A Word to Women—Debbi Bryson, popular Calvary Chapel women's retreat speaker shares how we can develop a relationship with Christ

Debbi Bryson is a popular teacher at Calvary Chapel women’s retreats. Her new daily devotional is titled, Wisdom for Women, and was also recently released in Spanish.

What if?…What if? These are the wonderings that randomly trouble our thoughts. What happens “if” the worst happens? It’s hard to imagine now—but just a few months ago, the world seemed like a different place. Who would have thought that the word “flu” would have changed things so much? Usually it means just a few miserable days in bed and up we are again—back to “normal”. But now it seems that the world has turned upside down.

So—what? What happens when the worst happens? What if all these tragic and dangerous events are signs of the Last Days? The Bible tells us that “in the last days perilous times will come” (2 Timothy 3:1b). Nothing takes God by surprise. So again—what? What is our reaction? What should it be? Are fear and frustration, confusion and resentment, flowing as waves over your thoughts and emotions? I recently read an insightful statement—“It’s not what happened—that matters most—it’s how you think about what happened.” What does that mean? It means—we have a choice, especially as a child of God. If I am depressed or hopeless—I chose to be. Attitudes turn into emotions and emotions turn into words and actions—and these turn into results.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

So—we need to take our “choices” captive to the obedience of our King of Kings and Lord of Lords—to the Good Shepherd of our souls. Get back to the basics, child of God. When times are dark—look up—look for His beam of light. Don’t you know that people all around us are sinking? They either have nowhere to turn (if they don’t have the Lord), or they have forgotten.

Again—I feel that God is prompting my heart to say to us—look up—back to the Basics. This is the day that the Lord has made—don’t waste it. Be glad that we can—and must be “redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16). Let us live with eternity on our hearts and a sense that God has placed us on this planet on purpose and for purpose—“for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14b)

There is nothing like personally and privately spending time with God, alone, practicing His presence.

How can we? First things first.

1. First Love: Refresh your love for Him—There is nothing like personally and privately spending time with God—alone—practicing His presence. Do you sense a distance—dryness? Ask Him—to stir you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

2. First love for God’s Word: So many voices are shouting around us. It’s time to tune down the media and tune in to hear God’s voice in the Word. If you have been reading the Bible randomly and sporadically—it’s time to read intentionally. Years ago, I discovered the One Year Bible (Tyndale)—it changed my life. It gave me a way, a path to read everyday, to read the whole, wonderful Bible. It is our lifeline to truth, hope, freedom, and comfort. Need help developing a rich devotional time? Look on my website (BibleBusStop.com) for practical helps.

3. De-clutter: Clean house. Set in order. What if these are indeed the Last Days? I have to admit, I am bad at cleaning closets and drawers. There are days when I leave my house and I think, I hope I don’t die today. I’d be ashamed for anyone to see and have to sort out my messy closets.

Is there a resentment you have allowed to linger in your heart? Clean house. Take it to the Lord. Repent—forgive! If there is a sin, attitude, or action you have allowed, take it to God and repent. What will wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

4. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: We forget that the Church was birthed in perilous times. There was opposition to Jesus. Decadent, dangerous Rome ruled their world. But hearts were hungry—because there is a “God-shaped void” in every human heart. God loves people. Jesus was moved with compassion because He saw that people were weary and scattered like sheep without a shepherd. Welcome to our world! Will you ask the Spirit of God to fill you with His love—to give you boldness to share the Good News of God’s love and hope with someone today? If not now—when? If not you—who?

It’s time to tune down the media and tune in to hear God’s voice in the Word.

Debbi Bryson, founder and director of Bible Bus Stop Ministries, has a passion for God's Word and teaches women at retreats, conferences, and Bible studies. The one-year Wisdom for Women is 365 devotions through the Proverbs.

 

All verses above are quoted from the King James Version.

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