Woman to Woman

21/08/2026

Hi ladies,

I like to write things down that really gets my attention. I was watching Mark Hankins, an evangelist and author, one evening. He said, “Just because you know how faith works doesn’t mean you know how God will work it. Believing is attitude of faith and speaking is the action/activation.”

Today we will look at two verses (one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament) that reflect this. First is David in Psalm 116:10 NLT, "I believed in you, so I said, I am deeply troubled Lord.” Then Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:13 refers to what David said & claims himself,
“Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had (David) who wrote in Scripture, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE.” We also believe, therefore we also speak.

Both David and Paul had faith in God; they believed. They cried out to him in their need. They spoke – action. God, of course, already knows everything we are going through, yet He wants us to come to Him about it. We are to share our heart with Him about what is happening and even what we think is needed. But the point I want to make in this message is that after we come in faith and speak, we are to surrender it to His care and will.

Like David and Paul, we have to be fully persuaded that we can depend on God; we can trust He will move in our situation in whatever way is best. In the flesh, I’m sure that isn’t always the way we want. Like these men, we must be resilient - rebound back from whatever comes against us. This ability is only possible when we have complete faith God is in control and His plans and purposes will be fulfilled in our life.

We might all benefit by asking ourselves, “Is this the case in my life. Not, was it the case last year or last week, but is it the case today?” If we faced what David and Paul faced, would we spend our days whining and complaining because things weren’t going our way?

We aren’t to lay down and let the enemy walk all over us, instead we have to know how to fight with the armor of God and that the victory will be through Him in His timing. During the battle we are to place our complete confidence in Him. Wars are rarely won overnight and without casualties.

Back in the early 1970s, there was a song titled “I Never Promised You A Rose Garden.” Those of you near my age will remember it. One stanza said, “I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine there’s gotta be a little rain sometime.”

Which to me doesn’t make much sense because roses require both sunshine and rain both, but you get the idea. Life is full of things we want and don’t want. Even some of the things that are good for us aren’t things we want. Life in this sinful world has many thorns and weeds. We no longer live in the Garden of Eden. But when we submit to our caregiver (God) we will receive the right care, some pruning and weeding, so He can produce in us a spiritual life full of beautiful blooms.

His Will Be Done
Marilyn

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31/07/2026

Hi ladies,
Our scripture focus today will be on passages about persistence. The first ones are from Luke 11:1-13. Here the disciples came to Jesus and asked him to teach them how to pray. In his telling them this, he used a story of a man who had an unexpected midnight visitor. Because he didn’t have any food for the visitor he then goes to a friend to ask for some. At first, the friend ignores him but after persist knocking the friend gets up and gives him what he wants.
From this story I want to highlight for today’s message how we must come to God in prayer as this man came to his friend asking for his need to be met – with boldness, confidence and persistence.
Luke 11:9-11 NLT And so I tell you, keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Next in Luke 18:1-8 we are told about the "persistent widow". This is often called the Parable of the Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge. It teaches believers to always pray and never lose heart by using a determined widow who wears down a corrupt judge until he grants her justice.
Christ is teaching here that men ought always to pray and not give up. In this parable, this widow got justice because she didn’t give up. Even the unjust judge gave in to stop her bothering him. Of course, our requests don’t bother God, but we are to also never give up in approaching him in prayer. Keeping in mind we are to always pray according to His will.
I have actually heard people say asking the Lord for something more than once was not praying in faith. That is certainly not scriptural, but it is scriptural to trust God’s answer however He chooses to answer it and in His perfect timing.
The last scriptures we will look at show us some reasons prayers weren’t answered the way the prayer wanted or in their timing.
John 11:5–6: Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, yet when He heard Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days before moving, leading to a greater miracle.

Daniel 10:12–13: An angel tells Daniel that his words were heard on the very first day he prayed, but the answer was blocked for 21 days by demonic forces. God allowed this delay and his plans were fulfilled in His timing (not man’s or demonic forces, but His)!

God’s answer will always be to accomplish his divine purpose in our life. We may not always understand; that is where faith in his love and goodness will sustain us.
Dear Lord, Help us to come to you consistently, boldly and confidently in prayer trusting your answer for good and in your timing.

I will not be sending out a devotional for three weeks – gone again to Colorado for my daughter’s surgeries – leave Aug. 4th. The second one scheduled for July 30 had to be cancelled because of an infection. Now they are scheduled for Aug. 6th and 13th - not sure when we will be back yet. Thanks for your prayers.

God bless,
Marilyn

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26/06/2026

Hi ladies,
Before we get to today’s message, I need to let you know I will be traveling to Denver in July and August to be with my daughter while she has deep brain stimulation surgery for Parkinson disease. This procedure takes 3 surgeries over about 6 weeks time. I will try to send a message when I’m home, but they won’t be every Friday as usual. Today’s message is the last for a few weeks at least. We leave for the first surgery June 30th. Please be in prayer for our daughter (Kim).

God’s Word in a lot of ways is a mystery – something we can’t fully understand unless He reveals it to us. But believing doesn’t require complete understanding. Our scripture reference is 1 Timothy 3:16 (NLT):

Without question this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.

Commentaries refer to this as a short hymn or creed. Obviously, the subject is Christ. Christ is the great mystery of our faith - the great mystery of godliness. Jesus Christ is our only source of godliness. Because of him we can be in his likeness in our beliefs, attitudes, and life style (being in accord with Him). This is not something our human intellect could discern.

I will mention six things this mystery of Christ entails:

1. He is God manifest in the flesh.
2. He is justified in the Spirit. He took on our sins, endured death and was raised again by the Spirit.
3. He was seen by angels. They worshipped him and served him.
4. He was offered as our Redeemer and Savior.
5. He is believed on in the world; Christ not preached in vain.
6. He was received up into glory in his ascension.

So much in the few lines of this hymn: Flesh – Spirit – Angels - Nations – World – Glory. Flesh is physical. Spirit is spiritual. Jesus became both for us. His being seen by angels shows his sovereignty in the heavenly realm. His being announced to the nations reflects the earthly realm being told of His provision of salvation. The gospel will be spread throughout the world. Christ taken to heaven and was exalted in glory is a picture of Jesus fulfilling his mission on earth and returned to glory. Amen & Amen!

Jesus is over all that exists. There is no place he hasn’t authority: the flesh, the Spirit, angels, nations, the world and glory.

To Him All The Glory,
Marilyn

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19/06/2026

Hi ladies,

Today we will cover the last of the Ten Steps To Less Stressed Days.

Step 7 A Healthy Lifestyle
Romans 12:1 (NKJ) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

This verse plainly tells us we are to give our life to God. Prior to Jesus, sacrifices were required for atonement. The sacrificial animal had to be perfect – no blemishes (healthy). If we are a living sacrifice acceptable to God, we need to do what we can to have a healthy physical body, as well as, healthy spiritual life. When we do so, we are able to deal with whatever our days bring with less stress. A healthy lifestyle is a less stressed lifestyle.

Step 8 Realistic Expectations of Others
Psalm 118:8 (NKJ) It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
All humans are imperfect beings; even the best of them. That is why it is important to have realistic expectations of others. We need to keep in mind that at times they may slip; they may have good intentions, but are human. That is not the case with our Lord. His intentions are always good AND never fails. He is perfect. We can fully trust in Him his holiness – his always doing what is right. He is who we need to put our complete confidence in and allow other imperfect people like us grace.

Step 9 The Elimination of Stuff
1 Timothy 6:8 (NKJ) But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
Oh boy, is this contrary to our world today; whose motto is more is better. Obviously, there are things required for our survival and well-being; food, clothing, and shelter are part of that. It is hard to be content when we don’t have what is essential in life. But Paul tells us he learned to be content in all circumstances (Philippians 4:11-12).
But that isn’t where I’m going. I want to just point out that probably most of the stuff we think we need is not really necessary and it requires much time, money, and effort to obtain and maintain. Less stuff – less stress!

Step 10 Simple Pleasures
Philippians 4:4 (NKJ) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!
Ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. When we make Him our joy, and find pleasure in simple things that don’t require lots of money, time, or effort we don’t have energy for, we will live less stressed.

All these steps are practical things you already know, but if we implemented them in our daily life we would benefit greatly.

God bless,
Marilyn

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12/06/2026

Hi ladies,

Last week we covered the first three steps toward less stressful days. Today we will look at steps 4, 5 and 6.

Step 4: Memorization of Scripture

Colossians 3:16 (NLT) Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Singing worship songs is a great way to memorize sections of scriptures. One of the three longest books in the Bible (by word count) is the Book of Psalms; a whole book singing praises to God.
How can we be stressed while worshipping? Stress and worship don’t go together! Even if we can’t remember the verse and chapter, speak the Word (however much of it you know) – paraphrase if necessary. Have the Word in your innermost being. - let it fill your life. Don’t speak negative – speak the Word! It is life giving.

Step 5: An Eternal Perspective

Romans 8:18 (AMP) (But what of that?) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us, and for us and conferred on us!

Of course, we have to consider what is happening in our daily life, but keep an eternal perspective on it. When we keep in mind that our time on this earth is only for a little while compared to eternity, we are more able to deal with life in a godly way. Getting our eyes off the problem and on Jesus and our eternal home lightens the present.

Step 6: The Practice of Contentment

Philippians 4:12 (AMP) I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.

I want to point out several things; we are to practice contentment and contentment is not necessarily happiness. Contentment is being at peace (a peace only the Lord can give us) no matter the circumstances and having joy in the Lord even when we may be going without.

Notice the word “practice”. Contentment does not usually come naturally. It is something most people have to work at. Remember that saying, “practice makes perfect.” The more we practice being content the more easily we are content in whatever situation life puts us in. True contentment comes as we grow in the Lord and surrender our will to His.

Trusting in Him,
Marilyn

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05/06/2026

Hi ladies,

The other day while cleaning out some of my files, I came across a sheet titled “Ten Steps to Less Stressed Day.” As I read over these steps, I was in total agreement that they would be beneficial if we actually applied them to our daily life.

We live in a very stressful world, but praise the Lord, God provided us with an instruction manual and the Holy Spirit to help us. Believers are not left unequipped, but we have to use this equipment.

These ten steps are all based on scripture. We will cover 3 of the 10 steps in this week’s message and the rest over the next few weeks. Each step will include a supporting scripture. That doesn’t mean there isn’t more than the one scripture that could go with this step though. As we cover the steps I will expound some on each.

Step 1: Humor

Proverbs 17:22 (NLT) A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

To be cheerful is to be ready to greet others with a welcoming attitude, a word of encouragement, enthusiasm, and a positive outlook on the future. Such people are like pain-relieving medicine. They bring relief. Whereas, those who are constantly negative and complaining drain the life out of those around them. They don’t relieve pain, but add to it.

Maintaining humor helps us and others get through the day in a healthier manner. Finding humor probably isn’t something instinctive. We have to work at it. What is instinctive is giving in to the flesh and complaining. But in Christ we can rise above the flesh and not let situations get us down.

By no means am I saying it isn’t understandable to get down when facing difficulties; especially long term difficulties. I am saying as we go through our day try to find some positive. That will bless you and others around you.

Step 2: Prayer

Psalm 57:2 (AMP) I will cry to God Most High, who performs on my behalf and rewards me (who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them)!

We are not alone. We have a helper to see us through life’s difficulties – the big and the little irritating things. When we communicate with our Heavenly Father, taking our stresses to Him in faith, surrendering our daily life to Him and trust His plans for our good, we are able to remain calm and at peace even if our circumstances don’t change. We do this by remaining in an attitude of prayer all day; making God part of our day.

Step 3: God’s Word

Psalm 119:105 (NLT) Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Boy, do we need some light in this dark world and that is exactly what the Word of God is. There is so much distraction out there that it is hard to see clearly. We need help; we need to be guided by the only one who is all-knowing.

We need to get the Word deep down in us. This takes time and effort. Have a plan to make the Word part of every day; read it, meditate on it, and proclaim it in your life. As you go about your day, talk to the Lord as if He is your best friend and right beside you (which He is). Thank Him, speak scriptures off and on all day and seek His guidance.

If we didn’t go over anymore steps, these three are life changing when applied! When we consciously make the Lord part of our every moment, our view on life will be different.

All To His Glory,
Marilyn

29/05/2026

Hi ladies,

We all have physical items we treasure; something of great value to us. Maybe something a loved one gave us or something we acquired ourselves. It could be financially valuable or sentimentally valuable. I treasure my mother’s diamond ring and my old Bibles which I have highlighted and written notes in. Although they are physical things, that isn’t actually what I treasure. I treasure the emotional attachment they represent.

In my case, my mother and the Lord. When I glance at my mother’s ring, I remember her. When I read the notes I’ve made in one of my Bibles, I think on how the Lord has revealed himself to me over the years. These items will one day perish, but what they represent to me won’t. That is something I take with me for all eternity – the love they remind me of.

Matthew 6:20-21 (NLT) Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

I see nothing wrong with having sentimental attachments to a few things, as long as, we realize they are only things. We can’t take things with us. There is the earthly and the eternal; things of this world and things of God. When we keep this in balance and make sure our heart’s desire is for the eternal (things that won’t perish), we can enjoy the physical and the emotional the way God intended.

This verse is so much more than about tithing or money in general. It is about obedience to God in every area of our life. God does bless us with many material things and He wants us to enjoy them.

But our treasure is so much more than things. It is how we spend our life. What legacy we leave? Do we live a life of service to our Lord or to the flesh? Do we use our blessings to bless others?

Although, we live in the here and now, our focus should be on the hereafter. Our time on earth is so short compared to eternity in heaven. That is hard especially for young people to grasp. It seems like we have so long when we are young, but the older you get the more you realize just how short a human’s life span is.

I know I lived 30 years storing up earthly treasures not knowing about heavenly treasures. But once my eyes were open to life in Christ, my desires started to line up with these verses. Our perspective on the material needs to be to enjoy, but hold on to it loosely, being generous with all aspects of our life (a life given to us – freely receive – freely give).

There is no security in the material, but total security in placing your life in Christ. Is He your treasure?

If you want to dig deeper into some of what that eternal treasure includes, here are a couple verses you may want to look at: Colossians 2:2-3 and Isaiah 33:6.

Looking Forward To Heaven,
Marilyn

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22/05/2026

Hi ladies,

John 14:5-6 ESV: Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Many besides Thomas have asked this question; “how can we know the way to God?” It is the most important question each individual can ask and if you truly are looking for the answer you will find it. But simply knowing the answer is not enough, you have to apply it to your life. Unfortunately, many who ask never actually seek to find the answer. They just casually inquire. Also, many chose not to accept the answer. They want to go their own way.

In these verses, Jesus immediately tells Thomas the answer. The same answer for Thomas and the same answer for us today. It was Jesus then, is Jesus now and will always be Jesus. He is the only WAY.

The Dake Annotated Reference Bible states Christ is the 7 fold way:

1. The way to God (Matthew 7:14; John 10:1)
2. The way to escape (1 Cor. 10:13)
3. The way into the holiest (Heb. 9)
4. The new & living way (Heb. 9)
5. The way of truth (2 Peter 2:2)
6. The right way (2 Peter 2:15)
7. The way of righteousness (2 Peter 2:21; 1 Cor. 1:30)

In the Bible, “the Way” (Jesus) is the path to God, escape from sin and judgment, into holiness, new life, truth, right path and righteousness. This makes up the Christian lifestyle. This 7 fold way Dake is referring to is what is available to each of us through Christ and should reflect our life.

Each of these has been bought for us through Jesus. They are free, but they are not easy. Just imagine someone has given you a puzzle of a beautiful butterfly. It can be a work of art, but you have to put the pieces together to see the final picture. The box it came in shows you the finished product and instructions, but you actually have to put the pieces together yourself. They have to fit where the creator intended. It is a slow process; takes a long time, but when finished is how the creator meant it to look.

It is up to us to live out what Jesus has provided for us in the above verses. It can be an exciting journey; one we should remain on no matter what. It is the only way to live.

Dear Lord, Bless my dear friends along each step of their journey. Send them encouragement when needed and assurance of your love daily. Help them to see the finished picture even as they are working on it; to see themselves as you see them. May their life glorify you, My Savior & My King.

Headed His Way,
Marilyn

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15/05/2026

Hi ladies,

Today’s message will be short, but I want to honor my brother-in-law, Carlton Ellis, who went home to be with His Lord May 9th at the age of 89. Yesterday services were held to celebrate his life at the church he attended since infancy. A tremendous number of people came out to pay their respects to a man who lived a life of commitment to his God, his family, his community and his church.

Commitment is something that seems to be lacking in today’s world. It seems people don’t have the sense of obligation or feel the need to stick to a promise like those in earlier generations. That is my view on society in general, but that certainly can’t be said about Carlton. He did what he said he would do. He stuck to it even when it was difficult. He was faithful in all areas of his life.

Carlton fulfilled 2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

In Matthew 25:23 The master proclaims to his servant, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” I am sure Carlton’s Master has proclaimed that upon his arrival in his eternal home.

Isn’t that what all of us want who have accepted Jesus as our Lord & Savior. To hear him proclaim that over our life. We are encouraged by those who have gone on before us, who have lived such a life, that it is possible even in the crazy world we live in today.

Don’t get discouraged by this world. It is not our home, but as long as we are here, we are to live a life that glorifies our Lord. That takes commitment. Purpose each day to live that day faithful to God and His Word.

Committed To Christ,
Marilyn

07/05/2026

Hi ladies,

Happy Mother’s Day this Sunday. We may not all have children, but we all probably have been a spiritual Mother to someone. So, have a blessed Mother’ Day!

Amazing as it is to me, I have gotten into a cleaning frenzy; that is getting rid of some of the stuff I have that my kids would never use and things that I can only call junk. I have craft items, sewing items, glassware, etc. I haven’t used in years. Out it goes. I am telling you all this to explain today’s message.

This week I tackled my office closet; shelves full of stuff. The amount of loose leaf paper and notebooks I have would probably be as tall as I am if stacked. I guess I overestimated the amount my grandson would need in school. At least with that, my great-grandchildren can use.

I use to send out a lot of cards for various reasons. Of course, now most people do e-cards and that I can understand with the cost of stamps, but I have boxes of cards. One was out of the box laid face down on the top of the box. It was a Dayspring card and on the back where the company logo & such is was this poem:

I was made to praise You. I was made to glorify Your name.
In every circumstance to find a chance to thank You. I was made to love You.
I was made to worship at Your feet and to obey You Lord.
I was made for YOU!

Us humans make things so complicated. We search for the meaning of life. Why are we here? What is the purpose of my life? This poem tells us. The Bible tells us.

Then a few days later, during my devotional time, I was reading a book I have on the works of John Wesley. Most of the book is on his sermons, but one section was more like a biography. In this section, he stated that he and his brother in 1739 published a volume of “Hymns & Sacred Poems.” The following poem is one I read that day and it fitted so with the card poem I felt this was the message for us this week - we were made to PRAISE our Lord!

Lord, arm me with thy Spirit’s might, since I am call’d by thy great name.
In thee my wand’ring thoughts unite, of all my works be thou the aim. Thy love attend me all my days, and my sole business be thy praise.

So beautifully said. These simple words need no explanation. They should be the heart’s cry of every person who proclaims Jesus as their Lord & Savior. Dear ones, focus your life on praise and worship then all the stuff of life that gets in the way (the clutter) will start to clear. What’s important & necessary is what will remain.

Live to Praise Him,
Marilyn

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