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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

Hope and Holiness: The Heart of Advent

Devotions, Seasonal teaching

Dec 072009

Submitted by Laura Miller, Yokota Japan

Hope and Holiness are the Heart of Advent. Advent derives from the Latin word ‘advenio’, which means “coming to”. Advent is a time in which Christians focus on Christ our King coming into the world. It is a tradition in some churches to celebrate advent with a lighting of advent candles. A purple or blue candle is lit the second week to symbolize the royalty of Jesus. As we prepare our hearts during the second week of advent for the celebration of His birth, may we reflect on the promises that God made to mankind and the Hope (blessed assurance) that these promises provide. Hope is grounded in His promises. He promised through the prophets that a Savior would come. Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, is that Savior. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The birth of Christ was God’s perfect plan from the beginning to come into the world to redeem man from sin that entered the world in the Garden of Eden. Titus 1:2 says, “a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” Faith in Jesus must be accompanied by repentance of sin. Acts 20:21 teaches, “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus”. Through faith, Christ dwells within us by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Christ in you, the Hope of Glory.” (Col. 1:27b)

Advent tells the story of two arrivals: the birth of Christ and his return. Christians should prepare their hearts for the advent of Jesus’ second coming, His glorious return. It has been 2000 years since Jesus was born. Many people may be wondering, where is he? When will he return? May we reflect on the promise Jesus made that He will ‘come again’ and that we will spend eternity with Him. Jesus promises in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” Jesus desires to return to a bride that is Holy, righteous, set apart and living for Him. It is Jesus who makes us righteous. It is the Holy Spirit dwelling within you that makes you Holy. It is His holiness. There is nothing we can do to attain holiness apart from Him. Luke 3:8 tells us that our lives should “produce fruit in keeping with repentance”. May we daily examine our lives for sin, spend time in the presence of our King in prayer and His word, and love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Hebrews 12:2 reads, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. He will refine us and make us Holy if we are His children. I Peter 1:16 commands, “for it is written, Be holy, because I am Holy.” The 2009/10 PWOCI theme verse is 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” God has chosen us to be His people. Let us be a Bride that is prepared for the Bridegroom. Maranatha, Come Lord (King) Jesus!!

Favorite time of the Year?

Bits & Pieces, Devotions, Seasonal teaching

Dec 042009

December 4, 2009
Submitted by: Angel Mansberger, PWOCI Assistant Training Coordinator

I have a confession. Christmas is not my favorite time of the year. Please, don’t misunderstand me. You will not hear me grumble, “Bah, Humbug.” It is just that Christmas is such a stressful time. Did I give the “right” gift? Did I remember to send cards to everyone I am supposed to? Is my house decorated properly? Will our Christmas savings be enough to ensure we stay debt free? So many things distract me from the true HOPE of Christmas. Instead of Christmas, I have learned I need to focus on ADVENT. Dictionary.com defines advent as (1) a coming into place, view or being; arrival; (2) the coming of Christ into the world; (3) the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed with the commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world; and (4) the Second Coming. Wow! Now, I CAN get excited about that!
As a child, Christmas was about the hope and excitement of the gifts I would find under the tree on December 25th. When I took ownership of my faith, Christmas became something fresh and new. I experienced a new HOPE! For me ADVENT represents the excitement of Psalm 130:5 which says, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His Word I put my hope.” Christmas may not be my favorite time of the year, but advent sure is! I pray you will discover a fresh hope during this season of advent.

For I know the Plans I have for You

Real life stories, Seasonal teaching, Testimonies

Dec 012009

Submitted by Amanda Villiers, PWOCI Administrative Coordinator

“…For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…” Jeremiah 29:11

This has always been one of my favorite scriptures… but, this particular truth has taken on new meaning for my family this year. We found out sometime this spring that my husband would be heading off for his 4^th deployment overseas. The thing that I struggled with the most was the fact my husband was going to be deployed with a “non-deployable” unit… Although we had hoped to be stable for 3 years before the army would again send him overseas… the Lord had other plans! From this scripture, I know the Lord wants me to prosper. I looked up various definitions of the word prosper and here is what I found it to mean; to thrive (more than just surviving), steadily grow (where He has called me), and undergo a transformation (through my circumstance). We may not always know why the Lord brings certain circumstances into our lives, we just need to trust that His plan is PERFECT! It also gives me peace knowing that in His infinite wisdom, He has the “big picture” in mind!

Where are you putting your trust, hope and confidence… is it in the world or your circumstance? How about your spouse or your kids, your physical health or your financial well-being? Make Christ your one HOPE and the one constant in your life…even in the ever changing military life! I encourage you to meditate on this scripture as well when the Lord calls you into a new season or unexpected change in your life!

Find rest, Oh my soul, in God alone; my hope (expectation in the KJV) comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:5-8 NIV

First Sunday of Advent: Our King is Coming!

Devotions, Seasonal teaching, Testimonies

Nov 302009

“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be constantly on the watch! Stay awake!…You do not know when the Master of the house is coming.’” Mark. 13:33

I had always wanted my solider husband, Don, to surprise me with a homecoming. While he was deployed to Iraq, he decided this would be the perfect opportunity to surprise me with his R&R. Now, I knew my man Don was coming home on R&R but I didn’t know when. I waited and watched for that three month deployment mark when I knew that R&Rs would begin. Each day I would awake with eager anticipation wondering if this would be the day my love came home to me.

Would this be the day I could hold him in my arms and tell him how much I loved him? Would this be the day that he would hold me in his arms and tell me everything was going to be ok? Would this be the day that those held back tears of anguish would all come flooding out now that I was secure in his arms? Would this be the day he would wipe away tears of relief and joy from my face? Would this be the day?

Those thoughts would soon be followed by thoughts of “if today is that day, will my love be honored with what he finds here in our home?” Will my husband be honored with the condition of the house? Will he be honored with the condition of my mind, my heart, and my body? Have I done the things that I know would bring him great joy and great honor? Really, I was asking myself if I was ready for today to be the day that my husband came for me.

As we go into this first week of advent, those same questions flood my heart again as I reminded to watch for Jesus, the coming King. We, promised bride of the King, should awake each day with eager anticipation wondering if this will be the day that our Savior, who loves us, will come to bring us home. Will this be the day that He holds us in His arms and wipes every tear from our eyes? Will this be the day we hear His voice with our ears as He proclaims His great love for us? Will this be the day?

Girlies, how much would if effect our thoughts, our emotions, and how we care for our bodies if throughout our days we asked ourselves, “will this be the day that I see Jesus face to face?” If this is that day, will we be ready?

Arise, oh, daughters of the King!

Arise, princesses of the Most High God!

Though we know not the day, we know that our King is coming!

Journey of Transformation, Part 1

Jesus Answers, Life Happens, Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies

Oct 222009

Cry of Desperation

As I walked around the apartment in Friedberg, Germany, I cried out to God to help me overcome damage from the past. Pacing back and forth, Bible in hand, I read Romans 12:2 aloud, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The year was 1999 and I had reached a point of desperation. Decades of dissatisfaction with myself brought personal interrogation: What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I be different? Why do I get so angry? Why am I so unhappy? Nine years earlier I was on a quest to get these questions answered with the help of a qualified Christian counselor, but I moved away and neglected to continue my quest. As a result, unresolved anger, bitterness and resentment took up residence in my soul. They enjoyed each other’s company like members of a sick, twisted, dysfunctional family. Their father, Satan, used them to full advantage.

The Enemy of my soul succeeded in rendering me depressed, unmotivated, insecure, confused, fragmented, and ineffective. This swirling brew of footholds trapped me in a pit of muck and mire. In Scripture, muck, or mud, and mire represent anything that entraps us like quicksand (Psalm 69:14). In my case, these footholds began developing early in life. An unhealthy, discouraging childhood shaped me into a miserable woman with no sense of self, no clear identity, no sense of purpose or value or worth. As more damage accumulated, the footholds became strongholds binding me in a straight jacket of lies and false beliefs. I believed I was unworthy, bad, wrong, inadequate, inferior, helpless and hopeless. My victim mentality gave Satan more power over me. The lies and false beliefs he planted in my brain affected every area of my life.

I needed help but didn’t know where to turn. Germany wasn’t exactly brimming with Christian counselors, and I didn’t feel comfortable going to a secular social worker or anyone in the military system. What would people think? Feeling isolated and alone, I continued down the path I’d been on – praying for God to deliver me while attempting to make changes in my own strength. My changes were false and temporary, directed from the outside in. I felt like some unknown force had a grip on me so powerful, so deeply rooted, that I couldn’t break free … no matter what I did.

My superficial attempts at behaving differently, changing my attitudes, and being more positive resulted in failure and frustration. Only Jesus, through the work of the Holy Spirit, had the power to transform me from the inside out. Fortunately, I was at the place where I acknowledged having a problem and I sought God’s deliverance. However, my approach and expectations were unrealistic. I didn’t just beg God to change me. I expected Him to reach down inside my soul and supernaturally pull out the strongholds. I wanted Him to heal me on the spot … or shortly after my pleading began. Yeah, right. He had a very different plan – a plan I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

TO BE CONTINUED …

Women of PWOC, stay connected! In the coming weeks I will continue sharing my Journey of Transformation from being wounded and angry to healed and thriving. My purpose in sharing this story is to glorify God, to show the truth about Him, to display His goodness and provision in the midst of suffering, and to give you hope. No matter where you find yourself at this time in your life be assured that God is trustworthy and faithful despite how you feel about Him. He does have good plans for you. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11).

LauraFirtko

“Life Happens – Jesus Answers” is a weekly column addressing the challenges we face in life, coupled with the presence and grace of Jesus, our One True Source of hope and peace. The column’s author, Laura Firtko, can be reached by email here: LifeHappens@pwoc.org

Prayer points for October 11-17

Prayer Points

Oct 162009

Fear Not!! Our VBS song this summer declared, “I will not, be afraid, though trouble’s out there, night and day. No I will not, be swamped with fear, because God is always, always, always….yeah… He’s always here.

In a season where cute pumpkins and happy hayrides sometimes get overshadowed by death, gore, and fear, God gives us a clear message of hope. He is with us, He loves us and He is personally involved in the details of our lives!!

Isaiah 43: 1-7

¹ But now, this is what the LORD says—
       he who created you, O Jacob,
       he who formed you, O Israel:
       “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
       I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

² When you pass through the waters,
       I will be with you;
       and when you pass through the rivers,
       they will not sweep over you.
       When you walk through the fire,
       you will not be burned;
       the flames will not set you ablaze.

³ For I am the LORD, your God,
       the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
       I give Egypt for your ransom,
       Cush and Seba in your stead.

⁴ Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
       and because I love you,
       I will give men in exchange for you,
       and people in exchange for your life.

⁵ Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.

⁶ I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
       and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
       Bring my sons from afar
       and my daughters from the ends of the earth-

⁷ everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”

Dear God, I praise you because you know my name. You not only formed me, but you called me by my name, and you even came looking for me and brought me back to you. You protect me in ways I don’t even know. When I go through hard times you not only know about it ahead of time, but you even walk through the difficulties with me. You don’t allow me to be destroyed. You restore my children. I am called by Your Name! You wanted me in your family. Help me to remember that you made, formed, and created me for your glory! Let my strengths bring you glory. Shine your light through the cracks in my life. God, my neighbor, my husband, my child, my friend needs to know your Name. Draw _______(insert name) to Yourself. You are good and kind. I love you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

To reach Dawn Kennedy please click here.

Prayer Points for September 27-October 3

Prayer Points

Sep 252009

The God of Hope Will Fill Us to Overflowing

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Dear God, We thank You for being so full of hope that you declare You are the “God of Hope”. Lord, help us to trust in You when storms come, when situations overwhelm and engulf us. Fill us with all joy and peace. Lord, help us to trust in You in all things so that our hope might overflow. Ignite hope in us by the power of Your precious Holy Spirit. Let us so overflow that our hope infects our hopeless friends and neighbors. God we cannot live perfect lives before them, but we can shine as beacons of hope to light the darkness. We don’t hope in situations. We hope in You! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayer Points September 20th-26th

Prayer Points

Sep 222009

Hope When The Enemy Seems to be Prospering

Although this scripture does not specifically mention hope, it is my favorite when I am discouraged by the world around me.

According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay,
      Fury to His adversaries,
      Recompense to His enemies;
      The coastlands He will fully repay.
      So shall they fear
      The name of the LORD from the west,
      And His glory from the rising of the sun;
      When the enemy comes in like a flood,
      The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
       “ The Redeemer will come to Zion,
      And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” says the LORD. Isaiah 59:18-20 (NKJV)

Dear Father, Thank you for taking care of us. Thank you that no enemy of yours goes unpunished. Lord, overturn unholy laws and decrees in our land. Send your righteous judgements to remove every obstacle to your love. Let our nation be once again overcome with the reverential awe of the Lord. Turn back the tide of lawlessness. God, the enemy has come in like a flood. Lift up a standard of holiness against Him. All of our HOPE is in You, our Redeemer. We turn back from our sin and turn to You. Save us and we will be saved. Heal us and we will be healed, Our Lord, Our Rock and Our Redeemer. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayer Points September 13-19

Prayer Points

Sep 182009

Hope in the Desert Place

Our God gives us beauty for ashes and the oil of joy instead of a spirit of despair. In the hard and desert places He woos us, speaks tenderly to us, and make our valleys of trouble into a door of hope.

”Therefore I am now going to allure her;
I will lead her into the desert
and speak tenderly to her.

There I will give her back her vineyards,
       and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
       There she will sing as in the days of her youth,
       as in the day she came up out of Egypt.

“In that day” declares the Lord, “you will call me my husband; you will no longer call me ‘my master’. Hosea 2:14-16

Dear Father, We thank you that during our hard times you do not leave us alone. We are comforted to know you lead us to the desert. We are never out there alone. Thank you for the tender, ind words you speak to us there. They are balm to our souls. Thank you for restoring our fruitfulness and for the beautiful paradox of making the valley of our trouble a door of hope instead. Fill our mouths with a New Song, a song of celebration and victory. Lord we no longer serve you as slaves, but partner with you as a team! What a strong, dear husband You are to your Bride. We love you so much. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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PWOC International Blog

Peace

Hope and Holiness: The Heart of Advent

Favorite time of the Year?

For I know the Plans I have for You

First Sunday of Advent: Our King is Coming!

Journey of Transformation, Part 1

Cry of Desperation

Prayer points for October 11-17

Isaiah 43: 1-7

Prayer Points for September 27-October 3

Prayer Points September 20th-26th

Prayer Points September 13-19

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