this week's devotional theme...

...is avoiding the comparison trap.  How many of us compare ourselves to others?  To people we see on television, movie stars, other moms, friends...

You get the drift.  How crazy is that???  Why do we do that to ourselves?  Not only did God create all of us differently, He created us all in His glorious image!  And how wonderfully complex we all are. 

I loved this week's devotion theme.  I am going through (again) The One Year Women's Friendship Devotional.  By Cheri Heath Fuller and Sandra P. Aldrich.  Each week is given a theme, and throughout the week there are daily devotions with verses that support them.  I thought I would share a few of the verses.  That I love!!! 

Ephesians 2:10  We are God's masterpiece.  He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. 

I love that word 'masterpiece'.  I automatically think of an artist working on a piece that has taken days, months or years to create.  All the thought and care that the artist puts into it~that is how our God created us.  With much thought, care, or precision. 

1 Corinthians 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect.  No, I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 

I love this one, too, but it's kind of confusing.  The easiest way that I can think to explain it, is that when we go through something difficult or trying, it is not OURSELVES who get through it.  If we are saved by God's grace (which we are when we pray the sinner's prayer, acknowledging that He is who He says He is-the one, true God, asking forgiveness of our sin, and asking Him into our hearts), then it is HIM who gets us through those times. And every other time, the good and the bad.

2 Corinthians 3:18  And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 

I love that word:  TRANSFORMED.  God is not done with us-we should always be changing!  We are constant works in progress.  This reason alone is why I stay in Bible studies.  I like to do them on my own sometimes, as well as in a group, but I love nothing more than studying His word.  He is constantly changing me, working on me, improving me, TRANSFORMING me.  He is making me more and more like Him...the more I study His word, the more He teaches me.  Life is NEVER boring as a Christian, even though to some it might seem like it is.  He gives me new revelations almost every single day.

And last...

2 Corinthians 12: 9 and 10  But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  10  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Without Him in my life, I am nothing.  N.O.T.H.I.N.G.  I cannot stress that enough.  All that I am right now, in this very moment, is what He has made me into.  A better person, an ever-improving wife, a sometimes good and fun mom.  He directs my steps ("The Lord directs the steps of the Godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives."  Psalm 37:23 New Living Translation).  He strengthens me ("I can do everything through Him who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13).  He guides me. 

My prayer for you today is to know Him.  To truly know Him and love Him.  And to tell everyone you come across what He has done in your life.  I've never shared my complete testimony on here, but I will if you ask.  Maybe not on here, but in person or over the phone.  I am not at all who I used to be, and I thank God everyday that He drew me back to Him.  Five years later and still going strong. 

Love to all.