peace

Finding Joy in Philippians

Jun 272011

Submitted by Rachel Spinuzzi

Have you ever had one of those seasons, the kind where you feel like there must be a target taped to your back? When you are trying to do all the right things, but you feel like Satan has your number on speed dial? That’s where I have been living this semester. In January I agreed to lead a small group Bible study on Philippians that was titled “Joy” and it seems like ever since then the joy stealers have been lining up. Stuff like the flu, strep, pneumonia, my 5-year-old cat dying of cancer, my 16-year-old cat wasting away and then also dying of cancer 2 months later, serious medical issues within our family, waiting on the ever lovely referral system in Tricare to find out just how serious things might be, and did I mention we’re moving?

God was not surprised about any of this.

When the results of the 5-year-old cat’s surgery were devastating, that shock made me realize once again about the frailty of this life. I started worrying what could happen to my family. Inoperable cancer could just as easily strike someone close to me. Fear set in cold and deep. Then news came just a couple of weeks later that my dear hubby might have a serious medical problem, but we had to wait on the system to find out what, if anything, was wrong. In Philippians it says to be anxious for nothing and to rejoice in the Lord always (4:4 and 4:6). The author of our study said that worry was a sin. Seriously? I am not cut out to be the perfect Christian who can live in this imperfect world, be subject to sin and death, and not be anxious. And moving, I am always apprehensive about moving. Lord, help my unbelief. Father, Healer, Comforter, help me, help us.

God’s word is helpful; it is His letter to us. Philippians is helpful; it points me to Jesus. Jesus is the true Savior, the humble servant, and the Holy One who has paid the ultimate price for me. I need to focus on Him, worship Him, compare my sufferings to His, and consider the work He has already accomplished. That gives me perspective. I need to continue to think about others and not just sink into my own little pity party (Phil 2:4). God saw fit to give me a neighbor who went through both a pet dying recently and a husband with a serious medical issue to walk beside me and encourage me. Thank you, Lord! He is our ever-faithful Provider and will supply our needs according to His riches (Phil 4:19).

I press on because I have not attained Christ’s likeness. I am FAR from it. I cannot obtain it on my own, but Christ has made me His own. He dwells in me and has promised to perfect me. When I am discouraged by my weaknesses, lack of faith, and worry habits, He reminds me that He will continue to bring the good work already started in me to completion (Phil 1:6). I try to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead. Our citizenship is in Heaven, until we get there things aren’t going to be pretty or perfect or easy. I can count on Him to strengthen me (Phil 4:13) until then.

In my effort to find peace and hope I must pray. I must rejoice in what the Lord has already done and will do in the future, rejoice in His Righteousness, rejoice in His victory, rest on His strength, take all my requests to Him, and count all the blessings He has given and continues to give so generously (Phil 4:4-7). Then I need to focus on things that are honorable, true, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent, keeping my eyes fixed on Heaven and the hope we have there (Phil 4:8).

(By the way, that big scary medical problem that I thought my husband had? It disappeared by the time we finally got the bigger better test. Either the problem was never there in the first place, or God healed my husband. So I really was anxious for nothing.)

Glory to God!

Rejoice!

Trust

Devotions

May 302011

Submitted by: Muriel Gregory

Self proclaimed prophet Harold Camping predicted that the rapture would happen on May 21, 2011. As I am writing this May 21st has come and gone and I am still here and since you are reading this you are still here too. The rapture did not happen or else we have done something terribly wrong. [insert smile] In Old Testament times, a prophet who made a false prophecy would be stoned to death. Given that option, I feel confident saying that most would pray and research scripture more before prophesying to the people.

So what went wrong with Harold Camping? Many things went wrong. First and foremost Jesus told us that we would not know the time or the hour of his second coming (Matthew 24:42). Second, he probably relied on his own understanding of the times (earthquakes, wars, tornadoes, etc…). The Bible is very clear on that and even warns us about it. Proverbs 3:5-6 says:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.”

This verse has given me peace at times when I had no peace and calmed my anxious thoughts. We do not know much and rarely understand what is going on around us but this much we know, trust in God and submit to Him and He will make your path straight. I do not know about you, but I do not need to know the hour of His coming as long as I know that He loves me so.

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.

Inner Stability

Devotions

Oct 252010

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39

Do you sometimes feel like there’s a cyclone spinning within you? How often do you lose your peace? Inner turmoil rises when our priorities get unbalanced and the things that matter most get the least amount of time.

When I feel frustration building, and I catch myself taking shallow breaths, it’s time to Stop. Breathe. Pray. Listen. I stop what I’m doing; take a few slow, deep breaths from my abdomen; pray for God to calm my heart and settle my mind; and listen to what the Spirit needs to tell me. Sometimes He brings to mind scriptures I’ve memorized.

I’ve learned to employ this four-step process when I feel unhinged. Then, I do what the Spirit leads me to do, or I finish the task at hand. It doesn’t matter where I am, who I’m with, or what I’m doing. It’s between me and God. And it’s a valuable exercise for maintaining peace and stability.

If I find that my frustration is based on poor priority management and an unrealistic schedule, then it’s time to sit down and get a reality check. What am I doing that I don’t really need to be doing? Which task is an assignment from the Lord and which isn’t? What am I doing that I want to do but don’t need to do now? What must be done now and what can wait until a later time? What needs to be a firm commitment and what can be flexible or optional? What matters to me the most?

Once I’ve answered those questions, then I do an honest assessment of my energy level. What are my limits? Am I working with them or against them? Am I allowing enough recuperation from my physical workout? From my mental work and my emotional expenditures? If not, my body will reveal the need to make changes, to cut out commitments, and to make room in my day for recovery.

I need time to rest my body and mind. I need time to process or journal what God is teaching me. I need to make room in my schedule to honor the needs of my God-given temple. Whether I’m engaged in physical, mental, or emotional activity, I need to give myself time and space to rejuvenate.

Each of us needs to discover what works. Sometimes it takes years of trial and error to acquire consistent balance; but what we learn from our self assessments along the way will reveal what’s realistic.

No matter what we include in our priority list, our Lord needs to remain number one. The first step toward establishing healthy priorities is to be still before God with an open heart and mind, ingesting His Word like food for our souls. This top priority lays a foundation of inner stability on which we build our lives.

You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them (Psalm 89:9).

Inner Stability

Devotions

Oct 252010

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm (Mark 4:39).

When I feel frustration building, and I catch myself taking shallow breaths, it’s time to Stop. Breathe. Pray. Listen. I stop what I’m doing; take a few slow, deep breaths from my abdomen; pray for God to calm my heart and settle my mind; and listen to what the Holy Spirit needs to tell me. He often uses scripture to remind me of God’s priorities when my foundation begins to crumble.

If I find that my frustration is based on poor priority management and an unrealistic schedule, then it’s time to sit down and get a reality check. What am I doing that I don’t really need to be doing? Which task is an assignment from the Lord and which isn’t? What am I doing that I want to do but don’t need to do? What must be done now and what can wait until a later time? What needs to be a firm commitment and what can be flexible or optional? What matters most?

I need time to rest my body and mind. I need to make room in my schedule to honor the needs of my God-given temple. Whether I’m engaged in physical, mental, or emotional activity, I need to give myself time and space to rejuvenate. And I need time to sit with God long enough to hear from Him and know what’s on His heart.

Each of us needs to discover what works in acquiring and maintaining inner stability. Sometimes it takes years of trial and error to figure it out. But what we learn from our honest self assessments along the way will reveal what genuinely fits who we are and what we need — not what someone else needs.

So, as I discover what works for me, and I sit down to determine my priorities, I need to seek God’s wisdom for what’s best at this time, in this circumstance, and in this season of my life. As long as I take time each day to be still before Him with an open heart and mind, ingesting His Word like food for my soul, and implementing the priorities He sets without adding things, I will build a solid foundation on which I can establish inner stability for life. Will you join me in this endeavor?

You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them (Psalm 89:9).

Prayer for August 8-14

Prayer Points

Aug 062010

We agree together that God has given us different types of leaders to build us up and train us. We call forth these leadership gifts in our body. We ask for God’s favor, protection, wisdom, and peace to guard leaders. We pray they would be strengthened in their responsibilities to equip us. We pray for unity in our faith and in the knowledge of Jesus. We pray that we would each grow and mature and that we would know the truth and speak it in love. We pray we would become more and more like Jesus, the head of us all. Help each of us to learn and do our special part so that we can help each part of our wonderful ministry to grow and be healthy and full of love. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Ephesians 4:11-16

“Flying is for the Birds!” (Empty Nest Syndrome)

Devotions

Jun 282010

Submitted by Kimchi Blow

Train a Child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart form it.
Proverbs 22:6

Most birds can’t fly until their muscle structure has had time to develop completely. In the meantime, the nest becomes their entire world. Baby birds generally develop a psychological dependence which must be overcome. Their parents begin to teach their babies the importance of flying by remaining a short distance away from the nest during feeding. If the young birds are to survive, they must step away from the nest. More than likely, this means a few hard falls to the ground followed by a long trip back to the safety of the nest where the parents are there for security and more lessons to follow.

Eventually, all of this practice does teach the hatchling about the mechanics of flight. Falls to the ground become less and less as the hatchling learns to stretch its wings to eventually fly. Bird parents continue to encourage their offspring to leave the nest for longer periods of time. Some species actually adopt a tough love policy, leaving the fledglings alone to develop their own flying instincts.

There is something to be considered about the process of Mother Nature and birds learning to fly. As human parents we can definitely relate to the progression ourselves. Recently, my oldest daughter left the nest to go live with her father. It was much sooner than I had anticipated but at the same time, I knew it was the right thing for her to do. The day she left was like going through a slow torture in my heart. My emotions were all over the place. Anxiety, doubt, fear, sadness, and hope were just some. It took everything I had that day to put her on a one way ticket to Illinois, but somehow it happened.

At the airport, I kept seeing little girls with their mothers. The memories of her being a toddler came flooding back to me. The question I kept asking myself was, “Where did the time go?”Sixteen years have come and gone! It just didn’t seem possible that she would be graduating in another year and without me to guide her through her senior year. She was supposed to be with me but as circumstances would have it, my plans were not to be.

The airport speaker announced her flight number and the dreaded boarding call began. I just wanted to keep looking at her, studying every detail on her face, as I did when I first brought her home from the hospital. Not believing that she was truly all mine! There we stood, myself holding back the tears and choking back the fear of letting go. She then reached over and comforted me and asked, “You okay?” I wanted to scream, “No, I am not!” Because the truth was, I wasn’t! My life was changing quickly before me and I couldn’t control it but somehow I had to accept it and embrace it! But, why? Ironically, it was the same question that she would ask me when things in her life where not going as planned.

So, why do we have to let go and let God at times? Why do we have to learn to trust Him with the issues of our hearts? Why do we have to let our children go one day? All of these questions are certainly pertinent, but are there any real answers? I think I could probably spend a life time trying to figure out the “whys” but instead I would rather just let God deal in that area. My human mind can’t even begin to fully know and understand the deep wells of our hearts and how life somehow flows through each pumping vessel, giving us all the complex emotions that make us human.

It has been only a week now since that emotional farewell. I have had moments of peace and comfort and moments of complete grief. Mostly though, I am just walking through the process that thousand of parents go through when rearing children, the letting go part. That is in fact the ultimate goal, isn’t it? From their birth to the point they leave the nest, it is about getting them to that place of independence. Who knew it would hurt as much as it does? I remember leaving home myself as a young adult. There was a sense of adventure and independence I was gaining. I had a “Nothing can stop me now!” attitude. Not once, did I ever stop to think about what my parents could be possibly feeling. As life would have it, here I stand as a rite of passage if you will, a parent, experiencing the cycle of life.

Looking back on my children’s childhood I am grateful that I have had so many wonderful times and precious memories. I still have 3 at home and lucky me, I get to do this again! Each one of my children is so unique and holds promises of exciting things ahead. It is a blessing to witness daily the miracle of life through them. Children in the end are the biggest teachers aren’t they? They have taught me a lot about life and myself, my strengths and more so my weaknesses. I am grateful for the lessons learned and the ones to come.

I know it has only been a short time since I have entered into this new chapter as a parent, but I am facing it like I try to face most things, with vigor and perseverance. My daughter will be back one day and I am looking forward to the new role I will play in her life. I am still her mother, but there is another level of intimacy still to experience. I may not be there for her every heart break or to greet her in the morning before her day begins, but I believe I am with her where it counts the most, in her heart and mind.

The Word of God tells us to train a child in the way they should go, and they shall not depart from it.(Proverbs 22:6) By faith, I have to believe that I did the best I could with the time I was given and hopefully with all my children. I am sure there will be days she will feel lonely in life and maybe even hopeless, but my prayer is that the she will remember what her mother did in her times of trial. She cried out to the Lord! As parents, we only want to see our children prosper. We want to see them be the people God created them to be. Sometimes that may not look like what we had planned but again, we have to trust the greater parent at work here, the Heavenly One.

God knows their end from their beginning. He had my children in mind before the foundations of this world were ever set in place. He loves them more then I could even dare to imagine to. In the end, they were a loan from Him, the investment was high but I know the dividends will pay off later. Like life, parenting is a journey with many twists and turns and sometimes even hidden detours, but we can be assured that the journey is worth it. Be assured of this, one day when the time comes for your child or children to get on that airplane, you know they will fly!

Journey of Transformation, Part 20

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

Apr 292010

The Wait Ends

The lab results finally came and they were normal. Soon morphine infused into my IV would provide relief. But the pain got so far ahead of me that two milligrams did nothing to ease it. Four milligrams didn’t work. Six milligrams helped. I had a total of eight. I knew that amount would make me sick.

To the nurse standing next to my lovely black plastic bed I said, “I think I’ll need an anti-nausea medication.” What did he say? “Okay. Let me know if you think you’re gonna throw up.” Then he departed.

Possible responses swirled around my brain with nowhere to land. This is what I should have said: “Okay, no problem. At the moment I sense I’m going to hurl I’ll jump off this bed and go on a nurse hunt. I’m sure I’ll find you in time for you to gather the supplies, get the doctor’s permission, accompany me back to the bed, and inject the medication into my IV. By then the nausea will have subsided and all will be well. I’m sure that’s how this will go down.”

Moments later it all came up. A big splash of water and morphine erupted from my stomach. It landed on the black plastic bed. Since there was no food in my stomach it wasn’t as miserable as barfing after a big meal. Even so, a technician had to clean it up. She was lucky it was fluid, not chunks.

Forgive my sarcasm. I have a hard time with stupidity. Comedian Bill Engvall has it right when he says, “Here’s your sign.” Sometimes people say and do things that just don’t make any sense. Excuse me but vomit won’t wait. When the stomach is ready to expel its contents you don’t have a choice but to let her rip. Any nurse ought to know that.

After my episode of expulsion I understood firsthand why the beds were covered with thick black plastic and not lovely linens. Someone would end up doing a lot of laundry, and who has time for laundry when they’re busy saving lives and killing pain? And at last my pain was killed. There’s nothing like relief from prolonged severe pain.

God can do that in our hearts and souls. He has a way of easing intense heartache so we don’t slide into despair. I would experience this in years to come. For now — October 2001 — I had to tend to my thumb.

Had I been able to see the future this trip to the ER would have seemed like a trip to Disneyland. The worst phase of my transformational journey was on its way.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES:

We live in a desperately broken world. It’s easy to lose hope and enter periods of grief at every turn if we let ourselves. Our only true hope is found in Jesus Christ who has warned us of trials and tribulations, but who also has overcome them — I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

When I feel overcome by suffering or grief, or I’m angry at God, or I don’t feel like praying, I force myself to grab my Bible and open to the Psalms. Supernaturally, as I read, I feel the tension in my body subside and God’s indescribable peace soothes me. Some of my favorites: Psalm 10, 18, 25, 27, 31, 35, 37, 40, 41, 55-57, 91, 103, 139-145. Dive in to the book of Psalms this week and let the Holy Spirit soothe your soul with His peace.

____________________________

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

Peace in the Crazies

Real life stories, Testimonies

Jan 152010

Submitted by: Mary Heller, Spiritual Life VP, Ft. Meade, MD

We have all had one of “those” days. I tend to have 3-7 of them in any given week! While in conversation on a phone, balanced between my ear and my shoulder, I’m answering an email and a Facebook instant-message (IM) on the computer – all while finishing a conversation with someone at the front door. The baby begins repeating the word “Up!” while proceeding to climb on me (not only on to my lap – Oh, no!) She is progressing up my chest. Then I smell… IT! (ewww) Meanwhile the cell phone begins ‘ringing’ my favorite song – rather LOUDLY. Oh, the poor person trying to have a civil conversation with me over the phone! I ask my older son to take my preschooler down from the chandelier, as I continue trying to talk on both phones at the same time. The newest call is the school nurse telling me that my younger son is in her office and his diabetes measure is not good again; still. That finished, I return my attention to the baby as I don the gas mask & giant rubber gloves so as to attack the diaper situation. Suddenly, I realize that I can’t find the dresser “key” to open the drawers and get fresh – very needed – baby clothes out. I sound quite a bit like Darth Vader (talking through the gas mask) as I continue conversing with my oh-so-patient PWOC sister on the phone. Then the fire alarm goes off – darn toaster oven! Glancing at the clock, I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry as I notice the time: 9am.

Exaggeration? Ok, maybe my daughter swinging from the chandelier is a slight (yes, slight) exaggeration. She hasn’t gotten much higher than the top drawer of the tallest dresser. Later the same day I note (on my Facebook page on the internet) that I need to write this devotion and am encouraged when someone says, “You should write about God’s peace in the midst of the crazies. You’d be really good at that.” Really? Wow. You go God!

So what is peace? Peace, in Hebrew, meant “Wholeness, health, safety.” Interesting. I offer a humorous glimpse into my life knowing, however, that not all of life’s crazies are funny. There are a variety of crazies being experienced all around us. There are family crazies; health crazies; stage of life crazies; seasonal crazies; military crazies. These crazies do not leave us feeling whole, healthy or safe in the moment.

Paul, the self-described apostle to the gentiles said, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9)

He started with “rejoice,” which in the Greek includes ‘to be full of cheer, that is, calmly happy or well off’. Wow. Paul starts us off with a calm chorus of the great old hymn “It is Well With My Soul.” This rejoicing is not a wonderful emotional feeling. It is a calm, quiet, well state of being. Next he tells us not to worry. Paul’s personal experience with crazy suffering through beatings, starvation and imprisonment; offers three ways to avoid worry.

First, prayer. Tell God. Tell Jesus. Jesus “is a man of sorrow; a man well acquainted with grief.” (Is 53:3a) He understands. He cares. He wants to hear.

Secondly, thanksgiving. Thanksgiving looks back to what God did before. Thanksgiving says, “I have seen God provide and do this, that and the other thing. Therefore, I know that He will hear my prayer and will help with this situation.” Thanksgiving states what we’ve seen – to find vision to move forward. Finally, Paul breaks it down in no uncertain terms: focus. Peace comes in “taking our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5) by keeping our focus on the positive and dwelling on these things. In this focus is thanksgiving that says, “Even if I feel broken, unhealthy or unsafe in this moment I have hope. I know that the God of Peace is with me and will make me whole, healthy and safe- though I don’t see or feel it now.”

So, whatever crazies you’re dealing with right now – be it illness, deployment, relocation, retirement, new family member, finances, parenting, marriage or just trying not to accidentally pour the coffee into the sippie cup while flavoring your coffee with formula – remember: Peace is not a feeling. Peace is a choice. Peace is a series of decisions resulting in a state of being. Peace is a hope that looks back to a man suffering on a cross, hearing Him say, “It is finished,” just before committing His spirit into the Father’s hand; beside us to see the God of Peace who walks with us; ahead to see peace fulfilled.

President's Pen

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

Older Entries

PWOC International Blog

Finding Joy in Philippians

Trust

The Day When Righteousness Kissed Peace

Inner Stability

Inner Stability

Prayer for August 8-14

“Flying is for the Birds!” (Empty Nest Syndrome)

Journey of Transformation, Part 20

The Wait Ends

Peace in the Crazies

Peace

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