7 comments

Kimberly Wagner

Day 18: The Courageous Heart

Posted on 09.21.08 by Kimberly Wagner | Twitter: @KimberlyWagner7
Topics: 40-Day Heart Preparation

Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 4

“We do not lose heart.” —2 Corinthians 4:16, NASB

“So here we all are, 150 years after feminism began to profoundly affect our culture. We have the highest number of single adults ever recorded in our nation’s history, in the church and outside of it. We have nearly the same rate of divorce in the church as outside of it. And we have several generations of confused men who have been told their masculinity is the very reason for women’s oppression—exactly the opposite of what the Bible teaches about the complementarity of the sexes and the Christlike model of servant-leadership that men are to cultivate for the benefit of the church, their wives, and their families.” —Carolyn McCulley1

Do you ever find yourself feeling discouraged by the darkness of the culture around you—maybe even by your own surroundings at home or in the workplace? Often it appears that we Christians are so behind in the culture war that we might as well throw in the towel.

Do you ever find yourself feeling discouraged by the darkness of the culture around you?

Paul may have been tempted at times to look at the hedonism of Rome and wonder if the little band of new Christians could be any match for the godless culture of the most powerful empire known to man. Did his heart ever tremble with fear or discouragement? Twice in 2 Corinthians 4 Paul exhorts the believers living in the sexually immoral culture of Corinth to not lose heart. What was the source of Paul’s courage?

The English phrase “lose heart” in today’s key verse is translated from a strong Greek term that refers to losing courage or even cowardly surrender. Admittedly, for Christian women living in a predominately post-Christian world, this is a common temptation. But we must not give up; we must not lose heart. Too much is at stake, and our Captain is worthy of our undying service.
How can we find courage in such hostile times? Paul gives us the answer in the final verse of chapter 4. “Look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (NASB).

Living with an eternal perspective, focusing on God’s kingdom, knowing that earthly life is temporary and that He has called us to reflect His glory in our world—this perspective infuses us with strength and courage to persevere, even in the face of great darkness.

Take Time to Reflect
Meditate on 2 Corinthians 4. Have you grown weary and become discouraged in your Christian walk, your marriage, your parenting, or any other area of your life? Use this passage to focus on the truth. Ask God to give you His eternal perspective on your situation. And remember that it is in His power, not your own, that victory will be achieved.

True Woman Prayer Focus
True Woman ’08 is less than three weeks away! Pray for your sisters in Christ who will be attending the conference. Ask God to do a powerful work in the life of each woman, to meet her needs and give her a fresh sense of His calling and mission for her life.

Pray for women’s hearts to be encouraged and strengthened by the conference messages—that we will all be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Pray that we will have courage to stand on the truth of Scripture, whatever that may require—“for such a time as this."

1http://solofemininity.blogs.com/posts/comments_on_our_culture/

Comments

  1. I just want to thank you for all of these devotionals leading up to the conference. I cannot tell you how many times they have spoken directly to my heart in the situations of life going on around me, at home, church, work, just everything. I am so thankful that our God is real! Even if some women cannot participate in the conference itself, the devotions are so in line with life itself! Thanks again!
    posted by Paula
    on Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 2:25 pm
  2. I'm grateful for today's admonition to not lose heart.
    Today I noticed Laurie; our 21 y.o. in a comma at home (frontal frozen skull put back.) And after time of healing. I noticed it may not be healing & adhering together.
    And God reminded me that He is in control. And whatever happens God cares and is in control.

    And I got some clothes & a comfortable pair of shoes for my lg size 10 feet from Value Village. And was grieved at spending so much on it.
    A man talked to me when I was in line. He was worried at facing surgery. I shared how God is here with all going on at home with us. And asked him if he was born again. He answered that people are praying for him. He seemed to never heard what it meant. I got to share that accepting the price paid of His Blood for our sins gives us eternal life. And that we can know we have eternal life; as I left the store. God still uses me though a sinner. And though much to be revived my heart. Pray for him.
    Thank you Kimberly for reminding me that it is in His power, not my own, that victory will be achieved. Sometimes I focus on me a lot & not on His grace.
    Love in Christ,
    posted by Leslie Dawn Neagle
    on Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 10:45 pm
  3. Thank you, Kim for these devotionals, especially for today's. Yesterday in Sunday School, I had to say some tough things to the ladies in class and this morning I was doubting whether I came on too strong. They were words of truth and it was said in love and humility, but still tough to say. This word encouraged me in verses 13, 15-16 that, I have the same spirit of faith as he who wrote, I have believed and therefore have spoken. And that things we say must be said because they are truth.
    It reminded me that this is what biblical womanhood is all about. Going against what is being said by the world. So, my prayers this morning were that all the speakers would be filled with His courage to say what must be said because it is Truth so that the grace of God would extend to more and more women and multiplied through many, so that more thanksgiving may increase and redound to the glory of God. God Bless the TW'08 Team. We appreciate all of you for the sacrifice you are making on our behalf.
    posted by Starr Bowlin
    on Monday, September 22, 2008 at 7:23 am
  4. Paula expresssed my thoughts exactly. These devotionals have been such a blessing. While pondering these devotions, I realized that I need to get up early in the morning to more closely match the step of my husband. I want more of him in conversation, but he's too tired at the end of the day when I am normally desiring him to talk with me. It is the 4th day, and it has been a wonderful blessing. He's been urging me for years to get up earlier & go to bed earlier. I thought he should realize that I'm just not that way & accept me as I am! Maybe, but I felt that this was a small way for me to submit to my husband and that by NOT doing it, I was rejecting the first order of his leadership that I really longed for. Why would he stick his neck out any further to lead if I was rebelling at such a small thing? I thank God for my husband's patient love! Pray that I will continue to keep this habit. For His Glory,
    posted by Kathy S.
    on Monday, September 22, 2008 at 9:34 am
  5. What a blessing to hear from so many True Women! I am thankful that God is using the devotional to encourage you all in your walk with Christ and in your commitment to following the truths of His Word.

    Paula, thank you for reminding us of the reality of God at work in our lives. Isn't His personal involvement and faithfulness to us amazing? May you continue to stand in awe of this truth.

    Leslie, your loving devotion and commitment to the care of your daughter is an inspiration to us all. We pray that you continue to walk in the grace that God will supply.

    Starr, I am so proud of you for being a counter cultural woman that is willing to speak truth in love. I'm sure that was difficult to share, but I pray that God uses it to challenge women's thinking and inspire them to investigate biblical womanhood. I am praying with you that the speakers at True Woman would have hearts filled with the courage and boldness supplied by the Spirit of God and based on the eternal truths of His Word!

    Kathy, what an awesome testimony - thank you for sharing this with us! You are demonstrating in a very practical way what it means to live out biblical womanhood. You are making a (small) sacrifice, humbling yourself, in order to honor your husband's quite reasonable request that you invest in your marital relationship by spending time with him in the morning. I am praying that this will become a new daily routine for you. I am thankful for the blessing that it already has become in your life and know that God will continue to bring sweet moments of enjoyment in your marriage as the two of you become bonded by demonstrations of mutual humility.

    It is funny, I was having a conversation with a woman just yesterday where I expressed my concern over how many married couples do not seem to "go to bed together." I, too, am one that has adjusted my schedule to match my husband's in this area and have benefited. I believe that the regular routine of going to bed at the same time (if at all possible), having nightly prayer and loving conversation before ending the day, is of great benefit to the couple's marital unity and protection.

    Thank you all for sharing how God is at work in your lives,
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Monday, September 22, 2008 at 1:32 pm
  6. I have come to understand (blogging) writing down my heart as I have read the "comments" to the writings that have inspired so many! I can not tell you how anxious I am, in a good way, for this event! I signed up for this on my "want to!" list back in April knowing I would need some uplifting and encouragement. I have had a full summer of one daughter getting married, a son getting married, 2 children graduating from college, my husband retiring and starting to work in a new position for our church. Now, he is home more and 4 of my children live in other states and 3 are thankfully at home. I want to adopt a whole lot more, just to hold off longer from the empty nest! A lot of adjustments, all wonderful, yet different and I am excited to just take time with fellow sisters in Christ and reap spiritual renewal. Thank you for all you have done and all you are doing, to all of those involved!
    I would love to help with the conference and have not heard back from my application. Maybe you have had so many volunteer their gifts. We are blessed to give back all that we have been given.
    posted by Beth
    on Monday, September 22, 2008 at 5:44 pm
  7. WOW! ALL I HAVE READ ON TODAY FROM SO MANY TRUE WOMEN OF THE LIVING GOD IS ABSOLUTLY INSPIRING, AND I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT. AS FOR MYSELF AND MAYBE THOSE THAT CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE CONFERENCE, IT'S OK, BECAUSE THE CONFERENCE STARTED WHEN THIS BLOG STARTED. I HAVE MORE HOPE IN MY LIFE TODAY THAN I DID MONTHS AGO, BECAUSE ALL OF YOU TRUE WOMEN ARE HEARING FROM GOD. I CAN TELL THIS BY YOUR TESTIMONIES. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERN THIS CONFERENCE WILL NOT END, GOD IS BLESSING AND RESTORING. WOMEN ARE RECEIVING WHOLE
    HEARTS, AND ARE RISING ABOVE THE DARK PLACES IN THE WORLD AND IN THIER LIVES. THIS BLOG BROUGHT TOGETHER WOMEN FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND THATS WHAT THIS CONFERENCE IS ALL ABOUT. THIS CONFERENCE HAS BEEN ORDAINED BY GOD. THERE WILL BE SOME GREAT SPEAKERS AND THAT WILL BE GOOD, TRUTH WILL COME FORTH. I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW WHO HAVE COMMUNICATED YOUR HEART ON THIS BLOG. YOU HAVE ALL READY STARTED RECEIVING POWER FROM GOD TO TELL YOUR TESTIMONIES, AND THEY ARE POWERFUL. YOU HAVE ALREADY STARTED GLORIFING GOD FROM YOUR HEARTS, AND YOU ALL ARE GREAT SPEAKERS FOR THOSE OF US THAT MAY NOT MAKE IT TO THE CONFERENCE. I PRAY THAT THE BLOG CONTINUES. AS A ONLINE CONFERENCE, NEVER ENDING.
    posted by EVANGELIST: MARGARET A. SYKES
    on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 11:12 am

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