As believers, we have a Father who loves us. He desires the best for us. We’re part of a large spiritual family with many brothers and sisters. But sometimes we still feel lonely. This can happen even when there’s no major crisis in our lives.

Our greatest loneliness comes from a separation from the Father. This is a spiritual problem. The source is sin. We experience a break in our close fellowship with the Lord when we disobey Him and go our own way.

The remedy is confession. Confession leads to restored intimacy with God. If we refuse to admit our sin, the separation grows worse.

Busyness and preoccupation with earthly affairs also cause this isolation. Sometimes we push aside time with God to fulfill our obligations. We might focus so heavily on daily living that we ignore Him. To overcome loneliness, spend time reconnecting with God through His Word. Take in the knowledge of His deep, abiding love. Meditate on His great promises.

Being in harmony with God renews our purpose and energy for life causing that sense of isolation to lessen. Hope replaces discouragement. Our focus turns from “self” to others. It’s important to reconnect with people. So, look for opportunities to encourage, serve, love, and support those around you. Intimacy with the Lord is both the antidote to loneliness and protection from it.

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“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True…His name is the Word of God..On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written:  King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

Revelation 19:11, 13, 16

How can we rejoice in the Lord?  What if we are sick, or poor, or our families are having problems?  Yes, we can still rejoice in the Lord — because the source of our joy is not our circumstances, but Christ in us.  Here are some things we can rejoice about if we have accepted Christ as our Savior:

• God loves usChrist is our Savior
• We have a future in heaven
• We will spend all eternity with Jesus
• God has promised to care for us and provide for us

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”  The Apostle Paul had many hardships in his life; yet he still said “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice.”  “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all — how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”

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“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

Christmas is coming. What is Christmas? The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

Jesus came to earth to save sinners from our sins. What is our part? To believe and receive — to believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and receive Him into our hearts.

Christmas in much of the world has become commercialized. We buy and sell presents — we have Christmas trees. In the midst of these, let us not lose our focus on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Jesus came to earth in Bethlehem in Israel over 2,000 years ago. He was born in a stable to the Virgin Mary. He was not rich or famous when He was born; He was the Lord of the universe yet He came to live humbly among us.

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“Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His loving kindness is everlasting.”

Psalm 136:26, NASB

“In everything give thanks.”  Why is giving thanks to God so important?  Because…

1. The Bible tells us to.
2. God is the author of every good gift in our lives; “every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father.” It is only right to thank the one who gives us good gifts.
3. Even in difficult times, we have so much to be thankful for — our health, new life in Christ, eternal life, forgiveness of sins, family, many blessings.
4. Giving thanks is good because it focuses us on God and reminds us of Who He is and His faithfulness and takes our eyes off of ourselves

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Since communication breakdown is often a glaring sign on the road to Splitsville, it isn’t surprising that one partner in a relationship is often caught off guard by the dreaded delivery of divorce papers. Below are seven warning signs of a marriage going sour.

1. The Stranger Beside You

Do you and your partner spend hours together under the same roof, at social engagements or performing routine errands, yet rarely engage in meaningful conversation? Existing in silence is a primary symptom of major marital problems.

2. Under a Microscope?

Do you feel like your every action is being watched and criticized by your partner? Can you do no right in their eyes? Too often partners will funnel larger relationship issues into negative criticism of day-to-day tasks.

3. Heard It Through the Grapevine

Has your major source of information about your partner - their career, problems and personal achievements - become mutual friends and overheard phone conversations? When you start becoming “the last to know,” communication needs to happen.

4. What’s That Smell?

Over time, your comfort level will inevitably end that desire to look “perfect” for every encounter with your partner. However, a drastic decline in personal appearance and hygiene by your spouse could be a sign of surrender.

5. Infomercials and Baywatch Reruns

If the buzz of your household’s television becomes constant, there may be a problem. It is common for individuals to overwhelm themselves with distractions (television, books, model-building in the basement) to avoid dealing with a troubled marriage.

6. Drama Without Purpose?

Do you feel like a Broadway actor giving the same performance eight times a week? If your arguments become routine with all the same issues and no resolution, then your marriage is either standing still or dying fast. You may need the assistance of a professional counselor to help direct these conversations.

7. 1-900-HELP-ME

Is the physical intimacy in your relationship so far gone that calling up a party line seems like it would be worth $20 a minute? A significant decline in physical affection is one of the most recognized symptoms of a flailing relationship.

If the scenarios in this article seem all too familiar, there are several things to keep in mind when dealing with these issues and making decisions about marriage or divorce:

• Marriages rarely fix themselves. Don’t walk on eggshells, afraid to bring up sensitive issues. If your relationship is on the rocks and you aren’t moving toward either a solution or dissolution, then you aren’t actively managing the process and need to take a more proactive role.
• Don’t be afraid to rely on professionals. Marriage counselors, couples retreats and communication workshops are great first steps to reviving a relationship and building a stronger, more balanced partnership.

If divorce seems inevitable, start preparing. If your instinct says your relationship won’t last, be proactive: have an initial consultation with a lawyer and make copies of important financial and legal documents.

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“Elijah as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!  Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.”

James 5:17-18

You can be a prayer warrior for God!  As you pray, God can use your prayers by His Holy Spirit to touch nations.

The Bible says, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”  Ask God to give you a touch of His heart of love for the world.

God’s power can change the world.  You could ask God to give you love for a particular country.

Then, you could pray that God will

• Bring millions to faith in Christ in that country
• Pour out His blessings on that country
• Bless the church and help believers to reach the world from that country

Someday in heaven, you may look back and see how God used your prayers — and the prayers of others — to help change a nation — and ultimately the whole world — for Jesus Christ.  Let us not live just for ourselves, focused on our small worlds — let us live for God and ask for a heart to change the nations for Jesus.

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Then Jesus came to them and said,

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18 - 20

You can help reach the world for Jesus Christ!  Our Lord Jesus told His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”  We are to give everyone on earth the opportunity to receive Christ.

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And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

Ephesians 1:22, 23

What is church?  Church is the body of Christ.  Jesus lives in each of us as Christians, and all Christians in the world make up the universal body of Christ.

Church can be a tremendous help to you as you grow in your Christian life.  When you go to church you can worship God and give Him praise.  Other Christians can encourage you; can teach you; can counsel you; and can be used of God in your life.  At the same time you can be used of God to bless others in your church.  It is important to get together with other Christians when you can.

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Imagine yourself in a room surrounded by women from all walks of life. Women so dissimilar to the eye that one might wonder what could possibly have brought them together. Then, as each woman begins to speak, the differences fade and the common thread that runs through them begins to emerge. Clearly, they all belong to the same sisterhood, and their differences pale in comparison to the shared experiences that bind them together. Welcome to… Every Woman Has A Story

A thoughtful compilation of personal essays from dozens of everyday women, this inspiring and empowering book will make you feel as though you’ve made a host of new friends-women of all ages who, amid tears and laughter, honestly reveal their feelings and tell you of the truest and most important moments in their lives.

From turning thirty to realizing you’re metamorphosing into your mother…from deciding to have a child to deciding to begin a new career…from joyfully watching children grow to the bittersweet letting go when they leave the nest…from overcoming tragedy to being overcome by the simple wonders of daily living…you’ll find yourself in these pages.

Have you ever felt like jotting down your thoughts or feelings about something that was insightful and momentous to you? How do other women feel about love, friendship, independence, and the many issues that they face today? Now you have your answer. The rites of passage that every woman must face in order to grow and be strong are shared by us all. It is indeed comforting to know that Every woman has a story.

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