Women of Worth Worldwide

Overcoming Pride

by Donna Steward, Guest Author

Have you ever considered that one of the most challenging problems to recognize and resolve is pride? In his wisdom, Paul foresaw that pride would be a characteristic of the last days before Christ’s return (2 Timothy 3:2).

But what is pride? It’s not just a word; it’s a mindset. It’s the focus on self and a belief that one is above others or an exalted view of oneself. Pride, my friends, affects many different areas of life, including speech (1 Samuel 2:3, Psalm 12:3), attitudes, decisions, priorities, choices, and relationships with others.

Pride takes root when we mistakenly believe we are self-sufficient. It’s like a weed that flourishes when we approach God with audacity instead of the reverence He deserves. It thrives in times of abundance if we feel no need to rely on God or others (Deut. 8:11-20), and it infiltrates our hearts when we prioritize worldly things over God (Mark 7:21). We must constantly remind ourselves of the perils of pride and the vital roles of humility and dependence on God.

Pride develops when we focus on what we think we know and ignore God’s knowledge (I Cor. 8:1). Saul, who later became the apostle Paul and wrote most of the New Testament, persecuted the early church. Before Saul encountered Jesus, he displayed arrogance and persecuted Jewish Christians. He mistakenly believed he had the authority to cause harm to them. Pride is the sin that God most detests (Prov. 8:13). It is an abomination to Him (Prov. 16:5). He will humble the proud person (Psalm 18:27).

The way to resolve the problem of pride involves conscious choices. Here are a few actions we are to take, based on God’s Word.

View ourselves with a proper perspective (Rom. 12:3, 12:16).
“. . . consider one another as more important than yourselves” (Phil. 2:3 New American Standard Bible).
Reject and renounce every thought that exalts itself and forgets God (2 Cor. 10:5).
Strive to develop a humble attitude, recognizing that “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Jas. 4:6 Christian Standard Bible).
Refrain from being proud of our wisdom (what we know), our might (what we can do) or our riches (what we have), but to be proud we know God intimately (Jer. 9:23-24).

Recognizing our pride is the first step to resolving it. We must be willing to confess, renounce, and consciously try to eliminate it from our lives.

Giving Your Life Up for Someone Else: A Tribute to Caregivers

By Beth Fore

Our modern culture looks at success and fulfillment of life as our accomplishments and the goods we’ve collected, the awards we have won, and the lifestyle we enjoy. The focus is always on US!

God’s view of success and fulfillment of life is based on our faith in Him, belief in Him, obedience to Him, our willingness to follow Him and seek to do His will in all things, and our willingness to love Him and other people more than we do ourselves.

In John 15:12-14, we read, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (King James Version).

John 15:15-16 says, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (KJV).

John 15:17, continues the thought by saying, “These things I command you, that ye love one another” (KJV).

These are very strong, powerful words from the mouth of Jesus. He tells us that we are to love other people in the same way that He loved us. He laid down his life for each one of us when He died for us on the cross; and He tells us that the greatest way for us to show our love for other people is for us to be willing to lay down our life for our friends. This kind of love is active, sacrificial, and demonstrable. It is most likely the hardest thing a person would ever have to do in this life . . . give up his life for another person.

Normally, we would think that this passage means we have to give up our physical life for another person; in other words, we would be willing to give up our physical being and die a physical death for someone else. I personally believe that this is likely what this passage teaches us; however, after some meditation and thinking, I think this passage might be broadened in its meaning by including people who are willing to give up their life on earth . . . their time, energy, resources, money, talents . . . to serve another person who is in need of help and focus their life on service to this person.

There are many people who have given their life, in this manner, for another person. We often refer to them as “caretakers” or “caregivers”. I shall refer to them as caregivers. Many people in the health industry are paid to give care to others; however, there are many people who give care to friends and family members because they love them and want them to have the best care possible; and they receive little, or no, recompense.

So, the focus of this lesson is on the “caregiver,” the person who chooses to give care to someone else, most often a family member or close friend. There are millions of these people, and they may be short-term or long-term caregivers, but they give of themselves sacrificially to provide necessary care for someone they love and focus on, while trying to care for themselves and other family members at the same time.

At the age of 77, I am mindful of many friends of mine who are “full-time caregivers” for family members, even though they are often sick, suffering, or handicapped themselves. I have been a caregiver on several occasions for a short time and in a limited way; but I have never been a full-time caregiver for someone who needed care 24 hours of the day and night, and often for many years.

In recent months, I have known several full-time caregivers who have been placed in this position. I have tried to support my friends, the caregivers, and I have become aware of their willingness to care for their loved ones, whatever the cost is to them personally. For the most part, these people are “on call” for 24 hours a day, often neglecting themselves, to care for their loved one. I have cried, prayed, and tried to help and encourage my friends. I have also thanked God for their witness and steadfastness as they continue the course, however long and tedious, until the end!

I walked through the valley of death with one of my longtime, dearest friends recently. Her husband was sick and in pain and suffering for many years, and she took care of him at home. He had many different problems, so she took him to doctors all the time. He also fell at home many times, so he would go to the hospital, then to rehab, then home. She, or his daughter, would take turns staying with him so he wouldn’t fall again. There was little or no down time for rest and rejuvenation. Her strength truly did come from the Lord. Finally, the last week of his life, hospice was at their home for round-the-clock care. Then he died at home peacefully.

As a friend, not the caregiver, I was frustrated and saddened, depressed and anxious, and hopeful that God would take him home where he could finally be rid of the problems of this human body. The morning my friend died, I was thinking about all of this and went to the computer to express my thoughts in a poem, as I often do. Here is the poem I wrote about my own feelings:

Lighten the Load, Lord

By Beth Fore

My heart is heavy with sadness and grief

as many friends are suffering and dying.

I see their loved ones caring for them,

sacrificing, and their own selves denying.

I don’t understand why some suffer so long,

days turning into weeks, months, and years;

yet, loved ones attend them so faithfully,

as they experience joy, even in the midst of tears.

My heart breaks for the diligent caretakers

who lovingly, steadfastly devote each breath

to making life easier and more comfortable

until their loved one’s pain is relieved by death.

Lord, You carry our burdens and lighten our loads

as we give up ourselves for one another.

You have shown us how to sacrifice and suffer

as we give up our lives to serve our brother.

When our perishable selves are clothed imperishable,

and our mortal selves clothed in immortality,

the saying that is written will come true:

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”^₁

Thanks be to our Lord God Almighty,

who gives us the victory through Christ, our King!

Praise your holy name, Lord God Almighty,

for victory through Christ whom we adore;

and the complete hope and blessed assurance

that we will live victorious with You evermore!

The Bible has many teachings about the importance of helping others. One of the most well-known passages is found in Matthew 25:35-46, 40b, where Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”(New International Version).

The Bible also emphasizes the importance of generosity and compassion towards others. In James 2:14-17, it says, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (NIV).

Overall, the Bible teaches that helping others is not only a moral obligation but also an expression of faith and love. By serving those in need, we demonstrate our commitment to God’s values and show compassion to those who are less fortunate.

Bible Verses on Helping Others

Hebrews 13:17 – “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased”(NIV).

Galatians 6:10 – “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”(NIV).

Luke 6:30 – “Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back”(NIV).

Proverbs 3:27 -“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act” (NIV).

1 John 3:17 – “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”(NIV).

These verses, along with many other verses in the Bible, emphasize the importance of Christians doing good. We know that the fruit of God’s spirit living in us is a list of good quality traits, and we will produce fruit if we are allowing the Spirit to work in our lives to change us. We also know that the main purpose of our doing good works is to glorify Christ and show other people, namely nonbelievers, that there is something different about the lives of Christians; and that difference is that Jesus Christ is alive and active in the lives of his children. Hopefully, nonbelievers will want these same qualities of life and will desire to know Jesus.

Caregivers’ lives demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit; and the love and goodness in these people who are Christians allow God to work in their lives for His glory and honor. Undoubtedly some of you have been, and may presently be, caregivers in your family and with your friends. Consider your experiences as a caregiver and how these experiences changed you as a human being and as a Christian.

I encourage you to think about the following questions on your own time. Then I hope you will choose to share some of your answers with someone else.

1. Who did you care for, and about how long did they need your care?

2. In what ways did caregiving change you?

3. In what ways did caregiving change the person you cared for?

4. What was the most difficult part of caregiving for you?

5. What were some of the most encouraging words or deeds that someone said, or did, while you were caregiving?

6. What were some of the most discouraging words or deeds that someone said, or did, while you were caregiving?

7. If you were sharing some wisdom from your experience as a caregiver with someone who is beginning this journey of caregiving, what would you say?

8. What fruits of the HOLY SPIRIT do you think are more productive in your life now because of your role as a caregiver?

A few weeks ago was the tenth anniversary of my sister’s death. My sister and I were very close. I was retired when she found out she had stage 4 ovarian cancer, and Judy decided not to pursue any treatments. She decided to let Nature take her course so that she could continue living her life as long as possible. That turned out to be about to be about 8 months after she was diagnosed.

I was able to go see her in North Carolina about three times, and I stayed a week or more each time. These trips were so precious to both of us, and I was able to help her do some things to prepare for her death.

I didn’t take care of the cooking and cleaning, etc. I walked with her through the valley of death and we faced it together. It was a wonderful time in my life, and I want to be sure that our family remembers Judy and how special she was to all of us.

I wrote many poems about death and dying during these visits. I later published my book, A Voice for My Soul, in memory of Judy. I searched for an illustration that would capture the nature of my book and I found the most beautiful blue butterfly. I chose this illustration for my cover, and it reminds me of Judy.

I didn’t know this until later, but my nephew, his wife, his son, and his daughter had seen a beautiful blue butterfly flying in the air at Judy’s funeral. The butterfly is very special to them, also. My sister-in-law found a mounting of a beautiful blue butterfly and gave it to me a couple of years ago.

On the same morning I wrote the poem, “Lighten the Load, Lord,” I also wrote another poem imagining what the deceased loved ones might want to say to their beloved caregiver if they had the chance. I think every caregiver would love to receive a letter or a message from the other side expressing their deep love and appreciation for their caregiver who was willing “to give up her/his life” in order to care for them. So I hope this poem will give you some of the love and praise you deserve from your loved one because you gave of your best to love and serve them. I truly believe that God will greatly reward Christians who are caregivers in a very special way when we reach our heavenly home.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Those Left Behind

By Beth Fore

Oh, Wonderful, Glorious day, my dear loved one and friend,

for there is no more night where my soul abides now.

Jesus is the one, the only light who shines in the heavens,

as I kneel in reverence of the glory shining on his brow.

I am humbly bowing in the throne room of Almighty God,

surrounded by angels and saints who are worshipping the King.

The amazing sounds of the trumpets beckon my face upward,

and my ears hear the passionate sounds as the heavenly hosts sings.

Please, let me reassure you that heaven is an awesome place,

so much more beautiful than you can imagine it to be.

Everything is pure and holy and whiter than any snow,

and the white is intensified for the eyes to behold and see!

I want to be sure that you know how much I love you,

and I’m truly forever grateful for my time on earth with you.

We shared precious times and moments of intimacy

of joy and adventure, and of pain and suffering, too.

My heart is filled with gratitude for the time we had together,

to pray together and play together and enjoy God’s blessings.

We laughed together, cried together, even died together

as you were always here in my heart, sharing things.

When I was sick, in pain, and I couldn’t take care of myself,

you took me to the doctor and made sure I had my medicine.

When I couldn’t feed myself or clothe myself anymore,

you were there to feed me, clothe me, and tuck me in!

Even when you were tired and sick and at your wit’s end,

you kept on going, serving me, and loving me, my friend.

You gave me your time, energy, resources, and love;

and you chose to sacrifice your life for mine until the end.

I gratefully ask that God’s richest, abundant blessings

be showered upon you for your sacrifices for me;

to bring you great joy, love, peace, and hope

to enjoy on this earth and for all of eternity!

^₁1 Corinthians 15:55 New Living Translation

A Positive Attitude IS Possible!

By Donna Steward, Guest Author

To live a fulfilling life, it is essential to cultivate a positive attitude. This can be accomplished by directing our attention toward the positive aspects of our lives, expressing gratitude for what we have, surrounding ourselves with positivity, and combating negative thoughts. Our attitudes are shaped by our choices, which are the product of our minds and the perspectives we choose to adopt.

Here are six ideas from Scripture that can help us develop an attitude that glorifies God.

Transformation

“Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2 New English Translation).

Believers should have a transformed mind and allow God to guide them in choosing attitudes that honor Him. It’s crucial not to conform to the world’s ways but to prioritize living a life that aligns with God’s will.

Faith

In Exodus 17, we are taught how the Israelites wandered in the desert and complained about the lack of food and water. They had the habit of complaining about every little thing since leaving Egypt. However, Moses and Aaron reminded them that their complaints were not against them but against the Lord. The real issue was their negative attitude. In every situation, we always have a choice. We can either complain or trust God’s ability to handle the situation.

Our wilderness experiences can make or break us, depending on our attitude. Complaining leads to inaction, while faith means moving forward with God. Trusting in Him while maintaining a positive attitude is the most vital step in overcoming any obstacle that comes our way.

Listening

The story of Dathan and Abiram in Numbers 16:12 serves as a stark reminder of the grave implications of stubbornness. These individuals were unwilling to address their differences with Moses and allowed their pride to interfere with their ability to heed the words of God’s appointed leader.

While having a strong will can be a commendable trait that fosters character strength and commitment, stubbornness stemming from a wrong attitude and selfishness can prove to be a significant liability. It is crucial to remain open to discussions and exhibit a willingness to listen to others, particularly those in positions of authority, to prevent adverse consequences.

Gratitude

Esther 6:6-12 is a great example of demonstrating thankfulness.The king was having trouble sleeping and decided to read a history book. While reading, he came across the story of how Mordecai had once saved his life. The king wanted to honor and recognize Mordecai for blessing his life.

We should follow his example and show gratitude to those who have helped us, no matter how small their deed or sacrifice. Our attitude for helping others should not be selfish ambition or seeking praise. Instead, we should aim to let others see God working in our lives.

Encouragement

The believers feared Paul because of the terror he had inflicted on the church, as Acts 9:26-27 teaches. They were skeptical of his alleged conversion, thinking it might be a ploy to find them out. However, when Barnabas accompanied Paul and verified his story, the believers accepted Paul as a brother in Christ. Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement,” lived up to his name by displaying a positive attitude. Can you also emulate Barnabas and be an encourager to those around you?

Focus

Colossians 3:2 instructs us to focus on things above rather than earthly things. This doesn’t mean we’re supposed to neglect our jobs or families. Instead, it means that, as believers, we should approach all aspects of our lives with a different attitude. We should center our lives on Christ, as we love Him and desire to live for Him. When we set our minds on things above, we see life from God’s perspective. Therefore, our attitude should be to serve and please Christ in all we do.

Bottom line

Every attitude begins in mind; we have a choice regarding how to look at the world. Therefore, we have the power to transform our attitudes and embrace positivity and growth. With a transformed mind, we can allow God to help us choose attitudes that honor Him.

Seven Functions of Great Parenting

by Donna Steward

“If you teach children the right way to live, they will not forget it when they are older” (Proverbs 22:6 Easy English Bible).

As a concerned parent, you may feel overwhelmed by contradictory advice you hear on raising your children. Understandably, you want what’s best for your little ones; and with so much conflicting information, it can be difficult to know which path to take.

Children need strong and loving parents. As you can navigate the maze of information to find the right approach that works for you and your family, you may want to consider the following seven functions of great parenting.

Provider

Ensuring your child’s overall well-being is crucial. While providing them with healthy food is important, nurturing their spiritual, mental, emotional, and social growth is vital as well. Teach them to play and pray, laugh and cry, express sadness correctly, and recover from loss and grief. Teach them to think, listen, and learn — and, above everything else, teach them about God.

Guardian

Parents have the challenging task of finding the proper amount of protection without over protecting. Physical protection requires constant vigilance in today’s violent world.

As parents, we want to safeguard our children’s minds and nurture them with the correct values. We can do this by setting an example in our behavior and teaching them to avoid agnosticism, prejudice, and hatred. Only then can we hope to raise a compassionate, open-minded, and loving generation. It’s essential to ensure our children are equipped to navigate the dangers of the world’s teachings that are counter to Christianity, teaching them to guard against the allure of superficiality and materialism, which can be detrimental to their growth and well-being. We prepare our children to make wise decisions and lead meaningful lives by instilling in them godly values.

Inventiveness

All of us want to be parents who are creative in correcting our children, instructing them how to spend money wisely and plan for the future, and teaching them the truth of God. This wonderful Old Testament passage outlines the importance of knowing who God is, how we are to respond to Him, and how to incorporate the process of teaching into our daily routines.

“Listen, Israelites! The Lord alone is our God. There is no other true God. Love the Lord your God with all your mind and with all your strength. Love him with all that you are. Always think about these commands that I am giving you today. Teach them to your children at all times. Talk about them when you sit together at home. Talk about them as you walk along the road, lie down, and get up. Tie them as signs on your arms and heads so that you remember them. Write them on the wood beside the doors of your houses and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 EEB).

Education

Children can understand what is morally right and wrong, especially when parents teach them values such as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version). These values will help them become responsible adults and prepare them for a meaningful life. Parents help their children develop a strong foundation for their future by instilling these qualities in them.

Motivation

Blessing your children with truth, encouraging them to strive for success, and guiding them to discover their purpose in God’s plan are crucial to inspiring them to lead a meaningful life. As a parent, it’s important to bless your children and refrain from cursing them to instill this sense of motivation. God prompted Paul to write in Colossians 3:20 – 21 (EEB), “Children, always obey your parents. That pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not cause your children to be upset. If you do, they might think that they never do anything that is good.” When parents bless their children, it is easier for them to be obedient and motivated to do their best.

Give Your Children Back to God

As parents, our ultimate goal is to instill in our children a deep respect and reverence for God. We want them to grow up to be adults who make a positive difference in the world and leave a lasting impact on the lives of others. By prioritizing our children’s spiritual and moral growth, we can help them develop the character and values they need to succeed. Our mission is to raise God-fearing adults whose lives genuinely matter. This process will be more reassuring when children leave the parents’ home because they likely will depend more on the heavenly Father’s perfect care. They will know they can rely on God for comfort and guidance during times of uncertainty and that they have a loving heavenly Father who looks out for them and provides for their needs.

A Place for Returning

Returning to where everything began can be a great way for children to reflect on their personal growth and progress over time. Revisiting a place where they started can be a powerful experience that reminds them of their growth. Home is where childhood memories are made, and the place where the foundation for their relationship with God should be laid. Children may temporarily stray away and rebel from their relationship with God; however, they often return to the teachings they received in their early years, despite initial resistance. As the Bible says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 New King James Version).

Trusting in God Even When We Don’t Understand

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5 New International Version).

Let’s face it. If we don’t understand what’s happening – or if we don’t like what’s happening, we tend to question its legitimacy. We may think, “Can it possibly be right if I don’t understand it?”

Yet our Father God, in His infinite wisdom, tells us to trust Him with all our heart rather than leaning on our understanding.

Trust

The Hebrew word for “trust” in this passage means to “be confident or sure.”¹

Is Jehovah God worthy of our confidence?

He is completely Holy, righteous and good. He sent His one and only Son to rescue us, which required dying a cruel death on a cross, because we don’t follow His teachings that reflect righteousness and goodness. What a costly price it was to redeem us so we can live with Him forever . . . instead of suffering as we would have without His free gift of salvation.

Heart

We are to trust with our “inner man, mind, will,”² the meaning of the word “heart” in the original language. We make the choice to trust. It’s not just a feeling. It’s not just a one-time thought. It’s a decision.

We decide to be confident in the Lord with all our minds.

Lean

If we don’t trust God with all our hearts, the only other option is to lean (“support oneself”³) on our own understanding.

We can trust the One who created us, loves us with an infinite love, who provides for us while we are living on earth, who will take us to be with Him when we leave this earth so we can be with Him forever . . .

Or we can try to support ourselves, leaning on our own understanding, which separates us from God and all His promises to us.

When we trust God and follow Him, He continues to bless us in ways that only He can.

Here is just one of the promises He makes to His children. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 New American Standard Bible).

Only God has the power to do this. You and I do not.

Even when we don’t understand what’s happening, we do not have the power to make things work together for good. Even when we don’t understand or agree with what’s happening, we can be confident that God will fulfill His promises, including the one in this passage.

Trusting God removes fear. Trusting in God and not in our own understanding frees us from the burden of coming to a conclusion as to why things happen the way they do.

Let’s boldly choose freedom over fear every day!

Resources

¹Bible Hub. “Proverbs 3:5.” Strongs Exhaustive Concordance. Accessed April 19, 2024. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/982.htm

²Bible Hub. “Proverbs 3:5.” Strongs Concordance. Accessed April 19, 2024. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/3820.htm

³Bible Hub. “Proverbs 3:5.” Strongs Concordance. Accessed April 19, 2024. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/8172.htm

Parable of the Sower: Which Soil Describes Your Heart?

by Donna Steward, Guest Author

Three of the four gospels contain Jesus’ teaching of the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9, Mark 4:1-9, Luke 8:4-8). Parables are stories of ordinary life used as illustrations to teach a more profound spiritual truth — a simple story illustrating a moral or religious lesson to the listeners.

All prosperous and populated cities surrounded the Sea of Galilee, and many of the famous and influential stories about Jesus’s life occurred around the lake, if not on it. The Parable of the Sower is one Jesus shared while He sat in a boat just off the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Let us prayerfully consider His teaching. “And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty’” (Matthew 13:3-8 English Standard Version).

Let’s look at the meanings of some of the words within the Parable.

The sower — the Son of Man
Jesus had many titles, including “Messiah,” “Prince of Peace,” “Teacher,” “Son of God,” “Son of Man,” and “Son of David.” But the one that Jesus himself used most often was “Son of Man.” This term is used by Jesus 80 times to refer to himself.

The field — the world
Luke 8 and Matthew 13 describe four types of soil — hard path, rocky soil, thorny soil, and good soil. Each soil could produce a plant of some sort except the hard path.

The seed — the Word of God
Jesus says the seed is “the word of the kingdom” (Matt.13:19 King James Version). He plants the Word in our hearts. The Word is the truth, the knowledge of God, and the gospel.

The soil — the human heart
God created our hearts. When His Word is planted in our hearts, it brings forth fruit. Just as a seed has to remain in the ground over time to germinate, so the Word of God has to abide in our hearts for a while to produce fruit.

The hard soil — a hard heart
A path is where many people have walked, and the dirt there is well worn. The more people walk on a path, the harder the ground becomes. The seed falling on the hard path could not sink into the dirt. It cannot penetrate the soil (the heart); it is too hard. Birds came and ate the seed.

Some people hear the truth but do not understand and, like a hardened path, they do not let it sink into their hearts (see Zechariah 7:12). Soon Satan takes the truth away. (In the Bible, birds are sometimes a picture of Satan.)

Why do hearts get hard? It could be a lack of ability to perceive, remember, or grasp events or ideas coming from God, insensitivity to sin, or just sinfulness. The path gets hard when one does not follow God’s commands or because of arrogance and pride. A person could be easily offended, resentful, unforgiving, or just indifferent to the Word of God. Then the evil one will steal the opportunity for the seed to grow.

The rocky ground — a superficial heart
It is possible for things to grow on the rocks, but usually these plants don’t live long. In rocky places, the hard rocks block the roots from growing strong. Any seed growing in the thin soil soon withers in the intense heat and dies.

These people hear the message with great joy, but, like seeds on rocky soil, they do not let it take root. They seem happy to hear about Jesus and His great love, but do not let it sink into their hearts. On the outside, they may express great enthusiasm, but inwardly they do not think and meditate on the Word. These people quickly forget about God’s Word when they face pressure or dire circumstances. They don’t let the Word discipline their thoughts and actions. They don’t grow strong roots of godly discipline and life goes by the wayside.

The root — a transformed thought process
Our root is our foundation. Plants continuously grow from a tiny seed to a sapling and then fully mature. The root is the part that holds the plant tightly, absorbs water and minerals from the soil (the heart), and even stores food. For example, trees are deeply rooted pillars of strength, often surviving storms and natural disasters. “They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:8 New International Version).

The thought process is the root. Humans never stop growing; they are constantly absorbing new information and knowledge, which affect their thoughts. We should discipline our minds and actions when we think about the Word of God. When thoughts are not concentrated on the love of God’s Word and translated into godly disciplines, the Word cannot take root in the heart. Simply stated, renewing your mind, according to Romans 12:2, means interpreting life through God’s Word and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit rather than through the lens of your experience, sinful behavior, trauma, preferences, or the opinions of others. In other words, you can discard any thought that doesn’t align with the Word and replace it with the truth. This brings your will into agreement with the Father’s will.

As you fill your mind with His Word by reading, meditating, memorizing Scripture, praying, and singing, His ways become yours. These disciplines train our thoughts to be like more like His when trials and heartache come. We can make corrections to keep our lives on the right path. “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (Ephesians 3:17 New Living Translation).

The seed among the weeds — the society
Weeds are powerful and forceful. Wherever there are weeds, they take over the good plants. The strong roots of the weeds use up all the nutrients in the soil (the heart), leaving the plants without nourishment. These plants barely grow at all; they don’t produce fruit.

Some people hear God’s Word and start to grow and bear fruit, but soon they become worried about the problems of daily living. They may think that if they only had more money and more “things,” they would be happy. These wrong beliefs take up much of the person’s time and energy, just like the weeds steal all the nutrients from the good plants. This mindset is not one focused on living for God; it is focused on society, and it does not produce any spiritual fruit. 1 Corinthians 15:33 states, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (KJV). The ESV renders it this way, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” The New Living Translation says, “Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for ‘bad company corrupts good character.’”

The problem is the soil (the heart). Worries, greed, and social contacts have diverted attention so one cannot be transformed. Persecution, false religion, and worldliness are the three ways the thorns choke out the good seed.

The enemy — The devil
The devil, also referred to as Satan, is best known as the personification of evil and the downfall of good people everywhere. The devil is the one who snatches the seed, the one who helps people ignore the seed, and the one who chokes out the seed with the world’s cares.

The good seed — a receptive heart
It represents the people who hear God’s Word and believe it. They put their trust in Jesus. Their hearts receive the kingdom’s message, and the seed takes root.

Some seeds produce lots of fruit, and some produce little. When you plant seeds (the Word of God) into the ground (the heart), the message of the kingdom will grow gradually. A planted seed doesn’t produce a plant the next day. Proper growth takes time. “This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what from the seeds that were sown” (Matthew 13:23 NIV). The Word (Jesus) produces the crop.

The harvest — a new Christian
The harvest carries spiritual significance. It is the result of God’s work in the hearts of men. We are co-workers with God in his kingdom. We help spread the Gospel message, and God will add to the increase. In Romans 6:3-8, we learn that in baptism, the old self dies, and the new self comes into being. The old self is “buried with Christ through baptism into death” (Romans 6:4 NIV). Then the new self is born, through the Holy Spirit, to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4 KJV). With the new nature comes an intense desire for Christ and the things of God. The good soil produces a new life.

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit” (John 3:5-6 NIV).

The Reapers — the angels
Jesus describes the harvest as “the end of the age.” Jesus says that those who harvest the field, the reapers, will be His angels. In this parable, Jesus symbolically describes two groups — those gathered into the barn (good soil, good hearts) and those burned up. The barn represents the kingdom that He has been preaching about. The fire represents God’s judgment, sometimes compared to a harvest.

Application
The parable teaches us there are four kinds of soils (hearts). It is important for each of us to examine ourselves to know which best describes our hearts.

* Is your heart hard?

* Is it superficial?

* Is your heart worried about the problems of daily living?

* Or do you have a receptive heart?

If we believe our hearts are not what God desires, let us consider this passage.

“’Yet even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.’ Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; . . . “ (Joel 2:12-13 ESV).

Who is Jesus and what does it mean to follow him? Click here to read. If you have questions, just send an email to NLBIministry@gmail.com.

Stopping Worry in Its Path

A possible scenario hits us like a brick.

Our brains go into problem-solving mode, or our emotions take over immediately.

And shortly thereafter, it’s full-blown worry.

But there’s a better way. There’s a right way.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6 New International Version).

Yes, you probably have read it before. Maybe a thousand times. But don’t stop reading if this is something that you deal with. This word may be for you.

Don’t be anxious. Don’t be anxious. Don’t be anxious. No matter how many times we say it to ourselves, unless we put the rest of the verse into practice, the repetition probably won’t help.
BUT. This word clearly indicates there is an option. This is the time to stop . . . at the onset of the thought. Stop the distracting thoughts that lead to sinful anxiety or worry. But what are we to do? Holy Spirit tells us through the Apostle Paul exactly what to do —
“. . . by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” This is to be our FIRST RESPONSE to POTENTIAL anxiety, which could be considered a TEMPTATION to become anxious. In other words, we DO NOT have to EXPERIENCE THE ANXIETY BEFORE PRAYING ABOUT IT. In fact, the Word says, “DON”T be anxious” (my emphasis). INSTEAD we are to pray and petition Father and give thanks.
How can we do this? Rather than enveloping ourselves in a thought when it enters our mind, “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV) and pray about every concern INSTEAD of speculating, ruminating, pondering all that could possibly go wrong. Ahhh. Take a breath and pray.
Isn’t it encouraging that He tells us to give thanks?! When we ask AND give thanks, we demonstrate our trust in the Lord. We trust that His will shall be done — “His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2 NIV).
The result? “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 NIV). Peace. Remember Jesus’ words, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV).

Here’s a footnote for your consideration. I believe there is a difference between having anxiety about the potential “what ifs” of life discussed in this article and being fully aware of what is likely to happen based on historical evidence. We need to use wisdom and discernment when there is a history of problems that could be stopped. Here are two examples.

If you have an illness and begin to experience the associated symptoms, pray AND get help.
If you have been abused in any way and see your abuser approaching you, pray AND get help. Use wisdom when choosing whom to tell but get help.

Whatever situations we face, we are to pray. With faith. And be thankful for God’s answer to our prayers.

“Holy Father, please communicate your truth about this difficult subject to each of us. Help us to obey Your will. Grant us the help we need. Grant us peace. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.”

-Jo Umberger

Jesus’ Heart for Women

by Donna Steward, Guest Author

Discovering Jesus’ compassionate heart for women can be a life-changing experience. How He treated women respectfully and with dignity dramatically changed His time and ours. By understanding His compassionate nature towards women, we can learn to value and appreciate the unique qualities of women. His powerful message of love, empowerment, and acceptance has stood the test of time and remains as relevant today as it was in the past. So, exploring His heart for women is a great place to start looking for inspiration and a deeper understanding of Jesus’ teachings.

In a time when women were often overlooked and disregarded, it was recognized that they were just as capable as men in bearing witness to the teachings of Jesus. The decision to acknowledge women as valid witnesses for Jesus was a courageous step towards dismantling that era’s deeply ingrained societal norms. This bold and daring action defied those norms, paving the way for a society that embraces women.

In John 4, we learn about a Samaritan woman’s powerful testimony of encountering Jesus. Despite facing societal barriers and prejudices, she fearlessly shared her experience with others, inspiring them to confront their obstacles and strive for personal growth. Her unwavering dedication to spreading Jesus’ teachings made her a powerful symbol of hope and resilience, proving that even in the face of adversity, one can significantly impact the world. Her story reminds us of Jesus’ transformative message and the importance of sharing our encounters with Him to inspire others.

Mark 5:25-34 provides another compelling example. “And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched His cloak, because she thought, ‘If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.’ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ ‘You see the people crowding against you,’ His disciples answered, ‘and yet you can ask, “Who touched me?”‘ But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at His feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering’” (New International Version).

Mosaic Law forbade women who were ceremonially unclean to touch anyone, even the Son of God; but desperate times call for desperate measures. For more than a decade, she endured the agony of continuous blood loss that not only took a toll on her health, but also made her an outcast in her social circle.

By accepting a woman’s touch, Jesus broke societal norms and demonstrated His deep respect for women. This act of kindness was a powerful statement against the patriarchal norms of the time, and it remains an inspiration for women today.

With a single word from Jesus, 12 years of pain and isolation were swept away. The Mark 5 passage records how Jesus addressed the woman as “daughter” with unparalleled compassion. It’s a powerful testament to the kind of leader and teacher He was and a reminder of the love and care He showed to all who sought His guidance. The tenderness in His voice is palpable, and it demonstrates the depth of His love and care for all women. This small but powerful gesture reminds us of the unwavering kindness and grace we should strive to emulate. No other account depicts such an endearing and loving gesture. She was a member of the family now, restored to her community.

Jesus desires to cultivate in us a deep faith, similar to the dedication of the woman who touched the hem of His garment and was healed. Although she didn’t believe someone like her could ask Jesus for help, she recognized His power. She took a chance, touched His robe, and was immediately healed. Imagine the possibilities if you were to take the opportunity and trust Him.

Are you willing to take that leap of faith?

The woman at the well left her water jar and shifted her focus from earthly things to spiritual matters, making a life-changing decision. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a transformative journey.

If we have yet to reach that level of faith, Jesus is always ready and willing to support and encourage our faith until it can grow even stronger.

Jesus’ compassionate touch healed the sick, comforted the grieving, and empowered the marginalized. Jesus’ emphasis on the importance of women in His ministry sets an example of equal access to Jesus by recognizing and uplifting the role of women in His teachings. Through His efforts, He cleared the path for establishing a fairer position for women in ministry. His commitment to empowering women in the church has left a lasting impact.

Who is Jesus and what does it mean to follow him? Click here to read. If you have questions, just send an email to NLBIministry@gmail.com.

How Much Does God Love the World?

by Donna Steward, Guest Author

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, New International Version).

John 3:16 is probably the most well-known Bible verse. The logic goes something like this: God loves every person; Christ died for every person; therefore, salvation is possible for every person because love never gives up on anyone.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits” (1 Corinthians 4:1-7, The Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version).

John 4:7-8 tells us that love originated in God. Romans 8:35-38 tells us that nothing can separate Christians from God’s love.

God is love. God’s love never fails, nor does He ever stop loving us. God’s love toward us is unconditional. That means He loves us no matter what.

Love can be a challenge to define. In the English language, we use the word “love” to refer to many things — personal affection, sexual attraction, platonic admiration, brotherly loyalty, benevolent concern, and worshipful adoration. So what does the Bible mean when it uses the word “love?”

The New Testament was written in Greek, which has four words that refer to various kinds of love — eros, phileo, storge, and agape.

“Eros” refers to sexual love. Although this word is not used in the New Testament, the concept is discussed.

The second type of love is the brotherly love that exists between close friends regardless of gender. There is no sexual connotation; it is the love for and by a friend. It is used to describe the love between David and Jonathan in 1Samuel 20:17. The Greek word for brotherly love or affection is “phileo,” as used to refer to friendship in John 15:19, Romans 12:10, and Hebrews 13:1.

The Greek word “storge” refers to family or tribal love, indicating a deep affection. This is the type of care that exists between family members, friends, or companions. Longer lasting, it goes beyond an initial infatuation or attraction. Built on a familiarity between people, the emphasis is on devotion and intimacy that develops over time. Real-life examples include parents toward children, siblings, spouses, and sometimes very close friendships.

One of the 10 commandments shows what storge love can look like. “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12, NIV).

Finally there is the word “agape,” which is used to express the kind of love God demonstrates toward His children. Agape love is probably the most talked about of the four kinds of love. It is the highest, most complete form of affection. God’s love for us is the foundation of this love. And Jesus gave us many lessons about and examples of agape – a strong, selfless and sacrificial love. It is often translated as “steadfast love” or “lovingkindness.” The word “love” refers to agape love in 1 John 4:9 in the NIV, as it reads, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”

How Much Do You Love God?

The English Standard Version renders Matthew 22:38 as, “’Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching” (John 14:21, NIV).

Some think of God as if He were merely a theological concept rather than a being who desires a close love relationship with them. They believe in God but do not believe he is a being to know and love. Do you have personal and growing love relationship with Jesus Christ?

We must love one another. Think about what that means. If you love someone, you will not lie to them, or cheat them, or steal from them, or covet their spouse or their belongings. The apostle Paul learned how important love is in a Christians life. He taught the Christians in Rome the same lesson that Jesus taught (Romans 13:8–10).

No matter who you are or what you have done, Jesus loves you and he always will. He wants us to love (agape) Him back. The most beautiful action of love he ever did for all of us is dying to save all of us from our sins. God loves us and demonstrated His love by sending Jesus to save us from all the evil in this world. And the most important thing is that He gave us all of that for free. We cannot earn His love. We just need to accept His love and love Him as the Bible teaches, and our lives will be completely changed forever.

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Read more encouraging articles written for Women of Worth Worldwide, a ministry of NewLife Behavior International by clicking here.

Who is Jesus and what does it mean to follow him? Click here to read. If you have questions, just send an email to NLBIministry@gmail.com.

God’s Masterpiece

By Donna Steward

“You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother’s body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother’s body. When I was put together there, you saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old. God, your thoughts are precious to me. They are so many!” (Psalm 139:13-17, New Century Version).

You are created according to God’s perfect design and that design is intended for accomplishing His purposes for your life. Isaiah 64:8 says, “. . . O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand” (King James Version).

How you view yourself influences how you think about God. It has an effect on your family, your friends, and your future. Do you compare yourself to others? Are you tempted to think others are better than you or that God loves them more?

When we reject ourselves and the unchangeable features of our physical bodies, we are actually rejecting God and His work in our lives. There are several areas of our lives we cannot change, and we need to understand that God created us as a perfect design to accomplish His purpose.

You cannot change your birth mother or father. Some of their weaknesses will be passed on to you. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.’ So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in me” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NCV).

Your height, voice, body build, metabolism, complexion, eyes, ears, hands, feet, and countless other features, down to the smallest detail – God knit them together while you were inside your mother. He made you perfect for the purpose He has in store for you.

God chose to make you a male or a female, knowing exactly what plans He has in mind. “And he answered and said unto them, ‘Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female’” (Matthew 19:4, KJV).

We cannot change who our brothers and sisters are. Accepting brothers and sisters involves accepting their personalities, abilities, and talents as well as their physical defects and failures.

We are all descended from common parents – Adam and Eve. Accepting our racial heritage will help us see other people as the special work of God’s design.

Esther 4:14 states, “And who knows? You may have been chosen queen for such a time as this” (NCV). God has a purpose for your life at this specific time in history. Even if the times in which you live are evil, how much more important it is for you to fulfill your role as God’s light in a spiritually dark world.

God gave you your special mental abilities. God isn’t going to compare you with anyone else. He made you to be you. You are His masterpiece.

God reminds us to make good use of the time He has given us to live. He has chosen a life span just for you. While you are here on the earth, you can invest in the lives of your family and others, teaching them about Him. You can look forward to eternity with Him.

We need to trust Him and the unique plan He has for our lives. We need to accept the unchangeable events in our lives, even the weaknesses and limitations. Our difficulties, including birth defects or the failures of others, can be used as tools in God’s hands to achieve great things for His Kingdom!

As you accept God’s design, you will be able to welcome His work in your life and cooperate in fulfilling His purposes for you. He is looking at how you use your spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities, and He’s going to help you reach your unique potential.

There is only one you in the whole world. You are beautiful, and you are loved deeply by God. You are His masterpiece.