What Matters Most in Life

"There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after."  Ecclesiastes 1:11
Solomon, the king of Israel who is listed in the Bible as the wisest man who ever lived, coined the phrase "there is nothing new under the sun."  It may seem like new ideas or behaviors are unique for our lifetime, but are they?  What in this life is truly important and will be passed on into eternity?  Only those things that touch eternity:  sharing our faith and helping others find an eternal relationship with God through Jesus.  Very few people's contributions in life will stand through time.  It's important to put our efforts and time into spiritual pursuits daily.  Daily devotions, Bible studies, Small Groups, serving others in ministry, sharing our faith - these will stand the test of time and eternity.

Lord, help us place the most importance of my days in this life in doing Your will and business.  Impress us with Your will, empower us with Your strength, let us live in the Light of eternity in this life and the next.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.  Have a blessed, eternal day, Church Chicks!  Go light your world :)

Women Who Follow the Lord are Beautiful!

Church Chicks, let's commit together to love the Lord more and serve Him better in 2012.  Being sensitive to the Lord when He speaks or impresses His will on us and following His direction from His Word brings beauty and praise from others into our lives and leaves less stress marks.  "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."  Proverbs 31:30
True beauty, as the Lord tells it in this verse, is not what the world promotes as beauty.  The world would have us focus on a beauty that is skin deep, but the Lord would have us see beauty as being spiritually in tune with Him.  As a woman fears the Lord and follows His voice and Word, not only will she be blessed, but others will benefit from her walk with the Lord and praise His work being done through her.
Lord, thank You for caring about us so much that You direct and discipline us daily.  Help us to desire Your way and beauty above our own desires or others' desires for us and our time.  We will focus on You and be beautiful in Your eyes.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.  Have a blessed day, Church Chicks, and look for someone the Lord tells you to bless in some way today :)

What Say Others About You?

The times of life where we feel the heat being turned up on us are used by the Lord to improve or refine our character.  The heat causes impurities to rise to the top so we can notice them and deal with them.  Anger, lack of self-control, and jealousy, are a few examples of attributes that can remain hidden until triggered by certain people, places, or things.  They have to be dealt with by asking for God's forgiveness and the forgiveness of others when recognized and confessed.  The result is that we become more usable by God and more of a blessing to others as we have victory and pass on to them what God has done within us.  When we bless others and do good to them no matter how they treat us, people speak positive of us and give God glory.  "The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, and a man is valued by what others say of him."  Proverbs 27:21 
Lord, help us not to get discouraged when we go through times of pressure and difficulties.  You are using them to purify us and to make us more like You.  We want your character to be evident in our lives.  Burn out anything that is not of You and help us see difficulties as opportunities for growth.  Help us use the story of what You are doing in our lives to bless and encourage others.  In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
Turn up the heat, Lord.  (And we wouldn't mind the heat temperature either :)  Stay warm, Church Chicks!