CPWOMEN'S BLOG: Your Irresistible Future with God by cb.cooksey

Go in confidence and grace—no rushing, no frantic escape.
    There’s no need to be anxious—the Eternal One goes before and behind you.
The God of Israel paves the way with assurance and strength.
    He watches your back.

Isaiah 52:12 (VOICE)

“Our yesterdays present irreparable things to us; it is true that we have lost opportunities which will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ. Leave the Irreparable Past in His hands, and step out into the Irresistible Future with Him.” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest (1956). Section “December 31″).

God is the God of your yesterdays, your todays, and your tomorrows. Often memories of the past keep you from fully experiencing God’s grace and joy for today. It’s possible that you are longing for days gone by because they were happier times (the good ‘ole days), or it could be that you are wallowing in the junkyard of past memories, allowing the blunders of the past to overshadow God’s blessing for today. In either case, you are stuck in the quicksand of yesterday, and you can’t move into the future that God has in store.

Just remember, that God’s got your back! He’s your rear guard, and His hand can reach back into your past and settle any claims against your conscience. He can use yesterday’s mistakes and turn them into today’s ministry of growth for your future. He has a grand plan for your life, so let the past rest in God’s sweet embrace. He’s paving the way ahead with assurance and strength, so step confidently into your irresistible future with Him! “And He will be leading you. He’ll be with you, and He’ll never fail you or abandon you. So don’t be afraid!” Deuteronomy 31:8 (VOICE)

 everyday encouragement by cbcooksey

Divine Mentor: Reading God's Word- Debbie McGrath

Rest - Genesis 2:3

Today is January 1, 2015 and as most daily bible reading plans start in Genesis 1&2.
Many of us can't count how many times we have read the entire book of Genesis and quit reading thru our bibles when we get to Numbers. This year, I have made a commitment to read thru God's Word as I have done the past several years.  There is nothing more rewarding than sitting at the feet of the Savior.  We live in a world full of chaos and uncertainty but when I breathe in God's word, I am reminded He sits on the throne and He is in control.

As I was mediating on the Word,  I got to Genesis 2:3 - I saw the word rested - God rested from all his work of creation.  And I thought - what does Rest mean to me?

How would I describe a perfect day of Rest?
                                Spending time in the Word of God.
                                Journaling thru God's Word.
                                Being refreshed and nourished by His Word.
                                Praying thru the scriptures.
                                Worshipping God thru scriptures and song.
                                Fellowshipping with other believers.

As I listed my perfect day of Rest - I long to be in the throne room of Heaven where I will experience eternal rest - Worshipping my Savior.

What would your perfect day of Rest look like??

The Divine Mentor Reading: It is not About Me! by Debbie McGrath

Today's Reading: Job 19, Mark 1 & 2

As you know in the book of Job - Job loses everything - family, friends, possessions and health.
But through it all - He never lost his faith.  Through the hardships and suffering he stayed focused on God.  Love what Job wrote in verse 25-27 -

 I know that my Redeemer lives

and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

And after my skin has been destroyed

yet in my flesh I will see God;

I myself will see him 

with my own eyes-I, and not another

How my heart years within me!

His focus was on God - not himself!  When you get to Mark 1- we are introduced to John the Baptist.

John was baptizing in the desert region and preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin.

In verse 7 He says: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.  He points others to Christ, not to Himself.

When I read these chapters, I am reminded of what Max Lucado wrote:

God does not exist to make a big deal out of us.

We exist to make a big deal out of Him.

It's not about you.

It's not about me. 

It's all about Him!

The Divine Mentor - Jeremiah the Prophet who never gave up! by Debbie McGrath

Our ladies class is using the Divine Mentor Plan to read thru the Bible.  We just finished the book of Jeremiah and there is so much to learn from this great prophet. 

Jeremiah is gone but the words he wrote are still with us.

One of my favorite verses: 
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flowers fade but the word of our God stands forever.

Jeremiah was a true prophet and he suffered persecution because of it.  He knew the greatest problem of Judah was it's sin. Today we believe our nation's greatest problem is unemployment, inflation, lack of defense, etc.  America's greatest problem - Sin.

Jeremiah did not give a surface, happy message.  He taught people so their hearts and minds would be transformed.

By human standards, Jeremiah's ministry was a dismal failure.  He preached for over 40 years and only a few believed.  He only had a few friends who stood with him and encouraged him.  Jeremiah may have thought he failed but God saw him a a faithful servant and that is all that really counts.  Jeremiah could have quit but he didn't.

I love this quote by Edman:  "IT'S ALWAYS TO SOON TO QUIT."

Jeremiah became like Jesus which is the greatest reward of ministry.

-Both 

were accused of being traitors

suffered physically

arrested, beaten and confined

wept over Jerusalem

rejected by their own families

misunderstood, rejected and lonely.

In the difficult times of life - Jeremiah was conformed to the image of Christ.

The same Lord who enabled Jeremiah enables us!!

Salvation = Jesus by Deena Serafin

Divine Mentor Reading

September 1:  Ezekiel 15-16; Psalm 70; Rev. 6

Salvation = Jesus

Ps. 70:4 "But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, 'Let God be exalted!'"

Salvation in Hebrew is yshuwah. Yeshuwa means "he will save". Yeshuwah - Jeshua - Jesus

Jesus is the only salvation- our only hope - our peace - my peace. He died for my sin -- my selfish, arrogant, demanding, self-absorbed sin. No one else could have done this for me. No one but my Yeshuwa , my Jeshua, my Jesus. 

Thank You, Father, for having a plan for my salvation before I even existed. Thank You, Jesus, for being my salvation. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for drawing me to Jesus. Thank You. Amen.

The Divine Mentor: Unraveling World by: Deena Serafin

August 21, 2014

Jeremiah 27:22  " 'They will be taken to Babylon, and there they will remain until the day I come for them,' declares the Lord. 'Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.' "

God tells His people in Jerusalem that it is HIS plan that they be captured and carried off to Babylon. They are not to fight back, nor are they to try to remain in Jerusalem. They are to go and to stay there until He comes for them and brings them back. 

It is difficult to look at our world and not believe we are rapidly approaching the end times. God's Word is complete and sufficient.  He was in control in 586 BC, and He is in control in 2014. Just as He kept His promise to bring His people back to Jerusalem, He will keep His promise to us to bring us home to Heaven.

I John 2:25  "And this is what He promised us, even eternal life."

Father, this world is out of control and getting worse. Keep me focused on loving, serving, and sharing You in this temporary world until You come for me and take me to my true home where I belong! Amen.

Do Not Be Afraid by Teresa Houle

Scripture: John 6:20 ..."I am here! Do not be afraid"

Observation: Jesus had just fed 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish and his disciples were waiting for him to come down from the hills. As darkness fell, they decided to get in the boat and head back to Capernaum when the sea grew very rough and they became afraid.

Application: This scripture was without a doubt a word from God today as I was extremely overwhelmed with anxiety as I prepared for my first day on the phones at my new job.  As I went for a run shortly after reading this scripture, a thought came to me of how Jesus must have felt as he anticipated being hung on the cross.  What I was facing was no where even close to comparison! I was reminded that God brought me to this job; therefore, He will equip me with the knowledge that I need to succeed in it and to not worry because He is with me every step of the way.

Prayer:  Dear God, thank you for speaking to me today and for reassuring me that you are with me always. That you for the opportunity to also share your words with a co-worker as well to help calm her nerves. Help me to continue to share you word with others. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.