Day 13 Friends Unseen

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7

My heart is heavy today as I pray for the people of Haiti after the devastating earthquake rocked their world. But I am touched that today's devotional reminded me to cast my care upon God.  He does care.

My son Zane's former youth pastor Steve Cecil and the team of people from Beautiful Child ministry left Haiti just hours before the quake on Tuesday.  I am grateful they arrived home safely.

But one of their team members, Chris Sahlman, is still there.  He stayed to help at the orphanage they support.  The orphans are living in a field because their home was destroyed.  But thankfully the kids are okay.  Chris is there being God's hands and feet to continue helping where he can.  I pray for ministering angels - those friends unseen sent by God to help in this time of need.

Please take the time to give where you can in the relief efforts.  Check out this news story for more information: http://www.fox47.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/vid_800.shtml or go to the church's website at http://www.thejourneycommunity.com/ to learn how you can help be that ministering angel and give in whatever way you can.

My friend Karen Kingsbury (http://www.karenkingsbury.com/) asked for prayer today for her adopted son Josh's birth mom who lives in Haiti.  They have not heard from her today.  Please pray that she is okay.  Please also lift up a prayer for Josh as this young teen processes this news of the earthquake.  Karen lists several relief agency websites on her website too.

Things like this are difficult to understand but we must not despair.  We should be a channel of helpfulness in whatever way possible.  Pray. Give. Hope. 

I pray that I will be sharing miracle stories on my blog - even in the midst of the tragedy.  We do not understand.  But we know the One who does.

God Bless Your Heart
Gigi Murfitt
http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

(This year I am blogging through a great devotional book titled "God Calling" by A.J. Russell, published by Barbour Publishing.  I encourage you to pick up a copy and work through each day's message on your own.)

Day 12 Thanks for Trials

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Today I'm thankful for trials because they have made me more flexible. Flexibility is important in our mind as well as our body. I've never been very flexible in my body and often have back pain because I don't stretch my muscles after exercise. Stretching indeed makes me more flexible and it is good for me.

God has used the trials in my life to stretch my faith. We all go through trials and sometimes they really hurt. If you haven't faced a trial you just might be dead. Life is full of trials. Our parents will age and die. A sibling might get sick. Relationships often go wrong. Divorce happens at breakneck speed. Jobs are lost. Financial difficulties arise. Children are born with disabilities. Marriage is not easy. Family members make poor choices. I could fill up this blog with a list of trials.

When things are hard I reach for God's hand rather than trying to do it on my own. For me, these trials have been fertile ground for God's seed to grow. In the midst of tough times I learn from the Bible, pray with friends and fellowship with other believers who can lift me up when I'm weary. I never have to go through it alone.

Lately it seems my prayer journal is loaded with prayers requests from people who are going through tough times. The enemy of our souls is in a full blown attack on our marriages and our children. Several of my friends are dealing with difficult issues involving their children's life choices. Parenting is definitely not for wimps. It is full of trials. But God is asking us to give thanks even in the middle of these struggles.

When I pray with my friends I give thanks for the things I believe God will do in the lives of these families. I don't dwell on the trial but I believe for the victory. I am reminded of the incredible power of Jesus which helps us triumph over every issue in our life. While giving thanks, the focus shifts and hope arises.

What trial are you thankful for today? Do you need me to pray with you for something going on in your life? I hope you'll share it so we can thank God together and believe in hope that God will work it out for good.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi Murfitt

www.GigiMurfitt.com

The idea for this blog came from the "God Calling" book by A. J. Russell published by Barbour Publishing.

Day 11 The Ache of Love

"And the sheep follow him: for they know his voice." John 10:4

This particular devotion is chock full of wonderful things to ponder. I hope you have a chance to pick up a copy of "God Calling" by A.J. Russell (Published by Barbour Publishing) so you can work through each day's message on your own. I work through a devotion in my journal in the morning and let it simmer all day long while I work and play. Then in the evening I write my blog post.

I've found that I really hear from God on things I'm working through when I spend time meditating on it during the day. I'm a thinker. I mull things over in my brain before I am willing to talk about them. It drives my husband crazy because he's always wondering what I'm thinking. But I find it best to spend time thinking and meditating before I formulate a comment or opinion. Otherwise I speak too soon and get myself in trouble. My foot doesn't taste very good when I have to open my mouth and insert it.

With such a rich devotion today I had a hard time choosing what to blog about. I've come up with a bullet list of things so you can take them and meditate on them on your own.

• God has unlimited stores for my needs.
  
• Seek God's Truth and you will find it.
  
• Even in silence God is present and speaking to you.
  
• Jesus is the light of the world. Sometimes he gives you just enough light for the day.
  
• When we get to heaven we will get the whole revelation of everything that went on in our lives. Rest in knowing that.
  
• Today's marching orders are all you need. God gives you the strength for today. Come back tomorrow for more strength. Day by day.
  
• Don't let the babble of the world crowd out God's voice.
  
• You have been hurt. God sees the pain. He leaves the scar as a reminder. God likes to use scarred lives.
  
• Don't freak if you are being disciplined. It's inevitable.
  
• Trust God always. Never rebel.

My favorite quote from this devotion brought tears to my eyes. "The trust given to Me (the Lord) today, takes away the ache of rejection of My love, that I suffered on earth, and have suffered through the ages. "I died for you, My children, and could ye treat Me so?" (P21 God Calling by A.J. Russell)

I have to ask. Do I treat Him like I know He died for me? Oh God forgive me when I take your sacrifice for granted. Let me never forget the ache of love.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi Murfitt

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

My friend Karen recently gave me the words to an amazing song by Sara Groves. It came to me at the perfect time to minister to my heart as I work through the transition to the empty nest – where this mamma bird misses her baby birdies a whole bunch – and Steve and I are learning a whole new language as we work it all out. The song is on Sara Grove's "Add to The Beauty" CD. The song title is "When It Was Over". I encourage you to download the song on iTunes. The chorus is my favorite:

Love wash over a multitude of things.

Love wash over a multitude of things.

Jesus save us from a multitude of things.

Make us whole.

There is a love that never fails

There is a healing that always prevails

There is a hope that whispers it loud

A promise to wait while we're working it out

So come with your love and wash over us.

Oh life is so much fun when God's love washes over me! Thanks Karen, this song ministered to my heart more than you know!

The idea for this blog was taken from the book "God Calling" by A.J. Russell published by Barbour Publishing. I've been blogging each day as I work through this devotional book. I highly recommend you purchase a copy for you and one for a friend.

PS. For those of you who get an email of my blog forgive me if you get multiple posts. I'm trying to work out some issues with spacing and I think it might be sending it out again. If you have ideas on how to stop this please let me know! And accept my apology if you receive more than one email.

Day 10 Influence

"I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

Abundant life. Plentiful. Copious. Rich. Isn't it what we all want? How many different ways do we try to achieve abundant life on our own? Jesus came for the very reason to give it to us – as a free gift. Free to those who will open it. Free to those who believe. There is nothing I want more than to know that my loved ones live abundant lives because Christ has come into their world and influenced them.

God came to me. When I gave my life to Him he gave me eternal life. This life altered my whole existence. Even the words I speak and the influences I have were affected when God came near. Everything has an eternal impact as it springs from Christ in me. I need to be careful what I do and what I say because it could change a life forever. Every person I meet can be influenced for eternity.

Wow, that's a weighty thought isn't it? But it's true. The Gospel of Grace is available to all. And how we love one another brings Grace on the scene. I want to live a life of influence every single day of my life. So I think I'll continue to walk in grace. How about you?

As we begin a new week I pray grace and peace over your life. I pray you will ask the Lord to use you powerfully to influence one person tomorrow. I'd love it if you would share with a comment on my blog that one person God put in your path.

Have a blessed week. God bless your heart!

Gigi

www.GigiMurfitt.com

PS – Sending a shout out to my friend Julie Anderson. We celebrated at her 50^th birthday party tonight with an award ceremony. (Her actually birthday was in December but that gets all mixed up with Christmas so her kids held her party tonight. Good thinking!) All of her friends and family spoke highly of her ability to make people laugh and to be a loyal friend. Happy Birthday Julie – I celebrate you.

(The idea for this blog was taken from the book "God Calling" by A.J. Russell published by Barbour Publishing)

Day 9 No Strain

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him." Psalm 37:7

"Let patience have her perfect work." P19 (God Calling Devotional for January 9^th) One of my gifts is patience. I guess I learned it growing up as the eighth of ten children. I'm at the bottom of the ladder so I often had to wait my turn. Our son Gabe is one of the most patient people I've ever met. Because of his short arms, it takes him longer to do basic daily tasks like getting dressed or putting toothpaste on his toothbrush. But he always exhibits patience even in times when he struggles to get a shirt buttoned or a light turned off. He inspires me!

Another quote I chose from today's devotional is "Never think things overwhelming." P19 (God Calling) Never? Really? Okay, so if I truly believe that all things are possible and God is with me then why do I sometimes get overwhelmed? He knows what I can bear without a strain. God would not ask me to do something that could destroy me.

What causes me to be overwhelmed? When my plate is too full perhaps I am serving another master instead of God. Is my master my job? The next book? The demanding schedules of my children? Someone else's expectations? The opinion of man? Taking on a load I was not intended to bear? All of these things can produce strain. I try to avoid being overwhelmed.

I was at lunch the other day with my friend Cheryl. I was giving her an update on the status of my Caregivers' Devotions to Go book. I filled her in on my current involvement in the Northwest Christian Writer's Association (www.nwchristianwriters.org) and Northwest Ministry Conference www.MinistryConference.org We discussed the status of Gabe's book and chatted about her interview with him. She encouraged me and gave me ideas about what to do next. At the end of our lunch she took a deep breath and said, "Gigi, just listening to everything you have going on in your life exhausts me." How do you do it all?

God did not intend for me to be overwhelmed so I take all of my activities to Him every day. Often times when I'm doing my morning devotions I'll take time to prioritize and change things around a bit. That is when I rest in the Lord's plan.

Right now I don't feel overwhelmed with everything on my plate. But if I start to feel the strain then maybe it's time I examine my motives and adjust my activities. How about you? Are you overwhelmed?

God Bless Your heart!

Gigi Murfitt

www.gigimurfitt.com

The idea for this blog post came from the daily devotional in a book titled "God Calling" by A. J. Russell. It was published by Barbour publishing.

Day 8 Love Bangs the Door

"They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever." Psalm 125:1

I thought the title of this devotional was rather strange. Love Bangs the Door. But what it said to me was that sometimes when the door bangs shut on something in my life, it is the love of God closing it so He can open a different way for me. Paul learned the lesson of the closed door when he said "our light affliction, which but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (P18 God Calling) Sometimes the trials we face are nothing compared to the plan God has in store for using it for His glory.

"Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties." When I read today's message I immediately thought of my mom. In the midst of some harsh difficulties she had peace. Most of the time. As she got older her peace turned to anxiousness. What caused the change?

After many conversations with her I believe at some point she stopped trusting that God promised to work it all out for good. Fear crept in. She lost her joy when she focused on what was wrong rather than what was right.

Focusing on the negative gets us in trouble every time. I'm not saying we should ignore the challenges as if they don't exist. But I believe when we trust the acceptance of God's will for us we have peace and joy and we will not be moved.

In my own life I've had seasons where I started to lose hope. Just recently I received word that an agent chose not to represent me. Sure I was disappointed but it's not the end of the world. I will not lose heart. By faith I choose to trust that God is for me and not against me. God will make a way where there seems to be no way. Over and again I believe that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28) I ask every day what my next move will be. I listen quietly for the next door to open as I continue to write with hope.

God Bless your heart. Have a great weekend!

Gigi Murfitt

www.GigiMurfitt.com

Day 7 The Secret Pearl

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Be still and wait. That's what I've been hearing over and again these past few months. I sense there are wonders in my life unfolding while I wait and ask God for wisdom. I'm waiting and praying about several things. Which book should I make my priority? Should I take another writing class? Am I supposed to go to the writer's conference in February? How can Steve and I celebrate our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary in June? Should I facilitate the Bible study that has been on my heart? I don't understand what is going on in our nation, Lord. What can I do to help?

In my time spent with God, He speaks in the silence. Not in an audible voice – but a knowing in my heart. A sense of peace calms my anxious heart over an issue or idea I'm waiting about. I have confidence that as I listen and wait, He will give me wisdom to do what is right. In those quiet moments, God sometimes drops a thought into my heart. I meditate on it and ask if I should share the thought with someone else. I record these thoughts and prayers in my journal.

When I share it in a conversation, an email or a card, I pray a similar prayer to the one spoken in this devotional for today in the "God Calling" book. I pray Lord, let each word or thought be like a pearl that I can drop into the secret place of that person's heart. I pray that in some hour of need the recipient finds the treasure and for the first time realizes its value. (P17 God Calling)

It is so cool when I watch God work that way. I might get a note or an email from the recipient telling me the message was exactly what they needed at that moment.

I was talking to my niece Meghan Goodheart Bailey today. She called to chat about a Bible study she would like to facilitate. Several months ago in a quiet moment with God, she sensed that she was supposed to help the women in her church work through a study of God's Word. She waited. She studied. She talked to the director of women's ministry. God confirmed by sending another woman to encourage her decision.

After much prayer and research she is ready to share what God has put on her heart. I have a feeling that the study she facilitates will be that pearl God drops in the secret place of one of those women. In a time of great need, she will find a treasure. God will reveal its value. A life will be changed. Thanks Meghan – I'm really proud of your courage to step into a new place of leadership. Remember that the Holy Spirit will equip you with everything you need. Spend time in that quiet place and listen. Be still and know that He is God.

God Bless Your Heart.

Gigi Murfitt

www.GigiMurfitt.com

(The idea for this blog post came from the book titled God Calling compiled by A. J. Russell, January 7. This book is published by Barbour Publishing.)