Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Written by Débora Rodrigo, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Spain

The past year was full of changes and challenges. Of that, there is no doubt. Much has been said about what 2020 will be remembered for. But here we are facing a promising new year that gives us some hope, although we well know that this year, like any other, will bring its own challenges.

Changes, challenges, and unforeseen events all are parts of life that have their moments, as do times of tranquility and happiness. Many things happened in our lives last year, and many others will continue this year, but all things, as Paul promises us in Romans 8:28, contribute to the good of those who love God. We can be sure that during 2020, God was working in us, refining and redefining us according to His will.

The people of God faced many changes and challenges, and were still going through them after their exile in Babylon and the subsequent rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, led by Nehemiah. God's people had been refined and redefined during times of great difficulty. After returning to Jerusalem, the changes would continue, and they would have to continue facing challenges; but a new stage was beginning. Led by the priest Ezra, the people decided to meet as one in the square and keep silent while Ezra read the Book of the law. The people listened carefully and worshiped God (Neh. 8:1-6).

Changes and challenges may continue in our lives, but as we grappled with them over the past months, we have been refined and redefined and we must continue to walk and move forward with every step we take. It is time to stop, reflect, and check that we have our roots well ingrained, and redefine our steps to ensure we walk in the direction God would have us go.

Written by Tiffany Jacox, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister in Bellevue, NE

Well, here we are...2021! Are you leaping for joy and full of new hope or cautiously peering into the New Year? 2020 was full of turbulence, of that we can all agree. It is customary to take time at the end of a year to look back and reflect on what transpired throughout that year. I urge you, if you haven’t already, to take a few moments to do so. Take inventory of the things you witnessed, the things you experienced, your relationship with Jesus, the choices you made and ask yourself how those things changed you.

You see, we are shaped by thousands of little things each day. Little acts, small choices, big decisions, they all have consequences and our experiences help shape the person of whom we will become. If we rely on ourselves or on the voices of the world, we may not be refined the way we should be or would like to be. In your time of reflection over the past year, and preparation for the year ahead, remember who you should be talking to and from where we should seek advice.

We should be spending time in the Word of God and speaking to Him in prayer daily, asking Him for wisdom. Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) reminds us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” We will grow and change through our experiences and God will strengthen us through the trials. “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10, NASB).

We can look forward with joy and anticipation to this New Year with a new opportunity to be not only refined but redefined. God uses our experiences to refine us and we are redefined in Jesus. If you are a Christian you have already been made new. If you aren’t a Christian yet, don’t wait! Get to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the new life only He can give. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17, KJV). The old has passed away and new things have come; we have been redefined!

As we make our New Years’ Resolutions or plans for the upcoming year, remember to keep God in the center of our planning. “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it” (Ps. 37:5, AMP). We must not dwell on the past or things of this world, they are temporary. We need to keep our focus clear and straight ahead. “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col 3:2, NKJV). Allow God to be at the center of all you do and He will guide the way, “The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps” (Prov. 16:9, NASB).

God has given us a sweet fellowship in Iron Rose Sister Ministries and a way to be refined, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17, NIV). No more looking behind, only looking ahead, together, as refined and redefined women of God!

Written by Kat Bittner, Iron Rose Sister Ministries volunteer and Board Member in Colorado

Relationships can be difficult to foster. And often they are the hardest things to keep tied. Even the best relationships can be knotty at times. Relationship with God, though, is far less complicated. It’s also the most valuable. A personal relationship with God means unconditional love by Him. It means redemption from the worst we’ve done. It means adoption into a family in which we are heirs of a great inheritance (Gal. 4:4-7; Rom. 8:17). Most importantly, relationship with God means life.

We are given the gift of God’s grace, and we undeservedly receive God’s mercy (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 9:16). And we are also given the hope of eternal life (1 Pet. 1:3). To obtain that life, though, we must enter relationship with God, and we can only get to God through Jesus.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me“ (John 14:6 NIV).


This is my favorite scripture because it encompasses what I can expect and what I can do to truly live. If I expect to have truth and life, I can only do so by way of Jesus. Because of what God did for me in sacrificing His Son to die on my behalf, I’ve come to acknowledge the need to be more selfless. The truth is, if left to my own inclinations, life would be spent doing all the things that please me. I’d go where I want, when I want, and do what I want with very little consideration for others. Rather than make a home and life for my husband, children, and grandchildren, I would make a home and life that best suits me. I’d be overcome by my addictions (food) and proclivities (controlling). Singing on the worship team, teaching the toddlers’ Bible class, and serving in the women’s ministry at my church would all be meaningless. Ministries near and dear to me like Ciudad de Angelesand Iron Rose Sister Ministries would be inconsequential. My job, my social life, and my pastimes would be centered solely around my personal gain rather than how I can do those things to serve others.

To that end, I rely heavily on my relationship with God. I’ve come to appreciate that my relationship with God keeps me focused on what truly matters. It keeps me grounded on more holy things and ensures those things take precedence because one who “pursues righteousness... finds life, prosperity and honor” (Prov. 21:21).

Through Jesus, I’ve come to know God more freely and intimately. I value my relationship with Jesus because, without Him, I would not know God. Jesus said, “The Father is in me, and I in the Father” (John 10:38), so to know Jesus is to know God. Personally, I don’t know who I’d be otherwise. Lauren Daigle beautifully expresses in her song, “Thank God I Do,” the value of knowing Jesus.

You're my safe place, my hideaway


You're my anchor, my saving grace


You're my constant, my steadiness


You're my shelter, my oxygen

I don’t know who I’d be if I didn’t know you, I’d probably fall off the edge.
I don’t know where I’d go if you ever let go, so keep me held in your hands.
I don’t know who I’d be if I didn’t know you. Thank God I do.

It’s because of Jesus that we “may have life and may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV). Life abounds because of Jesus! I relish that thought because it means that while everything is not always good in life, life is always good. And because I am in relationship with God, I can be less stressed when life goes awry. I certainly do try!

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” (1 Thes. 5:16-18 MSG)

As in any valued relationship, we should be mindful of what’s necessary to keep the relationship strongly tied. I grow spiritually when I am seeking daily to know God better. My Bible studies, my prayer time, and my relationships with other Godly women all help foster my relationship with God (1 Tim. 4:13-16; Titus 2:3-5; Ps. 119:1-2; Ps. 18:6; Ps. 15:29). And I have found that the less time I spend fostering my relationship with God, the more likely my life is to become complicated—or at least the more likely I am to become anxious about those complications. Ultimately, it’s a ploy from the enemy to distract me from growing in my relationship with God. God is worthy of so much more in our relationship than for us to worry about life. And no human trouble is greater than God’s power to overcome it.

“Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.” (Plato)

What strides will you make to draw closer to Jesus? And thereby God?



Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

When I bake a wedding cake and make roses to decorate it, I set the prettiest roses to the side for the top tier or front of the cake. That is what I want people to focus on, not the rose whose petal folded inward as it was drying. Those roses are set apart for a special purpose.

In the same way, we, as God’s children, have been set apart for a purpose. From the beginning, God has called people out from where they were for a special purpose. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10 ESV).

We have examples of people God set apart from the world:

Noah was called out from the evil world to build the ark to save his family from the flood.

Abraham was called from his pagan homeland to a land God would provide with the promise that a great nation would come from him, including the Messiah.

Moses, after fleeing Egypt, was called from herding sheep to return to Egypt, go to Pharaoh, and say, “Let my people go.” These were descendants of Abraham.

David, another descendant of Abraham, was called from being a shepherd whose heart was turned toward God to become a mighty king.

John the Baptist was born to aged parents and called to prepare the way for the Messiah.

In Deuteronomy 14:2 we read about the Israelites, “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

In each of these examples, there was a purpose— a reason they were set apart— to be His chosen people.

There are dozens of other examples in scripture, and what we need to realize is that God takes us where we are and gives us time to grow into what He has planned for us.

What does it mean for our lives to live as one set apart?

We stand out just as a rose stands out from the thorns. We will look different from the world around us as we make decisions that glorify God.

Jesus told His followers, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

The world is evil, but light shines brightest in the dark. We live in the world, but we are to be different.

Jesus prayed,

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. (John 17:17,18)

We are set apart by our actions and by our speech. Those are the two things most noticeable to other people. There are two scriptures I think of that encourage our lives to be set apart.

Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Just as the roses I set apart draw attention to the cake, so our lives should draw attention to Jesus and bring glory to God.

The words of Peter remind us of our purpose and importance to our Heavenly Father.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Are you living your life as one set aside for the purpose of drawing attention to our Lord?

Written as an interview between Michelle J. Goff and Johanna Zabala, Iron Rose Sister Ministries Volunteer in Venezuela

       1. Michelle: When you think of small groups, what comes to mind?

Johanna: Today, I consider small groups as very important in our significant relationships. They allow us to interact and learn from one another. Each teaching or learning through these relationships reminds me of the moment when our beloved Lord Jesus selected His disciples with a holy purpose (Mark 3:16-19).

Every relationship brings different learnings and lessons. For me, interpersonal relationships develop internal confidence and trust, and each person in the group develops distinct connections with those around them.

Since creation (Gen. 1-2), when our Heavenly Father said, “Let us,” He gave us the best original example of connection, unity, and a team.

       2. Michelle: What would be some examples of small groups that have this type of connection, unity, or that work in a team today?

Johanna: We are always interacting and learning in our everyday lives. The family fulfills a paramount function in relationships since it is the trigger for ongoing communication. It is through the interaction with those in our environment that provides the opportunity to know and understand the exchange of experiences, knowledge, feelings, and actions for growth.

Within my own routines, I have discovered how useful and necessary it is to be able to count on my support groups and friendships in the various areas of my life. My own family is an example of a small group. My husband has an important role as the leader in our joint direction as a couple, and the direction of our children. Also, as a family, we serve as a group and individually in the church and secular functions.

       3. Michelle: Now that you’ve mentioned how a family can serve as a small group in the church, what other small groups do you know in the church?

Johanna: In the church and other life experiences, small groups are visible in every ministry. Activities are rolled out that are very well structured, as God set in order. Small groups are what work together to realize their results.

Specifically, I love the work with Sunday school classes. Even though they may seem simple, they are to be highly regarded. As a group of teachers, together with the parents, united in the Lord’s purpose, we focus on preparing the child or teen that will later become an adult and will form part of his or her own small group, collaborating in the Lord’s great work.

Then, I love and value my ladies’ prayer groups. Connection is based on direct communication with our Creator. But here, not praying individually but rather as a team, we learn to know each other more in love, forgiveness, and friendship as the Lord commands.

       4. Michelle: I remember that you have a lot of experience with special needs children. I think this can illustrate the grace that we should extend in small groups.

Johanna: Yes. On a secular level, God Himself has granted me education and experience in this branch of psychopedagogy (the psychological study of teaching). For years now, along with the great privilege of being His daughter, on various occasions I have been entrusted with the care and charge of various small groups of children with special education needs.

Those students did not all learn in the same way, at the same time, or at the same rhythm. But they did learn and achieve their scholastic requirements. This prompted me to pray for wisdom, and by loving them in this way, together we could achieve significant learning according to their academic needs.

All of this strengthened the relevance of my friendships in small groups and the transcendental nature of relationships—personal, family, and social—toward the understanding of our expanded communication.

       5. Michelle. True! I agree completely. And if you allow me to share an example… I apply the same concept to my sisters in Christ, those with whom I have shared in small groups: Martha likes it when everything is organized and spelled out in detail. That’s how she communicates. Sue prefers that you give her the overall plan and a green light to do her part. Lisa wants everything to be done with a little song. What a blessing when I learn from their different perspectives and communication styles, whether we are meeting in a small group to pray and study the Bible together, or when we are planning a children’s class together.

       6. Michelle: Sister Johanna, thank you for the illustrations from your own life. Is there anything else you want to share in conclusion?

Johanna: We can see that the congregations of the Churches of Christ [particularly in Latin America and some in the U.S.] are not very large in number. However, we do have love and brotherhood throughout the world, which leads me to understand that united together we are great, to the glory of our Heavenly Father. In whichever of our small groups, it is important to know that we listen to get to know each other, help each other, love, forgive, and persevere with one another in what we believe for the preservation of our souls.

In what small groups are you currently active in your own congregation? Let’s celebrate them!

Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

“I need you.” God did not create us to live life in isolation. He knew we needed each other for companionship, for encouragement, and for accountability.

Peter writes that Satan goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). In the wild, it is the animal separated from the herd that is in danger of being attacked. Predators seldom attack an animal protected by others.

Likewise, a person who does not have spiritual friendships is more at risk of walking the wrong path in life.

Some friends draw us closer to Jesus. They help us become what we know He wants us to be.

If our friends have nothing more to talk about than sports, movies, or other worldly pursuits, then they can’t encourage our spiritual walk. Some friends are constantly daring us to see how close we can walk to sin without getting caught or telling us it really doesn’t matter… pulling us away from the path we are trying to walk.

Scriptures give examples of several friendships.

David and Jonathan – a shepherd and a prince, whose souls were “knit together.” Jonathan did not appear to be jealous that David would be the next king instead of him. When David was hiding from Saul, Jonathan found him, “And he said to him, ‘Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you’” (1 Sam. 23:17 ESV).

Nathan and David – a prophet willing to confront sin and a king willing to accept correction. When Nathan said, “You are the man!” (2 Sam. 12:7), David’s response was, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:13). Nathan continued to be a support and friend throughout David’s life, and we see that closeness when David and Bathsheba name a son “Nathan.”

Paul and Timothy – a missionary who began mentoring a younger man, calling him “my son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2 MSG).

Barnabas and Mark – relatives with the older willing to give the younger a second chance in mission work (Acts 15). We all need a second chance at times.

Naomi and Ruth – mother-in-law and daughter-in-law bound together through heartbreak (the book of Ruth). Supporting each other through difficult times creates a bond never forgotten.

Elijah and Elisha – older prophet who trained a younger prophet (2 Kings 2) who would follow in his footsteps.

Then, we also read of friendships that did not bring out the spiritual side.

Rehoboam and his young friends – he was advised to be harsher than his father Solomon, which caused the kingdom to be split (1 Kings 12).

Ahab and Jezebel – husband and wife who seem to have encouraged each other in evil (1 Kings 18-21).

Life has ups and downs, twists, and turns that we often have not planned for and do not expect. When that happens, our focus can become distorted, and we might feel our faith is under attack. A godly friend can help us refocus and work through whatever has happened.

First Corinthians 15:33 tells us, “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.” It’s important to choose our companions wisely.

Paul also writes in 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.”

We sometimes walk a fine line between wanting to help (mentor) someone who is struggling and allowing their struggles to affect us. The reality is it is easier to pull someone down than lift them up.

When we have friends who encourage us to think on the good (Phil. 4:8) and to develop the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23), we have someone who will help us walk in the footsteps of Jesus and receive the crown of life.

What spiritual relationships are you nurturing in your life?

Written by Eliuth de Valencia, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colombia

Some events that come our way are outside of our plans. In my case—my conversion, my marriage, my help in the ministry, living in a foreign land—none of these were planned, although I desired to do everything right. Throughout my 43 years, when I have been troubled and doubtful, I kept a strong conviction that God was in control.

Scripture doesn't give us much information about David’s circumstances when he wrote Psalm 37, but we can be sure he felt his enemies were winning. Throughout much of the Psalm, the shepherd-king seems to be reflecting on the consequences that will come to the wicked. In verse 5 of Psalm 37, he gives us an answer to what we can do to secure this promise: "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act" (ESV).

This causes me to reflect on the moments of unexpected pain and uncertainty which have strengthened my commitment to Christ so much that they cultivated a peaceful heart in the midst of a turbulent world. I hope you can develop such meditation in this psalm so that these thoughts will be a part of you as you surrender your plans to God.

Surely, when we look around and see the wickedness of this world, we see evildoers. You may see their actions when you watch or listen to the news, at home, at work, or even at church. Are there evildoers in the church? Unfortunately, there are. In my observation, there are people who, instead of centering their lives on Christ, do what they want, even bad and sinful things. So what do we do?

I recognize that this passage is about those of us who are prone to anger, hyperventilation, stress, and anxiety. Suddenly, a kind of anger begins to boil within me that, if I don't handle it God's way, can express itself in ways of speaking and acting that are not pleasing to the Lord. "To be easily irritated can lead me to do evil" (Ps. 37:8 paraphrased).

If you become irritated in response to evil, you can become an evildoer, just like the one who caused you the initial irritation. We want to avoid acting in the same way that people who irritate us do. Then David tells us:

"Fret not yourself" (v.1) Instead, we should look up to God.
"Trust in the Lord and do good" (v.3).
"Commit your way to the Lord" (v.5). He will act on our behalf.
"Trust quietly in the Lord and wait patiently for him." Verses 5, 6, 7, and 8 again talk about looking up.

With a firm resolution not to be irritated and a future full of confidence in the actions of my Lord, whether here on earth or on the day of judgment, all wrongs will be corrected. Things are going to work out. They're going to change in God's timing. God is in control.

"Fret not yourself because of evildoers." Don't stress. “Be not envious of wrongdoers" (v.1), "For they will soon fade like the grass" (v.2). “For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land” (v.9).

Notice the contrast between the future of evildoers and the future of the meek and righteous. What is the psalmist saying? You don't just have to look up; you have to look forward—the promise may be delayed. Think long-term about God's sovereignty and plans. Look to the future. Don't just look at the here and now. Look forward by faith, and God tells you what He will do.

And, by the way, you should look into your heart if you find yourself making bad choices or living an evil, ungodly, sinful life. If your life is not committed to Christ and you resist His lordship in any area of your life, then you are living wickedly. If we don’t repent and accept His grace, things look grim for our future.

But Psalm 37 is a very encouraging passage for those being crushed by the wicked today. Keep your eyes on the goal. Remember what's going to happen. This will help you not get irritated, but trust in the Lord. Remember, looking at life from the perspective of eternity helps us face and endure the hardships and injustices of this life.

Grace and peace.

Written by Elise Siklosi, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

Think of a time when you had to sacrifice something or give it up. Was it an event? A nail appointment or an important dinner? Maybe you had to give up the urge to snag that Snickers bar from the checkout aisle or – as I like to say – the impulse-buying aisle. Or maybe it was something bigger, like a job offering or interview. It wasn’t all that easy, was it?

There’s always that small tinge of discomfort in surrendering something that you have no desire to give up. Perhaps the thing you’re surrendering is much bigger than a Snickers bar. Maybe you’re currently in the process of surrendering an expectation of something that you had very high hopes of. Perhaps you’re surrendering a relationship, the potential for marriage, a loved one… the list could go on. People are, without a doubt, much more difficult to give up than just about anything. Abraham, a faithful follower of God, knows – all too well – what it means to surrender something incredibly close to him: his own son.

Abraham, like the rest of us as believers, was chosen, hand-picked by God, to be the father of many nations to come. There are multiple accounts throughout Genesis when God promises Abraham and his wife, Sarah, that they will have many descendants. In chapter 12, The Lord says to Abraham (Abram at the time),

“... I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing…” (NASB, v. 2).

The funny thing about Abraham and his wife Sarah, is that this particular couple is veryold when they are promised these things. In fact, Sarah was even barren. In other words, there was, supposedly, no possible way that she could have a child. With this, Abraham had plenty of doubts and questions. With an impatient and unbelieving heart to God’s promise for children, he even conceived a child with Hagar, Sarah’s maid, because he was so desperate for His promise to be fulfilled. But God, in His faithfulness, was unwavering from His promise.

In Genesis 17:2, He, again, reminds Abraham of this sweet guarantee by saying, “I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly.” In response to this, Abraham “fell on his face and laughed” in disbelief (17:17), for he was one hundred years old at this point in time. Even still, God responded with assurance, saying “I will establish My covenant with [your son] for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him” (17:19). To no surprise does God fulfill His promise to Abraham in chapter 21. It reads,

“Then the LORD took note of Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.”

What a beautiful statement! Isaac, the promised son, has finally been born. This just goes to show how unshakeable the faithfulness of our God is. It reminds me of Isaiah 55:11:

“So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

I mean, wow. The words of God hold such power! While Abraham, with his unbelieving heart, slept with another woman and even laughed in the face of God, the Lord’s faithfulness was unmoved. He provided Abraham with security and safety with His very words. Here’s the simple truth: they do not “return to [Him] empty.” As sweet as this is, the story of Abraham’s son doesn’t end here. In chapter 22, God asks something quite unexpected of Abraham, commanding him to “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and [...] offer him there as a burnt offering on the one of the mountains of which I will tell you” (NASB, v. 2). I’m sorry… what? Did God not just fulfill His promise of a child to Abraham? He even makes sure to mention the fact that Isaac is Abraham’s “only son” that he loves dearly.

Oddly, Abraham responds to this command with obedience. There is no recorded complaint from him, compared to the previous chapters where there was an evident lack of trust in God. If anything, the way he reacts shows that this task of surrendering one of his most beloved relationships is of great importance to Abraham. Genesis 22:3 says that he “rose early in the morning” to prepare for the offering before setting off to the mountain to sacrifice Isaac. As someone who is absolutely not a morning person, this mission seems to me like it was insanely important to Abraham.

After tying Isaac to the altar, he raises his arm, knife in hand, to proceed with the sacrifice. But God interrupts in chapter 22:12, sending a messenger to command him saying, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God. since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” He then rewards his faithfulness by providing Abraham with a ram to sacrifice in place of Isaac. I have tears in my eyes as I write this! To reflect on such a deep and resilient love for God absolutely boggles me. What kind of faith surrenders a human life for God? What kind of faith surrenders the one son that had been prayed over for years to God?

Let’s reflect on Abraham’s change of heart throughout his lifetime: He started off as a man whose heart was hardened. With his unbelief, came a lack of trust. And with a lack of trust, came an unwillingness to surrender anything to God… including his own expectations for God to uphold His promise to him.

He slept with Hagar because, to Abraham, “God is not a faithful God worth trusting.” Therefore, he took his own initiative with hopes of fulfilling a divine promise with a human “resolution.” A God-sized guarantee being satisfied by flesh? Never! By witnessing God’s faithfulness displayed through the birth of a son, Abraham’s heart went from hard and unbelieving, to soft and surrendered.

He was so confident in God’s unshakeable power that he was willing to give up anything for God… including Isaac! He found rest from turmoil in the power of God and in the fullness of His satisfaction. Abraham knew that God would sustain him and fulfill every need. Even when he couldn’t see what God was doing in the future, he could still trust God’s deep-rooted and secure plan. If a relationship with the Lord is worth diving this deep into, then surely it must be worth surrendering to with complete trust and confidence!

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #Abraham #trust #surrender #changeofheart #guestwriter

Written by Nilaurys Garcia, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Canada

We all need people who nurture us; people we can count on in the most critical moments, both good and complicated. Knowing that we are not alone and that we can count on someone fills us with strength to face many situations. In most cases, these people can be our family, but many of us also find that support in friends—that “family” that we can choose—and give them access to the most vulnerable parts of our beings. Something I learned several years ago is that good friendships are important. Having the right people by our side can make us feel safe, loved, and can help us achieve our goals while we remain at peace. Conversely, being with people who drain, exhaust, and negatively influence us can lead us to make unwise choices and turn away from the truth. As Proverbs 18:24 says, "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (NIV).

For me, this year has been focused on connections; on cultivating friendships and relationships that will help me connect with who I am, and especially to connect with God. What I have learned, and am especially grateful for, is relationships that make it possible to share experiences, advice, and the same love for spiritual things. They benefit you in a way that no other relationship can. If there is someone special that comes to your mind right now, the Lord has blessed you greatly, and I invite you to take a few minutes to thank them for their friendship and to thank God for putting them in your path.

I want to thank those who have given me a word of encouragement when I needed it most; that unexpected message saying that I was remembered and prayed over, wishing me well. I thank those friends who, although I have done my best to pretend that I am well, can look me in the eye and tell me, “I will pray for you and when you are ready, I will be there to listen to you.” I thank those friends who have become part of my family, my life, and my being, who are willing to lovingly sit with me, unselfishly looking out for my well-being. And, above all, when I need it, they can make me see what I am not doing well or what I must improve. I thank those close friends who celebrate my achievements because they know the effort it took, who jump for joy with me, and know how to dry my tears in times of difficulty. Whenever I think about these relationships, I imagine that their prayers, words of encouragement, and friendship have the same effect that Aaron and Hur had on Moses as they held up his arms when he was too tired to hold them up himself (Ex. 17:12).

I do not particularly need to talk daily with these friends, but they indeed are a constant presence in my life and have marked me so deeply. They are the ones I turn to in those moments of immense joy and extreme difficulty. I am greatly blessed to have friendships who have the same spiritual beliefs and whose presence in my life helps bring me closer to the presence of our God every day and challenge me to be a better version of myself. These friendships are the answers to the prayers I have made asking God to help me stay on His path and that He will send those who are not afraid to come find me wherever I have strayed.

To you, friend, thank you for showing me God's love at all times, and thank you for being willing to share my struggles and burdens. Thank you for being the support I need to grow closer to God every day.

Written by Alina Stout, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Oklahoma

It is no secret that Jesus was close to the family of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (Luke 10, John 11-12). He was with them through a great trial in their life, and His faithfulness to them led to their devoted thankfulness to Jesus.

Mary and Martha lost their brother Lazarus to an illness. They asked Jesus to come and heal Lazarus, but Jesus waited to come until after He learned that Lazarus died. He did not arrive at Mary and Martha’s house in Bethany until four days after Lazarus had passed (John 11:1-17).

In their moment of grief, Jesus was there for Mary and Martha in the unique way that each of them needed Him as they grieved over Lazarus. They each expressed their faith in Jesus even though it was being tested by inner conflict.

Martha expressed to Jesus her battle between her faith and her grief. “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you” (John 11:22, ESV). Jesus revealed a truth about Himself to Martha in response to her faith and challenged her to go one step further. He said, “I am the resurrection and the life …Do you believe this?” and she replied, “Yes, Lord; I believe” (John 11:25-27).

Mary expressed to Jesus only sorrow, revealing her grieved frustration that she knew Jesus could have done something to prevent this. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32). Jesus was “deeply moved in his spirit” by her weeping and He wept with her (John 11:33-35).

Jesus was their friend in the moment they needed Him most. But as the Messiah, Jesus was able to raise their brother Lazarus from the dead!

Mary and Martha each showed their gratitude to their friend and Lord Jesus in different ways.

Martha showed Jesus gratitude by preparing a dinner for Him and His disciples. Her dinner in honor of Him was an expression of the faith that she had in Him. It is the way that she could give back to Jesus for the new life that He gave to her brother. She sacrificed her personal time and effort in order to serve Him (John 12:2).

Mary showed Jesus gratitude in a way that was also a sacrifice for her–almost a year’s wages worth of sacrifice. She anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume and wiped His feet with her hair (John 12:3). Mary understood that Jesus is the source of all life. What did she lack? Nothing. When Mary sacrificed a costly perfume bottle, one that could have given her financial security if Lazarus died or could have been used for a future dowry, she chose to give it up out of gratitude for the Resurrection and the Life who will sustain her every need.

Mary and Martha each put Jesus above themselves out of faith and gratitude. They offered their personal sacrifice on Jesus’ behalf because they recognized Him as the Resurrection and the Life. If Jesus is life, then they wanted their life to honor Jesus.

Like Mary and Martha, we get to have a relationship with our Friend and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When we face trials, Jesus is there with us. He is emotionally present with us like He was with Mary. He guides us to knowledge in the truth like He did with Martha. He is present with us like a friend, but He is also our Lord. And when we overcome our trials with Jesus by our side, we are beyond grateful!

Our gratitude to our friend and our Lord and Savior oftentimes looks like sacrifice. It sure did for Mary and Martha! Out of our thankfulness for the life that Jesus has given us, our response is to devote our lives to Him.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom. 12:1).

Think about how you can devote your life to Jesus as a living sacrifice. What do you have that you can offer to Jesus? What are you willing to give up for Jesus?

Think about how you can encourage your Iron Rose Sisters to join you in your living sacrifice. Mary and Martha might have shown gratitude in their unique ways, but they showed their gratitude together at the same dinner. Is there any way that you can partner with your Iron Rose Sisters by offering your unique methods of gratitude together?

Written by Beliza Kocev, Brazil Coordinator for Iron Rose Sister Ministries

“…I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.”(1 Sa. 1:15b NIV)

Imagine something you really want. Now imagine that in addition to really wanting it, people expect it of you. On top of that, they think there is something wrong with you because you don’t have what you “should.” Imagine having someone make fun of you for this.

This was the life of Hannah. Her name means “favored,” which seems ironic in a time when infertility was shameful, not only for the woman, but also for the family. And on top of dealing with the pain of infertility, she was humiliated by Peninnah, her husband Elkanah’s other wife (1 Sa. 1:6). Peninnah’s provocations distressed Hannah. She would cry and not eat.

Every year Elkanah went with his wives to Shiloh, where there was a temple. And the story repeated itself every year: go to the temple, be provoked by Peninnah, cry, stop eating, and despite her husband’s attempt to comfort her, remain in the same condition (1 Sa. 1:7-8). He would try to satisfy her with good treatment, even being more generous with Hannah than with Peninnah, but he didn’t understand Hannah’s pain.

We don’t know how many years this process repeated itself. But throughout all of this, Hannah continued to share her anguish and pain with God. In one of these journeys to Shiloh, “Hannah got up. She was deeply distressed, and she cried bitterly as she prayed to the Lord” (1 Sa. 1:10 GNT). Hannah got up! Before the pain and anguish, the humiliation and the sadness, like Hannah, we need to seek God, as it is only Him who can give us relief and comfort our hearts. Often, there are times that we will not be able to get up on our own. For this reason, it is so important that we have sisters close to us to share our pain and to battle with us in prayer.

One of the interesting things about Hannah’s prayer is that she was specific in her request. Hannah knew herself, and she had a clear understanding of what she longed in anguish for. She knew exactly what she wanted from God and made it clear that if her prayer was answered, she would dedicate her child to the Lord (1 Sa. 1:11).

When Eli the priest saw her, he thought she was drunk because she was only moving her lips as she prayed (1 Sa. 1:13-14). She explained her situation and shared the affliction that she was feeling. Eli responded: “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him” (1 Sa. 1:17 NIV).

After this prayer and the conversation with Eli, Hannah fed herself and her face even changed and became more expressive (1 Sa. 1:18). Hannah returned home and got pregnant! Imagine her joy! Have you ever received a blessing for which you had waited a long time? Remember your joy to get something that you waited for, prayed for, and asked of God, pouring out your heart? “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him” (1 Sa. 1:27).

Hannah fulfilled her vow. After Samuel was weaned, she took him to the temple. She received the long-awaited blessing, but remembered that everything we have should be used for the Kingdom of God. After the humiliation, shame, and anguish, she was able to sing and praise with thanksgiving for the grace she received. She proclaimed out loud what the Lord did. “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God” (1 Sa. 2:2).

Hannah’s example teaches us the important lesson of how prayer is a powerful weapon: bending our knees and lifting our voices to God is something Jesus taught us and gave as an example. We should persevere in prayer!

Hannah’s was a bitter prayer that created within her a deep realization of her need to seek God. It was a prayer committed to consecrating to the Lord the blessing she received. We live in difficult times. May the Holy Spirit help us, like Hannah, persevere in prayer and remember our commitment to God.

Written by Karoline Diogo, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Campo Grande, Brazil

Beloved, I recently heard the phrase, “The good news is that there is oil for all of us, until Jesus returns!” Reflecting on this phrase, I read Matthew 25:1-13, the Parable of the 10 Virgins. This parable helps us to have hope in Christ’s return and to know if we are prepared for this event.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is an individual decision. We can’t overflow with the Spirit and give a little to others. It’s a personal decision; God does not decide for us.

Like the virgins, we can analyze our Christian life—whether it’s on track or off. I often ask myself, and I ask you all so we can reflect together: What Christian life are we leading? How do we know if we are ready for Christ’s return? Matthew 24:36-37 says that we don’t know the day nor the hour, but the days will be like those of Noah: People were so consumed with worldly pursuits that they had no thoughts about the consequences God would impose. Have we already reached those days?

To be prepared we must be filled with the Holy Spirit, who is the fuel for our Christian life.

In Acts, we can see that a person who is filled with the Holy Spirit is fruitful, takes pleasure in serving the Lord, has a joyful life, is a promoter of peace and communion in the church, and has a powerful life before God and men.

In Luke 21:34-36, we read about the constant care we must have with our life and to look at our walk. We must be careful that no matter what happens in our life, we don’t lose our focus: CHRIST. Verse 36 tells us to be attentive and praying. Often with the rush of everyday life, we forget to take care of our spiritual life and we lose the way of salvation!

In Hebrews 12:14, we see that we need the process of sanctification to see the Lord. Being holy means being farther and farther away from sin and closer to God, focused on practicing the Word of God. In Ephesians 5:25-27, Paul speaks a little about how Christ sanctifies the church. Beloved, our hope in the things of God and in eternity is infinitely greater than the expectations of things of this world.

Read Revelation 21:1-14. This has to be our true hope! What is being prepared for us is incomparable to anything on this earth. Our expectations must be in eternity (Rom. 8:18).

Today I want to encourage you. Many of us don’t know the true meaning of hope, and when something bad happens we become discouraged with God. Revelation 3:8 is an encouragement for us to keep the Word of the Lord and practice it, just like in James 1:22, which tells us to not be just hearers, but doers. Our faith must be unshakeable in the face of opposition.

When thinking about a wedding like that in the parable, the following reflection came to me: “What is the entrance of a bride like?” Everyone wants to see her, but in reality, the bride wants to see the groom and the groom wants to see the bride! Did you get that? May we not lose our hope in Christ and when He comes, like the bride, may we be prepared and long see Jesus as He is. May we keep our hope alive and may we exalt Him on that day with much joy! Stand firm in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you” (Phil. 3:1 NIV).

Written by Johanna Zabala, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Venezuela

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (Jas 4:10, NIV)

The word humility connects me to the divinity of God. Today, I reflect on the depth of its meaning, which I have sought and seen so many times as I continually strive to live God’s purpose personally and spiritually.

I define humility as an act of the Spirit, which leads me to an attitude of the soul. Using the letters of the word, I break it down into the following characteristics:

       Honesty
       Unity
       Meekness
       Intelligence
       Loyalty
       Inclination (willingness)
       Tenderness (love)
       You serving the Heavenly Father

Each of the characteristics above has invited me, since the day I met Him, to stay in tune with Christ. By allowing me to be used by God, His beloved Son Jesus, and in the power of His Holy Spirit, I have seen His example of humility under submission, obedience, and continual awareness of putting the Father's will before my own, always with an eye toward the great goal that leads me to keep looking up to reach the prize of eternity.

I am also attentive to Peter’s admonition to “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1Pe 5:6).

Therefore, being humble, in my experience, is a necessary spiritual action that undoubtedly brings me constantly into the presence of the Lord. In every area where I find myself, out there all around me, I require large portions of the Eternal Father's wisdom to be a humble child of God, chosen and called to service.

To be a child of God today, as the Bible says, is the greatest privilege I can have. It is a unique honor that has required in me great self-control.

At the beginning of my Christian life, I was filled with human pride, which counteracted humility in every situation. Many times, without realizing it, I felt self-sufficient, and my trajectory was more and more human than spiritual. I wanted to continue doing everything through my own strength rather than through God's. As time went by, I realized that I had to seek more vigorously at every moment the presence of God in everything, since only He knows and is capable of everything.

My first struggles, and the hardest, were with myself, thinking that I just needed to know that I had God, without the need to continue knowing Him fully. However, in those moments, the inner struggle of faith and humility had to continue to develop in me.

Through emotional trials of anxiety, later physical trials of sickness and loss, scarcity, and many more, and even wanting so many things in my timing and not in God's, He has allowed me to recognize, frontward and backward, the full authority of the Heavenly Father, the One who comes from above, for surely He alone is almighty, and in His infinite, true, and matchless mercy He will give me victory here on earth and there in heaven.

I have been able to experience the humility that God gives me in life through times of silence; in the solitude and peace of knowing Him in me, in wisdom, and in the prompt help that comes from Him. Humility is acknowledging His dominion, power, and glory forever.

So, I continue to fight to live consistently in the humility of God and not in the humility of humanity— to be able to live and make known the power of the Holy Spirit in the society in which I live. In this way, I intend to attain the wisdom of valuable and essential humility to arrive at eternal life with God.

We should not forget the beautiful examples and teachings of Jesus, who, with the power of the Holy Spirit, remained humble and overcame every trial and temptation, and we can also overcome them in His will. Are you humble today? Looking up to the eternal home? Do you radiate the humility of the Lord Jesus Christ here and now?

Written by Abby Ramirez, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in João Pessoa, Brazil

Every Sunday when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we meditate deeply on the sacrifice that He made for us on the cross. When we take the bread and the wine, we remember all the pain and suffering that Christ went through. His death brings us sadness, but we stay in this state of emotion for only a few moments because our Lord RESURRECTED. He defeated death and saved us. His return to life brings us immense joy and peace. His death testifies to His love and His resurrection testifies to His power.

For us, Jesus Christ’s resurrection should be of utmost importance, even more to be celebrated than His death. It’s a fact that Jesus died and His body was resurrected on the third day. Let’s consider together what this event means for us.

In Philippians 3:10 (NIV), Paul writes about the power of Jesus’ resurrection, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

Paul had different personal experiences with our Lord Jesus in his life of mission. The apostle lived to preach the gospel, and his understanding of the resurrection was deep. In this verse, Paul expresses his desire to know Jesus. To know our Lord goes beyond knowing about His historical life and teachings. To thoroughly know Jesus means to believe in the power of His resurrection.

Jesus defeated death, and this lets us experience the power of this sacrifice by participating in His suffering. Romans 6:5 says, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.”

If we believe the gospel, we will put Him on in baptism, buried in the water, and resurrected to eternal life, knowing that our life will not end with death, but we will be resurrected like Him in a glorified body when He returns.

Jesus says in John 11:25-26, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” The resurrection of Jesus powerfully demonstrates His divinity. He defeated death and showed His supernatural power. This event shows us that Christ is God.

His resurrection has the power to defeat death, which is the price of sin. When Jesus was raised from the dead, He defeated Satan and gave us the same power. Now we are no longer slaves to sin, rather we are more than conquerors in Jesus Christ.

But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. (Ro. 6:17-18)

His resurrection has the power to bless all nations without any kind of discrimination. Jews, Gentiles, and all people have access to salvation through Christ. His resurrection fulfills God’s perfect plan. The resurrection sealed the gospel and God concluded His plan of salvation for humanity.

In His wisdom, He planned it this way from the beginning and fulfilled it perfectly.

His resurrection has the power to justify us. It was the proof that the sacrifice of the cross was fulfilled and accepted. We were bought with the blood of Christ and the debt of our sin was paid in full. His resurrection has the power to give us life, which means that all of us who belong to Jesus Christ will receive the same resurrection.

Romans 6:8 says, “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” His resurrection has the power to comfort. It promises that our loved ones who have already died in Christ will live with Him.

Our Jesus was resurrected! He is alive! How many times a day do we remember this extraordinary fact? Do we understand the power of the resurrection of our Lord? Many Christians are still trapped in the grave without the hope of the resurrection, or only focused on the cross and the suffering. It’s good to remember and reflect on the death of our Lord Jesus, but we must not forget that He was raised. Let’s remember this important truth and consider what the power of the resurrection means for us.

Let’s tell others that Jesus defeated death. His body did not remain in the grave. Therefore, our faith should be based in this great truth of the resurrection. His resurrection was seen and testified by many. The resurrection of Christ gives meaning to our Christian life, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”

Let us rejoice in His resurrection!

Written by Débora Amaro, volunteer with Ministério Irmã Rosa de Ferro in Campo Grande, Brazil

There are several accounts about Jesus where His divinity is expressed with great power, and I believe that resurrecting people is one of the biggest demonstrations of that. We have some biblical accounts, like the widow’s son in Nain (Luke 7:11-17), Lazarus (John 11), and Jairo’s daughter (Matt. 9).

But, for the moment we will focus on Jairo’s daughter. We don’t know her name, her age, or even what she looked like. The only information we have about her is her ancestry: she’s Jairo’s daughter. Let’s take a look at the whole history:

‘‘While he was still saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.”
Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples [...]
When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region. (Matt. 9:18-19, 23-26)

This complex history demonstrates Jesus’ compassion for women and children, whom, most of the time, were undervalued during the first century’s Jewish society.

We know that Jesus has power to resurrect the dead. He was resurrected himself after the crucifixion and lives today at the Father’s right hand. But, one thing is knowing, reading and listening about it. It’s another thing to actually experience it.

And that’s where the mystery lies: We are not Jairo’s daughter, but we were also dead and we were also resurrected!

Look at how beautiful the reality of what Christ did for us is, in the words of the apostle Paul:

‘‘As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following the desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:1-7)

Like Jairo’s daughter, we didn’t have (at least not in any biblical account) a name or an identity.

And just like Jairo interceded to God on behalf of his daughter, Jesus interceded to God on our behalf.

Just like they doubted the power of God during that time, they doubt God’s power to transform lives today.

Jesus knew there was hope for Jairo’s daughter, because He is powerful to bring LIFE, and HE knew there was hope for us also, through His sacrifice.

When Jesus says there was no reason for mourning, they laughed at Him. Those who doubt God’s power can laugh at us and at our faith, but they can’t contest a miracle: a life made new is a miracle!

This HIStory also speaks a lot about us: Christ has the power to resurrect! It’s incredible to know that the same power that resurrected Jesus lives in us today:

‘‘(...) and his incomparable great power for us who believe.
That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…” (Eph. 1:19-20)

Is there something that our God cannot do? He already performed the greatest miracle ever, giving us new life.

God bless us!

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #resurrection #guestwriter

Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister in Arkansas

In Philippians 3:8-11 (ESV) Paul writes:

I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

In Luke 14:25-33, Jesus admonishes us to count the cost of being a disciple and closes with these words in verse 33, “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

Paul had a background to be proud of, but it meant less to him than knowing Christ. We read in Philippians 3:3-7 that he was…

“circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”

Paul was born in Tarsus and was a Roman citizen who studied at the feet of Gamaliel and probably was being primed to eventually become a well-respected religious leader. It is thought that because he had been educated by Gamaliel, his family was wealthy.

Paul held the garments of those stoning Stephen (Ac. 7:58) and approved the execution (Ac. 8:1), indicating he had some authority among Jewish leaders. He very likely was seen as one of their bright young leaders on the way to the top.

However, on the road to Damascus Jesus got Paul’s attention and changed his life.

When he made the decision to follow Jesus, he cut ties with his former life… with those with whom he had studied, with the religious leaders, and perhaps with his source of income.

The example Paul sets in seeing nothing in this world as being as important as following Jesus Christ tells us of his dedication and faith.

What holds us back from “knowing Christ”?

Sometimes it’s just the busy life we live. Other times it is the TV, sports events, or entertainment of the world. Time passes… our day gets away from us, and we have not stopped to pray, to read from Scriptures, or to meditate. We are concerned with our work, our car, the bills, or our house, and these take over our lives.

But Jesus once said that the Son of Man has no place to lay His head (Mt. 8:19-20).

Paul appears to be in a similar situation. He walked away from what he had, so he could teach others about Jesus. We have no record of him ever having a permanent home after becoming a follower of Jesus. He had no wife, and no children, but although he did have a sister and nephew (Ac. 23:16), he found a home with fellow disciples in his travels.

While living a nomadic lifestyle may not be something most of us can do, we can decide to put Jesus first in our decisions about things that occupy our time, how we spend our money, and how we treat others.

I encourage each of us to stop and think: Is there something that is keeping me from putting Jesus above everything on earth? Is there something I need to give up to truly make Jesus the lord of my life?

Written by Anessa Westbrook, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

In Matthew 22:39, Jesus tells Christians to love their neighbors as themselves. Clearly, loving others is part of witnessing to them and this love can be seen through service. In Acts 9:36-43, we see the story of Dorcas. When she died, two men sought out Peter and asked him to come help. When Peter arrived, he was surrounded by mourning widows for whom she had made clothing. The need was clear; Peter was moved by this and raised her from the dead, allowing her to continue her service to the community.

This particular story is a clear example of the difference that someone can make in the lives of others. Were these women simply concerned about no longer receiving the clothing that Dorcas provided? Surely not! The detail of the two men coming to find Peter and asking him to help is an indication of the loss this community felt, and also that others perhaps felt at a loss to provide the help that was needed. The true gift that these widows received from Dorcas was something greater than merely a piece of clothing. Instead, Dorcas had provided both love and hope.

C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity writes,

Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise. (p. 135)

In our modern society, we can help people see an alternate way of life and a Christian way of living that is in stark contrast to the world around us. Just as Israel and early Christians lived in a world needing hope, we, too, are surrounded by people who are desperate to fill the longing for hope that they feel in their souls.

In Ephesians 2:12, Paul reminds the Ephesian church that before they were Christians, when they were separate from Christ, they were without hope. He writes, “Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world” (NIV). Sharing this hope is certainly the driving force behind our witness and ministry.

The Book of Hebrews was written to a group of Christians who were being persecuted; yet in Hebrews 13 they are not called to focus on their own troubles but to serve. Hebrews 13:1-3 says,

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Just because the recipients of the letter to the Hebrews were suffering, they did not have permission to get out of service or witnessing to others. Instead, they were to focus on how they lived, their purity, doctrine, and on finding ways to help others. What a challenge for us today! Often, we are overly focused on our own struggles as Christians, but if we refocus our attention on how we live, our purity, understanding our faith, and service, this puts things into greater perspective.

In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus teaches His followers not to worry about earthly concerns and problems. When Christians live this out, the lack of worry shows a confidence and hope that surpasses what many people will encounter in the world. This is attractive to a world that feels as if they have no hope. Showing that there is hope, and living day-to-day in a way that is different, is also an important part of our witness.

As Christians, we have both the responsibility and opportunity to show the world a different way of living, loving, and serving. Our hope in Christ is both the object and focus of our witness. Hopefully through our reflection on biblical hope, we can share with others the basis and potential of our hope.

• What are some specific ways that hope could affect and encourage our outreach to others?
• Hebrews 13:16 says not to neglect doing good and sharing, but what are the specific implications for the church if the majority of members were to neglect it?
• What are some specific areas in which you would like to see yourself more involved in helping the church, and what obstacles do you face in being able to do that?

Written by Wendy Neill, Advancement Coordinator for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

I grew up in a thriving church of around 3,000 people. When I tell people that, they often say, “I don’t like big churches. It’s too hard to get to know people.” Yes, it is impossible to get to know that many people. Those who only come to a large assembly on Sunday morning don’t grow very much in their faith. That’s why it is important to “think small.”

GoodFaithMedia estimates there are about 2.6 billion followers of Christ in the world today. How did Jesus start this worldwide movement? One by one, and through small groups. While Matthew was sitting in his tax office, “Jesus said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he[Matthew] arose and followed Him” (Matt. 9:9 NKJV). He called out to Simon Peter and Andrew as they were going about their daily work of fishing. “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men" (Mark 1:17).

Gradually, Jesus surrounded Himself with a group of disciples. We don’t know how many. After spending some time with them, He talked with His Father and made a focused decision.

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles. (Luke 6:12-13 NIV)

With this small group of twelve, Jesus changed the world. He had other disciples who followed Him, including women (Mark 15:41), and He preached to and healed large crowds of people. But He gave special teaching, care, and insight to these twelve. He explained parables to them, He sent them out with miraculous powers, and He went through storms with them. He focused on the twelve because He knew they would each disciple others, even after He left this earth. And it worked. His teachings spread like wildfire.

Within that group of twelve, He had three that were His inner circle: Peter, James, and John. He kept them closest in His moments of need. When He knew His death was drawing near, He took those three up to a high mountain. They had the privilege of witnessing the appearance of Elijah and Moses, encouraging Jesus to remain strong and finish His mission (Matt. 17). On that dreadful night before He was betrayed into the hands of the Pharisees, He had a special “Last Supper” with all twelve. He prayed for them, gave them some final instructions in John 13-17, and took them to Gethsemane so He could pray for strength. But in that final stretch, He only took the three with Him.

We can follow this same pattern in our relationships. My childhood faith was nourished in that big church through small group relationships. Adults taught my fourth-grade class. A young couple taught us as seventh-grade girls. My youth group numbered 200, but I had a group of about twelve close friends. We served orphans in Jamaica, built a Sunday school classroom for a poor church in south Texas, and encouraged each other in our faith. As an adult, I have had small group studies with college students or other adults in my home. And I have two or three women that I can call any time to pray for me or to walk with me through a hard time.

There are so many ways that we can seek to be like Christ. One of them is to think small. Small groups allow you to share your heart and to get beyond the pleasantries.

Are you part of a formal or informal small group of Christians? Do you have three women in your life who help you grow? If not, I encourage you to seek out and cultivate those relationships with other disciples. They are your “Iron Rose Sisters”!

Written by Ann Thiede, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

As we strive to be committed to Christ 24/7 in 2024, there may be some very bumpy roads and deep valleys ahead. Trusting Him and submitting to His will when the road is smooth with few twists and turns is far easier. Let’s consider two people in the Bible and how they responded: Joseph and Jesus.

Beginning in Genesis 37 through chapter 50, Joseph stands out: the eleventh of twelve sons, favored by his father, Jacob. Sharing dreams of his preeminence over the brothers increased jealousy and anger in their hearts. As a result, they grabbed him, threw him in a cistern, and sold him (deep valley) to traders going to Egypt. Even though sold again as a slave to one of Pharaoh’s officials (twist), the ruler sees Joseph’s quality and puts him in charge of his household. Tempted by his wife to go to bed with her, Joseph responds, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Ge 39:9b NIV). Her lies of abuse cause Joseph to be thrown into prison (bump). Some years later, Pharaoh appoints Joseph second in command when God reveals to him the meaning of Pharaoh’s dreams: Seven years of great harvest and seven years of severe drought.

Several years into the drought, the sons of Jacob travel to Egypt to buy grain to feed their families. Joseph recognizes them though they do not recognize him. Through intrigue and a great humbling of the guilty brothers, Joseph reveals his identity. They deserved prison or worse, but instead, Joseph responds with these words:

And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you…to preserve a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. (Ge 45:5,7)

These words spoken by Joseph, and his life portrayed in Genesis, clearly show a man devoted to trusting God and submitting to His will in spite of twists, turns, and deep valleys. The words above could also be a foreshadowing of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Before our amazing deliverance on the cross, Jesus agonized in prayer to God, asking Him three times: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Lk 22:42). Scripture says His prayers were so earnest that His sweat fell like drops of blood on the ground (v. 44)! Jesus knew what was coming: extreme physical agony and the spiritual agony of bearing our sins (deep valley).

Before this event, throughout the Gospels, Jesus lived a life fully trusting His Father, God…

• Even when tempted by Satan right before His ministry began and after fasting 40 days (Lk 4: 1-13).
• Even when “many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him” (Jn 6:66).
• Even when betrayed by one of His chosen twelve disciples, Judas Iscariot (Jn 13:21-30).
• Even when disowned three times by one of His closest friends, Simon Peter (Lk 22:54-61) .
• Even when mocked, beaten, flogged, crowned with thorns, and nails driven through His hands and feet when crucified.

When Jesus was arrested, Peter in defense cut off the servant of the High Priest's ear. Jesus responded, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?" (Jn 18:11)

It is no easy thing to drink some of the cups we’re given in this life like serious disease, a broken marriage, betrayal by a close friend, losing a spouse or child, mental illness challenges, or seeing a family member pulled into addiction or unbelief. Our son was born with cancer, diagnosed at six months. Stage three. I came to the moment that Jesus did when crying out many times that my/our will be done: LIFE! But -eventually- I surrendered to His perfect will, come what may. And oh! The peace He gave! I could handle whatever happened. *

Please listen to these comforting words of Jesus. Take them personally:

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. (Jn 14:1)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (Jn 14:27)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (Jn 16:33)

What is your cup and how will you let Jesus help you through it?

*Our son lived, now 37.

Written by Claudia Pérez, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Alabama

As Christian women, our daily goal is to imitate Christ and walk as He walked, especially in the way that He loved, because this will reflect that we know God. So said the Master, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35 NIV). But how can we love as Christ loved?

Without a doubt, the meaning of loving as Christ loved is found in the book of John, “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). The expression "so loved" expresses the magnitude of God's love, a love so great that even though we were sinners, our God sacrificed His only Son to die for us.

First of all, to love as Christ loved, we must understand that sacrifice is required. The Lord gave Himself as a sacrifice for us; His body was martyred on the cross of Calvary because He loved us. If you and I want to love as Christ loved, how do we imitate that sacrifice? The apostle Paul tells us: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Rom. 12:1). Thus, this sacrifice consists of giving up ourselves and sacrificing our lives completely in the service of our God.

The Master also said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13), and it is with that love that Christ loved us and gave Himself up. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16).

John 3:16 and 1 John 3:16 get my attention because of their similarity; in them I find the perfection of God in every way, showing us His great love and teaching us how to practice this great love towards our neighbors.

While it is true that today, while almost no one would die for any human being, we must understand that loving our neighbors requires sacrificing our desires and priorities for their good. The Master loved us not only by sacrificing His life and giving up Himself, but by enduring humiliation, and dying in the most humiliating way.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Phil. 2:6-8)

It is sad to see how we forget to imitate this way of loving when we allow there to be lawsuits between us, when we wrong our sisters, when we defraud our sisters, and let pride, revenge and injustice dwell in us. Many times, we think that forgiving or asking for forgiveness is humiliating. That thought is too often within us, and we forget about obedience to our God, and that love that was shown on the cross of Calvary. But this is not just a current problem; let's remember what happened in the Corinthian church. There were lawsuits among themselves, and they deceived each other and the apostle Paul exhorted them in this way, “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?”(1 Cor. 6:7b)

Let us not allow Satan to gain advantage in our lives and tempt us to do wrong, knowing that God will exalt us on that day, and we will be obeying the greatest commandment,

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37-39)

To love as Christ loved is sacrifice, surrender, obedience, humiliation, suffering, and dispossession. It is giving our lives to the service of God and our sisters. My sisters, let us love as the Master has given us an example. If you have not yet given your life to the Lord, you have not allowed that love to take effect and be reflected in your life because you have not known God, and God is love.

To love as Christ loved is to give our lives unreservedly to God, but it is also to love our fellow man as ourselves. Are you willing to imitate the Master's love? Are you willing to love as Christ loved?