Cookie Cutter Creations
01 Nov 2011 8 Comments
in Devotions, holiness, Kids, parenting, society, Spiritual Growth, women Tags: Christian walk, Devotionals, Faithwriters, godly woman, Innerfulfillment, moms, Pam Ford Davis, Pam's Tea and Testimonies, Tea Pot Testimony, Transformed
Preschool age children love to get their hands in Play-Doh and cookie dough. They roll it, pound it and squash it when they get mad. Mommy ads to their fun when she puts cookie cutter molds into their tiny hands; youngsters now have the excitement of creating favorite shapes. The tikes laugh with glee when they see that they have created an exact copy of animals, Christmas trees, stars or snowmen.
As their mothers or grandmothers, we must guard our hearts and minds. We must not conform to the molds of our godless society. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2 KJV).” The Creator places no cookie cutter into our feeble hands; He writes His word upon our hearts and watches to see its transforming power in our walk with Him.
All That You Say To Me I Will Do
10 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
in Elizabeth Marks Tags: Bible Study, Christian Devotions, Elizabeth Marks, God's Word, godly woman, ThinkOnIt Bible Devotions
Read Ruth 3
And she said to her “All that you say to me I will do.”
If ever there was a statement of faith and obedience this is it. Ruth, a Moabite, had left her land, and her relatives to go with Naomi, her mother-in-law, to the land of Judah. She puts complete trust in her mother-in-law and her mother-in-law’s God.
What does it take for you to follow through with anything? Some need to know everything will work out as planned. Others may do a certain thing, if they know they will receive something in the end. Precious few follow through because it is what God wants.
Can you say to God, “All that you say to me I will do?” For God has told us His desire, that we love Him, walk humbly before Him and follow His ways. As the story of Ruth shows, blessings follow obedience. Without faith it is impossible to please God. With faith, obedience will follow. With obedience blessings follow.
Whether you are seeking love, forgiveness, protection, or provision it is found through faith in God. When we are obedient to His ways, He blesses us with what we need.
Father the One of infinite abundance, you love us. Thank you for wanting to bless us. Help us trust you more with each passing day. May obedience to your ways become nature to us. Give us desire for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Elizabeth Marks, founder ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc, a 501(c) (3) Public Charity, has a heart to encourage and equip you with God’s Word.
A Picture of Love, Mercy, and Grace
08 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
in Elizabeth Marks Tags: Bible Study, Christian Devotions, God's Word, godly woman, ThinkOnIt Bible Devotions
Read Ruth 2
It’s barley harvest time when Naomi and Ruth arrived in Judah. Ruth asks to go glean in the fields. Naomi allows her to go.
While gleaning, Boaz takes notices of Ruthand asks who she is. He finds out how she cares for Naomi. Boaz tells Ruth not to gointo any other field, but to stay in his field. Boaz and Ruth share a meal together. Boaz instructs his men to let Ruth glean and to purposefully drop grain for her.
Ruth returns to Naomi, who asks where did you glean today? Ruth answers in Boaz’ field. Naomi praises God for His kindness.
Did you notice how obedient Ruth was to Naomi and Boaz? Can you see God’s care, protection, and provision to Ruth through Boaz? Do you see Naomi’s guidance, instructions towards Ruth? Notice how blessings seem to follow obedience?
Ruth had love, mercy, grace, compassion for Naomi. Ruth leaves her own relatives to stay with Naomi,her mother-in-law. Ruth moves to a new country with Naomi. Ruth provides for Naomi. Ruth’s life is not her own by choice. She purposefully sacrificed her life for Naomi’s sake.
Is that not a beautiful picture of what Jesus hasdone for us? Jesus had mercy on us. He left heaven to live on earth. He chose to live with humans rather than with God. He sacrificed His life for our sake.
Father you are so wonderful. There are no accurate words to describe your worth. You are amazing in your love, mercy, and grace. Thank you for filling us with your spirit that we may extend your love, mercy, and grace to others as you have given to us. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen.
© Elizabeth Marks, founder ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc, a 501(c) (3) Public Charity, has a heart to encourage and equip you with God’s Word.
Even When Its Dreary God Is With Us
02 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
in Elizabeth Marks Tags: Bible Study, Christian Devotions, Encouragement, God's Word, godly woman
Read Ruth 1
There was a famine in the land, so Elimelech and Naomi moved to Moab to provide and protect his family. We don’t know whether this was hisown will or God’s will.
While in the foreign land, Elimelech dies leaving Naomi in a worse state than before the move. Now she’s on her own with her two sons who both married women from Moab. But then both her sons die also.
Naomi heard the Lord visited His people by giving them bread, so she decides to return to land of Judah. She tells her daughter-and-lawsto return to their own family. Oprah leaves. But Ruth stays with Naomi.
Ruth declares “your God will be my God, your landwill be my land” and the two head back to Judah. Ruth committed her life to Naomi’s God and to Naomi herself. Ruth sacrifices her own comfort, support,and family so she would be able to comfort, supportand encourage Naomi along the way.
When they arrive, the whole city was excited to see Naomi. Naomi says call me Mara for the Almighty dealt bitterly with me. I went out full and came back empty. But it happened to be the beginning of barleyharvest when they got there, which shows you how God provides.
Father God above, how great you are. Even if we take a wrong turn you graciously receive us back. Thank you for bringing others into lives to encourage us when we go off course. Thank you for providing for us every step of the way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
© Elizabeth Marks, founder ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc, a 501(c) (3) Public Charity, has a heart to encourage and equip you with God’s Word.
Open War?
20 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in God's Word, women Tags: battle, godly woman, Proverbs 31, warfare, woman of valor, woman of virtue
Proverbs 31. Virtue. Valor. Strength. Might. Courage. Bravery in battle.
Them’s fightin’ words. Which begs another question: What are we battling for? And whom are we battling? Where is our strength, might and power to be focused? This passage describes a wife who is righteous, moral, worthy, courageous, upright and of noble character. But…. what else?
Does God want his Daughters of Eve to battle, fight, exhibit bravery, valor, and might so we can attain the lofty goal of becoming… “nice”? (Nothing wrong with that, but… what else?)
Look at it another way. If we’re not neck-deep in battle, then what need of valor? If there’s no threat, then we do we need courage?
Take it a step further. Why do we need a seasoned Commander if we’re not in the midst of a war? If we’re not prone to getting lost, why do we need a Guide? Sheep who can fend for themselves, protect themselves from predators and find their own grazing grounds – what do they need with a Shepherd? What do we need with Valor if there’s no menace, no stalking evil, no imminent threat?
We have an enemy, the thief who comes to “steal, kill and destroy” (see John 10:10) and he’s neither impotent nor moot.
There’s a great line from the second movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Two Towers. King Theodin of Rohan does not want to commit his troops to battle or engage the invading armies of Sauron, the epitome of evil. “I would not risk open war,” says the waffling king. Aragorn the warrior sagely replies, “Open war is upon you, whether you’d risk it or not.”
Sound familiar?
The New Testament (Amplified) puts it like this: “Be well-balanced – temperate, sober-minded; be vigilant and cautious at all times, for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset], – rooted, established, strong, immovable and determined – knowing that the same [identical] sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood [the whole body of Christians] throughout the world.” – I Peter 5:8-9
For more, see Ephesians 6:10-18 and www.walkingwithgod.net
By Kristine, professional mom, blogger, author, homeschooler, humorist, and chief wrangler at the ‘ole “testosterone farm.”
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