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

I grew up in a thriving church of around 3,000 people. When I tell people that, they often say, “I don’t like big churches. It’s too hard to get to know people.” Yes, it is impossible to get to know that many people. Those who only come to a large assembly on Sunday morning don’t grow very much in their faith. That’s why it is important to “think small.”

GoodFaithMedia estimates there are about 2.6 billion followers of Christ in the world today. How did Jesus start this worldwide movement? One by one, and through small groups. While Matthew was sitting in his tax office, “Jesus said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he[Matthew] arose and followed Him” (Matt. 9:9 NKJV). He called out to Simon Peter and Andrew as they were going about their daily work of fishing. “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men" (Mark 1:17).

Gradually, Jesus surrounded Himself with a group of disciples. We don’t know how many. After spending some time with them, He talked with His Father and made a focused decision.

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles. (Luke 6:12-13 NIV)

With this small group of twelve, Jesus changed the world. He had other disciples who followed Him, including women (Mark 15:41), and He preached to and healed large crowds of people. But He gave special teaching, care, and insight to these twelve. He explained parables to them, He sent them out with miraculous powers, and He went through storms with them. He focused on the twelve because He knew they would each disciple others, even after He left this earth. And it worked. His teachings spread like wildfire.

Within that group of twelve, He had three that were His inner circle: Peter, James, and John. He kept them closest in His moments of need. When He knew His death was drawing near, He took those three up to a high mountain. They had the privilege of witnessing the appearance of Elijah and Moses, encouraging Jesus to remain strong and finish His mission (Matt. 17). On that dreadful night before He was betrayed into the hands of the Pharisees, He had a special “Last Supper” with all twelve. He prayed for them, gave them some final instructions in John 13-17, and took them to Gethsemane so He could pray for strength. But in that final stretch, He only took the three with Him.

We can follow this same pattern in our relationships. My childhood faith was nourished in that big church through small group relationships. Adults taught my fourth-grade class. A young couple taught us as seventh-grade girls. My youth group numbered 200, but I had a group of about twelve close friends. We served orphans in Jamaica, built a Sunday school classroom for a poor church in south Texas, and encouraged each other in our faith. As an adult, I have had small group studies with college students or other adults in my home. And I have two or three women that I can call any time to pray for me or to walk with me through a hard time.

There are so many ways that we can seek to be like Christ. One of them is to think small. Small groups allow you to share your heart and to get beyond the pleasantries.

Are you part of a formal or informal small group of Christians? Do you have three women in your life who help you grow? If not, I encourage you to seek out and cultivate those relationships with other disciples. They are your “Iron Rose Sisters”!

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

As we strive to be committed to Christ 24/7 in 2024, there may be some very bumpy roads and deep valleys ahead. Trusting Him and submitting to His will when the road is smooth with few twists and turns is far easier. Let’s consider two people in the Bible and how they responded: Joseph and Jesus.

Beginning in Genesis 37 through chapter 50, Joseph stands out: the eleventh of twelve sons, favored by his father, Jacob. Sharing dreams of his preeminence over the brothers increased jealousy and anger in their hearts. As a result, they grabbed him, threw him in a cistern, and sold him (deep valley) to traders going to Egypt. Even though sold again as a slave to one of Pharaoh’s officials (twist), the ruler sees Joseph’s quality and puts him in charge of his household. Tempted by his wife to go to bed with her, Joseph responds, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Ge 39:9b NIV). Her lies of abuse cause Joseph to be thrown into prison (bump). Some years later, Pharaoh appoints Joseph second in command when God reveals to him the meaning of Pharaoh’s dreams: Seven years of great harvest and seven years of severe drought.

Several years into the drought, the sons of Jacob travel to Egypt to buy grain to feed their families. Joseph recognizes them though they do not recognize him. Through intrigue and a great humbling of the guilty brothers, Joseph reveals his identity. They deserved prison or worse, but instead, Joseph responds with these words:

And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you…to preserve a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. (Ge 45:5,7)

These words spoken by Joseph, and his life portrayed in Genesis, clearly show a man devoted to trusting God and submitting to His will in spite of twists, turns, and deep valleys. The words above could also be a foreshadowing of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Before our amazing deliverance on the cross, Jesus agonized in prayer to God, asking Him three times: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Lk 22:42). Scripture says His prayers were so earnest that His sweat fell like drops of blood on the ground (v. 44)! Jesus knew what was coming: extreme physical agony and the spiritual agony of bearing our sins (deep valley).

Before this event, throughout the Gospels, Jesus lived a life fully trusting His Father, God…

• Even when tempted by Satan right before His ministry began and after fasting 40 days (Lk 4: 1-13).
• Even when “many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him” (Jn 6:66).
• Even when betrayed by one of His chosen twelve disciples, Judas Iscariot (Jn 13:21-30).
• Even when disowned three times by one of His closest friends, Simon Peter (Lk 22:54-61) .
• Even when mocked, beaten, flogged, crowned with thorns, and nails driven through His hands and feet when crucified.

When Jesus was arrested, Peter in defense cut off the servant of the High Priest's ear. Jesus responded, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?" (Jn 18:11)

It is no easy thing to drink some of the cups we’re given in this life like serious disease, a broken marriage, betrayal by a close friend, losing a spouse or child, mental illness challenges, or seeing a family member pulled into addiction or unbelief. Our son was born with cancer, diagnosed at six months. Stage three. I came to the moment that Jesus did when crying out many times that my/our will be done: LIFE! But -eventually- I surrendered to His perfect will, come what may. And oh! The peace He gave! I could handle whatever happened. *

Please listen to these comforting words of Jesus. Take them personally:

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. (Jn 14:1)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (Jn 14:27)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (Jn 16:33)

What is your cup and how will you let Jesus help you through it?

*Our son lived, now 37.

Written by Claudia Pérez, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Alabama

As Christian women, our daily goal is to imitate Christ and walk as He walked, especially in the way that He loved, because this will reflect that we know God. So said the Master, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35 NIV). But how can we love as Christ loved?

Without a doubt, the meaning of loving as Christ loved is found in the book of John, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The expression "so loved" expresses the magnitude of God's love, a love so great that even though we were sinners, our God sacrificed His only Son to die for us.

First of all, to love as Christ loved, we must understand that sacrifice is required. The Lord gave Himself as a sacrifice for us; His body was martyred on the cross of Calvary because He loved us. If you and I want to love as Christ loved, how do we imitate that sacrifice? The apostle Paul tells us: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Rom. 12:1). Thus, this sacrifice consists of giving up ourselves and sacrificing our lives completely in the service of our God.

The Master also said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13), and it is with that love that Christ loved us and gave Himself up. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16).

John 3:16 and 1 John 3:16 get my attention because of their similarity; in them I find the perfection of God in every way, showing us His great love and teaching us how to practice this great love towards our neighbors.

While it is true that today, while almost no one would die for any human being, we must understand that loving our neighbors requires sacrificing our desires and priorities for their good. The Master loved us not only by sacrificing His life and giving up Himself, but by enduring humiliation, and dying in the most humiliating way.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Phil. 2:6-8)

It is sad to see how we forget to imitate this way of loving when we allow there to be lawsuits between us, when we wrong our sisters, when we defraud our sisters, and let pride, revenge and injustice dwell in us. Many times, we think that forgiving or asking for forgiveness is humiliating. That thought is too often within us, and we forget about obedience to our God, and that love that was shown on the cross of Calvary. But this is not just a current problem; let's remember what happened in the Corinthian church. There were lawsuits among themselves, and they deceived each other and the apostle Paul exhorted them in this way, “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?”(1 Cor. 6:7b)

Let us not allow Satan to gain advantage in our lives and tempt us to do wrong, knowing that God will exalt us on that day, and we will be obeying the greatest commandment,

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.” (Matt. 22:37-39)

To love as Christ loved is sacrifice, surrender, obedience, humiliation, suffering, and dispossession. It is giving our lives to the service of God and our sisters. My sisters, let us love as the Master has given us an example. If you have not yet given your life to the Lord, you have not allowed that love to take effect and be reflected in your life because you have not known God, and God is love.

To love as Christ loved is to give our lives unreservedly to God, but it is also to love our fellow man as ourselves. Are you willing to imitate the Master's love? Are you willing to love as Christ loved?

Written by Elina Vath, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Ohio

I have tried to sit down and write multiple times. I’ve questioned what on earth possessed me to choose the topic of “toxic relationships: personal application” even more. I wouldn’t call what I’m feeling “writer’s block” because it’s more of a “writer’s paralysis.” Describing what God has taught me through my experience with toxic relationships means digging in holes that are filled in and covered with grass. It means going to places where I never wanted to return.

But Jesus. My mind goes to Him.

Jesus doesn’t get to forget His relationship with those knowledgeable men in fancy robes who were supposed to back Him up and demanded He be murdered instead. He doesn’t get to forget that one of His closest friends sold Him out for a small satchel of coins. Rather, Jesus ensured that these toxic relationships are documented multiple times, by multiple people—and preserved over the centuries for millions to know.

The pool of evidence that Jesus was on the receiving end of toxicity from those around Him is extensive.

No one knows narcissism, manipulation, deceit, and treachery like Jesus. Those of us who have front-row experience with any or all of these forms of dysfunction can claim that the One we follow knows exactly how it feels. We serve the God-man who sees our suffering, the betrayal, and the hurt, and empathizes. If nothing else I write about gives comfort, let this be it: When we approach Him in prayer, talk to Him, and pour our hearts out to Him, He feels our pain and then promises to give us peace that is beyond understanding.

But what about me?

We live in a fallen world where we are constantly navigating toxicity in our relationships. And none of us are guiltless of exhibiting toxic behaviors. We have all said or done things of a toxic nature. Maybe you were the instigator, maybe you were reacting to something that hurt you. Whatever the situation, identifying your own toxic traits is a huge part of the healing process. I can say for myself that growing and deciding, “I’m not who I used to be,” has been empowering. So, embrace the power of God to transform you, and relish in being someone different now—someone who resembles Jesus a little more.

But they haven’t changed.

There are times when toxic relationships cannot be cut out of your life entirely. When this happens, the healing process will happen again. And again. And again. Because the hurting, manipulation, etc., will not stop. But remember, you have changed. You see through the toxicity. You have changed the patterns of your behavior. You don’t process the daggers the same way you used to, and they don’t have the same effect on you anymore. Don’t let the repeated negative experiences wear you down. Instead, see them as opportunities to get stronger, to build your character. You will see that, in time, the healing will come more quickly.

But I’m weak sometimes.

I hear you, sister. We’ll both take steps back. We’ll both have moments when we revert back to the way we used to be. But hang on. You’ll get better at catching yourself. Laying your weakness at God’s feet means He’ll give you what you need in exchange. Don’t get discouraged in moments of weakness. God doesn’t run out of mercy and grace, and He loves it when you come to Him for help.

My heart goes out to you. I’m sorry you’ve been hurt. Cheering you on as you heal!

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

Christian movies often end with the characters, who have trusted and obeyed God despite the circumstances, getting everything they want: a baby, a spouse, money, whatever. I’m not criticizing those movies because that frequently does happen, but it also doesn’t always happen that way. What do we do when we don’t get everything we want? Is it worth it? I can tell you from the perspective of someone who didn’t get the desires of her heart, it is still worth it to trust and obey God.

All my life I have loved kids. I so badly wanted my own kids to hold and sing to and teach and watch grow up. Unfortunately, I never married. I could not afford adoption or a residence big enough to appease the State requirements for a foster child. So here I am, age 40 and skipping all the church baby showers because they are just too painful. Along the way, I received more than a few recommendations to go to a sperm bank (use a donor) and have a baby by myself. But I had a problem with that. I believe God designed the family to have a mother and a father. And as badly as I wanted to be a mother, I felt that if I went around His plan and intentionally brought a child into a fatherless home, I would be disobeying God. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Taking in a foster child was an exception in my book because I was not the one who brought them into the world. They are kids that don’t have anyone to love them, and one person would be better than none.

To most of society, this is a crazy position to take. I connect deeply with Hebrews 11:13, “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth” (NIV).

My obedience to God may not bring me what I want, but I trust in God with all my heart that His way is better than mine. I am not single by my own design, but I have found 1 Corinthians 7:34 to be true: “An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.” My singleness and childlessness have given me time to help with the youth group, coach the kids in puppet ministry for Lads 2 Leaders, start a singles ministry, volunteer at nursing homes and other places, make time for lunch or coffee with people who need encouragement, and many other things that bring about a sense of fulfillment.

I have learned to embrace my status in life and trust that God has a plan for me because of Jesus’ example. He trusted His Father, our Father, to the point of death. When Jesus was in the garden, He was praying for God to find another way, to take the cup from Him. But in His perfect obedience, He said, “Not my will, but yours.”

As badly as I want children, I am trusting God’s plan even though I may never see the results in my lifetime. Hebrews 3:7-8 says, “So, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness’.” Everyone at one time or another faces a choice to obey God or do their own thing. I had a friend in college who rebelled, had two kids while unmarried, and then repented and came back to the Lord. The thought did cross my mind that I could do that too. But trusting in God means also trusting that the consequences for rebelling to get what I want and then repenting will not be better than if I obeyed Him in the first place.

During my time of testing, I did not rebel, but did my best to emulate Jesus and say, “I don’t understand, but Your will, not mine.” Through the pain and sorrow, God has made changes in my heart that I could never have imagined possible. I have a light in my heart that I didn’t know was missing and a relationship with Jesus that is deeper than ever before. He has also set me on a path to help lots of hurting kids rather than my own. I am excited for the future. Despite the likelihood that there will always be times I don’t understand, and I will still mourn the children I never had, I trust my Father to bring about something better.

Written by Melanie Curtis, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

What is self-discipline, and why is it so important? The Oxford Dictionary defines self-discipline as “the ability to control one's feelings and overcome one's weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it.” For as long as I can remember, I have always had what I thought was a “motivation problem.” I have struggled as a chronic procrastinator and avoider of hard problems. A friend shared a concept with me that revealed that the real problem is a lack of self-discipline, not a lack of motivation.

We will not always feel motivated to do the right thing or to complete all of our tasks every minute of every day, but if we turn those tasks into habits, one by one, we are exercising self-discipline, which makes it easier to do what needs to be done even when our motivation is low.

What are some temptations you face? Do they make you want to do what you shouldn’t, or do they make you want to not do what you should (Romans 7:15-25)? Self-esteem issues, selfishness, laziness, addictions, and more can keep you from fulfilling your goals and God’s goals for your life, but those struggles can be combatted with self-discipline. 


What does Jesus say about self-discipline?

Let us ask God to help us turn good tasks into habits-- into a strong self-discipline muscle that we use every day to honor him at home, at work, and most importantly, in the Kingdom of God.

Written by Francia Oviedo, Creative Assistant for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Honduras

I remember sitting in a park with all my friends. It was common to sit there to chat, laugh and although it seemed innocent, sometimes laugh at others. We used to have conversations that were not very useful or profitable. But one day something different happened; I realized that, unlike my friends, I was already a Christian, I had given my life to God, and I was unequally yoked.

But what is a yoke? Imagine a piece of wood with an arch carved out on each end. The head of an animal--generally an ox—is fitted in each arch, and when they are prodded by the tiller of the plow, they will pull the yoke to plow the field and create furrows in which seed will be planted. These furrows must be consistent in depth and spacing because if they are not, the seed will not be able to grow properly. This is why it is important that the two animals that are yoked together are of equal size and strength because if not, the crop will not grow properly and, above all, the animals could hurt each other if one of them pulls the yoke with more force than the other. In the Old Testament we find this verse, “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together” (Deut. 22:10 NASB).

So, then what do we call an unequally yoked relationship? A marriage relationship where one of the parties is not a Christian is commonly called an unequally yoked union, but I believe it goes much further than that. I think it is an issue that we must constantly pay attention to. Being unequally yoked can also apply when our lives are being influenced by worldly beliefs, cultures, ideas, ideologies, etc. where the will and holiness of God does not reign. Many times, we let these things guide our way of thinking and behaving and we end up unequally yoked, forgetting God's will for us.

Going back to my story, after giving my life to God and deciding to change my way of living and my way of speaking and expressing myself, I continued walking around with my friends who continued doing the same things that I no longer wanted to do. That day in the park while everyone was having a conversation and laughing at a boy who was passing by, saying things that had no purpose for me, I understood that that was no longer where I needed to be, and I decided to leave this environment and these companions. As 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “But don’t be so naïve—there’s another saying you know well—Bad company corrupts good habits" (The Voice). I really liked enjoying time with my friends, but it was no longer a place for me.

With this, I am not saying that we have to abandon friends, a partner, a job, or a project, but it is about understanding and respecting our purpose of keeping ourselves in the will of God. I believe that when we demonstrate this firmness, which of course we must do with a lot of love and respect for others who do not believe in God, we can show the light of Jesus and we can become references for them when they need God.

As for my friends, I can say that, although I distanced myself a little from them and that unhealthy environment, I continued to be in regular contact with them, since I also know that my purpose is to share the message of God, trying to be a light for them, while always guarding my heart.

And well, I already told you what I had to give up, and I assure you that there are things that I must be constantly evaluating in my life: what conversations do I have, what music do I listen to, what videos or series do I watch? I must constantly check my heart and analyze what I am unequally yoking myself to.

And you, what relationships, conversations, movies, books, ___________ (fill in the blank with your challenge) are you unequally yoking yourself to? I encourage you to put those things in God’s hands in prayer. May He always help you guard your heart and not be unequally yoked.

Written by Liliana Henriquez, volunteer for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colombia

I don't know what has happened lately, but I have felt that the world has accelerated, and we are living life at high speed like "X2" in WhatsApp audios. On the one hand, it has been wonderful because we have managed to do many things in less time. Technology has helped us a lot and has made knowledge available to everyone. So there are no more excuses to grow and improve in any area of our lives. But, on the other hand, we live so fast-paced that sometimes, we forget to enjoy the moment and be grateful for the blessings that God is giving us day by day.

Today I want to focus on the positive side of this acceleration, and one of the things I love about this era is globalization. Geographical barriers are no longer obstacles to communicating and connecting with one another anywhere in the world. We already see our individual selves as a whole. We have normalized different time zones and cultures. We have friends and clients all over the world, and we feel they are super close thanks to video calls or Zoom meetings.

Another positive aspect of globalization is everyone's access to the Gospel. People are recognizing the need for Christ. We have seen it in the lives of artists and famous people who have publicly shared their faith journeys and inspired others to make the decision to accept Christ and obey the Gospel. That makes me very happy!

I feel that more and more people are using their platforms or channels of influence to impact the world positively, making Christ better known and giving relevance to the spiritual area. We are exercising our freedom in the right way.

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1Co 9:19-23 NIV)

Christ is not religion. He is a relationship and a lifestyle. It should be noted that we are disciples of Christ not only in the church but in our work, friendships, relationships, etc. It doesn't make sense to be a Christian in select specific areas or places. We are a WHOLE; soul, mind, and body, and we must be coherent and congruent with what we profess. If we are Christians, we must act as Christians in our daily lives. In this way, we can put into practice one of my favorite phrases: "Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words" (St. Francis of Assisi).

We were called to make Christ known at every moment. This is the good news that this fast-paced world needs!

Written by Claudia Malaquias, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Minas Gerais

The ability to listen is a precious talent, often underestimated in a world where communication is generally understood as speaking. However, true wisdom and understanding come from the ability to listen with an open heart and mind. The biblical passages of Matthew 15:10 and Proverbs 1:5-6 provide a solid spiritual foundation for understanding a listening spirit's profound impact.

In Matthew 15:10, Jesus says, "Hear and understand” (ESV). These words are a direct call to the importance of listening carefully. Jesus often taught using parables, requiring the audience to listen carefully and thoughtfully to capture the true meaning of His words. This form of communication highlights that listening is not simply a passive act, but an active practice of understanding and internalizing the message.

Proverbs 1:5-6 adds to this idea, stating, "Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance for understanding proverbs and parables” (NIV). This verse suggests that the listening process is continual and essential for growth in wisdom. By listening, we gain not only knowledge but also the ability to apply that knowledge practically and effectively in our lives.

In my personal experience, adopting a spirit of listening has significantly transformed my relationships and my spiritual walk. I remember a time when I was facing a professional dilemma. Instead of acting impulsively, I sought advice and dedicated myself to listening carefully to more experienced colleagues. This practice not only helped me make a more informed decision but also strengthened my relationships in the workplace. The act of listening created a space of trust and mutual respect.

The habit of listening is also crucial in our family life. There are times when the people we live with (husband, children, siblings, etc.) need someone to listen to them without judgment or interruptions. By practicing active listening, we demonstrate love and empathy, which strengthens our bonds. I have learned that often solutions to problems arise not necessarily from what I say, but from the way I listen.

In the spiritual context, a spirit of listening also results in a deepening of our relationship with God. When meditating on the Scriptures and prayers, listening to God's voice requires silence and attention. There are times when the answers to our prayers do not come immediately, but through an ongoing process of listening and reflection.

Finally, a spirit of listening promotes humility. We recognize that we do not have all the answers, and that wisdom can be found in the experiences and knowledge of others. This recognition makes us more open to learning, and as a result, generates spiritual growth stimulated by the Scriptures (Heb 5:11-14; Pr 1:5-6; 1Pe 2:1-3; Col 1:9-10).

We can then distinguish some advantages of effective listening:

• Humility: Recognizing that we don't know everything and that others can offer us valuable knowledge and perspectives.
• Self-control: Practicing active listening requiring patience and the ability to control impulses to speak or interrupt.
• Openness to Criticism: Being willing to listen to constructive criticism and feedback as an opportunity to grow and improve.

In conclusion, what a listening spirit produces is transformation. It transforms our relationships, our spiritual understanding, and our personal growth. Matthew 15:10 and Proverbs 1:5 remind us that listening is more than a physical act; It is an exercise in wisdom and understanding. By cultivating a spirit of listening, we not only honor God, but we also position ourselves to receive His blessings and guidance more fully. In a world full of noise and distractions, choosing to listen carefully is an act of faith and wisdom that bears abundant fruit in all areas of our lives.

Written by Kathy Reagan, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

God’s Word has many examples of women who were completely committed to God, and it will bless us to take a look at their lives and choices.

Matthew 27:55-56 (ESV) says that “many women” followed Jesus, and it names three in particular who ministered to Him, following Him from Galilee. Also in Luke 8:1-3, two more names pop up—along with the phrase “many others”— and it says these women, who followed along with Jesus and His disciples as they traveled from town to town, “provided for them out of their means.”

The mother of the sons of Zebedee is named, and what we know about her is that her husband owned a fishing business and James and John were her sons. Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, may have been Jesus’ mother. Mary Magdalene is mentioned, out of whom Jesus had driven seven demons. Joanna, the wife of Herod’s household manager, is also named, along with Susanna.

What did these women give up to follow Jesus?

Do you think they (and the many other women with them) had comfortable homes back in their hometowns? Possibly. Did they leave their families, their comfortable beds, and their familiar environments to follow Jesus along dusty roads into strange towns and villages to hear Him teach, and to provide His meals and other necessities out of their personal money? Yes.

They “walked by faith, not by sight” (2Co 5:7). Traveling was difficult in those days! No airplanes, trains, or cars. And for these people of limited means, horses or donkeys were not even an option. They walked anywhere they needed to go—slow, physically challenging, and dusty roads. Why? Because they “trusted in the Lord with all their hearts” (Pr 3:5). They were not choosing the comforts of this world; they were boldly stepping out of their comfort zones on faith—traveling to places they had never been, unsure of the reception they would get, not knowing when they would get to go back home. But they knew one thing: Jesus was with them! When was the last time we stepped out of our comfort zones for Christ?

They focused on Jesus, not allowing this world and its distractions to get in the way. Colossians 3:2 tells us to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” They followed Him from town to town, drank in His teachings and His example, focusing on Him and not on what they were missing back home.

I’m reminded of the song we sing called, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” It says, “Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” It is so true! Whatever we focus on becomes bigger. I know it may have been easier for these women to absorb Jesus and His teachings, hearing it from His own mouth, than it is for us now. But we do have His Words handy at our fingertips at any time of day. We need not travel hard every day to hear His teachings. It is just a matter of opening the Book. Do we drink in Jesus’ Word in our lives daily, like they did?

They put Him first in their lives. You know that as they followed Jesus, they heard Him teaching this: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Mt 6:33) (referring to earthly necessities).

These righteous women were actively choosing God’s will over their own every day. They were traveling a hard road daily, sleeping in tents in a different place every night, spending their money to buy food and necessities for Him and His disciples so they could be with Him and learn from Him. They were following His example (even if not realizing it yet) from Luke 22:42, “Not my will but Yours be done.”

In what ways can we choose to put Jesus first in our lives today?

The excellent examples of these women who followed Jesus along the road can bless us today, as we see what their total commitment to Him looked like.

Sisters, I think it will bless each of us to ask ourselves a few simple questions, as we reflect on the wonderful examples these women left us.

What are we willing to give up to follow Jesus? Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones in faith for Him? Do we choose to focus on Jesus every day? Is “Not my will but yours” our standard in everyday life?

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

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens a friend.” (Prov. 27:17 CEB)

We were created to be in relationships and to learn from those relationships.

It is undeniable that we are influenced by, and can influence the other people on our relational map. In this world, relationships are often complicated. Both in the family environment, as well as at work, in studies, and in the community, there will be differences, rivalries, and communication failures, among other things, that can make relationships complicated.

In the church body, we also learn about relationships, of course, with a different focus than the rest of the world. Once in Christ, even the most obstinate of human beings learns that we must love everyone, relate to all kinds of personalities, accept them, and treat them with love, as well as correct and be corrected with love. It is more difficult for some than for others. Depending on the temperament of each person, the change may be greater or less.

In my case, I grew up in a large family where most of them talked a lot, and with a loud and strong tone of voice. I, on the other hand, was quiet and limited myself to listening, expressing my opinion only if they asked me to. This distinguished me from others during my childhood and adolescence. I had few friends with whom I could express myself more openly; this caused some misunderstandings and embarrassing situations that only led me to become more withdrawn. Later, while I was studying Social Work, I began to express myself more in my relationships, both at school and with friends, but in my family relationships, I made little progress.

I learned a lot more about the exchange in relationships during my college years and in my working life. However, it wasn’t until I became part of the church that I learned so much more. I continue to learn about interpersonal relationships and the fact that God did not create us to be alone. His word says, “Two are better than one” (Eccl. 4:9 NIV).

When we are guided by the word of God and learn both from the examples of the relationships that had bad outcomes and from the ones that are good examples for believers, we can choose which path we will follow. When we understand the fruit of the Spirit and all that it generates in us, we will want to make an effort to develop it in our lives.

Likewise, when we see a brother or sister who, despite the adversities they are suffering, is ready to advise or help us, or when we understand that the sister who criticizes or judges also has faults and is as human as anyone, or when we see that sister who persists in her pride and maintains her opinions, believing herself to be wiser and less sinful than others (we may also see ourselves reflected in her conduct), we find that everything is part of God’s divine plan. Because we are blessed with His grace, every day we must try to keep the flame of brotherhood and friendship alive, despite our own mistakes or the mistakes of others. We learn that God's love is incomparable, and is what we must imitate, just as brother Paul advises when he says,

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.(Phil. 2:3-5)

Let us try to achieve this in our relationships, not only with our sisters in faith, but also with each person who crosses our path and with whom we can share the glorious love of our Heavenly Father through the gospel of salvation along with a good deed or kind gesture.

Would you like to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ in His relationships?

What can we learn from each relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ?

Are we applying that learning and that same attitude in our secular lives?

How can we improve our intra-family relationships?

May God bless us and help us reflect His peace and love every moment in all our relationships.

#IronRoseSister #teachthroughrelationships #learnthroughrelationships #learnfromothers #blog #guestwriter

Written by Amy Mathis, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in New Mexico

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

On May 21, 2006, I was baptized at a church in the place that I lived in at the time. My oldest daughter was also "dedicated" on the same day. My baptism happened in the local YMCA because the church did not have a baptistry. (The church met in an old storefront.) I was a part of a mass baptism. I was baptized with two other people. When they attempted to put me under the water, they had to kick my legs from under me to get me submerged. That day after I was baptized, I did not feel any different: I didn't feel happy, I didn't feel joy, I just felt the same as I did before. As I later realized, I did not die to self or put on Christ. After that, I went to the same church for a while, but I just got burned out by being there. They were using me as an event coordinator, their "errands girl." So, I left. After leaving the church I went to other churches in the area, but I didn't feel loved, accepted (I was a single mom at the time), or fulfilled in God's Word. So, in short, I stopped attending church altogether.

Fast forward a lot of years later; years filled with a marriage, a miscarriage, a rainbow baby, several moves, the loss of loved ones, and a lot of life's ups and downs. I landed in Mayhill, New Mexico, after my husband accepted a preaching job at the Mayhill Church of Christ. We felt at home in the little mountain church. A year after we started at Mayhill, Troy and I attended a Soul Winning Workshop, in a town near Mayhill. During the workshop, they had us conduct an activity on how to win souls for Christ. During the activity, we "role played" a situation in which we talked about baptism. We asked each other if we were and if so, how we were baptized. My husband explained his baptism and I went on to explain mine. That was when I started to question my life in Christ. "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ, have put on Christ" (Gal 3:27 ESV). I did not feel like I had put on Christ back in 2006. After some prayer, getting more involved in the church, and soul searching, my baptism was heavy on my heart and in the back of my mind.

I was told about Higher Ground Ministries, and their upcoming spring retreat in March of this year. I thought about going, but first I had to do some research. After learning about them, I decided to go. It was one of the best decisions I have made. The ladies there made me feel loved, wanted, and accepted. They did not care that I was a preacher's wife. I was Amy, a child of God. During some of the talks on the first full day of the retreat, I was thinking about my baptism again.

After some prayer, I made the decision to be re-baptized. I did not tell anyone that night; I waited until the following day. First, I told my oldest daughter, Victoria, then I told my Heartfelt "mom" Ruth, my husband, Troy, and finally my Higher Ground "big sister," Andrea. Then it was announced to everyone at the retreat. At that moment, I could feel my Savior's arms around me. I told my husband that I wanted him to baptize me. We decided to do it during our afternoon service that Sunday. Once I got home from the retreat, we headed to the church. At 1:30 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2024, I died to self in the waters of baptism, and I put on the love of Christ! I felt so happy, loved, wanted and most of all, I now know that I am a true child of God, and I will never be the same again!

Statement from Iron Rose Sister Ministries: We rejoice with Amy in her decision to die to self, be united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and be clothed with Him. We respect her decision to commit her life more definitively to Christ. This blog post is insufficient for telling her whole story. And only God and Amy truly know all the details.

A blog post from last month details what it means to be Clothed with Christ in Baptism.

We are sharing Amy’s story and rejoicing with her being clothed with Christ. If you would like to discuss Amy’s testimony or any questions about baptism, we welcome the opportunity to talk and study with you.

Written by Corina Díaz, volunteer with Ministerio Hermana Rosa de Hierro in Argentina

The book that bears the name Samuel is divided into two parts, 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. Originally in the Hebrew Bible it was a single book, and its author is the same Samuel, although not in its entirety. A wonderful thing about this book is that it is harmonious in all its essence, starting with its name שְׁמוּאֵל (Šəmûʼēl), which means, “God has heard.” So, from this book come wonderful stories about the way God listens to His people and how He calls them to listen.

We have three main characters, Samuel, Saul, and David, all connected to each other. All three with similar purposes in the kingdom of God, and they demonstrate the different natures of man before God’s questioning. I love the way that God manifests Himself through three different responses to their requests: Yes, no, and wait.

Samuel, was the answer to Hannah’s prayer, a woman who was willing to heed God's call (1 Sam. 1:9-11). She conceived her son Samuel, whom she consecrated to the temple and to God’s service (1 Sam. 2:11). Samuel was a complete instrument of God's plan, and an example of someone who had to wait on many occasions.

Saul, was the first king, and although he was chosen according to God's designs, his personal purpose was different. He is the perfect example of someone who does not want to listen to God, also of someone to whom God says no (1 Sam. 13).

Finally, we have David, a man after God's heart, who heard his call and recognized God's mercy in his life; a sinful person like you and me, who opened his heart and to whom God constantly responded with a Yes! at his requests (1 Sam. 20).

So, we clearly see that there are only three possible answers to the requests of our heart (yes, no, wait), all we need is to have the ability to hear that answer. These three men listened to God in different ways, and we see the results of their own actions. But what do we need to do to listen to God?

Think for a moment, how can you listen or understand the point of what someone wants to tell you? The best way is by knowing the person. The more you share and connect with a person, you can almost predict his/her movements and looks. Has it happened to you? You are in a group and suddenly you cross eyes with your friend, your husband or your child and you already know what is about to happen. That is how our relationship with God also works, the more we know Him and the more we spend time with Him, the more we can listen and understand His responses to our requests.

God's desire for us is to stay connected with Him, and He has a wonderful promise for us.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you remain in My word, then you are truly My disciples. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:31-32 MEV)

The more we know and listen to Him, the more we will know His will in our lives!

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #prayer #bookofSamuel #yesnowait #guestwriter

Written by Brenda Brizendine, Assistant Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Php 4:8-9 NIV) 

The Bible instructs us to think about good things—things that build us up. Why? Because our thoughts affect our attitudes, our moods, our perception of ourselves, and even our relationships. Our thoughts are tied to our joy, our happiness, and, in general, the quality of life we live.

A few months ago, I started studying the book Who Has the Last Word? written by Michelle J. Goff, with the women in the congregation I attend. This book reminds us that we can use the truth of God's Word to cut through the lies that Satan or we ourselves have placed in our minds or hearts. In it, Michelle teaches us that by remembering the truth of God's Word, memorizing it, and internalizing it in our hearts and minds, we begin a transformation process that allows us to realize the abundant life we can have in Jesus, a life that Satan desires to steal from us. 

Last year, as part of the commitment I made to Christ, I chose Psalm 46:10 to study, understand, and live by. Wow, God knew that I would need to be “still” to face all the situations that arose in my life and family! But He knew better than I did that, beyond being still, I needed to remember that He is still God and the Lord over every circumstance. 

I enter 2025 with unanswered questions, unresolved situations, and transitions to face, but I am ready to continue practicing living in the truth that God has left in His Word. I will stumble and doubt, definitely, but by returning to His Word, evaluating my thoughts, and deliberately choosing to think on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy,” I will be able to practice being a wise woman.

Romans 12:2 says: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” The next time you notice you’re thinking negative thoughts, choose to replace those thoughts with the truth of God's Word. For example, if you think about giving up, look for the truth in the Word and decide to meditate on verses like Deuteronomy 31:6, Galatians 6:9, and Philippians 4:13. Or when the enemy tries to convince you that you don’t deserve love, remind him of what God says about you in Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:5, or Romans 8:38-39. 

Learning to control your mind can be like trying to tame a wild animal. But the Lord says: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you” (Ps 32:8). Keep practicing: rely on God and keep asking Him for help to know His truth. You will begin to see changes—changes that will affect other areas of your life, and “the God of peace will be with you.” 

Now, with what you’ve learned:

1. Share a truth from God’s Word in which you want to grow or bloom (put it into practice).
2. Identify a lie you wish to remove with the truth from God’s Word.
3. Identify a sister who can be like iron sharpening iron in your life and can remind you of the truth you chose in point 1.

Written by Luzia Casali, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Porto Alegre, Brazil

Once I bought a small piece of furniture online which needed to be assembled. Because it was small, I tried putting it together without the instructions. What a disaster! I had to redo it, following the steps in the assembly manual. Has anything like this ever happened to you?

In our Christian walk, we need Bible verses that guide us to know if we are building our life as the Father desires. Fortunately, God, through the apostle Paul, left us a true treasure to be our guide in our Christian journey.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:17 NIV)

Have you ever considered how rich this verse is?

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed…”

When Paul says whatever, he means whatever—what we have done or are going to do in our lives as Christian women. And it goes further—it’s not just in action!!! We must also watch what we think. Our actions and thoughts must honor Him. Without a doubt, it is our faith that should drive this behavior.

But to know what we need to be, we need to transform our minds, as Romans 12:2 warns:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

By transforming our minds, we will transform our actions. But how do we do this?

We need to read the Word of God, participate in classes, and pray to the Father for wisdom. The Christian faith is a faith of action, not a static one. It's not just about knowledge; we need to put into practice what we learn from the Holy Scriptures. The Bible is a mirror to show us whether our attitudes are in accordance with God's will and whether we are following His will as daughters, wives, mothers, friends, professionals…

1. As daughters: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you" (Ex 20:12). This means showing them respect even when you don’t feel they’ve earned it.
2. As wives: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him" (Ge 2:18). We need to help our husbands for the growth of the Kingdom of God and the strengthening of the family.
3. As mothers: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Pr 22:6). That's a promise! We must teach our children about God and salvation in His Son Jesus Christ.
4. As friends: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Mt 7:12).
5. As professionals: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Col 3:23-24). As much as we may not like our superiors, we need to give our best, as if we were working for God.

“…do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”

We need to have His authorization to act. A good illustration of this is when someone writes a check. It can only be cashed if the signature on the check matches that of the checking account holder. If it doesn’t match, the bank teller won’t cash it. The correct signature authorizes the withdrawal of the amount on the check.

Therefore, it must be very clear in our minds that our actions must be authorized by Christ.

“…giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Why give thanks? We cannot forget that we were bought with a high price: the blood of God's own Son. Therefore, what we do must always be done with respect, honor, and submission to the Lord. Because we were bought, our will is no longer ours; we must be submissive to the will of Christ. He must be glorified in our lives.

Christ died in our place, and it is thanks to Him that we have remission of our sins. Because of Him, the veil of the temple was torn and therefore we have access through prayer to the Eternal Father. And the most incredible thing is knowing that we will spend eternity with Him.

Always give thanks to Christ. Always have a grateful heart, no matter what you do.

Our challenge is to keep in mind that our attitudes must be to honor God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit—because Christ authorizes us.

And above all, always have a grateful heart!

Written by Leylane Bertoldo Campos, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Recife, Brazil

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
(Lk 2:11-12 NIV)

“We have to be continually reminded of what we believe.” This phrase was written by C.S. Lewis in his work, Mere Christianity, to alert us to important truths about our faith that need to be frequently nurtured.

In Luke 1, we see the announcement of Jesus' birth. The angel Gabriel declares that Jesus will be “great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Lk 1:32). The coming of Christ as a child reminds us that the transformation of the world begins in the heart and in small gestures of obedience and faith, showing that God operates in a simple yet profound way, bringing salvation within everyone's reach.

By choosing to be born as a child, Jesus confirmed God's love for us from the first moments of His earthly life. Through His birth, Jesus brought peace and hope to a world filled with anguish and despair, and this cannot be forgotten.

We are living in an era of great turmoil. But December is not an ordinary month. We are not completely immersed in our responsibilities, and we take time to think about and see the present. In December, streets and houses are full of lights and festive decorations, the climate changes, and everything around us seems to be looking for some kind of renewal. We know that a large part of this celebration involves remembering the birth of Christ. Although most Christians know that Jesus wasn't born in December, we like the idea of ​​having a date to remember the birth of our Lord and Savior.

I don't know if this happens to you too, but as soon as the month of December begins, I start to reflect on the past year and on all the things that weren’t accomplished. An unpleasant feeling arises that I didn't do enough, or that I didn't enjoy it enough. However, the good memories and gratitude I have for the present that God gave me always rescues me from these thoughts. I remember that I will never be or do enough, but Jesus is all I need.

Jesus will always be the relief we need in the most difficult times. In Isaiah 9:6 we see the prophet Isaiah bringing hope to the people of Israel by announcing a future ruler who would bring justice and peace: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Although some scholars debate the possibility that this prophecy was a reference to an earthly king such as Hezekiah or Josiah, it is widely accepted that the language used by Isaiah goes beyond any human king. It is probably what is called a double-fulfillment prophecy, referring to a biblical prediction with two distinct fulfillments: a more immediate one and a later one, generally more comprehensive or spiritual.

In this way, this verse became an announcement of God's plan of reconciliation with man. It describes God's nobility and mercy, gifts full of love and kindness from a Father to His children. It's all the relief we need in an increasingly difficult world.

As women, the desire for relief seems to be constant. The daily struggle to find a balance between work and family has been one of the biggest challenges for most of us. We are responsible for the well-being of everyone in our homes. As a result, we think about everything, we think about everyone, and that can be tiring. However, we don't see ourselves doing anything other than taking care of those we love.

To love is a privilege given by God, and we endure the adversities involved in this difficult task because we are renewed daily by God's love and mercy.

When we remember the birth of Christ and the wonderful grace of God, we feel peace. When Christ came as a child, in His most vulnerable form He came as a gift to us all. His coming was the necessary path for us to be reconciled with God— proof of love that we cannot measure, but that impacts our lives and our future and allows us to enjoy the presence of God for all eternity. May this memory be alive in our hearts, not only in December but throughout the year.

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

”Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb 11:1 NIV). The 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews begins with two attributes of faith: confidence and assurance.

It is faith itself, not our feelings about faith, that produces confidence. Some commentators offer various complex definitions of faith. But I believe that the best definition of faith is based on the certainty of confidence in the Word of God, and not on our circumstantial feelings.

The book of Hebrews mentions the traits of some people who walked by faith. Abraham is the first person described in the Old Testament as a specific example of faith and obedience and is called the “father of faith.” Submissive to God’s will, he journeyed to a land to which he had never been, being moved solely by the conviction that God’s promises would be fulfilled. By observing the cultural context of the book of Genesis where events in the story of Abraham and his wife Sarah are narrated, we see that the world in which Abraham lived was not at all attractive! The first signs of human decadence, such as idolatry, were present.

But looking at Hebrews 11, we observe the characteristics of confidence and obedience found in those who are known as “heroes of the faith” in God’s promises.

• Their faith came from something rational and not merely circumstantial or sentimental.
• Their faith was firmly founded on the promises of a God whose knowledge is unfathomable (Heb 11:9-10).
• They walked with God. Their faith grew as they knew God more.
• They believed in God’s comfort and providence in their lives (Heb 11:7).
• They left the pleasures of the world behind and looked toward the heavenly goal (Heb 11:24-27).
• Their faith was an act of courage (Heb 11:30).
• Their faith led them to act justly and to not fear men (Heb 11:32-34).

Above all, I believe that obedience is only present in genuine faith that must be seen in the transformation of every believer in Christ. Since my conversion, I have tried to discover the call of God for my life without understanding that I should read the Scriptures to find the answers, nor understanding that God’s will for our lives is that we believe in Christ and follow His way. Until I understood these things, I walked some painful and thorny paths in large areas of my life. I doubted God’s providence, and, in many issues, I tried to “do it my way” or rush the Lord’s plans.

When we do not trust in Christ, we tend to put ourselves as the lord of our lives. Symbolically, I identify with the curious process of the pearl’s formation in the oyster. Pearls are products of pain, the results of the entrance of a strange or undesirable substance into the oyster’s interior; an oyster that wasn’t hurt does not produce pearls. Sometimes, life’s adversities push us to trust in Christ, as if it were our last escape. I wanted everything to happen in my life in my timing!

I wanted to grow spiritually overnight and have the dream of a Christian family. I wanted God to heal my soul’s scars, but the truth is that I put little into practice, forgetting His promise, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb 13:5). Those who seek to obey God must think like Abraham, Sarah, and Noah who considered their stay on this earth as brief, like foreigners awaiting return to their native land.

In the same way, we must think and live by faith, by hope, by the certainty of the fulfillment of God’s promises, not allowing ourselves to be shaped by the behavior of the world like people who have no hope but are attentive to our divine call to live in holiness. Listen to the call of Christ and pay attention to His voice as Samuel did when he said, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1Sa 3:10). Calm the worries of this world and remember the words of Jesus: “Consider how the wild flowers grow…” (Lk 12:27-32). Look at the birds that rest in your window and remind you to trust in God. Just as the Lord cares for the little animals and dresses the wildflowers in the field, He will care for His people and will make them rest in green pastures, even amid life’s adversities.

May the Lord Jesus increase our faith, be it in joy or sadness, in victory or defeat. Even when fear and anxiety surround us, may our confidence and obedience grow as we walk as pilgrims and foreigners in this world, headed to the celestial city.

Written by Claudia Perez, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Alabama

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will...”
…He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” (Mt 26:39, 42 NIV)

As I read these two verses, I visualize that moment in which our Lord shows us complete humility and submission, but at the same time, that moment of tension that was beyond all human comprehension—that moment of separation from His fellowship with the Father that was necessary to redeem and offer salvation to all mankind.

Our Lord obeyed, subject to the will of the Father, experiencing such agony that is incomprehensible and inexplicable to each of us: our Lord made flesh. Although we have a hard time understanding our God's designs for our atonement, Jesus did. His agony and anguish would lead to His death, so He knew that only our God could help Him.

Currently, my family and I are going through a difficult situation in which we decided to wait and trust in God's will once again; one more trial that we are going through with great faith, holding the hand of the Lord in union with our family in Christ.

I remember a song that goes:
                                              The Lord has a will,


                                             And I have a need


                                             To follow that will,


                                             To humbly be still,


                                             To rest in it,

                                             
Nest in it,

                                             
Fully be blessed in it,

                                             
Following my Father's will.

It is in these moments that we find ourselves without any control of the situation, when we feel insecure, unprotected, and afraid. But God tells us “Don't be afraid, trust Me.” The situation or problem may seem very big to us as humans; however, in the hands of an Almighty God, it not only will result in the best answer, but it has a divine purpose. There are times in our lives that seem meaningless, and we think that what God is doing in our lives doesn't make sense. But it is in those moments that God's will is being fulfilled in us so that His purpose will be fulfilled, and His name will be glorified.

I am sitting in a hospital dealing with a complex situation as I write this article. But in this difficult situation, I've seen God's will in everything we've been through. While we have been here, we have met some brothers who have been here for six weeks in an even more difficult situation. We visit them, pray together, sing, and share. I remember one of the brother's words: "Us meeting is not a coincidence; it is by God's will; God knows how much I needed this because I felt down and sad."

When we submit to God's will, He uses us even in those difficult times of tribulation, anguish, and uncertainty to encourage others.

In those moments, we also see the love of God's family. Even at a distance, God has given us a big family that comforts us and shows us their support. That love comes from God. It is beautiful to see the body of Christ united, praying for one another, showing the power of God to the world. In these difficult times, two people have been added to this great family. God's name is being glorified! Today we are going home, we are leaving the hospital, and we still have a long way to go for my relative's recovery, but we will continue to trust in God because we know that He who started the work will finish it.

Even when things seem to make no sense, we should prostrate ourselves and pray: Lord, I understand that this is difficult, and I may not understand it now, but I want to accept that Your will be done and not mine. I want to see Your purpose in this situation and have Your name glorified. Use me as an instrument; maybe it's not what I want, but I know that what You want is much better; I surrender to Your will and wait on You.

Sister and friend, today I pray to God that in difficult moments you will allow your will to submit to God's good and perfect will. Let us remember, sisters, the words of Jesus: "Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God’" (Jn 11:40).

Do you want to submit your will, surrender, and wait on Him? Are you willing to believe in seeing the glory of God?