Seasonal teaching » PWOC International Blog

The Sweetest Story Ever Told

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”).

PDF

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.

PDF

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

PDF

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.

PDF

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.”

PDF

The Free Gift of God is Eternal Life

regional review, Seasonal teaching

Dec 212010

Submitted by Diane Hall- Southeast Region President

Each person is in a position of leadership. Some in a formal position within PWOC, others as parents and all believers are as witnesses for Christ. How do you view those you have influence over? God showed me His view of them through my Regional PWOC board.

In January of 2010 I was hosting the first board meeting for our region. I am not creative. Nevertheless, I needed to create a warm atmosphere in the meeting room to set the tone for the next two years. Since I lacked direction, I headed out to one of our many craft stores for a bit of inspiration.

I aimlessly walked up and down each aisle, praying that God would supernaturally make something jump off the shelves. Nothing jumped and nothing was in my cart as I came around to last two rows. The feeling of uncertainty was overwhelming!

There on the bottom shelf of the last row were gift boxes. A white box made of Paper Mache jumped at me. I thought, “A HA! The women on my board are a gift from God.” I collected the box, a roll of black ribbon and assorted black metal letters to represent each board member.

God showed me that each board member was a gift from Him to me. Although I didn’t know some the women, He had chosen each of them for His purposes and that I was to rejoice because, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17) During the meeting I explained the box and handed out each woman’s initial. I left the lid partly open and placed a cross inside the box. This represented that salvation in Christ is the greatest gift that we can offer to the women of our region.

God continues to bless me with the gift of the SE Region Board and our mission is to make the gift of Christ available to the women we serve!

Rom 6:23 …but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

PDF

The Day When Righteousness Kissed Peace

Seasonal teaching

Dec 202010

Submitted by Rhonda Mixon, PWOCI Titus II Advisor

There is much discussion among theologians concerning the exact date that Jesus Christ was born. It is human nature to attempt validation of a historical event. Perhaps we should remain more focused on the fact that without Jesus’ death, there would be no focus on His birth. Jesus Christ died for all, God made Him “who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (II Corinthians 5:15-21). God made a way through the birth of His son, Jesus, to create a pathway of righteousness for us and to reconcile us to Himself. The ‘Prince of Peace’ is our righteousness; “righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18). In a world of uncertainty and confusion, we can be partakers of the fruits of His righteousness and thus receive the beauty of His peace. As prophesied, the heavens declared it on that faithful night that a “Babe would be found wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger”. A multitude of angelic host praised God, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14).

On this day, when righteousness and peace kissed, it became possible for the peace of God to rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). On a daily basis, what does this mean to have the peace of God to rule in our hearts? First, it means this peace with God is only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-2). This truth of forgiveness of our sin graces us with the ability to be reconciled before God. Second, through the beauty of this reconciliation, we become ‘ministers of reconciliation’; forgiving others for their trespasses against us. Righteousness and peace exist together! As a ‘new creature’ in Christ, both attributes have to be vitally at work in the life of the believer. Third, when we are filled with the fruits of His righteousness, we are able to sow in peace ( Philippians 1:11). As Jesus prepared to depart from this earth, He shared that God would send ‘the Helper’, the Holy Spirit to teach all things and bring remembrance of the things Jesus spoke. He stated, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you”(John 14:26-27). We have the fruit of His Holy Spirit to bless us with God’s promise of His righteousness and His Peace.

PDF

Joy and Music

Seasonal teaching, Testimonies

Dec 172010

Submitted by: Becky Shirey, PWOCI Titus II advisor

The Christmas season arrives at our house with the iPod firmly secured in the speaker system, the sound set as loud as we can stand it and the strains of Handel’s Messiah reverberating throughout the house. And this usually happens way before the first ornament is hung.

Occasionally we change things up and listen to Young Messiah, a hip remix of the original work. This classic isn’t the only selection on our Christmas play list, but it’s the first. I’m not sure how our neighbors feel about this thunderous tradition, but it sure sets our family in a joyful mood.

Our tradition is biblical because Scriptures associate joy and music. A frequent word for “joy” in the Old Testament is rinnah, and means “a shout of rejoicing; shouting; loud cheering in triumph; singing.” It’s the word used in Habakuk 3:18: yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

James uses an equally expressive Greek word in James 5:13: Is any merry? let him sing psalms. The word translated “merry” describes a strong and growing passion about something. According to Greek scholar, Rick Renner, this verse can be rephrased this way:

“…Is there anyone among you who is so excited that he can hardly contain it and who feels as if he is about to burst with joy? If that person is so overjoyed and tickled that he can no longer restrain the happiness he feels, let him sing the song he feels in his heart.”

The compelling characteristic of joy is that it’s immune to circumstances. It has nothing to do with how much shopping I have left to do, the stress of Christmas visitors soon to arrive or the baking yet to be completed. In fact, I’ve noticed that sometimes I sing (or listen to music) because I’m joyful and other times, I’m joyful because I sing.

I can’t imagine that the angel chorus in Luke 1:13-14 was quiet and demure as they shouted, “Glory to God in the highest heaven…!” Their joyful expression was punctuated by exclamation points of praise. And as surely as their hallelujah song announced Christ’s first arrival our joyful song anticipates His return.

So whether your Christmas anthem is an old classic or a new song, or whether it’s loud or soft, I hope this season your heart and house will resound with joy and music.

PDF

Third Sunday of Advent: Rejoice!

Devotions, Seasonal teaching

Dec 142010

When is the last time you felt sheer joy? When is the last time you jumped up and down with delight or did a happy dance? Sometimes when I am really happy I kind of wiggle and bounce because I can’t contain it. When my first child was born, I was so overwhelmed with joy and exhaustion and could only utter “oh” over and over with tears running down my face. Now think about the last time you felt that way about our Lord.

He is the maker of the universe, of every tiny snowflake, of every blooming flower, of every sandy beach, and He placed the stars in the sky. He came to earth so He could save us from eternal darkness. He loves each and every one of us despite our faults. His love for us is wider, deeper, and longer that we could ever imagine. He forgets our sins when we confess them and repent. He is the giver of every perfect gift. He hears us every time we pray. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. And He is building a home for each of in heaven. These are just a few reasons to find joy in Him this Advent season.

Take some time this Christmas to really rejoice in the Lord, maybe even do a happy dance.

Isaiah 61:10
I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Habakkuk 3:18
Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

PDF

With Hope and Perseverance

Devotions, Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday, Seasonal teaching

Dec 032010

Submitted by: Jane Ahl, Assistant Conference Coordinator

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with god though our Lord Jesus Christ. Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produces perseverance; and perseverance, character and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Romans 5:1-5

Since the beginning of time, the children of Israel have looked forward to, with hope and perseverance, the coming of the Messiah. Prophets throughout the history of Israel spoke of his coming and what it would mean to the people. So Hebrew Literature, Music and ceremonies all gave indication of the hope they had in the coming Messiah.

Today we are not unlike the children of Israel. We face trials and tribulations like they did. For me, I face the unknown of the next duty station. The unknown of what war will bring to me as my husband and children go to serve their country. Will my children grow up to be Godly people? Will I be the women God has called me to be as a mother and a wife? When our Christian character goes through hardship, hope of receiving what God has promised grows stronger. We know that hope of great future blessings will not turn out to be false because the Holy Spirit gives lavish evidence in our hearts of God’s love for us. Now in James, it tells us to count it all joy when we face trials and tribulations. In Thessalonians, it tells us that even persecution will come. So we are to hold fast to the hope we have in Christ.

After Christ birth, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple e to be blessed. On the way they met Simian, who had always prayed and hoped to see the coming Messiah. He saw in Jesus the true and only hope for this world, the true Messiah. God answered Simian’s prayer by allowing him to see Jesus, the messiah of the world, before he went on to be with God.

So as we celebrate Christmas this year, and we go through the advent season, let us always remind ourselves that our hope is only in Christ, that not money, politics, medicine or anything will deliver our soul from despair, confusion, hatred, jealousy and strife. With Christ in our lives, and the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, our hope in Him will reign eternal.

May the Lord’s Glory reign in your lives not only in this Christmas season, but for eternity!

PDF

Older Entries Newer Entries

PWOC International Blog

The Sweetest Story Ever Told

Magical Moments

Merry Christmas!!

JOY

Joy to the World

The Free Gift of God is Eternal Life

The Day When Righteousness Kissed Peace

Joy and Music

Third Sunday of Advent: Rejoice!

With Hope and Perseverance

Connect

Archives

Links

Regions

Categories

May 2012
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
« Apr
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31