October 2007
Pearls of Encouragement for Christian Working Moms

Welcome
Blog/Online Bible Study
Article – Whose voice are you listening to?
Final Thoughts

Welcome

I was looking over the CWM surveys again and could not believe all the countries we have represented. Here is a short list and I know I’m leaving some out: United States, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Japan, and Kenya. Obviously, this issue does not just affect Moms in the States. So, be encouraged that you have sisters all over the world who are just like you. May Christ love be overabundant to you wherever you live.

Blog/Online Bible Study

We continue to have good discussions on the blog. Some days are more active than others. The CWM Blog can be found at http://christianworkingmoms.blogspot.com. A recent post is about sex education with your children. Please come share your thoughts.
The online Bible Study can be found at http://cwmbiblestudy.blogspot.com. There are currently 7 lessons posted. I’m still trying to get another lesson posted.

Article – Whose voice are you listening to?

In John 8:44, Jesus says of Satan, “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” I want us to examine today some of the voices we often hear in our heads (no we are not crazy) to see if we are listening to the father of lies instead of God. We as women often are good at putting ourselves down or not seeing ourselves as God sees us. So, let’s get started.

1. I have done so much wrong in my life that God cannot use me.

Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Satan loves to condemn us and make us think we are of no use
to anyone, but the Bible clearly states we are not condemned.
In fact, in 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made him who had no
sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” As Christians we have Christ righteousness placed on us. Oh dear sister, when God looks
down on us he sees what Christ had done for us. Truly spend time on that thought and praise God for the work of Jesus Christ in our lives.

2. I’m too fat, short, skinny, wrong hair color, you fill in the blank.
Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you created my inmost being; you
knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.” God created us and he doesn’t make junk. When we start complaining about our physical characteristics we are telling God he made a mistake and we don’t appreciate his creation. If Satan can get us to focus on what we don’t like about ourselves, he helps us take our eyes off of God. God loves us period, he does not judge us based
on the world’s standards.

3. Nothing is going right. I’m overwhelmed. Is God even there?
Why isn’t God getting me out of this situation?
Jeremiah 31:3 says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with loving kindness.”
Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Satan loves to tell us if God really loved you, you wouldn’t be going through this trial right now. He wants us to doubt God.
I take great comfort in the idea that whatever is going on in my life did not catch God by surprise. He also knows how the difficulty I’m experiencing will be resolved.
God loves us. God wants to build up. Satan wants to destroy.

4. I’m really struggling financially right now. Why isn’t God
meeting my needs?
Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Who truly owns everything to begin with, God does. He knows your needs. In my own life, God has answered financial difficulties in amazing ways. God truly wants us to trust him.
The rampant materialism in our society is truly a lie from Satan. We continue to think more stuff will make us happy, but in the end it does not. Stuff will never fill our deep longings only Christ will.

5. I worry about everything. I know God will take care of things,
but I have a hard time waiting on him.
Matthew 6:25-27, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.”
1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Worrying is ultimately not trusting God and denying that God is in control. Has your worrying ever solved a problem? Have you worried a problem into resolution? Give your worries to God, because he can take care of them for you. Satan wants us to worry, because again it takes our focus off of God.

In conclusion, one of Satan’s first lies to Eve was you can be a god as well. That lie is still working. People want to be in control and have everything go their way. Also, most of the lies Satan tells us are designed for us to take our eyes off of God and not to trust who God is and what he has said. So, can I ask you today, “Whose voice are you listening to?”. Satan’s voice is often loud and endorsed by our culture. God’s voice can be loud, but most often is a still small voice. Are you listening to God? Are you reading Scripture so you can refute Satan’s evil schemes? God loves you and wants you to live abundantly. Learn to listen to his voice and learn to send Satan packing when he spreads his lies.

Final Thoughts

Halloween is coming soon. If you choose to trick or treat, consider putting a gospel tract in with the candy you pass out. You can also get gospels of John, free through www.pocketpower.org. Use this opportunity to reach your neighbors for Christ. Also, do you know the real meaning of October 31st? On October 31st, 1517 Martin Luther tacked his 95 theses on the Catholic Church door to begin the Protestant Reformation. If it weren’t for Martin Luther we probably would not be holding a copy of the Bible in our hands. Something to think about.

Till next time,

Kimberly M. Chastain

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