne of Grace.  Let grant us mercy to embrace the bitter sufferings of our lives.  Give us grace to daily die to Self and return to You.

Most of all, give us wisdom that we might seek You.   We love you Father.  In Jesus Name, Amen

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His Light in the Darkness

Seasonal teaching
Dec 302010

Greetings from the Alaska Region,

Tomorrow marks four years that my family and I have lived in Alaska and we all are really enjoying our time here.  One of the things I find absolutely amazing here is the dramatic difference between summer and winter.  This time of year is the darkest – the least amount of daylight in the northern hemisphere, and here in the Anchorage area that equates to about four hours of daylight.   To some this actually causes a physical issue and I can see why.   When you can’t see where you are going it is hard to go anywhere, it is easy to focus on how dark it is.  The reverse side of this is we are actually gaining sunlight daily now, as much as 5-10 minutes a day.  Living in this environment has forced me to have a tangible meaning to what God being the Light of the world really looks like.  Psalm 119:105 states “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (NIV).”

We just celebrated Advent; a time of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.  A time of preparation for Christ.  We spend many hours getting ready for Christmas, telling the story to children, watching the plays, really immersing in what this time of year means, and then it is over.  The time after Christmas can be such a let down after the amazing build up it is.  The tree is still up and the smells are still in the air but the day has come and gone.  Is this actually a dark time for you?

God’s word is the light and the more time we spend in it the more Light we have in our lives.  If I turn towards the Son I will not look so much at the darkness.  As this season draws to a close we can continue to be immersed in His Light if we choose to be and let the true Light of Christmas continue to shine all year long.

Submitted by Alicia Mayer, Alaska Region President

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Don't miss the blessing

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday, Seasonal teaching
Dec 292010

Kristin Hathaway

Kristin Hathaway

But although the world was made through him, the world didn’t recognize him when he came. ~John 1:10

Have you ever asked God for something only to miss the answer? One time my mom was in a gift shop in Mississippi, looking for a gift for a friend. She wanted something that was “uniquely Mississippi.” As she was looking, a man came in selling fresh pecans. My mom said, “No, thank you” and continued to try to find the perfect gift.

As soon as the man left, it occurred to my mom that the man with the pecans was the answer to her prayers. Anyone who has ever been to Mississippi knows that pecans are definitely a “Mississippi” thing. God had sent the answer and she had missed it!

That is exactly what happened when Jesus came to this earth. For years, mankind had been asking for a Messiah; we desperately needed a savior. God sent THE answer, but we had our own ideas of what a “uniquely God” gift would be like, and we almost missed Him.

Don’t miss out because you have your own ideas of what God is going to do. Salvation is the best gift that Christ gave, but there are so many blessings that he wants to give you while you are here on earth. Ask for them; pray specifically. Most importantly, EXPECT him to answer.

Submitted by Kristen Hathaway, PWOCI Central Region President

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The Sweetest Story Ever Told

Devotions, Seasonal teaching
Dec 282010

The Sweetest Story Ever Told was the theme of the PWOC’s December program at Yokota, Japan. The speaker was a precious missionary who lives in Japan and she has a special gift of sharing the Gospel. She introduced the Bible characters God, Adam, Eve, Satan, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Shepherds, and Angels in the form of a story. There is nothing sweeter than hearing the Gospel from the beginning of creation, the fall of man, and the purpose Jesus came; to save us from our personal sin. God came to earth to dwell among us and to be in relationship. He desired it in the Garden and He desires it now. My heart never tires or grows bored with hearing the message of how great God’s love is for mankind. His story, history, is the sweetest story ever told. I love God’s Word that reveals these Truths.

The first Christmas morn, Jesus, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, was born to save us from our sins. He made it possible for our hearts to be the dwelling place of God through His birth, death and resurrection; to all who come to Him in faith. We too are born of the Holy Spirit, a spiritual birth, and made new. Jesus didn’t stay on earth to live with us. He had a greater plan. Jesus sent the comforter, Holy Spirit, to dwell in our hearts (the temple of God). Wow, God dwells in us! Let that sink into your heart and mind. It is powerful and sweet! He is with us always.

The missionary went on to encourage every Christian woman, a character in God’s story, to be a story teller and SHARE the sweetest story ever told until Jesus returns. We each have a personal story, or testimony, of what God has done in our life. I hope this Christmas, that the songs you sing, the scripture you hear and read, and the reason for the season will penetrate your heart in a fresh and meaningful way. May the Holy Spirit living in you, move you and give you boldness to share this sweet story, not only this Christmas season, but throughout the New Year!

Matthew 1:18-23
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

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Christmas Morning in La Verne

Devotions
Dec 272010

by Laura Firtko

Each Christmas morning at approximately 7:30 I heard sirens in the distance. As the minutes ticked by the sound got louder. Did we have major emergencies every Christmas in La Verne? Not exactly.

I waited until the sound grew intense. Then I’d bolt out of bed, slide into my slippers, throw on my robe, run down the stairs, and fly out the door to the sidewalk in front of our house. Mom, Dad, Judy my sister, and nieces Heather and Holly all stood there in the cool morning air, dressed in PJs, goose bumps rising. We waved at neighbors and wished them Merry Christmas but rarely had time to chat.

Jumping up and down partly to stay warm and partly out of excitement I’d lean into the street to see if they were coming. Finally they appeared — firefighters carrying white lunch-sized bags flanking a spit-shined, bright red fire engine inching down the street emitting the occasional horn blast and siren scream. Following after, decked out in full costume, riding in a red sleigh (it really was a decorated jeep) came a member of the La Verne Fire Department playing the role of Santa. He waved and hollered “Ho, Ho, Ho, and Merry Christmas!”

I grew up in La Verne, California. Every Christmas for as long as I can remember we greeted Santa and received goody bags from the adorable firemen. It didn’t seem to matter that I was 28 years old the last time I stood there on the sidewalk eagerly anticipating my treat. They probably thought I was cute. I’d peek inside my bag to find an assortment of candy, an orange or an apple, and a greeting from the City of La Verne.

There was something special about a community where the fire department, and hundreds of citizen volunteers, would gather to assemble goody bags, get up extra early on Christmas morning, and create an atmosphere of joy for the whole city. I didn’t know how good I had it as a kid.

While I cherish my Christmas memories, and long to relive them at times, my recent celebrations have become simpler and more meaningful. Without Christ, I wouldn’t have Christmas at all. So I relish in the entire season, listening to old Christmas songs, sipping hot cider, resting in the warmth of a glowing fire, driving through decorated neighborhoods, and topping it off with a Christmas Eve candlelight service.

Then on Christmas Day I focus on what matters most to me: Christ’s birth, family, friends, good health, life, love, and freedom. These are gifts that cannot be bought, sold, or traded. They are priceless blessings that make life worth living.

What matters most to you? Take some time to reflect on the priceless blessings in your life. As you do, may the joy of Christ’s birth resonate in your hearts this Christmas and beyond.

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Magical Moments

Seasonal teaching
Dec 272010

Submitted by De’Etta Goecker, Asia Region President

Think of the magical moments in your life: a marriage proposal, a special Christmas, receiving your driver’s license…. One of life’s most magical moments, whether by birth or adoption, occurs when you finally hold your new baby. You melt into those endless eyes and realize all the potential of this child – the awesome responsibility Father God has entrusted you. The months of waiting were well-worth the precious moment you are living.

There came a moment in October when I held a new baby; it was Asia Region. I was struck with the knowledge of the awesome blessing God intends to pour into the kingdom through this new baby. She’s alive. She’s beautiful. She’s healthy. She’s breathing. She could only have come from the hand of Father God.

Another memorable moment, more terrifying than magical, is the first time you enter your home ALONE with your groom and a tiny, 5 lb baby. The responsibility can be staggering. Yet, God meets you at that moment and gives you direction for partnering with Him in raising this blessing.

In the natural,  two of our first goals in parenting are to win the heart of our child and to introduce her/him to God. Likewise, Father God has impressed on the hearts of Asia Region’s board a simple yet profound emphasis for this baby during her infancy/toddler years.

Our desire is for Asia Region to love God whole-heartedly and love others deeply. Our first responsibility is through mentoring relationships, training opportunities and Bible Studies to encourage a whole-hearted, passionate, lavish, extravagant, intimate love of God. This is foundational.

Our second responsibility is to truly love others deeply. This includes not only PWOC sisters but our unchurched neighbors and the nationals of our host countries.

As Asia Region’s Mama (President), I commit to you, once again, that each activity and decision will be bathed in prayer and filtered through this vision of love. We’ll ask two questions, “Does this express and encourage whole-hearted love of God? Does this express and encourage a deep, sincere love for others?”  This may lead us to some unexpected adventures, but our heart’s desire is always deeper intimacy with God and deeper, caring love of one another.  Will you pray with us as we seek the tools that God would use to mold and shape this brand new baby region?

Another day, maybe you’d like to hear Asia Region’s birth story.

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Merry Christmas!!

President's Pen, Seasonal teaching
Dec 242010

Wishing a Merry Christmas 2010 to the Women of PWOC International!

The Mills family is moving this Christmas…again. This will be our fourth move during the Christmas season; our fourth Christmas without a place to call home. When I get tempted to be whiney about it, God whispers to my spirit, “You’re not the only one, you know.” A quick look out my kitchen window and all the moving vans and cartons stacked in yards shows me that’s true. Many of us military families are on the winter rotation, facing a Christmas PCS (Permanent Change of Station) and the unknowns of what it will be like where we’re going to live next.

I went to Matthew chapter 2 and Luke chapter 2 this morning and read the story of Jesus’ arrival on the earth. And it occurred to me, Mary and Joseph were actually “PCSing” when Jesus was born! Bethlehem was Joseph’s hometown and after Jesus was born, they set up house there. That’s where the wise men came to visit and they worshiped Jesus in Mary and Joseph’s house (see Matthew 2:11).

Think about it. On their move, Mary was carrying within her womb the Greatest Gift, Jesus, the Light of the World! And if we’ve received God’s gift of salvation in Jesus, we’re carrying the Light of the World in us. It’s a mystery, but Paul tells us in Colossians 1:26-27 that the mystery has been revealed–Christ in us, the hope of glory. What an opportunity we have as we pack up our household goods to share God’s gift of love and hope with our packers and our movers. We can shine with His light and joy as we greet convenience store attendants, eat in restaurants, and visit with family and friends along the journey.

So many people in the military are looking for hope, a light in the darkness, and we—women involved with PWOC on continents around the world—carry God’s light and hope within us. I’m looking forward to seeing not only what God will do in us individually, but hearing what God does among us corporately this holy season.

Beth Mills, PWOCI President

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JOY

Seasonal teaching
Dec 232010

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

(NASB says, “in whose heart are the highways to Zion)

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca (weeping or sorrow),
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:5-7 NIV

In the midst of the joy of Christmas, we are sometimes very happy.  Other times we are dealing with hard, painful things in our lives.  This passage in Psalms brings us comfort and encouragement.    It comes from knowing there is a highway in my heart that Jesus walks in on. He’s not just a sweet baby in the hay.  He is also a road builder.  He constructs a highway in my heart because He is always looking for ways to be closer to me.  He is traveling toward me.  He wants to be nearer. He walks the highway with me. He leads me along the road to deeper maturity.  He sits and talks with me along the way.  Being with Him is the best and deepest joy, fulfilling the profound needs of our hearts!

But sometimes our highway to Zion detours through the Valley of Baca (tears, weeping, and sorrow).  How do I find joy on those days, when it’s my first Christmas without a loved one, or I can’t afford the gifts my heart wants to send, or I am aching over lost health, a wayward child, an angry spouse?  I want to soak in His presence, but sometimes I just hurt.  Where do I find joy then?  What a beautiful picture God paints in verse 6.  As I pass through (thank God I’m passing, not staying!!), my tears fill the valley of weeping.  My tears and crying out to God begins to fill the valley until the water level rises to become a sweet spring that lifts me up.  When we are in this valley, it seems there is no way out.  But it is the place I depend on Him.  I can’t float to the top of the water without surrender!  Sweet trust brings deep joy!

My highway builder doesn’t just make a way for me to meet with Him.  He doesn’t just lead me in the right way.  He doesn’t only lift me up, using the very tears of my suffering as a way out.  He even causes us to go from strength to strength until we appear before our Beautiful, Wonderful, Comforting God in Zion.  The highway leads Home!  Blessed Christmas.

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Joy to the World

Seasonal teaching
Dec 222010

Submitted by: Donna Castle

Fumbling in the dark to find a light, I grasp my travel alarm and hold it up to the glow from a nearby desk.  It’s 3:30 am and my heart is singing “Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!”  Why am I filled with joy at 3:30 am?  My Savior REIGNS and I have much for which to be thankful during this Advent season .

At the top of my “Be Thankful” list is that our entire family will be “home” for Christmas.  During the fall of 2008, one son and my husband deployed.  As we waited expectantly for their return, the Lord used Isaiah 41:31 to encourage us.  It reads, “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”  There were times when I had to let God carry me high above the situation and give me His perspective.  By God’s grace and mercy both have returned safely, yet I am very mindful of those who will not be celebrating Christ’s birth with their loved ones.  My heart goes out to you as I pray that you may be comforted by the love and strength of our Lord in this season.

We have a Christmas tradition of hanging twenty-five “count-down” stockings filled with treats.   As each day passes by, the stockings are a reminder that there are only a few days left before the children and grandchildren arrive.  As I busily prepare for their coming, the season of Advent reminds me that it is more important to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child.   We can look to the lyrics of the carol “Joy to the World” and receive some guidance.  “Let every heart prepare Him room.”  Make time daily, personally and as a family, with Jesus.  Search your heart and “No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground.”  Make your heart clean before the Lord and each other so that nothing would interfere as “He comes to make His blessings flow.”  Take heart. ”He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love.”

With your hearts prepared, may you loudly sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!  Let earth receive her King.”

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