and He said.....

They changed the course of history. They taught us to love and value each other. They guide the very lives we desire to live.

Jesus' words.

I meant to fill this entire week with words that Jesus spoke but essentially it has come down to this one day and a passage that I hold on to. It brings me hope, joy and a reminder that the Word of God is a living promise of my salvation.

^{Matthew 9:20-22}Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."

Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.

I can picture myself in her shoes. Desperate.

She had probably been taught from a young age the promises of the coming Messiah. She believed. In all her agony, she knew all she had to do was touch him. I admire her faith and desire it daily.

To know his promises so deeply. To trust the knowledge of his words to reach out for Him. There is so much in this life we all need healing from, be it spiritual or physical. What are you reaching for? Where is your faith?

I pray you learn to know His word and write the promises on your heart. He wants to heal you, to love you.

Joy

Do you know the difference between Joy and Happiness? How do you describe the difference?

Happiness is the feeling you get when everything is going your way.

Joy is the feeling of knowing in the midst of it all your God is bigger and will get you through it. It is the thing that gives you the strength to laugh through pain. It is the hope that comes in the midst of heartache. It is the one thing that pulls you into God's arms to find comfort when there is nothing else left to grasp on to.

^{Habakkuk 3:17} Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

¹⁹ The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.

Joy requires Faith. Do you believe that through your struggle God can be glorified? Habakkuk understood that through the turmoil His people were going to be brought back into God's graces.

I challenge you. Look at how you handle disaster in your life. Are you complaining to God and looking for the answers? Or do you complain to everyone who will listen and continue to live in despair? God has answers, promises and a plan to find joy in. Are you looking in the right places for those answers? In the midst of your calamity are you finding joy in the promises?

Do you show the world a life of misery lived for God or a life of overcoming lived for God?

Please continue to pray for Sue O this week. Also, please send along any prayer requests to share for Friday.

Caleb: Character

I may never be called to be a martyr. I may never be hung or killed for my faith. But, I will be put in a place where trusting God's promises will put me in the minority. Will I be one to stand up?  I hope that by the time I account for my life I will be able to count on more than one hand the number of times that I stood on the Truth and pleaded God's case to people. 

Joshua 14:6-15

Hebron Given to Caleb

 Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.  So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.'

 "Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old!  I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."

Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.) 
      Then the land had rest from war.

God keeps his word. Sometimes we just don't know what is in store. Caleb trusted what he did know. He knew God promised his people the land. He wholeheartedly trusted God's promises. In return, Caleb had to still endure the wondering in the desert but in the end, only he and Joshua overcame the struggle and stepped foot on the land God had promised. 

^{Matthew 22:14} "For many are called, but few are chosen."

Will you overcome? You are called. Will you endure, regardless of the journey. His promise will endure and in the end we are all promised eternal life. 

Please continue to pray for Jennifer S. Please share any prayer or praise to be added to Friday. 

Harmonious

Proverbs 10: 31 (Amp)
The mouths of the righteous (those harmonious with God) bring forth skillful and godly Wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut down [like a barren and rotten tree].

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Regardless of how you spent your time, with Easter egg hunts, family bbq's or watching the Masters, I hope you found time to reflect on the sacrifice made for you. I hope you found time to celebrate in the Resurrection of our Lord.

Verse 31 is a good one for today. I could point out to you the power and words, yet again. But, I want to focus on something else. Something you may have overlooked. The promise in this verse.

Matthew 3:10"The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Have you ever been in the midst of gossip, of lies and deceit from someone close to you or maybe not so close? Do you wonder, Why Me? Do you ask God what you did to deserve the cruelty? It can be very difficult to see the light through the tunnel of gossip and perverted words.

Forgiveness and Redemption are promised to us, but so is judgement and accountability. What you do not see today, may be seen in the everlasting. While we are in the midst of our struggles and fighting the injustices of this place, hold close the promises of being adopted into God's family. It is easy to get lost in the here and the now. Maybe, next time (and there will be a next time), someones words tear at your life and pride you can find a glimpse of hope. Being in harmony with God isn't painless but it does promise you justice.

1 John 4:4-6 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them;because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Heavenly Father~Thank you for this day. Thank you for the sacrifice. Thank you for the power that overcomes death. Continue to work in my life Lord. I desire a life focused on the promises of your word and not on the words of this world. Give me the power to discern those that are speaking in your wisdom and those that defile. ~In Your Precious Name.

Please pray for Janice J this week

Upcoming event: I (Angela) will be teaching at my first women's retreat. I am so excited and would like to invite anyone who may be in the Knoxville area or would like to travel here. It is May 8th and 9th. Email me through womenofworship1@gmail.com and I will get you the information.

Everlasting

Proverbs 10:25
When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

Why is it so hard to remember the promises of God?

There is so much wonder and amazement in these words, Everlasting Foundation. Not just yesterday, not just today but all the way to the everlasting, the eternal.

Newsboys: In Christ Alone


Please pray for the Oliger's as they finish the last 8 weeks preparing for their missions trip to Kenya. Pray for lodging, finances and all the final details.

Praise for Sam C as her husband Dale C has found employment.

Praise for Randy R as the angels rejoice to his giving his life to Christ.

Praise God for all the success at the All Nighter at the Church on the Hill, McMinnville, OR fund raiser for camp. Please continue to pray for continued success in the fund raising so that every child has a chance to go to camp this summer.

Pray for Diane B and her family. Pray for health and healing. Please pray for peace as they grieve the lose of Dan's grandfather.

Pray for the Kelly H. and her husband Traegon. Pray for peace as they grieve for the lose of his grandmother.

Pray for healing for Heather C, Sam C and Janell O as they worked hard on workouts and may have overdone it a little.

Please pray for healing of Joanne A breast cancer. Pray for peace of mind. Pray for an enjoyable trip to visit with family in Nevada this next week.

Praise God for my successful run in my first marathon. It took me 5:19:28. I am looking forward to doing it again. AS

Angela, Day 1

It is a little strange to sit down and try and figure out how to define yourself. So, bare with me.

Angela means "messenger of God"....

I use to not take the meaning of my name too seriously but the more I realize that every name in the Bible has significance, the more I honor the name I was given. I love writing this blog and have come to hope that by doing so I am relaying God's message to people around the world.

I am a wife. I have been married for almost 15 years. I love my husband and Praise God for His amazing work in our marriage and through my husband. I am a mother. I have two beautiful daughters, 9 and 3. I am blessed to stay home with them for the time being. I am a sister. I am the oldest of 4 sisters and two brothers. I am a friend. I have been blessed to love and be loved by some amazing people and pray I to can be a blessing to their lives.

On Valentines Day I ran my first half marathon. Running is a new sport for me. Last year I quit smoking and while looking for a new (healthy) outlet for stress relief a friend of mine recommended I train for a marathon. This has been a big personal step for me. I am not very good at getting the courage to start new things. Especially, if I don't know if I will finish it or not. My husband, Ted, has been running right beside me the entire time. He loves me that much.

On Saturday morning when the gun went off at the race I don't know that either of us thought we would finish. I mean, we knew we could probably walk the whole thing and be able to pick up the kids by at least dinner. Running long distances is as much about physical strength as it is mental. It is easy to get moving and start doubting yourself. It is easy to say to yourself things like "what I am thinking", "why am I doing this", "I am not strong enough", "I am not prepared for this", "look at everyone passing me".

Running has taught me a lot about how God probably sees me. Saturday I accomplished something that 6 months ago wasn't even a possibility. I am capable of running 13.1 miles, now. God sees a potential in me that I don't. I am His creation and yet I doubt my abilities on a daily basis. My mind and thoughts are the only things that keep me from doing the things God has planned for me. He teaches me, trains me, loves me and encourages me daily and still I don't always trust that I am prepared for His plan.

So, today and everyday, I write more of His Word, more of His promises on my heart in hopes that I am prepared to run the race that is before me.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Please Pray for Kelly H (WA) this week.

Heavenly Father~Today Lord I praise your name for a strength that is great enough to push even me past my own expectation. May I continue to see that you are bigger than the box I try and fit you in. That I too am more than the box I put myself in. On the days I open my mind up for attacks may you fill it with your promises and your hope. I know Lord that you came not to condemn but to save, may those words, Your Words, be my promise and hope. ~In Your Precious Name.

Surrender, Day 4

As Christians we have never been promised that things would be easy. We have problems and challenges. We have tribulation and trouble. If you have taken the time to pray through our Friday prayer list, you know that many are in need and are struggling in our lives.

Surrendering to God means trusting God's promises to you. Trusting God takes faith in the things you can't see. Sometimes faith the size of a mustard seed is even hard to come by when jobs are lost and a gallon of milk is almost 5 dollars. There is no doubt that we all need to reevaluate our needs and wants list. There is also something else you can do and that is to surrender to the Word of God and know the things He has promised you. When we overwhelm ourselves with things we can't change, inevitably we distract ourselves from the real provision in our lives.
Luke 12 (msg)

Steep Yourself in God-Reality

22-24He continued this subject with his disciples. "Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

25-28"Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

29-32"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

33-34"Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

Please continue to pray for Anna B. Respond with your prayer requests and praises and we will share them. If you have a testimony of when God provided in your time of need, please share.

Are you interested in writing one of our devotions or sharing your testimony. We are looking for a few guest writers for the two weeks of our Christmas Break. We have no scheduled subjects because Heather and I usually take these two weeks off. So, this year we would love to give you a chance to share. Just email us at womenofworship@gmail.com with your writing. We will read it over and possibly schedule it to be posted sometime between Dec 22nd and Jan 2nd. I know many of you have great testimonies that would be wonderful to share. Please, consider opening yourself up to having it posted here on our blog.

Surrender, Day 1

My heart is heavy with thoughts of all of you who are struggling today. There is no doubt that things are tough right now and will continue to be that way for a while. My prayers are with all of you today.

With all of you that pray for healing, I pray with you.
With all of you that pray for provision, I pray with you.
With all of you that pray for food and drink, I pray with you.
With all of you that pray for love, I pray with you.

For all of you today, I pray you find a way to surrender all that you have and all that you are to our Lord and Savior. Please take a few moments to Worship the only one that is truly worthy of all of you.

Michael W Smith
I Surrender All (lyrics)

All to Jesus
I surrender
All to Him I freely give

I will ever
Love and trust Him
In His presence, daily live

I surrender all
I surrender all

All to thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all



Heavenly Father~ Blessed Savior~I come to you with reverence today. You have put such a heavy word on my heart and I truly feel unworthy to express all that You have shown me. In a world that pushes you farther and farther away, making us dependant on things that will fail us, it is hard to fully understand how to give up on the things around us. Lord, How do I give up on this life in order to embrace your promises? Lord, How do I surrender all that I am to you? Isn't giving up being weak? Guide me through your Word this week Lord. Let me be your vessel once again to show these amazing people the promises you hold for us.~In Your Precious, Holy Name

Please pray for Anna B this week.
Please pray with Linda W and her family today, she is having surgery.

Power, Day 4

There is only one place to truly know the Power that is in your Identity in Christ. That is in the Word. Take time to learn the promises God has for you.

1 John 5:1-12
Overcoming the World

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

Please continue to pray for our ministry, Women of Worship, this week. Remember to send in Praise and Prayer for tomorrows devotional.