New Braunfels Bible Church Women's Ministry

Last week I wrote about the importance of input. We cannot input immoral garbage into our hearts and minds, and still enjoy the blessings of fellowship with our holy God. One of the tips said, “Guard your children’s input, but also start teaching them to discern and choose good instead of evil.”

How do we do this? Well, we need to start by being a good example, by consistently choosing good input for ourselves. This is powerful. Of course, at the same time we need to teach them about the Lord, His ways, and the connection between our obedience and His blessing. If we also are faithful in disciplining our children, they will be learning what is good and what is not.

Unfortunately there is a tendency among children, as among adults, to believe that boundaries keep them from something good. This was Satan’s first lie to us. If we nix something for our children that their friends are enthusiastically enjoying, they are not likely to appreciate our loving protection. There are many times when we just...

This term was originally coined to apply to computer data input and the resulting output, but I have always thought of it in regard to my mind. If I input garbage in a moral sense, it will come back out in my thoughts, my dreams, my words and my actions. That’s plenty of reason to be careful about input, but there’s more.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians, chapter 4 that we should meditate on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue, and worthy of praise. That’s quite a list. The promise is that when we think on these things, “the God of peace will be with us.”

When we aren’t careful about input, our fellowship with the Lord is impaired. Our pastor is currently preaching on the pursuit of holiness. If we want the joy and peace of abiding close to our Lord, we must pursue holiness. We need to focus on Him and on the good things listed above.

Even if we are careful, many things that do not make the list grab our attention. Think about the daily news. Most...

This week we remember the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His death should never be too far from our minds. But glory, we also celebrate His resurrection! Have you thought lately through the reasons why His resurrection is such an important foundational truth? You might want to take time to enumerate some reasons before you read on. This can make them more personally yours.

As I thought about my reasons, the first thing that came to mind was “He’s alive, and I’m forgiven!” This is from a powerful song written by Don Francisco in the early 80’s. It’s about the crucifixion and resurrection from Peter’s perspective. But just the refrain is a great truth that we can claim personally.

Jesus died for our sins, and His resurrection sealed the deal. In other words, when the Father raised Jesus from the dead, He agreed with His Son that, “It is finished!” The sinless, perfect life of Jesus was the acceptable, once-for-all sacrifice for our sins. When we receive by faith the gift of His sacrifice...

God’s Word warns us strongly about the troubles our tongues can cause. James chapter 2 tells us that our tongues, though small, can kindle a great forest fire. I’m not sure that my words have ever caused a huge conflagration, but I have certainly wanted to call some of them back. As the poet Carl Sandburg wrote, “When you let proud words go, it is not easy to call them back. They wear long boots, hard boots; they can’t hear you calling—Look out how you use proud words.”

Proud words, lies, slander, angry and malicious words, gossip, filthy words…all can muck up our lives, our relationships, and our testimony as believers.

Our words reveal our hearts, and our hearts are of primary concern to God. He knows that when our hearts are full of wrong thoughts, wrong words and acts will soon follow suit. If we are struggling with our words, what is in our hearts that needs fixing? As God’s children, we must put off anger, rage, malice, and filthy language. We can then put on compassion, kindness, humility,...

When you think about spiritual gifts, and about your spiritual gift in particular, do you ever think, “Well it’s not teaching or leadership. Nothing too important or essential?” Never, ever think that! Every gift is important. Everyone needs to exercise their gift in the body. Otherwise, it’s like an amputation or atrophy. And if your gift is service or hospitality, your contribution can be great!

Thirty years ago, my husband and I became missionaries. An elderly widow named Dorothy opened her home to us and welcomed us warmly whenever we returned to the Northwest. Her home became “home” to us. Our younger daughter expressed this the first time we ate a meal there. With a big sigh, she declared, “I feel so at home here!” She was only four years old, but she knew she was truly welcome.

When Dorothy was a young mom of four, on a tight budget, she made sandwiches for the hobos who came to her door. She and her husband often invited soldiers home for dinner after church on Sunday. She taught first grade...

We had a chaotic, crazy Christmas this year. Our house was full of family, and at times family of family. Our grandchildren range in age from 18-months to five years. I am still finding objects out of place on a high shelf, where a parent put them after rescuing them.

One memory we cherish is that of Pippa, age 2-and-a-half, opening gifts. Everyone’s gifts. She would deliver them to the intended recipient, but she still thought it was her job to unwrap the gift for them. If a gift was for her, her eyes would light up, and hugging it, she would exclaim, “For me? Oh my!” It was delightful, even after several repetitions.

When I sat in our communion service this past Sunday, and heard an elder read the words, “This is my body which is broken for you,” (I Cor 11:24) Pippa’s words came to mind. “For me?” Broken for me? “Oh my!” I swallowed some tears. Somehow God’s indescribable gift was especially personal to me at that moment.

Do you suppose that when Jesus endured the cross for the joy set...

Michelangelo said this when he was 87 years old.  I believe he said it in regard to his art.  He is considered by many the greatest artist of all time.

It is fair to say that knowledge is worthy of life-long pursuit.  I am not saying that it’s good to pursue knowledge for knowledge‘s sake or just to appear knowledgeable.  That can become a prideful pursuit...definitely not good.  However, the Lord can give us not just knowledge, but wisdom, exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart.  That’s what I want. 

How do you best pursue knowledge for good reasons?  Here are some things that come to mind:

Michelangelo had a good, humble attitude.  He didn’t say, “I have arrived.  I’m the best.”  He said, “I am still learning.”

Knowledge can help us do a better job ... to God’s glory.

There are many practical applications of knowledge.  Our food at Thanksgiving was very tasty, but we had some chaotic moments in the kitchen.  Before I serve that menu again I’m...

“Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

The prophet Isaiah penned this prophecy approximately seven hundred years before Christ.  The apostle Matthew quoted the prophecy, and added that Immanuel means, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)

What a wonderful name for our Savior!  Because He came in human flesh, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and died for our sins, God can abide with us.  Holy God with sinful man.

Midst the frazzle and flurry of this season, it is hard to keep this focus.  Faced with tempting trappings, I ask myself again and again, “What does this have to do with the Incarnation of God’s Son, our Immanuel?”

A Sunday school teacher once told us about two prisoners of war.  They were tied back-to-back in the dirt.  One of them remembered that it was Christmas day.  He reached his hand to the side and began to write in the dirt, “Immanuel.”  A guard saw what he was doing and kicked him, erasing the word with his...

The Apostle Paul wrote from prison, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every circumstance, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”  (Philippians 4:12-13)

Many in this country are currently facing serious financial need for the first time.  Some are angry.  They want to blame someone.  They haven’t learned Paul’s secret.  Have we?  It’s definitely a challenge.

We’re rather spoiled.  At least some of us are.  My husband and I have faced some lean times, but we have never experienced the kind of poverty that much of the world knows.  We’re now living in the realm of plenty rather than need.  God’s Word warns us that spiritually this is a more dangerous place. 

It’s good for us to remember that in those lean times the Lord faithfully provided.  Friends prayed and gave.  One couple told us when they gave us very large financial...

A friend used this expression when it was time to get ready to go to a corporate event with her husband.  What did she mean?  I knew her well enough to be sure she wasn’t talking about putting on a mask.  No, she was talking about her heart.

Some verses from Colossians come to mind: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  (Col 3:12-14, NIV)

In the context of a corporate party this made sense.  My friend would need these attributes as she interacted with some of the difficult people she knew she was likely to encounter.

That we, as God’s people, can put on patience, humility, and love for difficult people is pretty amazing.  Sometimes, before we can appropriate these qualities which...

We know that the holidays are especially hard on some.  Those who are grieving, battling depression, or facing serious need may be aggravated to read the above title.  However, if you know the Lord and have received His gift of salvation there is always much reason to give thanks.

My husband and I recently took on the task of reorganizing, purging, and shredding about 20-years of paperwork.  One thing that surfaced was the following poem.  I wrote it approximately 18-years ago after the death of my father.

In Everything Give Thanks   

In sorrow, give thanks for: the Father of mercies and God of all comfort    , His perfect love and righteousness, the sure hope of the resurrection, the prayers and comfort of friends, grace and peace

In times of need, give thanks for: Jehovah Jireh, our faithful provider, His every provision and promise, the challenge to be better stewards, every friend who cares and gives, God’s perfect timing.

In weary times,...

I really like this expression.  We tend to say, “God is good” when He answers our prayers, but in truth, He is good all the time.  He may not answer our prayers the way we want, but He always hears, and answers with our good in mind.  Sometimes He seems to be telling me, “This is not about you.  There is something else I need to deal with here.  Just trust me.”

Some are quick to say there is no God or certainly not a good and powerful one, or He would not have let some tragedy occur.  I would say that they have missed a few basics. 

First of all, from the beginning God gave man and woman free will.  This was a very courageous gift.  Man could either choose to obey, love and trust God or he could go his own way.  If he chose his own way, he would forfeit the blessing of God. 

Of course God could have created us without free will, but then we would have been puppets.  There is a huge dynamic missing from any relationship that lacks choice. 

God chose to graciously extend His love...

Being like-minded is a biblical goal that can make a big difference in our relationships.  Romans 15:5-6 says, “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

My husband and I lacked this concept early in our marriage.  I remember one appalling occasion when we invited a single gal to dinner.  Somehow we wound up at odds, more or less competing with each other for her attention.  There was no unity.  After she left, I could only ask, “What must she have thought of us?”

Perhaps that evening was in the back of our minds when we found the above verses and embraced them as what we wanted for our marriage.  We then had the goal of together seeking the best solution, the best way, the best timing for all our decisions.  Of course, by then I’d also begun to grasp that my husband was to be the head of our marriage.  Hmm.

The Greek words...

Some of us seem to lack the gene for order and tidiness.  It doesn’t come naturally for us to pick up, put away, stack in tidy piles, or close cupboard doors and drawers.  We may have an abundance of creativity and fun ideas, but some of these result in more mess.

This can easily reach the point of chaos.  It becomes difficult to find things.  We forget an important date–because the date book was buried. That’s why the operative phrase in our house is always, “Oh, it’s under...”  The thought of friends dropping in, not to mention one’s mother-in-law, nearly brings on an anxiety attack. 

But “God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.”  I Corinthians 14:33  Yes, I confess that I yanked this verse out of context, but it’s true and applicable here.  I have experienced the connection between peace and order in our home.

I struggle with order, but I long ago decided that it’s a desirable and worthy goal.  I bought The Messie Manual, a book of tips for confirmed but repentant “messies.”  I applied...

I imagine that we all have interesting memories of family meals, especially those with small children present.  Our younger daughter was usually well-mannered, but she had a tendency to choke and then propel the offending article across the table.  My husband was usually across from her, and he developed a quick reflex of pulling his plate toward him.  Her range wasn’t really quite that good, but it was a natural defense maneuver.

Sandwiched between such unappetizing episodes, many good things can happen at family meals.  I can think of no better training ground for children in regard to social interaction.  They learn: to thank God for their food, to wait, to chew with their mouth closed, to say “no thank you” instead of “I don’t like...” or “I don’t want...”, to not interrupt,  to share their day and eventually their ideas, to listen to their parents share about the Lord and His ways, and to appreciate “the whole family all together”as a safe and supportive place.

With so much potential for good,...