1 Peter 3:15
"But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you"

I've noticed in myself and heard the confessions of others that as women, it seems that we have a tendency to (inadvertently) live vicariously through other people's lives.
With single women, sometimes it's through a friend or someone who has gone before us in the faith, or small group leader's passion for the Gospel. With married women that I know well, many seem to lean far too much on their husband's walk with the Lord and use that as their own spiritual thermometer. If the friend/ husband is going on with God, then they feel that "all is well" This is so unfortunate! How can we love as we ought if we are not abiding in the Father AS HIS daughters apart from anyone else's experiences or testimonies??
This is critical -since we alone shall rise or fall before our Lord.
Think about it - just little old me, alone before the Almighty.

I find myself attempting to encourage brothers and sisters in the faith by asking of them what God is showing them in recent days, and the tragedy is that many people are not ready to give an answer for the reason behind the hope that is in them - in the present moment - and it breaks my heart. Some have said to me that that it is not "appropriate" or that some people are uncomfortable with sharing......and while, yes, we need to discern how much we share in certain circumstances, I wholeheartedly believe that this is a precious means of accountability within the body......to exhort one another while today is called today and to guard each other against bitter hearts and sinful thinking.
The sad thing is, that I am not always ready either!! And this is why I desire to know that someone could ask me at any moment how my relationship is with my Father to see to it that I be earnest in my cultivating a loving obedient relationship to Him and growing in how I listen and heed and repent. I mean, seriously, if someone were to ask you about your relationship with a family member who loved you unconditionally and sacrificially, and you hadn't spoken to them in awhile you might feel a deep conviction of your lack of love and slothful pursuit in cultivating a relationship to that person who loves you so much...... would you not ???

We need to call a halt to our dreaming after what we would "like to do in ministry" and get busy with seeking to be a blessing to others in sacrificial ways, as Christ demonstrated His love by sacrifice...... not merely a smile and a nod and "stay warm and eat well" wish as he left the company of the sheep He loved unto death.
"Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth" 1 John 3:18
And especially dear sisters, we need to stop looking at what we're "not" and quit comparing ourselves to each other, and get busy gazing at Jesus, and reading the word and seeking thoughtfully and earnestly how to apply it today. It is impossible to conduct your life as a saint without definite times of secret prayer.

Through His word and much prayer the Lord has been opening up a wonderful view to me, where even a girl like me can hope to attain the meek and quiet spirit that will please my Father. Though I am a work not completed, I will not let Him go except that He bless me with the joy of being more obedient and pleasing in His sight.
Thank God for Jesus.....oh, my precious Jesus.

Jen2