Iron Rose Sister Ministries

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

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. (Lk 14:25-33 NIV)

Understanding the meaning of the word committed is important. Close in meaning to words such as difficult and exposed, it is an adjective that implies risk, difficulty, or danger.

Many times, in interpersonal relationships, expressions such as "I commit to" in response to a job application, a study option, a competition, or a relationship are intended to include all the given conditions so that you can succeed. It is not easy to commit to accomplishing everything—even more so if you are unaware of certain situations that will arise.

However, Jesus teaches us to consider beforehand the cost and the risk of following Him and committing to Him. Jesus denied himself to prioritize us; He also requires us to deny ourselves in any situation or comfort to prioritize Him.

True commitment requires responsibility and faithfulness.

For example, the cost of infidelity without calculating the magnitude of the distress it could generate on a spiritual, mental, moral, and social level would likely lead to your total collapse and the loss of your communion with God. Underestimating the consequences of a bad decision devoid of commitment results in chaos.

Christ showed His commitment to follow the way of the cross. Focusing on our salvation, He carried that heavy cross, denying Himself, even to death. Showing genuine, faithful commitment to our Lord defines me as a disciple of Him. Giving Him first place refocuses me on the path of salvation by reminding me of the cost of following Him, compared to the cost He paid in committing before God to redeem me.

When you make the commitment to be His disciple, you also acquire eternal life (Jn 15:5-8). James 1:12 motivates us to obtain the crown of life by remaining committed throughout our whole life.

Maintaining a disciplined life of integrity means leaving behind curses, anger, worldly pleasures, or any situation that is natural for the human mind but that goes against the teaching of Jesus.

The rich young ruler presented a question to Jesus about how to obtain eternal life. Jesus asks him to sell everything he owns and give it to the poor. This completely discouraged the young man, who, manifesting an attitude of sadness, left. Material possessions and attachments to material, emotional, and physical goods are obstacles to committing to Christ 100%.

To commit ourselves is to let go of all burdens. If the believer is unwilling to fulfill this condition, they should remember Jesus' words, "Such a person cannot be my disciple" (Lk 14:26).

Following Christ and committing 100% to the Great I AM is the best decision, even if it is difficult. "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial" (Jas 1:12a).

I am moved by the descriptive words of the apostle Paul when he expresses that he considers everything as garbage, as loss, in order to gain Christ, affirming that he left everything to follow Him. To assume this faithful commitment was his firm and best decision (Php 3:7).

God gives us the grace to commit ourselves fully to the Great I AM.

Are we really willing to give up possessions, convenience, and comfort to commit 100% to the Great I AM?

Written by Nilaurys García, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Canada

I once heard somebody mentioning that they noticed their friend had done a 360-degree turn in their life. My always curious and visual mind pictured the person doing a full lap around the track’s circle and getting back to the same spot, which seemed odd if they were trying to express that their friend had changed significantly. That’s when I learned that the saying “making a 180-degree turn in their life” means to go the completely opposite direction as they had previously gone.

Following the Christian life is also a 180-degree turn we make to obey and follow God’s commands. The prophet Ezekiel shows us instructions on what we should do to live. In Ezekiel 18:21-22 the Lord says:

But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. (NIV)

It is also true that repentance or “turning away from the wickedness we have committed” leads to change. Second Corinthians 7:10 says that “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” I questioned why some people would have such a hard time leaving their past nature and habits when they decide to turn their lives to Jesus. It seems that the answer to that question is not as easy as one would expect. To consider all our offenses as we reflect upon the actions in our lives and the deeds we have done, we start reflecting on our own behavior and what does not match the life that the Lord has called us to live.

But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die. (Eze 18:27-28)

Then it comes the next step: “Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die people of Israel?” (Eze 18:31). To get a new heart and a new spirit, means to change the way we see things, and start anew to renew our way of thinking. Going back to the initial picture of the 180-degree turn, we could say that now that we followed all the steps to get to the opposite place, we need to replace all that we left behind. The Lord also tells us what He is going to replace our old self with: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Eze 36:26). We have our answer!

What I love the most about reading these passages in Ezekiel is the question at the end of verse 18:31, “Why will you die, people of Israel?”. Why would we do what displeases the Lord, instead of what would bring us closer to Him? If we have heard His word and His commands, He has promised to give us new hearts and spirits. He is willing to forget all our offenses.
So, are we willing to truly repent and live according to His will? 

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

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Ro 10:15b, NIV)

Good news is a good thing. Even better is the good news of Jesus Christ. And those who share the good news of Jesus Christ are beautiful. What a descriptor! You see, God wants everyone to know Him. He wants a personal and enduring relationship with all of us (1 Ti 2:3-4; Lev 26:12; 2 Ti 1:9). But for anyone to know God personally and genuinely, they must know Jesus.

My life verse is John 14:6 where Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The only way to know God is to know Jesus. So, everything I do should be centered around helping others to know Jesus. It should be my main goal in life, far beyond any other aspiration.

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace (Ac 20:24).

As a faithful believer, I am to fulfill the call to make Christ known and share Jesus with others so that they will know God. I have never seen myself as a long-term missionary in a foreign country or publicly preaching the gospel as many are gifted to do. However, I can and do share the Good News in other ways. For example, I share stories of God’s redemption in my life and how my relationship with Jesus transforms me daily into a woman yearning to know God more. I share these “good news” testimonies speaking at ladies’ events in my church and community and in my regular job as a writer. I also share in small group Bible studies with women of all backgrounds, many of whom don’t yet know Jesus. Sharing my story makes Jesus more personable because others can see His wonder-working power and love in my life.

Another way I like to share the Good News of Christ is by meeting people in whatever need they have and then sharing my reason for meeting that need. My reason for meeting their need, whether it be a hot meal, a bus ticket home, or a coat to keep warm in winter, is always because of my love for Jesus. My desire to follow Jesus and know God compels me to love and meet the needs of others, especially those who don’t know Jesus. For me, there’s no better way to share Jesus than to answer the question “Why would you help a total stranger?” with a bold proclamation that I do what I do because of Jesus and His love.

Perhaps one of the most joyful ways for me to make Christ known is by singing in my community choir. The music we sing is primarily composed of gospel or hymnal collections performed free of charge for and within my community. Because the music we sing is sacred, concert attendees hear lyrics that richly honor God. But it also represents Jesus through varied expressions and names, some of which are not even recognized by believers deeply rooted in the faith. Combined with a brief tutorial on the origin and history of each piece of music, these songs are an opportunity to make Christ unmistakably known to those who don’t already know Him. And it’s done in the most delightful way!

It is no cliche to say that the world needs God. Truly, God has been so far removed from present-day civilization that those who don’t know God would be hard-pressed to find Him. Modern worldview culture has made it difficult to see God amidst all the disjointed and discombobulated beliefs. But God is here! He’s not hiding or avoiding us. God desires us! God is pursuing us each and every day. We need only to open our hearts to find Him.

…If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. (Jer 29:13-14a NLT)

To find Jesus is to find God. If those who seek God need Jesus to find Him, we who already know Jesus must make Christ known to those who do not. How we fulfill that call to make Christ known can be varied. The one thing that isn’t varied is the responsibility of every Christ follower to share Jesus.

In what way will you fulfill the beautiful call to share Jesus and help others know God?

Introduced by Michelle J. Goff, then written by her mother, Jocelynn Goff, both in Arkansas

My mother has always modeled hospitality. Growing up, almost every Sunday we had someone over for lunch—people of different languages, cultures, and backgrounds. In honor of this week’s emphasis on commitment to one another as shown through hospitality, I can think of no better candidate to share one of her many stories. In her own words…

One Sunday many years ago in “early marriage days,” my husband came up to me after church saying, “See that man over there? I invited him for lunch.” “You did what?!” I asked incredulously as I looked at the man who had just walked into the church building that morning. He looked like he had slept in his ill-fitting suit. He had huge dandruff flakes all over the shoulders of his suit and in his eyebrows, in other words, a less than appealing presence of a man. I said, “He’s a stranger and we’ve got a baby to think about.” My husband replied, “I thought of that. That’s why I invited the preacher and his wife for lunch as well.” Again, my reply was, “You did what?!” I only have a one-pound meatloaf in the oven. We don’t have enough.” My husband gently said, “We have plenty. This man has $2.32 to his name and needs a bus ticket and ride to the bus station to get to his family. He came to the church for help.” Oh my! I was immediately humbled and changed my response to a prayer. “Dear Lord, please forgive my harsh, immediate judgment and please provide enough for us to share as You did with the small boy’s lunch of five loaves and two fish.” This was my prayer all the way home from church as I was also thinking of what else to add to the one-pound meatloaf.

When we arrived home, I got the meatloaf out of the oven and noticed that it had actually shrunk, not grown. “Oh my! Dear Lord, we still need a miracle multiplication here like You did with the small boy’s lunch.” I added to the meatloaf meal three cans of green beans, two boxes of macaroni and cheese, and a can of fruit cocktail with a sliced banana. Then I sliced the meatloaf and served the meal.

Everyone was served some of everything: meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, green beans, and fruit salad. We had pleasant conversation over lunch. The preacher and his wife agreed to take the man to the bus station and the church would pay for his bus ticket so he could go home to family.

After lunch when everyone had left, I cleared off the table and noticed the meatloaf. Do you know what? I had meatloaf left over! Everyone had been served, yet there was meatloaf left over. I remember in Mark’s account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, “They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish” (Mk 6:42-43 NIV).

So, the next day as I ate a sandwich made with leftover meatloaf, I was again reminded of my prayer for God to multiply the meatloaf as He did with the loaves and fish and He did, and He gave me leftovers as a reminder of His abundant provision.

My reflection afterward was also on the scripture, Hebrews 13:2, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” While I do not know if this man was an angel, I do know that every time I remember this event, it causes me to reflect on this verse and consider the real meaning of hospitality. We often think it’s opening our home to our family and friends. Actually, that is fellowship.

Fellowship is when connectedness or relationship is shared among those with a common aim or background. Hospitality is providing an act of service of welcoming, receiving, hosting, or entertaining guests or strangers. It’s an act of service, often to the least of these. In Matthew 25:40 Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” As I’m sure you, like I, want to serve Jesus Himself then we must learn to serve the “least of these.” This provides the greatest blessing to them, to us, and is Kingdom living.

Written by Beliza Kocev, Iron Rose Sister Ministries Brazil Coordinator

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Mt 22:36-40 NIV)

Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:36-37 show us which of the commandments is the most important of all: Love God, without reservation, totally, with everything we are and everything we have. But what is this love like? How do we demonstrate this love?

When we love God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind we make Him more important than anything else in our life. More important than our spouse, our kids, our parents, our social position, career, reputation, dreams, desires, emotions, and even more important than our life itself. Pleasing Him becomes our prime objective and purpose. And even though it may hurt, we renounce everything that distances us from that purpose.

Love seems difficult to define. And if we look it up, we will find various meanings and descriptions, as well as differing opinions.

Unfortunately, we live in a time in which the word “love” has become simply a feeling. To love someone is often confused with “feeling good with them”. But “feeling good” with someone doesn’t constitute love in biblical terms. In biblical terms, love is intimately linked to doing, and specifically, loving God and doing what He wants— that is, obeying His commandments, His will. Jesus made this very clear when He said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (Jn 14:15).

To love God is to obey Him. The greatest command is to love God and the way we do that is by obeying what He tells us to do. To love God and to keep His commands, the Word of God, are inseparable from each other. First John 5:3 says, “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands.”

Loving God with all our hearts is the greatest command. But loving God is not a state of mind where we “feel good” about God. Loving God is the same as doing His will. We cannot say that we love God and at the same time be disobedient to Him. Faith is not a state of mind. Faith in God and His Word is the same as being obedient. Let us not believe in the lies that try to separate one from the other. Also, the love of God and His favor comes back to those who love Him— that is, those who please Him and do His will. Furthermore, we also see that it is better to go ahead and do God's will even when we don't feel like doing it, than to disobey Him. This does not make us robots without feelings. We can (should) always talk to the Lord, express how we feel, and share how difficult the situation is for us. If there is another way, He will provide it for us. He is the most wonderful Master and Father of all, gracious and good to all His children. Jesus did this:

…My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death… My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will… My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done. (Mt 26:38-42)

May we have courage, faith, and especially love for God to obey Him every day of our lives. And when it is difficult, may we ask God for the strength to do His will.

Written by Beliza Kočev, Brazil Coordinator with Iron Rose Sister Ministries

In 2023 I had the opportunity to meet sisters from several African countries who were in Angola for a church event. I, along with two more sisters, represented Iron Rose Sister Ministries, developing activities and classes. In one of the classes, we talked about the temple in Jerusalem and the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies (Ex. 26:33). When we taught about the death of Jesus and about how at that moment the temple veil was torn (Mt. 27:51), we illustrated this by tearing a piece of fabric apart while we narrated what happened, and their reaction surprised me…

They were so excited! They started to celebrate! You know when it’s the tournament final and everyone celebrates when their team wins? That was the scene that I was witnessing! Those women were celebrating that the death of Jesus gave us direct access to God. The price for sin was paid.

This is how we should all celebrate, knowing that Jesus conquered death when He was resurrected! Jesus’ resurrection is the most important fact of Christianity (1 Co. 15:14). The resurrection is the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament, the manifestation of the things Jesus had announced to His disciples, and the confirmation that He is the Son of God.

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Php. 3:10-11 NIV)

Paul was in prison when he wrote the letter to the Philippians—in prison as punishment for preaching the gospel. And even though in some moments he likely didn’t expect to survive, he invested his time in captivity writing much of what today we know as the New Testament. Even amid his difficulties, Paul shared his great desire to know Jesus and experience the power that raised our Savior out of the tomb.

The resurrection of Christ brings us hope. The evil and pain of this world are small compared to His power. And not only small, but temporary. 1 Corinthians 6:14 says, “By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.” If we want the hope of resurrection, we cannot live as if Jesus had not been resurrected—as if we were on the losing side.

Reading Romans 6 we understand that just like Jesus died and was resurrected, it is God’s will that we die to sin and live for Christ. By following Him, Jesus gives us the opportunity to resurrect to a new life; not only eternal life when we leave this earth, but starting now to enjoy communion with God and the power of the Holy Spirit to help us overcome sin.

Imagine the life of those who saw Jesus die and later resurrect. Their lives completely changed. Faith is the certainty of what we don’t see, and the resurrection of Jesus changed our lives even though we were not eyewitnesses.

The power that took down death is the same power that takes down the power of sin in our lives. May our desire be like that of Paul: to know Christ deeply and feel within us the power of His resurrection.

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

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

We have been richly blessed as daughters of God! Whether it is good health, family, or financial stability, there is always something for which we can be thankful. Furthermore, God’s provision extends beyond physical blessings; He showers us with spiritual blessings in Christ: forgiveness of sins, eternal life with our Lord in heaven, inexpressible and glorious joy, hope that cannot be shaken, a relationship with our loving Father, confidence to approach the throne of the grace, the inspired Word of God to guide our lives, the gift of the Holy Spirit, family through the blood of Christ… in short, everything we need for life and godliness.

Even if our physical blessings were taken away, we would still have so much for which to be thankful. The goodness of God far outweighs our trials and hardships. Paul writes, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” through strength found in Christ (Php 4:11b-13 NIV). We can always be thankful, despite our situation: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1Th 5:16-18).

Daily thankfulness is important because it…

• Dispels anxiety. The antidote to anxiety is thanksgiving. When I choose to dwell on my many blessings, fears fade from the forefront of my mind; these two thought patterns are incompatible. While worries may not disappear entirely, their power is significantly diminished in the presence of thankful thoughts. This truth is taught in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
• Reminds us of our reliance upon God, not ourselves. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph 2:8-9). We are dependent upon God, not only for our spiritual blessings such as salvation, but also for our physical needs (Mt 6:25-34).
• Teaches us to see the silver lining. We are instructed to train ourselves in godliness (1Ti 4:7), and gratitude is a godly characteristic. When we practice daily thankfulness, we train our minds to look for the positive and focus on the good.

A tangible way to count our blessings is to write them down in a daily thankfulness journal. If you are like me, you may have been unable to consistently keep a diary. Recording every detail of the day simply seems like too much time and effort after living it. When I began a daily thankfulness journal in January of 2022, there was some skepticism – primarily from myself! It turned out not to be a burden, however, but rather a fantastic blessing. I save my thankfulness for each day as a text message, then catch up on my journal entries when convenient. How wonderful it is to look back and see how God has blessed me through the past almost three years!

Let us overflow with thankfulness! “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Col 2:6-7). It is important that we connect our thankfulness for our blessings to their source: our Creator.

From James, we learn that “every good and perfect gift is from above” (1:17a). We should be grateful to God and attribute every good thing in our life to him. Let us approach God with a grateful heart and an attitude of thankfulness for His bountiful blessings, eagerly expressing our great appreciation in prayer and song: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Ps 100:4).

We should also praise the name of the Lord to others. Overflowing with gratitude is glorifying to God (2Co 4:15b)! Thanksgiving is essential to letting our light shine in the darkness of complaints and criticisms. Cultivate a heart of thankfulness and share your blessings with others. When shared, sorrow is mitigated, and joy is multiplied!

Challenges for 2025

• Start a daily thankfulness small group text. Ask everyone to commit to sending one, “I am thankful for…” text each day. It can be as simple as sunshine or chocolate or related to an event of the day. This is an excellent way to encourage and be encouraged!
• Start a daily thankfulness journal and record how God blesses you every day. This is a great way to be continually amazed by the abundant mercies and faithfulness of God in your life!
• Speak more about your blessings from God rather than your complaints. People are drawn to positivity and may want to learn more about your hope!

Count your many blessings, name them one by one… indeed, our blessings are many! Let us count them, appreciate them, and overflow with thankfulness for them— to God and to others. Will you count your blessings today and every day?

Written by Kassie Lamoureux, Executive Assistant for Iron Rose Sister Ministries

The week after our college graduation, my friend, Emma, was getting married. I was so excited about the wedding for many reasons; one being that I was finally going to meet Emma’s older sister. I had heard story after story about her over the past few years. And Emma always said, “Oh, you’re going to love her.” A few days before the wedding, Emma’s sister arrived! The first thing I said to her was, “We’ve never met, but I feel like I know you because of how much Emma has talked about you.”

Just as I felt as if I knew Emma’s sister through the stories she told, others should feel as if they know Christ through us as His disciples. We should be talking about the great things Jesus has done in our lives so that the world knows Him. We should be telling others about Him and saying, “Oh, you’re going to love Him.”

Making Jesus known should be a natural response to encountering His love. But it is also a command He gives us. In the book of Matthew, Jesus’ parting words to the apostles before He ascended into heaven were His instructions to spread the Good News so that more would come to know Him.

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Mt 28:18-20 CSB)

It is significant that this command to the apostles is the very last event recorded in Matthew. Jesus had just resurrected, and we know from other gospels that He was about to ascend to heaven. I imagine the apostles were asking Jesus lots of questions about what would happen next. So, Jesus left the apostles with an instruction of what they should do once He was no longer physically with them: Go and tell!

This final command to the apostles is of such importance that it has been given a special name by which we refer: The Great Commission. The word “commission” comes from the same root word as “commitment.” As followers of Jesus, we need to be committed to telling others about Him.

The most notable disciple in Acts who committed himself to making Christ known is Paul. He went on several journeys, for years at a time to introduce people to Jesus. He often returned years later to encourage the church, reminding them of “the Lord in whom they believed.”

When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Ac 14:23)

The Great Commission was not only a command for the early disciples. All are called to share the Good News of Jesus.

Another way to think about the word “commission” is to break it down into two parts:

1. “Co” – with, together, joint
2. “Mission” – assignment, operation, task, or goal

The Great Commission is the invitation for us as Jesus’ disciples to join (co-) in Jesus’ operation (-mission) to bring all people to God— to make Him known throughout all the world. How cool it is that we have an all-powerful God who doesn’t need our help, but He invites us to participate in the story He is unfolding!

Today, how can you join God’s mission in making Him known? Who can you tell about Jesus? And don’t forget to add “Oh, you’re going to love Him.”

Written by Beliza Patrícia, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in João Pessoa, Brazil.

It is said that the first step is the most important one on the journey. What we do before waking up says a lot about our day. We dress up fancy for a first date because we know the impact that moment will have in our relationship. The first step itself does not determine the whole journey, but it’s a fact that it is important and special.

That’s also what happens in the Christian life, whether you were born in a christian household and were exposed to the gospel at a young age or you only learned about the path to salvation when you were already an adult. The fact is, everybody faces the choice of being a christian, a disciple of Christ. That doesn’t happen as if from magic, we all have habits and temptations that pull us closer and further away from God. Overcoming those is not an easy task and asks for though choices from us, big or small. But this journey starts with baptism.

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:37-38)

After listening to Peter’s sermon during Pentecosts, the Jews understood what they had done. They recognized they needed to do something, change their attitude. Peter’s guidelines were clear, they needed to repent and be baptized. That moment, where three thousand people are baptized is considered the beginning of the church. If we read the following verses we can see that some people changed their way of living. Meaning, baptism was not just a ceremony, baptism marked the beginning of a new life. Sin no longer had power over those people, over their thoughts and actions. They were free! Free to become more and more like Jesus.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

When I speak with people getting closer to the Church their opinion is most usually that baptism is only a symbol, not something that important, what really matters is doing the will of God daily. I would like to shed some light on that idea through scripture:

After resurrection, Jesus told his disciples:

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit [...] (Mateus 28:19)

Jesus sent his apostles to every nation to make disciples, His followers, and the way to make disciples was clear, through baptism.

I recognize there’s willingness to want to do God’s will, but the truth is: we can’t do it alone. The Bible shows us that we can’t be saved by anything we do. Sin parts us from God and it’s consequence is spiritual death, have our spirit far away from our Creator. Only through Christ, who sacrificed for us even though he had no sin, we can be saved. And the way to connect to Christ is through baptism.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. (Romanos 6:3-8)

Baptism doesn’t need a specific day, doesn’t need to be done in group, doesn’t need to be on a specific place (see Acts 8:36-38). But it does need a heart that believes Jesus is the son of God. That in that moment when we accept Jesus paid the debt for our sins we receive the Holy Spirit of God in us and that at that moment we’re starting a new life. It is through faith (in Jesus Christ) and not because of our own actions that we are saved.

If you’ve already made the decision to start a pact with God and be baptized for forgiveness of your sins receiving the Holy Spirit, I want to invite you to remember that day. Remember all the bible studies that led you to that decision, the brothers and sisters in Christ that were with you on that day…and may that memory bring you strength and encouragement! You are a new creature! Keep following the goal! If you haven’t made that decision yet, I want to invite you to study what the bible says about who Jesus is and who you are, and you’ll be ready to start your journey with Christ.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #Baptism #GuestWriter #Blog

Written by Anessa Westbrook, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

When we read about heroes in the Old Testament, their example seems so unattainable: Abraham, Moses, David, Ruth, Esther, and Deborah. David. His relationship with God was enviable. In 1 Samuel God rejects Israel’s first king, Saul. Because Saul had not followed God’s commands, his kingdom would not endure. In 1 Samuel 13:14 it says that “the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people” (NIV). I always assumed that being someone labeled “after God’s own heart” was only attainable for the biblical heroes of old. It wasn’t something that we could, or perhaps even should, consider. While it was obvious that a person after God’s own heart kept His commands, I felt that was not enough to really know what was meant by that statement. The Bible is filled with people who had followed His commands, but only David was given this label. I still remember the day that I bumped into Acts 13:22. This passage seemed to give definition to what I was struggling to understand. David was a man after God’s own heart because “he will do everything I want him to do.” While this was still a high task, and perhaps impossible, was there a chance for a regular person to have God think about them in the same way?

The New Testament shows examples of people living their everyday lives in a faithful way, and God using them in a special way at a specific time. Stephen, for example, was one of the seven men selected to help with the distribution of food to the widows. In Acts 6:5, he is described as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” He worked day-by-day to support and encourage the early church, but God was also using him evangelistically (Ac 6:8). Stephen was someone whose character was shaped daily, and who God used to share the Good News and glorify Him in the difficult position of becoming the first martyr. Another example is that of Tabitha who Acts 9:36 says was “always doing good and helping the poor.” When she died, the widows mourned and showed Peter all she had done for them. Peter raised her from the dead and this act became a spiritual testimony to the people of Joppa (Ac 9:41-42).

However, the Bible does not just provide positive examples for us to learn from. David’s story becomes complicated because of some major spiritual missteps. Instead of accompanying his troops off at war, he was at home in his palace and became interested in a young woman who was bathing on the rooftop. After she became pregnant, he tried to hide the sin ultimately resorting to the murder of her husband (2Sa 11). Someone who both cheated on their spouse and then had their lover’s spouse killed would likely make the news today. How could God use such a person? The genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 adds an interesting twist to this story because it has three women whose stories would likely raise eyebrows even today: Tamar, Rahab, and Bathsheba. Why would the storyline of the Savior contain such imperfect people? Perhaps we are seeing a side of God that we have seen since the very beginning of the Old Testament: God as Creator.

One of God’s specialties is taking something that is messy and making something beautiful out of it. The inclusion of these people in the line of Jesus raises another important question: what if they had said “no” to God? What if they had felt too imperfect to be included in His plan or had not tried to make the changes needed to become faithful? In Psalm 51 we see David’s heart after he was confronted by Nathan. He did not justify his actions but recognized his sin. He begged God to cleanse him. David made the changes necessary in his life to become Israel’s most respected king and the father of the line that would lead to the Savior. The examples of those who strove to live a daily life that pleased God, as well as those who made the changes necessary to live a faithful life, invite us to reflect on being a woman after God’s own heart.

What is it that is keeping us from saying “yes” to God’s invitation to partner with Him in the kingdom?

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

Years ago, a friend of mine was in trouble. She was in mental anguish and deep emotional pain. One particular night in a text conversation, she was using words and phrases that were quite alarming. I stopped to pray for her, “Lord, I know it takes a whole lot of guardian angels to keep me alive every day, but if you will send some over to my friend to strengthen her right now, I will stay home and try not to do anything too stupid for a while.”

I never mentioned this prayer to my friend. Several weeks later, I overheard her talking about that night and she said, “I just felt like extra angels were surrounding me in that moment.” My prayer may not have been the most flowery or impressive, but the Holy Spirit knew what I meant and helped me communicate to God what was needed.

More recently, I found myself in a situation where I needed wisdom and didn’t have time to go to the scriptures for guidance. A young person under my care had disregarded my instructions and her behavior was putting her physical safety at risk. I had to go on a search for her and when I eventually found her, I was fuming mad. Speaking to her immediately would have resulted in humiliating her publicly, so I decided to wait for a more private setting.

As I waited for the event to end and for everyone else to leave, I prayed to God for wisdom. By the time I was able to speak to her, God had answered my call and my planned speech had completely changed from one of anger and admonishment to a much more needed conversation of self-care and self-worth. I know that had the Holy Spirit not been there to guide me, things would have turned out very differently and probably much worse. With God’s help, we both left the conversation feeling encouraged, closer to God, and closer to each other.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Rom. 8:26-27 ESV)

We are also promised wisdom through the Holy Spirit. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

In Matthew 10:19-20, Jesus is saying to His disciples,

When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

There are many other times when the Spirit has helped me remain calm in a tense situation, comforted me when I felt lonely and alone, or prompted me to reach out to a stranger or friend in need. Jesus was right (as usual) when He said One greater than He was coming to help us.

I have often thought how wonderful it would be to have Jesus here in person. Wouldn’t it be amazing to sit at His feet and listen to Him teach? What a blessing it would be to ask Him what to do in a particular situation. Who should I vote for? What should I say to repair this relationship? Am I doing a good job?

In John 14, verses 15-19, Jesus promises not to leave us as orphans but that the Spirit of Truth, a Helper, will come to us and live with us and in us. In John 16:7, Jesus says, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”He also proclaims to His disciples in John 14:12, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about the spiritual gifts of healing, prophecy, speaking in and interpreting tongues, and miracles. But at the end of the chapter in verse 31 he says, “And I will show you a still more excellent way.” Immediately following is “The Love Chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13. Healing people and prophesying would be amazing “powers” to have, but Paul says even more excellent than being able to perform miracles is love. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and helps us to love each other as Christ loved us. Through love and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can perform “greater works” than Jesus did while on earth. Are you in tune with the Holy Spirit living in you? Do you believe what Jesus said?

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

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Ro 12:13 NIV)
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Heb 13:2)
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1Pe 4:9)

As a child, whenever I thought of hospitality, I would think of having people over for a nice meal, good conversation, and dessert. My parents did this often and I loved sitting and listening to the adults tell stories and laugh with each other. As an adult in a city with absurdly high housing prices, I cannot afford a home large enough to have more than one person over at a time. I do have a large backyard and on nice summer evenings, I can accommodate a larger group, but mostly I’m limited in this form of hospitality.

The good news for me is that there are other forms of hospitality and I think that is what the Bible is conveying more than merely having someone come to your house. Jesus did not have a home to invite people over for dinner either. In fact, he often needed a place to stay for himself and his followers, yet Jesus is the ultimate picture of hospitality. The Greek word used in Romans 12:13 for hospitality means “love of a stranger.” I know many people who open their homes and are excellent hosts for small group meetings, dinners, and game nights. In contrast, you may have been invited to the house of a person in which you did not feel welcome or comfortable. There are many reasons I have felt uncomfortable in a home, including it was so clean I was scared to step off the welcome mat, their spouse sat in their recliner the whole time smoking and playing Tetris (true story), no food or drink was offered, or the conversation was tense and awkward.

It is clear, from these scenarios, merely opening your home to others is not hospitality. Webster’s dictionary defines hospitality as “offering a pleasant or sustaining environment or being readily receptive.” There is much more to being hospitable than I initially thought. I have a friend who makes everyone who enters her home feel loved, safe, and comfortable. Her home is clean but not fancy. She welcomes you with a big smile and usually has it set up so you can help yourself to a snack or drink. There is an indescribable air of warmth and acceptance. A large part of the welcoming feeling in my friend’s home is her personality.

I may not be able to have gatherings at my home, but I can take the feeling of acceptance, warmth, and love with me wherever I go. Jesus had this same quality. For example, when a woman was thrown at his feet by a crowd demanding her brutal death, Jesus got down on her level. When the mob receded and it was just the two of them left, He spoke to her with love and forgiveness. Again, when He met a woman at a well with a long history of sin, He spoke with her, took the time to know her, and offered her more than she could ever dream; the living water of God’s love. Time and again, Jesus greeted the outcasts, degenerates, and poor with respect, love, and a spirit of hospitality. Hospitality is loving strangers like Jesus did; truly seeing them and being hospitable to their person.

Our church buildings are also places where great hospitality can be shown. How shameful if a visitor joins us as we worship God and feels unwelcome or unseen. The gathering of the church should be a place where the lost, hurting, discouraged, and faithful feel safe, feel loved, and feel welcome. In today’s society, Christians have a reputation as judgmental hypocrites. I used to find this offensive, but experience has taught me that this reputation is not wholly unmerited. In my experience, the central focus of too many sermons has been on sin and bringing sinners to repentance. I think a little more hospitality might go a long way towards bringing the lost to Jesus than a fiery sermon. After all, when Jesus spoke to the lost, He had great compassion and mercy. He reserved His harshest sermons for the religious leaders who were oppressing the people with their man-made laws rather than acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with their God (Mic 6:8).

Sisters, let us be committed to showing hospitality, offering a pleasant or sustaining environment or being readily receptive, wherever we go.

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

And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. (Heb 13:16 NLT)

As a child, I remember playing with the neighborhood children for hours on end. We would wear ourselves out riding bicycles, exploring the woods, playing dodgeball, or just trekking to the convenience store on our military base for snacks and soda. I also remember not one child ever went without what was needed for our group playtime. Someone always had an extra bike to spare or proper shoes to borrow for our forest explorations. I also remember no one left the store without a treat— even if they arrived without a penny in their pocket! It was just rare for us as kids not to share what we could with our friends and neighbors. I even recall the time my brother and I searched high and low for loose change in the house so one of our friends, who was ten cents short on a favorite candy, would be sure to get one along with the rest of us. It took us two hours to find ten cents, but we all walked out of the store that day with a Whatchamacallit® and a smile. What a joy it was for us to give to a friend in need!

Oh! If adults could have the mind of a child, sharing and sacrificing for others, what a wonderful thing that would be. Yet that’s exactly what’s expected of us when others are in need. God calls us to “open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land” (Dt 15:11b NKJV). Whether this help comes from our time, talents, or a monetary gift, it is a Godly thing to do for others. It’s something each of us as believers should be eager to do. And it’s important to remember caring for others is an act of our preparation for heaven.

Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. (1Ti 6:18-19 NLT)

It is honorable for us to help others (Mt 5:16, Ac 4:32-37). We show love for Jesus by meeting the needs of others (Mt 25:35-40). Caring for others is a visible sign of obedience to God and love for Him. Jesus said, “All who love me will do what I say” (Jn 14:23). Ladies, this verse can be reiterated in several ways. Doing what God has commanded is a product of our love. Our acts of obedience are the proof of our love for Jesus. We show love by doing those things He has commanded us to do. And we do not truly know or love God if we aren’t loving others (I Jn 4:7-8).

No matter how you choose to help, it’s important to do so with a sense of esteem. You may only be able to give five dollars to the local food bank or church benevolence fund, but that’s five dollars for someone’s food or sustenance. Perhaps you can’t give monetarily, but time spent visiting with a shut-in or a patient in the hospital can be much-needed spirit care. Someone may need words of encouragement as they navigate a difficult time in life. Babysitting for a young mom who just needs time alone without little ones hanging all over her can be such a help. As a military wife with four children living far from home, and whose husband was deployed for long stretches at a time, that was a huge need for me.

We can reap benefits on the other side, too, of caring for another’s needs. Opening our hands to help others can be a blessing to us just as much as to those we serve. It just makes you feel good inside, ladies! Be assured, if you care for the needs of others, you will reap benefits beyond measure.

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. (Lk 6:38)

What will you do to care for others and in doing so express your love for God?

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

There’s a common saying in most parts of Brazil, “Tell me who you walk with and I’ll tell you who you are.” Repeated by mothers, grandmothers, and teachers, this saying has a very clear meaning: we are like the people we spend time with. But this understanding isn’t new. Amos 3:3 says, “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” (NIV)

Young Christians will hear 2 Corinthians 6:14 in innumerable Bible studies and classes. “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” A yoke is a piece of wood that connects animals enabling them to work together, pulling a cart, for example. This way, the weight is equally distributed between the two. However, if the animals are too different, the yoke will distribute the weight of the wood unevenly, causing one of them to carry a load that is too heavy. In other words, the yoke will be unequal.

This illustration is often used as an alert about the difficulties of a Christian marrying a non-Christian. And this makes total sense: the union of marriage isn’t just physical! It’s also a spiritual union! But does this illustration apply only to marriage? No! Whether we get married or not, we have relationships with others who participate in and influence our lives. Therefore, we need to be attentive and have clear criteria when choosing who we will walk with. But why?

Maybe you think, “I’m strong! I can carry the yoke!” Let’s look at the explanation that the scriptures provide about why we shouldn’t put ourselves in the position of being unequally yoked, showing the differences that make a Christian incompatible with the sin of the world that 1 John 5:19 tells us is controlled by the evil one.

What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people”. (2 Cor. 6:15-16)

• Righteous vs. Wickedness— Jesus came to justify (make us right), taking away sin; now whoever believes in Jesus lives for righteousness, not for evil.
• Light vs. Darkness — Sin and the lies of the world are darkness but the truth of Jesus illuminates the life of the believer.
• Christ vs. Belial — The term Belial was associated with Satan, as the expression in Hebrew means worthless; in other words, Christ’s adversary. The believer lives for Christ and is the devil’s enemy.
• Believer vs. Nonbeliever — The believer believes in Jesus and doesn’t reject Him.
• Temple of God vs. Idols — The believer has Jesus living within them, which is why they are a temple of God; therefore, they cannot worship other gods.

This biblical passage emphasizes all the things that we as Christians should not associate with. Second Corinthians 6:14 says, “Don’t team up” (NLT); in other words, we can be the ones who put ourselves in situations like this and decide to live unequally yoked. However, it is important to clarify that the passage does not refer to isolation. Avoiding an unequal yoke does not mean distancing ourselves from people who aren’t Christians, but rather from the wrong things they do.

We are called to build real and deep friendships with nonbelievers, spreading the love of Christ, but we cannot agree with sin, nor participate in it (John 17:15-18). When we are among people who are not Christians we should give testimony of Jesus Christ, and oftentimes this involves knowing how to say no in many situations. Jesus Christ always walked among corrupt people and gentiles, but He never contaminated Himself with their sins, He didn’t accept or conform to their behavior, and He showed them the path of light by preaching the gospel and repentance.

Are you choosing your associations wisely?

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

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (Is. 53:7 NIV)

Knowing His betrayal and arrest were imminent, Jesus was in anguish. His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. The time had come. Death was no longer in the distance; it had arrived at His doorstep. How could He go through with it? How could Jesus suffer not only abandonment, humiliation, torture, and crucifixion, but bear the sins and sorrows of humanity? Christ was able to be committed unto death because of His humility, trust in God, and love for us.

Humility.

[Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Php. 2:6-8)

Jesus wanted the cup to pass from Him and prayed that it would, but He humbled Himself and accepted God’s plan (Mt. 26:39). The divine Son of God willingly assumed the lowest social status, served, sacrificed, and suffered so He could sympathize with us and secure a means of salvation. According to the previous verse in Philippians 2, we are called to have the same Christlike mindset and attitude of humility (v. 5)!

Trust in God.
Because Christ humbled Himself and submitted to death,

God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Php. 2:9-11)

Jesus trusted that God would take care of Him and glorify Him at the appropriate time. His faith was greater than His turmoil. “Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly…” (Lk. 22:44). Jesus poured out His heart in prayer. He didn’t hold back His emotions or His pain. He also didn’t hold back Himself; He fully obeyed His Father and laid down His life (Jn. 10:17-18). Christ’s deep trust in the Father enabled Him to commit to death.

Love for us.
While someone might possibly dare to die for a righteous person, dying for an unrighteous person would be generally considered preposterous. However, Christ died for us while we were still sinners: “At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Ro. 5:6). In addition to creating us, giving us the very breath in our lungs, and holding all things together in the Son, Romans 5:8 identifies how God demonstrates His love for us: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Truly Christ is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep (Jn. 10:14-15).

Christ’s commitment to death was more than a commitment to His own death; it was a commitment to our death as well.

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Co. 5:14-15)

As disciples of Christ, we should follow His example. We should be willing to die for our Lord.

Rather than one monumental sacrifice we might make in the future, our focus should be on daily devotion: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it” (Lk. 9:23-24). That calling comes with a promise: “…be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).

We are called—committed—to die to ourselves and to live in Christ, for Christ, because of Christ, and with Christ in us.

For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal. 2:19-20)

In light of Christ’s commitment to death and our calling to follow in His steps, “let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).

Like our Lord, let us practice humility, trust in God, and love. How can you excel still more in each of these areas?

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

And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. (Gal 3:27 NLT)

Today, through the new birth of water and the Spirit, I have at my disposal the purest and most beautiful garment that I have ever had or known, and even more, that unites me in Spirit with Christ Jesus.

Such a precious spiritual garment of Christ now in me, received by grace twenty-three years ago and to the glory of God, is what binds me every second of life to being constantly like Him, this being my most sublime first commitment of love.

To call myself a Christian today is to be able to exist more and more like Christ in every area of earthly life. Living in unity with Christ is also the most complete and integral blessing. Today, I live in an increasingly upside-down world, but having been clothed in Christ makes me feel safe, protected, and much loved.

Using the analogy of my new life with Christ, being already clothed with Him, I can confirm that everything I have lived and am still living in God's will with my husband was not and is not just to be happy, but more importantly to ask Him to accompany and support us. No longer being two, but one means we can attain in common the character of Christ, and thus be representatives of His name and image in the grandest garment—His Holy Spirit.

Some time ago, I read something that I have experienced myself: that marriage is where the mind of Christ can be most deeply acquired. I believe that having Him as part of the marriage relationship requires love and sacrifice, and, in a great way, to stop living only for oneself and to be one with the husband and vice versa.

Reading and personalizing Galatians 2:20, we are told, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” He unites me not only in putting on His unique divine garment but in His spiritual nature to follow in His footsteps toward the progressive path that leads to the goal of eternal life.

At this moment, as I am married and walking through the course of my spiritual years, I have indeed learned the importance of being like Christ. It is when I am controlled by human emotions, thoughts, and actions that I most need God and His wisdom, which only comes from the Father through His Son and in His Holy Spirit, who guides the way to the truth and life of Christ.

Like every one of the important aspects of this life, I remember that in my first years as a wife, after all the feelings of butterflies in my stomach, I began to experience a diverse rainbow of emotions, beliefs, and realities that led me to various struggles, increasingly complex, and that required, without a doubt, the Divine Presence.

I remember so many differences arising between the two of us. I remember those moments of uncertainty when every decision, every dream, and every goal was no longer just mine, but now it was my husband's decisions, dreams, and goals as well. Coming to an agreement was increasingly difficult. For example, it was quite a challenge when he liked grey and I liked fuchsia, when he liked details and I liked simplicity, when we found that we were more and more different. But by keeping in the mind of the Lord and His love, we have grown to complement each other more and more every day as one in Christ, clothed with Him.

This unity fills us daily with a love that can do everything, with incomparable joy, a peace that surpasses all understanding, firm self-control, wise meekness, great portions of patience, a flow of goodness, and true faith; characteristics that perfect everything we face to always be like Christ in each of the moments or places where we are. What a blessing it is to be like Christ! Are you clothed in Christ today?

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

“Who are you wearing tonight?” Celebrities are asked this question by members of the press as they walk the red carpet at a movie premier or awards show, and it is usually answered with the name of a famous fashion designer.

The apostle Paul tells us about who we will be wearing after we are baptized. “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal 3:27 NIV). Reflecting on this metaphor, I can almost feel Jesus’ presence hugging me like a perfectly fitting garment.

Let’s look at what God’s Word says about baptism.

WHAT
In the Scriptures, we see that baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is our response to hearing and accepting the message of the Gospel, symbolizing our death to sin, the burial of our old life, and our resurrection to a new life in Christ. Baptism is our declaration of faith and represents an unconditional promise to God to do His will.

Baptism is a picture of death and of the grave. Coming up out of the water represents Christ’s resurrection (Ro 6:1-4). So, when you are baptized, you are saying, "I died with Jesus Christ, I was buried with Him, and now I am raised with Christ to a brand-new life— a changed me."

HOW
The Greek root word baptizein, from which we get the word baptize, means to plunge, immerse, sink, or wash. Another word more often used throughout the New Testament is baptizō which means to totally submerge, drown, immerse, or dunk into water.

We find several instances of baptisms In the New Testament where evidence points to immersion. John the Baptist baptized in Aenon near Salim which is along the Jordan River “because there was plenty of water” (Jn 3:23). After Jesus’ baptism, He “came up out of the water” (Mk 1:10). And both Philip and the Eunuch “went down into the water and Philip baptized him” (Ac 8:38).

WHY
Baptism does not appear to me to be merely a suggestion, but rather something extraordinarily important as it connects to our salvation. Several passages bear this out: “Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (Jn 3:5). “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mk 16:16). “This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you” (1Pe 3:21a).

Baptism is so important that Christ’s final instructions before He ascended to Heaven were, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20).

And when we are clothed with Christ, we receive rich blessings:

Forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit: “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Ac 2:38).

Being joined with other believers in the church—the body of Christ: “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body” (1 Co 12:13a). “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all” (Ac 2:41 NLT).

WHEN
Every person who has heard the gospel message and can make a conscious decision to believe in Christ is “eligible.” For some, baptism may follow a process of study, but lengthy Bible study is not a requirement. We find that New Testament believers were baptized in immediate response to hearing the Gospel message for the first time, such as in the story of Philip and the eunuch in Acts 8. Other instances are also recorded:

“But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Ac 8:12 NIV)

“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” (Ac 22:16)

“At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.” (Ac 16:33b)

WHY NOT?
Sisters, Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (Jn 14:15). If you have not put on Christ in baptism, what might be keeping you from submission and obedience to your Savior? I urge you to examine your heart and consider changing your clothes.

Written by Jennifer Percell, Volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Missouri

Lucille made tissue paper flowers—the big, bright colorful ones that add a splash of joy to life. She made mobiles with delicate ribbon fish, dresses for orphans, and activity bags for children. She recycled hundreds of pairs of non-slip socks by brushing them carefully to remove the pilling so they could be donated to nursing homes. She was 90 and doing all of these things when I met her. She died just a month before her 106th birthday. That morning Lucille taught some ladies how to make tissue paper flowers, then she set up her first cell phone. She sat down in her chair to take a nap and woke up with Jesus.

Carolyn loved to teach the Bible to children. She was instrumental in starting a camp in her home area and cooked there for many years. When she could no longer cook, she made blankets—hundreds of cozy quilts for children who were attending camp for the first time. She told them that the comforter would remind them they were loved and would help them get through homesickness. After she died at the ripe old age of 100, we found two of her quilts in the supply room at church. They were given to her great-grandchildren, and her comforting love lives on.

Lois was the daughter of an old-time circuit preacher. She was one of a group of Christians who founded the Richland Hills Church of Christ in Texas. She raised three children in the Lord and passed her faith down to her great-grandchildren. Lois was a “Rosie the Riveter” during WWII. She met her much loved sports hero Nolan Ryan at a Texas Rangers game on her hundredth birthday and finally saw her precious Lord at 104 years old.

As I thought about the opportunity to write a story of personal committed faith, dozens, if not hundreds of faithful Christian women I have been blessed to know paraded through my thoughts. Some conquered illness, suffered loss of relationships, the death of loved ones, wavering beliefs, and weakened faith. Many sisters followed our Lord through all the darts life threw at them and gave me precious examples to follow. All of their stories are encouraging and have helped me stay the course when my steps have faltered.

But Lucille, Carolyn, and Lois all stood out in my thoughts. These three lived their faith for 85 to 90 of their over 100 years on this earth. They held on to Christ and His church through major wars, the Great Depression, riots, assassinations, hunger, times of plenty, hard physical work, deep emotional losses, disease, and the loneliness of old age. None of them complained about their circumstances—rather, each gave generously to me from their strong spirits and steady faith.

For Lois’ 100th birthday party, we decorated one section of the church auditorium walls for each decade of her life. As I walked around the display that followed our nation from covered wagons to super jets, and circuit riders to podcasts, I realized that each of those decades was lived one minute at a time. Life is made up of tens of thousands of often tedious minutes that together comprise a life of faith.

The commitment to our faith is to spend each of those moments realizing the priceless statement of our purpose we find in Ephesians: “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10 NIV).

Each of these women filled over 30,000 days productively serving their families and their Savior. Somewhere along the way they understood that a Christ-filled life was their hope of glory as we read in Colossians 1:27.

Each of them spoke to me of their dependence on God. They had learned through many hard times that their hope and strength and joy was found in our God. Each of these women were joyful, gentle, and full of love despite so many trials and sorrows. My time with them was clearly filled with the presence of God's Holy Spirit, who lived a century in each of their faithful hearts.

Their personal examples of committed faith were visual aids to strengthen my life in Christ. These servants exemplified the verses I want to leave you with. Over 100 years of dedication was possible because they served a faithful Father.

“For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations” (Ps. 100:5).

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).

Will you use your years, few or many, in committed service to the King whose faithful daughters will live with Him in glory?

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

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. (Ec 3:1 NIV)

Knowing how to wait on God, trusting He will always give us what He knows we need in His time, and He tells us what we should or should not do, requires practice and our firm commitment.

In my early Christian life, I had only a faint idea of how to tell others about Jesus. I also had a hard time volunteering to pray publicly for fear of making a mistake and giving a bad testimony (more than just stage fright). Even though I was always willing to serve and help in whatever was asked of me and wherever it was needed, I knew that I was not giving all of me. n my home I spent very little time in prayer or study of the Word. Nevertheless, I continued to read the Bible occasionally, attend classes, women’s gatherings, Sunday service, and teach children’s classes.

As we all know, God shapes us step by step through good and bad times as we accumulate experience. In my case, I am ashamed to confess there were moments when I failed and doubted my faith, the affection and interest of my brothers and sisters, and even the meaning of life. However, I kept attending, I kept serving, I kept trying to understand, and I kept taking my family to church activities until I understood what a commitment to Christ is.

In the past if someone asked for prayer, I thought, "Let's pray now." When someone needed comfort, I was there even though I only repeated the usual phrases and struggled to express myself. But now that I am more fully committed, I also pray even when they don't ask for it, and I continue to do so until I see an answer to that request. If I see that someone needs comfort through a hug or a kind word, I will give it to them, and if I am far away, I communicate with heartfelt phrases of empathy and love. In the past when physical effort was needed to do something, I did it, but only mechanically. Now due to my current health condition, if I want to support an activity that requires physical effort beyond my capacity, I know I can ask for help from others, and I collaborate in everything I can. I am now encouraged when I have the opportunity to knock on doors and invite others to a church campaign or activity. I go with enthusiasm and I love to look for the lost. My commitment has become stronger.

Knowing exactly when my commitment to Christ increased is a difficult thing—it may have been when I was disabled and had to leave my job as a preschool teacher. However, at that time I increased my involvement in Sunday school work. It could also have been when my girls left the nest, sadly, because I could have been a better example for them. But during that time, my health kept me very busy and mostly focused on prayer. Then came the time of the pandemic where, thanks be to God, my husband and I were able to dedicate ourselves to reading and studying the Word daily, contacting brothers and sisters from other places. Thanks to the technological resources inspired by God, we were learning, having the desire to study more every day, practicing what we had learned, and sharing it with others.

I now understand that committing to Christ is a pleasure, that we must feel love, accept responsibility, have enthusiasm, dedication, and desire to learn and feel very good with each step we take in that direction. I also know this commitment will sometimes tempt us to try to overcome obstacles on our own and fatigue or discouragement may result. It is a task that tests us many times and does not always give the expected results.

If we dedicate our time to working for the Lord, He will bless it. I know I should not give up when adverse situations arise. My health is going through hard times; I pray while I cry because of the pain, but I also praise very strongly. When I want to attend an activity but my economic situation prevents me from doing so, I ask those who attend to send me photos, audio, or videos of the activity, and I share them, feeling grateful for the technology. Every day, I share with someone about God and the Gospel of salvation.

Do you think we should commit only when physically and emotionally well? Does your financial situation influence your work for the Lord? Let us remain committed even when we are faced with challenging times.

Written by Ayane Nayara, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in João Pessoa, Brazil

But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. (Ps 10:14 NIV)

When we have a relationship with God, we can enjoy many of His characteristics; we get a taste of what He is. We taste His love, His faithfulness, His kindness, His mercy, His grace, His generosity, among other attributes of our God, including His commitment.

To better understand this attribute, let’s think about its meaning. Commitment is an obligation assumed by one or more parties. It is an agreement or pact made by someone with another being or with themselves.

God as our Creator and Father is committed to us. Since the creation of man, He has made promises and covenants with humanity and His people. He planned every part of our journey and He committed to fulfilling it. Unfortunately, these covenants were broken, not by God, but by man. When a covenant is broken, both parties no longer have the obligation or commitment to fulfill what was agreed. However, what we do does not change who God is.

God takes on a responsibility with us. Like a true father, He knows our needs and despite our faults, He is committed to keeping His covenant. At all times, He seeks to teach us, make us grow, and bring us back to His path.

In Jeremiah 29, part of His people was exiled in Babylon. It was a difficult time for them. Israel had failed God; they once again broke the covenant with the Father and were suffering the consequences. However, the Lord remembered them and made this clear when He sent them a letter through the prophet Jeremiah, asking them to remain firm, not to listen to false prophets, to multiply, and stay alive.

In verse 11 He says, “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” All along, the Lord has been committed to helping, loving, and rescuing His people.

In the Old Testament, He made a covenant with one people, while still blessing others. From humanity: broken alliances, broken promises, betrayal in worship, among other failures; from God: fidelity and commitment.

In the New Testament, He makes a covenant not only with one people but with all those who are open to His will. He gave us His Son so that through Him we could draw closer, and He left us His Spirit as proof of the commitment He has made to take us to our heavenly home. From humanity: the same situation as in the Old Testament; from God: He remains committed. Unlike before, we now have His grace that allows us to get closer to our Father. Even so, in response to His unconditional commitment, He asks us to commit. We need to seek and strive to bring who we are to who the Father is. He does not force us to enjoy who He is, but He is available when we seek Him.

We must always remember that no matter what we do, God remains committed to us as long as we repent and return to Him.

Remember: God is a Father committed to helping, loving, and rescuing us.

He loves us, allowing us to learn from the consequences of our mistakes. He helps us, revealing our sin, guiding us where to walk and what our attitude should be to grow. And He rescues us, reminding us of our covenant with Him and fulfilling His promises.

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.” (Jer 29:12-14a)