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Day 3: Shoe Your Feet With The Gospel Of Peace

November 24, 2013 by pattiburris

 

Armor of God

 

One of the first things we all do when getting dressed is put on our shoes. We all wear shoes, why? Most of us wear them to protect are feet from injury. Athletes wear shoes specific to their sport to protect their feet. As a diabetic, one of the most important parts of maintenance is to examine our feet on a daily basis. I was scolded by my doctor at a routine doctor appointment for wearing flip flops. It was Summer and I hate wearing shoes, period! She told me that I need to wear supportive shoes and socks.

In the same way that we need to wear shoes to protect our feet from injury, we also need to shoe our feet with the gospel of peace. We do this in two ways:

1. We must walk IN peace

2. We must walk OUT peace

Philippians 4:7 

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

As long as we remain in Christ Jesus, we will experience the peace of God. Walking in peace means that no matter what chaos the enemy throws at us, we know that greater is He that is in us, than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). God is in control. We can live our lives without worrying about what might happen, because we know that the God that created the universe is in control of everything that happens in HIS creation. Nothing escapes His notice. We can walk in peace, knowing that Satan has already been conquered.

Romans 14:17-19

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Another way we can shoe our feet with the gospel of peace is to walk out peace in the world. One of our main objectives on this earth is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Jesus walked in peace. Jesus brought peace to those He ministered to and we need to do the same. When people walk away from us, they should walk away with a sense of peace, not chaos, anger, or fear. We are to be experts in conflict resolution, finding a way to bring a resolution to an issue, not adding fuel to the fire. When we look at a situation the way Jesus would, we are more willing to let go of selfishness, anger, hatred, bitterness, greed, etc. We become willing to look at a situation from someone else’s perspective, instead of just our own.

I encourage you to remember to, shoe your feet with the gospel of peace, every morning as you get ready for the day. Walk IN peace, knowing that God is in control and walk OUT peace in your sphere of influence, bringing peace where there may otherwise be chaos.

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Day 2: The Breastplate Of Righteousness

November 17, 2013 by pattiburris

 

 

 

Armor of God

 

Jeremiah 9:23-24

23 This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.

A breastplate is an item worn by warriors/soldiers over their torso to protect them from arrows and/or bullets that are fired at them from the enemy.

As Christians, we must get in the practice of putting on our breastplate of righteousness every morning to protect our hearts from the arrows of confusion, chaos, sin and negative emotions that Satan fires at us. It is our heart that he aims for, so we must protect our hearts with the breastplate of righteousness. How do we do this?

We must know God on an intimate level. God is righteousness. We must learn how to be righteous from Him through His Word, the Bible. Get into the Word. Make a commitment to read the Bible through. You don’t have to read it through in a year. I want you to really study the Bible, looking for hints as to who God really is. I want you to soak in what He is saying to us, His children. I want you to really understand the characteristics of God and build that intimate relationship with Him.

We must be open to the Holy Spirit as we go throughout our day. God has used a situation with my 20 year old daughter to open my eyes to how He parents us. This last year has been rough as I try to parent her through some tough times, but through this process, I have felt how much God loves me, even when He may be frustrated with me. He never gives up on me. He deals with me tenderly, with love and patience. Feeling that love, I in turn have dealt with my daughter in the same way. I put on my breastplate of righteousness in this situation. The arrow that Satan meant to cause chaos and heartache, I turned around and used as a growing tool. I didn’t do it alone. God sends the Holy Spirit to guide us, every step of the way.

Protect your heart. Be aware that Satan may be using a situation to get you to act in sin. Make the choice to act in righteousness. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, giving you the strength to do what is right.

Know that you are never alone in this struggle to be righteous, in a sinful world. If you find yourself in need of encouragement, contact me. I am here and I understand. Be Blessed, single mom!

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Day 1: The Belt Of Truth

November 10, 2013 by pattiburris

 

Armor of God

 

Ephesians 6:10-18

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

John 8:32

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

My ex-husband is a former Marine and decorated Veteran. He received the Bronze Star Medal of Valor when he returned from the Persian Gulf War in 1991. He has shared many war stories from the time he spent in Iraq and Saudi Arabia and I understand that his survival depended on his preparation.

We are in a spiritual war. The devil is lurking around every corner, in every doorway and under every rock, trying to trip us up. He will stop at nothing to get us to turn away from God. He has declared war on God and wants us to join him. It is a real spiritual battle and we need to be prepared!

How do we prepare for spiritual warfare? We put on the armor of God.

The first step is to put on the belt of truth.

John 8:32 tells us that the truth will set us free. What is the truth?

John 14:6

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus said that He is the truth. Without Jesus, we don’t have access to the Father. We need to know Jesus, really know who He is. We need to communicate with Him, serve Him by serving others, and love Him by loving others. We need to read the Gospels until we exude the heart and soul of who Jesus is.

When a weight lifter is preparing to lift weights, he girds his waist with something that gives him strength and support so he won’t hurt the core of his body. When we put on the belt of truth, we are providing support and strength to our spiritual core.

Jesus is that strength and support that we need in our spiritual core to survive the attacks of the enemy. When we buckle the truth of Jesus around our waists, we will be prepared to deflect the arrows of Satan.

I am challenging you to gird your waist with the belt of truth every morning, carrying Jesus with you wherever you go. Do this and Satan will have to flee!

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Anger Management

November 1, 2013 by pattiburris

 

anger management

 

Ephesians 4:26-27

26 “In your anger do not sin”. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

Anger has been an ongoing emotion for me in the last few weeks. It has been very difficult for me to bite my tongue and not say something damaging and hurtful in defense of my daughter.

Without going into specifics (that is not the point of this post), I can tell you that my daughter has been under attack from people, who have for some reason decided to hurt her. My daughter is 20 years old and so I have tried to step back and let her handle the situation. It hasn’t been easy for me. Any one who knows me, knows that I have had some anger issues when it comes to my kids and those I love. This isn’t anything that I am proud of, I am simply telling you this to say that I think God is changing me. I have not flipped out like the old me would have done. I have found comfort under the wings of my Lord and protector.

It has been stressful. I feel her pain and it breaks my heart, because I feel so helpless. I have raged against the hateful, insensitive way that people can treat other people. I have raged inwardly against these people who find it funny to bully my 20 year old daughter who is sweet and loving and would never hurt anyone.

God has been speaking to me through this situation. George Verwer (founder of Operation Mobilization) visited my church this past weekend and what he said Sunday morning really touched me. He said that he has made a practice of not letting the sun go down on his anger. He, also said that, he never let the sun go down without forgiving those who had harmed him that day. I knew that he was speaking to me.

The other part of the passage in Ephesians 4 says, “in your anger do not sin”. I admit that I have come close. What stops me is this overwhelming feeling of not wanting to disappoint God. I want to glorify God. I do not want to open the door for Satan to step in. I do not want to give Satan a foothold in my life.

This situation has led to the establishment of a new bedtime ritual:

1. Surrendering the anger- Every evening I say a prayer, letting go of any anger that I have built up against anyone during the day. I voice it and surrender it.

2. Forgiving- In that evening prayer, I forgive anyone who has hurt me in any way during the day. Even when that means forgiving the same person, day after day after day.

During the day, when that feeling of anger comes poking its’ head around, I try to surrender the anger immediately. I say try, because I am not always successful. Sometimes I fail miserably! But, I try. I surrender the anger and make a decision to act in a way that will bring honor to my heavenly Father.

If you are dealing with anger, you are not alone! Anger is an emotion we all feel at one time or another. It is a part of life in this fallen world. Acknowledge the feeling and let it go. Make that commitment to act with integrity, no matter what the situation. If you need some encouragement, contact me. God loves you, single mom, and so do I!

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The 91st Psalm: Encouragement For Single Moms

October 29, 2013 by pattiburris

Psalm 91

The 91st Psalm 

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

I love this chapter in Psalms and as a single mom, I have taken great comfort in knowing that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is protecting me. Night and day, He watches over me and my children. Night and day, He sends angels to protect us and keep us safe.

Let this passage speak to you, as it has to me, my sweet single mom friend.

Take time to meditate on the words. Let the words sink into your heart.

In your journal or notebook, write this passage out in your own words. Write down what you feel God is saying to you in this passage.

Write a prayer of praise, thanking God for His protection. Express your gratitude for the strong wings that He shelters us under.

He longs to shelter you and your children. Abide in Him. He is waiting and He loves you and your children so much! Read this passage again and let the God who loves you speak to your heart.

If you need prayer today, contact me. If you are ready to accept Jesus into your life, contact me. God loves you and so do I.

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Saint Elizabeth Of Hungary

October 29, 2013 by pattiburris

saint elizabeth of hungary

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231) was born into royalty. She was engaged at the age of 4 to the eldest son of Landgrave Hermann I of Thuringia. She was moved into the castle at Thuringia at a very young age to be raised with her betrothed. Elizabeth grew into a young woman of strong religious beliefs and often suffered the hostility of those who felt judged of their own sinful natures.

In 1216, Elizabeth’s betrothed died and she was immediately betrothed to the Landgraves other son, Ludwig. In 1221, Elizabeth and Ludwig were married. He was 21 and she was only 14. Ludwig was always a loving husband and protected Elizabeth, giving her the religious freedom she needed to worship and perform acts of charity.

At the age of 19, Elizabeth built a hospital below the castle. She was always about the business of caring for the poor and lost.

In 1227, Elizabeth received the news that Ludwig had died from disease while away on a crusade. She had just given birth to their third child. Elizabeth turned fully to God and made a vow of chastity. In 1228, she took the vows of a nun of the Third Order of Saint Francis.

Elizabeth was under the supervision of a spiritual director who was harsh and often disciplined her in harsh ways. He beat her and ordered her children sent away.

I can only imagine her heartache at having her children sent away from her. She made arrangements for her children, renounced the world and lived the rest of her short life caring for the sick and poor in the hospital that she had built. She was only 24 when she died.

Although, Saint Elizabeth did not raise her children after the death of Ludwig, she was a single mom and loved her children dearly. Would she have given up her children on her own? I would say no. We have to remember that she was a young woman, alone in a tough world. Not unlike what many of us, as single moms, live through now.

Her children grew up to be leaders in their own right. I am sure that had to do with her own character. If you have suffered in your role as a single mom, know that you are not alone. There are single moms throughout history who’s lives have been recorded to encourage you on your single mom journey. There are also, many, many single moms walking the same path that you are on. You are not alone!

If you need someone to talk to, contact me. You are not alone, single mom!

My information for this portrait has come primarily from http://www.stelizabeth.webhero.com/index.html. There are many different websites that give information about this wonderful woman. Some websites differ in some of their information. I encourage you to do your own research.

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Single Moms Of The Bible: Part 2

October 27, 2013 by pattiburris

elisha and the widow

2 Kings 4:1-7

4 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”

2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”

3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”

5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”

But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

As with the story of Elijah and the widow, this passage speaks for itself. This single mom was left with debts unpaid by her late husband. Her creditors were coming to take her two sons away. Imagine her panic and desperation at the moment she meets Elisha.

Elisha tells this widow what she needs to do and she obeys. She believes that God will deliver her and her sons and she obeys. I think that is the lesson in both of these stories. God helped both of these single moms, but they had to step out in obedience and faith. It would have been a different story had they drowned themselves in self pity and refused to believe that anyone, even God could help them.

Are YOU willing to trust the Almighty God to help you out of your situation today, single mom? He is waiting to help you, but you must take that first step in obedience. God will not help us if we sit by and wallow in our self pity. We have to meet Him half way. Are you willing to trust the Lord today? Are you willing to leave that pity party you’ve been throwing and meet God half way?

Reread these 2 stories and make a commitment to step out in faith the way these two single moms did. Our heavenly Husband provided for them, He will provide for you and your children too.

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Saint Margaret Of Cortona: Patron Saint Of Single Moms

October 27, 2013 by pattiburris

saint margaret of cortona 1                               saint margaret of cortona 2

I was astonished to find that there are saints that were single moms. I was more astonished to find that not all single mom saints were widowed. Saint Margaret of Cortona (1247-1297) is called the Patron Saint of single moms. Even today, she is a woman that single moms can look up to as an example of a devoted mom and a Godly woman.

Margaret had a troubled home life. Margaret’s father remarried after the passing of Margaret’s mother, when Margaret was seven years old. Margaret never got along with her step mom. Because of her relationship with her step mom, Margaret spent more and more time away from home. The older boys began to pay attention to young Margaret and she liked the attention.

When she was 13 or 14 years old, she met Arsenio, the 16 year old son of the local baron. Arsenio invited her to come live with him, as his mistress. Even though Arsenio had told her that he would never marry her, Margaret felt confident that she could change his mind. The couple lived happily together for nine years. Margaret gave birth to a son. Arsenio never married Margaret.

Tragedy struck, when Margaret discovered Arsenio’s body in the forest, near his castle. He had been murdered. This was Margaret’s darkest hour. It was also the moment she found Jesus.

Margaret and her son found a home in Cortona with two unmarried christian sisters. Two priests were assigned as Margaret’s spiritual advisors and the friars arranged for the boy to study at an academy in a nearby city.

Margaret was admitted to the Third Order of Saint Francis and began to care for the poor. She voluntarily lived in poverty and spent the rest of her life caring for the poor in hospitals, churches and elsewhere. She gave her services freely to anyone in need and often had to beg for her own food.

Saint Margaret is a woman that I look up to as a role model. She was a single mom, but she also loved the Lord, the poor and the lost. She did not wallow in self-pity when abandoned with her young son. She turned to God and He became her husband and shepherd. Saint Margaret is truly the Patron Saint of single moms.

I took most of this information from http://catholicexchange.com/a-patron-saint-for-single-mothers/. There are other websites that have differing information. I did find a website that claimed that the name of Margaret’s lover was never known. There is so much more to the story of this remarkable woman. I encourage you to do your own research and see how great she really was.

Don’t ever think that God can’t use you because of your past. If He can use Saint Margaret, He can use you! If you have been inspired by this portrait of a single mom, leave a comment below and let me know. If you know of other christian single moms through history that I could write about, leave a comment and let me know. God Bless You, Single Mom!

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Single Moms Of The Bible: Part 1

October 26, 2013 by pattiburris

elijah and the widow

1 Kings 17:7-24

7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

17 Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?”

19 “Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 20 Then he cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” 21 Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”

22 The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived. 23 Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive!”

24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”

This story speaks for itself. God loves the widow/single mom. Not only did God provide flour and oil so she and her son could eat, He also brought her son back to life. This woman knew who God was and obeyed when He told her to feed Elijah and God rewarded her obedience.

God can and will do the same for you today, single mom. It doesn’t matter what your situation is, God loves you and is always ready to provide for you and your children. Obey God’s leading and He will work a miracle when the flour and oil run out.

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Love: A Call To Action

October 20, 2013 by pattiburris

love in action

“Our love for others is a call to action.”  Pastor Alfy Austin, World Gospel Church, Terre Haute, Indiana

Our sermon this morning was taken from John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I have lived my entire life in fear. I have been afraid to step out of my comfort zone and live my life in radical obedience to Jesus. What Pastor Alfy taught really touched me and convicted me of my inability to get past my fear and allow my love for others motivate me to action.

God loved the world so much that He allowed His one and only son to be beaten and crucified, so that we might have eternal life with Him in heaven. God LOVED us enough to put His love into action. The love of our Abba Father was not just a feeling He had towards us, His love became action.

I have wanted for many years to start a local single moms ministry here in Terre Haute, Indiana. I feel guilty that this has not happened yet. The single moms here still suffer in isolation and still are in need of a ministry that will fill that need for God in their lives. I have had some difficulty in finding a home church myself, but I have to admit that my fear outweighed my love for these moms and their children.

I am so ashamed that I have not loved these women enough to take action. I have a passion for them. God has placed a burden in my heart for them, so why is my love not enough to push out the fear that I feel? Why is my love not enough to push me into action? Honestly, this realization breaks my heart. There are approximately 1,500 single moms in the Wabash Valley and very few attend church on a regular basis. I am ashamed that my love has not pushed me into action.

God loves me and He acted on that love. My daily prayer needs to be for an overwhelming love to pour into my heart and push out the fear.

Dearest Abba Father,

I am praying that the love you feel for me will so fill my heart that any remnant of fear will be gone forever. I do have a passion to see these single moms and their children know you the way that I know you. I want them to know that you love them, the way that I know that you love me. Fill my heart with an over abundance of your love so that I will be confident enough to put that love into action. pour out your love, Lord. I don’t want to miss this blessing of obedience because I allowed my fear to outweigh my love. I ask for your forgiveness that I have not trusted you enough to step out of my comfort zone. Forgive me for not having enough faith to act in obedience regardless of my fear. I love you, Jesus. I don’t want to disappoint you. I don’t want these moms and their children to not know you because of my disobedience. Praise you, Jesus!

Amen

The worst thing would be to stand before God and have to answer for my disobedience. My heart is filled with disappointment because I know I have disappointed Him. It is not to late to act. I still have time. I must act now! I must allow my love for these single moms be a call to action and push me to start this single mom ministry.

The above message has been the ramblings of an imperfect woman of God. Life gets messy, but it is never to late to make things right.

Praise you, Jesus!

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