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.”
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I’m so grateful for the Proverbs 31 Ministries devotionals, and all the women that help make this ministry what it is today. I live for these awesome, encouraging life-changing devotionals. I make sure I get all my other emails opened, read, and responded to, so I can sit back and relax and totally be focused on what God is saying through all these amazing women/writers.
I want to give back to this ministry with a monetary blessing, such a little price to pay for encouraging words coming right into my inbox!
Thank you Proverbs 31 ladies!
May He continue to bless this ministry beyond measure!
AS ALWAYS RIGHT ON TIME, THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND THE REMINDER TO KEEP OUR FOCUS ON OUR PRECIOUS GIFT.
You are welcome. Christmas blessings to you Yvonne!
I just got baptized in April, wonderful day! Then my sister followed and just two weekends ago, she asked me to baptize her. It made it the best day ever. Just bringing people to God, to me, is the greatest gift. I feel so blessed have many friends/family in my life, reminding me to pray and follow God’s unconditional love. Proverbs 31 has been my morning “go-to” before I start my day. I love reading the daily devotional, and I was so excited when it was you, Renee!!! I was so excited, because I am on week 3 of A Confident Heart book study, with my sister (yay!) and one of my good friends. We are loving it! I know I already have this book that you’re giving away, but I would give it to another friend who is a recent follower of Christ. I love having/reading all this, as it reminds me throughout the day to portray God’s love.
Hey Heather! I’ve seen your emails with Donna and love that you are reading A Confident Heart with your sister and good friend. It’s been such a sweet encouragement to me to picture you talking about it together 🙂
Christmas blessings!!
I love to start my work day with a Prov 31 devotion. There is such care, wisdom and support that radiates from these devotionals. I have already shared the ministry with others.
I love this ministry and the fact it changes lives. I have grown in faith because of you. Thanks.
I started with Proverbs 31 OBS with When a woman says Yes to God and I was Sold I learned so much about me and my Walk with the Lord, Then came A Confident Women , I was blessed with the book and couldn’t wait to get my book, At the same time my family was going through some rough spots like my husband wasn’t working and we were behind in our bills ETC. Doing the OBS made my day each day I would get up and listen to the Video and read the chapter and answer the questions…What I loved most were the Facebook parties and the small groups where U can go and ask for Prayer and know that there are many women all over Praying for you making it easier to make it though Ur struggles.
Thank-you Proverb 31 Staff and Women
It started with the Encouragement for Today devotionals for me. I have been receiving them for at least 3 years. This is the first year that I have done an OBS, and I did two — “When Women Say Yes to God” and “A Confident Heart”. One just flowed seamlessly into the other. I loved the daily emails, assignments, printables, projects, and those Fb parties!! I really felt like I was a part of a larger community of women who were struggling with the same things I was. Before the first OBS this summer, I felt stuck, depleted, and totally confused, wondering where God was and why couldn’t I hear Him??? These two OBS have “unstuck” me. I now hear more God more clearly and readily. He has calmed my heart and has brought hope back into my life. All life’s struggles are still there, but there is calm and direction in the storm. Thank you Proverbs 31 for listening to God and being bold enough to follow His leading. You have changed my life.
Thank you Renee! I am so excited to have a copy of this story and your prayer to share with others. I heard you speak at the PJ party on Friday and you are very encouraging and inspiring. Thank you to you and all of the women of Proverbs 31 Ministires, you all are a wonderful tool that God is using to spread His message and encourage so many women. I cannot give today, but I will try and give to support this truly worthwhile minitry sometime this month. Thank you again!! 🙂
The daily messages are very encouraging and uplifting. Blessings to all the writers for listening to God prompting sand sharing with each of us.
I have been getting email devotionals from P31 for quite a while and they encourage me very much each day. I have also read many of the books and done a few of the bible studies, which has been a tremendous blessing to me. Thank you for everything that ya’ll do and have a very Merry Christmas!
Thank you for your story and PS31. It has been a huge encouragement for me and others to whom I forward
Melissa & Renee,
This ministry has had a huge impact on my life over the past couple of months. I had been searching for a bible study locally, but just couldn’t find one that fit my crazy schedule in our small town. Plus, I have just been craving authentic Christian friendships and wanting to go deeper – to know what God’s plan and purpose is for my life. I have been seeking!! As a worship leader part-time as well as working another full-time management position, it can sometimes be lonely.
Starting my 1st P31 OBS has allowed me to connect with so many women, including yourselves!, that have the same struggles… it’s so freeing to know that I am not alone. A Confident Heart has given me the tools to move forward in peace and confidence, and especially with a renewed commitment to follow God daily – even when others around me are not. I can be strong and confident and hopefully a light to those who need to see Christ through me. And when I fail, as I know I will, I will not crumble. I will go back and open up A Confident Heart and reclaim what I know to be true!
Many blessings and a Merry Christmas to you both!
I discovered P31 on the radio a few months ago, and look forward to the inspiration I receive every morning on my way to work. I am still trying to figure out where I belong in this world, and how I am supposed to use my gifts to make a difference, so I keep praying for an answer. I am just not sure when or in what form that answer will come. Today was the first day I looked up you up online and just signed up for my first ever online Bible Study. Praying for a change in my life, so I can be happy.
I don’t remember how I came to know about Proverbs 31 ministries. I have been on your various newsletters for probable a little over a year. I have been blessed by your books and letters. I maybe one of your oldest members year wise but we never outgrow our need for wisdom and encouragement. Thank you. I will be mailing a gift to the ministry.
I am new to Proverbs 31, but I will be back. My life is full of chaos right now and I found myself focusing on secular Christmas activities. Your blog reminded me to slow down and centre my focus on Christ alone this Christmas season. Thank you.
Renee…God used your book and on line study to help me always remember to turn to the Light…that He is the source of our strength and hope… What a great convenant keeping God we serve. I have given many Confident Heart books away to encourage and help others…Thank you for sharing.
Hi Renee! Proverbs 31 has become a very integral part of my life over the last year. In early 2013, God called me to “go bigger.” About the time I started figuring out what He meant, COMPEL, Proverbs 31’s new writing workshops, came along. I am rediscovering my love of writing as well as the gift of writing that God blessed me with that I have not been consistently using to further His kingdom. He has called me to write; and thanks to Proverbs 31, I am able to develop this skill. This very week, I am planing to launch my own blog plus I am going to revive our Women’s Ministry Enewsletter here at our church in 2014. Thank you to all the ladies of Proverbs 31 Ministries for your thoughtful and inspirational daily messages!
Thank you so much for making this Christmas a true Christ Centered one. It’s been a hard year and thru counseling and your PS31 postings I have turned to truly trusting God in my life.
There are so many times when I would be discouraged or worried about something and then open up my Proverbs 31 email only to find such words of encouragement and insight. I realize there are others out there that go through the same things I do. I am not alone. I share a lot of the emails on my Facebook page. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Peace
Refreshed
Overjoyed
Very grateful
Excited
Rededicated
Blessed
Saved
These simple words do not grasp the significant impact that Proverbs 31 Ministries has had on my life for the last 3 years. I am alive and all of the above thanks to the words of encouragement shared by this ministry. Thank you for sharing your stories and God’s provision in real life so, that those of us in a pit may see the LIGHT and God’s direction out of the pit.. Thank you for your OBS, A Confident Heart. It is my 1st OBS and while I haven’t been as active as I would like, I have been BLESSED! THANK YOU from me and my family! MERRY CHRISTMAS!