Why We Need Girlfriends| Christ Within Me-2012 | | Posted by Frankie on Monday, January 2, 2012 at 2:01pm | Recently I was teaching my Bible study, “Why We Need Girlfriends.” As I prepared for class I read the passage where Gabriel visits Mary and tells her that the she will be the mother of the Messiah.
I was reminded again of how young she was when Christ began to grow within her.
Do you remember when Christ began to live in you? Hopefully this is your most beloved memory, and something you share with others.
Maybe you were a young child like me, or a college student or maybe an adult. The good news is you have the Savior living within you, and enjoy a personal relationship with Him.
After one of my speaking engagements, I met an elderly lady who truly understood what that meant. She told me how she had been in a church all of her life, but was taught to think of God as a deity—impersonal and distance. Then one day a friend told her the truth that Jesus was personal -an intimate savior and He cared about every part of her life. From that moment on she began to seek Him with all her heart and she found Him... at the age of seventy. Since then He has been the love of her life.
What about you? Does Christ live in you? Do you experienced His presence and enjoy fellowship with Him?
If you have a religion and not a relationship, you are missing something very special, and God wants to change that. He wants to experience a close and personal relationship with you.
God wants to dwell within us. You were created for a relationship, not for later, but for now.
This coming year embrace the joy that the living God chooses to dwells within us. Knowing this, we can look ahead to 2012 with great expectations.
| | | | | A Great Question | | Posted by Frankie on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 1:23pm | At my home church several years ago we had a Prayer Revival. For this long time follower of Jesus and woman of prayer, it was life changing. The speaker Jeff Noel was devout and focused on one thing--getting God’s people to pray.
One night standing behind the polished oak pulpit, in a hushed voice- but firm with conviction, he asked a question that changed my life.” Think for moment, when you get to heaven and someone asks you”...
Being a church goer all my life, I assumed the question would include - who had I failed to invite to church. Or if I could undo something, the typical but mindful questions this type of service invites.
But Jeff was deep. Instead, he asked, “when you get to heaven, if a person from the Old Testament ask you, "what was it like having the Holy Spirit and His power actually dwell within you how will you answer”?
Pardon? Repeat that please. He did.
His question caught me completely off guard, How would I answer? I comtemplated his question about the gift I had recieved and what it had provided.
This power, and connection to God was something the people of the OT never experienced. How many times had I failed not to even notice or cherish this priceless and precious gift?
Then I thought how will I answer? What has it been like to live on the other side of the cross? AFTER the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, knowing my sins were forgiven-just by asking?
That conversation WILL probably take place and when it does, here is what I hope I can say based on my experience. After my salvation the gift of the Holy Spirit was the greatest gift in my life. He provided power-in my weakness comfort-in my sorrow, and assurance that God was with me. My only regret is that Jesus had to die so that I could receive it.
Now, it’s your turn dear one, how will you answer.
Father,
Thank-you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, may I live to cherish that gift. Amen.
| | | | | Call Me Adorable | | Posted by Frankie on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 11:56am | I did a TV interview with a morning show to promote my Bible study, something that I don't enjoy, but goes with the job.
As I was waiting to go on the set I noticed a woman who gave me reason to do a double take. I thought she a Lady GAGA’s “wanna be”. She was dressed in glittered cowboy boots, with a frilly broomstick skirt. Her blouse had a large Peter Pan collar that overwhelmed her small shoulders. My, my, and she was the first guest.
After her segment, she sashayed directly to me and said, “Oh D-O-L-L-I-N-G, you look adorable—absolutely ADORABLE. That color is fabulous on you.” As you can imagine I wasn’t beside myself over her compliment. Stunned, all I could murmur was “Thank you. The color matches my book”. (Lame I know.) Still it got her attention.
Grabbing the book, she asked, "book what book?” So I showed her a copy of "Why We Need Girlfriends". Flipping through the pages, she went on and on about how she needed the book. I was surprised again, because on the front cover under the title it says a "Bible Study for Women. "
With complete sincerity she asked, “How I can get this? I would love to have one.” I was touched. I said, “Here you can have this one.” It was her turn to be touched.
Imagine my shock when I learned that she was a major image consultant in Washington DC, and dressed some of America’s major players. Yet I sensed she knows our Lord, or was eager too.
I believe the Lord had her cross my path that day to receive a copy of a simple Bible study on true friendship. As I autographed her book I wondered—if she had a real girlfriend and hoped she did. Someone she could be her true self with- take off the glittered boot and just be.
Do you have a friend like that? I hope so. Let me encourage you to also reach out to other women who might seem a bit different on the outside but on the inside are like us... in need of friendship. I believe you will be blessed-as I was.
Just think-an image consultant said I looked adorable. For an ole gal like me, that was cool. In fact, I’m wondering if I should add that to my resume--Speaker, Author, Teacher, adorable. Nah—only my grand kids would fall for that.
Two are better than one-if one falls down his/her friend can help him up. Ecc-4-9-10.
Lift someone up today girlfriend-it’s your calling.
| | | | | Holy Impulses | | Posted by Frankie on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 2:41pm | Do you ever find yourself over-committed and over-extended? Me too?
I have a certain tendency called “Holy Impulses,” where I volunteer for things or commit to things that I believe I should do. It’s always with good intentions, but the truth is, it stretches me too much, depleting my time and energy.
Then I must let things go that I am called to do, or would rather do, because time won’t allow me to do both. When this happens my normally good nature turns grouchy.
Being in the center of God’s will is my heart’s desire. I am a purposed driven woman and my purpose is to glorify God.
I realize that I fail quite often; still it is my heart’s desire.
To live a God-centered life we must constantly seek God, so that we may know the plans He has for us. We have His word in Jeremiah 29:11 that His plan is good, and it includes hope and a future. Even when the task or the invitation might look appealing or urgent, that doesn’t mean it is meant for us at that time.
Women are emotional beings. We desire to do good things, and make life easier for others. It’s hard to say no to the people we love, or to a task that needs doing.
Therefore, it is essential that we cling to Paul’s words to be alert--and to keep our guard up. The demands of this world can easily pull us into doing many things instead of doing “the thing” that God has called us to do.
Satan would have us distracted by living a self-driven, self-centered or guilt-ridden purpose. That is not why God created us or what He has called us to do.
God desires a loving relationship and wants to be the center of your life. If others are determining your agenda, go to Him now with your to-do list and place your heart before Him. Ask Him to help you live a life that glorifies Him. It is His desire is to help you accomplish this... so don’t hesitate to ask.
| | | | | Embrace Your Call | | Posted by Frankie on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 2:21pm | When I first discovered I was going to be a grandma, in addition to being overjoyed, I was a little apprehensive of my new role. It had been a while since I had been around babies. Knowing my tendency to lose things, or put things down and forget where I put them, I wondered if I would do that with my grand baby.
Those concerns were put to rest the moment I laid eyes on each of my two grand-girls. While in my care they would never leave my sight.
I had been entrusted with something beautiful and precious. Being a grandma wasn’t just a privilege it was a “divine calling.” I would do everything possible to honor the blessing I had received. My confidence would be in God and I would look to Him.
When the angel, Gabriel, made his announcement to Mary, that she had found favor with God and would be the mother of His son, she too was concerned. Unsure if she could handle such an awesome responsibility. How could she, a poor, young Jewish girl receive such a high calling? Only God saw Mary’s potential. He knew she was the only choice.
Whether Mary truly comprehended what was about to happened we don’t know. We do know that she surrendered to the call, by the words she spoke, “be it unto me as you have said”.
The times we are living in are overwhelmingly difficult for parents, grandparents and role models. However, God has chosen you. This is “our time” and the generation we have been assigned. He knows your potential and you can do all things through Christ Jesus. He will complete the good work He has begun in you.
God is not looking for a perfect life, but a surrender life, that is willing to be used by Him.
I am so thankful knowing what God knows about me, He would allow me to be “Nana” to Madison and Campbell and a leader in women’s ministry. Even though I have many shortcomings, God still uses me. Amazing.
Are you a mother, grandmother, aunt, or spiritual mentor? Then, like Mary, surrender to your calling, knowing that you are God’s perfect choice for the people- in your sphere of influence.
Embrace your call. No one else can do it quite like you.
One Generation will declare your works to the next and will proclaim your mighty acts. Psalms 145-4
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