Fear to Living Hope

From Fear to Living Hope!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead....I Peter 1:3

What if.............

Donna Avant

My cell phone rang. "Where are you? Have you seen the news?"......Words you do not want to hear from your husband when your 19 year old daughter is in the Middle East on a Mission Trip. She had been within 100 yards of a car bomb. Fear gripped my entire being. What if she is killed in the Middle East?

The house phone rings. "Mrs. Avant, we need you to come to the school immediately your son has been in an accident." I could literally hear him screaming in pain through the phone. Again, fear grips my heart as the doctor tell us "Your son has broken his leg in five places. We need to take him to surgery immediately." Fear plagues my mind.......what if my son never plays football again...the game he loves so much!

My husband of 25 years is standing in front of me. "I think the Lord is calling me to leave the pastorate and take a job with a mission agency." Hold on........what......I have been a pastor's wife since I was 20 years old...I know no other way of life. What if I can't adjust? Fear, once again, grips me.

Fear has become a common emotion in our society today. This generation of young people have experienced more to be fearful about than ever before. In the last 12 years, the younger generation has seen school shootings, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, our own nation being attacked and several economic crises. It all comes alive for them to see in living color on their TV, IPAD, or computer.

It is no wonder one in three Americans are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Antidepressants are the number one prescribed medication in America. (Peace without a Pill by Thomas Lindberg) The average American child today has the same level of anxiety as a psychiatric patient in the 1950's. (Anxiety Free by Robert Leahy)

And yet, God's word says "Do not fear", some bible scholars say at least 365 times.......enough for a daily dose! A coincidence...........I think not!

At two of the most important events at history, the birth of Christ and at His resurrection, a woman was told "Do not fear." (Luke 1:30 and Matthew 28:5) My Savior knows as a woman I will struggle with fear.

Fear is the exact opposite of faith. It is when I choose to dwell on circumstances or "what ifs" instead of the TRUTH!

"For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7) Christ gave us His power....the power that raised Him from the dead.......to overcome fear.

Christ gave us a sound mind.......a mind that chooses to dwell on truth and not play "what if" games.

Most of the time our fears are irrational and come from playing "what if" games.......you know, What if they fire my husband, what if we can't pay our bills, what if my daughter is raped, what if my son is in a car accident, what if they don't like me, what if.........and it goes on and on.

When my mind begins to play what if games........I quote II Timothy 1:7 and remind the enemy of my mind that I have a sound mind and choose to dwell on Truth and not on "what ifs"!

And finally, the Lord gives us a His love to overcome fear according to II Timothy 1:7. If I truly believe Christ loves me.........I will choose not to live in a spirit of fear. "There is no fear in perfect love. But perfect love drives out fear.............The one who fears is not made perfect in love." I John 4:18

Saying Jesus loves me and saying I am fearful is a disconnect! It is a rejection of His love.

Do I truly believe Christ loves me enough to not allow anything to come into my life that He will not use for my good? Do I truly believe Christ loves me enough to empower me to overcome any and every circumstance that comes into my life? If I say Jesus loves me........ I will choose not to fear or live my life in fear.

There are times when the emotion of fear begins to creep into my heart and the "what if" games begin.

At this point, I choose to believe He loves me and will live my life not in a spirit of fear, but in His power, in His love and with a sound mind!

No more "what if" games!!!! Have you ever played those "what if" games? See you in the devotionals and in the forums!

Donna Avant is the wife of Dr. John Avant, Senior Pastor of First Baptist West Monroe, Louisiana

Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl

Ahhh... What greater encouragement can one receive, than knowing you are not alone? I have come to love the moment in my Bible Study Group when a sister who has been quiet starts to speak up, lip quivering, and eyes watering. I love this moment because I know it's in this moment that my sister in Christ feels hope. Hope because she can share in a safe group. Hope because her walk with Christ is starting to make sense. Hope because her prayer life is blossoming. Hope because she is not alone in her struggles of life. Hope because she is learning her purpose. Hope because she is loved by the One who created her and she is starting to feel it and know it!

Oh, how blessed I am that God chose me to lead an amazing group of women in my church and community. And blessed that He never fails to direct me to the study He plans me to lead.

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa Terkeurst is, for lack of a better word, AWESOME! Lysa takes you on a journey of learning to live the Faith after the Bible class is over. Lysa says, "The world's offering of joy, hope and love is fleeting, temporary and dangerously unstable...but it can put on a good show in the short term." The book consists of six parts: In My Heart, In My Walk with God, In My Relationship, In My Struggles, In My Thoughts, and In My Calling. Topics throughout the six parts include: Trying to Be Good Enough, Devotion Time Blues, Unlikely Lessons from a Pineapple, When My Ugly Comes Out and How Jesus Helps Me Get My Groove Back.

Lysa reminds us that our walk with the Lord goes beyond the Chr istian checklist of: Pray. Read the Bible. Do a Bible Study. Go to Church. Be Nice.

Praise God, there is more!

Also available is a Participant's Guide and sessions led by Lysa on DVD. Lysa sums it up best by stating, "The adventure God has in store for your life just might blow you away."

Tell us what you think about this study! Meet you in the forums!

Kristi W. Cook

Wife of Dr. Jay Cook, pastor, First Baptist Church, Pascagoula, MS

Are You Moving?

Susan Miller

If you struggle with an upcoming or recent move, or you feel "stuck" and haven't been able to feel at home in your surroundings...don't worry. You are not alone. Help is here with Just Moved. You see, we don't just help once and let you go. Instead, we provide continued support and encouragement no matter what season of life you are in.

Look for articles from Susan in the month of MAY!

Rachel Lovingood on a "How to Get Out of a Spiritual Rut" - you ever been in one?

Heal the Heartache!

To go to Website click on picture

Did you know that 43% of childbearing women have experienced the pain of a past abortion!

Millions of women hide the secret of abortion deep in their hearts.

Have you missed one of our mailings? Check out our Archives!

$50 Gift Card - Use it for Date Night!

Yes, we are giving away another $50.00 gift card!
For every post to our devotionals or to the forums - if you are a minister's wife or woman in ministry you will be entered into a drawing for a gift card. If you need to know if you qualify to enter click below

We need 200 hostesses! Please Would you like to be a table hostess? Sign up now and be ready for June 19th!!!!
-Find out how

click click click click click here to purchase tickets

Monday Morning Pastor's Wives Session

June 18th, 2012,

Hall B Morial Convention Center

New Orleans, LA. 8:30 a.m.

Featured Speakers

Jeannie Eliff

As a minister's wife for over forty-five years, mother of four, grandmother of twenty-five, former missionary, author, cancer survivor, and wife of IMB President, Tom Elliff, my life is filled with daily opportunities to trust Christ 'in everything.' My greatest joy is in plumbing the depths of God's Word and feasting on His truths with my family, our friends and the dear people God brings into our lives.

Pam Tebow

As the daughter of an army colonel, Pam Tebow lived all over the world until she was seventeen, when she entered the University of Florida.

The Tebows lived for a number of years as missionaries in the Philippines, where Bob continues to have an ongoing ministry, the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association. BTEA supports 50 nationals, who preach the gospel throughout the Philippines and stimulate church planting. Through the preaching of the national evangelists and the Americans who accompany Bob on numerous mission trips, over one million people a year are professing their faith in Jesus Christ. Bob and Pam also run an orphanage (Uncle Dick's Home) in the Philippines, which has been home to scores of orphans since 1992. Pam is very involved in her husband's ministry and coordinates numerous projects and personnel.

Plus - a panel discussion focused on raising PK's!

Expo 2012 - Monday and Tuesday Mornings -

Featuring Exhibits from Ministries Focused for Women, Pastor's Wives and Women in Ministry

Date Night Challenge!

Research shows that if we will take the time at least once a month and date - it significantly improves our relationship with our spouse! For ideas and to register for the challenge click on the picture from Focus on the Family.

To enter to win $50.00 gift card click here to post a comment about how to date your spouse

Check out our online Store!

Ministry Wives Resources in one place. More to be added in the coming days. Each purchase helps to support CJ4H. Click on the open sign and check us out.

Featured Book this month

Too many Christians go through life unaware of the riches we have in Christ. Discovering these blessings is the first step to living them out in daily life.

Every purchase helps to support Contagious Joy 4 Him

Link to Lisa McKays Book

We are providing a link for you to purchase Lisa McKay's book. (Click on the book to purchase)

Lisa is busy with her own ministry but will be helping us out with CJ4H as we strive to connect ministry wives through prayer and encouragement. Click on the link below and Lisa (as only she can) explains better than I ever could.......So glad you are joining my crazy world - my friend!

Resources
Kingdom Women

W3 Chronological Bible
Discipleship

Leading and Loving It

Pastor's Wives of the SBC Convention Facebook Page

Thriving Pastor