Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8 (ESV)

On a cold Friday morning in January, I took a moment to listen to the snow fall. You may think it has no sound, but that was the beauty of the stillness on that winter morning.

I stepped away from the buzz of my hard drive, the melodious ring of my phone, and the ping of notifications that demanded my attention. All of those things could wait.

Just as my yard was made new by a blanket of snow, my perspective on life and all my frustrations were made new from my time alone with God, listening to the snow fall.

In order to truly and fully listen, I engaged all of my senses. I love the smell of fresh snow and the texture is fun to feel, even on my gloved hands. The crunch under my feet adds to the sound of it falling, but only if I listen carefully through the red hat I have pulled tightly over my ears.

Watching the flakes fall of all different weights and sizes, I am enamored by the ones caught by the wind—the ones that tumble through the sky as they fall to the ground. Makes it harder to catch one to taste, but I love the way it melts on my tongue and moistens my breath.

Can you hear and taste the snow with me? Are you listening?

Listening is more than hearing a sound.

Growing up, my parents used to say, “I need you to listen with your eyes.” They were calling for our full and undivided attention.

Listening takes place through all five senses. We taste and see that the Lord is god. And to be All In with our listening, I must use all five senses.

Today, as you savor that perfect cup of coffee, sip of tea, or morsel of food, may you be reminded to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8). Are you a fragrant offering to the Father? Have you touched the life of others through the ways God has touched your life? May we listen and see the promises of God when we are ALL IN with Him.

Taken from portions of Called to Listen: Forty Days of Devotion

#IronRoseSister #IRSM #calledtolisten #areyoulistening #fivesenses #allin

Meagan crochets animals for new babies at church.
Anita travels across makeshift roads in rural Cuba to bless and equip other women.
Mandy cares for her patients, even after they have cursed her out or thrown up on her.
Barbara prepares Bible class for the fourth graders every Sunday morning.
Claudia wheels the elderly from the nursing home down the street to the church building so they can worship with other Christians.
Lindsay shares her love for art as a way of drawing non-Christians into conversation about the Creator who values beauty and creativity.

The “All In” life for Christ takes on different forms for different people. It takes a body, “as each part does its work” (Eph. 4:16).

Who do you know that is Living, Loving, and Serving with Abandon?
Thankfully, I would run out of room to share the countless stories of people that I know who live out their relationship with Christ in diverse ways. Yet I do not know the stories of those you are blessed to know, women (and men) who have touched your life by living “All In.” Let’s celebrate the stories of those who are Living, Loving and Serving with Abandon!

A picture is worth a thousand words, so...
Comment with a picture and add the hashtags: #AllInChrist #IronRoseSister

Let’s celebrate what God is doing through those who live All In for Him!

#IronRoseSister #IRSM #AllInChrist #allin

Guest Author, Brenda Brizendine

Psalm 37:4
4 Take delight in the LORD,
and He will give you the desires of your heart.

When I was growing up and starting taking an interest in boys, I started to imagine how my life would be as a married woman. A beautiful home, a loving husband and many children!
I had many goals to accomplish too! Complete and graduate from secondary school, go to college and graduate there too! Of course, I was also imagining in becoming a successful person in the professional world. But I never stopped thinking about the person I would get married to and would share my life with.

Time was passing... I was accomplishing my academic goals, and started my professional life. Ah! But I also started getting more involved in the service to the Lord in my congregation. I had to do well in all areas. But I couldn’t stop thinking, who will be the person that God has for me?

Without noticing it, I started paying more much attention to the idea of being married, and yes, I have to say it, I became a little obsessed. My friends started to have boyfriends, then getting married and having children and wonderful families. And I continued thinking, whom is God going to send for me? (My relatives also started to remind me that I was “lacking something”, because I wasn’t getting younger).

In my worry of fulfilling “my dream”, I started a couple sentimental relationships that left my heart in pieces. Was it their fault? Was it my fault because I let myself fall in love? But, what about “my” dream? God, why you are not fulfilling my desire?

One afternoon, during a Bible study meeting, the person teaching invited us to read 1 Corinthians 7, where it is mentioned that single women should get busy in the Lord’s matters. It was then when I understood that it was the time for me to pay attention to the Lord Jesus and not to any of the other “things” that I had in my agenda. That was the moment that I had to serve Him, all in!

Only then, when I started to focus my sight, my time and “my” agenda in the Lord’s matters, I learned to get to know Him better, to delight in Him and be more like the person that He wants me to be.

It was when I was all in and delighting in Him, that the man of my dreams came to my life. (I’ve been married for 5 years and have a beautiful daughter as a result of this marriage).

I don’t know what desire you have in your heart and is making you believe that God has forgotten to fulfill. I know that He is a Good God, and that His will is good, pleasing and perfect for each of us. (Romans 12:2)

My message here is not about seeking God just with the intention of fulfilling your desire or get something in exchange. My message is that as a result of seeking Him first and delighting in Him (Matthew 6:33); when you are all in, there will be overabundant blessings and, your dream, or the Lord’s dream will be fulfilled in you (Psalm 138:8).

Colossians 3:1-4 2Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

#IronRoseSisterMinistries #IRSM #allin #delightinHIM

How do you picture Jesus? A baby in the manger? Crucified on the cross? Absent from the tomb? Dwelling in your heart?

How do you think Mary pictured Jesus?

We know that Mary treasured all these things in her heart as Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and men.

When Mary saw Jesus turn the water to wine in Cana, did she see Him as the Christ, or as the little boy who ate and drank from her table?

When Jesus healed the sick, did she think back to the times when His brothers and sisters were sick at home?

We see Mary appear at various times during Jesus’ ministry. She seems to be a dedicated follower, but I wonder how much she knew about the child she had carried in her womb.

A recent reflection on the account in Luke 1 and her song of praise provided me with a new perspective—one that affirms why she was chosen to carry the Christ child.

When the angel first appeared to Zechariah, he responds with doubt, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years” (Luke 1:18).

However, Mary’s response, while one of surprise, questions the angel with a different spirit, “How can this be?” She doesn’t ask whether or not it is possible. She does not respond with doubt, but with belief and a request for clarification. She was ALL IN.

Then, her response immediately transitions to one of submission—humble acceptance of what God has called her to. ALL IN.

If I were Mary, I would’ve had a million questions: What if Joseph won’t marry me? What if others don’t believe me and I am stoned? Why me? How can I be sure? You’ve been silent for 400 years...
Yet she did not respond in any of those ways. How did she respond? In praise. ALL IN.

Luke 1:46-55 is the text of her song and prayer in praise (below)
.
Do you know what Magnificat means? “My soul glorifies or magnifies the Lord.” Magnifies: makes bigger (like a magnifying glass). Mary recognizes immediately that it is not about her. It’s all about God. She is only a vessel. ALL IN.

In her prayerful song, Mary thanks God and praises His name, recognizing His character and His actions. That’s it. ALL IN.

If that had been my song, I would’ve included some requests—that is most often the focus of my prayers.

I am inspired by Mary’s example of humble submission, and of praise. No doubts. No requests. No self-glorification. My soul magnifies the Lord, ALL IN.

How can your life be a magnificat today, an expression of “ALL IN”?

Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

How can your life be a magnificat today, an expression of “ALL IN”?

#IronRoseSister #IRSM #allin #magnificat #praise #idontknowwhatsgoingtohappenbutYOUdo

What gets you excited to get out of bed in the morning? What are your “all in” passions?

For my nephew, it is Legos. He woke up in the middle of the night after his birthday and stayed up for two hours building more of his Lego sets.

For another friend, it is books. She can stay up all night, unable to put the book down until she finishes it, then she laments the fact that she is no longer sharing life with those characters.

Coffee gets many of us out of bed. And even though my mom jokes that I poisoned my sisters when I taught them to drink the good stuff after my first visit to Venezuela, it does not stop any of us from truly enjoying a good cup of coffee, especially when shared with family or friends.

We all have talents, interests, passions... things we love that bring a smile to our face and joy to our hearts. Yet, many times, we have lost the passion of our first love.

We neglect to remain “all in” as we declared when we were baptized.
We get distracted, confused, disillusioned, and discouraged.
We fall into the trap of Satan’s lies.
We lose sight of what is unseen, and our eyes are no longer set on things above.

Epaphras, after helping start the church in Colossae, noticed that this was happening among the Colossians. He shared his burden for the people with Paul, who wrote them a letter reminding them of the fullness we find in the All In, Sold Out, Thankful Life in Christ.

Check out these verses in chapter 2:
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
(Col. 2:6-10)

Did you notice the blessing we are promised when we live the “All In” life with Christ? Nothing else in all creation measures up to the Creator. He became flesh and dwelt among us so that we might be with Him. Let that soak in for a second... Jesus went “All In” so that we, too can be “All In” with Him.

One key toward the “All In” life? Thankfulness.
Start by being thankful for your salvation in Christ.

When we remember the truth of the gospel, the good news of the death, burial, resurrection, we begin to set our minds on things above (Col. 3:2) and can truly do it all for His glory.

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:17)

#IronRoseSister #MichelleJGoff #IRSM #allin #thankful

In Hebrews, the author talks about throwing off what hinders and the sin that so easily entangles (12:1). As I reflected on those things that hinder me from living the “All In” life, I recognized the contrast between what helps and what hinders.

What helps me live the “All In” life, equips me for the FIGHT.
Faith (Heb. 11:6)
Identity in Christ (Gal. 2:20)
God (Is. 40:28-31)
tHanskgiving (1 Thes. 5:18)
Truth (John 8:32)

God invites us to the “All In,” full, abundant life (John 10:10). But the thief, who came to steal, kill, and destroy, presents any obstacle in our path or distraction in our mind to keep us from living “All In.” Let’s look at some of his tools.

What hinders me from living the “All In” life, makes me “FISEL” (yes, I know it is spelled “fizzle”).
Fear (Is. 43:1-2)
Insecurities (Ex. 4:1-14)
Self (Rom. 7:14-8:1)
Excuses (Esther 4:14)
Lies (John 8:44)

These hindrances are thorns that we remove, with God’s help, so that He can continue His transforming work of growing and blooming.

We are not in this FIGHT alone. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (Heb. 12:1) as we throw off what hinders (Heb. 12:2). And, together, we can keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and serve as iron sharpening iron, encouraging and inspiring one another to be as beautiful as a rose, in spite of a few thorns in that journey.

Spend some time today reflecting on the thorns that hinder you from the “All In” life. Share them with an Iron Rose Sister and invite her to remind you of truth as you bloom together.

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