Elizabeth George's Blog, page 7

God's Mercy

I love weddings! A wedding is a wonderful celebration of the union between husband and wife and the start of a new journey together. What a great time to reflect on the power of love!

Another event that leads me to celebrate love and the beginning of a new journey is Sunday night at our church. Why? Because that’s when our church baptizes new believers. It’s a blessing to hear the wonderful testimonies of those who have been delivered from darkness. It’s so inspiring to bask in the divine experiences of saved sinners giving thanks to God for His mercy and looking forward to eternity with Him.

1 Timothy 1:12-13 is like a comet streaking across a black sky at night, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”

Paul’s testimony of his salvation shows us the “glorious gospel of the blessed God”! We get to see Paul’s new journey in Christ compared to his old journey without the Messiah in his life. What a difference! I hope you’ve made the decision to follow Christ too.

Saved Sinners

As saved sinners, you can give thanks to God by celebrating and honoring your...

Salvation. Paul never “got over” his salvation, and neither should you! As you reflect back upon your own experience, what words from 1 Timothy 1:13-16 describe God’s work in your life? “Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”Strength. Paul thanked Jesus Christ for enabling him to be in the ministry (1 Timothy 1:12).Service. Christ not only saves us, but He strengthens and trains us for service, to share the gospel message with others.

Exceeding Grace

My heart overflows with gratitude to God and Christ Jesus. As Paul put it, “And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:14).

Paul tells us that God’s grace is “super abundant” and way more than adequate for all our sins. Why not do as Paul did? Why not make his response your response?

Give thanks to God for His mercy. Burst forth in a doxology—praising and expressing glory to God. Take the time to write it out your praise. And why not share it with others?

RESPOND:

Lord, thank You for Your sweet mercy. It has covered my sinful past and provided me with a new journey that ends in eternity with You. May my life be an example of Your saving grace and my deep gratitude. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

Embracing God's Grace focuses on Colossians and Philemon, helping readers strengthen their faith by discovering more about God and His principles. Working through 25 lessons, readers will better understand who Christ is and who they are in Him.

REFLECT:

Write out a doxology of your own, giving praise and thanks to God! Memorize this verse this week: “And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:14).

REMEMBER:

God’s grace is abundant and more than adequate for all our sins.

The Women at the Feet, the Cross, and the Tomb of Jesus

The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 is remarkable for many reasons. For starters, in that time and culture, it was uncommon for women to sit at the feet of a rabbi. Mary’s actions were a clear indicator that she desired to learn from Jesus. Then she “fell at his feet.” This action shows us that she recognized who Jesus is and chose to submit herself fully to His teaching and authority. It was an open act of worship. It was also the ultimate act of trust.

THE WOMEN AT HIS CROSS

When I need strength and courage, I remember the women at the cross and the tomb of Jesus. Whenever I read Mark, chapters 15 and 16, I’m always amazed that a small band of women stayed with our Lord to the very end, even after His closest disciples left!

These women stood near the cross through Jesus’ horrendous torture and suffering. But their devotion didn’t end with His death. They followed those who carried the Lord’s body to the tomb where He was placed.

THE WOMEN AT HIS TOMB

Their devotion didn’t end with His burial. They returned to their homes after the worst day of their lives and prepared for the Sabbath. And then, “When the Sabbath was past, [they] bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him” (Mark 16:1). Very early the next morning, after all the trauma of the crucifixion, they came to the tomb where Jesus’ body had been laid.

Our natural human tendency is to look for loopholes, to conjure up an excuse or reason that will get us out of having to show up or having to do something. These women left for the sepulcher not even knowing who would roll the huge stone away from the door of the tomb (verse 3). Next to this verse, I’ve written in my Bible, “They didn’t let a little thing like a massive stone keep them from going.”

Are you like these women? Do you serve faithfully in the midst of extreme difficulty—and to the end?

RESPOND:

Lord, thank you for the example of these women. May we also be so faithful. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

Start or end your day with these powerful one-minute reminders of God’s work in the lives of women in the Bible. You’ll find encouragement for your own faith journey as you meet the women of the Bible.

 

REFLECT:

What “stones” are in my life now? How can I be faithful in the face of those trials?

REMEMBER:

Whenever you want to take a shortcut or pass on something important or risky, remember the women at His feet, His cross, and His tomb.

The Message of the CROSS

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after the crucifixion on Good Friday. It is the most important date on the Christian calendar. The sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, the son of God, is beyond understanding even for some adults, but I determined to teach my girls in a way they would not only understand, but always remember.

“It’s time, girls! It’s Good Friday! Today is the day we bake our cross-shaped cookies for our neighbors. First we’ll mix the dough and roll it out. Then we’ll cut out the cookies with our cross cookie cutter. And after the cookies are baked, we’ll wrap up a plateful for each neighbor and decorate the package. Then when Dad gets home, we’ll deliver them together to our neighbors for Easter!”

“And don’t forget the cards, Mom,” either Katherine or Courtney would remind me, “The special cross-shaped Easter cards about the cross that we always sign and take with the cookies!”

For years this was the scene in our kitchen each Eastertime as my two daughters and I sought ways for our family to share the Easter message—the good news of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, the good news of Jesus’ triumph over sin and death, and the good news of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ—with our oh-so-needy neighbors.

Our cookie-cutter collection included the shapes of a baby chick, a bunny rabbit, and even an Easter egg. But we chose the cross. Why? Until my daughters “got it,” they invariably asked me this same question: “Why the cross? Why not the chick or the bunny or the egg?”

Always, and in the simplest of terms, using the acrostic C-R-O-S-S, I tried to answer this question in a way that would teach my girls the meaning of the cross, the longtime symbol of Christianity and the death of Jesus Christ.

CROSS ACRONYM

C–hrist, God-in-flesh, gave His life (Philippians 2:8) as a

R–ansom, a payment, for our sins (Matthew 20:28)

O–ffering up His life as a sinless sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14)

S–uffering unto death (Hebrews 12:2) to secure our

S–alvation from sin and death (Colossians 2:13-14).

REFLECT:

Have you embraced the Christ of the cross as your Savior?

Are you teaching your children about the cross? Are you reaching out to others with the message of the cross?

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, thank You for Your plan of redemption and sacrificial gift of Your Son. Help me be bold and wise in sharing about the cross of Christ. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

We’ve created a beautiful CROSS art print to help you share this message! Check out our CROSS acronym printable here.

REMEMBER:

In celebration of Easter, the Good News of the Cross of Christ is this: the good news of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, the good news of Jesus’ triumph over sin and death, and the good news of salvation and eternal life through Him.

Palm Sunday

Isaiah, one of the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, gave many predictions of the coming Messiah. God's plan of redemption is one that is likely familiar to you, as it is often quoted during the Christmas season:

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Though that is a well-known prophecy, there are many more that exemplify Jesus’ life and death. Isaiah uses the word servant several times to describe the nature of Jesus’ earthly ministry. He wrote:

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights!” and “Behold, My Servant…shall be exalted and extolled and be very high” (Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 52:13).

THE ULTIMATE SERVANT

During this Easter season as we focus on the cross of Christ, our attention is especially drawn to Jesus’ servanthood. He was the Son of God, yet He was the ultimate servant. Perhaps my favorite verse about our Lord is Matthew 20:28, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” One thing that touches my heart about this truth is that it is written in the book of Matthew—the gospel that most exalts Jesus as Messiah, the King!

THE SAVIOR

Let us take time this week to exalt King Jesus, our Savior, just as the crowds did as He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday:

“The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna! “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” The King of Israel!’” (John 12:13)

Serving was a strong quality for King Jesus—a priority and a way of life for Him. He spoke to this priority when He said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38). Lov­ing and serving God first is the most important thing a Christian can do.

As you consider the character quality of service, give praise to God that Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior of the world, came first as a lowly servant. Then open your heart and behold how the greatest man—and servant—who ever lived modeled what it means to serve and sacrifice.

RESPOND:

Dear God, thank You for King Jesus, who came as a servant! May I always be in awe and worship Him for His sacrifice. Thank You for saving me. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

This Easter printable is perfect to gift or display during the Easter season.

REFLECT:

As a believer in Christ, each and every day gives an opportunity to love the Lord with all your heart. As Easter approaches, take time to read the story of Jesus’ servanthood and sacrifice for you in Luke 22, 23, 24.

REMEMBER:

Christ the King came as the ultimate servant, to give His life for our salvation.

Sailing into God’s Plan

We don’t know her name, so let’s call her “Mrs. Noah.” She spent her days loving her husband, Noah, raising their three sons, and caring for their home. Daily life was simple, until the call came from the Lord, “I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you” (Genesis 6:18).

Grieved over the wickedness of mankind, God decided to destroy humans, the animals of the fields, and the birds of the air. Because Noah trusted and walked with God, God chose to save him and his family and told him to make an ark.

As Noah moved forward in obedience, Mrs. Noah may have mused, ”What can I do? How can I help my husband fulfill God’s plan?”

Pray. She could pray for mankind as God’s judgment loomed, for her husband as he served the Lord, and for her family to follow God.Encourage. Husbands thrive on their wives’ cheerful, hope-filled words of support. She could encourage Noah in his work.Believe. She may have wondered about the ark and the possibility of a flood, but she could choose to believe.Help. She could help with the animals and gather the food they would need for their mysterious voyage of faith.Follow. She could—by faith—follow her husband’s leading day by day (for 120 years, the 43,800 days it took to complete the ark!), right into the ark of salvation that transported her family into an unknown future.

How do you fare when it comes to following God’s plan for a wife? Are there any pitfalls in your mar­riage that may be directly attributed to neglecting to do things God’s way? Is there any tension caused by a failure to adhere to God’s recipe for a happy marriage, a recipe made up of prayer, encouragement, belief, and help?

Stop, pray, and revisit God’s blueprint. Refresh your commitment to actively follow His plan for your roles in your marriage. Your commitment to follow God’s plan for a wife makes a tremendous difference. How? It will make a difference in your communication as a couple, in your heart as love for your husband blossoms and abounds, and in the way you treat him with greater respect. It will also improve the climate of your marriage, paving the way for the two of you to dwell together in har­mony. When you and I are faithful to follow God’s plan for us, the possibilities are spectacular!

RESPOND:

Lord, thank you for the example of Noah’s wife. Help me to trust You and walk faithfully in my marriage. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

In A Woman’s Guide to Making Right Choices, Elizabeth George compiled guidelines for taking godly action, allowing women to make a true difference in managing their responsibilities. Learn more about this resource here. 

REFLECT:

How can I love and encourage my husband well today?

REMEMBER:

Your commitment to follow God’s plan for a wife makes a tremendous difference.

God Has a Plan for You

When something difficult happens in your life, are you ever tempted to ask, “What good could come out of this?” The event looks like a disaster. It feels like a disaster. Therefore, we quickly conclude, it is a disaster!

Comfort in the Chaos

Corrie ten Boom, a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II and a woman who desperately needed hope every minute of every day, made this statement, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” We often need this reminder... as did the Israelites when they were taken captive for seventy years.

To them, it may have appeared that God was finished with them. After all, He had allowed both their country to be destroyed and them to be sent into exile. This must have looked like a disaster! What good, they may have wondered, could come out of this?

God Won’t Forget You

But God did not forget His people who were suffering in Babylon. And, my friend, He won’t forget you! God had a beautiful plan to turn His people into a beautiful new people with a beautiful new purpose. He is the author of history—and your own story. You are part of His grand plan. “'I know the plan that I have for you,' declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 29:11). Because He knows the future and is present with you even now, you can have boundless hope.

Put God’s Powerful Promise to Work

Recall… God’s promises of hope when you are discouraged.Review… God’s words of hope.Resist… the temptation to give into hopelessness.Rely… on the God of hope and trust Him.Rejoice… and thank God that you are the recipient of His hope.

Finally, remember that no matter how bad things become, God has a good plan and He will be with you in every hour you’re in need.

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, thank You that you have a plan for my life, and remind me of that plan to fight against defeating thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES: 

This watercolor design is a perfect addition to any room, and a great reminder of God's continued presence. Purchase and download this print here.

REFLECT:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Recount God’s goodness in your life and the lives of those you love by making a list of His faithfulness.

REMEMBER:

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie ten Boom

Whatever is True: How to Live God's Plan for Your Busy Life

Too many times in the past I’ve told others “I’m fine” in order to hide my pain and sorrows from them. The truth is, my thoughts pulled me down so far that, in private, tears regularly streamed down my face.

Combating Negative Thoughts

Are you constantly thinking negative thoughts? Do you second-guess what others say? Do your thoughts lead you to anger or depression or any other destructive emotions? Being a woman after God’s own heart is all about “minding your mind.”

To live out God’s plan for your busy life with passion and purpose, you must harness the ten-thousand plus thoughts that pass through your mind each day. Your mind has to be disciplined for God’s purposes and for His glory. That is a tall challenge!

Choosing True Thoughts

In 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, the apostle Paul tells us: “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself…who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation…comfort your hearts.”

One way the Lord has comforted my heart is by bringing me back again and again to Philippians 4:8: “Whatever things are true…meditate on these things,” things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Read Philippians 4:8 again and again. Say it out loud over and over. Meditate on it.

Because of this verse, I make it a priority to think on the truth about God’s love and the truths found in His promises. They are constant and never fail.

We must learn to shift our focus away from trying situations, and instead train ourselves to dwell on what is true and real. Turn your thoughts and attention to God and His faithfulness, and trust Him to carry you through. Enjoy the everlasting consolation and comfort God offers to you.

RESPOND:

Lord, I need a change in my thought life. Thank You for Your instruction and for pointing out the gracious and godly things You desire me to think on. Help me renew my mind according to Your Word. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

Elizabeth George gives practical help for a closer walk with God in A Woman's Walk with God: Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit. Learn more about this resource here.

REFLECT:

The next time a negative thought arises in your mind, ask yourself*,* “Is this thought true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy?”

REMEMBER:

Saturate your mind with truths from God’s Word.

God’s Purpose is in the Present

As a young mother, I endeavored to “train a child in the way he should go,” so that “when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). A decade later, however, I wasn’t reaping the results I had expected. Angrily, I said to God, “But this isn’t the way it was supposed to be! This isn’t the way it went for this family here or that family over there. And this isn’t the way it was supposed to be for my family!”

Embrace God’s Presence

Like a little girl who doesn’t get what she wants, I threw a spiritual tantrum. I used all my time and energy to battle God. Then one day, I finally took a breath during my rantings to listen, and God seemed to say, “But, Elizabeth, this is the way it is. Now what are you going to do about the way it really is?” I realized I had to quit fussing, get up, and go on. I needed to embrace God’s presence for my present rather than denying the reality that was before me. After all, my denial wasn’t helping anything.

Because of my unmet expectations, and my longing for other results for my family, I was postponing any action. Because I didn’t like what was on my plate, I was failing to do anything to try to improve my actual situation and the circumstances surrounding my family. And as long as I had that attitude—as long as I didn’t accept reality—no progress or solution was possible.

I know now that I was not alone in the reality of these difficulties. Other people struggle—I know many women who refuse to face reality when it comes to their marriages or their children. It seems that our fantasies, expectations, and dreams about what family life will be are usually quite different from the truth.

What Does God Want Me To Pursue?

We are faced with a question. What does God want me to pursue as a solution, a remedy, a plan? Once we accept reality—the reality of the struggles with our children, the condition of our marriage, our family, our job, whatever—we can then use our time and energy to make that reality better.

The challenge is to accept what is real and acknowledge that God oversees every detail of your life (2 Timothy 1:9)—your marriage, your family, your relationships, your job, every situation and every circumstance. This knowl­edge will help you to act on what is true and real today (Philippians 4:8), rather than resent reality and idly wait for fantasies to magically materialize.

Beloved, with a heart full of faith and hope, with God by your side, and by His great grace, you can love Him…no matter what has—or is—happening to you.

RESPOND:

Lord, help me to face the trials in my life, taking action and relying on Your Presence to guide me. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

This printable is a great reminder for any adult or teen to cover every decision in prayer.

REFLECT:

What action are you postponing by denying the reality of a specific circumstance in your life?

REMEMBER:

God oversees every detail of your life—your marriage, your family, your relationships, your job, every situation and every circumstance.

Giving God Our Love

The promise of Romans 8:28 serves as a lens through which you and I can have a godly perspective on life, from birth to death:

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Become Faith-Oriented

Because of these words in Romans, you can know that our good God is working the miracle of using the bad—everything, from the most minor of incidents to the greatest of tragedies—for good. We can counting on the fact that the end of all things will be good, and that gives us hope. It can also help us to be faith-oriented—not feeling-oriented—about our present pain.

Feel­ings distort our vision. And today’s obstacles often prevent a hopeful and faith-filled view of the end. But by responding to God’s love, and by loving Him with all your mind and trusting in Him, you will be blessed with hope in His promise that He works in everything to bring about what is good.

Keep His Commandments

The words “to those who love God” are important because the promise of Romans 8:28 is not for everybody. It can be claimed only by those who love God. How do we show God our love for Him? Christ answered this question in just seven words: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Another ver­sion of the Bible succinctly says, “If you love me, obey me.”

It’s obvious that our love for God is measured by our obedience. So take a few minutes—now and regularly—to look at your life and evaluate how closely you are loving and fol­lowing God. When I do this, I take a pen and paper and run a check of the elements of my entire life. I ask myself, “Is there anything wrong in my relationship with God?” and I write down my answer.

I then ask the same question regarding my husband, my children, my parents, my in-laws, my siblings, my home, my spiritual and personal growth, my areas of service to the Lord, and my relation­ships with other people. I write down whatever comes to my mind and then have a time of prayer. I spend time asking God’s forgiveness for where I have been unloving, disobe­dient, or unfaithful. As 1 John 1:9 tells us, when­ever we confess our sins, our good God “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrigh­teousness.”

Examine Your Love Of Others

Take some time each day to mentally examine the priority areas of your life. Evaluate your relationship with God and with your family members, how things are at home, your spiritual growth, the challenges you face as you serve God, the demands of the workplace, and your involvement with people. Look for areas where you have not loved God and others well, and where you have not obeyed God and His Word. Then purpose to give God greater devotion and obedience…to love Him.

RESPOND:

Lord, thank you for loving me and forgiving my sins and shortcomings. Help me to grow in You through trials, and through honestly examining my heart and life. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES: 

This "Who I Am at Home" printable is a beautiful reminder to show God’s love to others in your home. Purchase for download here.

REFLECT:

What obstacles in life are serving as a reminder of your need for Christ and His love?

REMEMBER:

Look for areas where you have not obeyed God and His Word. Purpose to give God greater devotion, obedience, and love.

6 Ways to Become Beautiful in God's Eyes

If the Lord allows you to live to enjoy a long life, what do you want to have accomplished by the time you blow out the candles that represent 80, 90, or 100 years?

My friend, I’m praying right now that your answer to this crucial question will indicate your heartfelt desire to be a woman of character, a woman who is beautiful in God’s eyes!

Give It Time

How do you become a beautiful, godly woman, and a woman of strong, extraordinary character? In a word, time!

Time reading God’s Word—

Make daily time for reading God’s Word your highest priority. As you spend time studying God’s Word, His truth motivates you to live for His glory. He uses it to scrub away fears, laziness, and sinful ways. God uses His Word to transform you into a woman who reflects His beauty.

Time memorizing God’s Word—

Set up a plan for regularly memorizing Scripture. My own plan involves working on Scripture memory while I take my daily walk. The verses I memorize give me the mental and spiritual force I need to “climb” toward God’s kind of beauty.

Time with other women—

Surround yourself with women who encourage your spiritual growth (Titus 2:3). Find women who are committed to loving, encouraging, and praying for one another. Fellowship with these women will spur you on to be a beautiful woman of character.

Time reading biographies of God’s saints—

Time spent getting to know the great saints of the faith is time well spent. Being touched by the lives of God’s “army” of women gives me a fresh infusion of strength as I consider their physical strength and their mental endurance. Here are a few suggestions:

Amy Carmichael was a missionary to India who never took a furlough from ministry in her 55 years of serving.Elisabeth Elliot served as a jungle missionary, suffered the loss of one husband by martyrdom and another to a lingering cancer, and raised her daughter as a single mom.Edith Schaeffer forsook a life of comfort to forge a new ministry with her husband. She suffered persecution, a lack of medical care for her child with polio, and the death of her husband.Time over a lifetime—

We don’t need to be discouraged or feel overwhelmed by God’s standard for beauty because He gives us, day by day, a lifetime to reach it. Hear what Edith Schaeffer says about the Proverbs 31 woman: “Certainly all the admirable things written about this woman did not take place in one year. It seems to me it is a summary of the great diversity of accomplishments and results of her work and imagination and talents over a long period of time.”

As we try to live our life today as God wants us to live it, and as we cultivate the character qualities He says are beautiful, then we will be beautiful and wise today—and, in God’s hands, the tomorrows will take care of themselves.

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, Scripture tells us what true beauty is—to love and revere You. Help me be a woman of strong, godly character…a woman who is beautiful in Your eyes. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES: 

Enjoy this Beautiful in God’s Eyes printable to remind you of your beauty in Christ! Purchase here for download.

REFLECT:

How can I practically add Scripture memory to my life? Who can I turn to for support and fellowship as I seek grow spiritually?

REMEMBER:

“Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).