No Worries for Tomorrow

This week’s verse: Matthew 6:34, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (NLT)

Devotion: It always seems like life comes down to 2 choices in every situation: To serve others, or to be served. To worry or not worry. To love or hate. To forgive or to be bitter. To believe or not to believe. It seems simple really, yet not everything seems to be black and white.

What about the gray area? This little area is where my mind tells me to not worry, but my heartache tells me to. Or my heart says to love someone when my mind says “but, I don’t like them”.

Currently, I am in this “gray” situation. A year ago I set out to take over the Olive Branch and did so with much enthusiasm. For one year, I have officially been a “blogger”; and this is something I never thought I would say. It has been fun and very emotional as I have laid my burdens for all to see. I have given over my weaknesses, my strengths, and my faults, exposing parts of my life I never thought I would.

BUT – now is my time to say goodbye. And because of this, the Olive Branch will once again experience change in management! Charity Pence will be posting but not near as often or on a schedule – but the Olive Branch will stay alive!

I hope that I can continue to post blogs whenever time allows, but for now, I will officially sign off as blog manager and welcome Charity to her new ministry at FCC!

Please continue to pray for the Olive Branch as it reaches women at FCC and beyond. Pray for Godly words to be spoken and for all who reads the blog to be exposed to Jesus and the power of his works here on Earth.

God Bless,

Bethany Lashbrook

Dear Lord, please help this ministry to continue to reach others through truth, love, and Jesus’ teachings. Thank you Father for allowing our country to speak freely of how we feel about you. Thank you Father that we live in a town that still accepts religion and belief of you the “norm”. Thank you Father for your Son and his sacrifice. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Lightbulb Moment

by Bethany Lashbrook

This week's verse: 1 Peter 2:1-3, "Therefore, rid yourselves of malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk; so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted the Lord is good. (NIV)

Devotion:

Yesterday, everything just fell into place. Just like that. A year long spiritual drought in my household ended just as promptly as it came on. One year ago, my husband and I were swallowed up and we have been running in a black hole every since. We just kept running by each other - waving - wondering when we were going to make it back up to breathe again.

And then I came upon this verse in my reading today. I'm gonna break it down for you in the way I saw it today with fresh eyes, fresh breath, fresh fire in my life.

Rid yourselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander. Surely I couldn't be any of these harsh words. That's exactly what I have been. I have been mean (without the Lord put first in my life, I tend to focus on past failures, past inadequacies, past regrets and in the process, I become mean). I have been deceitful to my friends, my family, and most importantly, to God. I think he doesn't see things but he sees it all. Hypocrite, envy - check - check. Been that too. Slander - not so much out of my mouth - but what about the TV shows I choose to watch? Are they all for the Glory of God? Am I allowing slander in my home through my choices? What do my children think of this?

Crave spiritual milk, so that you may grow in salvation. In one day, my husband and I held hands and started walking up out of the dark hole together and as we were reaching for the top, we agreed that without growth, this last year is worth nothing. Without growth, we have been taught nothing, haven't listened at all, haven't learned our lesson. Without growth, we fail to trust that the Lord brought us through this valley for a reason and we will continue to grow.

Now that you have tasted the Lord is good. That's exactly what the Lord is. My girls have a saying when I make one of their many favorite meals. They like to tease me. They say, "Mom, it's not good. (pause) Sorry, mom, it's not even great (pause, pause), it's terrific!"

That's how I feel today. The Lord isn't just good, He isn't just great, but for what He has been in my life - he is terrific! And for that, it was worth the year's drought. For that feeling, it was worth the growing pains. And for that, I will be ever grateful!

Dear Lord, thank you for valleys, and thank you for mountains. Thank you for changing seasons, periods of growth, and periods of drought. Thank you for you Son. Amen.

Application: Pray with me this week for those who are in a spiritual drought. Help them be revived by the Holy Spirit! Just as Jesus walked the Earth, we too can Spread the good news, of our Lord Jesus Christ!

This week's Verses:

Psalm 46:10, "Be Still and know that I am God." (NIV)

Isaiah 66:2, "Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being, declares the Lord. This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." (NIV)

The Beauty of the Seasons

By Bethany Lashbrook

This week’s verse: Galatians 4:10, “You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! (NIV)

I’ve heard that in warm climates, where the seasons change less than in the Midwest, you might often find the people more drained and exhausted. I couldn’t imagine that. Wouldn’t it be great to have warm temperatures all year long? But, the reason why they are found to be exhausted is because with warm weather comes demanding schedules. Instead of getting necessary “down” time during cold winter temperatures, they tend to be on the move all year long. Any time that I am dissatisfied with the cold weather, I try to remember that the Lord has placed the winter season on us for a reason. It is a pause from it all. It is a time to catch up, to accomplish small things, to recuperate.

And then comes Spring. People out. Lawns being mowed. Kids on bicycles. Kites in the air. Soccer being played. Baseball fields packed. Birds chirping. Shorts on. Kids anxious for summer vacation. Gardens being planted. Windows open. Leaves on trees. Easter flowers blooming. Snakes poking their heads out (eek). Women walking for exercise. Bees buzzing. Need I say more? Busy. Busy. Busy.

Although I find the summer months exhilarating and exciting, I often find myself “too busy” for some much needed time with God. I need to remember that the reason I am so lucky to enjoy the summer activities is because the Lord has given me that privilege. I am rich with blessings the Lord has bestowed upon my family, my friends and myself. I am guilty of having such pleasures as freedom to do as I please, amenities that allows me to buy what I need when I need it, and the luxury of enjoying all the above in a free country.

So, this season, although busy running here to there, and there to here, I am going to remember to take time to thank the Lord for the weather. To thank him for the peace I have. To thank him for my children and their sometimes never-ending sports practices. To thank him for my “hectic” lifestyle that I have brought upon myself. To thank him for the country I live in where I am free to roam. To thank him for the winter where I have rested plenty and for the Spring where I can wake up, rejuvenate from the sun and spend many waking hours delighting in His Creation of beauty, expertise, and peace.

Dear Father, thank you for your beauty and the magnificence you have shown in your creation. Please help me to slow down this Spring, to take it all in, to breathe deep, to bask in your creation, to remember to spend time with you, and most of all to appreciate all that you have done for me. Thank you for your Son. Thank you for His willingness to suffer, so that I may live – and live life to its fullest knowing you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application: Make a list of things you can do while your kids are at practice. Can you walk and pray at the same time? Can you keep a bible in your car to have on-hand? While walking, can you listen to your favorite preacher’s podcasts? Or catch up on the latest Christian books? Since the kids will be out of school, enhance your and his day by starting out with a child’s daily devotional. And, as always, find quality time to spend with your family - - and enjoy it!

Power Verses:

Exodus 20:11, “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.” (NIV)

Psalm 104:19, “You made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set.” (NLT)

Ephesians 1:3, (Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (NIV)

Sweet Words

By Bethany Lashbrook

This week’s verse: Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." (NIV)

Devotion:

I don’t know about you, but I love the Olive Branch and it’s pleasant words. Can you believe it has been up and running now for three years? Yep - the first post, by Kathy Lay, was on August 31, 2007. It was here that the women’s ministry sought to inspire other FCC and Marshall community women with down-to-earth stories of how Christian women walk in faith.

Thanks to Kathy’s commitment to the Lord and her willingness to start something new at FCC, we have heard of many women’s struggles, walks, talks, and triumphs with the Lord. It is here that we have experienced many “ah-hah” moments. It is here we have cried for, prayed for, and understood more about women’s struggles in faith.

If you remember Kathy’s post from last week, she wrote about having peace during seasons of change. The Olive Branch is also experiencing a season of change as Kathy is passing her role of blog manager and devotion editor on to me. God had been speaking to both of us about this and the time has now come.

Often, as women, we strive for many roles. We want to be sweet yet not too sugary. We want to provide for our house, yet admit we do get tired. We want to be firm, yet flexible. We want to give our lives to the Lord, yet keep control of ourselves. We want our husbands/boyfriends/fiancées/friends to r-e-s-p-e-c-t us yet we know ultimately it only counts if HE does. We want loved on and we want to give love. I hope you continue to meet us here to find encouraging words, accepting all of our roles the Lord has given us.

I believe that because of this ministry, many women’s and girl’s lives have been touched. And I want to praise the Lord for that! Solomon declares in Psalm 72:19, “Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory”(NIV). Can I get an Amen?

There is a passage in the bible, made well known by a group of women who decided to do exactly what it is we are doing here at First Christian Church – follow the Lord and share their stories with others. I would like to think that our ministry here is just the same as theirs. No, we aren’t quite famous yet. No one really knows where Marshall, Illinois is on a map. Nope, we don’t have any speaking engagements coming up in big city venues. But, we do have what it takes to change lives - Christian women speaking boldly in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and redeemer!

On that note, I will end with select verses from one of my faves: Proverbs 31 (NIV)

10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Dear Lord, thank you for this ministry of believers who gather together weekly to enjoy such wonderful, sweet, heart-warming stories of women who follow you. We ask that you continue to bless this ministry and all those it reaches. In Jesus Name', Amen.

Application: Know someone who could use a pick-me-up? Suggest the Olive Branch! You can find us on the web at www.fccwomensministry.blogspot.com

Got a story to share? Send it to fccgals@hotmail.com. We encourage and support all new contributors!

Power Verses:

Psalm 52:8 "And I'm an olive tree, growing green in God's house. I trusted in the generous mercy of God then and now." (MSG)

John 8:12 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (NIV)

Matthew 9:21-22 "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." (NIV)

A Changing of Seasons

by Kathy Lay

This Week’s Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (NKJV).

Devotion:
I love the changing of each season. I’m one of those annoying people who doesn’t even mind winter because being cooped up with hot chocolate while listening to the howling wind pelt the driven snow against my windows is kind of nice to me in my snuggly warm house. But I also love when the cold days of winter give way to life-blossoming spring. I love when the rainy winds of spring subside to give the sun its day in the…well, sun(!) in the summer. But my favorite seasonal change is when the harsh heat of summer softens and the crisp smell of harvest and cider usher in a season of hayrides and colorful foliage.

As much as I adore certain qualities of each season though, I’m always excited about the approach and promise of the new one because each season gets “old” after awhile.

Do you find yourself in a certain season right now? Is it getting old? Even seasons of joy and harvest can get old, or at least we get accustomed to them, become complacent, or even unappreciative after awhile. What comes next then? Usually a season of humbling or chastening. It’s cyclical (as the Israelites of old so clearly illustrated) and only constant in the fact it will continually change.

Whatever season you’re in right now, whether it’s lean times or abundance, despair or joy, wavering insecurity or rock-solid faith, be mindful of the fact that it will change. Allow that fact to bring you peace as you ponder the truth that God moves us through each season to take us out of the “old” and bring us to glorious “new”.

Father, how we want to be new creatures in You! We praise You for each and every season You take us through, sometimes gently guiding us, sometimes pulling us kicking and screaming, and sometimes allowing us to sail. But always seeing us through. All because You work everything for the good of us who love You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application:
How do you describe your current season? How long have you been here? What about it has gotten "old"? List any signs you see that this season may be coming to a close in order to usher in a new one…and a new YOU as a result.

Power Verses:
Psalm 1:3, “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” (NLT)
Proverbs 20:4, “Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.”(NLT)
Ezekiel 34:26, “I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing.”(NLT)