Category: Christian Ladies

Christian Ladies, devotions, Uncategorized

The Preference Trend

Jennifer White

I prefer cake over salad, but that doesn’t mean I should always indulge in it. There’s not a fast-set rule that I can’t eat cake instead of salad, but in order to improve my health, I set some principles and guidelines for what I eat. According to my guidelines, salad would be a better choice for me. So, I will eat the salad and reserve the cake for a special occasion or just for my dreams.

Have you ever set principles or guidelines for areas in your life? It’s important to recognize that while personal preferences can influence our decisions, they shouldn’t be the sole factor guiding us, especially in spiritual matters. Life presents us with numerous choices, and the decisions we make are often guided by principles or guidelines that we have formed based on our beliefs about the subject at hand.

Many times I have prayed about what to do when decisions were to be made. I searched scripture and based my choices on what I believed aligned with the teachings of God’s Word. Preacher’s used to call these “choices” convictions. Convictions involve looking beyond immediate desires and considering the long-term impact of our actions on our spiritual growth and wellbeing.

Preferences are subjective opinions that can be open to negotiation. For example, while I favor chocolate cake, I might opt for strawberry depending on my mood. A preference represents a goal you strive for but can compromise on. In contrast, a conviction is rooted in deeply held beliefs and remains steadfast. For instance, I am committed to dressing modestly, guided by scriptural principles. A conviction is something you aim for and aspire to uphold.

Preferences are increasingly influencing Christian’s spiritual choices. There appears to be a noticeable decline in commitment to church and related activities. The desire for what feels good seems to take precedence over the fundamental principles of being grounded in faith and fostering spiritual growth. The lack of strong convictions has fostered a mindset that is easily influenced by surrounding factors and fluctuating moods.

If Christians start to base their lives on personal preferences, I am concerned that we cease to represent Christ and instead become individualists. Jesus exemplified the choice to prioritize others over Himself. Christianity is fundamentally not a preference-driven faith. Our faith is driven by love and serving others.

I want to encourage my fellow Christians to set principles and guidelines in your life that are grounded in God’s Word and not in personal preferences. The scriptures provide wisdom for various aspects of life, including attire, friendships, careers, leadership, marriage, parenting, church involvement, and service, to name just a few.

Embrace the wisdom found in scripture to help you navigate challenges, while celebrating the joy and peace that comes from living according to Biblical principles. Remember, these guidelines are not restrictive but are meant to empower you to live your best life, reflecting love, grace, and compassion in all you do.

Blog, Christian Ladies

TUNE YOUR HEART

Jennifer White

Folks often call me about wanting to sell or give away a piano, hoping I know of a good home for it. Most of the time it hasn’t been played in a while, but once it was a dear possession. Often bought for a child to take lessons, or passed down from a grandparent.  Usually I will sit down to play one of these pianos only to hear that it is so out of tune that the song I’m playing is unrecognizable.

A piano must be played and regularly tuned or it loses its beautiful sound and purpose. This concept reminds me of our relationship with God. When we neglect our daily walk with God it feels like that out of tune piano. We lose the beauty and purpose our walk with God brings to our life. We say we love God but rarely read His Word or talk to HIm. Our heart is out of tune because loving God is not always what we think it is.

Misconceptions about loving God.

I fear God- If I don’t do this or that, God might punish me.

I work for God- I can help if no one else will.

I need God- please fix this problem and give me comfort.

Truth about loving God. Joshua 22:5

Walk in His ways- have compassion on people, make a difference.

Cling to Him- we talk, a-lot..

Serve Him- how can I use my talent to bring glory to God.

Our hearts can be drawn away from God when we let anything or anyone take precedence over God in our life, and before you know it-we are so out of tune that our life no longer sounds like a song. You don’t have to stay out of tune. Talk to God today. He’s waiting to hear from you.

Blog, Christian Ladies, devotions

Rooted in The Word

Jennifer White
The new year is already off to a rocky start. More than ever the roots of our faith must be strong and deep in order to deal with now and the future. Scripture tells us that our world will continue to grow worse and worse.

So, what can we do to prepare for it? My advice is to strengthen our roots like never before. This is not the time to live carelessly, or in fear. It’s time to intentionally plant our faith deep in the ground, by the water. It’s time to grow, and it’s time to thrive!

In James 1:19-27 we find the answer to dealing with the temptations of the world around us and in us. James encourages us to control our emotions and our tongue. To put action into our faith and to implant God’s Word in our heart and mind.

Strengthening my roots looks like this. When someone speaks and I listen instead of jumping to conclusions, I strengthen my roots. Every time I choose to show self-control instead of wrath, I’m strengthening my roots. Every time I choose to control my tongue, when I’m tempted to say things I shouldn’t, I’m strengthening my roots. When I hear God’s Word preached, or I read or listen to it and choose to act on it, instead of doing nothing, I am strengthening my roots.

James tells us the key to victorious living in this crazy world is to know the scripture so well that it becomes engrafted into our life. God’s Word becomes as much a part of us as our arm, nose, or leg.

Let’s get rooted in God’s Word this year.

Blog, Christian Ladies, Christmas

Making Room for Joy

Jennifer White

A few years ago, after my father passed away, I found my Christmas list that he had saved from when I was a little girl. It said, “Dear Santa, I want high heels, 4 inches tall, size 1 ½ if they don’t have that size get size 3, a tape recorder, and a necklace with my birthstone on it. Let everything else be a surprise!” It was humorous thinking of asking for 4 inch heels at age 6.

With enough money all of the things on my list can be bought. Many of us have spent this past year making a list for things money can’t buy- peace, health, wisdom and joy. I think joy definitely needs to be on the top of my list. I desperately need it in the day and time we are living. Maybe like me, you’re searching for joy in the wrong places such as wanting everything to be “normal” again. True joy comes from God, and happiness comes from our circumstances. If we aren’t careful, we can let our circumstances affect our joy in the Lord.

In order to make room for Joy in our life this Christmas, it means there is no room for our bah-humbug, bad attitude. There is no room for our grouchy, grinchy disgust with people. We can’t live in whining, pouting Pottersville either! We can still have joy even when our circumstances aren’t ideal.

Consider the shepherds. They didn’t have many reasons for joy in their life. They lived outdoors among sheep and shepherding was considered a low-status job. They were considered ceremonially unclean, distrusted due to their nomad lifestyle and were often looked down upon by society.

I’m glad that God is not interested in our station in life, or what we have to offer. God decides our value, and He thinks we are valuable enough to redeem us. What a joyful thought! God sent the great message of joy to a group of lowly shepherds. That same message is for us today.

Luke 2:8-11 “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

What was the joyful news? It’s that a Saviour was born. This is the most joyful news anyone can hear. So many Christians today have lost the excitement of the joyful news that a Saviour was born.

Joyful Christians laugh, they read the Bible, they sing, they give, they serve, they hope and they choose to be joyful when things aren’t ideal.

So, this week if you are tempted to have a bah-humbug attitude, start singing a Christmas song. If you are getting the grinchy disgust with people think of a way to give to others or serve someone. If you find yourself in whining, pouting Pottersville, get out of there by choosing joy!

Joy to the world- the Lord has come!

Blog, Christian Ladies, Christmas

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

Jennifer White

Thanksgiving is over and I am preparing for Christmas. I’m preparing decorations, menus, activities, and gift giving. These are not on my usual schedule throughout the year. So how am I doing these extra things? I’m making room for them.

The most wonderful time of the year can often become the most stressful time of the year. Yet I wonder if all the gift giving and pushing ourselves to exhaustion is how God would want us to celebrate the birth of His Son? In the midst of the Christmas craziness, we can often forget the very reason we’re buying gifts and celebrating with family.

The year that Jesus was born was a crazy busy time in Bethlehem. The people were preparing for the census. Cooking extra food, renting out rooms, caring for animals and doing more things than they would have usually done.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.“ (Luke 2:7)

No room for Jesus sets the tone for Jesus’ life on this earth and it’s still true today. “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.“ (I John 1:10)

Preparing Him room is giving God the the opportunity to do the decorating this Christmas. If you let Him, He will decorate your life with joy, peace, and love. It might be it the style of something unexpected, unplanned, or right in front of you nose. You have to look for it.

Let’s not get so caught up in the materialism and commercialization of Christmas that it crowds our heart. Let’s not be like that inn in the Bible, known as the place where there was no room for Jesus.

It’s past time to make room for Jesus. In fact, this is a good time for you and me to take stock of what truly matters most in our lives. Let every heart prepare Him room.

Blog, Christian Ladies, Christmas

Mary’s Merry Christmas

Jennifer White

In order to have a Merry Christmas, we first need to understand Mary’s Christmas. 9 months before the first Christmas, Mary’s world was turned upside down. She was betrothed to Joseph and had plans, goals, dreams, and a timeline of her own. However, Mary was willing to give up her agenda to allow God to use her as a vessel to carry Jesus. Sure she had plenty of reason to panic, fear and doubt God, yet she magnified Him in the midst of her chaos. She was humble, obedient, submissive, and she changed history.

If God can do that with Mary, what could God do with someone today who is willing to say, “God, give me Your desires for my heart. Lord, be first always in my life even when I don’t understand.”

God is not impressed with our title in life, or our credentials. He is interested in our hearts. Mary’s heart clearly shines in Luke 1:46-49 as she sings her song of praise.

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

If her heart was crowded with pride, fear and unbelief, she would not have been able to sing this song. There would be no room to magnify Jesus. When we magnify Him our pride, fear and unbelief gets smaller and Jesus becomes bigger in our heart.

How does it look in our life to have a Merry Christmas like Mary? God’s desires become ours. Our thoughts will be less on self and more on others. Our actions will show courage to put Jesus first around family, work and people wherever we go. Our heart will overflow with worship when we hear songs about Christmas and read the scripture.

Mary could have let pride, unbelief and fear stop her from going through with this great task. Instead she embraced the challenge, and praised God in the midst of it. The fear, doubt and chaos that 2020 has brought can either stop you from living life to it’s fullest or you can embrace the challenge and praise God in the midst of it. When we magnify Him we will see the mighty and great things He is doing in our life.

May your heart prepare Him room to be magnified this Christmas season, then you will find yourself having a Merry Christmas.

Blog, Christian Ladies

Thank You Difficulties

Jennifer White

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. Isaiah 45:3 KJV

Thank you difficulties, hard times, challenges and the rest of the ugly stuff in life. Although the good times have outnumbered the bad, I have to equally say thank you to both. There are treasures to be found in the difficulties of this life.

Failure made me strive for success.

Heartache made me humble.

Hunger made me grateful for my food.

Sickness made me appreciate health.

Failure made me work harder.

Moving made me cherish friendship.

Death made me long for heaven.

Brokenness made me cling to Christ.

Challenges made me patient.

Uncertainty made me courageous.

Hard times made me stronger.

Loneliness made me compassionate.

So, I say thank you difficulties! Thank you for the opportunities you have given me to learn, grow and be thankful. After all, without the rain there would be no flowers.

Blog, Christian Ladies, Uncategorized

God’s Promises in the Fog of Life

Jennifer White

Growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I have driven through the fog numerous times. It seems to get hung above the creeks and rivers and in between all the mountains and valleys. It’s always worse at night and in the winter time. You can be driving along and suddenly become surrounded by thick, smoky clouds of fog. Frantically you begin looking for lines on the road to guide your way. The road lines become your only source of getting through the fog, unless you happen to get behind a big truck. If that happens, you start praying that the trucker can see the road ahead because you are putting your life in his hands!

Driving in the fog reminds me of the problems in life. You can be going along the road of life and suddenly you find yourself in a spot that seems foggy. The road that was once clear, becomes hard to see. Feelings of fear, and helplessness surround you. Survival mode kicks in. You begin looking for something stable and reliable to depend on, just like the road lines.

God’s promises are just like those road lines, they are dependable and will guide your way through foggy times in life. Sure, we read His promises in the Bible. We know they are true. We even tell others to rely on them, but so often we are afraid to trust them. In the Bible God promises that He will fight for you (Exodus 14:4), that He loves you (John 3:16), that He gives strength to the weary (Isaiah 40:29), that He will never leave you (Deuteronomy 31:8.) and hundreds of other promises. What we do with God’s promises determines how we get through the “fog” in life. The area between believing and receiving God’s promises is faith. When we put our faith in God’s promises, He will lead us right through the trouble in life that seem so unclear.

We are not promised a “fog” free life, but we are promised that God will guide us through it. Unlike following that big truck and hoping the truck driver can see, we can rest assured that God sees what’s ahead and He will not lead us wrong. Put your faith in God’s promises. Eventually the fog will lift and you will see clearly again.

This post was inspired by a Sunday school lesson my very talented mother in law taught.   

 

Blog, Christian Ladies, Uncategorized

Unmet Expectations

Jennifer White

Unmet Expectations

Philippians 4:1-13

My 10- year old son wanted to order a wagon online with the birthday money he saved. We found one on e-bay that looked like a great deal.  It was exactly what he thought he needed. I looked at it and thought it was reasonably priced so we ordered it. A few days later it came in the mail, and to our surprise it was a doll size wagon. Why didn’t I look at the dimensions and all the details?  The picture was so deceiving. Needless to say, it was not at all what we expected. We were able to send it back for a refund.

We do the same thing in our life everyday. We see people or possessions that look great and we think that’s exactly what we need, only to find out later it wasn’t what we expected. The damage is done to our heart or to those around us and there is no way to “get a refund” in life.  We end up living with unmet expectations. How many times have we found ourselves saying these things? I’m not happy with my life, I feel so ugly, I hate my job, if my kids were only like their kids, I wish my husband took me on trips, everyone else gets to, this old car is so outdated, my house is too small….

What does it mean to be content? Being content doesn’t mean throwing up your arms in reluctant acceptance, it means you are satisfied to the point that you are no longer disturbed. Paul is not talking about content with laziness, un-spiritual things or sin. Paul is speaking of contentment with our place in life, possessions, and loved ones. I have found in my life that spiritual growth produces contentment. Summer-Pineapple-Fine-Apple-Printable-by-Happiness-is-HomemadeLet’s look at Philippians 4:1-13 and see what the Bible says about dealing with unmet expectations.

Mentor & Motivator (Vs. 1-3) In these verses we are encouraged to get along with others. I realize injustices can bring discontentment, but to the best of our ability we must work on keeping peace. Great joy is found in helping others. Everyone needs a model, a mentor or a motivator, or possibly all 3 at the same time. We often hear the advice that we shouldn’t follow people, but Paul said follow me as I follow Christ. Could someone follow you as you follow Christ? You can always find someone who needs encouragement.

REJOICE (Vs. 4)
Praise God in all circumstances- good or bad. That is easier said than done.
When you get down or start feeling discontent, stop, drop and roll out 10 blessings. Sometimes our expectations are so great that we don’t praise God for the little things in life.

MODERATION (Vs. 5)
Moderation here means -show restraint, not indulgent, avoid extremes. Learn to be content with less materially. Try a spending fast. Make do without going to the store for every little thing. Make a recipe from scratch, plant a garden, eat from your pantry, or stay home. Practice the 1 in 1 out rule meaning if you buy something, get rid of something. If you want a new outfit shop in your closet and create a new outfit with the pieces you have. Maybe downsizing would be a good option for you, clean out your kitchen and donate food items and cooking utensils. Most Americans can downsize their clothing by 75% and still have too much.  A smaller house and simple life style can be refreshing. Try changing the messages around you by reducing exposure to social media, TV ads, magazines, and stores.  Even our behavior should be moderate. Uncontrolled anger, and extreme mood swings heighten the discontentment in our heart. It ispineapple Standrefreshing and rewarding when you live in moderation.

DON’T WORRY, Just Do It (Vs. 6-9)
God will supply your needs, not your greed’s. Worry is a bad habit. It’s another way of saying “God, you don’t love me, and I don’t trust you.” Rest in Gods provisions. We tend to want God to work out our problems according to our expectations. When our plan doesn’t work we are hit with unmet expectations. Either God is enough, or He isn’t.  We trust Him for our salvation but we don’t trust Him to meet our needs. Whenever I try to get ahead of God and make my own way, I find that I regret it. God’s solutions always work out better than my own. God says in His Word to just do it and He will give you peace.
pineapple bush

LEARN CONTENTMENT (Vs. 10-11)
We never stop learning in this life. Contentment is a learned virtue that comes mainly by experience. Think about Joseph in Genesis 50:20. “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

We don’t know Gods plans. Don’t dwell on the “should, could, and would” of this life.
Most of us live in the future more than in the present.  Live passionately for today. We pursue the treasure at the end of the rainbow and rarely drink deeply at the well of the present moment, which is all we ever have. Circumstances do not make us who we are, but they reveal who we are. We are responsible for our actions, attitude and responses. I’ve heard that “contentment is a state of the heart unaffected by the outward circumstances.”

Contentment is not found in having everything, but in being satisfied with everything we have.
pineapple words
CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY WHERE YOU ARE
Happiness is a choice you make every day. For a happy life, want what you have. When we have the doldrums, or hit a plateau in our life, we tend to compare our circumstances with those around us. I have often heard it said that the greenest grass is usually found above the septic tank. So be careful when looking at other people who seem to have everything, you don’t know what is going on underneath. We have so much to enjoy in the life God has given us that comparison will only set us up for disappointment.

Comparison is the enemy of contentment and it does 2 things: It makes you feel better about yourself or makes you jealous. There will always be someone else who possess a greater quality or quantity of what we think we should have. Because of this, comparison leads to covetousness. Instead of loving our neighbors, we find ourselves loving what they possess. Love people, then you will be happy for them. We can be content when we put our hope in His character rather than in our concept of how our lives should appear.

pineapple sayings Rely on God’s Power (Vs. 13)
Choosing to be content will only come when you rely on God’s power to change your heart and mind about the expectations in your life. When you set yourself up with unrealistic expectations you will never be content with who you are and with what you have. Sometimes God meets our expectations differently than we think.

Trust God and the process He is taking you through. Live to Glorify Him and then your expectations will become the same as God’s expectations for your life.

Blog, Christian Ladies, Uncategorized

Are You a Happy Camper?

Jennifer White

School is finally out and it’s a beautiful mid-June, sunny, summery day. It’s that time of year when I see RV’s being pulled down the highway.  I watch the happy campers with all their camping gear get ready to hit the campground for the weekend. What a great way to enjoy the season of outdoor living

“Happy Camper” was a very, annoying term that was popular when I was a kid in the early 80’s.  The definition is “a satisfied person who is cheerful” but was usually used sarcastically.

When I was growing up my family didn’t camp in a RV on a campground, but we camped in A-frame tents on the banks of the lake. It was wonderful to wake up to the smell of eggs and bacon being cooked by mom on a black skillet over the campfire. The peaceful, lake waters sloshing on the banks, and the excitement of going fishing with my dad would encourage me to wake up with the sunrise. You could say I was a happy camper, well at least until I had to walk 1/4 of a mile to a bathroom, rub aloe on my sunburn, or throw away the little Debbie cakes that the ants found before I did.

The phrase “Happy Camper” makes me think of the Israelites. They flipped-flopped their way through 40 years of being “Happy Campers” or “Not Happy Campers” it just depended on their circumstance. Today we do the same thing in our life. We base our attitude on our feelings, which can be misleading, instead of God’s promises.  In the following passage of Deuteronomy chapter 1, we find the Israelites as not very happy campers.

Compasses and Maps

Deuteronomy 1:21 Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.

had a plan for the Israelites. He gave them 3 very clear instructions. 1. Possess the land 2. Don’t be afraid 3. Don’t be discouraged.

God has a plan all mapped out for your life. Are you praying and reading the Bible, so you will know His plan? If you aren’t sure of His plan for your future, then right now do what God has already commanded. 1. Pray 2. Read the Bible 3. Fellowship with believers 4. Tell others about Him.  Like following a compass, His plan becomes more clear as you stay on the right path.

Calling All Scouts

22 And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.23 And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe:24 And they turned and went up into the mountain, and came unto the valley of Eschol, and searched it out.25 And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the Lord our God doth give us.26 Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord your God: 

 

In verses 22-26 the Israelites are doubting God’s plan. They were not “happy campers” when it came to trusting God. They decided to scout it out for themselves to see if there was something good in their future or not. Faith was hard for the Israelites. Possibly their many years in bondage made things seem too good to be true. They even became rebellious after the reports came back that the land was good. I have found in my life that peace usually comes after I step out on faith, and not anytime sooner.

Kum-ba-ya by the Bonfire

30 The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; 31 And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the Lord thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place. 32 Yet in this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God, 33 Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.

The Israelites needed a pep talk. They needed to hear reminders of the past and promises of future victories. God had provided for them this far and He will continue to lead them safely. When are we going to let God fight our battles and stop trying to win them in our own strength? Complaining leads to discouragement which makes us miss the blessings of life. This cycle becomes a pattern that must be broken. You can break the pattern. Remember God’s faithfulness in your life and let Him fight your battles. He will lead you to a place of another victory.

Are you a happy camper today? If not, you can be one by reflecting on God’s goodness and by making a conscious decision to be aware of God’s presence in your life every day.