Sowing the Word In Our Lives

At The Masters Feet-coverIt seems when you’re trying to honor God with your life, a barrage of mishaps can come your way. It can be many different things trying to discourage you from honoring God with your life. When you keep obeying and serving God you can have opposition from Satan. Doing the right things isn’t always easy, but if we keep doing them we’ll be rewarded. God blesses those who honor Him. Life on earth isn’t easy for anyone, but we have to press on.

I have found a way to press on– soaking up God’s Word. God encourages us in His Word to keep sowing good things so that we may reap good things. Sowing good things can be frustrating when you are constantly attacked by Satan or tested by God. Through those attacks or tests, God is purifying us. He wants to know that we won’t take our hand off the plow sowing for His kingdom. He is ridding us of those impurities that are within us.

It’s easy to give up while serving God, but it takes courage to keep sowing good things in our lives and the lives of others. We may not understand why adversity comes our way when we are our obeying our Father, but we can be comforted that He loves us. He desires good for us and He has wonderful plans for us. Many times I become weary while doing good things and I want to give up. I’m so grateful for God’s Word because it encourages me and reminds me that my prize sets before me and I can finish the race.

My desire to write a devotional was to encourage others through God’s Word. It can strengthen our faith and boost our confidence in God. It’s so effective in our lives if we’ll apply it. Soak up the truths God gives us from His Word and be encouraged.

Book Description
Have you ever felt discouraged during a trial? What about feeling lifeless and numb? Have the cares of the world completely overwhelmed you? If this describes your life, then you’re in need of encouragement from God’s Word.

God’s Word is rich in knowledge and wisdom. His greatness is vast and His goodness never ends. There is power in His Word and in soaking it up each day. We can seek refuge and guidance from the Word of God. It is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. In it, we can find comfort during hardships and exhortations to praise God at all times.

This devotional book provides encouragement in various ways. It examines numerous scriptures in the Old and New Testaments to gain wisdom from above. Some devotions have personal stories to help you relate to the author while showing you that we all have struggles. While we are in the midst of trials and joys, triumphs and defeats, good and bad—we can turn to God’s Word for encouragement. Heather invites Master’s feet, as Mary did, and learn from Him.

Heather_2Mississippi born and raised, Heather Strickland is a stay-at-home wife and mother with a passion to encourage others through writing. God planted this dream of writing a book in her heart when she was a teenager, began to grow it during her early adulthood, and now – with the help of many dear friends – God has made that dream a reality. She enjoys sipping coffee on her front porch, flipping through the pages of a good book, and holding hands with her love. When she isn’t serving her family, Heather blogs regularly at Becoming Titus 2 Women, Laced with Grace, and The Imperfect Wives. But her primary ministry is to her husband and three boys. Not only is Heather crazy about them, they give her an abundance of writing material. Through them, God has molded her and taught her many life lessons. Heather is forever grateful for God’s grace and guidance in her life.

You may contact Heather on Facebook at Becoming Titus 2 Women or email her at the.stricklands06@gmail.com. The book is available on Amazon.com as a printed version or on Kindle.

 

 

‘The Woman’s Study Bible’ – Review

“As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
~ Isaiah 55:10-11 (NIV)

Over the last couple of weeks I shared that I enjoy studying the Bible. I love digging deeper into His Word and maybe, by His grace and Holy Spirit, get a new perspective on hard to understand passages. Three weeks ago, I received an email from Sara Pence if I would be willing to take a look at the revised “Woman’s Study Bible” published by Thomas Nelson Bibles.

The study Bible arrived this past Monday. I know that people always say not to judge a book by its cover, but I personally like eye-catching covers. I guess that is the photographer in me. My first impression of the Bible was positive, feminine design and it is part of the ‘Signature Series’.

‘The Woman’s Study Bible’ is available in the King James Version; my review copy is the New International Version® (NIV). What I really enjoy in this particular study Bible are the introduction to each book. Each introduction is made of: ‘Title’ (where the name of the book comes from), Author, date it was written, background (including setting, purpose, audience, and literary characteristics), themes (why was the book written?) and a complete outline of each chapter.

The two other items that are appealing to me are the foot-notes (study help including references to other books of the Bible) and inspiring articles shared by Christian women like Anne Graham Lotz, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Roberta Hromas, Linda Dillow, Kathy Troccoli, and more.

In the back of the Bible you will find several beautiful maps that show you the “World of the Patriarchs”, “The Exodus from Egypt”, “The Conquest of Canaan” and of course “Jerusalem in New Testament Times” and Paul’s missionary journeys.

I honestly can say that it will be a joy to study God’s Word with the help of this beautiful Woman’s Study Bible. If you would like to take a closer look at the Bible, please visit Thomas Nelson Bibles and view the online sample.

 

May the His Holy Spirit give us a fresh perspective on God’s Holy Word.

Love & peace,
Iris

(A free review copy was provided by Sara Pence from Shelton Interactive)

Thankful Thursday ~ Lisa Shaw

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV)

In the month of January we meet up at my friend Laurie’s blog, “Women Taking a Stand“. Please visit her blog to link up for Thankful Thursday.

Last week, I read an interview with Lisa Shaw on my friend Debbie’s blog, “Heart Choices“. I haven’t met Lisa in person, but I know Lisa through the internet. Lisa is such an encouragement to many of us who have been around for a little while.

At any rate, I ordered Lisa’s book last week and it arrived today just in time for me to post about it for Thankful Thursday. I can’t wait to read her book “You are beautiful in God’s Eyes”.

Lisa also included a sweet personal note, that blessed my socks off 🙂 …That is just so like Lisa.

If you haven’t come across Lisa via her blog or FB, I suggest you check out her ministry. I know her words will bless you.

I am thankful for women like Lisa that share the love of Christ with others; women who are beautiful inside and out.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Love and peace,
Iris

“Forgiveness is What Truly Sets Us Free” ~ Guest Post

Two years ago, I was starting to feel distant from God and it seemed as if I couldn’t sense His voice in my life as clearly in my life. So, I began to pray and asked God, “Is there something keeping me from hearing Your voice?”

I had remembered hearing someone say that if you’re not hearing God’s voice as clearly as you have in the past, ask yourself a question…“Is there something that God has asked me to do that I haven’t done yet?” If so, He may be waiting for you to be obedient in what He’s already asked you to do before He gives you something new.

So, I began to pray about this and realized that about six months before, I had sensed from God that I needed deeper healing in several relationships in my life. These relationships were with leaders in our church during a really difficult time when a major church split occurred. I had felt offended and hurt by some of their actions, some of their words and some of the things that happened.

God had brought me through the process of forgiving them. However, I realized that I also needed to ask them for forgiveness. Why? Well, you see, I had been judgmental of their actions. My sin was in judging them and holding bitterness in my heart for so long.

I felt strongly God leading me to contact these men who were leaders in our church at the time. I had put it off…for six months to be exact. I didn’t want to do it, but God brought it to my mind again and I knew I needed to obey.

It’s not as if I hear God’s voice in an audible way, but I do sense His voice in my heart. I sense His Spirit leading and guiding me. The Bible says that His sheep hear His voice, (John 10:4) describing Jesus as the Shepherd and His followers as the sheep. If we have a relationship with Jesus, we will hear His voice in our lives.

As I began to realize that I needed to obey and do what God had already asked me to do, I prayed and asked God how I should contact these men. I didn’t want to be inappropriate and I didn’t necessarily want to show up out of nowhere knocking on their doors. Plus, some of them no longer lived in our town. Therefore, I felt God lead me to personally call them on the phone.

Do you know that within 24 hours I found all of their phone numbers and I was able to talk to each of them. Not only was it healing for me, but it was healing for them as well. I could tell that a couple of the men had tears in their eyes as I asked them for forgiveness. Then, as they responded by asking me for forgiveness for what they had done, it was an amazing experience. God truly brought healing and restoration through my step of obedience.

I wonder sometimes if there aren’t more Christians like me, walking around with unresolved issues in their heart; i.e., unforgiveness, resentment or bitterness. Maybe you have felt God prompting you to go to a person and ask their forgiveness or to release that person in forgiveness and yet you don’t want to do it. It’s understandable. Like me, I didn’t want to bring up the past and my old wounds. It felt hard. It felt difficult. It felt awkward. It felt unnecessary and, yet, God showed me that forgiveness is what truly sets us free and allows for a deeper healing and reconciliation to take place.

I’m wondering if there is anyone in your life that God is prompting you to approach and ask forgiveness or maybe to forgive them for something they have done to hurt you. I encourage you to ask God today and then to obey in whatever He asks you to do. It is worth it, even when the first step you take met with resistance. Ask God for strength today to obey Him in what He’s asking you to do.

Shelley Hitz is the co-author of Forgiveness Formula: Finding Lasting Freedom in Christ, along with her husband, CJ. In this book she talks about her journey of forgiveness and healing after her grandma’s murder. Visit their website to find out more about their ministry and the special gifts they offer with your purchase of their book at: www.TheForgivenessFormula.com