Devotionals for Teens at end of page.

Our Vision for 

  Whispers of Grace

     Immediately after hearing from an angel that she would bear and raise the Son of God, Mary took off for a visit to her older cousin Elizabeth who was known for her godliness. {Luke 1:39}

      Needing something bigger than the false gods of her youth to believe in, the young widow Ruth insistently followed the lead of Naomi back to Bethlehem. {Ruth 1:18}

     Compelled and forgiven by the radical love and acceptance of Jesus; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna , and many other women responded in love by rallying around Him to serve sacrificially. {Luke 8:2&3}

     Sisters who once lived in variance, Martha and Mary , found their identity and unity in Jesus, who values the minds and gifts of women. {Luke 10:38]

      As the early church emerged, the Apostles urged older women to take the lead in teaching the younger women the things of God. {Titus 2:3}

     In the spirit of Mary, Elizabeth, Ruth, Naomi, and many others, our calling two millennia later is still the same: "Older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." Titus 2:3-5

     As sisters, daughters, wives, and mothers we fill many roles; yet who will encourage us? Who lovingly tends our wounds or shows us the way? We need Spiritual Mothers! They are the older and spiritually mature women in our lives who have experienced victory in Christ and are not afraid to admit their own fears and sins. They are the Elizabeths who have seen God at work and can empower young women to glorify God. They are the young Mary's who can say, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." Women who put their trust in God and follow Him, both young and old, have much to offer other women on the journey toward God honoring womanhood. Spiritual Mothers of all ages abound in our congregation.

     Whispers of Grace is a weekly devotional ministry which will give women an opportunity to nurture each other in study and break through generational barriers. Readers are encouraged to send comments and queries to the various writers. If you find the "devos" to be helpful then please pass it on to a friend!

     We are encouraging women to find their identity in Christ, not this world and its deceptions. We are giving a platform to wise and Bible saturated women, not women who are just good at writing. We are seeking after God as sisters in Christ - together without worldly rivalry. Dare to listen to the Voice of the One who saves, "as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts...." {II Peter 1:19} May our words simply be whispers in your ears of God's irresistible grace made available to us through Jesus.

To God Alone Be the Glory,

Barbara Gardner

Ladies,please email to me any devos that come from your personal time with God, random insights from the Spirit which connect with a biblical concept, or an original poem or creative inspiration that is public domain.

barbsgardner@aol.com

TEENS DEVO

 February 26, 2009

Hi 7th grade girls.  Please find a quiet place and turn in your Bibles to Ephesians 1:3-10.  Then pray to God asking him to show you great things about him in these verses.

Remember last time the devo referred to Ephesians 1:4 which says that God the Father chose each one of us before the foundation of the world?  If you are his child it is because you have been chosen by him.  Adopted to receive all the blessings of his grace through Jesus Christ.  We are loved because he is loving.  Not because you are cool or smart or gorgeous.  God doesn't even care about those things!  He chose you and me because he wants to show the world his perfect love and forgiveness.  He displays his mercy by showing mercy to those who are in great need.  It is a great privelege to be God's child, it is also humbling.  I cannot take credit for the faith I have in him.  He led me to have faith in him.  It is all to his credit and glory that can believe in him!!!!!!!

Now, if that isn't awesome enough, get this:  God not only chose you to belong to him, he has control of all that comes into your life.

Turn to Romans 8:28,

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers...."

Sometimes new believers feel kind of let down when they find out that God doesn't necessarily make everything perfect and painless for his children.  It's a kind of paradox:  Become a believer and you will have great joy through Jesus - but also, the child of God will experience trials and challenges so that God can train him to become strong through faith and obedience. 

What I want you to notice here in this Romans passage is that God has the Trials and Challenges all under control!  If you are doing your best to love and obey God by following his teaching in the Bible then you can be sure that everything will turn out well in the longrun.  He is the perfect Parent.  The Heavenly Father.  He not only chooses to save each one of us, he tailors each of our lives according to his plan.  Do you realize he has a unique plan for you to bring glory to him?  He brings special challenges your way so that you can respond (obey) in a way that will send a message to the world.

For instance:  You have a fight with a friend, yet you don't fall for the temptation to talk to everyone about it and try to turn others against the friend.  You just pray for that person and treat them with respect.  That is a way of handling a problem which brings glory to God.

Another example:  Speaking to your parents with respect and having a cooperative and obedient attitude developes a young person's future leadership ability.  If you find it very challenging to be respectful it might be because God is giving you an opportunity to grow in an area that he has planned for your future:)  By showing respect even when you don't feel it you learn about what it takes to follow.  Then you will be a better leader when someday you can remember what it was like to be a frustrated follower. 

You have been chosen.  God gives each of us a part to play and a script.  Say your lines of love to him and others with sincerity.  All things, not some, but all things work together for the good for those who are called according to his purposes.   

 If you memorize this Romans 8:28 verse I will give you a surprise.  Just walk up anytime at church or youth group and start saying it. 

:) Barb Gardner