How to Cultivate Wisdom

By: Sarah Geringer

How wise are you? 

Do you think that wisdom only comes from old age?

That's partly true, because experience teaches us much. But true wisdom is found in God's Word.

How can you keep your eyes glued on wisdom in our culture?

Wisdom abounds in scripture. My children and I have been studying one verse from the book of Proverbs at lunchtime this summer. Many of the proverbs show a contrast between wisdom and foolishness, just like our theme verse for today:

Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. Proverbs 17:24 NLT

Thanks to the power of the internet, our eyes truly can wander to the ends of the earth. We are tempted thousands of times daily, through signs, ads, and social media, to look at what is foolish. But God calls us to keep our eyes glued to wisdom. How do we do that?

Wisdom is cultivated one day at a time by planting God's word in our hearts.

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If you're not in the habit of daily Bible study, you're missing out on wisdom. Here are the easiest ways to cultivate wisdom every day:

1. Use a Bible app. I like the First 5 app, and there are many more free versions.
2. Use a One Year Bible or reading plan. I've used a One Year Bible since 2002, and it's made an enormous difference in my faith by reading it every morning.
3. Study one verse from Proverbs for the next 30 days. You'll gain wisdom by the bushel.
4. Write verses out. You remember verses better when you write them. Jot one down on a sticky note and place it in an area you'll see often.
5. Set a reminder on your phone. You can use the free app IFTTT to set reminders for everything under the sun. Set up text reminders to study your Bible.
6. Use an online search tool. My favorite tool is biblegateway.com. When I need a verse on a certain subject, it's a quick and easy way to find help.
7. Sign up for daily devotionals. You're already reading Women 2 Women Ministries posts; that's great! Find other online devotionals and sign up to get Bible studies delivered to you.

All these methods will help you grow wiser. Of course, you'll need to invest the time to engage in these activities every day. They will help you keep your eyes glued to wisdom rather than being drawn away by the world.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings and God's peace to you,

Sarah Geringer
Finding Peace in God's Word

Photo from Canva.com

Reflection questions:

1. What's your favorite method for studying God's Word?

2. In what area would you like to grow in wisdom this year?

Get Out There

By:
Emily Miller

You hear so many sermons about stepping out of your comfort zone and into the sweet promise God has for our lives.

Yet, some of you may be wondering, I don't feel like God is calling me to do anything above and beyond what I am doing in a way that might be of an inconvenience to me.

Perhaps what God is calling you to do is not so much scary or an inconvenience as it is maybe, possibly, just something that you don't want to do.

Call me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Jeremiah 33:3

Ask yourself, what do you think you need to do to move foward with your life. Pray, ask for wisdom and discernment, and then move forward with the wisdom that you recive from God.

Blessings,

Emily

It is time for the Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments.

Use hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday

Three rules to this link up:
1. Must be a {Christian} faith post.
2. Link back to W2W somewhere in your post. (Feel free to use our button if you want!)
3. Visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.

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How to Pray When Words Won't Come

By: Jenifer Metzger

Have you ever wanted to pray but the words just wouldn't come? You just didn't know what to say? Pray the Word.

In those moments when the words fail us, we need to begin to pray the Word. God's words are for us, He breathed those words for you. Praying God's own words align our heart with His as we pray His will. And as we pray His words, our heart will be stirred and we will find our own words.

When we pray God's words, we can pray them just as they are in the Bible. We can also personalize it by adding our own name or a personal pronoun (e.i. changing us to me). Here are some verses you can begin to pray:

Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful love

so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14

Teach me Your way, Lord,

and I will live by Your truth.

Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.

Psalm 86:11

Make Your ways known to me, Lord;

teach me Your paths.

Psalm 25:4

Therefore, you should pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,

Your name be honored as holy.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not bring us into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:9-13

Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness,

so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

Open my eyes so that I may contemplate

wondrous things from Your instruction.

Psalm 119:18

God, create a clean heart for me

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

God's words are powerful and have purpose. Why wouldn't we pray them?

Discussion:
1. What are other verses you can pray?
2. What else can you do when the words for prayer will not come?

God's light and truth in confusing times...

by Elizabeth Stewart

We live in a loud, noisy, opinionated culture. News outlets of every type and political leaning abound with opinions more than factual information. It seems that everyone on social media has strong opinions about everything and feels compelled to let us all know what those opinions are. Calm and rational discourse among those with opposing views is almost extinct. They see each other as the enemy. Hateful words are now common practice. Emotions run high.

How do we know who and what is right? It's all too easy to think, "well, that person sounds right!". Then five minutes later someone posts another view and that person sounds right as well. Confusion and strife abound.

Too often, instead of withdrawing from the noise and seeking the Father's heart, will, and thoughts, (like Jesus did), we make a foolhardy decision to add our voice and opinion into the fray. (Been there. Done that.) Some do so out of pure motives and wanting to stand up for what they see is right. Perhaps, some do so out of not wanting to miss being on the latest bandwagon. Unfortunately, too often we end up adding to the confusion and contention. Jesus did not say or do anything until the Father told Him to do so. He sought the Father's judgement and will on a matter and then acted or spoke only as the Father instructed Him. Perhaps the wisest and most helpful thing we can do is to follow in His steps.

Two things that I ask God almost daily is that He will help me to see clearly the difference between truth and deception. I don't want to be a person who gullibly accepts everything I see or hear. I also pray Isaiah 50:4 "The Lord God has given Me the tongue of a disciple and of one who is taught, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He wakens Me morning by morning, He wakens My ear to hear as a disciple [as one who is taught]." I desperately need to hear what God has to say and desire to only speak what is His will, in His way and timing.

There's one opinion and point of view we need to seek. We need God's guiding light in this dark and confusing culture. We need to know what God's truth is in the middle of this morass of man's opinion. If we are ingesting man's opinions more than we are seeking God and reading His Word, then it's no wonder that we are wandering around in confusion and frustration. We are in desperate need of a guiding light-of a firm foundation of truth to stand on in unstable times. Man's opinions are a dime a dozen. God's light and truth alone is where hope for our hurting world is found.

still following, 

www.justfollowingjesus.com

The Hidden Power of Kindness

By: Sarah Geringer

We are all hungry for the fruit of kindness in our contentious culture. 

Meanness seems to abound. But kindness has a hidden power that can't be denied.

Ephesians 4:32 reminds us to be kind to one another, tender and forgiving. That's the life Jesus wants us to live, and the Holy Spirit will empower us to be kind when we feel like being mean (or doing nothing at all).

Do you know that kindness has a hidden power?

Active kindness blesses people. Normally you can tell when someone appreciates a kind word or action. Their facial expression softens. Their eyes light up. They might even smile.

Passive kindness is a hidden blessing. When we don't react in anger but withhold our tongues in a spirit of kindness, we secretly bless the other person.

Let me offer an example. 

Yesterday, I was in a checkout line at a discount retailer. The cashier was on the phone the entire time, talking with a manager about a truck delivery and making a deposit. Her treatment made me feel insignificant as she bagged my items without saying hello or thank you or looking at me even once.

Anger rose up in me as I watched at least three other people line up behind me. Apparently, this woman was the only employee available to check people out. I don't know why she didn't simply say, "Can I call you back?," especially because she was obviously on the phone with a manager who surely would have understood.

My two children were standing with me. I didn't say a word. As we walked out, my children said, "That was terrible customer service, Mom."

I replied, "You're right. It was terrible. But sometimes, the kindest thing to do is nothing at all. She was working; she wasn't dogging off. I'm sure she wasn't trying to be rude, though it felt that way. I could issue a complaint, but today, I'm deciding to be kind and just let it go."

Please don't think I'm bragging. This is NOT my normal setting! I have complained to managers before and sent emails to company headquarters for bad service. But I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me yesterday to be kind. He knew what that woman could handle, and my secret kindness was more powerful than showing anger.

The hidden power for me? I walked away feeling peaceful and released. When I've done the necessary confronting before (and it is definitely necessary sometimes), I leave all stirred up. But kindness granted me peace, because I was following God's will.

Kindness holds hidden powers to transform our own hearts.

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Do you want to feel calmer? Less aggravated? Less weighed down? Try showing kindness, whether in active or passive forms. 

Let the Holy Spirit work through you, and listen for the times He prompts you to be kind. Then take action!

He bears this sweet fruit through you. You simply need to be the branch that bears His fruit. Be kind today, and bless someone else while you cultivate peace and godliness in your own heart.

Have a wonderful week!

Blessings and God's peace to you,

Sarah Geringer
Finding Peace in God's Word

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Reflection questions:

1. What's the kindest thing someone ever did for you?

2. Who needs your kindness most today?

Social Media Wars

by Debi Baker

"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things."

Galatians 5:22-23 CSB

I think that with everything going on in the news today, we need to be reminded that God would desire us to display the fruit of the Spirit more readily!!!  It seems that at every turn someone is posting something for or against certain situations going on.  I understand that we have a right to have opposing opinions but we shouldn't be so quick to jump down someone's throat.  Agree to disagree!  The left goes after the right!  The right goes after the left!  Arguing isn't going to change a thing!  

The best defense we have is not to post all over Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Our best defense is to 'hit our knees!!'  And that doesn't mean to pray God changes everyone else's mind!  It means to pray for God's will to be done no matter what that might be!

To be honest, I'm just about ready to take a sabbatical from social media.  It's not that I want to put my head in the sand and ignore what's going on in the world; I just want everyone to take a step back and re-evaluate the reasons we post what we post.  Are we posting to get a rise out of someone or are we posting because we want to make a difference?  I challenge you ... and myself ... to think twice before we post anything.  Think about what you're trying to say with that post.  Let's try to lift others up!  Let's try to stay positive in a negative world!  God gave us a mass between our ears called a brain.  Let's use it to encourage and brighten an otherwise dark world!!

Remember this, if you profess to be a Christian and you post Chrisitan things...when you post negativity and political rants, etc, you are negating your testimony!

Have a blessed day!!

Memorizing Scripture

By:

Emily Miller

We hear that we should be reading the Bible each and every single day. That is not a challenging thing to do once you get into the habit of it.

However, I believe that most of us, no matter how much we have been reading the bible as of late, struggle to really commit it into our hearts.

The act of Memorizing scripture is something that I believe has fallen by the wayside in today's culture.

It is all because too many things compete for our time.

Chores.

Finances.

Our marriage.

Our children.

These are all things that should have part of our time. Yet, we need to make sure to put a priority on being with God and committing his word to memory first and foremost.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

-Joshua 1:8

The Bible should be the book that orders the rest of your life, but this only begins after you start committing the word to memory.

Not only does memorizing scripture create for a more orderly life, it creates a more joyful heart.

If you struggle with anxiety and depression like I do, memorizing scripture is a way to combat this.

For the more you commit the word to your heart, the more the word comes to mind over your anxious or sad thoughts and feelings, instead filling you with joy.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

- 2 Timothy 1:7

I would like to challenge you for the rest of this summer to commit to memorizing a portion of scripture, both for yourself and for your family.

You will be surprised at the profound impact it begins to have on your life.

Blessings,

Emily





It is time for the Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments.

Use hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday

Three rules to this link up:
1. Must be a {Christian} faith post.
2. Link back to W2W somewhere in your post. (Feel free to use our button if you want!)
3. Visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.

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Advice For the Stay At Home Wife

By: Jenifer Metzger

I try.

I really do.

I try to get it all done every single day. But I just can't do it. I am not superwoman, as much as I would like to be. I try to do it all because I like a clean and orderly home. It makes me feel good and makes me feel like I accomplished something. But I also want desperately for my husband to walk in the door from a hard day at work and the entire house be completely and perfectly spotless, the laundry completed, all phone calls made and errands ran, dinner almost done, candles burning, his clothes out for the evening with the bathroom warm and a fresh towel dry for his shower, everything just perfect. But I just can't do it. There are just not enough hours in the day to do everything.

I am a stay at home housewife and mom. To some that translates, sits on her bum and watches talk shows all day. This would be a very wrong translation.  If you are a housewife, you understand. Even though I stay at home all day, I still cannot get it all done everyday. My days at home are full to the max.

I want my husband to come home and be pleased. I want him to walk in the door and be happy with what he sees. To me, that means I have to have it all done. Yet to him, that is not what it means at all.

Yes, my husband does like a clean house. But honestly, he doesn't really care if I didn't get the dusting done today. He doesn't care if the dogs' bedding was washed today. He doesn't care if I didn't get the bedrooms vacuumed today.

What my husband does want to come home to is no yelling. If he comes in from a long day at work and the house is loud with yelling, then he is unable to relax and unwind. He also wants things picked up. It's okay with him if it isn't deep cleaned, but he likes it picked up so that he isn't tripping over shoes and toys. He doesn't care about beds being made (although I do, so this gets done everyday!) though he likes the bedrooms picked up. He also likes for the tv to be available so that he can relax and watch tv before dinner.

I still work hard to get as much as possible done, but the things he really wants done are my priority.  I also try to make sure that his evening clothes are out and ready in bathroom and his favorite blanket is sitting in his chair with the remote on top. Those are not things he asks for, but things that just make him feel special and let him know I was thinking of him.

Though the dusting may not have been done, the dog beds are stinky, and the bikes are still out in the drive way, the things that make my husband walk in and feel welcome and special are done. That is my goal as his house wife.

What are the things your husband wants done each day? Maybe he wants a home-cooked meal ready, maybe he likes all of the floors clean, maybe he wants the kids playing quietly, or maybe he likes the scent of the fresh laundry. If you do not know, ask him. Ask him to list a couple of things that he sees as a priority for you to accomplish each day. Then put those at the top of your to-do list, if the rest doesn't get done, it's okay. Then add something to the list that you think will make him feel special, something to show him you love him and were thinking of him that day.

We may not be super women, but we can make our husbands feel welcome and loved in their home.





This is a reposted article from 2011.

As far as the east is from the west...Father's Day memories

by Elizabeth Stewart

When Daddy left Mama and us kids for another woman, in my nine year old mind and heart I figured that Daddy had left Jesus, too. What I didn't understand is that Jesus didn't so easily let go of Daddy. Every Sunday our little church had a time for people who wanted prayer to come forward to the altar area. Every Sunday I went forward and had the pastor pray for my Daddy.

Daddy and I grew apart over the years due in large part to life circumstances, but also due to the hurt, and yes, unforgiveness, I still carried in my heart. I went off to college. I got married and my husband and I started a family. Daddy and his new wife were busy with their life and were raising two of her grandchildren. When I was pregnant with our second born, Daddy had a heart attack and open heart surgery. It seems like that was his turning point to make sure all was well between him and Jesus.

Some years later, Daddy's wife became very ill and the two of them had to be moved into an assisted living facility. When she passed away, he was moved again into a facility closer to where I lived. That's when God did a huge healing in our relationship. (If you'd like to read about that, click here.)

When I would visit Daddy at the care facility, his mind was often in a different place-most often, back in World War II. But when I would read the Bible, sing hymns, or talk about Jesus with him, amazingly, he would come into his right mind. Daddy showed me what God's grace in action looks like. When we would talk about Jesus, Daddy's face was the face of a man who knew he was forgiven and loved. It was the face of a man at peace with God.

Over a decade ago, the phone on my nightstand rang in the wee hours and the care facility called to say that my daddy had passed away. My husband and I rushed to the facility, and when I walked into Daddy's room I thought for a moment that they were mistaken. He looked exactly like he did when I would catch him napping. He looked peaceful. He looked happy. He looked at rest.

We had Psalm 103:12 engraved on Daddy's grave marker.  "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Yes, Daddy died with regrets. Though, he had asked us for and received our forgiveness, he couldn't undo the hurt and pain he had caused us in the past. But, he died free and forgiven, his sins as far away from him as the east is from the west. Hallelujah!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy. And Happy Father's Day above all to the Father in Heaven who filled in the gaps abundantly above all I could ask or think, where my earthly father lacked.

still following,

www.justfollowingjesus.com

Two Unappreciated Fruits of the Spirit: Patience and Self-Control

By: Sarah Geringer

When I study the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, these two always trip me up.

Love, peace and joy seem more attainable. Kindness, goodness, gentleness, and faithfulness aren’t huge challenges for me.

But patience and self-control? They are constant challenges.

Do you feel that way too?

We live in a fast-paced, indulgent world. Patience and self-control aren’t valued in the culture-at-large. The messages we hear and the images we see promote Satisfaction. Right. Now.

Our theme verse for today indicates that power and the ability to conquer others were highly valued then as they are now. Pride is at the root of a desire for power, conquering, and immediately having your own way.

Scripture affirms the greater value of both patience and self-control—two fruits we may not appreciate as much as God does. But He wants our appreciation to grow, so we can serve and inspire others.

Consider these additional verses:

A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 NIV

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. James 5:7 NIV

Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. Titus 1:8 NIV

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV

Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:4-5 NIV

Scripture affirms the great value of both patience and self-control.

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Jesus was both patient and self-controlled. If we want to become more like Jesus, we must pursue both unappreciated fruits. We can take practical steps to grow each fruit in the following ways:

Remember that these two fruits are the fruits of the Holy Spirit, who bears the fruit in you. Pray to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to use you as a vine for both fruits.

Choose one of the above verses for Christian meditation this week. Ponder every word in the verse, asking yourself what it tells you about God and what it tells you about yourself.

Learn your triggers for both impatience and a lack of self-control. When faced with temptation in those areas, recite the verse to yourself and count to ten, telling yourself you will choose God’s way instead of your own.

This summer, you can develop a new appreciation for these two fruits. As you bear them in your life, you will show Jesus to others and gain greater peace.

Have a wonderful week!

Blessings and God's peace to you,

Sarah Geringer
Finding Peace in God's Word

Photo from Pexels.com

Reflection questions:

1. Which of these two fruits is hardest for you to bear, and why?

2. What change will you make today to start bearing more fruit for God’s glory?