E-MAIL FROM GOD FOR WOMEN

DON'T LET YOUR ENEMY IN

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Worry is an enemy that arrives on your doorstep disguised as a friend. When you're in trouble, Worry says, "Stick with me, kid. I'll help you deal with this." What a lie! Worry never contributes anything positive. It's a circular thought pattern that only leads to more worry, and in the end it leaves you with a knot in your stomach and no plan of action.

So when you hear the knock, knock, knock of worry at your door, don't answer. Instead, pray. Ask for my help. Trust me. Thank me. I'll lead you to my solution, and I'll station my peace like a guard outside your heart to keep worry off the premises.

PEACE THAT DANCES

The fruit of the Spirit is... joy [and] peace.

Someone once defined joy as "peace dancing." Can you relate to that? Unlike happiness, joy is not influenced by what's happening around you. It's an inner assurance that am "the blessed controller of all things." It's a grateful realization that treasure you with unbounded love that can never be taken from you.

When you are dwelling in joy, there will be no room for fear or depression. Your face will wear a new expression, and your heart will know a new serenity. encourage you to cultivate this spiritual fruit of joy. Let your peace rise up in a joyful dance.

LET MY WORD BE YOUR AUTHORITY

Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands

of the LORD your God that I give you.

There are hundreds of books, magazine articles, and seminars designed to help you live your life. Although some of them are written or presented by Christians and are based on my truth, I encourage you to be discerning. Some of these teachers and writers are like cooks in a kitchen creating a stew. They mix a half-cup of this philo- sophy with a cup of that belief, throw in a teaspoon of scripture, and call it "Christianity."

My pure Word is to be your authority. Don't add to it or subtract from it, and don't dilute it in an attempt to imitate the latest psychological trend. Look to me for guidance through the maze of self-help literature that's out there, and I'll keep you on track.

WHAT'S PLAYING ON YOUR MIND?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

Your mind is a little bit like a movie theater that runs the films of your thoughts, your affections, and your values. If you could x-ray the minds of people passing by, you'd see a variety of movies. Some would center on a fresh excitement for the new day. Some would show the faces of loved ones. Some might even reveal a joyful mental dance of praise. But you'd see other kinds of mind-movies, too-the self-centered dreams of the greedy, the pornography and trash of a misguided culture.

What's playing on your mind today? If the themes of your movies have been envy, fear, or lust, confess and let me cleanse you. Then I'll turn on my movies of peace and joy.

I AM NEARER THAN YOU KNOW

What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?

I am never far away. Do you live your life in the truth of that reality? Or do you act as though I were some self-centered celebrity who stays holed up in a ritzy penthouse apartment far away from you and your everyday problems? Trust me; when you're dealing with me, you're dealing with a very down-to-earth friend who really cares.

You only have to remember the stable at Bethlehem and the cross of Calvary to recognize the reality of my closeness. You only have to welcome the wonder of Pentecost to experience my indwelling love. So when you need courage or comfort, wisdom or strength, remember that I know what you're going through, and I'm only a heartbeat away.

CREATING BOUNDARIES

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise-"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

How important is teaching children to obey? Children gain a sense of security from knowing where their boundaries are, and teaching obedience is lovingly creating boundaries. When you lead your children to obey, you are leading them into a greater sense of security.

When you feel worn down and tired of the inevitable struggle that comes with disciplining, know that your efforts are worth it. I have given your children free will, and they may choose to resist your teaching. But if you've taught them lovingly and well, the confidence they will have in you and in themselves will far outweigh their temporary resistance. Stick with a loving plan of discipline. am with you, my daughter.

LOOSEN UP AND WORSHIP ME!

Then it happened as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

David was the most esteemed man in all of Israel. He was a hero in battle and a hero in my heart. Taking the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel was a crowning achievement of his reign as king of Israel. But he didn't just appoint the Billy Graham of his day to give a blessing for the occasion while he sat stiffly by in a suit watching the procession. Instead, he dressed up in the equivalent of running shorts and led the parade, dancing and singing praises to me. Can you imagine the leader of your nation doing that today?

My daughter, I don't exalt my children so they can just sit around acting pious. I lift them up so they can freely give me glory and lead others to me. Don't fall into the trap of trying to act "respectable." When my parade comes to town, I want you at the front, dancing with all your might.

I HIRED YOU FOR THIS JOB

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.

Some days when the work seems endless, when your boss is demanding and your loved ones act ungrateful, you may feel like running away from it all. Listen. You can look at your job on two levels. On one level you're serving human beings-boss, customers, family members. But on a higher plane, you're serving me. I am the one who placed you in this job, and I'll provide you with all you need to get it done.

So here's your mission, should you choose to accept it. Every morning get on your knees and say, "Okay, God, I'll live this day for you in your presence and for your glory. Fuel me. Equip me. Help me to do a great job for you."

HOLD MY HAND

All of you who held fast to the lord your God are still alive today.

One of the first things you teach your young children is how to cross the street safely "Look both ways for traffic and hold tight to my hand," you say. The traffic that threatens the safety of young people today includes some very deadly realities: violence, drugs, teen suicides. teen pregnancies, and religious cults.

How can your children "cross the street of life safely? You need to warn them about the potential dangers. No need to get hysterical and overstate your case. Just calmly and sensibly show them the realities. Let them know you'll be there for them, and so will I Teach them that rushing out into the traffic of life leads to death, but holding on to me and my truth leads to life.

BE PREPARED

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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.

What kind of general would send his soldiers into battle with no weapons, no strategy, and no information about enemy operations? He would either be cruel or stupid. Trust me, I am neither. As your Commander in Chief, I want you to be prepared. Life on planet Earth is quite literally a daily battle, but it's spiritual, not physical. It's a battle between good and evil, right and wrong, truth and lies. You will need my armor to stand against the enemy. So put on the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, the breastplate of right living, and the shoes of good news. Take up the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. Get in the habit of praying effortlessly and trustingly. Now, follow me!

NOBODY'S PERFECT

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

Human beings are prone to blow it. Check the Bible. The only perfect person described in its pages is Jesus. Everyone else was a sinner. David had Uriah killed so he could sleep with his wife. Moses killed a man in a fight. Peter denied he knew the Lord. Paul watched in approval as Stephen was stoned to death. If human beings had been able to achieve sinlessness on their own, there would have been no need for the cross, and Jesus would have died for nothing.

So don't try to give your children, your husband, or your friends the impression that you're perfect. Learn to be vulnerable. Seek forgiveness for your own sins, and forgive others for theirs. That's Christianity 101.

GO FOR THE GOAL

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Have you ever watched Olympic runners in a race? They have trained until there is not an extra ounce of fat on their bodies. They are totally ready-totally focused on the goal of winning the race.

I want you to operate like those champions, my child, because you are quite literally running the race of your life. I have set out a challenging course for you to follow, but you are not alone. There's crowd of saints and angels in Heaven cheering you on, every step of the way. "Go for it!" they shout. "Get up! You can do it," they yell when you stumble. And who is yelling louder than anyone? I am!