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

“Love is a great master. It teaches us to be what we never were.”


(Jean-Baptiste Poquelin aka Molière)

I really do appreciate those words. I appreciate them because they exemplify relationship with Jesus. You see, love invokes a sense of action. It calls on us to do things that, albeit good and wonderful, are often out of our nature. Love calls us to do things we may never have done and to be what we may never have been. Personally, I’ve not much patience for folks who are ill-tempered or self-centered. If someone has wounded my family or friends, it can be considerably troublesome for me to be kind. It is nearly impossible for me to forgive the wicked and ungodly who violate children. And I’m not generally eager to abandon my addictive, gluttonous behaviors with food. I do love those carbs and sugar. A lot!

If I am to do anything to be what I’ve never been—to let love be a great master in my life—I have to be like Jesus. Jesus is love, characterized by all the things that love does (1Co 13:4-8). I must be mastered by Him rather than be mastered by my selfish inclinations. And while there can be no perfection in me for whatever I choose, I can certainly aim to do my best and allow Jesus to guide my path.

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” (Pr 16:9, NKJV) 

I have spent most of my life struggling with morbid obesity, an addictive and unhealthy relationship with food, and a latent self-loathing. I was especially good at denying the animus I had with my body. It’s only been in the last several years that I’ve come to realize the former declarations of “I’m happy” or “I’m not insecure” were actually lies that allowed my struggles with food to master my life. I wasn’t happy in my obesity. I wasn’t happy when I binged. And I wasn’t happy or confident in my body despite my proclamations to the contrary. Rather, I was being mastered by my manipulative tendency instead of letting Jesus master me.

Scripture tells us that “the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you are not to do what you want” (Gal 5:17, NIV). Doing what I wanted—consuming food to extremes for my emotional pleasure—was contrary to the Spirit. It was the sin of gluttony, too, and for an extraordinarily long time, I denied that as well. I wasn’t being mastered by Jesus. In truth, I was being mastered by sin. I was among those “… whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ … headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite” (Php 3:18b-19a, NLT). Wow! I was convicted after God lovingly but firmly reiterated in His word that I needed profound change. That change could only come through letting Jesus master my life rather than my god of food.

“God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and ‘All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil’” (2Ti 2:19b, NLT).

If I were to emulate Jesus, I needed to give up the sin (evil) in my life to be what I never was before. And once I stopped denying that I was being mastered by food, I could begin to be mastered by Jesus. I needed only to give it fully to Him.

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

Owning my addictive behavior and self-manipulation was a first step. Along with support from friends and family, wise counsel, and a good amount of weight loss which resulted in the resolution of all my co-morbidities, I am a different person. I am better because of a change in my thinking. I am better because of renewed focus. But more than those, the thing that has made me better is Jesus!

Jesus is the great Master! He teaches us to be who we never were before. Who will you be that you have never been before with Jesus as your Master?

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

The year 2025 has provided ample opportunity to learn and practice wisdom. As with any type of practice, we did not do it perfectly from the start, but learned along the way and grew as a result. 

Faith is a wise woman practice. It is a noun, but one that implies action. The apostle James stated, “But someone will say, ’You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds”(Jas 2:18 NIV). The more we exercise our faith, the stronger it grows. Others see evidence of our faith by our actions. 

Hebrews 11 is the highlight reel for many heroes of the faith. It is like the social media summary of their spiritual lives. That brief description of their faith does not permit the detailed retelling of what happened throughout their stories. Each of them had to practice their faith over time. Generations later, we see the fruit of their faith. 

Over the past year, women from across the Americas have shared their own words of wisdom as we have highlighted different facets of “Practice Like a Wise Woman.” Whether you read every post as it was published or are a new reader of our blog, we invite you to scroll back through the articles from this past year and reflect on the impact of practicing like wise women who build their houses on the Rock (Mt 7:24).

We should all “Pray about it!” Instead of getting frustrated about what we can’t do, remember when Jesus recognized the woman who sacrificed for Him. In His own words, “She Did What She Could,” preparing Christ’s body for His burial. During the month in which we celebrate the resurrection, we turned to what it means to “Follow in His Steps.” Christ reminds us that we, the church, are His bride. Are you “Rehearsing for the Big Event”? As we practice and prepare, we undergo a “Transformation.” 

During the second half of the year, we looked to scriptural and everyday examples that can say, “Follow Me, As I Follow Christ.” When we do so effectively, we enter into “Disciple Training,” but since that training is riddled with mistakes, also known as learning opportunities, we question: “Practice Makes Perfect?”

Therefore, to finish the year strong, we circled back to our primary emphasis by centering on “Wise Woman Practices,” even demonstrated and discussed in a trilingual virtual event. Through the month of November, during which many practice the spiritual discipline of giving thanks, we “Practiced Thanksgiving.” And then, to finish out the year, we have looked to “Wise Women in Action” as our inspiration in preparation for the new year to come.

Each of these topics has been rooted in faith—a faith we have been putting into practice.

Thank you to our faithful readers, to those who respond with encouragement and feedback, and to those who share these posts with others. It is our prayer that you have been encouraged and equipped in your spiritual walk—to grow closer to God and one another. May we continue to put these things into practice like wise women who build their houses on the Rock and also “Bear Fruit” (Jn 15), our theme for 2026.

Written by Amanda Vilela, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Sergipe, Brazil

The gospels narrate facts about the life of Christ, from His birth to His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. The book of Luke gives us particular details about the first events in Christ’s life on earth. He tells us that Mary was the woman God chose as the instrument for the coming of Christ into the world.

Mary decidedly makes herself available to do God’s will. It is important to remember that Mary was an ordinary young woman, subject to the same weaknesses and challenges that life imposes on us, but she understood the greater purpose of human existence: to give glory solely to God, and worship and serve Him only (Lk 4:8). How beautiful is her example of obedience to God; how sweet were her words:

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. (Lk 1:46-50 NIV)

The figure of Mary is frequently inaccurately interpreted by many who do not understand that glory and praise should be given only to God. All of us humans, even though the Lord is merciful with us and trusts us with great missions, are merely instruments in His hands.

We can extract valuable lessons and teachings from Mary’s story. After all, what made Mary special? Why did the Lord choose her for this mission? Mary had the same thing Sarah, Deborah, Ruth, Abigail, Lydia, and many others who were used by God in His work had: a heart surrendered to the Lord and willing to live in accordance with His will—ordinary women who loved God’s commandments.

Reading the Bible, I admire the way that men and women placed God’s will before their own, as is made clear by the way they presented themselves to the Lord: “Here am I” (Isa 6:8), “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Sa 3:10), and “I am the Lord’s servant” (Lk 1:38).

Mary understood that obeying God would cause radical change in her life. As a result, she ended up becoming a target of persecution. We see this clearly when Mary and Joseph, guided by an angel of God, flee to Egypt fearing persecution from Herod. Obeying God means living a life of self-denial and trust. We are convinced that God will fulfill our needs as He fulfilled those of Mary and Joseph. Even though she carried the Messiah in an “uncomfortable” way during the end of her pregnancy, they continued traveling, trusting in God’s care. They surrendered their lives in obedience to the Lord, with the certainty that His promises would be fulfilled, “For no word from God will ever fail” (Lk 1:37).

Mary trusted that God would be her defender in the face of possible accusations with respect to her integrity as a woman. Above all, Mary’s good example teaches us to put ourselves in the position of servants. Her example teaches us humility, virtue, loyalty, obedience, and a God-fearing heart.

Mary was a woman chosen by God to bring the Savior into the world, and she was at the foot of the cross. She followed His steps and walked with Jesus in His mission, being an example of faith and obedience—a woman after God’s own heart. May Christ help us to walk with faith and to respond to our call as Mary did. “May your word to me be fulfilled” (Lk 1:38).

Written by Ana Teresa Vivas, volunteer for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Canada

At the risk of emphasizing the obvious, I'm going to repeat the title of this blog post: "Men and Women Who Followed in Jesus' Footsteps" and emphasize the highlighted phrase because I want to focus on it.

In the gospels, we can learn the names of the apostles— the twelve closest followers of Jesus. Additionally, we can learn something of their lives and their example as imitators of Him. But there were also other men and women who followed Jesus, if not so closely or from the beginning of His ministry, but still with the same great love and commitment to Him and His work.

We cannot identify them all specifically because there were multitudes who followed Jesus, although many also abandoned Him (Jn 6:66), but we will not talk about these today.

Let's look at this short list:

Luke 19:1-9, Zacchaeus
John 4:46-53, King's Officer
Mark 15:40-41, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James the younger and Joseph, and Salome
Matthew 12:15, A crowd

Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. (Lk 8:1-3, NLT)

These are people, just like you and me, who believed in Jesus. We don't know in detail about their lives as disciples. We only know of their encounters with Him, and we can see their examples of commitment.

Look at the example of the women mentioned in Luke 8:1-3. It impresses me to think of myself in the place of one of them and imagine walking after Jesus two centuries ago. No way! I have so many questions for them, such as what it was like being a woman and living within their culture. And what about the issue of female grooming? They were very confident about who to follow and why. That alone explains their investment of energy, time, and money in Jesus and His evangelistic campaign.

With these people, we can identify and "chew on” what a follower of Jesus looks like and how I can represent that in the 21st century.

Someone who follows in the footsteps of Jesus is willing to change their values (Zacchaeus), is not afraid of threats (Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward), and risks their position (the king's official).

There are many more examples of men and women following Jesus in the gospels, and from all of them, if we stop for a few minutes, we can learn something if we look closely— if we get into that "movie" of the life of Jesus.

Who is a follower then? From the examples that we can find in the four books that narrate Jesus' life, we can conclude that these are some of the characteristics of His followers: they are willing to change their lives, to invest their monetary gains in the work of Jesus, to invest energy and time, and to sacrifice comforts. These are some of the ways those early disciples showed their commitment and set an example of how to follow the Lord.

What other ways can you identify that they were fully engaged? What other things did they sacrifice? How do you see yourself as a follower of Jesus?

Add your answers to these questions in the comments or make any other observations based on the topic of this blog post.

I encourage you and me to look to Jesus 24/7, 365 days a year, and get from Him the motivation to be His faithful followers.

Written byAmy Mathis, Iron Rose Sister Ministries Volunteer In New Mexico 

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

I guess you could say I have had two transformations. The first one happened in March 2024, when I was “re-baptized” [story/explanation in a previous blog post]. After that, I thought I was doing well. I went beyond my comfort zone. I became more involved at church by organizing and leading two ladies’ Bible studies and speaking twice at both the fall and spring "Higher Ground" retreats. I even stepped up in more of a leadership role at work. 

All that changed in June of 2024. At that time, I had a mental health break due to issues within my family. I attempted twice to get inpatient treatment at my local hospital, but due to factors beyond my control, I was unsuccessful. After that I chose outpatient treatment and found that God’s Word was true.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great powers as it is working. (Jas 5:16, ESV)

Thankfully, after seeing some providers that didn't fit, I was able to find a Christian therapist and started a therapy called EMDR [Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing]. Since August of 2024, I have made progress, but I am still working toward my goals. 

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2Co 3:18)

Because of this progress, I am finding the courage to finally get my driver's license when we move to Texas! I can now think of memories about my mother, without dwelling on the bad memories and, instead, remember the good times we had. I am reminding myself of the truth that my miscarriage was not my fault, as I had been thinking before. 

So, I guess you can say that I am working on my second transformation and with my Lord and Savior's help, I can add to my imperfect testimony in Christ! 

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20)

From Michelle J. Goff: Amy, thank you for bravely sharing your ongoing testimony of transformation! Thank you for sharing the truths In Scripture that have been significant for you in this process. And thank you for letting Christ be the author of your transformation.

Dearest reader of our blog: If you struggle with some of the similar lies and challenging issues within your family, I want to recommend one of our most popular books recently: Who Has the Last Word? Cutting through Satan's Lies with the Truth of God's Word. You will be guided to recognize the lie, replace the lie with truth, and remember the truth through a specific Bible verse. Let's join together In our Imperfect testimonies of transformation in Christ.

Written by Marbella Parra, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Honduras

In my Christian life, I have gone through different stages. There have been times when I have felt that I was doing things for God, but I didn't really feel close to Him. More than once, I have wondered how I can diagnose and evaluate my spiritual life. Have you ever felt the same way or asked yourself the same question? What method can we use to evaluate our spiritual life and our relationship with God? In this blog article, we will analyze the teachings of the apostle Paul in Galatians 5 and Romans 8 to define what spirituality is and learn how to create our own thermometer to analyze our relationship with God.

When we talk about spirituality, we tend to confuse some aspects. Many times, we qualify as spiritual, someone who practices spiritual disciplines, that is, someone who prays, meditates on the Scriptures, and attends services, among other things. However, while spiritual disciplines lead us to spirituality, they are not the definitive sign that we are truly spiritual. As we read Romans 8 and Galatians 5, we note that the apostle Paul describes a spiritual person as one who is led by the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit (e.g. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control in Gal 5:22-23). In this sense, being spiritual is not so much about a set of activities we perform but about a state: a level of connection with God. At this level of relationship with God, the Holy Spirit greatly influences us, enabling us to have attitudes that reflect Christ's character and abandon carnal attitudes.

Unfortunately, many of us have reversed the formula. We believe that through great willpower we must reach a level of perfection that allows us to be worthy of God. However, the good news is that even though we are unworthy, through Jesus' sacrifice, we have the opportunity to be forgiven and receive the Holy Spirit. In the letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul states that we are adopted as children of God and receive the Spirit by which we can call Him "Daddy." What a powerful and consoling message! This means that if we want to develop the character of Christ, the only way to do so is to seek God with a humbled heart and entrust ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The formula is that the more we seek Him and humble ourselves before Him, the closer we are to God, and we are transformed and empowered by His Holy Spirit.

We can then say that a heart that is close to God is one that humbles itself before Him and rests in the grace received through Jesus. The result of this is a person who is in a process of sanctification through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to live in the image of Christ. With this in mind, our actions are a sign of our nearness or distance from God. If a person is close to God, he will reflect Him through the fruit of the Spirit, but also, a person who is far from Him will reflect Him through the fruit of the flesh. In short, my sinful actions are the symptoms of drifting away from God, and my good deeds are the symptoms of becoming close to Him.

From this, we can create a personal spiritual thermometer that helps us identify in ourselves how close or far we are from God. A thermometer needs a positive measurement scale, so for this part, we will use the fruit of the Holy Spirit as a reference. We also need a negative measurement scale for which we will use the fruit of the flesh. Our diagnostic process (which should be daily) involves evaluating our attitudes, thoughts, and words throughout the day and seeing in which direction they move. Are my actions, thoughts, and words a reflection of the fruit of the Holy Spirit? If the answer is no, this is a symptom that our heart is not close to God. At those times, let’s set aside time to seek His presence, repent, and ask for His guidance and the control of His Holy Spirit. If the answer is yes, let us give glory to God because we know that the good that is in us does not come from our effort, but from the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, so we must continue to seek Him daily to continue to be perfected in Him.

Would you be willing to use this spiritual thermometer every day? Do you think it would help you grow in your commitment to God?

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

Be perfect. Be holy. These words ring in my ears over and over… and I hurt, because I know my weak spots. Can you identify? Have you had those feelings?

First Peter 1:15-16 tells us: “…as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (ESV).

The Savior said, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).

I see these commands as the path our lives should take so we better understand our Heavenly Father's desire for us to follow Him. We sin… none of us are righteous (Ro 3:10), but when we obey Jesus and are baptized for the remission of sins, His righteousness covers us (2Co 5:21; Php 3:9; Gal 3:27; Eph 4:24).

God told Samuel that He looks on the heart (1Sa 16:7).

At Antioch, Paul told those present that David was a man after God’s own heart (Ac 13:22).

When I read this, I think of David as a man who wanted more than anything to do God’s will, despite the battles he sometimes had with Satan… and David, like we do, sometimes lost those battles with Satan.

A verse that is special to me is Psalm 25:7, where David writes: “Remember not the sins of my youth.” All of us understand that as we grow in our relationship with God, we realize we made some poor decisions in our earlier lives that we would not make now simply because of the experience we have in life. We have to learn how to deal with peer pressure, to learn to control desires when something looks good but is wrong, and sometimes by simply learning it is ok, and right, to say “no.”

In Psalm 51 David cries out for God to “create within [him] a clean heart.” The Hebrew word David used for “create” is the same word in Genesis 1:1… something only God can do.

What do you think God looks for in a heart that seeks Him? I think of the following:

1. God wants my heart to love Him. “…Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (Dt 30:6b). ”…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Mt 22:37b).
2. God wants my heart to put Him first. “You shall have no other gods before me” (Ex 20:3).
3. God wants my heart to serve Him. “…serve him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Dt 11:13b).
4. God wants my heart to keep His Word. “This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul” (Dt 26:16).
5. God wants my heart to seek Him. “And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul” (2Ch 15:12). “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer 29:13).
6. God wants my heart to follow Him. “…My servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, doing only that which was right in my eyes” (1Ki 14:8b).
7. God wants my heart to praise Him. “I will glorify your name forever” (Ps 86:12b).
8. God wants my heart to trust Him. "For our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name” (Ps 33:21). “In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (Ps 56:4).
9. God wants my heart to have unwavering faith in Him. “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (Jn 11:25, 26).

I believe God said of David: “I have found a man who cares about the things I care about.”

I need to ask: What am I doing in my life to make sure the things important to me are the same things that are important to my Heavenly Father?

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

Jesus the Vine (Jn 15) desires that we who are attached to Him bear fruit that will last, beginning with planting seeds of God’s Word. In His day, unlikely people hungered for the righteousness He freely offered: sinners, prostitutes, tax collectors. Only God knows if a heart is hard or fertile to receive His Word.

The disciples of Jesus set the example for us, learning to plant seeds of the Word and continuing to do so after Jesus ascended into Heaven. Listen to this account in the book of Acts:

At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles…Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.(Ac 8:1b,4 NKJV)

 Disciples scattered seeds everywhere!What a beautiful picture! And of all things, persecution motivated them. Saul, the driven persecutor of Christians, became Paul the master sower, overwhelmed by the truth of Jesus’s grace and mercy. He explains one technique to the church in Corinth: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase”(1Co 3:6).

Today, many souls are weary, parched, and starving, in great need of spiritual nourishment, just as in the time of Christ. Consider these words:

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”(Mt 9:36-38)

Have you ever been moved like Jesus? You see a crowd of people somewhere, maybe an airport or some type of gathering, and realize that many of them, hurrying on their way with who-knows-whatgoing on in their lives, need Jesus. You might feel overwhelmed and think, “What can I do? I’m just one person!”Perhaps Jesus would say, “Just share the Good News -- one soul at a time. Plant or water what others may have planted, and I will give the increase into My Kingdom.”

But you might think, “I don’t know the Bible well enough,” or ”What would I say?“, “That’s not my gift,” or ”I’m afraid of rejection.”

Here are a few things that can help in planting and watering God’s beautiful seeds:

1. Above all else, draw close to Jesus daily in His Word and prayer, and let His Spirit fill you with love, mercy, and grace. Here’s an encouraging scripture: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus”(Ac 4:13).

2. Since you know how much you’ve been given, plant seeds of Christ’s love to soften hearts (2Co 5:14 NIV). The Christian singer, Olivia Lane, shared on the Sirius XM station The Messagethat it wasn’t going to church or reading the Bible that brought her to Christ. It was two believers loving on her and sharing the healing Christ wanted to give that produced lasting fruit.

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to let love overcome fear and begin a conversation. Here are some suggestions: Start simple. “Are you a person of faith?” (without assuming anything). Let them share. Listen. Ask questions. Direct them to Jesus and what He’s done in your life. Share His love for them and the price He paid. “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God”(2Co 5:21).Ask if they’d like to read one of the Gospels, like Luke or John, with you, whether familiar or unfamiliar with the Bible.

4. Keep praying for the person in whom you plant or waterthat God’s Spirit would powerfully work, whether you see them again or not.

Love. Share Jesus. Keep planting and watering. Pray!May you witness God giving the increase here on earth! We may not see some of the results in this life, but how wonderful to meet souls in Heaven in whom we planted Jesus’s Word!

Will you share with another Christian the suggestions above and encourage one another? God will work in you!

Written by Rianna Elmshaeuser, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colorado

One of the most comforting memes I’ve ever seen says, “When God put a calling on your life, he already factored in your stupidity.” When God calls us to something, it can be exciting and terrifying all at once. Feelings of “I want this but I have no idea what I’m doing,” and ”What if I mess it up and souls are lost because I was mistaken about my calling” race through our minds. To put my favorite meme another way, God knows everything about you; good and bad, your level of competence, the family you’re from, the church you attend, your deepest fears and failings, the questionable and sometimes destructive patterns in your life. He looked at all of that and He said, “You. I pick you.”

When God called Isaiah in Isaiah 6, the prophet was distressed because he wasn’t perfect and had sinned. After pointing this out to God, Isaiah was cleansed of his guilt and sins. God called again and Isaiah said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa 6:8b NIV). If we have obeyed the gospel and are followers of Christ, we are in the same position as Isaiah. I know people like Isaiah who have something put on their hearts by God and are able to seize the opportunity placed before them without hesitation. God says, “Jump,” and they say, “How high?”

I wish this were the case for me, but it is not. On the spectrum of taking a leap of faith, I fall a lot closer to Moses than I do Isaiah. Let’s look at Moses’ calling by God which started with a miracle and goes on for two chapters. After witnessing the miracle of an ever-burning bush, Moses is told to go to the elders of Israel and convince them, who already believe in God, to go to the king. God tells Moses exactly what he should say and what God will do to convince Pharoah to let the Israelites go. I want to pause and just note that, wouldn’t that be great? Not only would you have a whole crowd of people with you to confront the most powerful king in the world at the time, but God says, “Here is the game plan and how the future will play out.”

Moses argues and argues even after more miracles are performed for him until God gets angry. He is being told to speak again and again and again by Almighty God of whom he has the good sense to be very afraid and he still asks Him to send someone else. But in Exodus 4:14, we see that God already knew that Moses, in addition to being the meekest man that ever lived, had an unmatched and unrivaled fear of public speaking for all of time.

Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, ‘What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you’”. (Ex 4:14)

God wanted Moses to trust Him, but He knew how hard that would be, so He called Moses’ brother out to the wilderness before His conversation with Moses.

It is easy to look at Moses’ story and shake my head in awe at his stubbornness. But then when I look at my own life, I know that I need constant reassurance from God in my calling. God is patient and faithful and always provides it, but when will I push Him too far? Take a look at your own life. Is there something that you feel pushed to do but have found reason after reason after reason not to do it? God has demonstrated and documented His ultimate power for all of us yet somehow we manage to believe that He cannot overcome our individual personality flaws.

I recently started my Master’s program to become a counselor and on the first day of class, the professor asked everyone why they chose Denver Seminary. The stories everyone told were fascinating. There were people from Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and all over the United States. Each person had a unique story. Some were not sure exactly how they wound up at this school. Some had dreamed of coming there. There was one person who had desperately tried to leave the area to get away from home but wound up five minutes from her house.

What I am taking away from the stories shared and from Isaiah and Moses is that when God puts a calling on your life, trust Him. He knows what He’s doing, and He picked you for a reason.

By Wendy Neill, IRSM’s Partners Ambassador 

When we live our lives as wise women following our Savior, we will be invited to the biggest and greatest event in all of history: the Second Coming of Christ. I love to visualize that day. I think of it as three events in one:

1. The Ultimate Royal Wedding
2. The Master’s Feast
3. A Victorious Celebration

The Ultimate Royal Wedding

All royal weddings, celebrity weddings, and movie weddings pale in comparison to the wedding we await in heaven. We know the groom is our precious Savior, Jesus Christ. Who is the bride? Your initial response might be “Me!” But let’s look in the Bible to get the bigger picture.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.(Eph 5:25-27 NKJV)

Jesus washes His bride, the church, cleansing her of anything impure to “present her to Himself.” In Revelation 19, John tells us our good works are the clean linen that makes up the gown of the bride. 

“The wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.) Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" (Rev 19:7-9 NIV)

I can’t wait to participate in this wedding of the ages and to enjoy the wedding supper of the Lamb.

The Master’s Feast 

See what you think of this vivid language in Isaiah regarding the feast God prepares: 

On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. (Isa 25:6-8)

When I taught this lesson to our ladies’ class, I conspired with our seniors to surprise my class with a heavenly banquet. Some brought homemade treats, some gave me money to buy what I needed, and some came ahead for a few hours and decorated the table with fresh flowers, lovely place settings, and little goblets. With the money, I bought a chocolate fountain and set various fruits and other dippable foods around it. It was an evening to remember. We left a seat at the head of the table for Christ, anticipating feasting with Him in heaven.

A Victorious Celebration

In the United States, we have “March Madness,” a national college basketball tournament. “Underdogs” (teams that haven’t won as many games) often beat the favored teams. In 2021, the college I had attended managed to get into the tournament. Although they were serious underdogs, I still chose them to win out of loyalty. Sure enough, they beat the University of Texas by one point! You can imagine the celebration on that court. Everyone was bouncing like pogo sticks, hugging one another, and exchanging high fives.  

As Christians, we sometimes feel like we are the underdogs. Satan appears to be winning. But unlike sports teams, we know that we are going to win, and Satan will lose. 

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Rev 20:10)

We aren’t the only ones who will celebrate the victory. In Revelation 5:11-14, we see “thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand” angels and every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea singing to our worthy champion: the Lamb. Imagine all those angels and animals singing in a tidal wave of sound that doesn’t hurt your ears but is utterly thrilling.  

Are you eagerly anticipating the big event: The Ultimate Royal Wedding, the Master’s Feast, and a Victorious Celebration? 

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

“Mercy triumphs over judgment!” (Jas 2:13b NIV)

I grew up in a very strict environment. The achievements, rarely celebrated, were seen as “she did no more than her obligation.” On the other hand, failures brought many punishments and were often remembered again, and again and again…

At the beginning of my Christian life, someone explained to me the difference between God's grace and God's mercy. In short: Grace—receiving something we don't deserve—salvation and eternal life. Mercy—not receiving something we deserve—punishment for sin and eternal death. “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” (Eph 2:4-5).

We win on both sides! This didn't come for free, although it is for us! But not for God! “You were bought at a price” (1Co 6:20a). John the Baptist presented Jesus as the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29), and, by taking away our sin, He promises us eternal life (1Jn 2:25).

God's greatest mercy is to free us from eternal death, which is the consequence of our sin, and that in itself is a reason for great joy and celebration. But God's mercy is inexhaustible (La 3:22), and He gives us the chance to rewrite our story, and to live a new life here on earth! Yet another reason to celebrate! Although we need to deal with the consequences of our actions, we have the chance to live here as new creatures and feel the transformation of God in our actions, words, and even wills.

And part of celebrating God’s mercy is extending that mercy to others: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36). The parable of the unmerciful servant teaches us a valuable lesson: our failure to do God's will— our sin— is more serious than any offense anyone could commit against us (Mt 18:21-35).

“You wicked servant… I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” (Mt 18:32-33). Part of the Christian life is showing the world the light of Jesus. When we are merciful to the people around us, we show our gratitude to God and celebrate the mercy He has given us.

Another way to celebrate is to proclaim this mercy so that other people can also experience it. Living with God, knowing that His goodness and mercy are with us, changes our lives. After all, it is impossible not to have your life transformed by knowing Christ, with eternal life in perspective! “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made” (Ps 145:8-9). In a world full of evil, knowing God's goodness and mercy brings us comfort, encouragement, and purpose.

Another way to celebrate God's mercy is to remember it! When we know God and become aware of our sins, God's mercy touches us. We feel the love of God, expressed in His mercy in sending His only Son, the love that compels us, that led Him to become flesh so that we could be with them eternally. Gratitude and remembrance of God's mercy should not only be in our hearts at the moment of our conversion. They should be a significant part of our ongoing walk of faith. And so, in moments of failure and stumbling, when guilt and shame overwhelm us, let us remember that we can go to our merciful Father. May the memory of His open arms, full of mercy, bring us the courage to not move away from His path after falling.

May we be aware and rejoice in the mercy we receive from God, may we cry out for His mercy in the valleys of our lives, and may we proclaim to everyone how this mercy can also reach them!

In Psalm 89, the psalmist feels so grateful. He contemplates the wonderful actions of the LORD and has a clear intention: “I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations” (Ps 89:1).

How will you celebrate God’s infinite mercy today?

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

Have you ever had someone look at you like you were crazy when you talked about God? I have.

My favorite subject is heaven. My greatest joy is encouraging people to look forward to eating twelve crops of fruit from the tree of life (Rev 22:2,14,19), drinking the water of life (Rev 22:1,17), and worshiping God on His sapphire throne surrounded by a rainbow that resembles an emerald (Eze 1:26-28; Rev 4:2-3). I can understand why some people think that sounds crazy!

Apparently, there were people who thought Paul was not right in the head. In 2 Corinthians 5, he is also excited about heaven! He talks about the new eternal body we will get once this earthly body (our “tent”) is destroyed or taken down (v. 1). He says he would rather be away from the body (in other words, dead), and at home with Christ in heaven (v. 8). Paul knew his words sounded like lunacy to some and like logic to others:

If we are "out of our mind," as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2Co 5:13-15 NIV)

He doesn’t care if he appears out of his mind or of sound mind. Christ’s love compels Paul to teach because he is convinced of the good news. If we are fully convinced that Christ died for all of us, we can stop worrying about what people think about our state of mind, and just live for Him.

That’s not easy, is it? We don’t like to look crazy. Even if we share with others what Christ has done, we might focus on the more “logical” aspects, or the inoffensive bits. But even Jesus was accused of being out of His mind (Mk 3:21, Jn 10:20). As His followers, we can expect the same treatment.

Today is a good day to quit being self-conscious and instead, be “out of our minds” for Christ and our future hope.

• Are you willing to appear “out of your mind” for Christ?
• Are you compelled to speak because you are convinced?

Need inspiration? Listen to the song “Crazy People” by Casting Crowns.

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

[Let us fix] our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:2 NIV)

What does it mean to persevere? It is to maintain a purpose or to continue in a course of action despite difficulty. The key to perseverance is persistence in the face of challenge. We are called to persevere as committed disciples…

• Despite what other people think, say, or do. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Ro 12:2).
• Despite the deceptive draw of sin. “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).
• Despite our past. Consider Acts 9:20-22. Do you think that Paul ever heard negative comments about his former lifestyle of persecuting the Lord’s church? Yet he writes, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Php 3:13b-14).
• Despite thorns in the flesh. Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove his physical struggle.

But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2Co 12:9-10)

Let this be our humble attitude regarding our health issues, current struggles, and burdens we bear. We can learn thankfulness for our trials as we allow them to lead us closer to Christ.

Why do we persevere? We persevere to…

• Finish the race. “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” (Jas 1:12).
• Reap a harvest. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal 6:9).
• Receive the blessings of righteousness, peace, and sharing in God’s holiness. “God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Heb 12:10b-11).
• Strive for maturity and completeness. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (Jas 1:2-4).
• Encounter the power and goodness of God. “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (Jas 5:11).
• Experience opportunities to help and comfort others. “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).

How do we persevere?

We set our sights on Jesus. We meditate on the life of Christ, the teachings of Christ, the sufferings of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, the promises of Christ, and the glory of Christ. We contemplate what it will be like to finally be home with Jesus, at last, eternally in heaven. We eagerly anticipate the return of our beloved Lord, long for that day, and speed its coming (2Pe 3:12). With our words and with our hearts, we say, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1Pe 1:7-9)

By Wendy Neill, IRSM Advancement Coordinator in Arkansas

As you may know, our theme for this year as a ministry is “Committed to Christ, 24/7 in 2024.” This month, we are focused on being Committed Disciples.

James, the brother of Jesus, was a prominent leader among the New Testament churches. He wrote the book of James to early Christians, and he leads off with a pretty shocking statement: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (Jas 1:2 NIV). Joy is not the emotion I usually feel when I face trials. So why does he say that? Let’s keep reading: “...because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (Jas 1:3-4).

Joy comes from knowing that those trials do the important work of producing perseverance, making us mature and complete, so we don’t lack anything. I can get more excited about that.

But what really ramps up my joy is found further down in verse 12: “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” (Jas 1:12). Now I’m with you, James! I can see the process and how I can consider it joy:

Commitment to Christ -> Trials -> Perseverance -> Maturity -> Crown of Life!

In chapter five, James brings up perseverance again: “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (Jas 5:11). Job went through extreme trials that I hope you never have to face. But James is reminding us: look what God did for Job in the end!

Like James, I am a big believer of keeping the end in mind, especially when it comes to Heaven. When we set our eyes, our minds, and our hearts on the “end game,” it makes it easier to keep putting one foot in front of the other in faith. My favorite verses about perseverance are the “overcomer” verses in Revelation, chapters two and three. Take some time to read those two chapters and look for this pattern: “To him who overcomes, I will give_______.” (NOTE: the NKJV uses “who overcomes,” while other versions use “who is victorious.”)

I’ll whet your appetite by giving you the first one: "To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God" (Rev 2:7b NKJV). James told us we will receive the crown of life if we persevere, but we learn from John in Revelation that we will also eat from the tree of life in Paradise! I can definitely feel joy when I keep that end in mind! Keep reading those two chapters and you will find more exciting promises for those who overcome.

We all face trials that test our commitment to Christ. Sometimes we must persevere through “big” trials:

• Trusting God through a medical diagnosis that turns our world upside down.
• Holding His hand through the unexpected death of a loved one.
• Bringing Him our doubts about His plans.

Sometimes we persevere through our everyday, “mundane” trials:

• Stopping those hurtful words from escaping our lips during an argument.
• Turning our eyes away from images that corrupt our minds.
• Extending grace and acceptance to the coworker who is hard to be around.

Big or small, God sees your perseverance and will reward you.

Are there “big” trials you are facing right now? What “mundane” trials do you struggle with? Which of the “end game” promises above would help you persevere in your commitment to God?

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal 6:9 NIV).

Written byDeanna Brooks, Volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

 Thanksgiving…gratitude…appreciation. Most of us were probably taught the importance of thanking someone when they did something for us. 

In the United States, we have a day in November that we call Thanksgiving. Families and friends often gather to share a meal. They may watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and often a football game. But I wonder how much time is spent in actually being thankful… not just for our physical blessings, but for a God who loves us deeply. 

In Ephesians 5:20, the apostle Paul encourages us with these words: “…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”(ESV). 

“Giving thanks always” …do we do that? 

David, a man after God’s own heart, penned many psalms of thanksgiving. What makes David’s words so special to me is that he had a lot of struggles: he had to run and hide from King Saul for about 10 years… his sin with Bathsheba… constant battles against Israel’s enemies… and discord within his own house among his children. 

Still, he had a heart of thankfulness.

1 Chronicles 16:8-36 is a song of David when the ark was returned to Jerusalem after being taken by the Philistines. In verses 8 and 9, we see David bursting out in thankfulness and praise: “Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!” 

Throughout the book of Psalms, there are many expressions of thanksgiving written by David. 

Psalm 100 is the one many people think of first: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations!” (Verses 4, 5).

In Psalm 111, David begins by saying he will give thanks to the Lord with his whole heart. 

Psalm 30 seems to have been written after a near-death experience…perhaps when David was fleeing from King Saul…and he closes verse 12 with these words: “O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!”

Psalm 9 was probably written after a victory over one of Israel’s enemies, and in verse 1, David says, “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”

In Psalm 28:7, David acknowledges the Lord as his strength and shield: 

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.”

Psalm 119 shows David’s heart for the Lord as he praises Him with thankfulness: 

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day” (verse 97).

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (verse 103).

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (verse 105).

“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart” (verse 111). 

These are just a few of the writings of David that show why he is called “a man after God’s own heart” (1Sa 13:14, Ac 13:22). 

The key to David’s being a man after God’s heart is found in Psalm 119:10: “…with my whole heart I seek you.” 

In reading through the Psalms, one thing that stands out to me is that David was continually meditating on God‘s goodness, what God had done, and how God was continuing to both pursue and protect David… not only from his enemies, but from his own sins. David’s response was one of thankfulness. 

God continues to pursue us with the same diligence today. In Psalm 23:6, we read, “Surely goodness, and mercy shall follow me.”  The Hebrew word for “follow” means an “intense pursuit” … like a lion chasing its prey. God wants to rescue us from the clutches of Satan. Is our response to His pursuit like that of David… a heart seeking Him and filled with thankfulness?

Written byRianna Elmshaeuser, Volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colorado

I used to have a job for the state of Colorado, where I went to various courthouses in a judicial district and typed out hearings and trials at the highest levels of criminality. I will not go into detail, but I heard the worst of what humans do to one another. I sat in the courtroom with evil regularly. I am a sensitive person, and this job of eight years took an extreme toll on my soul and mental health. When I left that job, I was in bad shape. I would spend my evenings drowning out my thoughts with television, YouTube, or whatever noise I could find. There was no peace in my mind. Many a night, I would weep alone in the dark. I found it difficult to exist in a world where there was such evil.

Today, I am in a much better place. I have a relationship and connection with God and others that I never dreamed possible. I still suffer some of the effects of that job on occasion, which causes a loved one to sometimes comment that they wish I had never had that job. The funny thing is, I do not wish that. In fact, I am grateful for it.  

It was that work that forced me to wrestle with deep questions about God and the things He allows to happen. It caused me to focus on the things that matter when it comes to sharing Jesus with people. It opened my eyes to the reality that while we sit in our little churches and bicker about how the communion trays are passed and whether the doors in the back are opened or closed during services, the Enemy is ravaging the world just outside our doors, and much of the time, we are doing nothing about it. That work gave me a passion for those who have no one in their life who has ever shown them true, real love—Jesus’ love.  

I left that job in 2019 and went back to school. This past fall, I started the second year of my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling. I have enough experience now (though not much) that I can say with confidence that it is the work God created me to do. I am learning skills to help people heal, learn how to be loved, and find God in suffering. I have done a significant amount of healing myself on this journey. I would never have found any of the beautiful relationships I have today if I had never had that job. 

James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (NIV).

These verses do NOT mean we must be happy when going through hard seasons and situations. I now know that this means that we should consider it joy because our trials will be productive. When we are enduring unbearable pain and suffering, God is with us in the thick of it, and He is bringing about growth.

My hard times did not end when I left my State job. 2024 was another year of great heartache and loss. But as I endured this season, I knew that from it, God would bring about greater blessings in my heart and my life. I have already begun to see the growth in myself, and I know that more is still to come. While none of us ever wishes for trials of any kind, we can consider them joy when they do come, because we know God is with us, for us, and growing us through the pain.

Written by Marissa Gonzáles, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Guatemala

"Pray continually." (1Th 5:17 NIV)

As we read this verse, many of us may ask ourselves, “How can I accomplish this?”

Although some of us learned to pray from our parents or from someone who guided us in our spiritual lives, others did not have that support or teaching—they learned in the process of their growth in faith.

At some point in our lives, we all ask ourselves, “How should I pray? What will be the best way to do it?” Or we worry, “Why is our prayer not as fluid as others?”

Remember, praying is like conversing with someone very close to you to whom you want to tell everything you are going through or your life plans. In it, we find and achieve a close connection, and who better to do this with than our Heavenly Father—remembering that He is the center of everything and that our relationship with Him strengthens our life, faith, and prayers. When you start in prayer, it does not need to be extensive; start small, from your heart, and over time, it will become easier and more fluid.

Remember Jesus saying, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Mt 6:6).

Whenever possible, find a place without distractions where you feel comfortable. I know that for moms, grandmothers, or those in charge of a little one, it is not easy to have these spaces. But as soon as you have those little quiet moments, take advantage of them! Give yourself some time for your communication with God, especially if it's at the beginning of the day, and find a place where you feel safe, and where you can connect and know that He hears you. Jesus set the example for us.

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mk 1:35)

I know it may not be easy to get started, but something that helped me was to make a list of thanksgiving where I could write simple things: thanks for light, cold, heat, etc. Your list may initially be small, but you'll gradually add more. Also, consider in that list what you think are "bad" things; for example, you left home late, the tire of your car or motorcycle was punctured, the transportion you were awaiting was delayed, etc. You'll say, “Be thankful for that?!” Yes, there's something good in everything. What seems bad to you will leave you with a lesson learned, or it will free you from something more unpleasant than just the displeasure of the moment.

Remember the fruit of the Holy Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-25)

And remember, praying isn't just about exposing all the needs or difficulties you're going through; it's not even just asking for what you don't have. Rather, it is the means to find peace as you connect with our Father, being grateful for what He allowed you to experience whether it is considered good or bad.

So, start by expressing thanks for every moment... Thank you, God, for this day, thank you for my family, thank you for the coffee, thank you...

Some may say, "How can you give thanks even for coffee?” Yes, we should also be thankful for little things like that because they give us pleasant and comfortable moments! By doing this, we improve our dialogue with God because it will no longer be just about giving thanks; we will also be mindful of why we say thank you. We will understand every situation in our daily lives, and we will be aware that we can change our attitude towards life and others, and that's where our relationship with God will grow.

With this as a foundation, you will form your prayer. Remember that Jesus left us guidance and an example when He prayed to the Father (Mt 6:7-15). Honoring our Heavenly Father, let us humbly present ourselves, ask Him for forgiveness for those faults we have committed, thank Him, express our love and trust in Him, and express what we feel from the heart— total dependency (24x7).

Be thoughtful about your prayers. Which do you do more: asking or being thankful?

Written by Amanda Miriam, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in João Pessoa, Brazil

Dear sister, it is with great gratitude that I share with you some of my reflections based on the theme that I was given. I recommend that you have your Bible in hand, pray, and ask the Lord to speak to you through His Word. We have a precious theme here.

In chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke, three parables are presented. They speak about the lost: the sheep, the coin, and the son. But before we delve into the parables, the text speaks about who was present while Jesus was teaching. In verses 1 and 2, the audience is basically divided into two groups: the tax collectors and sinners, who were the "listeners," and the Pharisees and teachers of the law, who were the "critics."

The group of "critics" thought it completely absurd that Jesus sat at the table with tax collectors and sinners. They considered themselves worthy, superior, and above sinners, yet they were incapable of hearing what Jesus was saying.

My prayer is that we may be among those who hear what Jesus has to say, those who know exactly where they were when they were found by the Lord, and the high price that He paid so that we might be restored and brought back with great joy to the Father's house. Once restored, our mission is to go and take the gospel to every creature; our mission is not to criticize or choose who will or will not hear about Christ. We need to go and seek with compassion and joy those who are lost, without pride or superiority; the gospel is for everyone.

Three situations were presented: the man who went in search of the sheep, the woman who swept her house looking for the coin, and the father who had to wait for the return of his son, who decided to leave. What happens in our hearts while we search? What comes to our minds while we wait? Verse 22 says that the father, full of compassion, received his son back. There are various contexts in which our mission of "go" (Mt 28:18-19) will be fulfilled; we will seek the lost in different situations, but the Word reveals to us that prayer is a powerful tool in all of them. First Thessalonians 5:17 says: "Pray continually" (NIV).

Matthew 17:14-21 tells of the healing of a demon-possessed boy. The boy's father came to Jesus, pleading with Him to heal his son, since he had already sought help from the discipleswho were unable to heal him. Jesus healed the boy, told the disciples that faith the size of a mustard seed could move mountains, and concluded by saying, "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (NKJV).

Regardless of the situation and who the lost soul you are seeking may be, pray! We need to nourish our faith with the Word of Truth and with constant prayer so that we may have compassionate hearts that are not critical or resentful.

Sister, can you think of someone you've repeatedly tried to bring to Christ? If you haven't yet experienced the joy of witnessing that encounter, persevere in prayer. Can you think of someone in your home who isn't yet in Christ? Persevere in prayer. Is there someone who has left the Father's house and you're waiting for them to return? Persevere in prayer.

If you can, take some time and pray once more for those whom God has placed in your path and who need to be rescued. May we persevere, and may the Lord guide us every step of the way in this mission.

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

“...On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.” (Ps. 63:6 NIV)

Ever since I came to know the love and mercy of a Sovereign God, prayer has been a sublime spiritual activity. In prayer, soul and Divinity are connected, making possible the experience of life and healing. Today, being committed to Christ, every moment leads me to a fuller relationship with Him and, therefore, to follow the model prayer that He left us.

In my childhood, the prayer I learned from the Lord's Prayer became that direct conversation with Him. I didn't know then that this prayer would be the reference pattern for structuring my prayers in a particular way in vigils, by day and by night, where it would fill me with faith and spiritual awareness.

I remember that almost 25 years ago, I entered the hospital to give birth to my first daughter. It was a rainy night and one of the times when I began to pour myself out in prayer. Sorting out my thoughts and feelings, I recognized the grandeur of that moment of waiting, knowing that it was He who was with me.

At that moment, the pattern of prayer I learned as a child flashed through my mind, and in that experience, Almighty God and His purposes led me to cry out for sanctification in His holy name. Driven to do His will in that moment of uncertainty, not knowing what would happen, in that moment I came to ask for forgiveness with all my being and that I would forgive those who had offended me.. In the midst of pain unknown and new to me, I was filled with strength, concentration, and security that led to the success of a new life for the glory of God. This situation filled me with spiritual satisfaction from that moment until today. I have chosen that which allows my heart and soul to reject the sinful nature which counteracts the spiritual by separating me from God, , but instead nourishes me in this race of life.

From then on, every night vigil has comforted me. I know that in the presence of the Eternal and in uninterrupted intimate meditation, my mind, heart, and soul come together to confirm the security of His existence, giving answers in the Lord's perfect timing for every request and thanksgiving.

The nights, despite the day's weariness, are the most significant time in my relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is then that I can give an account of the day, its trials, and its learning, being at rest, knowing that everything is done in His name (is in His control).

Praying is, and always will be, a holy privilege, where unique communication flows with the majesty of the Heavenly Father through Christ Jesus and His teachings, miracles, and human and holy examples that inspire us to follow in His footsteps of salvation and continual reflection.

All of the above points to full harmony and commitment to Christ, which is why in every prayer of the soul, there is so much peace, which is superior to any distraction from the earthly world.

Likewise, in prayer you learn dependence, submission, love, security, and certainty that everything depends on God's will, not yours. Prayer is, and always will be, the continuous path to spiritual blessings at all times—in times of joy, in struggles, in trials, in times of seeking direction and holiness. You sanctify, you bless His divine nature, you focus on His will to which you were called, you ask for physical help in earthly survival, you are led to forgiveness towards your neighbor and yourself, you receive strength to keep you from falling into temptation, and you are freed from evil.

When I can't sleep, I pray. Before I sleep, I pray, and my thoughts are held captive, keeping me aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in every moment of life.

Do you live and love prayer? When you lie down, are your thoughts united with Christ?

Written by Kathy Reagan, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries

We know that prayer and study of the Word are the backbone of our relationships with God. I’ve heard it said that it’s the same in any relationship: once you stop listening to and talking to someone, that relationship is over. We listen to God by reading His Word, and we speak to Him in prayer. “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Col 4:2 ESV). Again, in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we’re instructed, “Pray without ceasing.”

Sisters, we all know how much God loves us, right? Just a few minutes of meditation on Jesus’ sacrifice makes that loud and clear. We know that it’s His will that we pray to Him, but let’s explore the blessings that come from a strong and consistent prayer life. They may surprise you.

• Prayer encourages us because we know that we have the ear of the Creator of the universe anytime we want! “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God and does His will, God listens to him” (Jn 9:31). This is still staggering to me, even after 50 years of being a Christian! Imagine living in a foreign country ruled by a king. Even if you were his close friend, how likely is it that you could get the king to listen to your every concern 24/7? How much more infinitely powerful is the One who spoke the universe into existence?! We have His ear at any time of day or night! Take a minute and reflect on the power of that alone!
• Prayer humbles us as we start our prayers with praise, reminding us of our proper place in relationship to our Creator. When Jesus gave His apostles an example of prayer, He began with “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Mt 6:9). We, too, begin our conversation with abundant praise for God, putting us in awe of Him once again, as we reflect on all He has done and continues to do, of His great love for us that He would give His Son to die such a hideous death to pave the way for us to be with Him eternally.
• Prayer humbles us as we consistently ask for His help. It reminds us that we are not perfect: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”(Ro 3:23).On the contrary, we are weak and sinful, yet the enemy likes to subtly encourage us to be puffed up, overconfident, and think too much of ourselves. The reality is that we’re simply unable or unequipped to do most things in life alone. But God promises to be with us: “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”(Mt 28:20b), and give us wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to Him”(Jas 1:5), and strength: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”(Php 4:13).
• Prayer blesses us even when we are so overwhelmed that we literally cannot utter the words to pray. The Spirit, who lives within us, intercedes at the most vulnerable times in our lives: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for, as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”(Ro 8:26).
• Prayer blesses us by keeping our minds on spiritual things, reminding us to see with spiritual eyes, and not focus on things of the earth: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col 3:2). Life on earth can be fast paced, often distracting us from spiritual things. But prayer recenters our thoughts and gives us a proper perspective on any topic, no matter how troubling.
• Prayer blesses us as we continually give up our struggles to Him, resulting in a peace that we cannot even understand! “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”(Php 4:6-7).
• Lastly, prayer blesses others and increases the Kingdom.We pray for those who are sick, and God heals them, or we pray for safety for our loved ones, and He grants that. We pray for someone we are studying with to have an open heart, and when they do, we rejoice with them at their baptism! Others are blessed through our prayers. The Kingdom increases.

Is it surprising to think that the majority of the blessings of an earnest and consistent prayer life come to those who are doing the praying?

Sisters, please allow me to encourage you to increase your prayer life significantly. It will bless you abundantly, as well as those you are praying for, and the Kingdom!