We are excited to announce a brand-new series of daily devotionals produced by the IHQ Women’s Ministries Department, “Reflections on Justice.”
The series contains 31 devotionals, written by women of different ages and stages of life from across the international Army, making it perfect as a daily reading for an individual or a group. Each daily reading contains Scripture, a devotional reflection, a prayer and a challenge to bring goodness, justice and light into the dark places in this world.
As well as being available to download and print for individual use, “Reflections on Justice” will be available as a reading plan on the Bible App by YouVersion. We are inviting you to read the devotional series with us as part of a global reading event, starting on 1st November and ending on 1st December.
Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, World President of Women’s Ministries shares this letter:
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be salt and light in our communities, bringing hope, healing and transformation wherever we go. Battle Cry is a movement that seeks to empower and mobilize women to engage in local acts of social justice; it is our response to the call of Isaiah 1:17: ‘Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed.’
The Salvation Army has always been home to women involved in social justice and action that positively impacts the world. I think of my friend in New Zealand who, having recently retired from a long nursing career, is seeking a space to continue her ministry of care among those in need of judgement-free guidance and medical attention. I consider the 19-year-old who combats period poverty among peers through fundraising events that partner local stores with community centers. Her thoughtful intervention has helped many female students.
These examples remind us what is possible when women use their gifts and skills for the greater good. This is nothing new for Salvation Army women, but we have a responsibility to intentionally nurture, tend and guide this organic, missional work for all generations. This is where Battle Cry comes in!
To engage in Battle Cry is to identify a social need – no matter how big or small – and to feel released to respond to it. It is an invitation to rally your team of friends, colleagues, mums, daughters and granddaughters together, and consider how to serve as a uniquely placed and gifted group of women. Work to your strengths – if you can sew, then sew; if you can teach, then teach; if you can cook, then cook; if you can network, then network. Use your skills to connect with people beyond your usual corners. Step outside your church building and do something beautiful for others, in the name of Jesus!
Globally, The Salvation Army recognizes the role of women in addressing social justice issues. Our desire is that, through these first Battle Cry resources, we will see more women stepping confidently into their calling as agents of social justice. A devotional plan will be released over the coming months and, later in 2025, online courses will educate and equip those who are interested in exploring informed justice response.
Though we may doubt that our offering will make much difference and it might seem easier to leave things to the professionals, we must remember that, as is the way of the Kingdom, we each have a part to play. Start simple. Start small. Start with what you know. There will always be a place for high-level, trained and coordinated responses, but your contribution to creating a better world is also needed. We are stronger together.
My prayer for you is this: ‘May God bless you with discontent with easy answers, half-truths, superficial relationships so that you will live from deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, abuse, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, equality, and peace … May God bless you with the foolishness to think you can make a difference in the world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done’ (Sister Ruth Fox, 1985).
I invite you to join us in this important work. Together, may we be bold in speaking out with wisdom and grace, and may we be courageous in our pursuit of justice.
Grace and peace to you,
Bronwyn Buckingham
Commissioner World President of Women’s Ministries
International Headquarters has re-launched the Battle Cry resources from the International Women’s Ministries Department.
On their website – https://salvationarmy.org/ihq/battlecry-resources – you will find resources such as a variety of Battle Cry posters and an information brochure that can be downloaded and used at all levels of our global movement. This site will be continually refreshed with resources, stories, and translated materials.
International Headquarters hopes that this information will be used to stir the hearts of our women and girls to step out and engage with our communities to positively impact the world.
We need to be bold in our response to the needs in our communities. Florence Booth was when she began the ministry to women many years ago. We too are called as Salvationists to do something. This is our chance! Let’s rise to the challenge and help to sound the Battle Cry for all women and girls.
By Major Gaylene Yardley Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Southwest Division
Begin by singing or listening to the song “He Knows My Name” by Paul Baloche
Scripture Passage: Psalm 139:13-14
This portion of scripture is a favorite of mine. It came into my life at a very important time as a corps officer in a very challenging corps. I often felt like I didn’t fit into this place or the appointment. I asked God what He was doing and why He put me in a place where I was the odd one out. Many things happened in this corps that I could write a book about. It was a place that I learned the power of God and His will for my life. It didn’t happen overnight. It took quite some time, but God is faithful, even when I am not.
Psalm 139 is so important as it tells us how important we are to God. He is our creator and the one who knows us best. We are fully known because of His love in creation. Genesis 1:27 tells us that “God created us in His image Male and female ~ He created us.” Because of this we can know that we are fully known.
Have you ever created something with your hands? If you are like me, it never seems to come out as I saw it in my mind’s eye, but it still is a creation that I made and therefore it is important to me as the creator of it. Creating something from nothing gives us a feeling of accomplishment and achievement. We did that and it may not look like we thought it would, but it is our creation.
Psalm 139:13-14 reads; “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Look at all the ladies sitting around you today and the difference there is in each one of us, but even in those differences, we are created in His image. He knows us fully as He is the one who created us. Psalm 139 tells us so many wonderful things that God knows about us.
He knows when I sit and when I stand.
He knows my thoughts.
He knows when I go out and when I lay down.
He is familiar with all my ways.
He knows what we are going to say before we say it.
He knows where I try to hide.
He knows I cannot hide from Him.
He knows my frame or body because He was there when I was created.
His eyes saw my unformed body.
What a wonderful list this is and how almost unbelievable it is that He could love me so much that I was made by His own hands. I am fully known! Known, because He is the maker, creator of who I am.
I began by telling you that this chapter came to me during a very challenging time in my life as a mother, pastor, officer, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. It was a time that a young woman of my corps became pregnant and told me first. Her mother didn’t speak English and she wanted me to talk to her mother and let her know that she was pregnant at the age of 14. I was so sad for her, and I was so nervous to try to talk to her mother as we had no common ground, no common language. I went into my office and asked God to help me be a messenger of truth and peace in this situation.
I went to see her mother and to talk to her about the uncomfortable situation. The mother was understandably upset. She yelled, she cried, she became angry, she had all the emotions a mother would have in this situation. She immediately told the young girl that she should go and have an abortion. I only know that because the young girl was translating for her mother and for me. The young woman cried and ran off. What was I to do? Lord, help me with this. I need you now.
I opened my bible to Psalm 139 and read it, in English, and asked God to speak to this mother as I read the words that said, “You knit me together in my mother’s womb, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” After I finished reading the chapter, I excused myself and left the house. The next day the young lady came into my office and told me that her mother had changed her mind and that she could have the child and give it up for adoption. I told her that I would help her anyway I could. After going home that night I told my husband and we agreed that we would take the baby and offer to adopt it.
The young lady gave birth to a beautiful little girl and decided to keep her. For the first two years of her life, my husband and I were able to help her and to see tis little one grow and to be nurtured. She was at the corps every program that she could be, and we were able to speak truth and Jesus into her life as well as her mother.
This scripture is so important for each of us as God has a plan for us. Something that He has ordained for us to do and to be. He is our creator and because of that, we are fully known!
Prayer: Father, we thank you for knowing us because you created us for your pleasure. We thank you for the differences we all have and for the things we share that are alike. We love you for your great love for us. Your sacrifice of Jesus shows us your perfect love. We thank you that we are fully known because your word tells us so. Thank you for all you are to each of us! Amen.
Download the printable version of this month’s Devotional, Craft & Bible Study:
By Major Gaylene Yardley Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Southwest Division
Begin by meditating on the song “Known” by Tauren Wells
Read Psalm 139:1-24
Questions for discussion:
Am I important to God? Yes! Romans 8:27 – “God already knows our deepest thoughts. And He understands what the Spirit is saying, because the Spirit speaks for His people in the way that agrees with what God wants.” (ERV)
Why am I important to God? Because He loves you! Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 1 John 3:1 – “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” Jeremiah 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” How is it that He knows me so well?
Because the scriptures tell us so. Psalm 119:73 “ Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.” As we look at Psalm 139:13 and 14 we find that we are made and knit together in our mothers’ womb. In looking at Psalm 119:73 we also see that we that we were made and formed by God the Father. What a joy to know the creator and the creation He made us to be.
What are some scriptures about being fully known?
Luke 12:7 Hairs on your head are numbered.
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.
Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Being fully known by God is one of the best things we have going for us. Because of this verse we can understand that God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die and to rise again for us. I pray that you know how important you are to God and that you are blessed to be fully known.
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Let’s sing to close out this time of study, Jesus Loves Me
Jesus loves me, this I know. For the bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, They are weak but HE is strong! Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, The bible tells me so!
Download the printable version of this month’s Devotional, Craft & Bible Study:
https://usw-womensministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/adrian-fernandez-t1jlLrsMpjc-unsplash.jpg25532552Beth Desplanckehttps://usw-womensministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/uswLogo-300x75-300x75.pngBeth Desplancke2024-10-24 13:38:422024-10-24 13:39:02November 2024 Bible Study: I am Known
By Major Gaylene Yardley Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary – Southwest Division
This craft is a tree with all the lady’s fingerprints as leaves in fall colors. You can make one print together and display it in your meeting room, or provide enough canvas so each lady can have their own tree to take home.
Put the Scripture Verse on it: “How precious to me are your thoughts O God. How vast the sum of them!” Psalm 139:17
You can put each woman’s name by their fingerprints and then put the scripture at the bottom. Perhaps you want to put the words “He Knows My Name” on the bottom.
Supplies needed
Finished project
Enjoy yourself and be thankful that God knows you fully and you are not one the same.
As you craft, perhaps play the song “He Knows My Name” by Francesca Battistelli
Download the printable version of this month’s Devotional, Craft & Bible Study:
You are Priceless! You are Fully Known by God! That is the theme of this month’s newsletter.
O Eternal One, You have explored my heart and know exactly who I am; You even know the small details like when I take a seat and when I stand up again. Even when I am far away, You know what I’m thinking. Psalm 139:1-2 (VOICE)
Included in this month’s newsletter is a devotion, prayer idea, conversation starters, and Bible reading plan to help you focus on your identity as being fully known by God. As included are “Identity Statements,” verses that proclaim who you are in Christ for you to memorize, meditate on and claim in your life.
By Margaret Grieco Territorial Women’s Ministries Department
Philemon 1:4-5 – “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.”
The celebration of our Savior’s birth always brings along with the season a beautiful sharing of gifts with those we love and cherish. As a special “thank you” to our family and friends, why not create a card for them that’s personal and very unique!
Supplies: Plastic gems (I use 1-inch in size, but you can go smaller too) Cardstock (8.5 x 11 – in any color) Glue Dots (or Tacky Glue) Gel Pen (or calligraphy pen) Envelopes (4 x 6 – thicker paper would be better for mailing) Paper Cutter Ruler (optional)
Step 1: Turn your cardstock to landscape and use a paper cutter to cut each sheet down the middle.
Step 2: Turn your half sheets longwise and fold them in half (the fold should be a top).
Step 3: Using a ruler, mark the center of the top of the card and line up your gems as you would like them to look on the card. Using Glue Dots, place a Dot on the back of each gem and secure it to your card, placing the gem where you lined it up originally.
Step 4: Starting at the top of the card, draw a line (straight or curvy) from the top to the card to the gem and add a little bow anywhere on the line.
Step 5: You can write “Thank You!” or “Thank You So Much!” at the bottom of the card, write a simple note on the inside and place it in your envelope for mailing to your intended recipient.
Each card will be unique and a fun surprise for those who didn’t expect a fabulous “Thank You” card!
As you write out your thank you cards for all the wonderful gifts that you receive during this Christmas season, spend some time thanking God for His salvation.
As we prepare for the holiday season, consider adding a homemade decoration that also helps you focus on the Reason for the Season! Do you ever think to yourself, “Man, I have a lot of people to pray for lately”? Do you need a reminder to pray for those people you said you would lift up in prayer but actually forget to pray for? Or perhaps you want to spend some significant amount of time in prayer but are easily distracted. This craft may just help you. Using fabric and or ribbon, tie a knot around Christmas lights for a beautiful fabric garland.Check-out the details of how to make the Lighted Garland Craft.
Prayer Focus Options:
As you tie knots you can:
Designate each color for a different prayer focus.
Designate each set of knots to a prayer focus.
Designate each light to a different prayer focus.
As you tie the knots pray for the person you plan to give the garland to as a gift.
Color Example:
Red – Pray for the Salvation of those who don’t know Jesus.
Green – Pray for the spiritual growth of those who do know Him.
Gold – Pray for the corps.
White – Holiness within yourself, Your walk with God.
Patterned – Pray for your community.
Each time you look at the garland throughout the season, you will be reminded to say a quick prayer for those who you covered in prayer as you made the garland.
By Major Jessyca Carr Education Officer College for Officer Training
There are so many different combinations of fabric or ribbon and lights; you can check out YouTube for other options. Using fabric is the MOST economical way to do this craft, but it may take more time. I had several rolls of Costco ribbon, so I used what I had. Last year I used a combination of fabric and ribbon. That was pretty too. NOTE: If you plan to do this with your ladies, I suggest precutting the ribbon/fabric. I had our ladies bring me their selections two weeks before the meeting. I cut all the ribbon/fabric and placed them in baggies for each lady. During our meeting, we began our garland and got 1/3 done. (We chatted a lot!) What was not finished during the meeting they were able to complete at home. Below are instructions to make a 100 Light Ribbon Garland. You can follow these instructions for the fabric style, just the sizes used will be different. See fabric notes at the end.
Supplies: ⦁ Christmas lights – 100 lights ⦁ 12 -15 small zip ties (You can use yarn) ⦁ At least 400 8”-10” strips of ribbon – This will vary depending on the size of the ribbon or fabric.
⦁ Pictured: 7 ribbons used – 5 were 2.5’ and 2 were 1”. If you use a smaller ribbon, you will need more strips. ⦁ If you use a set of 50 lights you will need fewer ribbons/fabric. See below for Fabric details.
Preparation: ⦁ Cut the ribbon – I removed the wire from my ribbon that was wired. ⦁ Place the ribbons in a pattern you like best.
Process:
Fold the strand of lights in half.
Using zip ties or yarn connect the two sides of the lights together.
Cut off the excess zip tie or yarn.
Begin to tie the ribbons around the two strands of lights – only one knot.
Keep the pattern going until you reach the end.
Fabric notes: ⦁ ¾ of a yard of at least 3 coordinating fabrics. ⦁ Use pinking shears or a rotary cutter to cut fabric 1” strips. ⦁ In the picture I didn’t use traditional Christmas lights. These are battery-operated.
Here is a coordinating devotional, way you can pray for people as you make this craft.
As we prepare for the holiday season, consider adding a homemade decoration that also helps you focus on the Reason for the Season! Do you ever think to yourself, “Man, I have a lot of people to pray for lately”? Do you need a reminder to pray for those people you said you would lift up in prayer but actually forget to pray for? Or perhaps you want to spend some significant amount of time in prayer but are easily distracted. This craft may just help you. Using fabric and or ribbon, tie a knot around Christmas lights for a beautiful fabric garland.
Prayer Focus Options:
As you tie knots you can:
Designate each color for a different prayer focus.
Designate each set of knots to a prayer focus.
Designate each light to a different prayer focus.
As you tie the knots pray for the person you plan to give the garland to as a gift.
Color Example:
Red – Pray for the Salvation of those who don’t know Jesus.
Green – Pray for the spiritual growth of those who do know Him.
Gold – Pray for the corps.
White – Holiness within yourself, Your walk with God.
Patterned – Pray for your community.
Each time you look at the garland throughout the season, you will be reminded to say a quick prayer for those who you covered in prayer as you made the garland.
Enjoy the song “God Came to Save Us” as you make this beautiful craft.
By Major Rutendo Masango Director of Continuing Education College for Officer Training
Do you know you are loved by our Creator? You are valuable and you are such a huge part of this world. When God created Adam and Eve, he put them in the garden of Eden, a beautiful and perfect place, they could talk with God at any time. Well until the serpent came to distract that perfect life. We read in Genesis 3:
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1
Of course the serpent twisted God’s command and with that Eve fell into the temptation, together with Adam. Sin entered the world through our first parents which means the rest of humanity has inherited this sin. But we have a God who is so loving and kind, that even though we were separated from him, he had a way for us to stay connected to him, he sent his one and only son, Jesus Christ to the earth, as a baby and grew and yet his mission was to die on the cross for the sins of all humanity.
What an amazing plan of redemption that is, for God is truly amazing!
Well this Bible study theme is: You are saved. And really the important reminder is that God saw that sin separated us from him and his plan was to send Jesus to save us. John 3: 16 we read: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son into the world, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
What a beautiful promise that if we believe in him we will be saved. Being saved also include turning away from sin, confessing our sins to God and asking for forgiveness and truly believing that we are saved.
Maybe you are here are struggling with really accepting that you are loved and that your sins are forgiven, I would like to encourage you to know and believe that yes you are forgiven. 1 John 1:9 says: “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to purify us from all unrighteousness.” The enemy may whisper inside your heard that you are never forgiven, how can God love a sinner like you? You are not worthy to be saved, or any other lies, well I would like to encourage you that there is no sin that is too hard for God to forgive.
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18
Digging Deeper:
1. What does 1 John 5:11-12 mean to you?
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
2. We are not saved by our good works. What does this verse mean to you?
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
This Christmas season, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us be reminded about the reason why he came to this earth, he came to seek and save the lost.
3. Read Luke 2:25-32
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
What do these verse tell you about God’s faithfulness and his promises?
Today, be encouraged and know you are loved and God cares enough for you that he sent his son to save you and me.
