Written by Marilyn Cebula

I love my garden! It’s there in that peaceful place, no matter what is pressing in on me, that I can feel as though all is well in the world.

It’s also a rare time that I don’t I hear the promptings of God, the Master Gardener – like after a rain, the weeds are much easier to pull and the message is – be careful not to let the soil of your heart become hardened by bitterness and unforgiveness but confess it and get rid of it quickly. Or when I’ve been away for several days and the weeds have started to take over, I clean out the obvious ones with my hoe but then when I crouch down closer to the ground, I see the small ones that are growing closer to my flowers. The lesson for me is – stay close to the ground, stay humble and don’t ignore the small things that can become a problem if they’re not dealt with.

While I have often found myself “congratulating” my flowers on how lovely they look and smell, the truth is that, left to themselves or unprotected, they would not become as beautiful as they could be. My mind goes to the pattern of the Master Gardener. However, unlike the plants in my garden, we can choose whether we will submit to his dealings in our lives.

Jesus spoke of his Father as the “gardener” in John 15:1 when he said “I am the true grapevine, and the Father is the gardener.” (NLT) Then, he continues with the analogy.

The Work of the Master Gardener

v. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

Like the plant, that cutting and pruning can be unpleasant. It may even take awhile to recover from it but don’t be afraid to submit to the Master Gardener’s pruning. He will only remove the parts that are hindering us and weighing us down. Then, our lives will flourish and bring him glory.

The Method of the Master Gardener

v. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”

The vine that has been severed from the main plant is a pitiful sight. It begins to die immediately and withers away. It’s useless. We are told to remain in him and he will remain in us. How do we remain in him? This “remaining” is not just the opposite of “leaving”. It will require us to be diligently reading and studying his Word, communing with him throughout our days and consistently saying “yes” to his workings in our lives.

The Promise and the Caution of the Master Gardener

v. 5 Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Trying to produce spiritual fruit on our own – apart from him – is exhausting, frustrating and unfulfilling. But, when we submit to the plan and involvement of the Master Gardener, we get to participate and he promised to be responsible for the results.

Remain in the vine and you’ll be amazed by what God, the Master Gardener, will grow and produce through your life.

Written by Heidi McLaughlin

Most days we do the same thing we did the day before. The alarm goes off in the morning, we might check social media, e-mails, take a shower, have breakfast, and drive to work or do a load of laundry. Forty percent of the actions we take every day are not a result of decisions, but a result of habits.

If we want to change who we are becoming, we have to change our habits.

As a new Christian I thought that if I regularly went to church, attended Wednesday evening prayer time, hung around with other Christians and listened to Christian radio stations, I would become this dynamic amazing Christian. That didn’t happen.

Once I got involved in a Bible study I became passionate about being a dynamic Christian. But what would that look like? Did I want to become a prayer warrior…a Bible teacher…a speaker…a worship leader…a mentor…a Christian leader?

One day I heard God’s voice in my conscience and it was clear and simple. Heidi, become a Godly woman. If you pursue becoming a Godly woman I will take care of the rest. I will shape you and prepare you for a purpose that will bring you pleasure and value and bring me the Glory. So for the past three decades that has been my goal. To become a Godly woman. No matter what successes, failures, pain, suffering or accomplishments God brought my way, I clearly see them all as shaping me into a Godly woman.

So what is a Godly woman?

As I continue my pursuit I constantly need to be reminded it is a life not seeking satisfaction for personal gain or accomplishments; it’s through a lifestyle surrendered to God for His will for my life. It’s a lifestyle where we don’t place our value on our net worth, but on God’s worth. It’s not perfect, but it means that no matter what comes our way, our life is surrendered to His way.

To become a Godly woman and a Godly leader, we have to establish Godly habits. For me the most important one is prayer. I don’t know how we can become a Godly woman without a consistent, intimate daily prayer time.

I want to be like Daniel.

What made Daniel stand out? In spite of challenging circumstances, one of Daniel’s habits was a powerful, non-negotiable, unstoppable time of prayer. “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before” (Daniel 6:10).

Not once, or twice, but three times. Not when it was convenient, but every single day he stopped, sought God and brought His burdens before God and let God direct his steps. Daniel prioritized his time with God. He had made it a nonnegotiable and unstoppable habit.

Never underestimate how God can start something big through one small habit. Something special, something powerful that can impact many people and transform you into a Godly woman.

It takes anywhere from 18-154 days to form a new habit and an average of 66 days for new behaviour to become automatic. Why not take the next 66 days and daily ask God to make you into a Godly woman.

Books Written by Heidi McLaughlin

Written by Stacey Weeks

My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.” Psalm 45:1

A computer feature that I have come to appreciate is the voice-to-text shortcut. It is very easy for me to click a few buttons, start speaking, and see the words magically appear on the screen. I love this. My tongue is my pen. Scripture has a lot to say about the tongue, mentioning it over 71 times. Scripture also addresses the words we speak or write more than 50 times. Below are few of these passages.

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” Psalm 141:3

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” Proverbs 21:23

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. James 1:26

Clearly, God has a lot to say to teachers, writers, and leaders about the words stirring in our hearts and spilling onto the page or out of our mouths. As a woman in leadership, I encourage you to take the time to pray through the verses above, asking the Lord to set a guard over your words to keep you from trouble. Resolve to write or speak no “corrupting words.” Resolve to “build up your readers and listeners.” Consider the weighty warning for those who do not “bridle their words.” Ask the Lord to expose your heart so you do not deceive yourself.

Psalm 45 is a love song written for a royal wedding and addresses a king.⁠* The author is overwhelmed with a “pleasing theme” that stirs his heart (v1). The Contemporary English Version says it like this, “My thoughts are filled with beautiful words for the king, and I will use my voice as a writer would use pen and ink.”

As you read this love song, does your heart overflow with the privilege of addressing God as your King? Is your tongue the pen of a ready scribe that declares He is your beautiful Savior?

Our King is splendor, majesty, truth, meekness, and righteousness personified. Awesome are His deeds. This points us to Christ (Hebrews 1:8-9). His throne is forever and ever. The scepter of His kingdom is a scepter of uprightness. He loves righteousness and hates wickedness.

“Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear” (Psalm 45:10). Bow low before God. His arrows of judgment against our sins are valid. Do they pierce your heart? There is a grace that covers all our shame. Only Christ can present us to the Father with joy and gladness. Only Christ clothes us in His righteousness. Only Christ can enable us to fulfill our callings in such a way that our tongues are like the pen of a ready scribe, eager to praise His name.

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*1 Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 992). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles

To read about books that Stacey has written Click Here
Click here for free stories and studies from Stacey. (https://www.staceyweeks.com/free-shorts/)

Written by Eunice Monda

“Be still and know that I am God”. Psalm 46:10a

While the world is being torn a part by Covid-19 and many other waves, whatever mountains are crumbling around you, take a higher ground, stop striving and be quiet.

Listen to the whisper of God behind the roar of your circumstances. Be still to listen and you can hear Him speak.

For if you hold your peace at this time, then relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s household will perish. And who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.’’ Esther 4:14

God has positioned us wherever we are for a reason just as it was for Esther. For us to understand that reason, we have to ignore the voices surrounding us and listen to the still small voice.

Esther’s life had been a preparation for this hour and this trial. This was the time for her to step forward and keep that appointment. She had the opportunity and she had to believe that this was true for her and she had the willingness to risk.

What a powerful choice to make a difference in the lives of God’s people.

Esther’s struggle and risk raises critical questions for us today.

What kind of risks are we willing to take on behalf of those who are vulnerable and threatened?

How might God be preparing us to step forward to speak truth and declare the power of God’s Word?

How is God preparing us to step into hard places of fear?

Sometimes we wonder what difference we could make in the midst of so many sprawling issues around us. Remember, one person can make a difference no matter how big the number is and one is always a valuable number to God.

Psalm 46:10a tells us that our strength and safety does not lie in noise but silence.

During Esther’s moment of silence while praying and fasting:

• She got direction and she was able to resist any distraction
• She laid her problems in the hands of God
• She trusted the Lord to open doors for victory
• She was never overwhelmed by the size of the challenge but saw it as an opportunity for God’s manifestation

It’s only when we move from the safety of a theory to rough waters of reality, that we can see change take place.

When we fulfill our purposes where God has positioned us, we bring glory to God as Jesus spoke in John 17:4.

No matter where we find ourselves, turn down the volume of those loud confusing voices and perk up our ears for that soothing whisper.

Seek the Lord daily in prayer and meditation on His Word so that our fear and sense of failure can be displaced by our informed and growing faith.

No matter the valleys and mountains in your life, God’s purpose for your life is not yet over. He is big and powerful but still He comes in small things like a whisper.

He whispered to Elijah during his sad moments, He talked to him, listened to him and took time to comfort him.

He will also listen to you and knows when you are sad, lonely, fearful or confused.

 

Written by Ruth Croft

“My Little Children for whom I labour in birth again until Christ is formed in you.” (Galations. 4:19)

This verse has been underlined in my Bible for years but it took on a different meaning when I became a mom and had “little children”. If you look closely at my Bible, you will see the faded initials of my four children in the margin.

Childbirth is an experience! I remember, when I was first pregnant, asking everyone I knew, “What is childbirth like?” No one seemed to be able to describe it to me. I had to find out for myself.

This verse reminds me of that experience. The pain and anxiety associated with childbirth is like no other! It is hard to explain to someone just what it is like to feel extreme distress and yet know that the end result is worth every bit of discomfort. You don’t want the pain to go away because you know, in the end, it produces the birthing of new life! When you first hold your baby in your arms there is an overwhelming feeling both of love and responsibility.

The apostle Paul thinks of the people of Galatia as his own children. He teaches them, watches them come to faith and then agonizes over their childish behaviour when he fails to see signs of spiritual maturity. They don’t seem to be interested in deepening their relationship with God but, like little children, they wander off to do their own thing.

It is interesting that Paul uses the example of childbirth to paint a picture of a spiritual truth when, obviously, he has never experienced it! Perhaps he has heard a woman in labour and immediately recognizes the intensity of pain. This is how he feels for his spiritual “children”. He knows what it’s like to pray so earnestly for something that it seems his prayers are “groans that cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26).

Sound like a woman in labour?

Paul pleads with God to work in their lives until they are strong in their faith. He wants them to be like Jesus! So, he prays with fervency and earnestly asks that God will literally invade their lives with His presence until the nature of Christ is formed in them and their lives show it.

What a picture to keep in mind as we pray for our children! Relive the experience of their birth: the pain, the intense labour and the recognition that you did not give up until they were safely in your arms. It is the same for their spiritual birth. It requires an intensity of laboured prayer and a determination to never stop until “Christ is formed in them.”

It has been many years since I underlined Galatians 4:19, experienced childbirth for myself, added four initials and began the job of parenting. Paul was right. Prayer is hard work but it will produce “new life” if we don’t give up.
Be like Paul.

PRAY!