There’s something about the end of the year and Christmas that stirs up stories in my heart.
Stories that make me laugh.
Stories that make me grateful.
Stories that make me shake my head in disbelief. {i.e. head-on collisions with monkey bars}
Today, in my Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today devotion, I told the story of my melt-down Christmas several years ago. It wasn’t my best day, but God intersected that story and used my hard place to show me more of His heart and His perspective. He redeemed that day and it completely changed the way the story ended. {If you’d like to enter the giveaway and download the Christmas Prayer, I’ll share how at the end of this post.}
Do you ever think about your story and wonder what it would be like without Jesus?
Today, I’ve invited my very good friend, Melissa Taylor, director of P31 Online Bible Studies, to join me as we share a story God’s been writing for a while – in our lives and the lives of countless other. And, because you’re here today with us, I have a feeling you are part of this story too!
I wish I could sit with you over coffee and hear your story today.
I would love for us to talk about how “we” can link our ARMS, our HEARTS and our PRAYERS together and ask God to do something immeasurably more through us. Will you seek Him with us for prayer and provision as we raise money needed in our ministry to keep bringing Jesus’ hope, truth and love to women and families around the world.
It’s a big number [$300,000]. An intimidating number. But it’s not too big for God.Will you be part of God’s story with us today?Every amount MAKES A DIFFERENCE: $5, $10, $25, $50, $500
Every gift MATTERS.
If you feel called to give, I’d love to be able to thank you.
Click “share your thoughts” and let me know in a comment under this post.
Also, just this week a Foundation offered a MATCHING GIFT!!
You can find out more at these links below:
Give a One-Time Gift
Become a Monthly-Partner
My Gift to YOU: Download my Christmas Prayer to print or share.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20
Christ-Centered Christmas GIVEAWAY worth OVER $35!
Whether you give or not – I’d love to hear from you today!
Is there a way God has used Proverbs 31 Ministries to impact your life and shape your story?
Each of you who leave a comments or story under today’s post will be entered into my Christ-Centered Christmas GIVEAWAY worth over $35! It includes a copy of my NEW Confident Heart Devotional book, A new P31 Women’s Devotional Bible, and Laura Story’s new CD – “The God Of Every Story.”
I am happy to give to Proverbs 31 Ministries, who have helped me immeasurably during my difficult times in relationships. Thanks so much for all the blessings and love,
Stacie
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The Holy Bible is a book of countless stories and records of history. It talks about both the “before” and “after” years of Christ’s existence in this imperfect world. It’s like a documentary of the origin of the earth and how it’s going to end but only it is printed on paper.
This prayer really touched my heart, just as proverbs 31 and your bible studies have. I have struggled through many bouts of depression, but have become much stronger as I have grown closer to Christ. The devotionals and bible readings always help me through the tough days and focus on God’s love and promises. I sincerely appreciate your encouragement. May God continue to bless you as you bless many others through your ministry.
I have a very heavy heart as I struggly through a broken marriage of only 5 months. Its hard to enjoy all the wonderful joys of Christmas as I’m so focussed on my messed up life and marriage. I do however find encouragement through all of the wonderful stories I read and through Proverbs 31. I pray that God works a miracle in my marriage and puts the light and love back in my heart for Christmas. Thank you for all you do Renee. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!
I find that my life is so busy most days that I don’t take the time to focus as I should . I love the emails I get from Proverbs 31 as they are ONE thing I can read each day and at least feel like I have communicated spiritually even in a small way .. 🙂 Thank you!!
What a great opportunity to share your thoughts Renee. Thank you, that I get to come to the library about every 2 weeks or so and look for something good and God inspired on my emails. Not just the junk others send me arguing or complaining or always needing something.
I was getting discouraged and now I don’t have too.
I can be more loving and kind to others that send me emails even if I don’t see love in their eyes when I see them in person God bless you, and hey call me if I win.
Really we are all winners-In Christ.
Merry CHRISTmas.
I can’t put into words all Proverbs 31 means to me – from the devotionals that have introduced me to the sweetest, relatable, and godly women of this ministry to their encouragement to hold on and draw close to my Savior.
I look forward to Proverbs 31 devotionals every morning in my email. It helps me to start my day with a positive outlook and remind myself what should be the center of my life. I love sharing with My Facebook friends and i hope it blesses them as much as it does me!! Merry Christmas!
Dear Renee – I stumbled upon Proverbs 31 so totally by accident. A few months ago I found myself lost in the Christian section of the local Borders. I was drawn in by the title of a certain book, Unglued. Wow, that described my life so well. I bought it and read it, again, and again, and a fourth time. I finally decided to check out the website listed, and after 2 OBS’, daily devotions, and a very sweet lady named Kenisha, I have found what I didn’t know I was looking for. And, I now have more confidence in my messed up life. I thank God (almost) every day, for little and/or big things. I’m still a Christian in training, but I know where to turn now. You all have made such a big difference in my life. You are a very special group of women at Proverbs 31. I am currently a monthly partner with Proverbs 31, and hope to be able to make a year end donation. God will help me figure out how. Thank you all, and have a very Merry Christ-mas! Love to all, Annette
I receive the P31 devotions daily and I look forward to each one. I often am touched and many times convicted through the stories and reflections. Today I was reminded about the gift of Christmas. God sent His only Son as a gift to us…to me. I am a busy working mom of four. I am currently going through a very tough time in my marriage. God has been so real to me in the past 6 months of my life. I don’t know how my story will end, but I know that Jesus loves me and He wants what’s best for me. I can give back to Him by remembering and celebrating His gift to me. God bless all of you at P31 Ministries.
I love starting my day reading my daily email from Proverbs 31 Ministries. Thank you for all you do!
Thank you for sharing your story. I know that there are many that can relate to your story. Our hearts mean well, yet if not guarded we can easily loose perspective. How we need to continue keeping Him in the center of all we do, including our thoughts. I turned to Luke 2, and as I read, verse 19, I had saw it with such a different meaning. “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart”. She treasured & ponder? What could have been the words she heard? Then it came to light…..the Saviour, Hope, Peace, Love, Life, joy, indescribable Gift. Then I asked myself, do I treasure & ponder at His Word? His Word is the greatest Gift, that is always new, it keeps on giving, it is truly of much value and needs to be appreciated daily. Emanuel – God with us! Now that is something to treasure and ponder! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for your story and Christmas poem. It is a nice reminder to slow down and remember the REAL reason for the season. Bless you!
So moved by your devotional today! I needed to remember the truth about Christmas-the love our Father has for us! So thankful for y’all
Merry Christmas!
Stacy Fortenberry
Well, I’m totally stressed out here on the 12th day of December. Your devotion today was so refreshing and I’m going to make a point each day from now until Christmas day to make room for Jesus. I’m attending a small group at my church in which we are studying Adam Hamilton’s “The Journey”. It has helped remind me of the struggles Mary and Joseph encountered from the time she learned that she had become pregnant through their journey to Bethlehem. Blessings to each and every one of you during this Season of joy and peace.
Thank you providing email devotionals that speak to my heart. It seems that more times than not, the devotional topic is what is resonating in my soul. We have come through an emotional year with my Dad’s health–praise be to God, he is doing better!!–but every morning, my Mom and I would call each other and say, “did you read P31 yet? Can you believe it?” It was a soothing balm to our weary souls during very troubled moments. We know so many friends going through extremely difficult situations right now and both Mom and I forward your devotionals on to bring a bit of hope to them.
Thank you for being His hands and feet in this ministry. May you be blessed during this Christmas season!
Christine
I receive the Proverbs 31 daily devotional to my email and I look forward each day to what God has to teach me through the message. Thank you for your honesty and authenticity in sharing your journey with Christ. It brings me hope each day!
I love P31. You have become my friends & family. I start my day with you, a cup of coffe & Jesus. I’ve been involved with the last 2 studies (When Women Say Yes To God & A Confident Heart). They made my relationship with God so much more personal, deeper, more intimate, real. I am forever grateful for that. But, I’ve also become friends with my FB group. They are such awesome women of God, they’re my sisters in Christ. I can’t imagine not being involved in P31 OBS ever again, it’s a lifeline for me. Words just can’t tell you how much I appreciate all you do for me, for all of us. I’m already a monthly partner, I pray for all of you daily & one day I will be part of the ministry in some capacity sitting way over here in Washington =D
God bless you all! And, thank you for listening when God called you.
Dear Renee (and all Proverbs 31 ministry writers),
I have been receiving your Encouragement for Today articles for many years and I find it very difficult to put into words exactly how they’ve helped me grow in my spiritual life.
To each and every one of you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing so much of yourselves with us and for your support and encouragement along the way – even at 61, I’m still learning, still growing and sharing so much of what I’ve learned from you with those I’m in contact with on a daily basis.
May our gracious and loving God continue to bless you as you minister to others through the media and may He grow your ministry far and wide.
With love in Him, Margy Southern – South Africa.
It’s really nice to read this uplifting stories at a time of year when it feels like Facebook is filled with people frantic posting about buying holiday outfits and what toys to get for their kids, etc. I just need to get my mind refocused on Jesus this time of year and not all that mess.
I’ve been praying that God will soften me. I am often quick to react to something my husband says, asks, or does, even when he is doing so in the nicest way possible. Reading and praying with Proverbs 31 has been teaching me to have patience and a Christ-like love for my husband. Thank you for helping my marriage become extraordinary.
THE PROVERB’S 31 BLOGS, DEVOTIONS, AND BIBLE STUDIES HAVE TAUGHT ME SO MUCH AND INCREASED MY FAITH. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is my 3rd bible study with P31 Ministries. I have subscribed to several blogs and have been so encouraged. Your ministry has helped me through the loss of my daughter Oct 2011. I will be giving a gift to your ministry.