Introducing the summer 2014 covergirl!

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I cry aloud to the Lord;
    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
I pour out before him my complaint;
    before him I tell my trouble.

When my spirit grows faint within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
    people have hidden a snare for me.
Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
    no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
    no one cares for my life.

I cry to you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,
    my portion in the land of the living.”

Listen to my cry,
    for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong for me.
Set me free from my prison,
    that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
    because of your goodness to me.

           ~ Psalm 142

     Psalm 142 was written by David while he hid in a cave from people who were chasing after him because they wanted to kill him. What is interesting to me is how relevant it is for girls.

     This prayer – this psalm – is offered today in honor of our cover girl. For her story. For the challenges she faced and overcame.
     Her paths were hidden with snares…girls calling her names, pressuring her to do things she didn’t want to do and be who she wasn’t meant to be.
     She was taken off guard. She felt alone. She thought she could handle anything that came, but when it came, it was harder than she anticipated.
     But she sought God. She prayed, not just for herself but for her tormentors. She knew she couldn’t do it alone. 
     And God was faithful. He set her free from the prison, and she praises His name, even still, as the godly gather around her. She reaches and teaches other girls about the faith that got her through, that rescued her from the cave.
     I first met our cover girl when we had a fashion show over a year ago, and even though she wasn’t very familiar with Mighty Strong Girls, she eagerly grabbed a microphone at the event to share her thoughts on why the ministry is so important for all girls. She got it — the purpose, the vision, the NEED. She is truly an amazing Mighty Strong Girl.
     She is determined. She is intelligent. She is compassionate. She is courageous. She is strong – like really strong physically because she spends hours and hours training for the Olympics. She is Tyler Lackland. 
     CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SUMMER 2014 COVERGIRL, AND TO ALL THE INSPIRING GIRLS WHOSE STORIES, PHOTOS, IDEAS AND CREATIVITY HELPED SHAPED THIS ISSUE OF MIGHTY STRONG GIRLS! 
      The magazine is on sale now at http://www.mightystronggirls.com/the-magazine.html. Print copies are $7, and digital versions are $1.49. If you know a board member, see us for a copy if you don't want to pay for shipping. And if you'd like to buy the magazine in bulk copies for churches or organizations, they are $5 each. Just call us at 217.801.7464 for more information!

Stop listening to your heart!

     Imagine your heart like a pitcher. You know, the kind you make tea or Kool-aid in. 
     Whatever ingredients you put in it, that determines the taste. No matter what you may want to taste or expect to taste, when a glass is put in front of it, what comes out of the pitcher is determined exactly by what you put in it.
     That's exactly what happens when you pour something into your heart. That's exactly why it's SO DANGEROUS to listen to your heart!
     Jeremiah 17:9 says:  The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

     When you pour hate in your heart, you will pour out hate on others — or even yourself. When you pour anger, resentment, fear, jealousy, pride, or bitterness on your heart, it will leak out somehow. Even if you try hard not to let it. 

     It makes me think of verses I heard in Sunday school from Genesis 4:6-7: Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

     What a scary thought? Sin is crouching at MY door and desires to HAVE me! I MUST master it!! 

     Whatever is causing you to put negative feelings in your heart, that's not from God. That comes from you, rooted in sin that you are responsible for mastering. Nobody else!

     Whether you are dealing with a boyfriend, gossip, bullies, your best friends, your siblings, it's so important that you MASTER YOUR EMOTIONS. Otherwise, they will rule over you. (You can learn more about this in the current issue of Mighty Strong Girls.)

     "But it feels right to be angry," you might say. Especially if it's a social injustice you are fired up about. And that's right, it's OK sometimes to be angry. 

     Before you soak your heart with the emotion, line it up with the one source of TRUTH you have been given from the Lord — His word. It is your guide for all the ingredients God desires for you to pour into your heart, so you can in turn pour it out onto others. 

     God isn't responsible for our hearts. We are. He offers us truth. We can find it in His word. 

     

Yesterday I encountered the devil on Facebook

Yesterday I was ridiculously close to pulling the plug on my Facebook account. I was literally holding my finger above the button on my phone that says "deactivate account." 

I love reading and sharing encouragement on Facebook. It's where I get a lot of my news through various news outlets and through organizations that I support and love. 

But the drama yesterday was. Killing. Me. 

It wasn't even overt. It was subtle jabs and innuendos at ordinary unnamed people through posts, links, blogs and comments. Oddly enough, I was barely even on Facebook yesterday. I was super swamped and only checked in a few times for mere minutes on my phone. 

Before you get to thinking it was all my teen girl friends stirring up drama, think again! It was pretty much limited to grown ups on my friends list and many of them fellow Christians. 

Here's the killer part though. Because the meanness was so subtle, every time I saw or read something, I began to wonder what I'd done to tick off someone. Did I need to repent? Had I stumbled? 

I think that's OK. It's alright to allow these kinds of things to be used in such a way — to reflect and ask God to show you where you've fallen short. 

But I was obsessing for some reason. It was like a poison running through my veins, this thought that I had tainted my image somehow. Do you see my sin through this? Do you recognize it? 

Suddenly I was more concerned with how others viewed me than how God views me. 

I was actually relieved when I opened my Bible this morning to the assigned reading in my church's daily Bible reading plan and read these words: 

From Psalm 56:2-4
"My slanderers pursue me all day long; 
many are attacking me in their pride. 
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. 
In God, whose word I praise, 
in God I trust; I will not be afraid. 
What can mortal man do to me?"

What an awesome reminder! Mortal man can do NOTHING to you! Mortal man holds no power over you. Satan may try to convince you otherwise. It's a lie, a trick. The devil doesn't need complicated schemes; he simply finds your weaknesses. In my case, he went straight for self doubt and pride. 

But the truth is this, from Psalm 56:13
"For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life." 

Jesus took my place on the cross so that I could hang up sin. What freedom! Satan has no power over me unless I am stumbling. Seeking Christ keeps me walking in the light! 

And even more importantly, our identities have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with how other people see us, even if someone is twisting your words, plotting against you and conspiring harm (from Psalm 56:5-6). 

Because, as you will read in Psalm 57:2, it's God who fulfills his purpose in us. Our identity is securely fixed in Him, and nobody can take that away when we are choosing Him daily. 

If you want a freedom like this, repent and seek Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the light! 

But to fully bathe in it, you need to seek Him continually. That's where He will meet you. He did this for me, today, reminding me of these important truths, and He will do it for you, too! 

Often, I'm asked how I know it's God speaking to me. It's easy to discern the Holy Spirit when there are too many coincidences to explain. The coincidences come from daily prayer and Bible reading, plus song and worship. That's where He speaks to me! How about you? When and how do you hear the voice of God? 

As for Facebook, I'm still there. I'm contemplating another fast from it. It's good to remind myself that I should seek God first! It was also a good reminder to watch my own posts, should they cause someone else to stumble. Just last week in frustration with someone (who is not a Facebook friend or even in my "network"), I posted elusively about a situation involving my daughter. God calls us to confront one another in love. Calling each other out through social media and Internet is NOT reflective of the love of Christ. I was wrong, and I apologize to my FB friends!

But what Satan intended for evil, God was capable of using to shape and mold me. Thanks, Father God, for a loving, teachable moment! 

Hugs, 
Amy

Day 37: What are you waiting for? Change the world!

Today's reading — Proverbs 26-27

One of the Mighty Strong Girls challenges is that you grow your faith in an environment that is FUN, healthy, authentic and true.

But sometimes change is hard, and always it requires a commitment.

Have you ever heard the saying, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results."

If your life feels crazy or out of control — perhaps a reflection of the world around you — then maybe you should first look to you. Be introspective and see what needs to be changed there first.

You see, dear girls, we FIRMLY believe God has given you unique, amazing gifts that you can use to change the world. But you can't do it without first stepping out in faith. Looking inward. Looking toward God. Operating outside your comfort zone. Doing things differently than the world does them. And listening for God's still small voice. All of this means doing things different, because after all, that's the ONLY way to get different (new and better, too!) results.

So what does this have to do with Proverbs 26-27? Today's verse is Proverbs 26:11 (one of my favorites):

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

So it seems God is the original author of this concept. Want different results? Stop repeating the same mistakes. There's freedom and beauty and strength in change.

{seeking what's new and different}
Amy

Day 33: Does God really CALL people to jobs?

Today's reading — Proverbs 21

One of my favorite books of 2012 was Richard Stern's "Hole in the Gospel." It tells his testimony of how he came to the helm of World Vision, and his fast-moving story had me twitching. 

God wanted him to give up his riches and position as a corporate CEO and oversee World Vision, a Christian organization that helps combat poverty and more. 

I used to wonder how people could say they were "called" to do something. It sounded like a nice word to persuade the rest of the world they had a personal relationship with the Lord. The Lord doesn't care enough about a person's job to "call" them there. Or. Does. He? 

I loved Stern's story because he dug his heels in. He did NOT want to take the job. He did not want to give up his comforts, and he didn't even think God was calling him even as the signs started to build up. 

But eventually it became too much. God's fingerprints were all over it. He WANTED Richard Sterns, and God would stop at nothing to prove it to him! 

Girls, I have attempted to resist God's subtle urgings in the past. He usually doesn't stop at one attempt. He's been so faithful to give me more than one sign to convince me of His will for me. 

That's why I loved verse 30 in today's reading: 

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. 

What He wants, He gets. And if it involves you, there's no tool at your disposal that could stop Him. And girls, would you really want to? 

He KNOWS best. And best of all, He knows you. Those special passions, gifts and desires in your heart, He will draw those out of you so you can do His work in His time.  

I know. Because He called me here. To Mighty Strong Girls. To use the best of what I have been gifted with to serve Him. And you. 

Sometimes it's scary. But all the time, it's a pleasure. It's part of my identity in Christ. And you have one, too, right now that will continue to grow and evolve and stretch your faith! It's that beautiful thing that makes you shine from the inside out; it's what makes you who you are; it starts and ends with Him!

{xoxo}
Amy

Day 32: How to give your friends more than they expect!

Today's reading — Proverbs 20

One of the wisest things I ever learned at photography seminars and workshops had nothing to do with how to make a photography technically better. It didn't have to do with Photoshop or even how to order or package deliveries. It had to do with relationships. 

Under-promise and over-deliver. A message that came up over and over again. Give your customers more than they expect!

Is that how our relationships should be, too? 

In today's reading, Proverbs 20:25 says, 

It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows. 

Have you ever done this? Made a promise to a friend or a boyfriend? You meant well at the time. It sounded good ... then. But reality set in and you couldn't deliver. 

I try hard to avoid this, but last year in the midst of a busier-than-usual season of life, I desperately wanted to help a friend with something I felt passionate about. She was on a tight deadline, however, that I knew I wouldn't be able to meet. And yet, I promised her I would. Because I wanted to. Even our best intentions cannot overcome the reality of our situations!

How much better would it be for our relationships if we didn't err in this way? If instead of promising anything, I just dove in to help if or when I was able? 

Carefully contemplate your commitments today. You will find when you put Jesus front and center, He will make more things possible for you than you ever thought you could do alone. And all those other things, you will be able to way over-deliver on! 

{seeking improved relationships}
Amy

Day 21: Watch out for slick promises by Folly

Today's reading — Proverbs 9

Two distinct types of people are compared here. Those who are wise (righteous) and those who mock (the dead). 

If you are wise, you will seek wisdom continually. You will not be offended by instruction. You will fear the Lord. You will be rewarded. You will receive eternal life. 

Read and reread verses 13-18. This is scary, isn't it? Folly is EVERYWHERE. It is our world — full of lots of promises of sweet water and delicious food. All clothed in the darkness of shame and death.  

If you are a mocker, you will fall for these shiny promises. You will trip over yourself to grab the bling that is dangled in front of you by "Folly." 

You get to decide.  If at this moment you feel "simple," you are being actively sought after by both types of people. You can be persuaded by either type of person. Make the right choice. Choose wisdom!

{xoxoxo}
Amy

Day 20: Wisdom and riches go hand-in-hand!

Today's reading — Proverbs 8

Girls...GET RICH!

This chapter is so RICH with promises. 

Verses 18, 19
With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. 

The "me" in verse 18 is wisdom. The riches, honor and wealth are not the riches our world values — gold and silver — it is actually BETTER than that! 

In fact, to seize these riches, you may actually have to choose WISDOM over silver and gold, from verse 10. But then in verse 11, we are told that NOTHING we desire can even compare to wisdom. 

That's a pretty awesome promise, don't you think? 

So how can you get wisdom? 

In verse 34, watch daily, wait for it. For when you find it, you will "find favor from the Lord." (verse 35) When you fail to find wisdom, you are only harming yourself. 

Girls, GET WISDOM and GET RICH! I'm ready to wrap myself up in this blessing. How 'bout you? 

{Hugs}
Amy

Resolve to trust God; commit to Him

By Morgan

New Year, new start, new goals. We all have things we want to accomplish in the New Year. Some people want to be happy, stop smoking/drinking, make relationships better, etc. What is your goal for the New Year?

I’ve always wondered what others made their resolutions to be. I’ve even wondered why resolutions and why not commitments? 

I have a friend who once told me that she doesn’t make resolutions. When I asked why, she replied, “Because I trust God enough not to make a resolution.” My whole outlook changed whenever I heard that.
       
This coming year, I’m going to make a commitment to God. I’m going to trust Him even when the tides come. I’m going to show others their true identity and beauty inside and out. God has a huge plan for me and every other Mighty Strong Girl out there. His love and guidance is the perfect gift for the New Year.
     
My commitment to God is to show others everyday how much their Heavenly Father loves them. Will you make it a commitment too?
     
In the most recent Mighty Strong Girls magazine, I read Lisa Rigoni's "Fit in His Foundation" column. It gave plenty of tools to reflect over 2012 and plan our future in 2013. I answered the questions her four main points asked and realized a lot about my faith and my walk with Christ. 

Even if we committed to doing something last year, God still gives us strength to make it a goal and try to finish it this year.  I really enjoyed her quote: “Life can change in a matter of seconds…take care of yours and thank God for it.” 

Day 19: Don't be a youth lacking judgment!

Today's reading — Proverbs 7

Before I started reading today's selection, I scanned it and noticed I had circled only one small part of this chapter.  A short section of verse 7: A youth who lacked judgment. 

Don't ask me why I had highlighted this. Maybe because it spoke to me. In my confusion as an adolescent, I questioned God. Then when I didn't get the answers I liked, I turned my back on him for nearly a decade. 

I would call that stupidity on my part (thank God for an all-loving, grace-filled Father!). Here, He calls this "simple." 

I'd like to point out that our Lord does not call youth simple. He says like a "youth who lacked judgment." Listen, it's common for your generation to make decisions without wisdom. Heck, people of all ages do this! 

There are a lot of reasons — peer pressure and lack of experience, feelings of immortality or lack of conviction are some that come to mind. But this does NOT have to be you. The beautiful thing about youth is that God has a special love for you that He declares many times in His word. Because your faith can be so pure and deep. 

How can you be in that category? How can you be the kind of teenager that even adults look up to and learn from? It's both the easiest and hardest thing of all. GET WISDOM! 

In verse 3, "Bind (God's commands) on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart." 

If you're bored today, do this literally. Write your favorite scripture citations on your fingers. Or like our blogger Morgan, scribble them on your shoes. 

Wisdom = reading, knowing and memorizing the word of God. 

When you do and the seductress/adulteress (don't take this literally...remember to insert whatever your temptation to sin is in place of this) comes, you will be able to avoid becoming her victim and having your heart turn to her ways, from verse 25. Avoid death and temptation....

GET WISDOM! 

{xoxoxo}
Amy

Day 18: Healing from the sometimes sting of friendships

Today's reading — Proverbs 6

There are many, many themes in this selection and lots of scripture that would make nice Post-it note reminders for you, Mighty Strong Girl!

For instance, the seven things detestable to the Lord could be a good moral compass and reminder to post in your room. From verses 17-19:

        haughty eyes,
        a lying tongue,
        hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸         a heart that devises wicked schemes,
        feet that are quick to rush into evil,
¹⁹         a false witness who pours out lies
        and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

I also love the visual that comes to mind with verses 20-22: 

My son, keep your father’s command
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
²¹ Bind them always on your heart;
    fasten them around your neck.
²² When you walk, they will guide you;
    when you sleep, they will watch over you;
    when you awake, they will speak to you.

But today I feel compelled to talk about the beginning of this chapter, because I think it's at the heart of relationships — all relationships.

Our tongues can really get us in trouble...a lot.

I have a dear friend who is reading a book called "Safe People," which sounds phenomenal. God is softening her heart, and she sent me an apology text this morning, saying she was sorry for not following through with commitments she's made to me.

Oddly enough, I didn't feel that way about her at all. She's always followed through on every commitment that she said YES to.

But I have had plenty of friends who don't. Friends who speak secrets about other friends behind their backs. Friends who gossip. Friends who have good intentions but over-commit and then hurt the ones they love. One of my best friends when I was in college was like this. I won't lie, it stung. And it makes me overly-cautious about investing in a friendship still, which isn't a good thing! Girls need good BFFs!

Maybe you've felt the sting of someone who has not followed through with a promise, from verse 1, or maybe you are that friend. Have you been trapped by what you've said, ensnared by your own words, as in verse 2?

In the next verse, we are told we need to free ourselves when we become ensnared. Plead our case, humble ourselves and make things right. How many of us get defensive instead or wallow in our own self-pity, making our friendships even more tense and untrue? How useful is this? We need to preserve our relationships with our sisters in Christ and not let these things come between us!

My friend was attempting to do this today, and it made me really think about my own commitments. Am I following through? Doing all I can? If not, who's suffering as a result? And how can I make it right? How can I avoid over-commiting and serve my God in a way that honors Him and makes the best use of His gifts for me?

It was a good reminder that we need to make commitments where our "yes" can be "yes" and our "no" can be "no." And we can feel good about our relationships in the process!

{Hugs}
Amy

Day 17: Watch your ways — put on display in the public square!

Today's reading — Proverbs 5

Don't look at this chapter "Warning Against Adultery" and make the wrong assumption that it's for a man who cheats on his wife. Oh, dear Mighty Strong Girl, this chapter is for you! And me! 

An adulteress is one who tempts you to do the impure. It doesn't even need to be sexual. What is tempting you? An impure movie? Lyrics full of adultery or idolatry? Romance novels? Premarital sex? Friends with benefits? 

Whatever it is, the warning here is clear. The temptation will sound good — full of honey, smooth. I remember the ways the boys were in high school; they sound real sweet and convincing sometimes, don't they? Movies and steaming novels, they seem innocent enough. It's fiction, right? Music lyrics....it's just a song. It doesn't mean anything, right? 

But the temptation can lead to "death." (verse 5) 

Check out also the consequences from verses 11-14. At the end of time, everyone will hear of the ruin you brought to yourself from the way you ignored warnings and refused obedience. And in verse 21, your ways are "in full view of the Lord." He sees. He knows! 

Further, in verses 15-17, think of your behavior, your choices to be on display — overflowing in public streets, in the public square, for all to see. And "drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. ...Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers." 

Don't be led astray, Mighty Strong Girls, by a temptation, full of honey or not! 

{Hugs}

Amy 

Day 16: Is your cost addiction, peers, eating disorders? Will you empty your pockets of it today?

Today's reading — Proverbs 4

In the last year, I craved — no, I NEEDED — a closeness to God. I promised I would follow Him, be obedient to Him no matter what! And because I'm a skeptic and a doubter by nature, I've always needed so much extra reassurance. I'm like the stubborn, strong-willed, bratty, needy, hard-to-raise kid! LOL! 

I acknowledged it. And then I worked to overcome it by stepping into His presence. Often, I had to leave the house, the community where I live, the county so I could connect with God and focus on hearing His will for me. Yes, it was hard, hard work! It does not always come easy, even if you have a history of obedience. There are times His voice seems distant and unclear. 

But here, in Proverbs 4, He makes a promise that He will guide us in the ways of wisdom and make sure we don't stumble and that our walk will not be hampered. (verses 11-13) "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life." 

Solomon writes that getting understanding and wisdom may cost us all we have (verse 7). Wow. That's lot, right? But our life is on the line, so is the cost too high? 

I think the cost is different for everyone. And "all we have" may not even be all the money in our pocket. Maybe the cost is giving up an addiction we cling to or a fear we can't turn over to God that's choking our faith. Or maybe the cost is giving up a friend or a group of friends because their influence is standing between you and God. 

What is the cost for you? Is it financial? Or is it your reputation? Will you not fit in with your peers if you seek God's wisdom? If that's what you invest in as the most important thing to you, than it will cost you indeed! What if the cost for you is recovering from an addiction — your phone, cutting, eating disorder, sex? Will you pay the price? 

Because the cost of not seeking wisdom is much higher. Death, destruction, violence, evil. 

It's clear from this chapter that we all have a choice to make. A path to travel on, a price to pay. Thanks be to God for the redemption that comes with the cost! If it were free, would it have any value? 

In verse 23, guard your heart above all for it is "the wellspring of life." 

How do we do all this? Fix our gazes straight ahead, verse 25; make level paths for our feet, verse 26; and DO NOT SWERVE, verse 27. 

It's worth it, Mighty Strong Girls, to pay a price for the path of righteousness! I pray you will not stumble! If you do, remember ours is a God of second chances. Don't look back, to the left or to the right, but get right back on the path and recommit yourself! You can do it!  

{Hugs}

Amy 

Day 15: Who needs jewels, gold and silver?

Today's reading — Proverbs 3

It's hard to unpack all the amazing promises, wisdom and counsel in this chapter alone! 

Some of the promises here: 
Health, wealth, favor with God and man, blessings, long life, riches. 

Of course, they don't just come automatically! You must seek wisdom, love and be faithful, TRUST THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, give to the Lord your firstfruits (tithes and offerings, a giving heart), preserve sound judgement and discernment. 

But there are warnings, too: 
Do not despise the Lord's discipline. Don't withhold from your neighbor in need when you have the means to help now. Do not accuse men for no reason or plot harm against your neighbor or envy a violent man (or mimic him). 

My Bible is marked up heavily in this chapter in pencil and different colors of ink. Different verses have more significance in different phases and chapters of my life. 

But my favorite by far that I think I'll write on my Post-It note today is this: 

13-15
Blessed is the woman who finds wisdom, the woman who gains understanding for wisdom is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 

I think that sums it all up rather well! I hope many of the verses in this chapter spoke to your heart!

{Hugs}

Amy 

Day 14: Seek a singing, happy soul!

Today's reading — Proverbs 2

Yesterday you learned why you need wisdom. Today's passage talks about what to do with it. In verse 2, don't just turn your ear to it, but apply your heart to understanding, "call out" and "cry out" for insight and understanding. 

What does that mean? 

Pray for God's knowledge. Seek HIM! He wants you to follow Him, and He promises to pour out knowledge and understanding when you do. In verse 7, he holds the "victory." He's a shield, a guard, a protector. 

The promise of wisdom, from verse 9, is that you will choose every good path, and in verse 10, your soul will sing! Doesn't that sound so very wonderful!

Girls, wisdom will "save you" from the wicked! (verse 12) For no matter how hard you may try, there will always be dark people, wicked men (substitute women, girls and boys) in this world. They love their dark ways, delight in their wickedness and rejoice in their devious and destructive ways. They DESIRE to lead you to death. Be aware. Be warned. 

But be protected. When you GET WISDOM! 

{Hugs}

Amy 

Day 10: Learning to be a wife who submits

Today's reading — Ephesians 5:22-32

This may be one of the most understood Biblical concepts. And it's one that kept me far away from Christianity for a long time. As a wife and as a woman, my God asks me to "submit" to my husband. 

I don't know about you, but to my teenage mind, that seemed archaic, ancient, outdated and just plain wrong. Totally unequal, right? 

Actually, it IS unequal. Like women and men are unequal. There, I said it. 

There is a feminism "camp" that would like you to think that women are equal to men. I used to buy that argument, too. 

But, by design, the genders are so different. Not just physically but emotionally and physiologically. Some women don't like it when you say that. As if it's a sign of weakness. When nothing could be further from the truth. 

The genders compliment one another, and the characteristics of women can make wonderful leaders. Are there things women can't do that men can? Certainly! 

Women are not as strong. When one of our freelance writers interviewed girls in Africa for a magazine article, one of the teenage girls said that women in her culture are expected to do the same physical work as men. Even though their bodies aren't designed for that work. It makes life hard when women must haul water, hoe the hard earth and crush rocks at a quarry just like a man. 

So what does that have to do with "submitting"? First, we already know we're supposed to love God, which means we must be obedient and trust him, too. 

And what does submitting mean exactly? It means — as in a corporation or organization — there can only be one leader. A company could not possibly have two presidents. It would never work. Likewise, a house with two leaders — and two totally different sets of rules — could not operate efficiently. 

A man is told to love his wife. We've talked about what it means to love someone. When you love them, you will do anything for them, including submitting. So husbands are also called to submit in ways, too. Men must also submit to the Lord. They are not exempt.

A wife is told to respect her husband. You see, that's because men and women are designed differently. Women love more naturally, and men respect more naturally. God is simply gently reminding us to be careful to do what our gender is not particularly inclined to do in a relationship. After all, He knows us best. He designed us, and He ought to know how to write an instruction manual that works. 

I trust Him. Do you?

{Hugs}

Amy 

Day 8: Be Renewed. There's Freedom There.

Today's reading — Ephesians 4:17-32

Lots of contrast in this selection. Reminds me of the small group study at church last night. We spoke of the lies of this world and read Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." 

Interesting, isn't it, that Money is capitalized here. The world is full of many lies that can be turned into our idols. I challenge you to journal how much time you spend each day on God and how much time you spend on the other things you desire — television, your phone, your car or four-wheeler, computer. Do they even compare? 

What happens when Money (or substitute your idol here) takes a higher position, takes authority over God in your life. There's a warning in this passage, in verse 19, "Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more." 

Our instructions here are clear. The old way, the unsaved version of you is no longer — it is corrupted by deceitful desires (the lies!). You are to put on the new you. The new you is created to be like God, holy and righteous and an all-new attitude in your mind. 

Read and reread the instructions from verse 29-32. Sisters, oh Mighty Strong Girls, it is God's desire for us — His very beloved — that unwholesome talk would not come out of our mouths, that we would only say those things that are useful for building others up, not according to your needs, but ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS. 

Do you fall short here? I know I do! I'm very good at building up those people when I have a vested interest. But what about when I don't? 

Here's the prescription, right out of verse 31-32: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Hard: Yes. Incredibly freeing and rewarding: Yes. Yes. YES!!!

Girls, this is what God wants for you. Follow the prescription and BE RENEWED!

{Hugs}

Amy 

Day 7: Taste the fruit of Christian sisterhood!

Today's reading — Ephesians 4:1-16

An oft-quoted section of the Bible is in this selection, or at least an oft-referred to concept. That is that we are all one part in the body of Christ. In verse 11, some are apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers. 

Together, we work to build up the body of Christ, from verse 12. 

How do we do this? 

As girls, sometimes we really struggle with this — the "together" part, that is. We bicker, we fight, we compete, we berate one another. Even the most righteous girls can struggle to work together toward one goal. 

But the bottom line is, we CAN work together as Christians. All of us. Using our gifts. To serve Him. Mighty Strong Girls has shown me this — for the more you lean on God, on the supernatural, on prayer and on making your will the will of God, the easier this becomes! Then we can sit back and enjoy the fruits of Christian sisterhood. And believe me when I say this fruit is SO SWEET and delightful! No experience compares to building up your sisters in Christ. You become more and can do more than you possibly could on your own!

Before you can taste this fruit, though, gather up some tools. Early on in this selection, before he mentions the one body of Christ, Paul writes that we must be "completely humble and gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love, from verse 2. We must be bonded in PEACE, dear Mighty Strong Girl sisters! As believers, it's essential that we are unified. 

Grab your tools and get ready to sample the fruit!

{Hugs}

Amy

Day 6: Get wisdom, riches, love, power, knowledge and faith

Today's reading — Ephesians 3:14-21

I LOVE this section! It's a prayer — a beautiful, amazing prayer full of hope, love, power, knowledge, faith, fulfillment and riches. Can you imagine anything better? Paul covers everything in this prayer, and just reading it through once brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart.  

What would happen if we read this prayer every morning? Or memorized it and recited it in our minds on the way to school every day? Would it change your outlook? I'm willing to try it. God holds these as promises for you, as Paul says, He is able to do "immeasurably more than we ask or imagine" (verse 20). How? Using power that's at work in us, verse 20. And we thank Him by giving him the glory, verse 21. 

Want to print it out? Here you go. May it bless you richly today and beyond! 

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

{Hugs}

Amy

Day Five:

Today's reading — Ephesians 3:1-13

The theme is continued in chapter three from chapter two, comparing the relationship of God and the Israelites and God and the Gentiles — and how Christ connects them all. I love the use of two words throughout. The first word, grace, is found all over Ephesians. Such an important reminder of what makes our relationship with God possible. 

The second word that shows up in this selection is "mystery." I believe there is so much to this, that in heaven we will have these revelations about things that are a mystery to us now. But particularly in verse six, the reference to the mystery here is that in this day it is completely inconceivable that Gentiles and Jews would share anything at all, let alone the promises of God. It was a mystery that Saul, a hater of Christ followers, would be the missionary who would preach the Gospel to Gentiles, who would grow God's church. Call it a mystery, call it a miracle. Whatever you call it, it's clear that with faith, all things are possible. That's right, dear sister, ALL things are possible. 

In verse 12, Paul says that it's through Jesus and our faith in Jesus that we can approach God. Not just approach Him, but approach Him with "freedom and confidence." What does that mean? Mighty Strong Girl, go to your God who loves you in prayer, seek Him confidently. Make His will your own. Watch your very life be transformed! 

{Hugs}

Amy