Iron Rose Sister Ministries

In preparation for our August theme: Fear or Faith?, I want to share a story from about a year ago...
My nephew was playing on the floor with his cars while I was eating my dinner. A storm was brewing and the wind was blowing. There was thunder, but no lightning or rain yet. Thunderstorms are not as common in Denver, where we lived at the time, as they are in Louisiana, where I grew up. So, I began to explain thunder, lightning, and storms in a way that a two-and-a-half-year-old could understand.
Kadesh was graciously listening with an occasional acknowledgement of my words, but he was mostly paying attention to his cars—until a train came by.

Written by David A. Goff, father of Michelle J. Goff

I would like to tell you of man of faith who left his home town and parents to start a new life far away from where he was born. In this time of so many refugees being relocated I’m sure he could relate.

This man lived long before there was the Internet, telephones, airplanes or even cars. A time much different from today. Because of the great distance to his new home he was not able to bring very much with him. However, one thing I know he brought was his faith that the I AM already was wherever he would settle down. From that one man has come a legacy of faith that has lasted to this day and beyond.

There are so many things in our lives now that would be unimaginable to him, but what has lasted is the faith we share. A faith that there is one who loves us as a Father, who has adopted us as His sons & daughters and has given us a certain hope that cannot be taken from us. His life is a testimony to me of the importance of faith and the lasting effects it can have.

This man had a large family, and one of his daughters was my grandmother. Another daughter was the grandmother of the man that later became my foster-dad and the Grandpa of our four daughters. Now that I have grandkids, I am glad to see that they are being raised to carry on the heritage of faith.

This heritage of faith is not something that I can take credit for. Neither is of any benefit to me unless I take ownership of my own faith. I am so thankful for the training and mentoring I’ve had from both men and women of faith. My faith has carried me through many difficult and even traumatic times. I have confidence that He who began a good work will bring it to completion (Phil. 1:6).

#IronRoseSister #heritage #faith #legacy

Written by: Julio Cedeño

We are soon celebrating Father’s Day. We’ll celebrate the relationship between fathers and their children, and the legacy that is transmitted from generation to generation.

The relationship between a father and his children is so important that it is the very relationship that God chose to reveal himself and Jesus to His creation.

As the Son of God, Jesus came to show us the very nature of God (“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” John‬ ‭1:18‬).‬

Jesus himself taught us how to relate to our Heavenly Father, and even to our earthly fathers by learning not only through their words but also through their example.
From our fathers, intentionally or not, we learn from what we see and hear (“I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father. ”). We also learn how to talk and what to say (“I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” John 8:26). We even learn our work ethic (“In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”” John‬ ‭5:17‬)‬

Just as we learn to imitate our earthly fathers, we are called to imitate our Heavenly Father as well (“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children” Ephesians‬ ‭5:1‬).‬

When I think about legacy, of course, the greatest example is the one of Jesus and God.

There is also a great example in Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. God calls Isaac Abraham’s only son (v-2), although we know that Abraham also had Ishmael, but Isaac was the son of the promise, the son of Abraham and Sarah. As they were getting closer to mount Moriah, Isaac calls Abraham “Father” and Abraham calls Isaac “my son” (v -7). Just before (v-6), God tells us that “the two of them went on together”. These 3 verses teach us what a close relationship existed between Abraham and Isaac.

Later on, the fact that Abraham made Isaac carry the wood while he carried the fire and the knife, definitely means they were working together, and perhaps means that Isaac was physically stronger than his father. We don’t know exactly how old Isaac was, but we know he was old enough to carry the wood (v-6).

An even later (v-7), we see Isaac knowing that besides the wood and the knife, a lamb was necessary for the burnt offering, which means that Isaac and Abraham had offered sacrifices to God together before. Isaac had learned from Abraham how to worship God.

When Abraham bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, and took the knife to slay his son (v-9,10), we learn from Abraham’s faith, by him being ready to obey his God. But we should also learn of Isaac’s obedience and trust in his father Abraham. If Isaac was stronger than Abraham, this means that Isaac voluntarily allowed Abraham to bind him and put him on the altar. Isaac was willing to offer his own life voluntarily, so his father could obey His God. What a legacy of trust and obedience.
Even though God tested Abraham (v-1), God already knew how Abraham was going to react. Let’s take a look at Genesis 18:17-19 “17 Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.[c] 19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.””.

God knew about the legacy of obedience, trust and self sacrifice that Abraham would instill in Isaac, and that’s why he blessed Abraham with Isaac. Abraham believed in the resurrection from the dead, long before it is even mentioned in the Scriptures, long before the coming of the Christ. Because of that legacy, the Christ came, and all nations were blessed through Abraham, and then Isaac, and then Jacob, and then so many others like David and the ones after him, until the birth of Jesus.

May we be the type of fathers that are worth imitating, like God is to Jesus, like Abraham is too Isaac. As children, may we be imitators of the virtues of our earthly fathers, and definitely imitators of our Heavenly Father. Also, as children, and hoping that our earthly fathers are believers, may we trust them so much, that we are willing to do whatever it takes so they can be pleasing to our God. May we leave behind the same legacy that Abraham did, and may we be the type of father of whom God says “I know that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just”.

What a legacy.

#IronRoseSister #faith #legacy #faithofourfathers

Written by Tony Brizendine, husband of Brenda and volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries

I can remember the excitement I felt as if it were yesterday. Brenda and I were picking out the paint colors, cabinets, carpet, and light fixtures for our new home. This is something we had prayed about for years and our dream was finally coming true. We received a phone call from our realtor while we were celebrating my birthday. He congratulated us on securing the property to build our new home on. I thought for sure this was God’s hand blessing us. We had already sold our previous home and were living in the basement of my parent’s house while waiting on our new home to be constructed. We also were pregnant with our daughter and were hoping the new home would be finished before she was born.

The months that followed seemed to contradict all of our excitement. The building of our home was delayed for several months due to a shortage of workers. By the time there were workers available, I received news that I was being laid off from my job. We ultimately had to pull out of building the house a few weeks before Brenda’s due date. I was crushed. No job, no house and a baby on the way. I asked myself over and over, “Why would a good God allow this to happen to us?” I felt angry and abandoned by God.

A few days after our daughter was born, I received a call from a former boss of mine. He invited me to apply for an open job with his new company. Within a week after his call and interviewing, I was employed again. My parents and younger sister helped us with our newborn daughter while we were living with them, which was a huge blessing for us. Two months later, our realtor called us and had a great home available for us to purchase that suited our needs perfectly. We were able to move into our house the weekend of my birthday, exactly 1 year after we had secured the property for the home we wanted to build.

After having some time to reflect, I realized that I was not putting God first. In that season, I had become selfish and shortsighted. I didn’t see God as my provider. I saw myself and my job as my provider instead of Him. He is the Great “I AM” and as Deuteronomy 6:4 says, “The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” God is not interested in just granting the desires of our heart, He wants our whole heart. While we see the surface level things, He can see from a much higher level than we can.

While I was very grateful to God for restoring my employment and helping us through that season, I felt as though our dream was lost. Yet three years later, God provided a home that was not far from where we originally wanted to build, and was constructed at the same time we lost our “dream house”. The selling owners took very good care of the house, which was far beyond our expectations, and left it in pristine condition. It was as if God had these people taking care of it for us while He waited for the right time to deliver it.

God had seen what we needed on the surface level, but He wanted us to learn to see Him first, The One, The Whole. Thanks for letting me share this reminder to keep our eyes fixed on the I AM.

Written by Victoria Mendoza, volunteer with Ministerio Hermana Rosa de Hierro in Texas

I remember the cold December dawn in the year 2000. Together with my family, I left my house and traveled to another country. My mother-in-law was ill, and I needed to take her a dialysis treatment and assist the family by taking care of her. I was pleased to take care of her.

I felt sad leaving my own parents and siblings, with doubts about what it would be like to live in a strange country. But I was content because I said it was only for a time. Daily, things got more complicated for my mother-in-law, and she needed even more care. The treatments left her feeling weak and it seemed like my return grew further and further away. Many things came to mind and what hurt the most was feeling that my parents were so far away. I was frightened to think that I might not ever see them again.

I prayed to God that He would give me the strength and wisdom to continue. And I prayed that He would guide my children on a good path in such a large city.

At work, my son met a nice, hardworking young woman with a heart of service to others. She is now his wife and together they have formed a beautiful family, granting me the blessing of having another grandson. She introduced him to the gospel, which he obeyed. And even while they were dating, they taught my older daughter and her husband, who were also baptized. They have three children that are also already baptized. I was thrilled to see how God had transformed those who had decided to follow Him.

Every step of our lives has a purpose. Why we moved to another country, only God knew the plans He had for me… and they were to allow my family to come to Christ’s feet and that I too would obey Him.

Change is often not pleasant because they imply many things like: separation from your immediate family in order to form your own family, a new job, new friends, new schools. It reminds us that we are pilgrims on this earth.

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Heb. 11:8)

With our human minds, it is terrifying to think about leaving home, without knowing where we are going. Questions are raised like: What will I do since I don’t know anyone? Who will I go to if I need help? Who will comfort us during difficult times? What will happen to my family if I die?

Even though we know that God can protect us and help us, no matter the circumstances, we don’t know what will have to suffer during our lifetime. While we are in this world, we will suffer, which is where our faith will be put to the test. We are not sure what we will come across in our future, but we know Who is in charge of the future.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Heb. 11:1)

God doesn’t want us to see this world as our permanent home because He has something better prepared for us. He encourages us to see the future as Abraham did: “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10).

Twenty-two years have passed and now I understand clearly that my faith has been strengthened throughout my life. I know that God will continue working in me and that, just as He was with Abraham, He will be with me. How wonderful to know that I am among his descendants!

“And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” (Heb. 11:12)

My dear sister and friend, only faith in God can sustain us in the most difficult moments of your life. You will continue trusting and believing in spite of the pain and the battles that you face every day. I have been through many trials, but God has never let me go from His hand and He always tells me that He is there. And, even though the path we must traverse is full of danger from illness or tribulations, we will continue standing because we trust in the same God of Abraham who faced the most difficult trial of his life: Offer his son as a sacrifice (Gen. 22).

Since Isaac was born after the many years his father and mother had waited and longed for his birth, he became their most precious treasure. Amid their joy, Abraham received the command to take his son and offer him as a sacrifice. Can you imagine how Abraham felt in his heart at being asked to sacrifice his son? Do we love our children as much as Abraham and Sarah loved theirs? What do you believe they would’ve felt what they said goodbye to Sarah, the mother? What about the feelings Isaac held in his heart when he said bye to his mom before a three-day trip to the place where he was to be sacrificed?

After walking for three days, the time had come. Upon hearing these words from his son, we can imagine this was one of the saddest days of Abraham’s life:

“Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”
“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.
“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”” (Gen. 22:7)

In those moments, Abraham could’ve lost his faith, but he didn’t because he trusted in the same God that you and I trust even in the most difficult of circumstances in our lives and when it seems that there is nothing more that we can do, like when there is a terminal illness or when someone has lost everything.

“Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.” (Gen. 22:8)

Abraham believed and God provided. Therefore, sister and friend, no matter what you are going through, God will provide.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #Abraham #faith #trust #guestwriter

After teaching from the book of Philippians for the first two portions of my time in Guatemala, I felt a little like Paul visiting Timothy when I visited the church in San Cristobal for the third portion of my trip.
Katie Lynn Finch, IRSM’s intern from last year has served in the Amor Sin Temor (Fearless Love) congregation for the past eleven weeks. Among her primary responsibilities, she has been teaching women in one-on-one and small group Bible contexts.

The sweltering heat and scorching sun did not deter my mom, my sister, and me from exploring the remaining blackberry bushes. Two weeks after their peak, we knew that the pickings would be slim, but the promise of fresh, juicy blackberries was enough motivation for us to brave the heat and the briars. Besides, we share many family memories that come from raspberry picking in Iowa with Grandpa and Grandma, and knew the fruit of our labor would be sweet.

Is my faith in God or what I believe God will do?

Sometimes my faith is only a result of my hope that God can and will accomplish great things. That is only a belief in what he does or is capable of, not a trust in who he is.

What is the difference?

Faith doesn’t just believe that he can heal the sick; it trusts that he can work through the illness or the healing.

Faith isn’t focused on the here and now, but trusts that God sees the big picture.

I invite you to put your faith in God himself, not just in what he can do. Take a moment to reflect on the difference, especially in light of these verses from Hebrews 11.

13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,40since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Is my faith in God or what I believe God will do?
Sometimes my faith is only a result of my hope that God can and will accomplish great things. That is only a belief in what he does or is capable of, not a trust in who he is.
What is the difference?
Faith doesn’t just believe that he can heal the sick; it trusts that he can work through the illness or the healing.
Faith isn’t focused on the here and now, but trusts that God sees the big picture.
I invite you to put your faith in God himself, not just in what he can do. Take a moment to reflect on the difference, especially in light of these verses from Hebrews 11.
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Is my faith in God or what I believe God will do?
Sometimes my faith is only a result of my hope that God can and will accomplish great things. That is only a belief in what he does or is capable of, not a trust in who he is.
What is the difference?

Is your faith shaky? Feeling moody in your faith? We need constant reminders of who we are and what we believe. Otherwise, we fall victim to our ever-changing moods and drift away from our faith.
C.S. Lewis, in his book Mere Christianity, explains our moody struggle and a key solution, in an eloquent way.

My thumbs are black. Not green. I did not get the gardening genes in the family. I tend to overwater or neglect the plant and end up killing it.

But, oh, how I appreciate homegrown vegetables, fresh herbs, and flowers!

It takes time, patience, and dedication. It takes good earth, water, and sunshine. And the most important part? Faith.

“Who plants a seed beneath the sod and waits to see, believes in God.”

This quote was cross-stitched by my mom and hung in the home of my farming grandparents in Iowa for years. Since both of my dad’s foster parents have passed, my mom now has the framed cross-stitch back in her possession.

The quote accurately and adequately describes what it is really all about for those in the hands of the Divine Gardener—growth, rest, security, and all the other blessings are all a fruit of our faith.

What does it mean for you to be in the Hands of the Divine Gardener?

I am not a nervous traveler. I enjoy flying and can’t wait for the feeling of being pushed into the seat at takeoff. It lulls me to sleep and, if it’s a short flight, I automatically awaken as soon as the plane starts its descent.

Later today, the flight I will depart on is a long one—a nonstop from Dallas to Santiago, Chile, where I will board another flight to go to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the first leg of a three-week trip.

While traveling, my faith is put to the test since there are many more things out of my control than when I am at home: my schedule, my food, and even my safety.

The trips that I take serve as a reminder of how faithful God is to protect and care for me, no matter where I am.

During the next three weeks, while I travel, please join me in lifting the following requests to our Father:

• Safety and no complications in all of the travel logistics through three countries
• Health, especially for my gut and feasibility of finding the foods I need
• That God will speak through me to encourage and bless the women I come into contact with
• That God will bless the Redentor congregation hosting me in Buenos Aires, and the classes I will teach there
• That God will bless all those who will attend the national Bolivian camp in Cochabamba, and the women’s track I will teach
• That God will speak through me and rejoice with the Sisters Connected in Christ, in Santiago, Chile, for the conference

Spiritual maturity is something we respect in others and desire for ourselves. We would rather it come automatically, but it is a process and a faith journey, not a destination.

One of the most obvious signs of someone’s spiritual maturity is their faith. When difficulties arise, they trust in God. This does not imply that they do not have to deal with the emotional aspects of the current challenge. Nor does it imply that they will not be tired and weary from the fight. However, they continue to trust in God, and they get push it all by keeping their eyes fixed on Him.

We cannot force or rush spiritual maturity. It comes through faithfulness in our relationship with God and continual communication with Him. The confidence that comes through faith carries us through the current situation and we are then prepared for whatever else comes our way in the future.

In addition, when we demonstrate spiritual maturity, manifested by our faith, we serve as an example to others in their own faith journey.

1 Peter 1:3-9 affirms that faith is a part of our growth and maturity process. We may not appreciate it in the moment, but when we look back, we are able to recognize all that God has done in the midst of our circumstances, every step along the way, and our faith is strengthened yet again.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

#IronRoseSister #faith #Jesus #assurance

The testing of our faith produces perseverance (James 1:3), but sometimes we never see the full fruit of our faith (Hebrews 11:39-40).
What does it mean to exercise our faith or put it into daily practice?

The testing of our faith produces perseverance (James 1:3), but sometimes we never see the full fruit of our faith (Hebrews 11:39-40).

What does it mean to exercise our faith or put it into daily practice?

Exercising our faith isn’t just about the times in which our faith is tested or we are asked to defend our faith. The daily act of living out our faith is also seen in the acts of worship, prayer, Bible reading, quiet time with God, meditation, fellowship with other Christians, and so much more. These acts of faith serve as a reminder to ourselves of what our faith is based on.

We are forgetful beings. And if we do not put our faith in action, participate in the daily reminders of our faith, our faith dies (James 2:26). It is not these deeds that create our faith, but they do strengthen and renew our faith.

Let’s transform the expression of our faith into a daily reminder of who we are and what we believe—a daily dedication to prayer, Scripture reading, worship, fellowship with other Christians, etc.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were men of faith. They demonstrated the type of faith we described yesterday—a faith in God himself, not just a faith in what God can do.

When faced with the fiery furnace, they did not doubt God’s ability to rescue them. However, their faith in his infinite wisdom, and their trust in his plan were greater than their hope for physical redemption.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)

Does your faith continue no matter what God’s answer to your prayers?

Wednesdays are often the day in the middle of the week in which we feel weak. Our energy and motivation are lacking. The weekend seems far away. The snooze button gets hit one more time.
When we were kids, Wednesdays were often the day of the week in which mom would make crepes for breakfast since it was an added motivation for us to get out of bed.

You may be going through a “Wednesday” in your life right now—a time in which your faith feels weak and your motivation is lacking.
As we look at faith, hope, and love this month, I would like to offer you hope through a verse from Hebrews 11. We look to those men and women as heroes of the faith. But there were often times when their faith was weak.

At those times, faith, even as small as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20), can help that weakness be turned to strength.
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. (Heb. 11:32-38, NIV)

Faith pushed Abraham out of his comfort zone to leave home and move to a country he didn’t know... and his life was never the same.
Faith gave Esther the courage to go before King Xerxes to be the instrument through which her people could be saved... and the Jewish nation continues to celebrate her valor.
Faith allowed Noah to build an ark even though he had never seen a drop of rain... and his obedience changed the course of life for everyone.