Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Written by Michelle J. Goff

Reflecting on the year 2020, some wince with pain, others retreat even deeper into their feelings of loneliness and isolation. While a few rejoiced in new birth, many mourned the passing of a loved one.
This global pandemic has brought us to our knees,
Yet God has met us there.

The best made plans were a reminder that we are not in control. Virtual gatherings replaced face-to-face encounters and creativity was required in order to find ways to stay connected.
Smiles were covered by masks until a distanced, outdoor gathering became feasible.
The global pandemic has revealed our true need for relationship,
But God knew this all along and sent His Son that we might find peace in true relationship with Him.

Dividing lines of politics, race, and mask-wearing have been drawn. Churches have split and elders have resigned, weary of standing in the gap or feeling forced to pick a side. Satan has picked at festering wounds of those drowning in hopelessness.
The global pandemic has highlighted some of our preexisting conditions,
Yet God, who is our hope, has redeemed and united us.

Time in prayer was extended as the prayer list grew. The Word became our Rock as uncertainty clouded our thinking. A play on words for teaching about 20/20 vision in the year 2020 became a real-life test of how we can keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
This global pandemic has challenged our view,
Yet God has remained faithful, never-changing, in control, the same yesterday, today, and forever.

It has not been all bad…
This global pandemic has provided new opportunities.
God has opened the door for virtual gatherings of Christians all over the world. Hunger for prayer and Bible study has grown, developing new friendships and connections, beyond what we could’ve originally designed.

What have you learned about God during this year?
What has the year 2020 revealed in you?
What do you want to leave in the past?
What do you take away from what you have learned moving forward?

Paul admonishes in Philippians 3:13-16, “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

How can we hold true to what we have attained from 2020 in the new year?

This past year has been a refining process for everyone. And just as precious metals go through a refining process in order to be made into something new, our refining process allows us to be redefined by the Creator.

As we grow into our redefined identity in Christ, the continual process of transformation and sanctification allow us to rejoice in His mercies that are new every morning (Lam. 3:23).

For the year 2021, Iron Rose Sister Ministries will be focusing on what it means to be Redefined. Personally, the refining process of 2020 has facilitated many facets of being redefined by God. And as a ministry, we have been refined and look forward to some redefined roles among our staff and clarified vision in equipping women to connect to God and one another more deeply. God is truly “just getting started,” even after seven and a half years as a ministry! Stay tuned… And thanks for prayerfully walking with us on this journey. We look forward to hearing more of your stories of being redefined, as well.

Over the past few years, the book of Colossians has become my favorite of Paul’s epistles. Things I needed to hear, be reminded of, or had the opportunity to share with others, have come from that book of the New Testament.

For a semester, I facilitated a study of Colossians with some of the Spanish-language students on Wednesday afternoons in the on-campus Starbucks. The young ladies who participated in the study continued to grow in their abilities to facilitate our discussion and expressed growing joy in the discovery of biblical truths through the letter to the church in Colossae.

A memorable quote that came out of our study was, “El Todo, en todo, en todo.” Any time someone said, “Christ,” we would pause until someone responded, “El Todo, en todo, en todo.” It means that Christ is our “Everything, in all things, completely.”

By stirring our memory from past studies, the quote summarized the teachings in Colossians, especially its emphasis on the fullness in Christ, who is our “all.” Nothing can exist without Him. And our lives will never be complete apart from Him.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Col. 1:16-17)

While reading through the four short chapters of Colossians, the various phrases of fullness and totality jump out. In addition to these expressions of completeness, I invite you to focus on the phrases that demonstrate our dependence on Christ. Phrases that include, “in Him, through Him, by Him, with Him,” and others help us rediscover all that God makes possible through His Son. He truly is the center of it all.

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Col. 2:9-10)

We are filled with His fullness. It is a promise on which we can stand when we are surrounded by the storms of this life…an apt description of the year 2020 for many.

In January, we introduced our theme for the year, “A Part of the Whole.” And as we close out this calendar year filled with many unexpected circumstances, we return to a reminder of true Fullness, the Whole, “El Todo, en todo, en todo.” He is over all and in all and through all (Eph. 4:6) and He invites us into His fullness when we keep our eyes and our faith fixed on Him.

May Christ be our Everything, in all things, completely, for all nations. “El Todo, en todo, en todo,” para toda nación.

How can you be an example of making Christ your Everything in all things, completely? How can you encourage an Iron Rose Sister in that same endeavor?

Written by Brenda Brizendine, Iron Rose Sister Ministries Communications Assistant in Colorado

Sarah is known as one of the women who God instilled with a great amount of kindness in her life. In Genesis 18, three heavenly characters visit her and Abraham to give them a promise that they had been asking for a long time.

In verse 12 we see Sarah’s reaction: Unbelief. She was reacting this way because she was seeing only the physical, what her eyes, senses, and reasoning dictated. Perhaps she hadn’t recognized who these messengers where that brought a word and a promise for her life. Maybe that’s why she thought in this way. But in verse 14, we read that God responds to Abraham, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”, and then reaffirming the given promise. Nothing is impossible with God; for Him there are no ages, there is no time, and there are no situations too hard.

Many times, we act and think like Sarah. We read in the Bible promises that are for us; what God left in His word is for us, which means that we can apply it to the situations we are facing in our lives. But we do not believe it, and we do not see that this is for us, because we think that we are not worthy of those promises and those answers that God has left in His word.

Today, I remember you; you are worthy of the goodness and mercy of the Lord. This was already delivered for you at the moment when Jesus decided to come to this earth and give His life because he loves you.

In Sarah and Abraham’s case, God gave them a promise that would have eternal effects. God has great purposes for you on this earth. Purposes and a mission that only you can fulfill, no one else. But many times, we focus solely on earthly life and lose sight of God's purpose for our life.

Sometimes, we don't get the answer we've been asking for because maybe we've been asking for earthly things or only focusing on earthly things. James alerts us to this in chapter 4:3, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

So, at the end of this year, in the midst of sad, painful or complicated circumstances that we may be going through, it is time to sit down and evaluate what we have been asking for, and why we have been going through these situations. We must seek the Lord and ask God for His mercy, but also His wisdom so that He can fulfill His purpose and His will in us, instead of us fulfilling our desire and our will.

Every time we approach the Lord, He in His infinite love speaks to us and straightens our way (Prov. 3: 5-6). That is when the words they spoke to Sarah in verse 18 will come to life in our hearts: "Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him."

I invite you to meditate on this question, and sincerely answer Him, Is there anything difficult or impossible for God?

I hope that this message can reach your understanding; enter your thoughts; and remove the doubt, frustration, and fear that is in your life. This will bring the Lord's answer to your need. As this year ends and a new year begins, may we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Heb. 12: 1-2), focused on the promises that the Great I AM has for our lives.

Written by Johana Batres, Iron Rose Sister Ministries Volunteer in Colorado Springs, CO

“...Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" (Daniel 6:20)

I invite you to read Daniel 6:10-22:
“¹⁰ Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. ¹¹ Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. ¹² So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: ‘Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?’
The king answered, ‘The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.’
¹³ Then they said to the king, ‘Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.’ ¹⁴ When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.
¹⁵ Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, ‘Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.’
¹⁶ So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, ‘May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!’
¹⁷ A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. ¹⁸ Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
¹⁹ At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. ²⁰ When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?’
²¹ Daniel answered, ‘May the king live forever! ²² My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.’”

This is one of my favorite stories.

Often times we believe that it’s just a story for kids, but it offers a great teaching for us as well. Especially in this part: discipline is required in order to grow in any area of our lives. Likewise, in our walk with God, cultivating the spiritual discipline of spending time regularly with Him is one of the ways to develop our confidence.

Daniel is a good example of discipline in his walk with God. As a young man, he began to make wise and careful decisions (Daniel 1:8). He also prayed regularly, "giving thanks to his God" (6:10). His frequent seeking of the Lord made those around him easily recognize his faith. Even King Darius described him as "servant of the living God,” whom Daniel served continually (v.16, 20).

Like Daniel, we also desperately need God. How good it is to know that the Lord works in us so that we may desire to spend time with Him (Phil. 2:13)!

For this reason, let us present ourselves before God every day and grow in the knowledge of our Savior (2 Peter 3:18). Spending time with God transforms us.

Let us ask God to help us to regularly spend time with Him, and in this way we will stay focused on Him and on His word to be transformed.

Written by Tiffany Jacox, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Bellevue, NE

Can you believe we are entering the last month of the year? The year 2020 was one that many people entered into with eyes wide in wonder. Seeing 20/20 is the best you can get, right? This would surely be a year of greatness and clarity! However; this year has seemingly been a year of chaos, pain, turmoil, loss and fear. Everyone was sucker punched and in disbelief in all that this year has brought. It has been a challenge for so many to remain hopeful and stand strong in faith while the difficult times threaten to steal our joy and suck the life out of us while kept in isolation. We have seen an increase in physical illness, mental illness, financial hardship, emotional destruction and spiritual sabotage.

I, like many of you, have been struggling to keep my head above water but thankfully I have held on tight to Jesus, my life raft, my savior. He is what has kept me afloat in times when He was all that propped me up. He has given me the opportunity in times of deep distress to share my faith and share the truth with others around me that didn’t know how to keep their strength. Now, here we are, nine months into this pandemic and this massive change and shift in life as we knew it. What can we glean? What if we just take a moment…be still…look back…

We all well know the saying, “Hindsight is 20/20”. What that means is now that I have experienced this and learned from this I can look back and see what I missed. As we take this time to look back and see what we may have missed or what we can learn; we must first remember, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rules, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, NASB 1995). The hate, the pain, the suffering these are all outcomes of the world. But friends we are not of this world! We are called to be different, we are called to be salt and light. We are reminded and gifted joy and life in abundance through Jesus Christ in the midst of all the pain. What if this year is a year of clarity? What if God is using this to bring people to Him? “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NASB 1995). Many of us have come to realize how little we need in our daily lives and better appreciate what we do have. Some people have been forced to slow down and be home with their families more than they may be used to. Maybe, like me, this has been a time of deep reflection and a time to reconcile yourself with Christ and gain a deeper understanding of The Word. We can better appreciate the sun after the rain and see the joys after the trials. We must give thanks in ALL things (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NASB 1995).

So let’s take a moment to look back and learn from the past year with eyes, hands and hearts wide open and ready to receive what the Lord has to give us. Maintain our 20/20 vision by looking up and “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2, NASB 1995). In doing so remember to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11, NASB 1995). Remember this time on earth is temporary, just a blink of the eye. We will endure suffering in His name and we will go through many hardships and trials, but we will adorn ourselves in the armor of God and we will keep our focus on Jesus and He will be our 2020 vision.

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

One of my favorite letters is Colossians, especially since it has an interesting introduction and exaltation of Christ.

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” (Col. 1.15)

God, the Whole, is the invisible Creator of the universe. What beautiful words! However, something even more fantastic is perceiving that our faith transcends and surpasses what is visible in this world.

It gets more difficult to believe in things that we cannot see in our daily life, as this present time practically prevents it. We believe in supported science events which have evidence and reveal extraordinary results. However, Paul tells us that Jesus is the image of an invisible God. So, how is it possible to believe in the invisible? This is the magic of the power of God, to dwell in us invisibly, but not in an imperceptible way.

In Colossians 1:17, Paul clarifies the matter a little bit more for us, he gives us a couple of characteristics about Jesus: He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Jesus was already there before everything was created and gave shape to everything we know today. The fact of recognizing the creation as divine work is the greatest evidence of our faith in the invisible God.

We do not need to see God, because we see His works, and His most important work is us, the main ambassadors of Christ, co-heirs of the kingdom. Therefore, we are invited and responsible for participating with Christ in the redemption of the visible creation of an invisible God.