Happy and Hopeful New Year! A new year is 365 days of new opportunities and freshness. Check out this month’s newsletter for an inspiring devotional reminding us that we have new opportunity for forgiveness of sin each and every day of the year.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
A new year is the opportunity to forge a new direction in life. Check out this month’s trivia on people who were redirected in life.
Also included are some inspiring quotes to start 2022 off right!
By Captain Jan Pemberton Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Cascade Division
When we think of the call the Lord has put on us, we cannot discount those that spoke into our lives. There are many leaders, friends, and loved ones that speak into our lives daily. Sometimes we realize it, and sometimes we do not.
There are many aspects to consider when looking at the leadership perspective of growing the kingdom of God. As the early church women did, we women of today need to lead with our strengths and come together to complete the whole. If the development of our women in our corps is done with intentionality, we can grow beyond our expectations.
As a leader, we sometimes need many other hands to complete the mission of God. We are not Jesus, and even though He could spread the gospel message all alone, He did not. He chose twelve others to help Him spread the word of God to the nations. When we need others to help us lead, we need to be patient and select our people carefully. Spend time in prayer for the right person to come along to help you lead. It’s a process that takes time, and sometimes we are overworked, overwhelmed, and all the above, but this is an important step. Jesus took time in prayer before selecting His disciples, as it says in Luke 6:12-16. Remember to choose your leaders with wisdom, care, and prayer.
When we as women leaders are looking for others to help us with our ministries, we have to keep in mind that we need mission-minded people, and as we lead and develop, others set them up for success by leading with a purpose a clear vision. This requires time, tough to hear, but it is true. Time is a precious commodity we sometimes do not have, but it is vital to leading successfully. People don’t develop leadership skills just by sitting in a boardroom, reading a book, or attending a class; we need practical hands-on experiences to develop leadership skills. When we lead by example, others buy into the mission, ministry, and helping others in their communities. We do this by leading with unconditional love. Will we get aggravated, upset, hurt, and such? Yes! But we as leaders need to show grace even when it is the last thing we want to do. Even when the twelve hid or denied Jesus, He still showed love. Sometimes it’s tough to show those that hurt you love them, but it is necessary for their growth and ours, too. Remember, Jesus did not only love using words, but He used actions too by redeeming and restored others.
When we look at Jesus’ teachings, we see that He taught practically. From healing the sick to casting out demons, He taught, showed, and expected results. Long story short, allow your leaders to lead. When our people take the leadership role, we must confront them when needed. Each person is different. This is when knowing your people is critical. Some people are good with the direct approach, but others may need a little sugar to swallow correction and redirection. Like Mary Poppins said, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way.” Directive and discipline help others when grace is shown.
After we have worked developing our corps’ leaders, we need to empower them, trust them with responsibility, and let them have ownership of the program but with guidance. Once our leaders are developed, taught, prayed for, send them out into our community to reach the lost for the kingdom. We must move outside our buildings and get into our neighborhoods. We need to connect with those that don’t know Christ and His unfailing love and forgiveness. Remember, the best return is measured in lives that are changed and led to Christ.
When we look for a model leader, there is none better than Christ Jesus. He is the Son of the living God who came down from heaven to become a humble servant. He showed more grace, humility, understanding, and unconditional love more than anyone before or after him. We will fall short, but with Jesus as our cornerstone, we will be solid leaders. Remember, friends: when we love God and others, everything else falls into place.
https://usw-womensministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/mimi-thian-jxUuXxUFfp4-unsplash-scaled.jpg19202560Beth Desplanckehttps://usw-womensministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/uswLogo-300x75-300x75.pngBeth Desplancke2021-12-17 11:38:382021-12-17 11:38:39She Leads... With Purpose and Grace
By Captain Allison Struck Nampa, ID Corps – Cascade Division
Theme: Awakening to God’s Call
This wreath is a fun, inexpensive craft that can freshen up a room, with soft, neutral colors.
Talking Points:
“ See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19
The New Year can be a refreshing new start or can feel a little bit discouraging if we choose to focus too much on the past.
We can choose to look at the New Year as a chance to “awaken” to God’s individual calling for each of us. That His call can motivate us to devote ourselves to a new thing- serving others, deeper family relationships, better self-care.
Let this be the year that we awaken fully to God’s call and devote ourselves to letting Him do a new thing within us and through us.
Alternate/Addition: A new decoration in our home in the New Year can be just what we need to let the old things go and allow God to do something new in us as we awaken to His call for each of us. A new decoration that we create ourselves, from simple items, is a great way to get the creativity flowing for a great new thing!
As you make the pom-poms, maybe they can form your prayer list for the New Year. Use each one as an opportunity to pray for your children, your co-workers, church leaders and more. Or, let them represent some of your plans for the New Year- the small ones can represent your goals and hopes. As you look at them throughout the next few months, let them be an encouragement to you that God wants to keep making us new as we respond to His call.
Supplies Needed:
2 (364 yard) skeins of yarn ***The saver (economy) yarns tend to work better for this project than some of the fancier yarns because they are stiffer. $3/skein is about the price you can expect to pay. This is also a great project for using up yarn.
Clover Pom-Pom maker (pictured below) **There are cheaper versions of the pom-pom maker on Amazon. They are not recommended, as they are not as sturdy as the Clover brand.
Wire wreath form, pictured below (8 inch recommended)
Sharp scissors with a fine point
Ribbon for bow, if desired
INSTRUCTIONS **This most likely cannot be made in one session. If doing as a group class, use the time for demonstrating how to use the pom-pom maker and how to tie them onto the wreath.
(1) Using directions from Clover, wrap the yarn around the plastic maker. You will want at least two sizes of pom-poms for your wreath. a. An 8 inch wreath will need about 25 pom-poms to look full b. Two or three colors is fun, but an all-white wreath is a really pretty, neutral decoration
(2) Before tying the pom-poms down onto the wreath, set them on top of the wreath form to make sure you have enough of each size to go all the way around the wreath and cover any gaps.
(3) Using leftover yarn, slide a piece of yarn under the pom-pom and then tie it tightly to the wreath form. After tying a few, it may be necessary to tie them together in the back to hold them up. This just takes a couple of tries to get the pom-poms tied tightly enough to stay upright.
(4) After all pom-poms are on the wreath, make sure there are no remaining gaps and then attach a bow to the top, if desired.
By Tawyna Stumpf Coos Bay, OR Corps – Cascade Division
Imagine, if you will, a woman about to enter a journey of love – a journey not only with her heart but also with her soul, mind, and strength. A journey into a wonderous relationship so great that she will experience an “Awakening to God’s Call – Devotional Life.”
As ministers of God’s Word, as women, we understand and believe that “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man/woman of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2Timothy 3:16). These scriptures are life to us. So, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman/woman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of Truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). My question to you is simple, “how do you handle the Word of Truth?” What do you do with the Scriptures you read?
How do you handle the Word of Truth? What do you do with the Scriptures you read?
We all have offices. In our offices are the normal office equipment such as desks, phones, computers, and file cabinets. Now imagine you have a 4-drawer file cabinet for the Scripture you read. The drawers start out as letter-size, and each drawer is labeled. The top is for all the Scriptures that relate to your heart (emotions). The second is for Scripture related to your mind (thoughts). The third drawer is labeled for the soul (moral compass), and the bottom drawer is appropriately labeled strength (ambition). This file cabinet can/could/will grow to have 4-drawers that are legal size … eventually, it can become a drafting size file cabinet! But, only with use.
Each and every time you read and/or study your Bible, the Scripture is placed in the appropriate file drawer. Your subconscious does this with the help of the Holy Spirit. When you want to apply it to your life, it can be quickly accessed. If you want to share it with someone who needs to hear supporting scripture, you can share it. The more you read and devote your life to the Word of God, the more your files fill up, gain size and strength. Remember, Philippians 4:8 says: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” Just think, you might even get good at pulling out Scripture without giving it too much thought as to what drawer it was correctly filled in.
When was the last time you used Scripture to pray over your congregation, soldiers, volunteers, and yourself? Let’s face it; sometimes, we don’t know how to pray or what we ought to pray. I realize that Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit “groans” for us when we’re at a loss for words. Fortunately, we don’t have to think up words or how to present them. Scripture has already done that for us. Taking a Psalm and personalizing it is incredible. Another scripture that transforms our relationship with God and can be used daily is Colossians 1:9-14. I will personalize this for you from the NIV translation:
“… God, please fill me with the knowledge of your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And I pray this in order that I may live a life worthy of you Lord, and may please you in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of you, God, and being strengthened with all power according to your glorious might so that I may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For you have rescued me from the dominion of darkness and brought me into the kingdom of the Son you love, in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
To build upon the foundation of Christ, use Scripture. Just get it in there. The Holy Spirit will help you learn God’s promises. Then, He will help you use God’s promises. This, then, supports the storing of God’s promises, building upon God’s promises.
The Truth will move you beyond imagining a journey of love – a journey not only with your heart but with your soul, your mind, and your strength. A journey in a wonderous relationship so great that you will experience an “Awakening to God’s Call – Devotional Life.”
by Lt. Omoduni George-Kawaley Portland Moore Street, OR Corps – Cascade Division
Text: Genesis 18:6-15
Overview of the Passage Sarah was promised a son, and his name was to be called Isaac (Gen. 17: 19). God would establish His covenant with him. Even though Abraham had received this promise from God 24 years earlier, this is the first time God clearly states that Sarah would be the one to bear this covenant child. Before this encounter, Sarah had given up hope of conceiving because she had passed the age of childbearing. This led her to give her maid Hagar to Abraham so that the “promise” could be fulfilled. But God had other plans. His promise was to both Abraham and Sarah, so God again appeared to Abraham in the form of three men. Abraham recognizes that these were no ordinary visitors and treated them with reverent hospitality.
And Abraham ran unto the herd and fetched a calf, tender and good, and gave it unto a young man, and he hastenedto dress it. And he took butter and milk and the calf which he had dressed and set it before them, and he stood by them under the tree, and they ate. Genesis 18:6-8
Imagine: You are Sarah, unexpected visitors show up in your house, and without consulting you, your husband invites them to stay for dinner. Then he asks you to quickly prepare a very specific dish without inquiring whether you have the necessary ingredients.
Questions:
How prepared are you to welcome and entertain uninvited guests?
How do you react when others make decisions that has a direct or indirect impact on you without consulting you?
Read verses 9-12 9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said. 10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah, your wife, will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
Imagine: Abraham had told Sarah about his encounters with God and God’s promise to him. For the first time, Sarah gets to hear firsthand the promise that not only was God going to give Abraham a child but that she was going to be the mother. It gets better! God gave the specific gender of the child – a Son – and the exact time of his birth – in a year!
Questions:
If you were Sarah, what might you have thought and felt when you heard this news?
Why do you think Sarah laughed?
You may think that Sarah was eavesdropping. But remember that in those days, it was customary for men and women to sit in separate groups. However, it was expected that the women stay close in case they were needed. As to her laughter and question, Sarah was only stating the obvious…. barren women, especially those who are way past menopause, do not get pregnant! That was Fact, not Faith speaking!
Reflections:
What’s promises are still unfulfilled in your life?
What are the facts in your situation, and what role does faith play in your waiting period?
Let’s read the remaining verses: 13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” 15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
Imagine: Sarah did not speak out loud. She thought to herself. But these “visitors” apparently heard her thoughts! Weird, right? The guests not only showed up uninvited and ate your food; now they can hear your thoughts too. Moreover, they question your faith in God: “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” If we can grasp the greatness of that truth, we can understand what it means to walk by faith.
Questions:
Why did God ask Abraham and not Sarah directly?
What does this tell us about God’s principle concerning the family? (Read Ephesians 5:22-33).
God did not question Sarah! His questions were to Abraham: Why did Sarah laugh? Is there anything too hard for the Lord? Remember, God’s covenant was with Abraham! Sarah was only a vessel that He would use to carry the seed of His promise. Even though she was not addressed, Sarah felt so guilty that she tried to cover up by lying. How naïve – if God could hear her thoughts, could a laugh be hidden.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:2
Reflections:
How do you respond when someone tells you your faults?
Are there any secret sins you are covering up?
Key Takeaways:
God will always fulfill His promise, no matter how long it tarries because that is His nature.
God understands our humanity and shows us mercy even when we make mistakes. God did not punish Sarah for lying or change His mind about His promise. He showed her mercy.
God does not want us to cover our faults but rather to repent and enjoy His mercy.
Nothing is too hard for God to do!
Prayer Dear Lord Jesus, help us to trust you even when things appear to be hopeless. Always remind us that nothing is impossible with you. Amen.
Download the printable version of this month’s Bible study.
By Commissioner Rosalie Peddle World President of Women’s Ministries
Dear Women of God,
Greetings to you all in the strong name of Jesus!
We are celebrating a new year, 2022 is upon us! We take time to reflect on the past year and many of us will continue to experience emotions beyond our understanding. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to grip the world with force, and our various losses cause us to carry deep pain and an overwhelming feeling of helplessness.
Yet through it all God remains faithful. His promised presence continues to surround us. His love is deep and full and wide, reaching into the very depths of our world and our hearts. His grace is indescribable, incomparable, and amazing. God still has the whole world in his hands and if we take time to rest and reflect, we can see evidence of his miracles all around us.
So, as daughters of the King, we lift our hearts and heads to God. We lift our eyes to the Creator who saw us while we were still being formed. We lift our eyes to the Sustainer, who knows when a single sparrow falls, clothes the flowers in the field and anticipates our needs and worries. We life our eyes to our Saviour, who invites us to be a part of his Kingdom work here and now. His word equips us to see our world through his perspective and recast all our days in light of eternity. We remember who God is, and in him we find renewal and confidence. He is the Resurrection. He is the life. The best part? This is all available to us if we take hold and believe!
In Philippians 3:12-21, Paul shares that the future holds out hope, and we need to reach for it. We can reach out in hope because the future belongs to God, and we belong to Heaven, not earth! As women who serve Jesus faithfully, let us also be a forward-looking people. As we look upward to God for strength, courage, and hope, let us look forward to the new things that God is going to do in our lives and in the lives of others. The prospect of the new is what motivated Paul, and I trust it will motivate us today to aim for the highest when it comes to our mission and ministries. As we welcome in the New Year, I believe that God is calling us to a lifestyle of spiritual awakening. With a fresh faith and the help of the Holy Spirit, we can push through whatever obstacles stand in our way. We can penetrate the barriers Satan has built to bind us, breaking free and moving forward in faith and victory! Let us stop allowing our failures to cloud the glory of what God is doing in our lives and daily practice the presence of God, setting our hearts on Heaven.
Friends, I charge you to march forward into this new year with confidence, no matter what is ahead. Now is the time to make a difference in this world.
It’s time to love God more. It’s time to love one another more. It’s time to go the extra mile. It’s time to reach the lost, least, and lowest. It’s time to work harder for the Kingdom. It’s time to worship the Lord. Now is the time for us to be the Church.
We want the world to see Jesus in and through us, right now today! We pray that as we embrace others with love and compassion and as we fight the injustices that plague our world today, we influence others to seek the Lord. May God help us to be women of influence today.
I wish you a blessed and happy 2022! God is with us!
https://usw-womensministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Jan-22-Blog-scaled.jpg19202560Beth Desplanckehttps://usw-womensministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/uswLogo-300x75-300x75.pngBeth Desplancke2021-12-17 11:35:442021-12-17 11:35:45New Year Letter from Commissioner Rosalie Peddle
