Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Written by Kara Benson, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Alabama

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2Co 1:3-4 NIV)

The Creator of the entire universe is described as the “Father of Compassion”; how beautiful and comforting! However, what exactly is compassion? In Hebrews 1:3a, we read that “the Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” Therefore, we can examine the life of Jesus to understand the nature of compassion.

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus travels through towns and villages, “teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness” (Mt 9:35). Jesus had compassion on the people He saw. He healed a leprous man (Mt 8:3), two blind men (Mt 20:29-33), sick members of a large crowd (Mt 14:14), and provided food for 4,000 hungry people (Mt 15:32). In the account of Jesus healing the two blind men, some versions say that Jesus was moved with compassion. When Jesus felt sympathy for others, He did something about it. From Jesus, we learn that compassion implies action.

As disciples of Christ, we are called to follow in His footsteps (Mk 8:34-35). We are to willingly lay aside our sin and self-absorption in the pursuit of Christ, following His example of being moved with compassion. Jesus declares, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me” (Jn 12:26). According to the picture painted in scripture, compassion is clearly a central part of our commitment to serving Christ; it is even the basis for the separation of the sheep and goats on judgment day. Carefully consider this critical scene:

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Mt 25:31-36)

Subsequent verses explain that when we show compassion by fulfilling the needs of the least of Jesus’ followers, we are effectively serving Jesus himself. Let us contemplate the eternal value of exhibiting compassion.

The apostle Paul writes,

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Col 3:12-14)

How can we show compassion by our actions?

• Volunteer at a pantry
• Drive someone to their doctor’s appointment
• Prepare food for someone who is sick, grieving, or a new mother
• Fervently pray for someone throughout the day
• Provide a listening ear for someone who needs comfort
• Help someone pack, unpack, or clean their house
• Humbly address unrepentant sin in a sister’s life that is endangering her soul
• Visit someone in the hospital, recovering at home, or lonely
• Forgive someone. Scripture frequently presents compassion and forgiveness together, indicating a connection between the two. As Ephesians 4:32 instructs, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

A hard-working sister in our congregation is a good example of a compassionate Christian. She invited me to volunteer alongside her at a food pantry, woke up hours before sunrise to take me to an outpatient procedure, teaches children’s Bible classes, and regularly helps aging and disabled church members who need assistance. She can almost always be found doing something for someone. Her compassion reminds me of my favorite verse: “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Heb 6:10).

Compassion implies action. How can you show compassion today?

Written by Vivian Arcila, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Canada

Listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! (Ne 1:6 NLT)

The book of Nehemiah not only sequentially details the biblical way to resolve conflicts and crises but also highlights the importance of confessing sin as an essential part of restoring our relationship with God.

It is interesting that when Nehemiah learns of the situation in Jerusalem and its captives, the first thing he mentions in his prayer is confession, not only of his personal sin but also of his family and his nation. He knew that the disobedience of the people of Israel had resulted in their destruction, and he felt responsible as well. Since ancient times, we have noticed that sin that is not corrected and is practiced deliberately can affect not only the person who commits it but also their family and even an entire nation.

Psalm 14:3 says, "But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!" As a God-fearing man, Nehemiah was aware that, although his works were pleasing to God, the human being is a sinner by nature. Nehemiah may have felt that he could have done more for his people before things got worse, but the truth is that confession is an essential part of our Christian lives.

Our walk in Christ begins with acknowledging that we have sinned before Him, repenting of our sins, and confessing Jesus as our Lord and Savior, which is confirmed with baptism and perseverance. Romans 10:9 says, "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." The doors of spiritual blessings begin to open with confession.

However, confession does not get stuck at the moment when we give our lives to Jesus. It should be a daily act to recognize Christ's lordship and discover our faults. In the face of every difficult situation, we must examine ourselves and confess our offenses to our Creator. In that moment of reflection, think about how much our personal sin has affected the family and, in some way, the community or society, and confess before God our participation in it, either directly or indirectly. It is not only sin to do evil to our fellow men, but also to fail to do good as James 4:17 says, "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it."

Am I studying the Bible, praying, examining myself, and confessing my sins frequently? That helps me connect to God and cultivate a meek character that my family, church brothers and sisters, neighbors, drivers, people at the grocery store, and coworkers will notice. Not having good communion with God affects us personally because we lose peace, which is reflected in the treatment of our relatives and neighbors, causing a domino effect on the individual, family, church, society, and the whole world.

Let's try to make an effort daily in our relationship with God because it impacts, in one way or another, the life of our family and the lives of the people around us. Before we met Jesus, we were like a city with walls destroyed by sin. Now, we are being built on the rock that is Christ.

Written by Brenda Davis, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Eph 4:29 NIV)

In Stephen Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People® we find Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood®. Like almost all of Covey’s highly respected writing, this is based in Scriptural truth: "To answer before listening— that is folly and shame" (Pr 18:13). “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion” (Pr 18:2 ESV).

Hearing is easy. Listening? Not so much. So, what's the difference between hearing someone and listening to them? Hearing is simply being aware that they are speaking. Listening is tuning in to what they are saying in order to understand and respond.

In Matthew 15:10, we find that the Lord called on the crowd to go beyond just hearing His words: “Jesus called the crowd to him and said, ‘Listen and understand’” (NIV). Job’s friends heard him express his complaints ten times. Still, Job exclaimed: “If only someone would listen to me!” (Job 31:35a NLT). Why? Apparently, they weren’t listening with the intent of understanding.

Hearing, listening, and understanding are used interchangeably in passages such as these:

• “You have neither listened nor inclined your ears to hear, although the Lord persistently sent to you all his servants the prophets” (Jer 25:4 ESV).
• Jesus asked His disciples, "Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear?" (Mk 8:18).

Once you have listened and understood what the speaker is trying to communicate, only then is it time for your response. One of the most familiar passages about listening and responding is found in James 1:19-20: "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (NIV). I confess that this is a massive challenge for me. I often answer before listening; if not audibly, I do it in my head and then wait for the first opportunity to jump in with my thoughts. I am preoccupied with something in my life relating to what they are telling me, or forming an argument, a retort, or some “wisdom” or advice I’ll share as soon as they give me an opening. It’s as if what I’m going to say is more important than what they are trying to tell me and they will end up feeling, like Job, “If only someone would listen to me!”

The Scriptures caution us about being more concerned with what we are going to say than with wholly listening.

• “Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them” (Pr 29:20).
• “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Php 2:3-4).
• “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble” (Pr 21:23 ESV).

But what if someone says something hurtful or provocative? That is when we must try to be “slow to become angry” by not reacting in kind. “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col 4:6).

When we respond, we have the opportunity to build others up with an encouraging, wise, or inspiring response.

• "Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear" (Pr 25:12).
• “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary” (Is 50:4a).
• “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up” (1Th 5:11).
• "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" (Pr 27:17 NIV).

What if you don’t feel that you are qualified or wise enough to give that kind of response? In Janet Dunn’s Discipleship Journal article, “How to Become a Good Listener” she recommends that we should consider

put[ing] more emphasis on affirmation than on answers… Many times, God simply wants to use me as a channel of his affirming love as I listen with compassion and understanding. Often a person can be helped merely by having someone who will listen to [her] seriously. At times what our neighbor needs most is for someone else to know.

Let us commit to creating a culture of listening and responding in our families and other relationships. Silence the smartphone. Don’t stop their story. Block out the distractions. And pray that God will open your ears and minds, and will guide and bless your responses.

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

We often sing:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,


Look full in His wonderful face,


And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
 

 In the light of His glory and grace.

These words, by Helen Lemmel, speak of Scriptures written long ago about our focus in life. 

The author of Hebrews writes: “… looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” (Heb 12:2a ESV).

Other versions refer to Jesus as “author and finisher” (KJV, NKJV, ASV), or “originator and perfecter” (NASV).

My daddy, who grew up on a farm, used the example of a farmer plowing with an old-fashioned hand plow. His rows were straight because he focused on a post or tree in the distance as he plowed instead of looking down at the ground or around at the scenery.

Paul wrote: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col 3:2).

Our everyday life has things that distract us; it may be necessities such as our work or family, or being focused on the pleasures of life.

When Matthew tells of Peter walking on the water, he writes: “… So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Mt 14:29-30).

Look at what Matthew says:
1.   Peter asked to go to Jesus (Mt 14:28).
2.   Peter got out of the boat (Mt 14:29).
3.   Peter walked on water (Mt 14:29).
4.   Then, Peter began looking around at the storm… the winds and waves… became afraid… and began to sink (Mt 14:30).

Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and began watching the storm. That is when he had a problem.

We do the same thing when we encounter the difficulties of life, whether it is relationships, finances, health, or something else. That’s what delights the evil one— for us to forget that Jesus is our Rock.

David wrote: For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken (Ps 62:1-2).

Back to Peter: the verses following his cry for help tell us that Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter and together they went back to the boat. This means Peter walked on water a second time… with Jesus at his side. Redemption does this for us when we look to Jesus as Peter did.

Jesus does the same for us when we look to Him.

There is a common quotation that gives me peace about the storms of life:

“Sometimes God calms the storm, but sometimes God lets the storm rage and calms His child.”

When we focus on Jesus, trusting Him to keep His promises and always be with us, the storms of life have less power over us.

Long ago Moses wrote: Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you (Dt 31:6).

Isaiah restated that promise in different words:

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isa 43:1b-3a)

Fixing our eyes on Jesus means we look for Him in the everyday events of life, and seek to do His will. It means trusting He intercedes for me when I don’t know how to pray, when life tumbles in and the words will not come.  

The question I ask is: In my life, what keeps me from focusing on Jesus, my Redeemer?

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

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1Pe 2:21 NIV)

I love to watch children leap across the sand, striving with their little legs to reach their father’s stride and land in his footprints. The poem “Footprints” illustrates how Christ walks with us, and even carries us, along the paths of our lives.

When I reflect on what following in Christ’s steps has meant in my own life, it has consisted of a mixture of small steps in the day-to-day decisions and seemingly foolish, giant leaps of faith.

The launch of Iron Rose Sister Ministries would easily be considered one of many giant leaps of faith. Once God had made clear the vision of the ministry (equipping women to connect to God and one another more deeply), I was left with only one response, “Here am I, send me” (Is 6:8). I quit my job, sold my house, and jumped.

One of my sisters and her husband provided room in the basement of their house from which to live and work. Our now Board President, Katie Forbess, contacted me as soon as I announced my decision to let me know that she was “all in!”—even if only as a “glorified cheerleader.” Between my own savings and a small loan from a precious sister in Christ, we got started.

For nine months, every single day, every step of the way, Katie and I talked, prayed, and wrestled over what it meant to follow Christ’s steps—personally and as a brand-new nonprofit. The fact that God provides Iron Rose Sisters to walk with us on our journey as iron sharpening iron is a tremendous blessing. The fact that Christ walks with us as we strive to follow in His steps is one of the most beautiful promises of the Christian life. At that time, Katie and I were both grieving different traumatic events in our lives, but our steps to follow in Christ’s steps and our walk with one another along that journey provided a path forward.

What God has grown from an idea planted in my mind and heart to the international Iron Rose Sister Ministries you know today gives evidence of how God honors our commitment to follow in His steps.

The steps, the decisions, and the ongoing commitment have not always been easy. In the same way that God the Father was faithful to walk with His Son, guiding Him to always choose the Father’s will, God has faithfully walked with me as I have imperfectly followed. He offers the same to you.

What I have learned from following Christ’s steps is that it is a daily decision that requires faith—even faith as small as a mustard seed. God’s blessings and the equipping happening through Iron Rose Sister Ministries is a large-scale example of following in His steps. Most of the times that we commit to follow in Christ’s steps are small-scale decisions for which we may never know the impact.

Today, I chose to pause and pray—to lift something up to the Father, asking that His will be done and not my own. For this blog post, I chose to pause and pray. I asked God to use His Spirit to communicate instead of my own words.

Thankfully, God does not keep a tally of how many times we have misstepped or deviated from the Way. Rather, He provides us the opportunity to get back on track. He promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn 1:9).

Yes, today, I paused and prayed. But also today, I got impatient and irritated. I doubted God’s provision because I didn’t know when or how it would come. And so, to return to following in Christ’s steps, I confess, “Lord, I need You, oh I need You. Every hour I need You.” And I rejoice in the confidence I can have in His forgiveness.

Now, to see how we can commit to following His steps tomorrow…

Written by Elesa Mason, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Texas

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; Do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will also help you. I will also uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Is 41:10 NASB20)

Fear. It’s probably the loudest voice inside my head: Will I ever be enough? Will I always walk with a cane? Will I ever be able to do the things I used to? These thoughts and so many more flood my mind, especially when I am still.

On November 12, 2020, I told my husband I didn’t feel well. Praise God he recognized I was in trouble and called 911. I woke up several days later in the ICU having just been removed from life support. Those days were frightful as my prognosis was uncertain due to numerous blood clots. Our family endured gut-wrenching conversations to say goodbye; conversations I couldn’t reply to or remember.

After seven weeks of recovery, I came home, weak and unable to walk alone. That tremendous loss of freedom meant I couldn’t do anything; things I believed to be my gifts in service to the Lord. And my life lessons didn’t end there; my body was so riddled with arthritis that the following year I endured three joint replacements just to walk. More recovery, therapy, doing nothing, and worst of all, more fears.

I am a half-glass-full gal. I was so grateful for my improvement as I no longer needed a walker! But why was I still unhappy? Why was I angry about walking with a cane? Bottom line: why did God let me stay if He was going to take away my freedom and ability to do what I wanted: things for Him? I prayed fervently, but for so long there was silence. Silence, until I began to listen.

Music has always been the lifter of my soul. Listening stabilizes my mood and centers my mind away from me and on to happier things. Steven Curtis Chapman touched my heart when he sang, “My Redeemer is faithful and true. Everything He has said He will do. And every morning His mercies are new.”

I came to realize that God let me stay here because He is faithful and true. He answered the prayers of many who loved me. He loved me so much that He needed me to stay here longer, not because He still had much for me to do, but because I still had much to learn about myself and my place in His Kingdom that I could still do with a cane.

But before any of that, I had to deal with my faith.

Faith is the antithesis of fear. Fear made me question everything about the unknown. Faith is belief that God has my unknowns in His hands because He says He does. The prophet and musician Asaph sang “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart” (Ps 73:26). After years of stillness, I realized I was not connecting to God through his Word other than snippets that blessed me. Paul teaches “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Ro 10:17).

God wants me to rely on Him without reservation. It took God out of the equation when I felt responsible for all the good things I had done. I believe that rain came into my life for a reason; I needed to appreciate the Son. So, I try each day to recognize and praise God for everything in my life by going into his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. God gives me protection and strength but praising Him must come first.

By taking small opportunities to show the love of Christ, conversing with God on a more intimate level, and daily consuming His Word, I am emerging from a me-centered world to one full of possibilities. I still slide back into jealousy when I see pictures of friends skiing or taking walks along the beach. The old Elesa emerges with questions of “why me?”.

God loves me dearly and chose my specific path with all its hills and valleys. His “still small voice” in my quiet moments keeps me centered and focused on the truth. His truth. I continue to do what I can to strengthen my body. But as His precious creation, His truth is I am enough, whether I walk with a cane or not.

My fears are gradually giving way to faith. He has always been faithful and always will be. I look forward to the future God has for me. If I keep Him in my heart and mind, He will never leave me or forsake me, and I believe Him! And so, I use music to fill my soul and remain Christ-centered. What about you?

Written by Lisanka Martínez, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Venezuela

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. (1Jn 1:5-10 NIV)

Change from walking in the darkness to the light…

Sometimes when we are baptized and begin our lives as new creatures, we do not fully understand the meaning of this. Perhaps, for those who grew up in the faith with parents, grandparents, and others setting an example and guiding them from their early childhood, and with constant connection with the Church, it is easier to understand. Even when going through moments of doubt, confusion, and even rebellion, they know the difference between light and darkness.

But for those who, like me, grew up in a secular world, where moral or legal rules were sometimes broken with excuses such as, "It's just part of growing up" or, "I don’t know enough to have an opinion" that encouraged me to do what I knew was wrong, and those differences were harder to internalize.

Did I repent? I thought so, but I made those same mistakes again which was a sign that I was not aware of the nature of the darkness in which I remained.

After many years of visiting the Church of Christ, I decided to be baptized and follow Jesus. I confess that changing my life and going from darkness to His admirable light has been a long process that at times has been uphill. He showed me how deep in that darkness I was, not wanting to know what was abominable to the Lord, and believing, like most of the world, that my actions did not harm anyone, that I tried to respect others, and that I gave everyone their rightful place. That was my mistake until in the church, I started learning about what God expects of His children; that I must obey even when I do not understand, and that in those cases, I must be silent, obey, and pray for the Heavenly Father to give me understanding and to forgive, again, my ignorance.

During the pandemic, I began to notice how others radiated God's light by keeping connected and in communion even without being physically present. I thank God for each of those people who set an example and who, in turn, taught me to reflect God's light to others. I also thank the Heavenly Father that I was able to dedicate myself during all that time to learning more about Him, searching His word, praying, and praising as never before in my life.

Yes, I must confess that's when I noticed, with shame, that my past actions did harm others—especially my beloved oldest daughter, my mother, and myself. That darkness had consequences, but God's wonderful love showed me that fellowship with Him is the answer to everything—that staying in His ways cleanses us from sin, helps us resist temptations, and gives us the way out of every situation. It also allows us to lead by example that the change we have experienced in our lives is because of our obedience to His word.

I continue to sin, yes, but now I have the necessary weapons to face the darkness and the awareness that I must keep the light of Christ shining in my life and show it to those around me so that they also know the salvation and love I found in living in Christ.

Are you going to let yourself be overcome by the darkness, or fight and show the light that is in you?

What do you think you should do when you feel that light going off?

When you go through trials that seem to fill your life with darkness and extinguish the Light that shines in you, think about how the Light of the World came to give us freedom and to shine in the darkness. Stay in communion with Christ and His body, pray, and ask others to pray for you. May God bless you and always guide you into His wondrous light.

Written by Rayne Gomes, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Salvador, Brazil

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Lk 6:36 NIV)

At my job, we provide services to a public organization responsible for granting benefits to citizens. It’s a normal day for me to serve dozens of people who have had their benefits denied, even though they have every right to receive them. Therefore, they contest the decision because, from a human perspective, everyone should receive what is due to them and it is unfair to not give someone what they deserve.

The spiritual perspective of mercy consists precisely of not granting something that is deserved. For us, this is a tremendous blessing because if we take into consideration what we deserve to receive due to our sinful nature, there would be nothing left for us but eternal condemnation.

The writer of the book of Hebrews talks a lot about the mediation and granting of this mercy in our lives. In chapter 2, verse 17, he states: “For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God.” It is interesting to see the emphasis that the author puts on the fact that when Jesus came in the flesh, He experienced the same situations as us and lived through the same reality as all humans. However, we know that He did not subject Himself to sin. Therefore, what would make someone turn God’s wrath onto themselves and receive the sentence that we deserved? M-E-R-C-Y.

When we deserved death, condemnation, and eternal distance from God… Jesus came and took our place so that we would not receive what was due to us. What a true relief!

Not only that, but Christ also destroyed that which could disable us eternally, brought us back to the family of God, and can claim that He knows exactly what we go through because He experienced the same pains, temptations, and trials so He could help us while we are in this life. And because He has also experienced this same life, He truly has compassion for us.

We can rest assured that, enjoying this immense benefit provided by Jesus as followers in His steps, there is nothing more important than imitating Him in our lives by also offering mercy to our neighbor. Of course, the application will be different. We cannot make atonement, nor do we need to, because Jesus has already done so, once and for all. However, extending a merciful hand to our brother or sister in forgiveness, love, and empathy leads us to an attitude of mercy, an example left by the Teacher who instructed His disciples in Luke 6:36, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Take a moment to reflect: How can you be better at expressing your mercy towards others?

Remember, Christ has already done the hardest part, and He will help you along the way!

Written by Sadia Morales de Mendoza, volunteer for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Mexico

God’s promises are wonderful and sustain me in a world that is upside down. What about you? Have they sustained you? When I have felt most alone, I have been told, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Mt 28:20b, ESV).

I remember when I arrived in Mexico, I was just twenty-one years old. Leaving our country of origin was not easy, but migration has always existed. Maybe you have left your city or your home for work or other plans without knowing whether everything would be okay, or thinking nothing would go the way you think. It is there that God's promises take on value and truth.

When I first arrived, I missed my family, siblings, and the church so much. It can be difficult to express what we feel when others think we are the happiest in the world because we are fulfilling a dream or a clear answer from God, but we are in a new place, scared and fearful. I remember this promise: "I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears" (Ps. 34:4). It’s been twelve years in which His promises have been great and faithful, and they have sustained me. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jer 29:11). I believe and trust Him.

The sisters, brothers, elders, youth, and children of the church have become my family. I see in them part of every family member of mine. But even with them, I have sometimes felt lonely, nostalgic, and scared, like a child in the dark of night, waiting for my mom to turn on the light and kiss me on the forehead. But since she can't because of the distance between us, even though I know she won't stop praying for me, I turn to the one true God who can be here with me as well as with her in Honduras. I am reminded of Psalm 121:4-5. "Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.”

And we are given another promise: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Php 4:7). If He's done it for me, He'll do it for you.

So, even if your path is difficult—you are changing cities, you are leaving your home country, or you are starting over in a place to which you are adapting—the Lord Jesus will sustain you. He will guard your coming and your going from now until forevermore. And He'll fight for you. So do not turn away from Him, either to the right or the left. Keep on the path, and He will guard your soul. Believe in His promises! Be faithful, for He is faithful; and let us clothe ourselves in love, which is the perfect bond.

God can turn difficult situations into blessings and our bitterest experiences into a sweet testimony of His grace and power. Let us give thanks that His promises sustain us, and in them, we will forever trust.

His promises are many, but which one has been your favorite in the different stages of your life? Can you recognize any?

May the Lord bless your life. He will always keep His promises. Don't stop believing Him!

Written by Kristi Bond, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Heb 12:1 NIV)

We learn a lot just from growing old. Aging brings with it a host of ailments that challenge our physical capacities. Although it’s not unheard of, it is rare for 80-year-olds to run races. My back problems can attest that aging is not always fun! But one of the worst problems I have had in recent years has to do with my ability to hear.

A few years ago, I began to experience brief periods of hearing loss. My ears felt full, and I struggled to hear voices, especially my husband’s low voice. These sensations would last anywhere from three days to three weeks, until last year I lost low-range hearing in my left ear for four months. At work, I had to strain to hear my students. Sitting right next to my husband in the car, I often didn’t know he had spoken to me. And at church, it became hard to praise God with my brothers and sisters because my own singing was all I could hear. The audiologist explained that my ears were producing an internal fluid that impacted my ability to hear and that these episodes would come and go, but get worse with time. My ears are working against me!

Sometimes, we are our own worst enemies. This is especially true when it comes to listening. Our priorities and desires hinder us from hearing others. Sin and self-absorption create an internal fluid that blocks out any sound other than our own voice, and we stop listening for the needs of those around us. It’s easy to lose our focus on what God is trying to tell us. We seek pleasure or rest in things other than God, or we lean into our anger, anxiety, or resentment. These periods of hearing loss can be brief, or we can spend a lifetime ignoring God in favor of our emotions or desires.

Hebrews 12:1 tells us that we are running a race. We have the advantage of a running coach who lives within us—the Spirit of the living God. Are we letting our priorities keep us from hearing Him? Is our sin quelching the Holy Spirit? Daily training is available through the Word of God. Are we able to hear His instructions?

Jesus frequently says to His listeners: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Our relationship with God suffers when we listen only to our own desires. Let’s be Christ-followers who have ears to hear!

We often think of running as an individual sport, but we should not underestimate the importance of knowing our fellow runners. I watched a race in the Olympics this year where one runner accidentally tripped up another participant, and both runners fell and were disqualified. How tragic for those who have trained so hard to get to the race of their dreams! We don’t want to be so self-absorbed that we cause ourselves and others to fall. Put another way, when all we can hear is ourselves, we can’t hear each other. If we are to “run with perseverance”, we will need to encourage and be encouraged by our fellow runners.

As I grow older and experience more and more hearing loss, it takes more effort to listen. I refuse to withdraw inside myself, though. Instead, I will actively seek ways to worship, interact, and connect with others despite the disease I am experiencing. Jesus healed a deaf-mute by touching his ears (Mk 7:31-37), and He can open my ears too – both physical and spiritual. I pray that He will remove the sin and selfishness that keeps me from hearing Him and others as I actively seek to listen.

In what ways can you listen more actively to God this week?

Written by Naijuvelin Diaz, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Venezuela

I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 
(Job 42:2 NIV)

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Pr 19:21)

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Ps 33:11)

Acknowledging God's absolute power and dominion over mankind affirms His magnificence and sovereignty; no thought is hidden from Him.

The Word says that what God wills, He does; and all things work together for good.

Acknowledging God has control over all things affirms that nothing is beyond His reach. When we recognize His all-fulfilling dominion, we humbly activate the obedience that molds us and orders our steps by clarifying His purpose for us. We can discern His purpose and define our own, for it is He who puts the will and the doing on our timeline. Consider the attitude of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as shown in Luke 1:38, when she said, ""I am the Lord's servant . . . May your word to me be fulfilled," accepting His dominion and counsel. Through her example, I learn that for God to define His purpose it is necessary to accept His will.

For us to enjoy such great salvation, Mary had to make a firm and positive decision in response to the divine plan. She said yes, opening the possibility of that eternal purpose being fulfilled in her. How important it is to open the way for God to act on our behalf (Ps 138:8). It is a way of getting involved in the commitment we have made.

"God is not the God of nonsense," a sister friend with whom I shared pleasant moments meditating and praying told me, “Because what God wants, He does." This is the phrase that strikes me the most. When I experienced my mother's departure from this earth, I clung very tightly to the quote from Romans 8:28 when the whys came to my mind, and the Word comforted me with this: "All things work together for good." At the time, I still did not understand what that good was. Personally, I understood that for her to have left with faith in the Lord was great gain and that, for me and the rest of the family, brought strength and comfort because we were rooted in the faith and hope of those who leave with God. God glorified Himself; I saw it when a family member was converted to Him; I understood then how God worked His purpose amid both sorrow and comfort.

Another example to consider is that God established a purpose when He created us in His image and likeness. However, it is up to each person to recognize and act on it. I can define God's purpose when I am a reflection of willingness and submission to Him, abandon myself into His hands, trust, and obey Him.

His counsel for eternity is immutable. Trusting in His divine plan can strengthen you in every situation. Waiting on His promise can transform darkness into light. The psalmist suggests that we entrust the way to Yahweh; our longings, our thoughts, and our hope in Him, trusting that the best response is the one He has defined.

We have the freedom to make plans and goals, without considering what God has designed, or simply not seeking His guidance. Is it convenient for me or not? Will God agree? How does God see this within His plans? Will He like it?
Yet, entrusting all your plans to Yahweh will bring positive results to your life. He will affirm your thinking, that is, confirm what you should do. When we have a close relationship with God, we get closer to His purposes and can discover what they are. However, you must consider continually seeking Him, and He will make you understand the way you should walk (Ps 32:8).

It is through deep connection in prayer and meditation on His Word that we can discover and define His purpose. How ways can you define God's Purpose in you?

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

All you need to say is simply “Yes” or “No”; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
(Mt 5:37 NIV)

I was baptized in my late teens and was the only Christian in the family. I have a brother who is 12 years younger than me and I would take him to church on Sundays. At one worship service when my brother was four years old, he was having difficulty staying silent during the Lord’s supper and the offering... So I said, “If you don't stay quiet, we're going home!”

A dear brother, who helped me a lot in my Christian journey, turned to me and said quietly so my brother wouldn't hear, “Are you really going to go home if he doesn't keep quiet?” I replied no. He guided me on the importance of keeping my word, if I say I'm going to do something, I need to do what I committed to.

See, my intention wasn't bad; I was an inexperienced 16-year-old trying to get my brother to be respectful during the service. But I knew I wasn't going to do what I said.

One of the most amazing things about God is that He does what He says! “See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you” (Is 42:9). Prophecies give us confidence that just as He fulfilled what He promised the people of Israel, He will also fulfill what He promised us. Imagine experiencing the difficulties of being a Christian and striving to do God's will, denying yourself, without being sure that we can trust what He promised us!

God has integrity. Integrity is a moral principle. Having integrity means all your actions and decisions are consistent and honest. We can trust what He says, “For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does” (Ps 33:4).

Some characteristics of God that show us that His words are honest:

- God is True.

God is true; He is truth itself. God is absolutely trustworthy and true in everything He does.

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Nu 23:19)

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (1 Jn 5:20)

- God is Faithful.

God is absolutely trustworthy. His words don't fail. He shows His faithfulness by keeping His promises. He never breaks a contract between Himself and His creation.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Dt 7:9)

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD. (Ps 117:2)

- God is Unchanging.

God's attributes are unchangeable— He does not change— He is not uncertain or inconsistent. He is perfect. His consistency makes His promises firm, bringing us security and hope.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (Jas 1:17)

I the LORD do not change. (Mal 3:6a)

- God is Infallible.

Infallible means that He does not fail— does not make mistakes. As God is perfect, He does not fail!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Eph 3:20)

I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2)

My desire is that you dedicate yourself to studying the Bible more and more to discover the wonderful words of God—words of love, guidance, encouragement, comfort, and blessings— but mainly the words that bring salvation, those that introduce Jesus, our Lord and Savior, and the only way to eternal life.

Written by Keren Soraia, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, Brazil

Our Lord says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32 NIV). I know this passage is talking about the gospel which gives us salvation and eternal life, but I also believe that it can be applied like this: when we speak the truth, we are free from the possible consequences of sin. When we find someone who tells us the truth, even if it is difficult to hear, we know that we can trust them. Therefore, when we speak the truth, we become trustworthy people.

I thought many times about how to approach this subject — what to say, how to say it. After all, talking about truth is not something our human nature is used to, instead preferring to hide behind lies or omissions, leaving us with the feeling that it is “better this way.” If I lie or omit this fact I won’t have to deal with that person or problem. Our life seems “easier” this way and we don’t notice the resulting problems and consequences. When we do notice, the lie is already a snowball so big that we have no way out other than to resolve the issue and bear the consequences.

Once at my old job, we received a large order for meat. I noticed that this order was taking a long time to come out, and if it was left in the freezer too long, the meat would freeze. Because I was not the supervisor at the time of this order, it was not my problem (yet). But when the part of my shift came when I took over as supervisor, guess what was still in the freezer: the meat. Minutes later, there was an angry customer on the phone. My boss asked what was happening, why the order hadn't been delivered, and an assistant manager asking what he was going to do, why the meats were frozen, and pointing out that if the customer canceled the order, the meats were going to be unsuitable for sale. I thought: what now? Why didn't I say anything—why didn't I resolve it at that time?! Even if it wasn't my responsibility, if I had resolved it, I wouldn't be going through this now. My consequences: stress, a warning, and personally paying for one of the meats that the customer didn't accept.

In the scriptures, we find these passages:

Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.” But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply “Yes” or “No”; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Mt 5:33-37)

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. (Jas 5:12)

These passages talk about similar things such as not swearing by anything and especially by God, and that our yes should mean yes, and our no should mean no. I can't tell you how many times my mother quoted this text to me. I can still clearly hear her. At that time, I didn't understand why. But now I understand: my mother was using the scriptures to teach me about honesty and integrity. She taught me that if I said yes, it should mean yes, and that I should always keep my word so that I would be taken seriously.

Today, being honest and having integrity are such uncommon virtues that when we meet someone like this, it's unusual. They are laughed at, called naive, or told that they don't know how the world works, but that's how Christ calls us to be! We must be honest and have integrity not only concerning money, but with people, feelings, prayers, and especially in our relationship with God.

Having integrity and being honest and true to ourselves frees us from the bonds of sin and the fears that life brings, ready to be filled with the grace and love of God, and it prepares us to pass this grace and love on to others. After all, Christ interacted like this with everyone He met while He was on earth.

Are you and I willing to open our hearts, being true like Christ was?

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

We chose to commit our hearts to God. Good! Now, are we guarding our hearts from whatever might try to take it from God?

Let us think about Solomon, a man who was faithful in his earlier years of life but who turned his heart away from God as he grew older.

Solomon was born because of God’s mercy. His father was David, and his mother was Bathsheba. David had Bathsheba’s husband killed after having an affair with her. As a consequence, God did not allow their first child to live (2Sa 11-12). However, once David repented (2Sa 12:13, Ps 51), God allowed them to have a second child named Solomon (2Sa 12:24).

God loved Solomon, and Solomon loved God (2Sa 12, 1 Ki 3:3). God appeared to Solomon one night in a dream to encourage him to ask for a gift. Solomon, out of humility, asked for a wise and discerning heart. God granted him this and much more, including wealth and honor (1 Ki 3:5-15).

God gave Solomon one condition: “If you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life” (1Ki 3:14, NIV).

Solomon built the temple of God (1Ki 5-6). Out of humility, he prayed that God would let His Name dwell there. God answered and rested His Name on the temple. (1Ki 9, 2Ch 7).

God reiterates to Solomon His one condition: “If you walk before me faithfully with integrity of heart…I will establish your royal throne over Israel…But if you…serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them” (1Ki 9:4-7).

We expect Solomon to be thankful for God’s blessings and to glorify God. But something changed. Solomon, despite having a discerning heart, made a mistake that would turn his heart away from God.

As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.(1Ki 11:4)

Solomon married 700 women of royal birth and had 300 concubines. Some of these women were Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. He allowed his wives to worship their own gods and began to worship their gods, too (1Ki 11:1-3).

Three gods are mentioned by name: 1-Chemosh, the god of the Moabites, was a god of war who would grant victory in battle to those who sacrificed to him (Jdg 11). 2-Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, was also called the Queen of Heaven. She was a goddess of fertility and was Baal’s wife (Jer 44). 3-Molek, the god of the Ammonites, was worshiped through child sacrifice (Lev 18:21). Solomon’s devotion to his wives became a devotion to success, fertility, and child sacrifice. Once Solomon introduced these gods to Israel, Israel continued to worship them for generations (1Ki 11:33).

Solomon is an example of someone whose heart was committed to God but whose commitment became divided. He did not guard his heart, and both he and Israel would face the consequences of their actions. If only Solomon had listened to his own wisdom in Proverbs: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Pr 4:23).

God was angry with Solomon, and He told him that the kingdom of Israel would be torn in two (1Ki 11:9-11). Unlike his father David, Solomon did not repent. In a sad irony, David’s repentance allowed Solomon to live, but Solomon’s lack of repentance led to the downfall of the entire nation of Israel.

Despite Solomon’s actions, God mercifully promised to save one tribe of Israel and Jerusalem (1Ki 11:12-13). That tribe, Judah, is the tribe that Jesus was from.

There are two lessons that can be learned from Solomon’s life.
     1. Guard your heart for God from anyone or anything else that might try to steal it.
     2. God’s heart is committed to you.

In order to keep our hearts committed to God, we need to frequently evaluate our own lives to see whether we are letting anything else lead our hearts astray. Lean on your Iron Rose Sisters through this process.

What do you need to let go of so that you can let God have your whole heart?

Written by Ana Cardoso, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Ecuador

The Word of God says: “For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Ps 100:5 NIV).

Currently, the concept of love is totally distorted by the world, compared to the love that God teaches us. The love we learn from the world is based on the law of giving and receiving in which for you to receive, it is necessary to give. Often, we Christians follow this pattern.

God's love is eternal, faithful, and incomparable. Many times in my life, I have come to doubt God's love, thinking that because I had given in to sin, God would no longer love me and that perhaps He was tired of my excuses, but I have learned over these 19 years that God's faithfulness never ends. He loves me so much and never fails me. Even knowing this, I continue to make mistakes, yet He continues to love me and teach me about His infinite faithfulness. I often compare myself to the people of Israel, who disobeyed God again and again, and I see that God remained faithful to the Israelites, and still does to us to this day.

But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Dt 7:8-9)

If, like me, you feel that God is no longer willing to forgive you for the sins you have committed, remember what John said: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn 1:9). This is one of the promises that God made to us; we just have to confess our sin and believe in the Word.

In 2023, I was in a training program for young missionaries, and at the end of the year, I discovered that my missionary field would be in another country. At the time I didn't have a single dollar saved to buy the ticket. It was at that moment that I saw that God never abandoned me and remained faithful, even if I didn't deserve it. There were days when I let despair overcome me and I didn't remember who was on my side. It was a unique experience where I was able to have the pleasure of seeing the power of God. As I said, I fail with my faithfulness, but God has never failed and will never fail.

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. (2Tm 2:11-13)

Dear sisters, I encourage you to seek to know more about God's love and faithfulness, and most importantly, put it into practice. After I started looking more into this, my perspective changed when I saw challenges appearing before me. Now I can say that I finally understand that God's faithfulness has always reached me, and it reaches you, too.

No one can be perfectly faithful, but our God can! When we are not faithful, He remains faithful because He maintains consistency. And, if God is faithful, we have confidence that we will receive the reward He promised us.

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

When I was growing up, my daddy sometimes told me, “It’s hard to hear God’s voice when you’ve already decided what you want Him to say.”

The Hebrew writer tells us, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb 12:1 ESV).

Picture a runner strapping on ankle weights and a heavy backpack just before an important race. Do you think he will have a good race? This is what the author of Hebrews is talking about when he tells us to lay aside that which can slow us down.

Sin is a weight that slows down or interrupts our walk with Jesus.

We all know how difficult it is to talk to someone through a closed door. When we talk to or listen to our Heavenly Father, we need the door open wide with nothing to hinder communication.

Sin is a barrier…like a closed door…between us and God.

1. Sin often comes with pride…and pride prevents us from listening because we want to be in control. We may have decided what we want God to say.
2. Sin deceives us into thinking God has moved away from us and no longer cares.
3. Indifference, fear, or shame about our sin will close our ears to His voice. The evil one wants us to concentrate on our sin. However, God has told us to give our sin to Him, and He will wash it away.

Contrast the response of Adam and Eve with David when each were confronted about sin. Adam and Eve were afraid and hid. David responded, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2Sa 12:13 NIV).

Have you experienced the pain of avoiding a friend because of “something” that happened?

Now, let’s apply that to our relationship with God. Whether it is an obvious sin that we are aware of, or we’ve simply quit putting God first in our lives and we know things aren’t right, we feel the barrier, and we are no longer hearing Him.

The prophet Habakkuk wrote: “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing” (Hab 1:13). Our Heavenly Father wants us to avoid sin.

The most important thing we need to remember is God will never leave us. We find this promise throughout Scripture. We find it first in Deuteronomy 31:8: “He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Our God pursues us to protect us from sin.

Sin is always the barrier that separates us from feeling connected to God.

Isaiah wrote: “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God” (Isa 59:2 ESV).

God knew this and understood it. This is why He tells us over and over in Scripture to bring our sins before Him so we can be cleansed.

Think on the following Scriptures…about how they give us hope and assurance:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn 1:9 NIV).

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:1,2).

“The blood of Jesus, his Son purifies us from all sin” (1Jn 1:7).

“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One” (1Jn 2:1). Jesus, our Redeemer, is standing beside us as we approach the Father.

With those promises that show the Father’s loving-kindness towards His people, we need to ask ourselves what we are involved in that may hinder us from hearing the words of our Heavenly Father.

Written by Karla Dourado, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in João Pessoa, Brazil

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

Gratitude is an attitude that transforms lives and the way we relate to each other and to God. Words are important. They can edify, encourage, and convert. But true gratitude goes beyond what we say—it is demonstrated by our actions. James 2:17 says that faith without works is dead. Therefore, gratitude must be shown through our attitude.

Gratitude is action: Serving others, helping someone in need, or even carrying out community tasks are good examples of how we can manifest what 1 Peter 4:10 says: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.”

Colossians 3:17 invites us to reflect on the way we live our daily lives and the importance of recognizing and thanking God in every aspect of it, recognizing the blessings we receive, even in the smallest things. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (1Th 5:18).

As I write, I remember the times when I went through difficulty in an area of ​​life: I could only focus on the problem. For some time now, I have been trying to practice gratitude. With this change in mindset, I have been able to defocus from the problem and see lessons for myself that I can share with others.

It was a simple choice, but it has had a huge impact on my life and consequently on those around me.

The depth of this biblical guidance continues to impact my life. The idea that everything I do must be done in the name of the Lord makes me realize that I need to be constantly vigilant so that what I say and what I do are aligned because this represents the faith I profess.

Two years ago, something happened in my life—a really challenging moment. Before, I would have let impulsiveness dominate me... but for two years I have been asking God: How can I act in this situation in the name of Jesus? With this, I have been choosing patience and empathy, rather than anger and guilt.

Instead of getting into arguments, I now choose to wait for God to act, with gratitude for everything that happened in these two years. It is not easy, but it is not impossible when we let the Lord direct us. Breathing and letting God act is rewarding, even amid difficulties.

Today, I can see God's care unfolding in every situation and I can thank Him with sincerity from my heart.

I encourage everyone who reads these brief words to be grateful in any circumstance and experience God's care no matter how complicated the situation seems to be.

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

At the end of a year, we tend to reflect on what we have done well and what we have done poorly. Maybe it hasn’t been about our actions, but rather our attitudes or words.

The New Year’s resolutions made a year ago may be revisited with frustration and regret, joy and gratefulness, or an apathetic shrug. Others may laugh as those best-laid plans flew straight out the window when (fill in the blank) tragedy happened.

As I reflect on the past year, I can choose to remember the moments that highlight my faults, the circumstances that were outside of my control, or the ways that God worked through them. And I can trust that God will continue to work through all things to bring about good (Ro 8:28).

As humans, we fail to maintain the 100% commitment to Christ that He maintains with us. But God knew that already. And He loves us anyway.

As a ministry, we chose to focus on being “committed to Christ,” taken from Paul’s words to the Philippians.

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 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Php 3:7-11 ESV)

Over the course of the year, through our blog posts, you have heard stories from the Bible and testimonies of women committed to Christ, to prayer, and to the resurrection. They described what it means to be a committed disciple and have a committed heart through a committed life. Most recently, we learned about being committed to one another and to giving thanks.

Back in October, we celebrated what it means to be Committed to Listen: Forty Days of Dedication and invited everyone in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to practice that principle through the listening exercises. No matter when, where, what, or how we listen, we commit to listen to Who defines our why.

The book of Colossians has provided a backdrop for several in-person and virtual events emphasizing our commitment to Christ who is in all, above all, through all, and without whom our commitment to Him would be impossible.

A special thank you to our committed volunteers, prayer warriors, and financial partners, not to mention our amazing team and board members, who have all demonstrated their commitment to Christ through their commitment to our vision: equipping women to connect to God and one another more deeply.

For 2025, we are taking the next step in our priority of being committed to Christ. We will expound upon what it looks like to be a committed follower or disciple of Christ… to put His words into practice and “Practice like a Wise Woman” (Mt 7:24).

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

“Come, Lord Jesus!” is my frequent cry, longing for deliverance from the struggles of this world. The burdens of this life—on a personal, familial, congregational, and global level—are overwhelming and daunting. When my thoughts are focused on these afflictions, I lose sight of the eternal perspective. I forget that these are only “light and momentary troubles” (2Co 4:17 NIV).

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2Co 4:16-18 ESV)

I am grateful for the hope of the eternal. God is eternal—the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8). We are invited into the eternal, which He has set in our hearts (Ecc 3:11 NIV). When we “live by faith, not by sight” (2Co 5:7), we taste the eternal and trust the One who sees what we cannot (2Ki 6:17-20; Eph 6:12).

Your word, Lord, is eternal;


it stands firm in the heavens.


Your faithfulness continues through all generations. (Ps 119:89-90a)

I am grateful that I can be set free from sin and death. This broken world is subject to the consequences of sin: death and destruction. And each of us individually is subject to the same. We are wrapped up in sin and death. They consume us as an inescapable law (Ro 8:2), but that does not have to be the end of our story.

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Ro 7:24-25a)

I am grateful for the hope of the resurrection. When we are united with Christ in His death and burial, through baptism, we are invited into the resurrection (Ro 6:1-7). I can have a new life (2Co 5:17). I can be renewed every morning (La 3:23).

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Ro 6:5)

I am grateful for deliverance—now and forever. When I die to myself, I am delivered from the traps that the accuser throws in my path. I walk in newness of life. Satan and death have already been conquered by Christ (Ro 8:1, 37). Through Christ, I am redeemed from the lies that swirl in my mind, fueled by the father of lies (Jn 8:44). The Spirit empowers me to take captive every thought (2Co 10:5).

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2Co 10:3-5)

I am grateful to share the good news with others and share in their joy (Mt 28:18-20).

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. (Ac 8:39)

I am grateful for the Word of Life and the Spirit that reminds me of Truth, especially when I am burdened by this life (Jn 1:1, 14:6).

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (Jn 14:26-27)

Through Christ Jesus our Lord, there are countless things for which we can give thanks. What are you grateful for today?

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

After the Israelites left Egypt, God told them:

You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God. (Ex 20:3-5a ESV)

We don’t know when man first turned to idols, but Joshua tells us, “Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods” (Jos 24:2b).

Later, when Jacob took his family back to his homeland, Laban came after them, accusing them of stealing his gods (Ge 31). In Genesis 35, Jacob tells his household to put away all their foreign gods and purify themselves, Then, they go to Bethel to build an altar to the LORD, whom Jacob affirmed had been with him wherever he had gone.

In Egypt, the Israelites were exposed to the gods of the Egyptians, so when God led His people out of slavery, He wanted them to understand there is one God.

The Israelites were constantly tempted to worship the gods of surrounding peoples. It was not until the Babylonian captivity that the Israelites became mono-theistic. That captivity cured them of worshipping idols.

What do we think of when we hear the word “idol”? A simple definition is anything or anyone that we love and desire more than God, our Heavenly Father, our Creator.

Jesus addressed this desire when He said: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Mt 5:6).

Most of us know what it is to be hungry and thirsty. Jesus wants us to have that same longing for righteousness.

So, what becomes an idol in our lives? Bowing down to a golden calf is not something most of us do, but is it possible we have other things that take the place of God?

It is sometimes said that there is a “God-shaped hole” in our hearts, and we seek to fill that hole. Satan tempts us to fill that hole with something other than God. People attempt to fill that hole with family, job, money, possessions, and many other things, but only God can give the peace and fulfillment that fills the heart.

When Jesus was talking to His disciples in the upper room, He told them, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (Jn 14:27).

A few minutes later He prayed, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one” (Jn 17:15).

We live in the world, and many things attempt to take our focus off of Jesus, of doing His will, of making Him LORD of our life.

When we hunger and thirst after righteousness, striving to do God’s will, the peace Jesus left will fill our hearts.

In 1772, William Cowper penned the words to “O for a Closer Walk with God.” One of the stanzas reads:
         The dearest idol I have known,
         Whate’er that idol be
         Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
         And worship only Thee.

We turn our hearts toward God, seeking His righteousness to fill our hearts. Second Chronicles 12:14 says of Rehoboam, “He did not set his heart to seek the Lord.”

The question we need to answer is, “Do I value anything more than my relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Redeemer?” If we answer “yes,“ what changes do we need to make so we hunger and thirst for righteousness?