Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Written by Kat Bittner, volunteer with and member of Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colorado

“All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.”
― Sophocles, Antigone

Yes. All men – and women – make mistakes. Putting salt in your coffee instead of sugar is a mistake. Going the wrong direction on a one-way street is a mistake. Misspelling a word on a spelling test is a mistake. Bumping into someone with your shopping cart is a mistake. Mistakes are errors in judgment, and no one is immune to them.

The same is true with sin, and even more so because sin is more than a mistake. It is a deliberate and willful choice to do something you know is wrong. “Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God” (1 John 3:4 NLT).

Like mistakes, everyone sins (Rom. 3:23). How we properly handle sin is the difference between yielding when we are wrong and pridefully acting contrary to what God wills for our life. The proper response to sin always comes from a humble and contrite heart. And what we learn from our mistakes, even more so from our sins, should cause us to grow in our spiritual journey and draw us closer to God.

One of the most notable biblical examples of learning from our mistakes comes from the story of Jonah. Jonah’s calling by God began with great reluctance. Not only did Jonah not want to do what God expressly told him to do, but he also tried to run away from it. His pride and self-righteous heart deemed the Ninevites less worthy of God’s mercy (Jonah 1:1-3; 4:1-2). Jonah believed that he should not go where God told him to go and do what God told him to do. That was a mistake. Jonah decided that he would instead go somewhere else and do something other than what God commanded. That was sin. Thus, the difference between Jonah’s mistake and Jonah’s sin was the difference between his error in judgment and his willful disobedience. Jonah’s disobedience also caused serious repercussions for others and put innocent men’s lives at risk (Jonah 1:4-15), thereby exacerbating the magnitude of his sin.

Also, Jonah believed he could “flee…from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:3 NKJV) which was a mistake. He judged incorrectly that if he could hide from God or go somewhere other than where God wanted, he could avoid God’s will for him. “’Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do not I fill heaven and earth?’ declares the Lord” (Jer. 23:24 NIV). But the pride and disregard in Jonah’s heart was more than a mistake. It was sin! Jonah willfully and arrogantly chose to do something that he knew was wrong. And Jonah was angry about what God wanted him to do because he knew that God was known for being compassionate and merciful as well as vengeful (Ps. 145:8; 94:1).

Despite Jonah’s initial mistake and subsequent sin, he responded humbly with the time God spared his life in the belly of the great fish. Jonah repented and ultimately turned toward what God willed for his life. He learned from his mistake and responded appropriately to his sin.

“In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”(Jonah 2:1,4,9 NIV)

Jonah’s belief that the Ninevites were beyond redemption was also an error in judgment; it was another mistake. God spared the Ninevites once they repented, and Jonah became angry. He knew that God was “a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity” (Jonah 4:2b). Jonah’s anger burned even to the point he wished he were dead. That was no mistake. That was sin. Many times, we do the same thing. We mistakenly believe one thing that leads us to err in our judgment. Then we make the wrong choices based on that error, and we become trapped in sin.

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.(1 Cor. 6:12, NKJV)

Sisters, we can learn from the story of Jonah. If we are to be women who fear God and want to do His will in our life, we must be humble. Be humble so that we do not err in our judgment. Be humble so that we properly respond to our sin. And be humble to be better learners. As Sophocles stated, we need to be good women who do not yield to a course that is wrong and repair the evil we do. Will you be a woman who learns from her mistake? Better yet, will you be a woman who learns, too, from more than a mistake? Be someone who learns from her sin.

#IronRoseSister #teachthroughrelationships #learnthroughrelationships #learningbymakingmistakes #learnfrommistakes #redemption #Jonah #blog #guestwriter

Writtten by Mackenzie Lancaster
Romans 8:35-39
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“More than Conquerors”

This is kind of a confusing phrase, something we’ve heard a lot, but do we really know what it means for our lives? First of all, these verses are concluding chapter 8 of Romans, where Paul just finished listing off a long list of hardships that may come our way in life: tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword. And then comes this verse: in ALL these things, we are more than conquerors. This means we aren’t simply victorious, but we are overwhelmingly victorious.
I tried to think of a time when I felt overwhelmingly victorious, and I thought of two years ago when the Kansas City Royals won the World Series, I felt overwhelmingly victorious for weeks after that, and yet in Christ we’ve won the ultimate battle that blows the World Series out of the water. And the battle that has been won is all because God loved us SO much, He won it for us. So, because of God’s immense love, we are victorious, we are MORE than conquerors.

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

A 1984 Fabergé shampoo commercial had Heather Locklear say, “I told two friends, and they told two friends, and so on, and so on.” This company understood the power of multiplying relationships. They sought to leverage those relationships to tap into the cheapest and most efficient type of advertising, word-of-mouth advertising, to spread their message.

At Iron Rose Sister Ministries we often refer to, and pray for, “partners in the gospel” (Phil. 1:5). When we find a partner in the gospel, we too leverage this power of multiplying relationships to spread our message: the good news of Jesus Christ.

The book of Acts tells the story of many partners in the gospel. Let’s follow and learn from a few of these relationships.

Barnabas and Paul –Your partner in the gospel can serve as “iron sharpening iron” (Prov. 27:17), helping you grow in your faith. After Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), the disciples didn’t know whether to trust him. Barnabas was the one willing to take Paul as his partner in the gospel. He trusted him, helped him mature in his new faith, and presented him to the apostles (Acts 9:27). Later in Acts 11, Barnabas needed help with the growing number of believers in Antioch.

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (Acts 11:25-26 NIV)

In Acts 13, the Holy Spirit Himself called Barnabas and Paul to go on Paul’s first missionary journey. Untold numbers of people heard the good news of Christ because of this relationship.

Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla – Your partner in the gospel may start out as a friend with whom you have something in common. On Paul’s second missionary journey, he went to Corinth (Acts 18) and met a Jew named Aquila and his wife Priscilla. They quickly became friends because they were all tentmakers. He even stayed with them and worked on tents. Soon, this couple became Paul’s partners in the gospel and travelled with him to Ephesus.

Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos – Partners in the gospel can also be mentoring relationships. While Paul continued his missionary journey, Aquila and Priscilla remained in Ephesus. A Jew named Apollos came to town. He had great enthusiasm as he taught about Jesus but didn’t quite have the whole story. “When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately” (Acts 18:26). Notice that Aquila and Priscilla were also partners in the gospel as a married couple and worked together to mentor Apollos. The next verse shows us the power of that multiplying relationship: “When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed” (Acts 18:27).

We have followed the multiplying impact of Barnabas to Paul to Aquila & Priscilla to Apollos. The Holy Spirit used these relationships and many others to spread the good news of Jesus Christ like wildfire. I encourage you to scan Acts 13-28 for other partners in the gospel that Paul found on his missionary journeys. It is a long list of people! Then look at Romans 16 to see how many partners he listed living in Rome, including Aquila and Priscilla, “my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them” (Rom. 16:3-4). We don’t know the story of how they risked their lives, but those are loyal partners in the gospel!

Who are your partners in the gospel?Is there someone with a shared interest you could spend more time with? Is there someone who needs mentoring? Is there someone you could ask to mentor you in how to share your faith? It doesn’t matter if you are single like Paul or married like Aquila and Priscilla. You can ask God to send you more partners in the gospel, so the world may know the saving grace of Jesus.

Mustard Seeds
Written by Erica Peck

Let’s talk seeds. Mustard seeds, to be specific. They are the smallest seed a gardener could hold in their hand, and yet that tiny seed can grow into a gigantic tree, reaching about 20 feet tall. It’s a plant that grows quickly, reaching its full size in only a few years. Though it starts as the smallest seed you’ll ever hold in your hand, it will grow to occupy a large space—so you better make sure it’s got some room!

18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches." (Luke 13:18-19)

Jesus was always good about using concrete examples in this world that people could see and touch in order to describe aspects of Himself, or about the kingdom of heaven in His parables. Did you know that mustard trees grow wild throughout much of the Middle East and Africa? And that it can survive on as little as 8 inches of rainfall per year? It’s hardy and strong. When Jesus told the people this parable, He may very well have been walking next to one, pointing up at its branches so everyone could see and truly understand.

In another place in scripture, Jesus tells us, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)

Have you ever held a mustard seed in your hand? It’s so small, you feel like it may slip from your hand and drop it. And yet Jesus tells us that if we have faith even that small, “nothing will be impossible for us.” His kingdom will grow like a mustard seed—gigantic, growing quickly, and surviving, even the roughest of places. I believe this is true. Do you? In your circles of influence, where can you plant a “mustard seed” today? Will it be in a conversation with your co-worker? In the heart of your sticky-faced toddler? With the woman at the grocery store? Your influence has a farther reach than you think. And I have faith that He will use those seeds to grow His kingdom strong and mighty.

Written by Liliana Henríquez, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colombia

"Two are better than one because…if one falls, the other raises him up…” (Ecc. 4:9-10). This passage is generally used when we speak about couples or marriages, but I have found that it also applies to prayer partners. I have had the joy of having very close friends with whom I have shared my most intimate prayer requests and we have come together to mutually intercede before God. Knowing that someone else is praying for my needs makes me feel appreciated and loved. And the fact that I can pray for the wishes of a dear friend allows me to express how much I love and appreciate her.

Partners of any kind have to be selected with great care and wisdom. Therefore, today I want to share with you some tips that could help you when choosing a prayer partner: 

• Make sure you choose a prudent friend, who makes you feel confident that she will not divulge your requests.
• If possible, choose someone who is also going through the same situation that you are or who has the same desire or project. This may help you feel more empathy on her part. Example: a work issue, infertility, etc.
• Each one of you can write your requests on a piece of paper and exchange them.
• Match each request with a promise or passage of scripture. This will make you feel supported by God. For example: If your request is, "Lord, allow me to understand your will," you could use this Bible verse: " I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye" (Ps. 32:8 KJV).
• Prioritize your requests. As God responds, you can add other prayer requests.
• Define with your prayer partner, the time of the day when you will be connected in prayer. Some days you could pray from your home separately, and other days you could have a video call and pray together.
• Keep a written record with the start date of your prayers and the answers you receive from God as time progresses.

You will be surprised how quickly God responds when two people agree to intercede on a specific issue. It is God's will that we intercede for one another, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Eph. 6:18 KJV).

I encourage you not to pray alone, but to share your heart with a wise friend who can help you carry your burdens. Because two are better than one...

Do you already have a prayer partner?
Can we help connect you with one?

Written by Kim Solis, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Milwaukie, Oregon

I never saw it coming.

I was taught how to be a child and to obey my parents, though I did not always do so, as I sought to do my will and not theirs.

I was advised on how to be a young wife, to respect my husband, though sometimes my impulses lead me into other directions.

I took classes about how to be a mother, to raise my children in the discipline of the Lord, though I have often wondered if I have really done the job, I could have or should have.

Relationships shift and settle as we grow and mature. Experiences and trials shake us up and we have to adapt and change. But, for the most part, we are prepared, if not with tools, at least with knowledge that change is coming.

We know that we will grow up and become independent from our parents.

We know that our marriage will suffer ups and downs and that we can’t take it for granted and that we will have to work at it to make it last.

We know our children will grow and that our relationship with them will also change as they make their own decisions, even ones that we are not completely in agreement with.

But who really talks about the relationship with parents who increasingly become more and more dependent on us as they grow old and their bodies (and sometimes minds) begin to fail?

I’m almost 50. I have been independent from my parents for 3 decades. I have been married for 27 years and we’re at a good, stable, solid place in our marriage. We have raised children and am now enjoying the expanding family as they seek their hearts’ mates and contemplate their own future families. My role as mom is being redefined, and it is a process that is both beautiful and fearful, and immensely satisfying.

But, no one told me. No one warned me. Nothing prepared me for the fact that as I see my own children fly the nest and I contemplate this new stage of life, that I would again be mom. Not for my children, but for my mother.

Honor your mother and your father. (Ephesians 6:2, among others)

We always talk about honoring our parents as obeying them while we are young. But how do we honor them when they are old?

As her health fails, I am constantly being redefined. The obedient daughter who serves as needed, yet making decisions like a mom, making sure all is in order and taken care of.
I can do that. I did it for my kids, I can take care of mom. But no one told me about how my heart would hurt to see the woman who was always so strong, so sure, suddenly weak and forgetful. She was my rock and now she needs me.

It is easy to become irritated, to snap back and be impatient. She is not a child. She should be able to do basic things for herself. She always has before. But times have changed and are continually changing.

What does it mean to honor my mother in this stage of life?

Paul’s words to the Galatians give me direction in this, as well in all relationships I have:

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. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26, NIV)

Sometimes, if I am honest, I don’t want this new role. I want my mom to continue to take care of me; I don’t want to take care of her. But it isn’t about what I want. It is about what she needs. She is my mom. The one who took care of me when I could not take care of myself. It is my turn to do what God calls me to do, and the Spirit will give me strength.

It is not the time to treat my mom with impatience, exasperation, authority, and harshness.

I love her. It is a joy to have these times together. I am at peace with what will come, knowing that it is all in God’s hands. I will be patient, giving her the space and calmness to do the things that now are difficult for her. I will treat her with kindness, goodness, and gentleness… faithfully as long as she needs. I have to practice self-control for those times when her weakness causes her to lash out, and above all else, continually place her and myself in God’s hands.

I have understood, through this and other lessons this past year, that it is not about what we live, but HOW we live it. This is not what I would have chosen to live during this past year. But I am living it with great joy and peace, thankful for the opportunity to serve and to honor my mother, as God has asked us to.

Is there something you can do today to honor your mother and father?

Written by Sabrina Nino de Campos, Brazil Coordinator for Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Just like in every reconstruction story, mine also involves a pain that is still very present. And even when I don’t feel it all the time, and may even forget it sometimes, it is constant.

I’ve been very blessed in my life. I had the opportunity to grow up in a family that loves God, and I remember that many times as a kid, whenever I felt troubled about any situation in life, I would always thank God for the family He gave me. Ever since I was a kid, I felt like I had a very strong relationship with the Father, especially in prayer. Even in the moments when I felt so far from Him, I don’t remember going to sleep without praying. It had been something my parents taught me, and it became a habit. And that habit kept me close to God during many years of frustration and life changes.

When I graduated high school and had a decision to make as to what I wanted for my future, I decided to enter a missions program called AME. I really wanted to make my own path, after so many years admiring the work my parents did with the church. During those years I participated in the mission work in Bolivia, met my husband, moved to Argentina to partner with the church there, etc. God did great things in my life, and even though in some moments, doubt crept into my mind (just like everyone else’s), I felt like my faith grew stronger every day. And the peace that flooded my life made me more and more confident that obstacles didn’t matter if I could put them at Yahweh’s feet.

Well, all of that changed in August 2019. When my mom, who had been my best friend and biggest supporter, suffered a cardiac arrest and had no oxygen for 33 minutes. My husband and I had to move out of Buenos Aires in less than 48 hours, leaving me with no time to say goodbye. Our journey was interrupted.

We stayed in Brazil for 6 months, where I felt like all hope was lost and felt the worse pain of my life. My mom did wake up from her coma, but she wasn’t herself anymore. Because of the lack of oxygen during those 33 minutes, she had suffered major brain damage that hinders her from being able to remember things for more than just a few seconds. She barely remembers the faces around her. And since I had been away from home since 2015, she doesn’t remember me. She knows my name, but doesn’t know who I am.

I don’t feel like God had prepared me for something like this. How could I ever be ready for this situation? I still don’t have an answer to that question. And since that day, and with all the things that came after that, I don’t feel like it gets any easier. I feel like my prayers have, many times, been like this one on Psalm 88 (ESV):

[…]
I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
my eye grows dim through sorrow.
Every day I call upon you, O Lord;
I spread out my hands to you.
[…]
But I, O Lord, cry to you;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
O Lord, why do you cast my soul away?
Why do you hide your face from me?
[…]
You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
my companions have become darkness.

My faith was destroyed in an unexpected way. And that was the first time I felt like the faith I inherited from my parents would no longer be enough to uphold me all my life. I needed to rebuild it. This situation I’m living is not what I wanted, I want a miracle. But that’s not what I’ve received, even though I still wait on Him. What I have received was an invitation to Rebuild my faith. I have learned a lot of new things about God, I have read His Word like I had never done before, with different eyes.

Sometimes I feel like Paul when he was Saul and even though he had good intentions, then Jesus comes and takes his vision away. And whenever he gets his vision back, his perspective is so different. I feel like I’m recovering my vision little by little, and sometimes, honestly, it feels like I’m going blind again. And God once again shows me His light.

The process of rebuilding is painful. It involves rebuilding my relationship with God; it involves my prayer life, the way I think about how God moves, the way I live my faith. But the most important thing I’ve learned is that I don’t need to be on this journey alone. I have brothers and sisters that are also going through this process. And better yet, God wants to accompany me through this process. Just like the psalmist that prays his pain, God also wants to hear my voice even if it’s full of sadness and even anger towards Him. We can’t rebuild a friendship by deciding to ignore the other person. Communication is needed.

Let’s not be afraid of rebuilding our relationship with God. Maybe you had something painful happen to you, something that changed your life story. Or maybe you just want to relearn how to pray, read, or listen to God in a more honest way.

No matter what, Yahweh wants to be by your side, just like He does with me too. And let’s not forget, God knows pain all too well. But just like He promises us pain (John 16:33), he also says, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20b, ESV).

My Thanksgiving List...
Written by Erica Peck
I sat down today and thought I would put on paper some of the things for which I’m thankful. We often feel grateful, but don’t recognize the full extent of how incredibly blessed we are. Sometimes writing it down helps. This by no means is an exhaustive list...it is just the beginning. Things I am grateful for:

Jesus as my LORD
This world is NOT my home
My husband, supportive, loyal, and always makes me laugh.
My first-born son, full of creativity and heart
My second-born son, full of life and giggles
My washing machine
Colorful, crunchy leaves in Fall
This chair I sit in
Jobs I can do and still be at home to raise my boys and support my family
The blessing of friendship
My mom, and all of her counsel, advice and example.
My dad, and his support, example and steadfastness
The Bible, oh the Bible.
Hot, running water.
Doctors and medicine
God’s creation I can enjoy with all of my senses.
My brother and sister-in-law, always so welcoming and caring of others
Delicious, wonderful food.
My cozy bed.

Like I said, this is just the beginning--I can think of many other things I am so, so grateful for, and I encourage you to write down your own list. As the old hymn goes, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings see what God has done...and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

My Thanksgiving List...
Written by Erica Peck

I sat down today and thought I would put on paper some of the things for which I’m thankful. We often feel grateful, but don’t recognize the full extent of how incredibly blessed we are. Sometimes writing it down helps. This by no means is an exhaustive list...it is just the beginning. Things I am grateful for:

Jesus as my LORD
This world is NOT my home
My husband, supportive, loyal, and always makes me laugh.
My first-born son, full of creativity and heart
My second-born son, full of life and giggles
My washing machine
Colorful, crunchy leaves in Fall
This chair I sit in
Jobs I can do and still be at home to raise my boys and support my family
The blessing of friendship
My mom, and all of her counsel, advice and example.
My dad, and his support, example and steadfastness
The Bible, oh the Bible.
Hot, running water.
Doctors and medicine
God’s creation I can enjoy with all of my senses.
My brother and sister-in-law, always so welcoming and caring of others
Delicious, wonderful food.
My cozy bed.

Like I said, this is just the beginning--I can think of many other things I am so, so grateful for, and I encourage you to write down your own list. As the old hymn goes, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings see what God has done...and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

Written by Abby Baumgartner, volunteer for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Lifting my head out of the water, I breathe and open my eyes just in time to hear the questioning cries from the shoreline: “Master Naaman! Are you healed?”

I look down at my arm and see that, for the sixth time now, I’ve gotten my hopes up; the pale, pink spots of leprosy still cover my arm. I turn towards shore, shaking my head as choruses of “That’s ok,” “That was only six. You’re supposed to dip seven times,” and “Seventh time is the charm!” drift back to me from the shore.

But this is ridiculous.

How did I—the commanding general of the Syrian army—end up washing myself in the Jordan river with an audience on the shoreline? Good question.

It all started when I discovered spots of leprosy on my arm. With no cure, this disease decays the skin and is a horrifying death sentence. I immediately began searching for some way to be healed, and no idea was too crazy to try. My wife’s servant, an Israelite girl my army captured in a raid, spoke of a prophet in Israel who could heal leprosy. I decided to seek healing from this prophet, after all, what did I stand to lose?

Armed with a letter of recommendation from the King of Syria and gifts of silver, gold, and fine clothing, I went to Israel and met with the king. I read him the letter and offered the gifts, but instead of answering me, the king declared he could not help me. We were at a standstill, and I started to think I’d wasted my time, until a messenger came before the king saying, “I carry with me a message from Elisha the prophet “Let him come now to me that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel” (2 Kings 5:8, ESV).

So, I packed up again and traveled to meet Elisha, but when I arrived at the prophet’s house, he wouldn’t even come to meet me. Instead, he sent another messenger to say, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean” (2 Kings 5:10b).

Humiliated and with burning rage, I said, “Behold, I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord, his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Demascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” (2 Kings 5:11b-12a).

Having said my piece, I turned to go, but one of my servants said, “Do not be angry, but,
My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” (2 Kings 5:13b, NIV).

I turned and looked back at my servants and the messenger. That same servant spoke again saying, “He’s not asking you do accomplish some super-human feat; he’s just asking you to wash.”

“But it makes no sense!” I replied, “Why—”

“Why not! We’ve all heard of the power of the Israelite God and the miracles worked by His prophets—this may still be your best chance,” he said. “And even if it doesn’t work, the only negative is that you’ll get a little wet.”

So, now I stand here in the Jordan River. I’ve dipped six times with no change in my skin, and I feel like a fool. Just one more time, I tell myself. As I sink into the Jordan a seventh time, a momentary wave of peace washes over me, then all too quickly, I rise from the water again. Before I even open my eyes, I hear calls from the shore, “Master Naaman! Are you healed?”

Fearing the worst, I look down at my arms. My skin is clear again! I jump back to the shore shouting, “The leprosy is gone! It’s all gone! Praise the Lord, God of Israel!”

I run to Elisha’s house, and this time he comes to meet me. With a knowing grin, he asks, “Naaman, have you washed in the Jordan seven times?”

“Yes!” I reply, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant” and I offer him the gifts of gold, silver, and clothes (2 Kings 5:15b, ESV).

Elisha says, “No. As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none” (2 Kings 5:16).

Now I understand. My healing wasn’t something I could manhandle through feats of strength or buy with gold; in fact, I could not earn my healing at all. Nothing I could do would measure up. Washing in the Jordan was so simple, and yet it brought a healing that I couldn’t gain in any other way.

It was ridiculous. It made no sense to me, but maybe that’s part of the point, too. I have to trust that the Lord is greater and stronger than I am, and I have to obey His call, even if it doesn’t make a lot of sense in the moment. Healing only came when I surrendered, let go of my pride, and obeyed.

“Thank you, Elisha. I understand now that I cannot repay you, so I will instead ask one more thing. [P]lease let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth,” I say (2 Kings 5:17). “Because from now on, I will only worship and offer sacrifices to the Lord, God of Israel. And I ask that even when I have to enter the temples of false gods with my king, that the Lord will forgive me.”

“Go in peace,” Elisha tells me, and I do (2 Kings 5:19).

What seemingly ridiculous thing is God calling you to obey?

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 Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Searcy, AR

How would you feel if you got up to make your morning bread, only to find a family of frogs in your dough bowl?

It was the 2nd plague: “The Nile shall swarm with frogs that shall come up into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed and into the houses of your servants and your people, and into your ovens and your kneading bowls” (Ex. 8:3 ESV).

“When the frogs came, Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, ‘Plead with the LORD to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.’ Moses said to Pharaoh, ‘Be pleased to command me when I am to plead for you and for your servants and for your people, that the frogs be cut off from you and your houses and be left only in the Nile.’ And he said, ‘Tomorrow.’” (Ex. 8:8-10 ESV)

TOMORROW! Pharaoh wanted the frogs gone... he called for Moses... and yet when Moses was willing to pray for God to remove the frogs, Pharaoh decided to keep them around one more night. Why? Did stubborn proud Pharaoh hope that by postponing the petition to God, he could handle the frogs himself?

Do we do the same thing?

“One more night with the frogs” is not the way we want to live our lives. We need to live intentionally... following the path of Jesus.

I believe Satan rejoices when he sees us putting off anything that is important, but especially if it is something that would make our relationship with the Father better.

Stop and think about how you spend your time... what is important to you... and are you spending time in the things that are of first importance?

Paul wrote: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4 ESV).

BUT, there is still daily life to take care of. What can we do to keep our priorities in order and do what needs to be done? Is there something taking your time/energy/finances that you don’t need/enjoy and can eliminate?

Prioritize by identifying things as “must do/have,” “when possible,” and “want.”

Colossians 3:23 (ESV) tells us, “Whatever you do, work heartily (diligently/enthusiastically), as for the LORD, not for men.”

Proverbs 27:1 (ESV): “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

We all have unexpected things pop up leading to something important being forgotten. This brings frustration, tears, anger... and sometimes pointing a finger and blaming others.

Do what you can when you can, because we never know when that unexpected need/problem will pop up to demand our time and energy go a different direction.

Let’s learn from Pharaoh and don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today...NO MORE NIGHTS WITH THE FROGS!

Written by Johana Batres, Iron Rose Sister Ministries volunteer

A year after I got married, my husband lost his job. I trusted that my husband and his good academic preparation would help him find a new job. What I earned was enough to cover the basic needs of the house. God wanted my husband to get closer to Him, so he put his talent into the service of His work. Eight months passed, long and distressing, but we never lacked God’s provision. We always had food and medicine. We were about to lose our house, and on one occasion they cut the electricity service. It is sad to remember those moments, but the most beautiful thing is that God was always there as our Provider, until, finally, my husband found a new job!

Why did I want to share this with you? Because in this world, we can only survive with provisions that come from Above. At that time, I learned that my trust must be placed in God rather than in well-prepared people. My husband started to serve in God’s work and to work with the youth group.

God, the Creator of the universe, our All in All, is the One who provides all that we need. Prayer is, for us, the important method to connect us with God.

Jesus urges us to pray, “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one’" (Matthew 6:9-13).

‬At that time, bread was the basic food and it represented all the needs of the people. In the same way, besides physical needs, Jesus teaches us to pray for everything: comfort, health, encouragement and wisdom, among other things.

What is your need today? Pray to the Lord... “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).

Prayer is the voice of faith of those who trust that God will provide what is necessary.

God bless you!

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

In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul writes: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Think on those words, then look at verse 8 where he follows those thoughts by saying, “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

What do we know about Paul? Why was he able to write with such confidence?

We first meet Paul in Acts 7:58 where he is called by his Jewish name Saul, holding the garments of those stoning Stephen, then Acts 8:1 tells us Saul approved the execution. This makes us think he already had some authority among Jewish leaders.

Paul tells a little about himself in 1 Corinthians 15:9, 10: “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain…”

We learn more in Philippians 3:5,6: “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.”

Paul was born a Jew, and his parents followed Jewish law and circumcised him when he was eight days old, according to the law God gave Abraham in Genesis 17:12.

Paul was a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, and he was zealous to fight against anything that challenged the purity of Israel or of the law.

He was a persecutor of the church and willing to use violence to protect the law of Moses. He believed the early Christians were blasphemers against a holy God. Paul would have remembered Leviticus 24:10-16 where God was blasphemed and knew this was a serious offense. He lived blamelessly according to how he understood the law to be.

As a faithful Jew he offered the appropriate sacrifices and kept the feast days and purity laws, and he would have expected others to do the same.

Paul grew up in Jerusalem and studied at the school of Gamaliel (a leading authority in the Sanhedrin) according to Acts 22:3. Because of his schooling, we assume he was from a wealthy family. His birthplace, Tarsus, about 620 miles from Jerusalem, dated back to 1900 BC, and was an important trade city in what we know as modern-day Turkey.

Paul had access to power, to money, and to the prestige of high social standing… all of which he gave up to follow Jesus.

In Philippians 3:7-8 Paul writes: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

Paul had given up everything from his early life in order to be a disciple of the Christ.

Because Paul went to the Gentiles, he did not speak of “virtue” since they would have thought of the four Greek virtues: justice, courage, temperance, and prudence. Instead, Paul spoke of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…and he encouraged Christians to build these into their lives.

Paul tells us his goal in Philippians 3:10: “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

He encourages us to forget what’s behind and press on remembering the goal that’s in front of us (Phil. 3:14-15.)

Paul tells the Sanhedrin in Acts 23:1: “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” Because he had done what he thought God wanted him to do, when Jesus got his attention on the road to Damascus, Paul was receptive to the message of Jesus.

Before Paul began persecuting Christians, it is probable that he studied this new faith because of wanting to do what was right, so he may have already known something about what the disciples did and believed.

The apostle Paul, born a citizen of Rome, reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven and we await a Savior who will transform us (Phil. 3:20-21; 4:1), so “stand firm in the LORD.”

In standing firm, we, too, can say with Paul, “I have kept the faith…a crown of righteousness is waiting.”

Quotations are ESV.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #Paul #runtherace #keepthefaith #standfirm #crownofrighteousness #guestwriter #blog

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

There is a common idiom in English, “marriage made in Heaven,” which implies that a particular marriage is perfect. Yet marriage is never perfect because we are imperfect beings. Marriage was designed by the perfect God, created because God declared, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Gen. 2:18, NKJV). God Himself brought two humans together, man and woman, in order that they would become one (Gen. 2:22,24). It stands to reason that this God-ordained covenant (a promise between two or more people) should be treated carefully and with respect. God designed marriage to be a covenant between one man and one woman with Him at the head of that union.Consequently, we should be mindful of how we do marriage given the gravity of that covenant. And we could learn from some biblical examples of couples “doing marriage” in and out of God’s design.

Abram and Sarai: God had special plans for Abram. His wife, Sarai, chose to intervene by bringing another woman into their marriage to provide the child that she could not. Having this Egyptian woman, Hagar, bear Abram’s son would prove distressing for all (Gen. 16; 21:8-18). Sarai even grew angry at her husband, laying blame on him for the trouble she caused. “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me”(Gen. 16:5, NIV). Sarai would have done well to let God move in their marriage the way He had already planned because God would later fulfill an even greater covenant through Abraham and Sarah’s marriage.

I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you…  I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come fromher. (Gen. 17: 6,16)

Joseph and Mary: Even before the actual ceremony, Joseph perceived his marriage covenant with honor and respect. Upon finding out his bride-to-be was pregnant, Joseph chose to break their engagement quietly because he “was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly” (Matt. 1:19, NLT). He did this even though it was within his authority under the law to publicly condemn Mary. And Mary, a woman highly favored by God, accepted God’s will and His plans for her. I suppose Mary could have chosen another path that did not include Joseph, or just outright rejected God’s desire. However, Joseph and Mary valued the Lord’s design for their marriage and obeyed His will (Luke 1:18-24).

Hosea and Gomer: A union expressly made by God, this marriage was a picture of His love and faithfulness. It was between a prophet and a harlot, used by God in a unique way. Their marriage illustrated the covenant God had with the Israelites not to love any other gods. Hosea and Gomer’s marriage also typified the habitual breaking of that covenant. Gomer wandered unfaithfully from her marriage to Hosea. Hosea repeatedly brought Gomer home only to have her run into the arms of another lover, and God would expect Hosea to go get his wife and bring her home yet again.

Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.’ (Hos. 3:1)

Hosea’s and Gomer’s marriage was a living parable that God’s people could see for themselves.

Aquila and Priscilla: Considered a spiritual power couple, Aquila and Priscilla embodied the marriage covenant as God intended. They worked in expanding the church and were instrumental in keeping Paul and his ministry thriving (Rom. 16:3-4). They were church planters (1 Cor. 16:19), spiritual mentors (Acts 18:26), and traveling missionaries (Acts 18:18). All this married couple did for the Lord, they did together. They are an example of how to do marriage covenant as God perfectly designed it.

Marriage will never be perfect because we are imperfect beings. However, we should strive for excellence in marriage because we have the blood of Jesus, the perfect One, to sanctify us and make us holy(Heb. 13:12). Jesus perfects us! He makes us righteous! We need Him to perfect our marriage and make it right.It is an honorable thing to have a “marriage made in Heaven” because the marriage covenant is holy, designed by the perfect God to be at the head of that covenant. How will you honor the marriage covenant?

written by Kimberly Edwards
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us “pray continually.” It is easy to just read those verses and skip over them without taking them to heart.

Jesus was constantly in prayer and conversation with God! He showed us how to leave the crowds behind and make time to listen to God, especially at the end of some of His busiest days.

Just the other day, feeling fully frustrated with my incredibly independent 1 year old who found it in her nature to defy my every simple request, out of desperation I found myself on my knees with my head bowed on the ground, praying for patience and obedience. To my surprise, this had a positive response and my daughter came and obeyed.

Prayer in the life of Katie Forbess

Meet Katie Forbess, President of the Iron Rose Sister Ministries Board of Directors!

Katie, tell us a little about yourself and your family.
My husband Jeff of 17 years and I were brought together by our passion for missions, specifically in Latin America, that has increased over the years. After spending several years on the mission field in Bolivia, we returned to the states and have been actively involved in local missions in Little Rock, Arkansas. We have 3 beautiful children and are actively cultivating a passion for the Lord in each of them. Prayer has always been a vital part of our marriage and our relationships with our children.

How has your prayer life changed over the years?
Prayer is something that I used to work at all the time. I fought with myself and was frustrated many times by the “state of my prayer life.” The birth of my first child transformed my prayer life completely. I was full of so many emotions, including thankfulness and awe, and at the same time in need of wisdom and guidance that I was praying without thinking about it. I was communicating with and relying on God in a way that I had never done before.
Returning to the states was an additional time of growth for my prayer life. It was during this time of change and searching for my new normal that Michelle wrote her article for the Wineskins magazine and, soon after, outlined her vision and calling to start IRSM. It was an organic and automatic response for me to call her and say, “I am in!” And what a journey of prayer it has been!

How has Iron Rose Sister Ministries influenced or affected your prayer life?
The ways in which I have been privileged to apply the many facets of prayer to IRSM has been a marvelous blessing: Praying prayers of thanksgiving. Praying for so many women I have never met. Praying for wisdom. Praying for health and safety, of Michelle in particular. God has answered the prayers as He does in scripture with yes, no, maybe, maybe yes, maybe no, absolutely, and wait. All of which have requited different but equally important levels of patience.
I have been blessed beyond measure working with IRSM. I can say without reservation that being an Iron Rose Sister and particularly how that works itself out in daily contact with Michelle has made me even more of a woman of prayer.

Thank you, Katie. And what has prayer meant for you in your relationship with God?
Prayer is the medium by which I communicate to God and yet somehow so much more. It’s the way to take a pulse of my spiritual life. If I am not communicating with God, then I have to evaluate the other activities of my life. Prayer is cement that holds my relationship with God together.

How has prayer affected your relationship with your family or with others?
Prayer is one of the most valuable gifts that we give each other. In my family, prayer has mended broken hearts and spoke in holy places and done what human conversation found impossible to do. With my friends, prayer has allowed me to help when I literally could not do anything and did not have any other words for the situation.

As Iron Rose Sisters, we want to encourage and equip each other to connect to God and one another more deeply. Any other words of encouragement or equipping for our Iron Rose Sisters as it relates to prayer, maybe a specific Bible verse that has been an encouragement to you for your own prayer life?
Take the step and offer to pray with someone as soon as they ask for the prayer. Even if it is someone you have just met or someone who doesn’t understand prayer very well. Step aside and pray with them. Remember that prayer isn’t a laundry list, it is a conversation between you, the other person and your Heavenly Father: someone who knows them and loves them infinitely more than you.

I have often heard you share a famous quote about prayer. Can you share it with our readers in closing?
Sure! I’m not sure who said it, I think maybe Richard Foster. “The hardest thing about prayer is the moment between deciding to pray and praying.”

Thank you for sharing, Katie. I have personally been truly blessed by our prayer time together and by the example of your prayer life as a prayer warrior! We appreciate your insights on prayer and for the role you play in Iron Rose Sister Ministries on our board. Thanks again for your time and for sharing your story! And we invite you, our readers, to respond to Katie and chat with her through this blog.

 #IronRoseSister, #prayer, #mystory

Written by Corina Díaz, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Argentina

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. (Matt. 6:6)

Throughout my Christian life, I have experienced different stages in my connection with Jesus, determined by the way in which I have practiced prayer.

During the first years, I learned to repeat prayers and the structure in which one should pray (call on Him – thanks – requests – blessing/praise). This gave me the foundation to practice what, years later, I came to know as Lectio Divina or contemplative prayer/reading—a deep search for silence. For me, silence is the perfect opportunity to listen to the Father and speak to Jesus from the depth of my heart.

First step, Lectio (reading): understand the Word (its literal meaning), responding to the question, what does the text say? It is important to contextualize through the following approaches: literary (word analysis), historical (sociocultural, economic, political, and religious situation), and theological (what God says).

Second step, Meditatio (meditation): receive the Word, what does the text say? We enter into an intimate dialogue with God through a series of questions that question our reality, and that help us to discover a message for life.

Third step, Oratio (prayer): respond to the Word, what does the text lead me to say to God? We respond in prayer, moved by the Holy Spirit.

And the fourth step, Contemplatio (contemplation/action): inspire life in the Word, to what conversion and action is the Lord inviting us? We receive what is discovered through dialogue with God, and the good news is that He sends us to find it with others.

In this final step is where we truly come together in prayer, when we are bathed in silence, and we have heard the voice of the Father to inspire our daily lives.

¡Be still in the presence of the Lord! (Ps. 37:7)

I invite you to practice this exercise through a passage of the Bible, maybe the same text in which Jesus teaches His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:5-15.

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

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

It is comforting to live according to what is set out in this passage, since the joy of the Lord is our strength through today's trials.

I believe that constant prayer goes deep within us, living out the desire to be in communication with, and linked to, the Power of God at all times. Then that communication and intimacy with God through prayer becomes a full part of us that truly unites us with Him.

Knowing how to be thankful for everything, whether good or bad, teaches, serves, and helps us to grow in faith, remembering what Romans 8:28 says.  ^“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

When we see both the will of God and ours, we know they must be intertwined with the Holy Spirit because the Heavenly Father wants to give us the best; and what is best for us is edification, as 1 Corinthians 10:23 says. Living in the will of God builds the character of Christ in each one of us, and that is why it should be a priority to seek His perfect will through absolute communication with the Maker of Life.

I faithfully believe that prayer will bring perfect and essential intimacy with the Heavenly Father, that communication with others will be achieved, and that we will radiate Christ through our faith and dedication as indicated in Galatians 2:20.

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.

Knowing and loving the Lord, and as a follower of Christ, His teachings on prayer are of great inspiration to me. In Luke 22:42 NLT, the Lord Himself says, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” We see here that although on many occasions our will is different than the will of God, we must seek the Lord’s will every day. In times of tribulation, His will is perfect and we will only understand it and make it a reality when we are in constant communication with Him.

Everything Jesus did to save us certainly was not easy for Him; but His immense love, obedience, and faith led Him to fulfill the will of the Father and not His own as a human.

Another great prayer inspiration for me is Hannah, Samuel's mother, as described in 1 Samuel chapter 1, verses 1-28. Hannah, full of faith in her heart, was constant and very specific in her prayers. She ultimately received her desired answer—having a child—despite her advanced age and sterility, then offered him to the service of God in gratitude for the favor granted.

On this earth, through the Holy Spirit that unites us, many brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus teach us to be unwavering servants of faith through prayers to God.

Today, I remember, with great admiration and respect, Sister Carmen Franco, a reverent, faithful, and fervent woman of prayer. Sister Carmen grew up in a Christian home, describing her life as one full of great battles. Even so, she obtained material blessings, but more importantly, spiritual blessings.

One day in 2017, as she was praying about her need to meet with the Lord's church but not knowing where to go, some members of the Church of Christ La Mesa de Los Indios, in Mérida, Venezuela, knocked on her door and invited her to their worship service. She accepted their invitation. When she attended, she arrived with a heart full of gratitude because her prayers had been answered.

Beloved Sister Carmen never stopped meeting with the congregation. Even during the pandemic, she continued to attend. She would say, “God with us, nothing against us.” She was vigilant, following Covid guidelines when attending all gatherings. Her valuable example is inspirational because she was praying each time we visited her. She taught us to strengthen, as a Christian family, the need for prayer as a means of daily communication with the Lord, through every circumstance.She always prayed for everything and everyone. Without a doubt, Sister Carmen Franco inspired us with her commitment to prayer.

Although her living conditions were sparce, she was constantly grateful and shared what the Lord gave her. Hers was a house of prayer; she lifted everything to the Father.

Sister Carmen went to be with the Lord on December 31, 2021, praying and praising the King of Kings, who answered her prayers for a peaceful end.

Dear sisters, let us be women of prayer with hearts full of faith. Will we be willing to pray without ceasing?

Written by Erica Peck Dexter, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Searcy, AR

Have you ever given much thought to what your priorities are? Really though. Not just a passing thought of I value God, my family, and friends and then move on to the next thing. What is a priority for you?

Many years ago, I was feeling torn in many directions between work, spending time with my family, and university classes as a non-traditional student. I remember specifically asking God to help me put my priorities in order. Guess what happened? He did. About a month later, I was on my knees, and, without realizing it, I had just said, “Thank you, Lord, for helping me put my priorities in order.” My exact words. I paused and realized, “Whoa, He’s given me exactly what I’ve been asking about!” I smiled and thanked Him again. As I reflected, I could see that in every area of my life He had made things clearer, easier to sort through and prioritize what was most important.

Do you know where we can look to see good priorities in action? Who remembers Abigail from 1 Samuel 25? At this time, David and his servants were living on Nabal’s land, helping to care for the sheep and cattle, had treated Nabal’s servants well, not stolen anything, and had been, in general, really nice guys. They now go to Nabal at a festive time to ask for his blessing and see if he can “give them whatever he can find for them” (vs. 8). Abigail’s husband, Nabal, whose name means “fool, failure” receives David’s servants with a hostile, ugly attitude and sends them away with nothing. When David’s servants returned to tell David how they have been treated, he is, of course, furious. So much so that he says, “I will not leave one male alive belonging to Nabal by morning” (vs.22).

Here is where priorities come in: A servant runs to tell Abigail the news that David is furious, and ask what are we going to do?! Verse 18 says, “Abigail lost no time.” She literally gets cooking, preparing mounds of food and gifts for David and his servants in hopes of quelling his anger and the eminent battle that will take place if nothing is done. In the end, David accepts her gifts, and says to her, “May you be blessed for your good judgement and for keeping me from bloodshed this day” (vs. 33). Wow! She lost no time in acting on that decision, making it a priority. And she was blessed for it.

What priorities are you choosing? I encourage you to be like Abigail and lose no time in doing what the LORD has called you to do. Start today. Take courage and take His hand. You will be blessed.