Soaring in the Son

Summer has come at last! It is time to hang the chimes, pamper our toes and squeeze basket amounts of citrus. While temperatures rise, so do our dreams of blissful days basking in golden rays. We imagine ourselves on exotic vacations even staycations floating in casual comfort, sipping tranquility and dripping with laughter. The season which draws us outdoors into extended day and entices with sweet fruit also invites us to play.

When I was a little girl my three sisters and I would leave our inland home to spend summers at the beach with our Dad. While our father worked, we took to the sand; two lathered in baby oil resolved to become bronze beauties while the younger two braved shimmering wonders. The sunny shores were a wide open and endless playground where our adventurous spirits could soar like seagulls. Back then white capped waves were glorious playmates which tossed us about as we squealed with glee. I can recall our long blonde locks matted with sand whipping about our faces as we flew colorful kites. Days were spent designing castles and digging for crabs, fishing from the jetty and exploring under stilted homes at low tide. Tiny toes traipsed upon the beach before sunrise to catch sand dollars on the shore until long after sunset when they danced around campfires.

Summer then was a bright eyed beauty which beckoned me to play, explore and sing. I eagerly took her hand and skipped on warm planks until our season of soaring came to a close. With my bag packed for our trip back home I would don socks and shoes once more. A hearty loot of seaside treasures carefully cradled in my lap made the parting less painful and later prompted memories of freedom when school schedules set in.

Over the years my friendship with the shore had been battered by the storms of life. The dangers of the deep clouded the once sunny skies and the waves upon which I surfed now carried the ashes of my Dad. Though thirty minutes away, I seldom spend summer days on the shore and never enter the water.

Last week at the request of my son I chaperoned he and his friends on a trip to the beach. After the final bell of the school year, they were climbing into my car with smiles and anticipation for the summer ahead. While they enjoyed their long leash of freedom on the pier, I took off my sandals and took to the sand. The sensation took me back to younger days when I was free of fear and braved the waves. The sights and smells beckoned me remember as I walked once again on spitting wet sand and through sizzling foam.

This side of salvation it was not Summer which bathed me in radiant light that day. It was my heavenly Father’s love. There on the sand I wrestled with the past as memories like waves washed over me again and again. Old fears began to swell as the retreating water washed the sand out from under my feet. Though I wanted to retreat myself to dry ground my spirit was reminded that I stood upon the Rock of Christ; my iniquities which threatened to drag me out to dark depths of death rested at the bottom of the sea. Once more I stood free on the shore. The breeze carried sweet sentiments to my ear and cool sprays of saltwater to my lips. I had no need to fear for my Father was near; His faithful eyes ever upon me past, present and future.

There and then I turned on the sand and found that which was lovely became dazzling when facing the sun. The water’s shades of deep blue and the white foam were changed to gold, amber and red. A glorious example of what a life looks like when facing the Son. God certainly does make all things new!

This summer I resolve to visit the beach often and allow the child in me freedom to soar once more. I will take to the sand holding my husband’s hand, dig for sand crabs with my grandchildren and fly kites with my son. I will wade in the water and watch peacefully as those I love surf. I will let my golden locks whip in the wind and lick the salt off my lips while I soak up the Son, His Word and sunshine. 

May we all have a summer of soaring in the Son!

 

Detoured on My Way Hwy

 

The thought of God’s will paving through our daily circumstances and encounters is pleasant and lifting most of the time. That is until His plan detours our own. One day we are pleased with our route and without warning God allows or produces a hearty interruption in our journey. Wheels screech to a halt, the road is closed before us and we are suddenly redirected. Our trip down “My Way Hwy” is stalled and we are forced to reconsider our position and destination before again moving forward.

Priscilla Shirer shares in her study titled          Life Interrupted  that these interruptions are God’s intimate ways of bringing about His best in our life. Of course we understand the concept of biblical principles at work in our circumstances. Still these interruptions can often feel like accidents or traffic traumas which leave us in shock in the middle of the road. So what are we to do when life is interrupted and we are given a map through unfamiliar, uncomfortable or even frightful territory?

First we seek the LORD in prayer. Nothing we experience gets around God’s sovereignty. Therefore it is imperative that we cry out to our Heavenly Father for insight and discernment in our circumstance. He has either allowed the interruption or orchestrated it to bring about His will in our life. Second we will come through the interruption well when we yield to God’s map. As the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:12-13 shares that he had to learn to be content in every circumstance through the power of Christ, we also should strive to be content before, during and after interruptions. Third we must trust the purpose of God for the interruption. Our Heavenly Father desires more than we can comprehend to bring us to a spiritual wholeness. Everything spoken to us through His Word and by His Holy Spirit is meant to teach us of His ways and encourage us through His hands on the wheel process of sanctification. God’s goal is good and while His path is narrow it is the only road which leads to Home. Finally we should hold onto the hope that each challenging interruption has potential to lead us to more than we could ever imagine. As we submit to God’s plan for our life and humbly journey through our days with the LORD, blessings will be ours in great measure; peace, joy, rest, contentment and purpose shaken, pressed down even overflowing.

The choice is ours. We do not have to let Jesus navigate. Yet, through my own experience of gripping the wheel and charting my course I have learned spiritual summits are never reached via smooth roads. They are usually experienced through life interruptions which send us off road and through bumpier terrain.     

For example when I was fifteen my mother lost her battle with cancer. Just two weeks before her fortieth birthday she had to say good-bye to four daughters and her first grandchild still in the womb. Cancer interrupted all our lives and forced us to travel a road of despair. After my mother’s passing, my life continued to be rerouted by interruptions. Unfortunately, what was meant to navigate me into the arms of divine comfort left me embittered and broken down on the road. I rejected the invitation to follow Christ’s route to salvation and instead bought a ticket on a fast train in the opposite direction.

Like Jonah I wanted nothing to do with God’s plan. His interruptions and map thus far had only produced heartache and sorrow according to my GPS. Little did I know that act of rebellion would lead me into treacherous territory, like Jonah’s raging sea. I too would narrowly escape with my life. In a moment of desperation and spiritual bleakness Jesus extended grace; offering once again to be my guide. I wholeheartedly embraced His interruption with relief and gratitude (For I was very tired of navigating life on my own).

I pray you will seek the LORD’s direction when your journey is interrupted with detours and closed roads. Though your ultimate destination is not meant to be reached in this world, Jesus promises following His course will bless you with the BEST ride of your life!  

Tracy L. Frazier

Director/Founder of The FOLD: Fellowship Opportunity for Ladies Discipleship

 

Video: Priscilla Shirer – Life Interrupted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z__D_dr5Ivc

 

Music Video: Carrie Underwood – Jesus Take the Wheel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lydBPm2KRaU

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-3; The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai:  “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”  But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish.  He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying for the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

 

A Miracle of Jesus

 

     Within each miracle of Christ I see a proclamation of more than divine power: there is also a distinct revelation of our Heavenly Father’s message of “Good News” in every miraculous encounter. For example, like water to wine, Jesus desires to change us from lost sheep to the Bride of Christ. Like loaves and fish He creates abundance from our meager lives so that we might bless the multitudes.  He empties mute mouths of evil and fills them with words of praise and testimony; in order to spread the hope of Truth. Through the one man from the group of ten healed who returns to thank Jesus, we see how few will turn and seek our Redeemer; though Jesus died for us all. I see in Peter’s amazing catch of fish an illustration of how God wants to use our talents for His glory. Likewise, a single coin in the belly of a fish reminds us that when we obey the LORD’s instructions, He will meet our every need.

     When I contemplate the miracles Jesus performed among the multitudes I see more than opened eyes and strengthened limbs, I see miraculous compassion: Love which is compelled to flow from a source of pure goodness. “For while we were yet sinners,” Jesus loved us completely. Holding nothing back but His wrath and disdain for our sin, the LORD stepped out from the Holy of Hollies. Veiled by flesh He touched His creation with pure devotion. Though we were not priests, had not passed through the Sea and our hands were stained crimson, the Almighty drew us near. More than healing came from Jesus’ embrace.  Hope of becoming a miracle was born in the hearts of man.

     Imagine the hope of each person in Jesus’ midst as they wondered what miracle He might have for them. They gathered round, some stood in lines, all stood in awe but few heard His message. Yet, every miraculous healing was meant to convey the reality there is much more to life as we know it; more to see, hear, and walk through in this life, but only to be experienced through Jesus. Even Christ’s exorcisms proclaim His gospel truth. For sin leads to spiritual oppression, paralysis, blindness and destruction; only Jesus can free us from the oppression of evil and sin.  

     The nature of God to create life, nurture and sustain it, is powerfully put before us in His miracles of raising Lazarus from the tomb, the widow’s son, and Jairus’s daughter from the dead. These three miracles proclaim that eternal life through resurrection is God’s desire for us all; first for Christ and then for His sons and daughters. And God makes it clear eternal life does not begin at the grave but at the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. God’s compassion compelled Him to take the nails in our place that we might live as He intended.

     Accept the love of God as a sinner redeemed by the pierced hands and feet of the LORD and become His next miracle! Soon the love of God will pour into your life and the miracles your read on the pages of your bible will be part of your testimony. You will become a new creation in Christ. Your life will take on new meaning. You will desire to share the Good News of Jesus with others. You will see and hear things differently and turn from old patterns of thinking and living to follow Jesus.  You will seek to serve God by using your gifts. Obedience to Christ will no longer be an option but a desire and your rest will be found in the LORD.        

     Indeed, our hope is not based solely on the testimony of the Truth in the Holy Scriptures but on the power of Christ’s miraculous work in us day after day. I am a continuous miracle. You can be one as well.

That is the “Good News” at its best!    

Tracy L. Frazier
Director/Founder of The FOLD Ministry

For further contemplation watch the short Inspirational Video and music video below.

Video: Nick Vugicic - Truth on the Go: If You Can't Get A Miracle, Become One

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJwHSGjjifg

Worship Music Video: Prince of Egypt - When You Believe 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gur8ccqrQ9c

Overcoming Offense

My command is this: Love each other
 as I have loved you. (John 15:12)

     When Jesus began his earthly ministry He interestingly invited men of the sea rather than of the Temple to be His disciples. James and John along with Simon Peter and Andrew--four fishermen who spent their days casting their nets into the water-- accepted Christ’s call to become fishers of men. Early in their discipleship, brothers James and John (whom Jesus nicknamed Son’s of Thunder), took offense when a Samaritan town rejected Jesus (Luke 9). Angrily they sought permission from the LORD to call down fire from heave to destroy these offenders, just as Elijah had once done against the prophets of Baal. However Jesus quickly rebuked them and revealed His ministry was about saving souls, not destroying them. The Son’s of Thunder would learn in time the art of casting love before men rather than destruction.

     In his book The Bait of Satan, author and Christian speaker John Bevere reminds the Church that our enemy the devil is also fishing for souls. Not only does our foe seek to hook us and destroy our testimony, he desires to reel us away from the Father and abundant life. According to Bevere, one of the baits the enemy uses to lure us is offense: an unkind word, rejection, exclusion or any kind of betrayal blinds us to the devil’s horrid hook before us. Like fish which swim circles around a tempting morsel, we can allow our minds to mull over an offense until our hearts desire to bite back. Before we know it, we are caught in trouble and the enemy gains control over us.  Jesus did say we would have trouble in this life because the days of man are filled with darkness and evil. But our Savior also told us not to fear;  “But take heart! I have overcome the world,” and Jesus did so on the cross (John 16:33NIV).

     Christ’s death on the cross was far more than an act of obedience to the Father’s will. Jesus’ sacrificial death was the greatest act of love ever expressed in our world. Undeniably love is the mightiest power known to man. Consider how Jesus held great power, but His might was both expressed and contained by His amazing love. When He healed it was driven by love. When Jesus rebuked it was guided by His love. Astoundingly, our LORD beholds the power to create, control or destroy anything, and yet all His acts are rooted in love. Notably, it is love which overcame the Son’s fear as he knelt in the garden of Gethsemane burdened with the plan of man’s redemption. Likewise, it was God’s devotion which compelled Him to die upon the cross. And it is love which continually and will forevermore conquer the devil’s dark influence over man.

      Simply stated, with Jesus there is no trickery or deception in the Father’s plan: no hook to fear. There is but love in all its forms and expressions to behold and abide in.  When we face the offenses of man cast before us by Satan, we have a choice: forgive and maintain our freedom to abide in the Living Water or take the bait of offense and be caught by the devil. Bevere points to Jesus’ warning that one of the signs of the end of the age is the hardening of hearts between brothers and sisters in the Church. Because of being offended many in the faith are prophesied to fall prey to cold hearts and false teachers (Matt. 4:9-13).

     Jesus proclaims the world would know His followers by the way they loved on another, (John 13:35). By the end of his life the Apostle John had learned well Jesus’ technique for saving the souls of man. For, the Son of Thunder in his latter days was known as the Apostle of Love.

Oh, Father, may it be the same for us!

 Tracy L. Frazier

Director/Founder of The FOLD: Fellowship Opportunity for Ladies Discipleship

 

Video: Full Circle;  Free From the Trap of Offense - 1/4 - John Bevere

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g1By-89iIw
 

Music Video: Natalie Grant – Perfect People

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFDl-KWu-XQ

 

Scripture: Ephesians 4:30-32; And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of god, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving eachother, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

 

Abiding in the Promised Land

God's Word is our map to the Promised Land!

     The Word of God is full of promises. Some promises are meant for the Hebrew nation of Israel while others are meant for the spiritual offspring of Abraham. One inheritance meant for both is an abundant life in the Promise Land.

     In the Bible we learn that God had designated a specific territory for His chosen people the Israelites. This promised property is where God Almighty did dwell among man in the midst of a people He purposed to be a holy nation. The Israelites were meant to be God’s light in a dark world filled with sin and its painful and deadly consequences: A beacon of hope that would draw others to the warmth of God’s love and provision. Under the care and protection of Yahweh, the tribes of Israel took possession of the Promised Land and received the blessings of abiding in the presence of God. Though they first stumbled in the desert with unbelief delaying their inheritance, life was rich as cream and sweet as honey for Jacobs offspring past the Jordan.  At least life was blessed from time to time in the Promised Land.

     The covenant promise made between God and his servant Abraham was established with conditions that Israel must obey to possess the blessings of the land. God’s laws required the nation to worship no other but the Lord Almighty. The One True God was their provider and protector; they were to seek only His favor while serving one another in love.  They were commanded to live set apart from the people of other nations who worshiped false gods, lived immorally and pursued every kind of wickedness: The Chosen People were to be holy as God is holy. Had Israel obeyed the Words given them by God, they would still be living abundantly in the Promised Land today. Tragically, they broke the laws of the Covenant again and again until more than territory was lost in Israel’s failure to abide in God’s word, the Lord’s blessing was also lost for a time.

     Author and Speaker Beth Moore, encourages the Church with the truth that this side of the cross, New Testament Believers in Jesus Christ have their own Promise Land to enter and possess. While the Christian’s Promise Land is a spiritual territory to abide in it remains as real as the Holy Land of Israel. Likewise possession of the blessings inherent to the land, are subject to belief and obedience of its occupants.

     Gaining access to the gift of grace and eternal life through Jesus is simply gained through sincere repentance and a prayer of acceptance.  However possessing the Believer’s Promise Land takes battle. Just as the Israelites of old had to step into deep waters, shout in the name of Yahweh and draw their swords to take hold of their inheritance, so too must Christians fight the good fight to live abundantly in Christ.

     Jesus said “It is written:  ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word which comes from the mouth of God,” (Matthew 4:4NIV)

     I believe one principal of this truth is connected to Jesus’ title The Bread of Life. For through Christ we partake of His body--the bread--sacrificed for our sin and we gain eternal life. However, many Christians have long lives to live beyond their salvation experience. I hear in Jesus’ words, “but by every word which comes from the mouth of God,” that importance is equally placed on digesting also the truths and life principles God has commanded us to live by in His Word. The abundant life is connected to the balanced diet of both Christ crucified and resurrected life in obedience to the Word of God.

     Jesus also said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV )

     The Lord does not desire that we would merely hang on to our eternal salvation and live battered and broken while we wait for His return or our passing. Instead, Jesus desires we live victorious and blessed in a spiritual place of peace, joy, contentment, harmony, love, truth and purpose. These fruits of abiding in God’s Promise Land are not dependant on perfect circumstance. Even when fires of tests and trials rage and threaten destruction, we can trust the power of the Living Water is available for us to extinguish any threat.  

     Thereby the Word of God is critical to our possessing and abiding in the wonderful Promised Land of blessings. Beth reminds us that to believe God is to know he desires to bless our lives. Reading the Word, processing its truth, holding our own lives up to it as a mirror and discussing it openly with God will guide you to your Promise Land. With every step you will draw nearer to the heart of God where every Believer is destined to abide in a land flowing with milk and honey: a place of abundant provision, peace and beautiful.

Oh Father, help us with our unbelief!

Tracy L. Frazier

Director/Founder of The FOLD: Fellowship Opportunity for Ladies Discipleship

Video: Beth Moore – Believing God (:23:00 – :31:22);

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_PZeql7xIc

Music Video: John Waller – While I’m Waiting; 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6X71sXagUY

Scripture John 15:1-11NIV; 11NIV “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”   

Wielding the Word of God

      Jesus clearly teaches in His Word, “That man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God,” (Matthew 4:4NIV). The association the LORD makes between the Scriptures and life cannot be denied. For life is not only extended and fortified through the belief and intake of God’s Word it is also multiplied: the saving power of the Gospel rescues life after life from eternal death. Therefore, while it is necessary for us to feed our physical bodies nutrients from the earth, it is even more critical in order to thrive spiritually that we also digest the Holy Scriptures.  

      The LORD not only taught this life principle he demonstrated how to put it into practice. During His own temptation period in the desert, the LORD used the written Word as a shield and a sword to ward off the devil. Every baited lie the enemy cast before Jesus was rejected and cast down because Christ knew and declared the written Truth.  The power of God’s Word is evident in that though Jesus was physically weakened in the flesh due to His fasting, His Spirit was strong. What a boost this illustration is for the followers of Christ! For while we are weak in the flesh by nature, we like Christ can be mighty in our Spirit by the Word of God.

     The key which unlocks the power of the Almighty against our enemy is the knowing of the Word. Believing in Christ and receiving Him as our Savior gains us eternal life, but more is needed to live out our Christian purpose in this world. Jesus says, “I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10NIV). This kind of Christian life only comes through feasting upon the Scripture and obeying what it says. For the work of Christ in His earthly ministry bears witness to His divine position as Son of God. His work upon the cross frees us from the shackles of slavery to sin and its eternal consequences. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead shatters fear of death and comforts us with hope of peace beyond the grave. Yet, it is His Word which provides a shield in the battle for our souls and places a weapon in our hands. What makes up the bulk of  the word “sword”? The word… “WORD”!

     In the physical realm the sword of man is only as strong and victorious as its possessor. However, in the spiritual battle men, women and children need not despair for their physical weakness. Praise God all followers of Christ are fiercely empowered with the eternal almighty power of the Word. Young and old are capable of wielding the power of heaven through knowing the first spoken and later written Word of God. The same power which created the heavens and the earth is unleashed against the kingdom of darkness when we speak God’s Word.

     Lisa Bevere, author of Girls with Swords encourages women to rise up with the power of the Living Word in our hearts and minds to wreck havoc in the enemy’s plans and take back territory for the Kingdom. I say “Amen!” to Lisa’s battle cry. The scriptures testify again and again that the Truth defeats the darkness and pushes back the devil. Dear sisters we cannot leave the fight up to a few warriors in the faith. We are all needed in this war!

     Ladies, my prayer is that we united in Christ will purpose to be in the word, study the word and build up our arsenal of knowledge of Scripture. May we take seriously the reality that we are called to the battlefield in our minds and in our hearts to know and align with Truth proclaiming victory in Jesus Christ. Not only that we may live the abundant life Jesus desires for us, but that we would also rescue prisoners of war sentenced to eternal death in the enemy’s camp.

“Lord, inspire us by your Holy Spirit to sharpen our sword through daily focused reading in Your Word. Grant us opportunity to be not only hearers of Your Word, but doers by Your Word.  May we “be strong and of great courage” before are foe and bring glory to YOU our God!"  

For the King!

Tracy Frazier

 

For further contemplation watch the short IV (Inspirational Video) and Music video below.

Video: Lisa Bevere - Girls with Swords
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptm-d9JxHhw

Music video: Mercy Me - Word of God Speak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYu8ZyETnKo

Caring for the Pride

    

          When you hear the word “pride” what comes to mind? In most parts of the word “pride” is associated with the arrogant attitude of believing highly of self. However, for people living in Tanzania the word “pride” is associated with sleepless nights and fearful days in fields and villages. According to Abigail Tucker writer for the Smithsonian this reality is due to the 3,000 lions and their warring prides vying for territorial reign within the country’s borders, (Smithsonian magazine, January 2010).  Tucker’s brief surveillance of numerous prides under the guidance of foremost expert on lions, Craig Packer, granted her interesting new insights to the behaviors of the ferocious monarchs of the animal kingdom.

          Living safe and sound in the foothills of Southern California, my reality of a pride of lions is quite different than the Tanzanians'. Having only seen lions neutered by captivity, my affection for God’s majestic beast is explained. Notably Disney’s heart-warming movie, The Lion King as well C.S. Lewis’ literary caricature of Jesus, Aslan the Great Lion, have greatly encouraged adoration for the beauty of the pride.  And now, for the body of Christ, author and renowned speaker, Lisa Bevere offers more reason to regard the pride with respect and awe.

          Having studied lionesses for several years, Lisa has gained insight to the parallel of instinctual habits of the pride and the spiritual grooming of ladies in the body of Christ. The majestic cats' manner of interaction and care for one another not only sets them apart from the rest of their kind, it provides an illustration of how important acceptance and social grooming are to the sustainability of the Church.  Interviewed by James Robison on Life Today, Lisa Bevere emphasizes that the act of social grooming is key to helping each lioness look and act her best. 

          In the Church the concept of social grooming would apply to our spiritual self which directly impacts our disposition and outward expression.  The ladies of the church who engage in face to face connection and build each others spirit up through sincerity, compassionate care, encouraging discipleship and God guided accountability glow from the beauty treatments exchanged with their sisters in Christ. The result being a body of believing women who radiate spiritual beauty beyond compare and bring glory to the King of Kings. Just as social grooming sets lions apart from the rest of their kind, spiritual grooming should set God's children apart  from the rest of mankind as well.   

          During our Table Talk at The FOLD we discussed what makes us feel like we belong within our Church pride. The ladies shared that being acknowledged, greeted, embraced, invited, listened to, remembered, encouraged, appreciated and prayed for made them feel valued and a part.  When these expressions toward each other are absent in the Church, the ladies in the pride become vulnerable to attack. For the enemy of our souls roams around like a roaring lion seeking to kill and destroy us all, (1 Peter 5:8). Left outside the circle of fellowship sisters in Christ suffer more than the loss of spiritual grooming. This rejection and exclusion can lead to heartache and despair which can produce poor attitudes toward their church family and lead to ungodly behavior. The result is a disconnected and un-kept pride of women who do not bring glory to God.

           In the lion’s world, the threat of attack from roaming males looking to take over a pride warrants the lionesses remain on guard. They suffer greatly when a challenger enters their realm; their cubs are mercilessly put to death by the conquering beast and the lionesses are often killed while trying to protect their young. Interestingly the new insight Abigail Tucker shares of Craig Packer’s research of the pride is that the lionesses’ curious close quarters are not due to social harmony as previously determined but instead for protection. Simply stated, the pride’s survival rests on the closeness of the lionesses.  Without their fortifying relational bonds the pride's chances to increase in number are lost.

          Caring for the pride is critical. Whether you visit the ailing, encourage the downtrodden or lend a helping hand to a ministry leader, reach out and draw your sisters in Christ near. Strengthen your sisters and you fortify Christ’s Church. In the words of Lisa Bevere, “Our truest beauty is not reflected in our own mirror but in how we have affected other people.”

May the pride of the Lion of Judah be known for great beauty!

Tracy Frazier

 

For further contemplation watch the short Inspirational Video and music video below.

Video: Lisa Bevere - Strengthening Each Other LIFE Today/James Robison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=uSKSzLPMeq0&NR=1

Worship Song: Laura Story - Mighty to Save (hit pause and let video load a bit before playing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJmyg22Z9-o

 

Lisa Bevere says our differences are important to help strengthen the pride of women in God’s Church. How does drawing on the strengths of women in the pride make a difference to the body and to you personally?  

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