The Lord's Favor

 By: Lauren Thomas 

Lately, I’ve been intrigued by the idea of “the favor of the Lord.” What is it? What does it mean? How do I get it? Does having it mean life would be easier?

 

In the Old Testament, Noah was one of only two individuals explicitly described as having found favor in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8; Exodus 33:17). The favor that God showed to Noah resulted in salvation from a worldwide flood. This salvation came through an ark. While all humanity was destroyed by water, Noah, his wife, his sons, and their wives, were saved because Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

The Old Testament is full of types and shadows that point us to Christ. The ark is one type and shadow of Jesus. Just as Noah was saved from God’s wrath and judgement by entering an ark, we are saved from eternal judgement by putting our faith in Jesus. In John 10:9 Jesus calls himself the door through which we can enter and be saved. He is our ark.

 

Up until 2022, I felt strongly that I had the favor of the Lord. Why? Because my life was relatively easy. But a series of difficulties over the next two plus years had me questioning if I was truly “blessed and highly favored.” Now, I believe I am favored. And I believe you are too.

 

Why?

 

Imagine being one of those 4 women on the ark. For 370 days you are shut up in an enclosed boat – tight quarters - with loud, stinky animals. You have struggled with sea sickness. You’ve endured the trauma of the unknown, you’ve endured the trauma of thinking of all those who didn’t get on the boat. You’ve wondered about what kind of future you’ll meet once this all ends. Nothing about that sounds pleasant. And yet, God mercifully preserved you.

 

For you bless the righteous, O Lord;

you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5:12 ESV

 

God’s favor shields us from judgement. But God’s favor will not shield us from anything that could bring us closer to him. Those things I went through starting in 2022 brought me closer to God. He did not shield me from pain, but ultimately, he is shielding my life from evil. Because favor is not a carefree life; favor is a life that God lovingly saves.

 

Today, if you are reading this, God is extending his favor to you in offering you salvation through his son, Jesus. Get on the boat, and receive that favor!

 

Reflection:

Read Genesis 6-9. Imagine you are on the boat with Noah. 

How is Jesus your ark? Have you ever correlated God’s favor with a carefree life? What difficulties has God allowed in your life, and how have they brought you closer to him? 

Cultivating an Intentional and Consistent Quiet Time

By: Jenifer Metzger

Last week we talked about becoming a woman of the Word with why we need to read the Bible and how a Bible reading plan can help. Today we are going to continue our discussion by talking about how to cultivate an intentional and consistent quiet time.

We now know that we need to read the Bible and we can see how a Bible reading plan can help. But how can we be intentional and consistent? Here are a few tips to take into 2026 to help you be intentional and consistent as you become a woman of the Word.

Make a plan.

Decide what time of day to read the Bible and pray. Pick a time you know that you will be able to focus. If you fall into bed at night so exhausted you can't even see clearly, that is probably not the best time to read the Bible. Personally, I feel better and notice a positive impact on my day when I read the Bible and pray in the morning. Maybe for you, first thing in the morning is your best time. Maybe you will do better on your lunch break from work or while the kids nap. Or maybe you are your best at night. Whatever it is, decide that you are going to set aside time to spend with Jesus.

Gather your supplies.

First and most important, you will of course need your Bible. If you do not have a Bible, here are a couple options I have personally used and love:

One Step Closer Bible - NLT
She Reads Truth Bible - CSB
Study Bible for Women - CSB
Lifeway Women's Bible - CSB

The Bible is the one tool that is a must. If you have nothing else, have a Bible. However, in addition to your Bible, it can be beneficial to also have a pen and highlighters. My favorite Bible highlighters that will not smear or bleed through thin Bible pages are:

Zebra Mildliners
Daily Grace Co highlighters
Mr. Pen highlighters

Journals are also helpful for your quiet time. Journaling allows you to write our prayer requests, praise reports, your prayers, and write things God is teaching you. The Wholehearted Quiet Time Companion is a wonderful journal for your quiet time and much more. You can also use a blank journal. Write the Word journals are also wonderful tools!

And finally, get your Bible reading plan ready. It is helpful to have your plan printed out and put inside your Bible or journal.

Click here for the 2023
Woman to Woman One Year
Bible Reading Plan.

Have one centralized place to keep your supplies. This could be a pretty basket or bag. Having your supplies in one location helps to have everything together so you are ready instead of scrambling for something. I personally love the Theologian tote bag and the Bible bags at Ever AJ.

Remove distractions.

We tend to be distracted easily. By removing distractions, it helps to focus on reading or talking with God. You can do this by turning the TV off or leaving your phone in another room. If the sink of dirty dishes distracts you, don't have your quiet time in the kitchen.

Moms can easily be distracted by our kids. Waking up thirty minutes or even an hour before your kids wake up can be beneficial in so many ways. However, if it is not possible for you to have your quiet time before the kids wake up, that's okay, it is still possible to have a quiet time. If they are old enough to entertain themselves, tell your kids that you are going spend time with Jesus and to please not disrupt you unless it is an emergency. It make take a few days or weeks for them to get into this routine, but they will get there. If your kids are younger, set them up with something to keep them busy. This could be special toys or activities that come out only during this time or a favorite movie.

While our Bible and prayer time is often called a "quiet time," for moms it is rarely quiet and that is perfectly okay. Remember, it is important for our kids to see us praying and reading the Bible. This is a strong witness and lesson to them. One day, they may even join you!

Find accountability.

Accountability is often a strong key when we do something important in life. Think of going to the gym. People are more likely to workout when they have a buddy to workout with. In the same way, accountability can help us stay on track when it comes to our Bible reading and prayer life.

Find a friend or Bible study companion and ask her to pray about being your accountability partner. Designate a time to check in with each other each day. It could be as simple as an early morning text saying, "I'm up and ready to spend time with Jesus. Are you?" Or it could be a weekly phone call or coffee date talking about what God has been teaching you through Scripture that week.

At Woman to Woman, we have a Daily Reflections of Hope group. This is a private Facebook group where you can share your daily Bible reading, prayer requests, and praise reports. If you would like to join our group, click HERE.

Give yourself grace.

We are not perfect people and we will never be perfect at something. If you fall behind in your Bible plan, give yourself grace and jump back in. If you struggle to understand what you're reading in the Bible, know you're not alone and ask questions. Ask God to reveal to you what He wants you to know, talk to your pastor, and discuss it with your accountability partner. If you feel distracted, go back to removing distractions and ask God to help you focus. Whatever you do, never beat yourself up. Spending time with the Father through prayer and Bible reading isn't a rigid command, it's about learning more about God and growing in your relationship with Him. It is a beautiful thing and full of grace.

Discussion:
1. Which of these tips do you struggle with the most?
2. What other tips do you have for being intentional and consistent in this area?

Names of God Series: The Resurrection and the Life

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy of: Pisit Heng

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.'"

~John 11:25

In what feels like an especially dark time in this world, with news report after news report flashed all over our screens of death after death in country after country, we could really use the comfort which comes with remembering this name of God. Jesus tell us He is the resurrection and the life, showing us that He has victory over death and through Him, we have eternal life.

Because of the fall, death will come to all of us. But death isn't the end. Death doesn't get the final answer. Through Christ's sacrifice, death has lost its sting. Praise God for that good news!

I want to keep today's devotional short and sweet, because I want you to take the time to be on your knees before the Lord and sit in the beauty of this truth. Sit here for a bit and meditate on it. Rest here for a while and allow Jesus to comfort you with the reality of what He has done for you. This will be an important few moments for you to pause and reflect before entering back into your life today and all the news and updates that may come your way. Linger here a while with the resurrection and the life, and allow Him to infuse His abundant life into yours. 

God bless you!

Reflection Questions:

1) How does this name of Jesus' touch your heart in this day and time?

2) How can you apply this truth to what you are seeing in the news?

3) How can you encourage someone else with this truth today?

New Mercies Begin Today

 By: Joanne Viola

 

Today we find ourselves at the end of the month. January came in quietly and has passed ever so quickly. One month of this new year almost completed.

How are you doing?

Are you still feeling motivated or have you become discouraged?

The start of a new year can often bring hope as we make resolutions, set new goals, begin using a new Bible or devotional book. But sometimes life can get in the way of all these good intentions.

Scripture brings this reminder:

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! 
His mercies never cease. 
Great is his faithfulness; 
his mercies begin afresh each morning.” 
(Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT) 

Even when we may feel defeated or discouraged, each new dawn brings hope. Hope of His mercies. Hope of His compassion towards us.

And His mercies, hope, and compassion will never fail us.

Why should we read the Bible each day?

• It will guide us. “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NLT)
• It will bring correction and teaching. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT) 
• It will bring us wisdom. “The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7, NLT) 

If you are looking to start over with a new Bible, Susan Sikes offers some help in this post HERE

“The best Bible is the one you read.”
(author unknown)

And if you are in looking for a Bible reading plan, you can join with Woman to Woman and download their plan HERE.

It is never to late to start over.
New mercies
begin today.

 

Reflection: 

How do you select a reading plan or devotional? Which resources have you found helpful?

 

Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

 

 

 

 

Navel-Gazing = Wave-Watching

 By: Lauren Thomas 

I’ve always felt equal parts amused and revolted by the term “navel-gazing”. Though the term has interesting origins, the modern definition is excessive self-contemplation. Basically, it’s when we get caught up in our own shortcomings and flaws. And sometimes this might seem like the “right” thing to do - as if identifying all our filth will somehow make us fitter to be the Christians we are supposed to be. 

But instead of helping us identify our filth, I think navel-gazing causes us to identify WITH our filth. 

This is the antithesis of faith in Jesus. 

In three Gospel accounts we read about the account of Jesus walking on water and calling Peter to join him. Peter did fine with this feat, as long as his eyes were on Jesus. But when he looked at the waves, he began to sink. 

We know the story. Because it’s also our story. 

When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can face life. But when we get caught up in our shortcomings, failures, and flaws, we lose sight of Jesus. When we get stuck navel-gazing, we can forget the atonement, the intercessory work, the advocacy, of Jesus in Heaven on our behalf. This, after all, is faith - looking to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2)! 

Why would we look at our sin instead of looking at Jesus, when God doesn’t look at our sin, he looks at Jesus?

Dane Ortlund, in his book Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers writes: “Looking inside ourselves, we can anticipate only harshness from heaven. Looking out to Christ, we can anticipate only gentleness” (2020, p. 57). 

Navel-gazing is essentially a modern day parallel of Peter’s wave-watching. It causes us to sink. Navel-gazing can also trick us into thinking that we are doing something helpful, when really, we’re just over identifying as “sinner” and losing sight of our Savior who makes us saints in God’s sight.

Instead of being navel-gazers or wave-watchers, let’s join the Psalmist in singing:

“My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”

Psalm 63:8 ESV

Look to Jesus.

“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

Reflection:

Do you ever get distracted with “navel gazing”? What triggers navel-gazing for you? How might your day to day life change if you looked to Jesus and not to your sinfulness?