Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Co-written by Chrystal and Michelle J. Goff, sisters in Searcy, Arkansas, volunteer and director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries, respectively

The remnant of Israelites was weary. They had been beaten down and their cities destroyed by their enemies. Many of their relatives that were taken under Babylonian captivity continued to live in exile under Medo-Persian rule. A few waves of Israelites had returned to Judah, under Zerubbabel and later with Ezra, but the temple remained incomplete and the city of Jerusalem in ruins.

Nehemiah was burdened by the broken-down conditions in Judah, as reported by his brother. His family’s place of origin was a heap of rubble, not a town.

They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” (Neh. 1:3)

Nehemiah, fasted, prayed, and cried out to God for relief on behalf of his people. Strengthened with resolve, Nehemiah prayed at every step along the way as he, a humble cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, requested the time off, the materials, and letters of safe passage to go and rebuild the city wall.

Yet even before Nehemiah could share with the people what God had placed in his heart to do, he began to face opposition. Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite, “the bullies,” as we will call them, were “disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites” (Neh. 2:10).

The bullies didn’t think they would have to try so hard to oppose Nehemiah. He was a lowly cupbearer, so how would he know how to be a good leader for the rebuilding of the wall? They underestimated God and Nehemiah’s dedication to asking for help to fulfill his calling.

We lose count of the times that Nehemiah finds strength in the Lord to rebuild the wall. He, in turn, encourages the Jews, who have also cried out to God. God provides a solution. The Jews implement it, as they continue building. Then the bullies get angry and try a new scheme… The opposition tried a little bit of everything: rumors, deceit, poking fun, belittling, lies, intimidation, physical and verbal attacks.

Nehemiah and the Jews pray again, God strengthens them, they employ a new strategy, and the bullies get more frustrated. Repeat, ad nauseum!

At one point, the Israelites had to be workmen by day and guards by night. Half worked while the other half stood guard with swords. Those carrying materials could only carry half as much because of their sword in the other hand (Neh. 4:16-18). How frustrating! We can barely walk and chew gum at the same time! But God gave them the strength and balance.

The opposition was filled with obvious lies and manipulative secrecy. Five times in a row, the bullies tried to trap and harm Nehemiah, inviting him to a nearby town. The fifth time, Nehemiah’s response to their flagrant lies is hilarious:

 I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” (Neh. 6:8)

Sometimes, whatever opposes us, whatever we feel bullied by feels relentless, conniving, wearying, ruthless… and we feel helpless to complete our task. We cry out, “This is trying to slow me down and thwart my efforts. Help!” Crying out to God in prayer and relinquishing the opposition to God, He does provide solutions, strategies, and strength.

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” (Neh. 6:9)

Bullied, bantered, and beaten down through the fifty-two days of intensive wall rebuilding and the opposition leading up to that, the Israelites has been strengthened by God. They then gathered before the newly rebuilt Water Gate as Ezra read from the Law.

Years before Netflix, the Israelites binged on the Word of the LORD, from daybreak to noon, and their response affirmed that, “Yes, they were still watching.” They were cut to the heart by what they heard and began to grieve the perpetuated sin of their ancestors.

Yet God strengthened the people with a reminder of what that day was all about: Rejoicing in the strength of the Lord! There would come a time for them to confess their sins, to commit to repentant, changed hearts and practices as the people of God.

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep… This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh. 8:9-10, excerpts)

No matter what the opposition (external bullies or internal struggles), God strengthens us.
The book of Nehemiah concludes with the wall as an instrument of dedication to God’s ways, His Law. On the Sabbath, the gates were closed and locked in protection of the holiness of the day dedicated to God and to remembering Him.

In what ways have you faced opposition to rebuilding or a rededication of all facets of your life to God? How have you seen God strengthen you in that calling?

Written by Michelle J. Goff, Founder and Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries 

On the 4^th of July (Independence Day), we sat outside at Grandpa and Grandma’s farm, watching the fireworks in the distance and delighting in our annual tradition of root beer floats. Those grandparents are no longer with us, but my nephew and niece have been warned by their mom that they will hear that story every time we enjoy Independence Day fireworks with family, sipping root beer.

On the maternal side of the family, Granddaddy loves to tell jokes. He collected them for years as a speech professor and occasional preacher. As kids, whenever we heard a good joke, we would call him up and retell it. These days, he regales us with his favorites, telling them as if for the first time. When he asks, “Have you heard that one?”, one sister has learned to cleverly respond, “Not today!” The first time he caught on to her joke, he winked, laughed, and said, “Oh, you’re definitely part of this family with that sense of humor!”

Whether time-honored traditions or long-standing jokes, we celebrate the connections they bring. From both sides of my family, another connection is their legacies of faith. I know this because of the stories passed down.

The Iowa grandparents led a quiet life as farmers. The Florida two were teachers in a big city, rampant with worldly influence. Both couples were challenged to live out their faith in their respective contexts. And since we grandkids lived at least an 18-hour car ride from the nearest, we relied more heavily on our parents to pass down the generational stories of faith.

Prayer was a vital lifeline for all four grandparents. Dean and Evelyn prayed that their crops would produce a harvest ample enough to sell and provide for their own needs. They prayed over whether they should take my dad and aunt in as teenagers (as foster parents). They prayed that God would provide preachers for their one-room church building, built by previous generations.

George and Barbara prayed that God would use them to plant seeds of truth and faith in their students. They prayed that God would lead them in starting a nonprofit called Christian Homes for Children in South Florida and use them to bless children who were not able to receive loving care in other places. George even wrote a book, Prayer Power, contributing the proceeds from book sales to that foster care ministry. Even earlier this year, Grandmommy wanted to pray with whichever family member visited her hospital room.

Their “God stories,” as I have endearingly termed them, remind me of God’s faithfulness throughout all generations and have inspired me in how I live out my own faith.

My mom, a gifted storyteller, has created an expectation that we share the God stories. We cannot keep them to ourselves! She never passes up an opportunity to demonstrate how she saw God working, and it doesn’t matter whether the other person is a believer. Her story becomes an intentional invitation to allow Him to author their story.

The beautiful thing is that the more we tell God stories and recognize His hand at work, the more we see Him and invite Him to be the living, active, all-powerful God that He is in our lives.

In a recent conversation, already needing to get back to work, I asked a couple of friends to give me five more minutes to share the full backstory of connections, because only then would the bigger God story of it all be revealed. Neither hesitated in granting my request, anticipating how they would be blessed by hearing it all come together as only God could orchestrate.

The following five minutes cannot be summarized in an 800-word blog post. I would need a map to illustrate what parts of the world I was referring to (five countries on three continents). Hand motions were required to draw connections, from the family where the story began through the interweaving of other families’ lives. We fast-forwarded and rewound our timeline as we navigated the intricacies of the tapestry God was creating. And yes, I showed pictures.

Iron Rose Sister Ministries and hundreds, maybe thousands, of women are reaping the blessing of those interconnected, generational God stories being passed down… and I’m only referring to that morning’s snippets of those families’ entwined God stories (Wyatt, Holland, Goff, Fincher, White, Yarbrough, Brizendine, and Batres).

The best part is that the eternal impact and blessing of the story is not yet fully written. The oldest generation has gone before us, leaving their legacy. It is our responsibility to carry on and pass down their stories of faith.

We may doubt our impact while on this earth. Yet when we share God stories that narrate another person’s faith, we affirm the ripple effect of one life on the legacy of God’s faithfulness.

I cannot wait to hear the God stories to come! Hopefully in heaven, God will gloriously reveal the millions of backstories, faithfully passed down. Oh, to sing those stories with the angels and the thousand generations (Deut. 7:9)!

What God story can you pass down or be a part of today?

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

In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul writes: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Think on those words, then look at verse 8 where he follows those thoughts by saying, “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

What do we know about Paul? Why was he able to write with such confidence?

We first meet Paul in Acts 7:58 where he is called by his Jewish name Saul, holding the garments of those stoning Stephen, then Acts 8:1 tells us Saul approved the execution. This makes us think he already had some authority among Jewish leaders.

Paul tells a little about himself in 1 Corinthians 15:9, 10: “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain…”

We learn more in Philippians 3:5,6: “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.”

Paul was born a Jew, and his parents followed Jewish law and circumcised him when he was eight days old, according to the law God gave Abraham in Genesis 17:12.

Paul was a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, and he was zealous to fight against anything that challenged the purity of Israel or of the law.

He was a persecutor of the church and willing to use violence to protect the law of Moses. He believed the early Christians were blasphemers against a holy God. Paul would have remembered Leviticus 24:10-16 where God was blasphemed and knew this was a serious offense. He lived blamelessly according to how he understood the law to be.

As a faithful Jew he offered the appropriate sacrifices and kept the feast days and purity laws, and he would have expected others to do the same.

Paul grew up in Jerusalem and studied at the school of Gamaliel (a leading authority in the Sanhedrin) according to Acts 22:3. Because of his schooling, we assume he was from a wealthy family. His birthplace, Tarsus, about 620 miles from Jerusalem, dated back to 1900 BC, and was an important trade city in what we know as modern-day Turkey.

Paul had access to power, to money, and to the prestige of high social standing… all of which he gave up to follow Jesus.

In Philippians 3:7-8 Paul writes: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, 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.”

Paul had given up everything from his early life in order to be a disciple of the Christ.

Because Paul went to the Gentiles, he did not speak of “virtue” since they would have thought of the four Greek virtues: justice, courage, temperance, and prudence. Instead, Paul spoke of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…and he encouraged Christians to build these into their lives.

Paul tells us his goal in Philippians 3:10: “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

He encourages us to forget what’s behind and press on remembering the goal that’s in front of us (Phil. 3:14-15.)

Paul tells the Sanhedrin in Acts 23:1: “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” Because he had done what he thought God wanted him to do, when Jesus got his attention on the road to Damascus, Paul was receptive to the message of Jesus.

Before Paul began persecuting Christians, it is probable that he studied this new faith because of wanting to do what was right, so he may have already known something about what the disciples did and believed.

The apostle Paul, born a citizen of Rome, reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven and we await a Savior who will transform us (Phil. 3:20-21; 4:1), so “stand firm in the LORD.”

In standing firm, we, too, can say with Paul, “I have kept the faith…a crown of righteousness is waiting.”

Quotations are ESV.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #Paul #runtherace #keepthefaith #standfirm #crownofrighteousness #guestwriter #blog

Written by Abigail Baumgartner, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister in Louisiana

“Do you remember how, on a racing-track, every competitor runs, but only one wins the prize? Well, you ought to run with your minds fixed on winning the prize! Every competitor in athletic events goes into serious training. Athletes will take tremendous pains—for a fading crown of leaves. But our contest is for an eternal crown that will never fade. I run the race then with determination. I am no shadow-boxer, I really fight! I am my body’s sternest master, for fear that when I have preached to others I should myself be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:24-27, PHILLIPS).

Growing up as an elite-level competitive swimmer, I always appreciated Paul's words to the Corinthians in all their intensity. As a swimmer, I worked hard to achieve my goals, whether moving to a better training group, reaching a time standard, or winning a race. The "run the race" metaphor Paul uses to talk about the Christian life made sense to me and drove home that need for Christians to be determined and disciplined. Today, though, as I write about Paul and "running the race," I remember how I once misunderstood this passage. Though I appreciated Paul's intensity, some messages I picked up through my childhood in competitive sports hindered me from understanding the beautiful goal of this race.

As a young swimmer, I learned I was solely responsible for my success or failure. The individual-sport-culture convinced me that if anything went wrong, I need only look in the mirror to see why. In a sense, this is true. Making a habit of missing practice, staying up too late, or eating only junk food demonstrates a lack of discipline. Still, the message I heard was that any shortcoming was unacceptable. So, when there were days when I did not sleep, eat, or train to perfection, I condemned myself just for being human. I learned that, in sports, you had to be your own savior; there was no grace, no redemption. For someone with perfectionistic tendencies, this was not a helpful message.

In fact, I struggled for years to reconcile this deeply ingrained athletic principle with what I knew about my God. From a young age, I knew that all sin separated me from God (Rom. 3:23), but that God had redeemed my life through the blood of Jesus (Rom. 3:24). I accepted that gift through baptism at 12 years old. Still, I felt a disconnect between what I'd been taught as an athlete and what I knew to be true as a Christian. Whenever I read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, I always squirmed a little; for me, it was just another call to race toward perfection by sheer force of will.

Thankfully, I found new freedom and depth in these verses during my first year of college while swimming for Louisiana State University. That year, as a major competition approached, I was overcome with fears that I had not done enough. For example…
What about that time three weeks ago when I didn't hit my paces in practice?
I shouldn't have had pizza last week.
It's 11 pm, and I'm STILL NOT ASLEEP!

Amidst this mental warfare, I cried out to God, and He drew me near, reminding me that He is "… one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Eph. 4:6, ESV). God reminded me that He was not just the Lord of my life in a spiritual sense, redeeming me of my sin, but Lord over all aspects of my life. He reminded me again of His power over sin and death, of how He created and saved me... did I really think He would abandon me in a race of any kind?

What I learned then—and cling to now—is that God never asked me to run toward perfection. He asked me to “throw off everything that hinders” me and run toward Him (Heb. 12:1, NIV). The race Paul talks about is not a robotic checking of boxes and the prize is not perfection. The race is about the wonderful chance to know God and make Him known—God is the purpose and the prize.

Though I retired from competitive swimming in 2021, I continue to treasure my new understanding of what matters in running any metaphorical or literal race. As a student, friend, daughter, worker, mentor, or athlete, I know the true prize and purpose of my race are found in Christ alone. I praise God for those years of swimming that taught me I cannot save myself. Now, knowing my gracious Savior, I can glorify God for the beauty of His redemption that does not stop at the water's edge but flows in, out, over, across, and through every piece of my race in unexpected, awe-inspiring ways.

How has God used pieces of your story to make scripture come alive in your life?

In what areas of your life do you need to let go of perfection and run toward God?

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #runtherace #notaboutperfection #runtoGod #guestwriter #blog

Written by Corina Diaz, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Argentina

In the Bible we find many examples related to foreign women, and the case of the Samaritan woman was no exception. She was a woman who was confronted by Jesus even with the cultural implications: a woman who was evidence of a manipulated and reckless sexual life, in addition to belonging to the group of Samaritans, who were despised by the Jews, the woman had to hide in the middle of the day to look for her basic resources. It was at that moment that the encounter with Jesus arose. Has that ever happened to you—when you're at your worst, a ray of sunshine comes out of nowhere?

Here's a snippet of the story:

A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, “Would you give me a drink of water?” (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.) The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.) Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.” The woman said, “Sir, you don’t even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this ‘living water’? Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?” Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.” The woman said, “Sir, give me this water so I won’t ever get thirsty, won’t ever have to come back to this well again!” (John 4:7-15)

The text is not very clear about the current situation of the woman, but if you continue the story, you will find that she was in sin, and even so, Jesus approached her during that difficult time. We can recognize it was a tough moment when she was alone looking for water, in addition to the fact that she likely did not have emotional stability. The chapter describes that she had five husbands, which indicates that she was a wounded woman, probably with broken self-esteem. Some of us have gone through emotional breakups when our identity was at stake. But do you know what the most beautiful part is? Jesus came to her to restore her! Just as He comes to us today to offer us a new identity and to show us our purpose here on earth.

So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus. (2 Tim. 1:8-9)

If you find yourself alone or if you still feel alone in a crowd, in a place that is not your land, if you have been hurt or your identity has been at stake, I want to tell you that we will always have an opportunity to renew ourselves, to shine and to be new women in Jesus!

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #foreigners #light #restoredselfesteem #guestwriter #blog

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

Has it happened to you that after a vacation you need to rest? In other words, you need another vacation to rest from the holidays, it may be that you want to spend all day lying in bed reading a book, binge watching your favorite series, sunbathing on the beach, walking in the park or whatever activity that you like the most.

I can imagine several people laughing and commenting that the days off are to do the things you can't do while you work or are in your daily routine, and why do I know this? Because my mind also works like that. But a day after a small mental breakdown that led me to faint on the subway on the way to work, both my family and my boss decided to have an intervention, and very kindly forced me to take a few days off. I wish this story ended here, and I would love to say that after the break I learned to relax, connect with God and live in a peaceful state, but no. Six months later it happened again. After medical studies and results that only indicated one thing, stress. This intervention was no longer so kind, but this time I did learn.

There was an internal struggle within me in living these two experiences, after being oversaturated with good things like multiple Bible studies, ladies and youth meetings, children's classes, social activities and more, I completely drained myself. There was nothing left to give. Some will think, “but that's the life of the servant and it's part of the task to do all that, plus how are you going to get tired if all those activities nourish and transform you, help you connect more with God and make you grow?” All that is true, but if we exceed our limits, there are consequences.

What led me to understand that rest or stepping aside was necessary was to see the example of Jesus, in Luke 6:12, when after several miracles, days of teaching, and having to deal with the Scribes and Pharisees He retreated all night to pray “and He spent the night praying to God.” It is not the first and only time we see Him doing this, He also did it after He had walked on water, had fed a crowd and before being betrayed. In Luke 5:16 the Bibles states that "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

Since I understood that it was necessary to dedicate moments, days, or seasons in this action of recharging, I understood that I had much more to give, but it was only possible if I made these conscious pauses to return to the Source that would allow me to breathe deeply and talk to the Source, beyond the daily interaction. I have learned from Jesus to retreat and breathe for a few moments. I learned to identify the symptoms that indicate that I need to pause and regain strength, and I spend conscious time doing so.

Depending on your tastes and personality, retreating can look like sitting in the park while you study your devotional, taking a couple of hours to journal, taking the long way to work while praying out loud if you're driving, or saying no to a church study or activity, but it should be a conscious decision. You can also invite a friend if you wish. In my case it works best when I'm alone and I pray out loud, so if you ever see me on the street speaking to myself, you already know what I'm doing. You don't need to go to the middle of the forest for a week to be alone with God and your thoughts, but if that's your way, great! I just recommend that you don't wait to collapse to retreat, breathe, and recharge. Remember Jesus spent time resting and recharging directly from the Source.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #retreat #recharge #breathe #rest #guestwriter #blog

Written by Aileen Bonilla, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Ecuador

Have you ever wondered why you were born? Or what is your purpose in this world? Many people, including believers, find this answer in the professions or careers that this world offers. In no way do I think it is wrong. However, despite having this clear in their minds, when it comes time to put it into practice, they forget what they were really created for. For this reason, as time passes, their lives become meaningless again. Emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual exhaustion begin to gain ground in their lives so they end up feeling empty.

Today, I want to tell you a little about Samuel, a man appreciated by God. Unbeknownst to him, he was handed over to the Lord since he was in his mother's womb. This child was desired by his mother with all her heart, and Jehovah was pleased to grant this wish to Hannah. She was constantly rejected and mocked because her womb was not "blessed." However, a humbled heart and a promise were enough for the King of kings to grant this wonderful wish (1 Sam. 1:20).

Hannah, Samuel's mother, decided to give him up for the service of God's people (1 Sam. 1:27). She was aware that it would not be an easy task, quite the contrary. After desiring this miracle so much and for so long, she simply recognized that life without serving God is not worth living. So, giving her child away, even from the womb teaches us much more than we can imagine: Do we want to give our children like this? You can take some time to reflect on this.

Although they were only going to be together for approximately three years, the period of lactation (1 Sam.1:24), she trusted that God would do something more for her and for her son, since she was totally sure that this child would fulfill an enormous purpose to glorify God.

Samuel became the last judge of Israel, fulfilled a priestly role despite not being from the tribe of Levi, and he was a prophet among the people. He walked with God every day. He understood that being part of the royal bloodline was no small thing. The priests, judges, and prophets fulfilled an important role before God and that was to intercede—they intervened on behalf of the people. Today, we Christians should also practice something similar, since the Word of God tells us that we are a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9). We can intercede through prayers so that God works on behalf of our brothers and sisters, and the whole world. This act is impressive and His love is so incredible that it allows us to confidently enter before His throne whenever we need His help (Heb. 4:16). And this, my dear reader, is an every day practice. Every day we must go to Him for help, even when everything seems fine.

Samuel was chosen to intercede for the people of God. He carried Jehovah’s message and correction. He brought words of love and mercy from the Heavenly Father for a barren people with a hard heart, like stone. And as if this were not enough, Samuel returned to the presence of God many times with unprecedented requests that the people made to God. However, Samuel was there asking God for mercy and help for all these people who still did not understand who Jehovah was.

The same thing happens today. We can see how many times the people of God continue to go astray, but at the same time they continue to claim their blessings. There is no doubt that God is good and His mercy is forever. And Samuel knew this perfectly since, through his temple service, he was able to get to know the living God more closely. Samuel had understood from a very young age what his purpose was on this earth, to serve the King through his gifts. This truth gave meaning to his life. We do not see Samuel complaining about his work, on the contrary, in spite of everything he declares the following: “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.” (1 Sam. 12:23, NLT) That is the true intercessory spirit, it is a spirit full of mercy and love for others. Despite their transgressions, Samuel kept praying for them because he also knew of the enormous power of God.

To be part of the royal lineage or the priesthood that Christ has given us today is to carry that spirit of mercy to the people of God (1 Pet. 2:9). This will make us grow and mature day by day, carefully observing the need for brotherhood. Just as Samuel gave himself completely to the service of the Lord and learned wonderful things in the same way we can too. The intercessory spirit of Samuel was manifested by the work of the Spirit of God, this is how the Spirit currently intercedes for us before the Father (Rom. 8:16-26).

Often, we are eager to serve the people of God intensely, but this is hard, demanding and exhausting work. Carrying the spiritual intercession for others on our shoulders is not easy at all. Samuel, despite having been a valuable and very spiritual man, also erred in neglecting his children. Perhaps, he did not do it intentionally, but the consequences of thinking that his children would learn to be like him were terrible, because his children were perverse and corrupt (1 Sam. 8: 1-3); they robbed the people and committed many injustices. This teaches us that we must intercede every day for our children because they should be the first to know Christ so that their lives can be restored.

Samuel teaches us a lot. He is a character that shows the need that the people of God should pray for everything. Even to make decisions that in our eyes may be small, but that can change our lives forever (Prov. 3:6). He also teaches us that our work for God will always be valuable as long as we do it with a sincere and humble heart, without seeking our own interests. We do not see Samuel claiming possessions, money, fame, position, or recognition; we see Samuel working with integrity, and a lot of respect.

Samuel had the wonderful blessing of being given over to the only living God, and it gave purpose to his life (1 Sam. 1:10). He was an upright judge and prophet in the eyes of Jehovah, and beyond his trades or professions, he dedicated himself completely to the King. He did not do it out of obligation, he did it because he had known from a very young age that there was only one Kingdom and one God.

Today I invite you to recognize God, and you can ask him to reign over your life and that of your family. Oh, Beloved Lord, we recognize that without you we are nothing, we recognize that many times we let other things reign over our hearts, and as if that were not enough, we ask you for blessings. Please forgive us and reign over us forever and ever! Amen.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #Intercesion #Samuel #prayerforothers #guestwriter #blog

Written by Carolina Pérez, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in New York

Many knew her. She was not a famous woman who was on television, in newspapers or magazines. She didn’t sign autographs, nor drive luxurious cars, but her service in the community where she lived benefited many and they knew very well who she was. She was recognized anywhere she went. Men and women spoke well of her, rich and poor sought her out. One day, she died, quite suddenly, but even her death favored the people around her. How absurd, right? But it’s true.

Yes, this is the story of a humble woman named Tabitha, better known as Dorcas. This woman was, without doubt, one of the most well-known women for giving a class or women’s conference on the topic of service. Almost everyone, at one time or another, had heard of her. You might be thinking, I already know this story! However, let’s see if we can discover together a little more about her.

Acts 9:36-42 narrates this unusual story. (Later, you will know why it seems unusual and you may agree with me.) As an interesting fact, her name means gazelle. We note at the beginning of the story that “she was always doing good and helping the poor” (v. 36). This helps us understand that these were not sporadic or occasional acts for Dorcas, but rather it was her way of life. It was a common thing in her day-to-day life; it was a part of her. Surely, she alluded to her name since a gazelle is agile and quick. She served others with promptness and without giving it a second thought.

She had a good reputation in her city and was a woman known in society because she helped anyone that needed economic or physical help—she sought the good of others. We don’t know her economic status, but everything she did, she did from the heart. We don’t have any information about how she came to hear the gospel and accept Jesus as her Savior. However, we can see that she that she was a woman of faith. That may seem like a hasty conclusion, but this is what we see through her works. In James 2:14-17, we can see that the evidence of our faith is our works; they cannot be disconnected. Dorcas possibly understood this concept perfectly and didn’t hesitate to put it into practice.

The Scriptures say that this woman fell ill one day and passed suddenly. What generally happened in that time was the body was prepared for burial immediately because decomposition of a cadaver doesn’t wait, especially in a warm climate. But what the people that were with her did in that moment is an untold part of the story: They washed her body and they put her in a room. They knew that the apostle Peter was in the nearby city of Lydda. They called him because they were sure that he could do something. They were all saddened by Dorcas’ death, which is normal when someone who has done so much for the community loses his or her life. What comes next is the resignation and acceptance of the loss of the beloved person. To the contrary, the people that loved her, hoped for a miracle, one like those they had heard of when they heard the gospel.

They sent two men urgently to search for Peter, and after telling him what happened, they begged him to come without delay to see her. When they arrived, there were many people crying and lamenting the loss. And here we can highlight the beautiful ministry this woman had. Verse 39 says, “Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.”

In those days, the widows were one of the social groups with least privilege; if they didn’t have children or family nearby, they were completely helpless. Yet we can see that they were not unseen by this disciple. She gave them clothes and possibly even taught them about sewing that they might, in that way, have a source of income and avoid begging in the streets, which is what often happened.

So, the apostle, upon seeing the scene, had compassion on them and, asking everyone to leave the room, prayed to God asking for the miracle that the people hoped for. The Heavenly Father responded positively to their request and, in accordance with His will, raised Tabitha. Thanks to what happened, “many people believed in the Lord” (v. 42). Who would say that even in her death, this woman was going to serve? Doesn’t this seem unusual and even a little crazy that her death has been used as an instrument for the salvation of others? This is how God works in hopeless situations, in the most mysterious ways, all for His glory.

This woman’s work was so noticeable that her story is registered in the pages of the Bible so that we can tell it and learn from her today.

What impact have you had in the place where you are—be that your home, your neighbors, your work, your school, etc.? Are you serving with love? When you pass, what legacy will you leave? How will you be remembered?

May the Lord help us to be true servants to His glory.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #service #Tabitha #Dorcas #servefromtheheart #guestwriter #blog

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

If you ask two people what silence is for them, depending on their stage in life, they could have different meanings. For a mom of young children, it can be a feeling of victory because the kids finally fell asleep or a moment of alarm because they did something mischievous. For some, silence can be moments of peace and for others simply the calm before the storm. In music, a silence is a pause, but it is equally included in the music sheet. In my case it is a time to think, thank and enjoy.

I learned to love quiet moments when I can read a book or just listen to the wind. I also learned that when I stop, am quiet, and appreciate the silence, I can hear the voice of God. It may be different for you, but silence gives me happiness, it is my time for reflection and listening.

A couple of years ago I did a month-long study with a friend of Psalm 46:10, which says, "Be still and know that I am God.” Since the moment I read it, I knew that the “be still” part was going to be harder for me. It's not that I'm hyperactive, but I don't like to be doing nothing. It seems a bit unproductive, no offense. I like to multitask and optimize time in the best possible way. You could say that it is hard for me to rest and take breaks. You may have read in another of my stories how this attitude brought me health problems, but I learned (after several failed attempts). I learned and recognized that I had to be still and quiet to connect with God because if my voice was louder than His, I would not be able to hear Him.

These moments always remind me of the story of Elijah when in 1 Kings 19 the Lord appeared in a gentle whisper, “The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Whenever I need to make a decision or I am spending conscious time with God, I take a deep breath, close my eyes for a few minutes, and try to hear His voice. You may not be able to do that in a moment when you need God's guidance and you are in a place with many distractions, but if you consciously take two minutes to pay attention, I assure you that you will hear God telling you what to do.

Personally, I identify that I have made good decisions or that I have let myself be guided when I have no doubts, buts, or fears in my mind. I call this mental noise. When my mind is silent and still (something I already mentioned is hard for me), I am amazed at what I can think. I made a commitment to God and to myself that I would seek moments of silence and to stand still so that He could act in my life rather than act by having Him on the side. It is not the same to lead God in your life than to have your life be led by God. The difference is that in the first sentence you are the main character and in the second God is.

It amazes me that Elijah knew that the Lord was in the whisper and not in the other signs, although He is in all the moments of our lives and can speak to us in a thousand ways. I invite you to stay still and be quiet to listen to His voice. Practice listening to Him daily and getting rid of the mental noise to hear the whisper, learn from the silence and accept it as a moment of connection and guidance. You may not achieve it on the first try, but I know you can achieve it.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #silence #listening #bestill #guestwriter #blog

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 Michelle J. Goff, founder and director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Searcy, Arkansas

Saul was anointed as the first king of Israel by the prophet Samuel.

9 As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. 10 When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying.(1 Sam. 10:9-10)

However, when Saul returned home, he did not reveal what God had done through him, nor that Samuel had anointed him king. We don’t know if he was Incredulous of what had happened through him by the Spirit of God. We don’t know if he was scared of what would be expected of him during his reign. We truly don’t know why he hid himself among the supplies when Samuel called Israel to come forward by tribes, clans, then families.

23 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. 24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.”
Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!”(1 Sam. 10:23-24)

Since the Israelites had rejected God as King, Saul often bore the tremendous responsibility of representing the LORD to the people. The Spirit of God would come powerfully on him to act and speak as God would’ve. And during the initial years of his reign, Saul sought God’s counsel through the prophet Samuel in order to fulfill that calling and responsibility. More often than not, Saul strove to give glory to God for rescuing His people from their enemies. Initially, Saul recognized that He was merely God’s servant, put in place to serve God’s people and point them back to Him.

However, in 1 Samuel 13, we learn that Saul took matters into his own hands and neglected to obey what the Lord had commanded him. Samuel rebuked Saul and instead of repenting, Saul defended his decision, expressing the worry that had consumed him instead of his trust in God’s instruction.

From that point on, we see God’s Spirit departing from Saul’s life and his leadership. Instead, a spirit tormented him and ultimately destroyed him, ripping the kingdom from his hands and those of his descendants.

The shepherd boy David came before Saul’s throne room to play the harp, temporarily soothing him with the harmonious melodies. However, Saul’s relief was short-lived, especially once he learned that God had anointed and blessed David as successor to the throne, not his own son, Jonathan.

The vast contrasts between Saul and David are profound illustrations of how it is possible to keep or lose a crown.

• Both men were anointed with the Spirit of God. One was a head taller than the rest. The other was the youngest and smallest of his family.
• Both men wore a crown. One stayed seated on the throne of his own heart. The other made the LORD his King.
• Both men were chosen to lead God’s chosen people Israel after rejecting the LORD as their King. One heard God’s instructions and ran with them. The other constantly sought God’s will at every step, before moving forward.
• Both men sinned. One justified his actions. The other repented.
• Only one got to keep his crown…

Years after the prophet Samuel confronted King Saul, the prophet Nathan confronted King David for his horrendous sins of adultery and murder. David was cut to the heart and repented (2 Sam. 12). Having witnessed Saul’s tormented spirit, we can hear the anguish of David’s repentant cry that God not take His Holy Spirit from him.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.(Ps. 51:10-12)

Kings Saul and David, like us, face daily trials and decisions. They are a testing of our faith, which we can consider pure joy (James 1:3). For “blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

None of us deserves the crown of life, but the loving, perfect sacrifice of God’s own Son allows us to be heirs of His eternal Kingdom.

May the contrast between Saul’s and David’s crowns serve as a reminder of how a rejection of God’s ultimate Lordship can give birth to sin, which, when full-grown, gives birth to death (James 1:14-15).

Today, and each day, we can choose the crown of life and with it, surrender to God’s Lordship, trusting His Spirit to guide our steps.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #crown #obedience #repentance #kingsofIsrael #MichelleJGoff #blog

Written by Michelle J. Goff, Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Whenever I study the Bible with someone, especially someone who has been newly introduced to in-depth study of God’s Word, I love when we get to the point of studying Acts 8:26-40 and the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch. Not only is it a story of baptism, but there are other exemplary priorities and historical clues we learn from this story.

First, I encourage you to read the entire story for yourself to get the flow of the events that take place. That is my practice when studying it with a seeker. The person you are studying with, and the Ethiopian Eunuch have that in common—they are both seekers! Congratulate one another for being seekers of God and His ways!

Now that you have read the full story (Acts 8:26-40), we are going to highlight four facets of the eunuch’s exemplary character.

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship,

1. The Ethiopian understood the importance of worshipping YHWH, the one true God, in His temple. Up until the time of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, God commanded the Jews and any converts to Judaism to worship Him in Jerusalem, at the temple. The distance between the lower Nile region, Ethiopia, and Jerusalem was more than 2,500 miles (over 4,000 km). By chariot, it would take him nearly a month to get one-way to Jerusalem (85 hours by car). The eunuch, an important official in the queen’s treasury service, likely took a lengthy sabbatical in order to worship; it was that high of a priority for him and he was not ashamed of his need to worship a different God than the queen he served.

28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.

2. The second thing I appreciate about the Ethiopian eunuch was that he understood the importance of reading the Scriptures. It was not common for someone to have their own copy of the scrolls of the written text of the Old Testament. However, we see that this Ethiopian had come to faith in God and recognized how important it was to read whatever portion of the Bible he had access to.

29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

3. The third exemplary characteristic of the Ethiopian is that when he had a question, he asked! God provided an answer and an explanation through His servant, Philip. God recognized that the Ethiopian was a seeker, similarly to the way that Jesus recognized that the Samaritan woman was a seeker in John chapter 4.

34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

God sent Philip running alongside the chariot where God knew that he would overhear the Ethiopian reading the prophet Isaiah. Isn’t it exciting when we hear or see someone reading their Bible? Have you known the joy of sharing the good news with someone who is seeking?

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” [37] Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

4. The final example the eunuch gives us is that when he understood what he did to do, he did it. Immediately. Sometimes I have wished to have a script of what the Spirit gave Philip to say in teaching the good news. We don’t know if they talked for two hours, two days, or two weeks, on that portion of the journey. And we don’t have to know. God put Philip in the life of an obedient seeker to be His mouthpiece. And I love how immediately obedient that Ethiopian was as soon as he knew what he needed to do.

39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

From my interpretation, this Ethiopian was the start of the church in Africa. I trust that God continued to equip Him along the way. The four exemplary characteristics of the Ethiopian eunuch would’ve continued to serve him well as the first African missionary: worshipping God, reading God’s Word, asking questions, and being obedient.

Which aspect of the Ethiopian eunuch’s example is of greatest encouragement or challenge to you today? Or maybe it’s Philip’s example as God’s messenger to bring good news to a seeker. Whichever you are, please let us know how we can encourage you on your journey closer to God and one another!

And if you have not yet been baptized for the forgiveness of sins and in order to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we would love to serve as Philips to help you take that step of obedience!

#IronRoseSister #MichelleJGoff #HIStories #baptism #Ethiopianeunuch #worshipGod #readtheBible #askquestions #obeyimmediately #blog

Written by Michelle J. Goff, Founder and Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries

While making a short trip out of town, I felt torn: too many people to see and not enough time. Instead of spreading myself too thin, I prayed fervently that God would lead me to who might be most encouraged by a visit.

One name kept coming to mind… so I texted my friend and asked if she had some time later that day to get together to catch up. About an hour later, she replied, letting me know that she was going to be getting off work at 4pm and would love to meet.

What she didn’t mention until later was that she wasn’t supposed to get off until 8… and that she rarely ever gets released early from work. That “small” detail of her early availability was only one piece of the God story that was being unveiled.

Friendships that span years of shared experiences develop roots. Even if it has been years since you have spoken, friends can pick up right where they left off and share in the deepest joys and challenges of life.

As my friend and I spoke on the front porch, then over dinner, the evidence of God’s hand at work to orchestrate our time together became more evident. We rejoiced over God’s faithfulness and provision. We wept over the pain of the consequences of sin, even sin that was not our own. We shared the more current struggles that we can lift up to the Father on each other’s behalf.

Our divine appointment became its own God story filled with many mini God stories! And when we departed later that evening, we definitively felt more deeply connected to God and to one another.

As a ministry this year, that is our goal—to equip women to connect to God and to one another more deeply through stories.

When we share our God stories, we open our eyes to how God is working today. We begin to recognize His living and active hand in more and more situations.

The more we see God in our lives, the more our stories become His stories… HIStories.

The more we see God and His love through the stories of Bible, the more we see and trust His sovereignty… their stories become His stories… HIStories.

Our HIStories and Bible HIStories are woven together as integral pieces of God’s eternal love story. The focal point of God’s love story is Christ.

Other ministries and local church groups have used the term HIStories as a way of highlighting similar types of God stories are. We are adopting that established term. However, the Spanish version of this term, DIOStorias, is a word I made up to highlight the same point. When you bring those two words together, they form a cross, our focal point.

I grew up in church, learning the stories of Noah and the flood, Abraham’s faith, Daniel in the lions’ den, baby Jesus in the manger, and many others. However, I did not understand that those stories were characters in God’s greater, larger story of the Bible. It is one big love story. God invites us to be characters in HIStory, recipients of His love. In college, professors began to help me connect the dots and focus on the eternal story that God is writing in each of our hearts.

Every story of the Old Testament was a foreshadowing and affirmation of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, when the Lamb of God became flesh and dwelled among us. God’s relationship with the Israelites, His chosen people, illustrates the character of God and reminds us that we always have the choice to turn to Him and obey His commands, which are designed for our good.

Our God, Yahweh, the Great I AM is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the author, creator, and architect of the greatest story ever told.

We are one part of God’s eternal story. He could’ve used anyone, yet our Heavenly Father chose each of the imperfect candidates in Scripture that He might receive the glory. Will you allow God to use you as an imperfect candidate to tell your story that God might receive the glory? Like Esther, who knows but that you have been called for such a time as this…

Please contact us if you are interested in sharing a HIStory from the Bible or a HIStory from your own life. Thanks for accepting the invitation to connect to God and one another more deeply through these God stories, and for sharing your own with others! It is our opportunity to give God the glory and invite others into their own HIStory with Him.

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

I’ve been on a prayer journey for fifty years, from my nineteenth year when embracing Jesus as Lord and Savior until the present. What a glorious journey it has been from a heartfelt wobbly prayer spoken out loud to the God of the universe! I’m so glad to share with you some highlights with the hope that your own journey will be empowered.

All good relationships involve talking and listening. Early in this journey I began learning the truth of Hebrews 4:12 (NIV): “For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow: it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” God would speak at times to tear down sin in my heart and mind, but also highlight reminders of His unfailing love: “The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel!’” (Jer. 31:3,4 NKJV). I found the power of confession and forgiveness, walking beside King David as he, too, faced the sin he had committed, and I prayed what he penned: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10 ESV).

Prayer became very personal in difficult times. I’ve loved David’s sentiments in Psalm 23 and learned to pray it first person:
“Lord, You are my Shepherd; I lack nothing. You make me lie down in green pastures; You lead me beside quiet waters; You refresh my soul. You guide me along the right paths for Your name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff they comfort me…”(taken from Psalm 23 NIV)

Beyond personal needs, joining our church’s prayer chain as a young mother increased my desire to pray for others. I learned the needs of some I had never met and the value of lifting them up to the Father. Often some would be on the list day after day, week after week, teaching perseverance. Many supplications involved medical/health issues. As I developed closer relationships, prayers were needed for the soul and spirit as well. To counter discouragement or despair, I learned to share Paul’s words: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe” (Eph. 1:18, 19 NIV).

About ten years ago while traveling with my husband, I began a written list in the iPhone Notes app labeled ‘Prayers.’ The phone was an easy tool as it allowed an immediate way to record people in need. And my memory can be terrible! I did not want to say I’d pray and then forget. The list ballooned and became downright unmanageable. I struggled lifting everyone up daily. So, the thought came to categorize. I bought a lined journal for weekly prayers. Monday became ‘Missions’ to lift up those serving locally and abroad. Tuesday included ‘Cancer and Serious Illness’ and Wednesday, ‘Addictions.’ I won’t share the rest. If you decide to embark on something similar, it will be your Spirit-led categories. I keep the daily categories for a month and then update, making new pages. And I’ve found great joy leaving room at the bottom of each page for praise and thanksgiving when God answers!

Along with better organizing, God has led me on a journey of greater belief. Would I take Jesus seriously when He spoke such words as “Everything is possible for one who believes!” in Mark 9:23 (NIV) and the beautiful discourse about asking, seeking, knocking and the promise of God giving, the seeker finding, and doors opening (Matt. 7:7-8)? How could I not! These promises became foundational in my prayer life, believing my Father not only heard, but would answer according to His glorious and good will. He has given me solace for those battling with advanced, relentless cancer as supplications continued for comfort, peace and healing, knowing that His perfect plan could mean healing in the next life.

A few final thoughts: If possible, correspond with people for whom you pray, or sometimes their loved ones, to find out pertinent needs using texts, phone calls, Facebook posts and Messenger. People are blessed when they know you lift them up consistently. Pray specifically, not general prayers. And I prefer a private place to pray out loud, though praying at anytime, anywhere, is our calling. In fact, we’re told to ‘pray continually’ (1 Thes. 5:17 NIV). As we encounter needs, pray. As we see someone’s hurt or pain, reach out and pray, right then and there. As we see beauty in all varieties, pray with praise. Instead of worrying, pray and praise (Phil. 4: 6).

As you’ve read, what is one thing you will put into practice to strengthen your personal prayer life?

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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 Jennifer Percell, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Missouri

When I read the story of Jairus, I always feel a jolt of the panic this man must have felt as he fell to his knees at Jesus feet. His little girl was dying. But Jairus had to watch as a crowd came between him and his only hope. He must have felt terrible anxiety as the Savior stopped to speak to the woman who had touched His cloak. As Jesus told the woman to go in peace, Jairus must have wondered if he had any hope for peace. And then the news came that a parent cannot bear. His little girl was gone. He was told to stop bothering the Teacher. The crushing pain barely had time to set in though before Jesus offered new hope. The roller coaster of emotion ended with a family reunited and death stopped in its tracks. A scene only God can orchestrate, a resurrection.

I have not suffered the death of a child, but I have begged Jesus to save my children from spiritual death. There was a time when my fears for them left me panicked much like Jairus. A few years ago, I entered a very dark season. One of my dearest friends, my faithful, kind mother-in-law was nearing the end of her life. We were privileged to have her living with us in her final illness, but the pain of watching her fade away was weighing us down.

On a day when we were at the hospital helplessly watching cancer steal our loved one, I decided to go home for a shower. On the drive I spoke to a dear friend who had just lost his brother to a terrible crime. I felt that my heart could not take another ounce of pain. When I arrived at our house and brought in the mail there was a letter from our daughter. This letter confirmed my worst fears that this precious daughter had walked away from her faith.

Beginning that horrible day, I fell into what I now describe as a paralysis of my heart. I knew my number one purpose was to raise my children with strong faith and I had failed at all that really mattered.

Then, just as my mother-in-law entered the last few weeks of her life, another tragedy struck. My precious big sister, confidante and best friend was stricken with severe dementia and unable to live in her home. It was up to me to make very hard decisions concerning her care. My sorrow grew deeper. My faith did not waver but I identified very much with Jesus, the Man of sorrows.

At the lowest point of this season of despair, I became ill myself. It was necessary to take medical leave from one of the few jobs still functioning during COVID lock-down. I loved my days cooking for the elderly at a nursing home and now I had to abandon them in their lock-down loneliness.

My tears seemed to be the only constant in my life and like Jairus I felt that God had turned to help someone else in spite of my constant prayers for Him to intervene in all these crises. I began to feel that joy and laughter were inappropriate, that until my child returned to the Lord and my loved ones had relief, I had no right to be happy.

Jesus told Jairus not to be afraid, to believe and his girl would be healed. Slowly, gently, Jesus found ways to tell me not to be afraid. Somewhere in the midst of my frantic prayers and accompanying darkness, I came to the end. The end of uselessly rehearsing conversations again and again in my mind to see what I had said wrong or could fix. The end of offering God plans, ideas, and suggestions of how to change these hopeless situations. The end, I guess, of me: me trying to change all the things I had absolutely no control over. When Jairus was told his daughter was dead, he must have felt it was the end, the end of any solution he could see to his great need.

And at that end, God begins. When all our solutions are gone, all our fixes are broken and there is nothing left, we are finally ready for God. The mourners at Jairus' house had accepted the end. They laughed at the idea that Jesus could change death. Jesus, however, as always, had the last word. The Bible tells us He took the child by the hand, her spirit returned and she stood up.

When I felt I had reached my end, God could begin to reason with me. There were days when I truly understood I was not alone. I saw that asking God to heal my daughter's faith and care for my health, my sister and my grief for my mother-in-law, required me to understand that He heard my cries. I began to see my prayers as the act of handing the whole package of burdens to God and walking beside Him, free of the weight I could not carry. Each step taken when I let Jesus carry the pain, became lighter, until one day I realized that I could laugh. I could walk beside Jesus and feel joy.

Just as Jairus walked back to the house with Jesus, not knowing his daughter would live again, I still walk with so many unknowns. My daughter is still living without God, my mother-in-law is no longer here with us, my sister is out of my reach in her broken mind, and my illness is unresolved. But like the child raised by Jesus, my spirit has returned.

I learned that I can walk with deep sorrow and deep joy hand in hand. My heart can contain earth's anguish and heaven's peace as Jesus walks with me toward the resolutions I have prayed for. Someone has said, in Jesus a waiting season does not need to be a wasted season. Faith gives us constant hope of healing, peace and the resurrection of lost souls.

So sister, get up, wash your face, and live, because the Great Physician, the Resurrecting Jesus is on His way to raise your heart up and give you joy.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #resurrection #guestwriter #hope

Written by Liliana Henriquez, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colombia

In the world of immediacy, like the one we are living in now, we love that everything happens quickly and without waiting. But if this happened, we would skip the transformation process. And God is more interested in the process than the end result.

Today I’d like to invite you to review the story of Zechariah in Luke 1:5-25. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth "Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly" (vs. 6 NIV). They were a couple that served God faithfully. One day, when Zechariah was in the sanctuary offering incense to God as part of his work as a priest, an angel appeared to him and said:

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” (vs. 13-18 NIV)

The angel lets us know something that Zechariah's heart yearned for and surely his wife's as well: to have a child. How do we know that? Because the angel told him that his prayer had been heard and that Elizabeth would have a son.

Have a son at this age? – Zechariah and Elizabeth might have wondered.

We might think that Zechariah's prayer was a prayer answered out of time. But despite the fact that it seems that the answer came delayed in time, Solomon reminds us that God "made everything beautiful in his time" (Eccl. 3:11a).

The surprise of that promise for Zechariah was so great that the angel left him speechless. What could have happened during that time? How did Zechariah experience that time of silence? The Bible does not recount the specific time during which Zechariah was unable to speak, but it does say what he did after John's birth: “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God” (Luke 1:64).

In my personal opinion, I believe that the time Zechariah spent in silence processing the fulfillment of a promise helped him get to know God more and have a closer relationship with Him. Otherwise, Zechariah would not have blessed God after he could speak.

As I read the story of Zechariah, I learn how powerful it is to persevere in prayer, to continue fulfilling the ministry God has given us, even when there are still unanswered prayers, and to wait quietly with the firm confidence that He will be glorified in our lives, at the right time.

If today your story is similar to Zechariah’s, I invite you not to lose heart in prayer, to remain firm in the ways of the Lord and to remember this great promise: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Ps. 46.10).

Trust God, He has already heard your prayer.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #silence #faithprocess #trust #Zachariah #guestwriter #blog

Written by Mirelis González Sánchez, volunteer with Ministerio Hermana Rosa de Hierro in Honduras

I have been teaching children’s classes for years in different congregations and one of the things that I enjoy the most is everything I can learn about them. These tiny creatures have a great natural capacity to transmit beautiful teachings and values that are necessary to enter the Kingdom of God. By observing them and valuing the importance of the ingenuity and transparency of their hearts.

On one occasion, one of the girls in my class got very excited about a puppet that we use on Sundays to recreate the Bible story we are sharing. I knew that she loved puppies and so I allowed her to play the role of that little animal, created by God during the formation of the world. When the class was over, we all gathered the resources we had used and I told the group goodbye and that I hoped to see them the next week.

The following Sunday, I noticed as “my little animal lover” came closer that she had a sad and worried face. When I talked with her, I understood what happened. She felt sorry and sad because without anyone realizing it, she had taken the puppy puppet home since she had liked it so much. She told me that she felt really bad for what she had done to her teacher that she loved. Right then, she showed me a teddy bear from home that she wanted to gift to the class as a demonstration of her repentance for her behavior.

The attitude of this little girl prompted me to remember and meditate on a very important theme for Christians. She not only understood what she had done, but the change of heart motivated her to act in a way that demonstrated her repentance.

When we draw near to the feet of Jesus, one of the first things we learn, besides His love, is that we should repent. That moment is a necessary step in order to be saved, not one we can skip over.

We often refer to repentance only as a feeling of guilt and sorry that we should have after bad acts. When we go to the Bible and dig deeper, we see the true repentance that the Lord demands, not just the feeling of pain for our sins, but rather it should lead us to change our way of thinking that, in turn, transforms our way of acting.

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matt. 3:8)

First, we must understand the depth of love God has for us and the sinful condition in which we were found. This leads us to change our reaction to sin. In other words, if we sin, it should hurt and sadden us. Consequently, these two attitudes will lead us to act in a way that reflects sincere efforts to distance ourselves from sin in order to establish direct communion with God.

If the repentance we experience stays only in our thoughts or a confession of our faults and does not yield true fruit, it will remain simply as a regret on our conscience. In the Bible, we see various examples of people that, even though they recognized their sins, they did not demonstrate authentic repentance. This was the case with the Pharaoh of Egypt (Ex. 9:27) and King Saul (1 Sam. 15:24).

God seeks in us a repentance that leads to joy based on the hope that He offers us salvation and forgiveness of sins. This is totally different from the regret that Judas Iscariot experienced when he recognized that he had sold his Lord who was innocent. The result of his sadness was not to turn to God, but rather to take his life in a tragic way.

It is necessary as daughters of God to seek daily an attitude of repentance. We can all grow closer to His presence no matter how dark our past. Pedro shows us that, in spite of his faults, his character flaw that led him to deny His Teacher, he opened his heart to show true humility. Pedro knew to recognize the power of the Lord and courageously admitted the magnitude of his sin. The Bible tells us that he cried bitterly and repentantly. This heartfelt act was the door through which the Holy Spirit could work in his life. After this, the apostle reflected his joy as a valuable instrument in the hands of God to carry the gospel to many. He even gave his life for the cause of his Savior.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

So, let’s reflect for a moment. Is our repentance the complete process that yields true fruit for God or simply an internal personal reflection?

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #repentance #truerepentance #changeofheartandaction #forgiveness #guestwriter #blog

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

“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.” (Heb. 11:11)

I can assure you that both you and I have passed through a variety of seasons in our walk of faith. In particular, I have experienced seasons of fruitfulness and I have also experienced seasons of suffering where I did not understand how God could redeem it. And yet, He did.

In my family devotional life, each night we pray for our deepest needs; it is one of the most anticipated moments, opening our hearts, recognizing that we have our struggles. Each one participates giving their requests… that is the dynamic. My turn comes. I once again made a recurring and embarrassing request for a woman who longs to receive the praise of her husband and children, and at the end of a day with a hectic and busy schedule I said: “I ask that God work in my life as the woman He wants me to be, with a soft and quiet spirit pleasing in His eyes.” My son replied and said: "You have been asking for the same thing for a long time." And this was my starting point of affliction, of pain and anguish. "Yes son, it's time."

It is not that God does not always answer my prayers exactly the way I want Him to, nor how many times I manifest them, it was time to not stand there waiting for something magical to happen, but to trigger change and truly take advantage of every opportunity as a mother, wife, daughter and sister to show Christ, even when His very nature is to redeem.

And this is what I see today in this passage. Here Sarah, wife of the great patriarch Abraham, tends to be seen in a frame of dignity and honor. But reading the biblical description of her life, it is impossible not to notice that at times she acted very badly. She may throw fits and tantrums, be impatient, moody, scheming, fierce, mean, fickle, bad-tempered, jealous, erratic, irrational, a winner, complaining, and nagging. However, it has always been a reference or the perfect model of godly grace and meekness.

So, it's easy to start from praise, thinking that we're good Christians, that we read our Bibles, that we pray regularly, that we congregate faithfully and obey all the rules. This is an inaccurate version of ourselves. We fail daily, we are unfaithful every time we choose to sin, we are weak and easily distracted. We can have it all by appearance, but our heart tells the truth. When our life is not according to God's plans and purposes, all we experience is pain, misery, and much regret. At some point it can seem to work in our favor and at the same time be far from God, in slavery, stagnant, without significant changes.

Sara was a creature driven by carnal problems like us. There was one thing she wanted above all else, and that was having children. But she was barren from the beginning to the end of her childbearing years. In fact, this is pretty much the first thing scripture mentions about her in Genesis 11:30, obviously grieving over barrenness. Each episode of bad humor or conflict in her family was preceded by her failure due to her infertility. This consumed her. She spent many years dealing with the frustration and depression that her reality produced. Her desperate desire for motherhood was ended by accepting the fact of her barrenness (Gen. 16:2). She wanted her husband to have an heir so badly that she came up with a plan between him and her maid.
Conceivably, the aftermath of such a carnal alibi was nearly life-tearing and seemed to leave a permanent scar on her personality. Her bitterness infuriated her for thirteen years, until she finally insisted that Abraham expel the other woman, and the child they had fathered.

Her defects are notorious and enough, there is no doubt, she had fallen. Her faith weakened, her heart led her down a wrong path, flaws visible and unquestionable. And we wonder, could there be something more? Fortunately, yes, there was much more to Sara than that. She had both strong points and glaring flaws. The scriptures actually commend her for her faith and steadfastness. The apostle Peter points to her as a model of how each wife should submit to the authority of her husband. Her life is characterized by humility, meekness, hospitality, fidelity, deep affection for her husband, sincere love for God and hope in all trials.

After making this contrast and contradiction, I can conclude that Sarah was a woman who received redemption, because she learned what was valuable, she believed, giving birth to a son after the years of her fertility, being old, a precedent in Hebrew history. The most relevant aspects are her unfailing fidelity to her husband, her perseverance against incredible obstacles and the firmness of her faith; they became the main feature of his legacy. Indeed, the New Testament admires her in the hall of faith: "Because she considered him faithful who had made the promise." (Heb. 11:11)

The full spectacle of Sarah's faith is not fully appreciated until the many seemingly insurmountable obstacles to that faith are considered. The happiness of God's promise fulfilled, not because of Sarah's perfection in obedience or faith, but because God is faithful to His word. Some promises of God are conditional on us doing something. But others are unconditional and are fulfilled not because of what we do, but because of who God is.

“Look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many.” (Is. 51:2)

Now, dear reader, a life of faith is what God appreciates. You and I are not perfect women, we cannot be. God is not indifferent, He sustains us. Today, believe despite your struggles by remembering Sarah. She, against hope, trusted that the impossible for her, that which caused her laughter, would become true. And because He is faithful, we who believe in Christ are justified and redeemed.

That is why God shows His love in that, even though we were sinners, Christ died for us, to enjoy righteousness, believing in Him; being rich in mercy, He not only had a redemptive plan with Sarah and her family but also a plan for us. With the name of Jesus, enjoy, laugh embracing the value of each moment in faith and redemption in the hope of the glorious gospel that sustains us.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #faith #hope #Sarah #againsthope #trust #redemption #imperfectredeemed #blog

Written by Michelle J. Goff, Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries

“You mean you would take time every week to meet with me and study the Bible? Are you sure that isn’t going to be a burden? I just have so many questions,” Fernanda timidly asked Michelle the first time they sat down to chat over coffee. Michelle’s grin turned into a full-toothed smile as she responded, “There is nothing I would rather do than take the time to study the Bible with you! And, you know Mackenzie who first introduced us when you came to my house for an arepa night? She interned with me this past summer and I would love for the three of us to sit down and study together. I’m sure we can find a time that works for all three of us.” Fernanda continued to shake her head in disbelief that there were people willing to take the time to answer her questions about God, baptism, and the Bible.

Fast forward through weeks of Bible studies with Mackenzie and Michelle alternating the teaching. “Fer” took notes, came with questions about the verses we were to study next, and her passion to learn more continued to grow. Her hunger for God’s Word did not stop with her baptism on February 14, 2018. Valentine’s Day was a perfect day to declare the true meaning of love. By pronouncing her love and commitment to God through uniting herself with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, her demonstration of love for God on that day became infectious to others.

One month later, Fernanda’s friend María, who was there as a witness to Fer’s baptism, was baptized. Michelle, Fer, María, Mackenzie, and others continued to study the Bible and develop deeper mentoring relationships.

Fernanda graduated and returned to Nicaragua. While she and Michelle continued to stay in touch, the communication was sporadic, but no less deep in Biblical discussion. In October 2020, Michelle received the following WhatsApp message from Fer…

Hello Ms. Michelle!
I have faith that you’re seeing how great God is always.
I am writing to you because I was reflecting on my Christian path and the day of my baptism came to my mind, and I went to watch the video. Guess what? I saw you as that first person who came to hug me after I gave myself to God.
And I thought... wooooow. God used you to instruct me in the faith, to walk His beautiful way, to not give up on me and spend your time reading His good news, to answer many questions I had had for years, to encourage me to make the best decision of my entire life. I remember I told you I wanted to get to a point where I felt like I knew enough to get baptized, and then how the Spirit put that feeling of “it’s time” on me. You never said, “Wait more.” Instead, you rejoiced the night before my baptism. February 14, 2018. A date to never forget.
I love you!!!

Michelle’s tearful and grateful response invited Fer to find a time to catch up via video chat. After filling each other in on life, Fernanda’s passion for learning more about the truths from God’s Word became evident. She was reading a “Christian” book and was unsure how to discern whether there was truth in what they were proclaiming. Michelle thanked her again for asking the right questions and, instead of answering her questions, Michelle equipped Fernanda with the tools to answer them for herself from 1 John 4, Matthew 7, and several other passages. Fer took notes and immediately applied the verses to her initial question. The best part was when she shared that she can’t wait to share these tools and these truths with her family and with others.

Two by two by two. 2 Timothy 2:2. Teaching to teach. From interns to baby Christians, growing in their passion and knowledge to be shared with others, we rejoice in the way God has used these Iron Rose Sisters to expand the kingdom, beyond borders.

If you would like to find out more about baptism or would like to study the Bible with someone to understand more, please contact us!

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #baptism #multiplication #Biblestudy #truelove #MichelleJGoff