"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (AMP)

"Look, Miss Karen! When you click here you can change the color of her fingernail polish just like that!" I was watching my friend’s pre-teen daughter for the weekend. She was parked on the couch playing around on a nail art website on my computer. Each time she clicked on a different bottle the color instantly changed on the model’s hands.

Clicking a mouse to change things on our computer screen is so simple. If only real life were the same!

Many times I look at my circumstances and wish I had a special mouse so I could click and change everything I don’t like. But life doesn’t work like that. While there’s much I can change, there’s much more I can’t.

And when I focus on all I can’t revise, my heart can feel defeated. There are people I can’t change, finances I can’t control and circumstances that leave my heart feeling shattered. If only I could recolor bad attitudes or rewrite difficult experiences, then I’d feel better. Right?

Wrong.

I've discovered that trying to change other people or alter their circumstances isn’t really a fix for my often-troubling situations, because it isn’t something I can make happen. I can't control another's behavior, only my own.

Here is where the solution lies: Even when circumstances and people stay the same, my attitude toward them and my perspective can change. What can bring about this transformation?

God’s Word.

God’s Word can snap me back to attention, soften my heart and help me view my life through a different and God-honoring lens. It can align my heart and actions with God’s so I don’t do or say things today I will regret tomorrow. As our key verse of Hebrews 4:12 states, it helps to expose, sift, analyze and judge the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

In a very practical way, God’s Word makes it all click — and that clicking makes me change.

Spending time daily in the Bible is imperative to bringing about this change, and we at Proverbs 31 Ministries are committed to helping women around the world interact with God’s Word daily through our many ministry avenues. In the past year alone, God impacted more than 750,000 women daily through our free Encouragement for Today devotions. We celebrated with over 5,000 women who made first-time decisions for Christ, and we led an additional 150,000 women from 120 countries through our Online Bible Studies.

It’s not only the volunteers and staff who contribute to God’s transforming work. So does everyone who gives a financial gift — no matter the size — to Proverbs 31 Ministries.

We value every gift and giver. The ones who give hundreds … the ones who forego lattes each month to share their saved $25 … the ones who donate $5.

Yes, $5 makes a big impact.

Together, we offer perspective-changing truth that can renew a woman’s heart and mind, no matter what age or stage of life she’s in.

Together, we point women to the Healer, made known on the pages of Scripture, who can make their spirits whole.

Together, we teach women how to study the Bible, forgive and mend friendships, strengthen a marriage and effectively parent children.

Do you want to change the world by offering hope, help and even life from behind your computer screen? We’d love for you to join us. When we give our collective "littles," God transforms them into a big movement that can alter lives both now and for eternity.

With a click of your mouse, you help change the world.

We’d be honored if you would join us.

Dear LORD, thank You for the life-altering and perspective-changing power of Your holy Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

***

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Psalm 119:11 "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (ESV)

Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:

Will you partner with us to change the world by helping us reach women for Christ right from your home? If so, click to change a life today with a year-end gift. Thank you for helping us go into all the world with the truth and hope of God’s Word!

Visit our website to see a simple way you can be a crucial part of the Proverbs 31 Ministries team and impact another person’s life for God … for good.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

When is a time that God’s Word helped to change your bad attitude or wrong perspective?

Will you forward this email to a friend who needs to receive encouragement from God’s Word?



© 2014 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved.