Practical encouragement based on the biblical principles of Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 for today's woman
Mentoring Moments for Christian Women
Women of God
"I am convinced that the influence of an army of godly women will be incalculable--in our homes, our churches, and our culture. Will you be one of those women?"--Nancy Leigh DeMoss
God of All Comfort
Kellie Renfroe
I was lying flat on my back staring at the ceiling. The hurt was so deep I
could not speak, even to pray. As I listened to music on a Christian radio
station all I could think was, "God, help me. You know the cry of my
heart without words."
The station's evening programming was a line-up of local pastors. If I
could have physically moved in my depression I would have changed the station or put in a
CD. The first pastor was Charles Stanley. He began to preach from a scripture
passage I did not recall-- even though I read the Bible daily. His sermon was "The God of all Comfort." I wept as he quoted,
"the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our
troubles."
In my pain I felt utterly alone. God was silent. I was beginning to wonder
what I had done wrong -- was it sin? Was my pain too much for God to deal with?
Then words of life-giving scripture were read to me. What had been words on a printed
page became life. I began to recognize God
moving in my life. I could sense His presence even if I did not hear His
voice. I understood -- He was with me and I was loved.
When the hurt is so deep that there are just no words, God is
there. Allow His Word to become rhema life in your heart. While grief is
painful, it is a journey we do not have to walk alone, Christ is with us. My
pain did not go away and the journey through grief was long. I still have
moments even now but what I am certain of is His love and compassion. I know
that I know that I know He loves me and was there with me then as He is with me
now. There comes a point in every believer's life when the words in
the Bible must move from head knowledge to the soul. Grief is often a catalyst
for God's truths to do just that. Remain teachable and allow the Holy
Spirit to bring alive God's Word in your life, even during times of grief.
God Knows Our Losses ~ Thelma Wells
Words of Comfort
Charles Stanley, from Stories of Comfort for a Healthy Soul,
Compiled by Christine M. Anderson
Suffering prepares us to comfort others. Words from smiling, indifferent
faces to wounded hearts mean little; but words from a fellow sufferer support and
uplift. Suffering removes artificial props of security and resets the stage of
our personal world with new dependence on Christ. We cannot change the
circumstance. We must trust God. As Jesus entrusted himself to the Father on the
torture--rack of the cross, so we too entrust ourselves to our Savior.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so
that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have
received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my
trust in you, O Lord. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my
soul." Psalm 143:8
99 Balloons
Testimony of a Godly Woman - Updated
In Testimony of a Godly Woman, Molly Evert shares candidly about her struggles as a headstrong wife who is learning, by God's grace, to be submissive. She opens up about being a sinner under constant scrutiny. How does a mother have an authentic testimony before her children, who are always with her, in victory and defeat? Listen to the new expanded Testimony of a Godly Wife and be encouraged that a wife and mother can impact her world for Christ through obedience to the Lord in her relationships.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body
you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NIV
I will listen to what God the Lord will say, he promises peace to his
people, his saints... Psalm 85:8
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will
be quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17
Consider the blameless, observe the upright, there is a future for the man
of peace. Psalms 37:37
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the
world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
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There Is Power In His Name
Lindsey Powell, age 11
My name is Lindsey Powell and I am 11 years-old. Back in June, my father
was diagnosed with "Diffuse Large B-cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma" which is cancer
in the lymph nodes. Through this experience, we have learned many things...what
stood out the most were the power of prayer along with the Lord's outstanding
faithfulness. After eight rounds of chemotherapy, the Lord has been faithful to
allow amazingly few side effects. At the end of the treatment, and after many
prayers by friends and family, a PET scan revealed my father was completely
cured! The journey we have traveled has inspired me to write the following
poem.
There Is Power In His Name
Although He died upon a cross,
It was our gain and yet His loss.
Our Lord almighty above all the rest,
This is His world and we're a guest.
Although we're special in our own way,
We must respect Him day by day.
Oh Savior, Lord, Oh God, we ask,
Please help us with every task.
Money, riches, and gold it's true,
Mean the least of things to You.
Oh Savior, Lord, amazing God,
You've made each fish from trout to cod.
I wish the world would stop one day,
And let our troubles melt away.
There is a place that I recall,
That has the world's best gift of all.
Above the clouds above the sea,
A mansion is waiting there for me.
This place is heaven can't you see,
God made this place for you and me!
********************
"The believing Christian has hope as he stands at the grave of a loved one
who is with the Lord, for he knows that the separation is not forever. It is a
glorious truth that those who are in Christ never see each other for the last
time." Billy Graham
Don't be ashamed of being shattered. God is looking for broken vessels like
you through whom he can showcase his splendor. Remember, when it comes to God's
grace, even broken cups can be filled to overflowing. Joni Eareckson Tada
********************
Finding A Mentor
Kellie Renfroe I was at Ace Hardware making copies with my 3-year-old, now 14-year-old, when an older lady asked what I was copying. She was waiting in line behind me with a large stack of papers. I explained I taught scrapbooking classes and my copies were for an upcoming class. She became excited and asked if I would teach her to scrapbook. I left Ace Hardware with a new customer; not realizing God had just answered a three-year-old prayer request.
Janice was my first official mentor. She came to my home every Thursday and led me in Kay Arthur's Precept upon Precept Bible studies. She encouraged me to pray and study the Word daily and, more importantly, she held me accountable.
I was not a new convert. I gave my heart to Jesus at 10 years old. When I left the workplace to stay at home with our first child my heart cry was to be used of God. Immediately I began praying for a mentor. I needed someone to show me how to be a godly wife, mother, and friend. For three years I prayed. Then I met Janice at the copy machine.
God has a way of introducing mentors into our lives in unexpected ways. I expected a woman to arrive on my doorstep and say, "God told me to mentor you." Instead, when I wasn't looking she appeared. I used to become frustrated when reading about the importance of mentors. I would think,'yes-- and where are they?' It is easier than one may think to find a mentor. Looking back mentors were all around me; I just did not recognize them.
Keep Your Eyes Open Finding a mentor is as easy as watching women at church and noticing their attitudes, behaviors, how they talk, and interact with others. I watch my pastor's wife, Gloria. She is a classy woman who does not speed through the church, hopping from one spot to the next. Gloria is interested in everyone. She also loves her family and is continually modeling examples of how to love and support her husband and children.
On the other end of the spectrum, notice behaviors you do not want to imitate. I saw a woman once yell at her husband in the church foyer because he had not picked up the children from the nursery. On another occasion I listened in shock as someone shared in a class of men and woman all the personal faults of her husband. Both situations are examples of how I do not want to treat my husband and children.
Use Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 to guide you, as you look for women who are living godly lives before you. Take note of godly behavior and keep in mind others are watching you too.
Is it My Responsibility? An age-old question is do I ask someone or do they ask me? Either way works, but keep in mind you are the one in need. Do not wait for someone to show up at your door--step out in faith and ask! Asking someone to mentor you is not a legally binding contract. Women tend to make the process harder than it has to be.
Some mentoring relationships, such as the one I had with Janice, may be formal. Most of the time, mentoring is done over a cup of coffee or on the phone. I remember when Loi and I first became friends. I would call and ask her cooking, gardening, decorating, child rearing, and laundry questions. Even over the phone Loi's enthusiasm and openness to share switched the light bulb on in my mind. It was Loi who encouraged me to call other women and "pick their brains" on a variety of topics.
What do you need to learn? Is it how to be a godly wife, mother, how to pray, to cook? The list goes on and on. Start with prayer, begin watching other women, and pick up the phone or send an email. Women are honored when asked their opinion. Call in advance and ask if you can speak with her concerning a particular issue and specify the length of time you would like to meet. Prepare a list of questions so you can learn all you can and not waste time. If you need to meet with her again, ask if it would be agreeable.
Remain Teachable When we remain teachable, no matter our age, God can move in amazing ways. Over the years I've come to learn that many of my problem areas can be attributed to wrong thinking. Having a teachable heart allows the Holy Spirit to work and bring to the surface areas that need to be addressed. Ask the Lord where you need to grow and allow Him to lead you to women to encourage and teach you. Author / speaker Ann Platz says, "If you're going to go where God's going to take you, you're going to need help." Recognize your need and pray for teaching and training in this area. Watch the Lord put just the right people in your path.
If you do not readily recognize a mentor, begin researching books on your subject of interest. When I was struggling with balance as a wife and mom, Elizabeth George became my mentor. Her books A Woman's High Calling and A Woman After God's Own Heart mentored me on the subjects of organization, prayer, and becoming a godly wife and mother. If your subject of interest is spiritual, use a concordance and begin looking up verses related to it for study.
Invest In Others As a woman of God commanded in Titus 2 to teach and train, step out in faith to invest in others. Elizabeth George accurately accessing the situation: there is someone older to learn from and someone younger to train. If you have felt the nervousness in the pit of your stomach when asking another woman if you can talk with her regarding a mentoring issue, then you know how other women are feeling too. We've all been there. It is time for those of us who have benefited from mentors to make ourselves available.
If your church has a mentoring program, consider getting involved. Another way to mentor in an informal setting is to be a friend. As you pray for women to mentor, the Lord will put them in your path. Just as you are watching out for your mentors, keep your eyes open for mentorees who can often be shy and unsure.
It's Our Call One thing is sure, as Christian women we are called to teach and train other women according to Titus 2. In our busy, transit society it can be difficult to make lasting connections. Let's set the example and slow down to notice those around us who may be in need of encouragement today. I'm thankful Janice noticed me that day in the copy store and tapped me on the shoulder.
"Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children." ~ Titus 2:3-4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Subscribe to Our New Blog! Subscribe to our new Mentoring Moments Chat for free at mentoringblog.mentoringmoments.net. You can receive real time blogs on a variety of subjects--everything from grocery shopping to godly marriages. Not only can you read the blogs, you are welcome to participate by replying with your comments, thoughts, suggestions, and even questions. Join the fun!
