"CHOSEN BY GOD"

What does it mean when Paul tells the believers in Ephesus that they were

chosen by God before the creation of the world
Ephesians 1:4

"Chosen" as used here derives from the Greek word "eklegomai" which means to pick out, select, to choose for oneself. God chose them, selected them for Himself. Chosen not because of anything they have done or anything they will ever have to do...simply a beautiful act of His love.

This is God's character.

Jeremiah 1:5 says,

I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.
Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as My prophet to the nations.

Psalm 139:16 says,

You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

Sweet friend, God brought you here todat to remind you of this precious Truth. Hear it and never forget it...before time began, before God spoke the world into being...He had you in His heart. Like the saints in Ephesus, you have been chosen by God to be His child, to live out a perfect plan He has for your life. No one else has your plan, your family, your gifts, your talents, your heart, your calling, your past, and your present... NO ONE!!!

He chosen you to use you to do great things for His Kingdom...things that only you can do.

But to be used by God, you must BELIEVE He is who He says He is, BELIEVE He has chosen you, SURRENDER your life to His Plan for you, and BELIEVE He will equip you to do what He has called you to do.

If you have a moment, please share with me what God has chosen you to do... what is it He is calling you to do for His Kingdom. And if you don't know, please leave me a comment sharing your thoughts so I can pray for you. God wants to reveal His wonderful plan for your life!!!

Sweet Blessings to you,

Wendy on Family LIfe Today with Dennis Rainey

Hi Girls,

In June, I had the privilege of spending a few days in Arkansas with Dennis Rainey, Bob Lepine, and Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Spending time with them blessed me beyond measure. It was a dream come true for someone who has sat under their teaching via radio and Bible study for years. From the moment I arrived at the Family Life studios, God's Presence overwhelmed me. Every person I met had such a heart for God and for advancing His Kingdom.

The interviews center on my book released in February 2009, Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story.

My interviews with Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepine will air January 18th-20th (Monday through Wednesday) on Family Life Today in your area. If you are in the Charlotte/Black Mountain area they will air at 9:30 a.m. on my favorite Christian radio station, 106.9 The Light, home of my very favorite DJ, Carol Davis. Please find the links for the interviews below:

The Horrors of Sexual Assault (Day 1 of 3)

Casting Out Fear (Day 2 of 3)

Hope in the Darkness (Day 3 of 3)

This interview shares how God healed me after surviving the horrific crime of rape. We discuss how I found God's strength in my weakness, His Hope in my hopelessness, and His healing in my brokenness. In Hidden Joy and in this interview , I share the transforming power of God's Word in a way that will help you...

1. Learn how to use His Word in a way that makes it relevant and applicable to your circumstances.

2. Gain victory over your fears through studying and praying Scripture.

3. Intensify and empower your prayer life through learning to pray God's Word.

Please pray for these three days...

Heavenly Father, there are many hurting and broken people in this world. They are searching for answers, searching for hope, searching for healing, searching for a way to make it through. Father, we know that You are THE Way; You are THE Truth; You are THE life, and You are THE Healer. As Your Word goes forth over the airways these next three days, we ask that You honor Your Word:

So is my Word that goes out from My mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purposes for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11

Father, please bring every man or woman to whom you desire to speak to the radio that day. Lord, prepare Their hearts and make them tender to receive what You have to speak. Father, thank You that no matter what we are going through You have a Plan and a Promise that You will work it all for good for those who love You and have been called according to Your purpose. Open their eyes to see Your Plan, to hear Your purpose. Close their heart and mind to the lies of the evil one. Free them from the bondages of fear, shame, regret, and unforgiveness. Give them the mind of Christ and ensure they think on whatever is lovely, pure, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Father, may they trust in You with all their heart and lean not on their own understanding and in all their ways acknowledge You so that You may direct their paths. Through Your Holy Spirit, give them the peace that passes all understanding, not the peace the world gives but the peace You alone can give.

Thank You, Lord, for Family Life Today, for Dennis Rainey, Bob Lepine, and every heart that works there who loves and serves You. Bless this ministry beyond measure for their faithfulness to bring Your Hope, Your Healing, Your Truth, and Your power into homes, families, and marriages across the country and across the world. I ask all this in Jesus' Name. AMEN.

Blessings,

ENCOURAGEMENT EXTREME!

ENCOURAGEMENT EXTREME EVENT IN GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

I believe that all of us need encouragement. I know I do. I am wondering today what is one area of your life where you need encouragement most? I have a reason for asking. First, I'd like to pray for you and at the end of this post, you can let me know how.

Second, I wanted to tell you about my sweet friend and P31 speaker LuAnn Prater and Carol Davis, 106.9 Radio Host, and their friends at Encouragement Cafe radio show who are hosting an event you don't want to miss! Here is an invitation from them to you:

"Gather with us on January 29-30 in Greensboro, NC as we seek a new level of passionate pursuit of God and the encouragement of our sisters who are walking along the same path. We don't just benefit from our relationships with other women, we need them.

Encouragement isn't just a nice idea given in the Bible, it's commanded; and it's vital to both the encourager and the encouraged! It's meant to be lived out in flesh and bone, and in spirit and truth; and we think it's time we took it to the extreme! All three general sessions will include powerful prayer and worship, along with lots of laughter, fun, and some surprises!

Our speakers will share from the deep places in their hearts about Absolute Boundless Abandon. We will seek to make deep connections as we share our dreams, tell our stories, dry each other's tears, and celebrate each others victories!"

This event is ONLY $119! And includes OVER-NIGHT STAY, ENTRANCE TO ALL CONFERENCE SESSIONS/ALL CONFERENCE MATERIAL, BREAKFAST & LUNCH ON SATURDAY!!! The bad news is...space is limited, so don't wait, register today.

You can register by visiting my sidebar or clicking here.

Okay, so what is one area of your life where you need encouragement most? Click on the word "comment" below and type in the white box. If you don't have a blog, just click anonymous. Please share your first name, though, so I can pray for you personally.

It's an honor to pray for you today.

Blessings,

Charlotte Bible Study begins Friday, January 15, 2010

Hi Ladies,

If any of you live in the Charlotte area and are interested in joining a Bible Study, I will be teaching a non-denominational Bible Study beginning Friday, January 15, 2010. We will be studying the book of Ephesians and discussing curriculum I have written. Last fall we had 80 women participating!!

We meet at Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church at 9:30 a.m off Park Road near South Mecklenburg High School. We open with worship; I teach for about 40 minutes, and then we break up into small groups. We end at 11:30. We meet every other Friday with a few exceptions through the end of April.

If you would like to register or have any questions about the study, please e-mail me at deuteronomysix@aol.com.

Blessings,

The Winner is.... and Lauren update

Reading your blog comments and e-mails filled me up this past week. I love how many of you sent personal verses, prayers, and thoughts on praying God's Word in this new year. Thank you for taking time from your busy day to share your hearts with me.

The winner of the Starbucks Gift Card is

Bonnelle Pagel who posted a comment on January 1st. Please e-mail me at detueronomysix@aol.com and send me your address so I can mail you your gift.

LAUREN UPDATE

Many of you asked about Lauren in your comments and shared with me that you continue to pray for her and our family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your prayers have truly given us STRENGTH for the journey.

Lauren is 13 days post-surgery and doing amazingly well. Although she still spends much of her day in bed, she takes a short walk each day and sits up for about 30 minutes at a time a few times a day. She takes a shower all on her own now. She enjoys visits with friends every afternoon. She has started meeting with her tutor from school and working on homework. She has good pain days and bad pain days...but even then her pain is more stiffness and discomfort.

We have not been out of the house too much...a bit of cabin fever is on the rise!! Tonight she had her first outing and stayed through half time of her school's basketball game. She came home exhausted, but she did it!!!

She stands so straight and tall. It brings me to tears sometimes when I think of how God has healed her so completely. Although it is not the kind of healing for which I initially prayed, her back is healed, and God was ever present in powerful ways every step along the journey.

I want to extend a special thank you to the many girls and women (and their moms)who lived through this surgery and reached out to Lauren and me as we walked this journey. The blogging world is an AMAZING community, and I cannot imagine what it would have been like without each of you. Many of you continue to e-mail so that I know what lies ahead. And now, the Lord is opening doors for Lauren and me to do the same.

I lay my head on my pillow tonight thankful for each and every one of you and the love and prayer you have extended our family. We have a beautiful journal full of your verses, prayers, and poems.

Blessings,

New Year's Prayers and Starbucks Giveaway!!

Welcome to LIVING TRUTH! Oh, how I have prayed for each one of you who stops and visits today!! A special welcome if you are visiting from Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today.

Over the last few years as I have moved from making New Year's Resolutions to writing New Year's Prayers, God has shown up SO BIG in my life. Last year I asked permission to publish my New Year's Prayer as an Encouragement for Today Devotion, unsure if the editors would say "yes," and unsure if it would mean anything at all to another woman.

Your responses caught me very much by surprise. Precious notes and stories flooded my in-box as you shared how the prayer touched your hearts and inspired you to do the same. Please know that your responses blessed me. I am so grateful. Why? Because the Lord used what He taught me to teach you. As a Bible teacher, that is the greatest joy in my life!!

Friends, God knows that the first day of each new year carries with it a myriad of emotions that often lead to promises and resolutions. Some commit to lose weight. Some commit to exercise more. Some desire a more disciplined walk with the Lord. And some want to be better wives and mothers. We all want God's highest and best for the new year.

But God knows too that these promises and resolutions are often grounded not in His Word but in our flesh. We focus on the end result and not on the process. There is nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight and exercise to feel better about yourself. It is a wonderful goal to be a "better" wife and mother. It is admirable to commit to daily Bible reading and quiet time with the Lord. But we must beware of making these things a daily duty we check off.

Committing to a New Year's Resolution will not bring profound lasting life change. Committing your heart to God...studying, learning, and praying God's Word...that is what will bring eternal, lasting life transformation.

I invite you join me this year in writing a New Year's Prayer. Below find my prayer for us.

Father in heaven, thank You that You are All Authority in heaven and on earth. Thank You that You led each woman here today. You know her every need, her deepest desires, and her hurting places. Lord, as she seeks to know You more, would You open the eyes of heart to see the wonderful things in Your law?

Father, we confess that so often we live lives that do not honor You. Our actions and our Words seem so far from You. But, we do want to live lives that please You, so we ask today for You to soften our hearts to receive what Your sweet Spirit has to speak to us. Give us a hunger and a thirst for Your Word. As You reveal it to us, help us through the power of Your Holy Spirit to listen and obey. You tell us Your Word is living and active, like a double-edged sword. Father, we invite You to use it now to penetrate the deepest recesses in our hearts.

Give us hearts that desire You and Your Truth above all else. Your Word tells us that if we lack Wisdom, we need only ask and You will give it liberally. So we ask today for a fresh filling of Your Wisdom. Give us the strength to walk in Your Truth, no matter the cost. Guard our hearts and keep our eyes fixed on You. Grow in us the fruit of Your Spirit…those things that will make us more like You. As we study Your Word, fill us and saturate us with more of You!!

Today, Father, we surrender our past and look to the future, thanking You that we are a new creation. No matter what we have done before today, we have Hope in You to take all things and use them for Your good and the good of Your Kingdom. Thank You that You are Faithful. Thank You that we can make our plans but You will direct our steps. We trust in You to do a mighty work in us and through us this year and carry it on to completion until the day we step into eternity with You.

Lord, we love You. Make our lives a living testimony of Your Love. We ask this in the powerful and mighty name of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord who will do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. AMEN.

To begin writing your prayer, examine your New Year's Resolution and prayerfully ask the Lord for to reveal the heart issue behind your resolution. Ask Him to lead you through His Word to verses that directly address what you hear.

Listen to God's promise in Hebrews 4:12:

For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. it exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Perhaps you want to lose weight because you feel unworthy of love due to your past, your present, or choices you have made. Find verses on God's great love for you...His promises that He created you just the way you are because He has a great plan and purpose for your life that only you can accomplish.

Perhaps you want to spend more time in the Word but you are too busy...you just can't fit it into your day. Find Scriptures on God's wisdom and priorities. Proverbs is a great place to start.

Perhaps you want to be a better wife and mother, but you have a temper that flares or a tongue that cuts like a knife. Open God's Word and find verses addressing speech, self-control, and patience. Proverbs and James are great places to start.

Once you have found your verses, take each one and personalize it. Then, put them together, along with your own heart's cry, to make a prayer. Copy your prayer into a journal or notebook. Write your verses on pieces of paper and put them where you can see them throughout the day. Memorize them.

Listen to God's promise in Isaiah 55:10-11:

The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with My Word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Friends, Isaiah 55 is God's PROMISE to you. If you pray His Word over your life...over your heart...over your home...He will be FAITHFUL to prosper it and make it bear fruit.

I would love to hear your heart, your prayers, and your verses. Please take time to leave me a comment. As thanks for taking time to stop by today, I will choose from the comments and send a Starbucks Gift Card to one lucky winner.

Praying you have a blessed and joyous New Year,