Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Redeemed: bought back. Holy: set apart for a purpose.

Redemption and holiness may appear to be an odd pairing for January themes, but they both speak to the resolutions and the time of renewal of purpose that come with a new year.

A redeemed person is clear about his/her identity. She realizes that her life is not her own – it is a gift from her heavenly Father to be lived to his glory. She was bought at a price and is now an adopted daughter of the King.

A holy person is clear about his/her purpose. She recognizes that the world and its ways hold no value – she has been set apart from all that it hinders and distorts. God brings definition and purpose to her life, guided by the Holy Spirit.

A holy redeemed daughter of the King keeps her focus clear. As the song goes, “This world is not my home.” And as Paul says in II Corinthians 4:18, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” If I look to the things of this world, I am filled with frustrations, worries, and burdens. By keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith, I am filled with faith, hope, and love.

I have never been big on New Year’s resolutions. However, I have established a few goals and priorities that help me remain clear in my identity, purpose, and focus:

·      Daily time in the Word

·      Constant communication with God through prayer

·      Keep the main thing the main thing: I am a daughter of the King, called according to his purpose. With that identity, purpose, and focus clarified, I will see things from an eternal perspective and trust in God who is bigger than any circumstances.

How will you remain clear in your identity, purpose, and focus for 2015?

Verses for additional reflection: Hebrews 12:1-3, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 14:1-4, II Corinthians 5:7

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

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2 NIV).

“A true relationship is two imperfect people refusing to give up on each other” (Unknown). That could not be a more fitting description for us as humans in relationship with each other. Relationships are often hard. They take a great deal of commitment and effort on our part to be even the least bit fulfilling. Our sinful nature, clothed in selfish desire, often keeps us from working on relationships as we should. But like anything else in life that is good, we need to ensure that God is at the forefront of our relationships and that He is the reason we do what we do. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men”

(Col. 3:23).

God designed relationship, and He designed it to be a reciprocal effort; each person brings something to the relationship that is equally satisfying. Consequently, the best relationships are enveloped in a common love (1 Cor. 13:4-7). The best relationships build us up rather than tear us down (1 Thes. 5:11). The best relationships are burdened relationships.

Burdened relationships are those that involve mutual dependence on each other. We should be dependent on others (most assuredly our sisters in Christ) for several things. We need each other for guidance as “the heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense,” and “as iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (Prov. 27:9,17 NLT). We need each other for spiritual restoration for “…sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path (Gal. 6:1). We need each other forinstruction on how to live as godly women (Titus 2:3-5).

Perhaps the most important thing we can do for each other as sisters in Christ is to share those things which encumber or afflict us. Sin and the struggles of life can weigh us down with extreme heavyheartedness. The burdensome stuff of life can discourage and weaken our spiritual state. We should never be embarrassed or ashamed to share those things which weigh heavily on our hearts. The adage “there is strength in numbers” is very true, especially when it concerns our spiritual health. The author of Ecclesiastes proclaims that “two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor…and a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Eccl. 4:9,12 ASV).

We cannot do life in any capable fashion without strong relationships. We must be willing to share our burdens with our sisters in Christ. In doing so, we afford them the powerful healing that comes from prayer, thereby encouraging them on to a better, stronger faith. “Pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16, NLT).

Our burdens need to be shouldered by each other so faith can reach its crowning achievement.Faith is made stronger when our relationships with each other better mimic our relationship with God. When our relationships with each other are more authentic, transparent, and persevering, we can better cope with the heaviness that life brings us and others. Shouldering our burdens with one another is a key element for building good relationships because it also demonstrates selflessness. And we truly live by the tenets of Jesus’ teaching when we humble ourselves enough to selflessly carry the burdens of others (Phil. 2:3, Rom. 13:8; Gal. 5:13; 2 Jn. 1:6). Even more wonderful is that we can have our burdens shouldered by Jesus, too. In fact, He expects it of us. He whose burden is light asks us to burden Himself with our heaviness.“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened….my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28,30 NIV).

Sisters, we cannot afford to be stagnant or self-righteous in our relationships. Good relationships require effort and perseverance. We must be committed to working selflessly in our relationships if we are to be pleasing to God. Relationships can fuel our faith because they require a refusal to give up on each other just as God refuses to give up on us. God has “chosen you and will not throw you away”(Is. 41:9 NLT). A burdened relationship demonstrates a faithful work. It is a good thing! How will you be burdened by your relationships?

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

It is curious to see how God can use ANY person to bless us and fulfill His will. Furthermore, I believe that God delights in exposing all of His creativity in putting together all the pieces of the puzzle of our lives. He encourages encounters, delays encounters, prevents falls, and allows falls… in short, like any artist, He is inspired and makes sure that the masterpiece is unique and special. God delights in the process; He is not in a hurry.

Almost 5 years ago, when my family and I had just moved from Venezuela to Colombia, God put several key people in our path who, despite the fact that they did not profess our same faith, or at least not in the same way, were that Rahab who protected us and "saved" our lives, so to speak. Those people cared for us; they gave us essential things like mattresses, kitchen utensils, sheets, coats, food, among other things to start our new life in Colombia.

When reading the story of Rahab, the first question that comes to mind is this: Why would the spies enter into the house of a prostitute? I mean, the house of someone who apparently did not have the same faith they had.

Would it have been an explicit command of God? Or was it just a coincidence?
I do not know. Maybe the spies didn't know whose house they were hiding in, but I'm sure God did.

This is one of those chance encounters that God allows for His great purpose to happen. The spies found in Rahab a woman who knew Jehovah and Rahab found in the spies a confirmation of the God she had already been hearing about. This meeting allowed Him to affirm: “…The Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Josh. 2:11b NIV).

I wonder, what would have happened to the lives of the spies if they had not found Rahab. Perhaps the king would have caught them.

What would have become of Rahab's spiritual life had she not met the spies? Perhaps she would not have had a chance to be redeemed.

What would have happened to me and my family if we had not found those special people who helped us in our beginnings as immigrants? Perhaps it would have cost us much more to make a life in this country.

Let's not underestimate the chance encounters we have throughout our lives; we don't know if they are an angel sent by God to bless us.

Dear sister, today I want you to remember that our lives are a beautiful symphony of God, composed of different rhythms and melodies that avoid monotony and boredom; and encourage dependence and devotion to God. Let's fully enjoy this experience called LIFE, with all the kinds of encounters it can bring.

#IronRoseSister #HIStories #redeemed #chanceencounters #angelunawares #Godsprovision #guestwriter #blog

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

A precious camp counselor (we will call her Elizabeth) shared a memorable anecdote with me. Elizabeth had been married, but her husband sadly fell into sin and decided to be with another woman. After time had passed, the other woman wanted to learn about Jesus. Unsure of who else to ask, she approached Elizabeth. Elizabeth said she will never forget sitting in her kitchen, sharing the gospel with the woman who had stolen her husband and wreaked havoc on her life. It was the hardest thing she ever had to do. But saving a soul was more important than her heartache; she set aside her damaged feelings for a higher purpose.

Elizabeth maintained a degree of distance from the other woman to protect her heart. It is okay and healthy to set boundaries with other people. In his podcast Excel Still More, Kris Emerson describes how the apostle Paul did precisely that. Two missionary journey companions he had previously trusted were no longer allowed to travel with Paul after they had deserted him: Demas and John Mark. After traveling with Paul and participating in his ministry, Demas deserted Paul “because he loved this world” (2 Tim. 4:10 NIV). In his previous letter Paul affirmed that God, “wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). We see a desire for mercy on those who had deserted him in 2 Timothy 4:16. Despite this desire, Paul could no longer trust Demas and warned Timothy about him.

There can be Christians who we are unable to trust because of their continued bad choices. We still love and care for them. Loss of trust is neither desiring nor determining condemnation; rather, placing boundaries is protection. Scripture teaches, “Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good character” (1 Cor. 15: 33). We don’t want unhealthy influences in our lives. Having close relationships where we can influence someone for Jesus without being led astray requires balance. Second Corinthians 6:14 instructs us to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. We might think we are strong enough, but we may find out that is not the case.

Therefore, we need to draw and maintain boundary lines. Those on the other side of those boundaries are still valuable people. Jesus teaches that the two greatest commands are to love God and love our neighbor (Mark 12:28-31). When the opportunity presents itself to maintain this balance and teach the truth, we should follow Elizabeth’s example and take it.

In Ecclesiastes, we are reminded of the value of mutual relationships in which “if one falls down, his friends can help him up” (Ecc. 4:9-12). Those we keep close should “help us up” by encouraging our strength and devotion. We can listen to their advice and trust them, for “those who walk with the wise will become wise” (Prov. 13:20). These are the people with whom we regularly communicate and feel safe opening up to. Through forming relationships with the trustworthy and wise, we build a support system that strengthens our faith and gives us the confidence and ability to influence others for Christ.

Due to their immense value, we need to prioritize building and reinvesting in healthy relationships that may have been neglected. This requires observing and appreciating their positive character, bringing them close, and deepening a relationship with them. We may need to take the initiative and discover how we can encourage the other person as well.

Conversely, if there is an unhealthy relationship that is hurting you or your relationship with God, it needs to be addressed. Jesus teaches us to cut off the hand or eye that causes us to sin (Matt. 5:29-30). If you have a relationship with someone who is leading you into sin or working against what you are trying to do for the Lord, it may need to be ended. If it cannot be ended, then limit the time you interact with that person. A little space might help you have a healthier faith and could benefit the other person. Pray, ask for God’s guidance, and read His Word before deciding.

While Paul and Barnabas were preparing for their second missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them. In contrast, “Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company” (Acts 15:38-39).

Paul could not trust John Mark because he had previously abandoned them. Later, however, Paul asked that John Mark be brought to him because John Mark had been “helpful to [him] in [his] ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11). As time passed, change must have taken place. From this, we can learn that there is hope for relationships to be restored. Our God is in the business of redemption and restoration; sometimes in this life, sometimes in the next.

No matter the outcome, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Rom. 8:28).

Written by Kat Bittner, Board Member and Volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colorado

Sometimes I ponder my path to redemption. Raised in a strict but loving Christian home, my parents did well to instill in me an unwavering belief in God. I’ve never questioned His existence or how this world came to be. Never have I debated the authority or majesty of God. I grew up with absolutely no doubts about who Jesus is and the necessity of Him. With a biblical upbringing like mine, one would think that my sound and sure faith would suffer little in consequence of sin. A strong, solid foundation ensures an unbreakable structure. That couldn’t be more wrong! While a firm foundation does increase the likelihood a structure remains intact, there is no guarantee it won’t be vulnerable at some point in time. Especially when that firm foundation isn’t as sound as it seems.

You see, my “firm” foundation became a crutch. I took for granted the things I knew to be true would be my stronghold. I didn’t truly appreciate my faith. I allowed sin to creep into my life unfettered and unceasing. There was a season of time in which I dabbled in just about everything that could be deemed unredeemable. I was wont in filthy language, sexual immorality, underage drinking, gluttony, smoking, drugs, dishonoring and disrespecting the name of God. Whew! That’s just the short list. I was completely indifferent to all my sin and wrongdoing. The choices I made were self-serving and totally satisfying. The fleeting pleasures were more important than the subdued faith I believed to be living (Heb 11:25). After a while, I began to get comfortable in my constant albeit undisclosed rebellion. And after years of living selfishly, I figured God would never be pleased or satisfied with me. He would never forgive me. As a life-long affirmer in Him and one who chose to then walk away from God for a time, I was convinced I was unredeemable. I was like a field bearing thorns and thistles. Useless! All that’s left for the farmer to do is burn and destroy it (Heb 6:8). In the inevitable doom of my soul and the hidden despair I felt because of that belief, I came to understand through a wonderful spiritual mentor that no sin at no time in no quantity, that is repentant, is ever unforgiven. And I am always redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

“He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever…” (Ps. 111:9, NKJV)

God forgives unequivocally. It is without condition or exception if we are truly repentant. And we are redeemed through the blood of Christ in much the same manner. We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb who sacrificed Himself undeservedly and unmistakably. Jesus did this “…once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption” (Heb 9:12, NIV) and we who choose to follow Christ are forever redeemed. To be close to God and be saved from the consequences of our sin, a sacrifice of blood was necessary. That’s why Jesus died for us. No manner of sin can undo what Jesus did for us if we remain true to God. We cannot no longer be redeemed simply by considering our sinful nature for if redemption was temporary or provisional it would make Jesus’ sacrifice in vain.

“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. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.” (Gal. 2:20-21, NLT)

I know that Jesus’ sacrifice was not in vain. I know that all my sins of the past are forgiven. And I know that my sin now is not ever unforgiven nor is it remembered so long as I continue to walk in the light of Jesus. I do my best to live daily in acceptance of God’s grace. I try to be a testimony of the redemption made on my behalf by Jesus. I know that I am forever redeemed. How will you show yourself forever redeemed?

#IronRoseSisterMinistries #HIStories #redemption #pardon #guestwriter #blog

For twelve years I have been visiting doctors, healers, anyone who thought they could help. There isn’t a treatment I haven’t tried. I’ve changed my diet. I’ve tried herbal remedies. Nothing has worked.

For twelve years I have been bleeding.

You know how you feel when you’re on the worst day of your period? Depleted, cramping, cranky, no energy, angry at Eve, no appetite, or eating everything in sight? I’ve felt that way for the past twelve years with no reprieve.

Women in menopause – you’ve got nothing on me. Not to minimize anyone else’s pain, but I am at a loss and the isolation and rejection are worst of all.

You see, I’m a Jew. And blood is an unclean thing. For the first few months, I didn’t go anywhere because I would make others unclean. When I finally gathered the courage and energy to get out of the house, it almost made things worse.

I was forced to yell “unclean,” wherever I went so that no one accidentally touched me and became unclean as well. Literally like hanging your dirty laundry out for all to see.

And a very lonely existence. No physical contact for twelve years – not a hug, a gentle touch, or warm embrace. I feel unloved, forgotten, and broken.

It may be uncomfortable to talk about, but the events of this past week have inspired me to shout from the mountain tops, and it’s nothing about the word, “unclean.”

A Teacher with great healing power was in town. And while it took everything in me to find hope for healing, I had heard so many wonderful things about this man of God that I cried out to God and ventured to take a risk one more time.

Crowds surrounded the Teacher and pressed up against him so closely that I knew there was no way I could get close to him. His disciples stayed nearby and would’ve risked their own uncleanliness before I approached the Teacher.

But I had no choice. My final hope of healing was with that man. If only I could touch the hem of his garment… So, I covered my face and defied the Jewish rules. In a strange combination of terror of discovery and hope of healing, under cover of my cloak, I weaved my way through the crowd.

Finally, I had reached the Teacher and my fingers were able to graze the edge of his garment. Immediately, relief flooded me. Breath returned to my lungs. Life was restored to my body. I was healed!

However, my relief was short-lived and my breath became a frozen gasp as the Teacher spoke out. “Who touched my clothes?”

His disciples tried to convince him that it was the crowd pressing around him, but when he persisted, my greatest fear was realized. Rebuke, rejection, isolation, and a reversal of his healing were imminent. I was sure of it.

Yet this Teacher was like none other. As I trembled at his feet, confessed my actions, and shared my story, his eyes were filled, not with condemnation, but rather with love, acceptance, and sympathy.

My own tears of fear transformed into tears of deep, heart-felt gratitude for the tremendous gift I had been given. Yes, I was grateful for the physical healing of my bleeding. Still more powerful than the physical healing though was the emotional healing. For the first time in twelve years, I was welcomed back into the family. I was brought back into the community. I was redeemed.

“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Yes, the Teacher, Jesus Christ Messiah, had called me “Daughter.”

For the full story, read Matthew 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8.

P.S. I later learned that it was the shedding of his redeeming blood that made us all clean – He offered everyone the opportunity to be welcomed back into his family. I invite you to also let him call you “Daughter.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I have had the blessing of meeting with Christian in many parts of the US and across Latin America. I have even met with congregations in Russia, Kazakhstan, Germany, and the Czech Republic. What most amazes me is how our sovereign God works abundantly and powerfully in each of these places. He is worshiped in various languages, cultures, and in diverse contexts. He is preached in church buildings, parkes, schools, and homes. My God is big enough.

It is easy to put God in a box – to put limits based on what we see, to restrict him by what is already known. But my God is big enough to be living and active in each of these distinct places – at the same time and in different ways. Yes. My God is big enough.

Our great and powerful God is also able to redeem any life. You may feel that you are beyond his reach or unworthy of his forgiveness. But my God is big enough.

Isaiah 59:1 “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.”

Through Jesus’ blood, God has promised a welcoming invitation of redemption to all those that come to him. My God is big enough. Holy God is big enough for you too.

Take a moment to renew the way in which you see God. We have to remove the blinders and allow him to come out of the limiting box in which we have put him. Take a look around and see his loving hand, longing to rescue and redeem you.

Poetic and visual description of what our Redeemer offers.

How would you describe our Redeemer to someone who doesn't know him?

Zephaniah isn’t the most commonly read book of the Old Testament, but it was my reading of choice the other night. While I trudged through the first two chapters, I was reminded of how upset God gets when his chosen people, the Israelites, failed to worship and follow him exclusively.

God is a jealous God.

His anger is righteous and while he was ready to exact judgment and punish as the Israelites’ sins deserve, he always offered an opportunity to repent. He wants to “protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.”

The anger, judgment, and destruction of chapters 1 and 2 spill into the beginning of chapter 3 as well. The weighty language of God’s heavy hand was upon me as I read this book of prophecy. Fear crept in as I considered my own unfaithfulness.

But then, I found hope. Redemption was possible. Doom was not inevitable.

A remnant remained – a repentant group that remained faithful to God through which God’s promises came in beautiful display – promises we can continue to cling to today.

“Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid! For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zephaniah 3:16b-17, NLT)

Our Redeemer lives. Redemption is possible. We can be bought back when we had no other hope of rescue.

But Ruth and Naomi didn’t understand these possibilities. The family name was dead. There were no men to carry on the family name, no rights or land, no hope for a stable future.

What started as a daring risk: a mother-in-law instructing her daughter-in-law to go and lay at the feet of a kind land-owner, a distant cousin of the family, ended as a promising story of God’s eternal plan for redemption.

Boaz served as kinsman-redeemer for Ruth and Naomi. His kind heart honored Ruth’s faithfulness to her mother-in-law and he took action to bless and redeem Naomi’s family name. Naomi rejoiced in the redemption of her family, but also in the loving care for her daughter-in-law.

The action Boaz took as kinsman-redeemer for Ruth and Naomi was more than a one-generation blessing for a family in the city of Bethlehem. You see, the Ultimate Redeemer would be born in Bethlehem a few centuries later, the distant grandson of Boaz and Ruth’s son, Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Father, I thank you for your redemptive plan in my life. You knew of our need for rescue and we see in your Word how you worked through history, orchestrating your perfect plan of redemption that culminated in your Son. Our Redeemer lives. Redemption is possible. Thank you for providing us with the hope of rescue and the promise of redemption for those who submit to you.

(For more details about this powerful story, I invite you to subscribe to the blog and receive a free download of the 1st ePetal study – Iron Rose Sisters: a deeper look at Ruth and Naomi.)

Francine Rivers wrote a fictional novel called Redeeming Love, inspired by the story of Hosea and Gomer in the book of Hosea. I enjoyed the book so much I have read it two or three times in English and once in Spanish.

Rivers creates a masterfully orchestrated demonstration of love that remains faithful beyond betrayal. For those that have read the book, I think we have all desired to have a Michael (Hosea’s parallel character) in our lives. He is more than a Prince Charming riding in on a white horse. He portrays the true redeeming love of our heavenly Father.

After all of Israel’s infidelities, betrayals, their worship of other gods, God’s compassion never fails.

“How can I give you up, Ephraim?

    How can I hand you over, Israel?

How can I treat you like Admah?

    How can I make you like Zeboyim?

My heart is changed within me;

    all my compassion is aroused.

I will not carry out my fierce anger,

    nor will I devastate Ephraim again.

For I am God, and not a man—

    the Holy One among you.

    I will not come against their cities.”

“I will deliver this people from the power of the grave;

    I will redeem them from death.”

Hosea 11:8-9, 13:14

Just as he did proved with the Israelites, only God is willing to buy us back each time we betray him, fail him, or choose to worship other gods.

“How I love the great Redeemer who is doing so much for me…” His redeeming love rescues me from the muck and the mire. His mercy and grace extend beyond our human understanding of forgiveness.

What does God’s Redeeming Love mean for you?

Zygmunt Bauman, a Polish sociologist, proposes that our culture is defined by liquid modernity and therefore devoid of solid structures. This means that our relational bonds are weak; our networks are social, but superficial; our lives are fragmented.

This liquid modernity affects us as individuals, families, churches, and a society as a whole. If we are going to make an impact that facilitates change, we must recognize that cultural revolutions begin in the middle organization of community, which has almost disappeared.

Traditional organization of community:
Macro – Nation, empire
Middle – Tribe, village, society (up to 300 people)
Micro – Individual, marriage, household (a handful of people)

Current organization of community:
Macro – Nation, internet, corporation
Middle – Almost nonexistent (a liquid society kills the structures and conventions here)
Micro – Me

But defining the problem is only the first step.

How do we address this societal breakdown? How can we rebuild middle community and impact a cultural change?

The answer: Relationships! God has given the church the answer. Mentoring, small group Bible studies, prayer partners… the very structures that Iron Rose Sister Ministries (IRSM) is dedicated to rebuilding!

As women, we hunger for strong relational bonds, strengthening and encouraging networks, solid, un-fragmented lives – the depth of relationship that is offered in Christ. However, we often lack the understanding, the skills, or the experience that make those kinds of relationships possible.

IRSM longs to equip women to connect more deeply to God and one another, thus redeeming our families and our churches for God. And we invite you to join us on the journey of redemption through intentional relationships.

There is so much more to explore on this topic, but what do you think of the concept of liquid modernity? Does the church provide the answer? How can you make a difference to rebuild community?

We will have one more story of Redemption tomorrow before we transition to our Prayer theme for the month of February... Stay tuned for details about our 24 days of prayer leading up to 24 hours of prayer on February 24th!

"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,holiness and redemption." ~ I Corinthians 1:30

Contributed by IRSM Board President, Katie Forbess

In my life there is a group of men that represent redemption in a very transparent way. SOZO is a Recovery Center for men dealing with substance abuse in Arkansas.  They are knocked down and have chosen to allow God to lift them up and sozo them.  Sozo means to save, deliver, defend, and make whole again.  They encourage me and are tangible examples to me and my family in our daily desires and struggles to be more like Jesus.  They are humble in their way of walking through recovery.  Aren't we all recovering from something? A death in our family? A lost job? A wayward relationship? Can't we all lament opportunities that we didn't take to be Christ to others?  I pray for these guys daily and I hold them close to my heart.  Addiction isn't easy and I don't pretend to know the half of it.  I do know that Satan uses it to destroy lives and families but God the great physician and Divine healer saves delivers and defends us through the blood of Jesus Christ every day.  Ephesians 6:12 "Our fight is not against flesh and blood."  

For more information about SOZO for yourself or someone you love go to:
- Facebook SOZO Recovery Centers 
- http://www.sozorecoverycenters.com/
- or contact Bob O'Dowd, Executive Director at 501-984-5317,
 sozo_recoveryctrs@yahoo.com

~written by Nicole Fitzgerald, missionary to Honduras (pictured middle)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of compassion and THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TROUBLES, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.  If we are distressed, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.  And our hope is firm because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NIV (emphasis, my own)

The past year is one I would like to forget, but likely never will.  From January – December, my life was inundated with one horrific event after another.  The distress of living in the world of the dark one never seemed to cease.  At times, even the basic task of breathing seemed too difficult to accomplish.  I was fighting a war, one of good and evil, and much of the year, I felt like I was losing.

Let me give you a little background, since after such depressing statements above, you are curious what could have been so miserable in my life.  Almost 9 years ago, my husband and I decided to move to Honduras to serve in full time ministry, and we arrived here about 3.5 years ago.  We had many obstacles in our way before we arrived, but God kept a burning passion, a drive like no other to keep pushing through each struggle until we finally arrived in Honduras.  Our team members were my parents that arrived a few years before us.  To have your team members be some of the people you trust most in the world and with whom you know you generally work well, seems ideal for many missionaries.

Working with loved ones seems great until it becomes blaringly obvious that there is a major problem.  When the person that had taught me so much about faith, God, and life failed me, failed my family, failed my God, I was completely devastated and heartbroken.  My dad, my spiritual hero, was having an affair or several. At the time when this came out and he seemed to repent of his actions, I tried to receive him with open arms of grace.  However, when it became clear that he truly had no desire to change his ways, I felt my already broken heart shatter more.

As the months followed, a very public scandal erupted – at least public in my world considering that everyone I know also knows and admired my dad. We began to uncover many more lies and sins that he had covered up.  With each new discovery, my soul felt a little more crushed.  My husband and I didn’t know how we could continue in our work in Honduras.  We were living with a shadow over us; the ministry had a smeared name.  Hondurans continued to speak of what a great man my dad was, although, they too knew of his actions, yet they continued to worship him as the Israelites worshiped their corrupt kings.  LIFE AS I KNEW IT FELT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTINUE.

Among dealing with my own dad, my spiritual hero, turning his back on the God I love so much, I was also grieving the death of a young girl that my parents took in after her own parents had died of AIDS.  I was burdened with the sadness of three teenagers that I had poured three years of my life and prayers into each decided to leave the children’s home where I had worked since my arrival in Honduras.  Each of these three believed the rules they had to live by were too harsh, so they walked away from a life of love and stability in order to live in a way which they deemed to be better, with no rules.

ALL HOPE SEEMED LOST.  I didn’t think I could continue on in this work in Honduras.  I didn’t think I wanted to do so either.  I was ready to walk away from a work in which I had literally invested my entire adult life.  I even quit my job.  I sent my church and my elders a very heartfelt letter stating that we felt we could not continue in this ministry and that we were leaving in December 2014.

After I sent the leaders of my church the hardest letter that I have ever written, God’s Spirit began to work in my heart, in my life.  I know that the Spirit has always been at work in my life, but this was very tangible.  Four people that I know from four different parts of my life spoke to me the exact same, life giving words to me.  They don’t know each other.  One of them barely knew me.  But God used these words to encourage me in a way none of these people would ever know.

Even though, in many ways, my life was crumbled and in ruins, even though turmoil continued to happen daily in my personal life, I began to encounter daily the power of God’s redemptive, restorative love.  No, my dad has not repented of his ways and come back to God.  However, God reached down and redeemed my spirit me when I felt all hope was lost.  He put great support around me, people who would sit and cry with me, knowing that no words could change the devastating situation in which I was living, people who simply prayed that I would have the courage to face another day.  When our summer mission teams began, we didn’t think we could make it through the season.  That is when God began to work in other ways.  He opened our eyes like it was our first time to visit this country that we love so much.  He restored the burning passion that we encountered when we first decided to move down to this country.  He restored the desire to continue this work when it made more since to leave and never look back. 

I sit here, almost a year after my life began to crumble around me, and can say that I am still disappointed in the actions of the man I admired so much.  Over the weekend, I heard the news that he is “married” to a girl that is two or three years younger than me, and I am still sad that he has turned his back on God.  But the story is not over.  Satan tried to ruin my entire family by the actions of another, but he didn’t.  And as the father of the prodigal son waited for a long time for the return of his wayward son, I will pray daily and wait for the return of my dad.

The verse I quoted at the beginning literally fell into my lap after my oldest brother died.  It was a great help during that time and during the hard days my other brother was in drug rehab.  Now it is not only a comfort, but an encouragement to know that God will use all of the sufferings I have encountered to be a source of comfort to others.  I’ve faced a good deal of heartache, and at 28, I’m sure I will encounter much more before the Lord brings me home, but my prayer is that God will use every second of pain and heartache to speak comfort and peace into the lives of others.

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” I’m not sure where or when I first heard that expression, but I know I was very young.

But what is the difference between success and failure? Isn’t failure merely a step on the road toward doing things better the next time?

A baby does not run a marathon immediately after exiting the womb. She falls down many times while learning to walk and later, to run.
An entrepreneur does not create a successful business without making a few rookie mistakes along the way.

Life is filled with failures. We are not going to do everything perfectly.

And these failures can feel like thorns that we wish could be removed. We focus on the negative aspects of those failures instead of recognizing the value they bring to our growth in our walk with God.

I am not talking about failure in the sense of continuous sin that we should repent from and allow God’s transformation to remove from our lives.

Rather, failure is a mistake along the way. We were walking in the light, but we tripped up or stumbled. Our best effort wasn’t quite good enough. We would’ve done it better if...

Yet, the thorns of failure can be a blessing. Just as thorns protect the rose and a part of its growth process, our blessed thorns of failure can protect us from pride and other sins that entice us.

I invite you to consider four blessings from the thorns of failure:

1. Failure makes us compassionate.
Guess what? No one else gets it all right either! We all have different gifts, talents, interests, and passions. It is okay to not be good at everything. We value other people’s contributions when we recognize their strengths and our weaknesses. We more easily forgive when we realize all we have been forgiven (Matt. 18).

2. Failure helps us learn.
Alfred asked master Bruce, also known as Batman, “Why do we fall?” The answer: “So that we can learn to get up again.”
Onesimus experienced this when Paul recommended him to his former owners after having been useless to them previously (Philemon). Onesimus had learned from his mistakes and grew, as a person, a servant, and a Christian.

3. Failure is only one chapter in the book of life.
“One should not judge the book of someone’s life by the chapter just walked into.”
God is a God of forgiveness and redemption. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. And He does not look at us through the lens of our failures, but rather through the redeeming blood of His Son. Our identity is not that of sinners, but as redeemed children of the Father. Yes, Peter betrayed Jesus, but that was not what defined him, because...

4. God is bigger than any failure.
The book of Genesis (or really the entire Bible) can aptly be subtitled “God specializes in working through failures.” He is best glorified through our shortcomings, our inabilities, and our missteps. He longs for us to ask for help in our weakness, for then it is His strength we rely on (2 Cor. 12:9).

Today, as we close out the month looking at our #walkwithGod, I encourage you to take a moment to thank Him for the blessed thorns of failure. And also, to take time to share in the Common Threads with a Christian sister, an Iron Rose Sister. Even if the failure you wish to remove is a sin, don’t let it define you. God is the God of second chances... Just ask Paul.