whose hearts are set on pilgrimage

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!  My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young - a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.  Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.  Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you. (Psalm 84)

The Lord is teaching me about pilgrimage.  A vow to journey nearest Jesus - to live in Christ.  A commitment to center my whole heart on Him.  To be as close to Him as I am able.  To wake up, eat, work, walk, speak, sleep - all for His favor.  All for His honor.  Oh, and what an honor!!!  I just love Psalm 84.  I love how it describes the Lord Almighty as home!  Where I am free to call upon the One who graces me with life.  His life... His holiness.  There is nothing better than God!!!  His presence is all I care about.  I just want to be close to Him... to know Him... to love Him.  All I want to do is praise and worship Jesus.  For He is my sun, my shield!  He gives and gives and gives as He loves.

But what about this crazy messed-up earth and the realities of today?  At present, I'm still here.  In fact, my great God deliberately put me here for this time, this moment.  But here the enemy does all he can to make me feel unable, unworthy.  Often Satan pulls the rug out from under my balance and whispers in my ear that I can't.  That I am useless.  That I am damaged goods.  That I am unlovable and unwelcome.

This is when it is most crucial that I run back into God's Word.  This is where He reminds me to look at the birds flying above or the ants below my feet.  They all temporarily live here too, and God always takes care of them.  God values them.  God feeds and adorns them and is faithful.  Yes, clearly even for them... God has a purpose.

Jesus reminds me to seek Him first.  To look at Him always.  To trust Him, no matter how pathetic or inadequate I may personally be feeling.  For He is greater.  He is stronger.  Yes, I am blessed because strength and wisdom and success are not reliant upon me (phew!)... rather it is all the Lord's! (Amen!)  As such, my heart is set on His pilgrimage.  And I am assured that with Him I will reach His courts, His kingdom!  Sure, Satan will try to weaken my spirit.  He will try to pin me down and make my existence seem like a ridiculous joke.  But, as the Psalmist has already confirmed...

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (Psalm 62:7)

Yes, my God has a plan, a purpose, a mission for me HERE.  So here I will travel... with Him I will walk.  And I will step in His grace, believing in His strength.  Through every day - from "strength to strength" I will overcome the enemy's damaging whispers because I will boldly proclaim to my Savior, "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere!"

Yes, my heart is set on this pilgrimage with you, Jesus.  I know that you are able, worthy.  I know that you are the solid ground where I can keep my balance.  I know that you will always value me, restore me, love me, walk with me, protect me.  I know that you are always my destination, my hope.

So, today as I continue moving forward... as I live out my life on this lonely, scary planet... blessed is the Lord God Almighty, my constant dwelling place today and forevermore!  I trust Him.  In Him is my salvation and my glory.  He is the rock of my strength and my refuge.  In Christ, I can press on... I can walk... I can keep going... for my heart is set on His pilgrimage.  All for His favor.  All for His honor.  And always thankful... because in Him I am already home!

Have a lovely day walking in His glorious strength, peeps!

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

verbal sunshine, healing medicine

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)

Have you ever considered that your words can actually bring healing to others?  Indeed, you have the capacity to nourish or injure someone with what comes out of your mouth... and sometimes what doesn't come out of your mouth.  Recently, the Lord impressed upon me to be more deliberate and outwardly grateful to those I truly appreciate.  To not only think well of someone, but to tell them exactly what I appreciate about them with my voice.  Verbal sunshine, if you will.  And so my quest to use my words to express genuine admiration and care for others began.  And I have to say, I'm grateful to the Lord for pointing out this exercise to me.

You see, I am an introvert.  And while I do try to be deliberate and uplifting with my words, I don't always make the effort to actually speak up and compliment outwardly.  Sometimes, I just think well of a person, but sadly, I don't always venture out to tell them. What a waste!  Especially when scripture says our words can be gracious, sweet to the soul, healing!  Sure, it is easy to speak recklessly and critically.  It is commonplace to complain and grumble.   Because of this, many of us go to God in prayer and petition, asking Him to reign in our tongues to prevent us from sinning and harming others with our words.  However, there is more to it than that, isn't there?  There IS the talking.  When we do open our mouths.  When we do speak.  When we SHOULD speak.

I was missing that last one.  When I should speak.  When I should open my lips to not only praise the Lord, but to use my words to love on others... and to do so frequently.  Rather than assume that those around me just knew how I felt, God started prodding me to actually say so.  To speak up!!!  You see, my withholding His loving information was not helping anyone.  My assumption that "they already knew what I thought" were shortchanging His blessings!

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

So, what happens when you speak up wisely in Christ and purposefully express loving, healing, truthful, appreciative words to those around you?  What happens when you make choices to intentionally give with your voice?  WOW!  The Holy Spirit joins in the conversation!!!  Blessed hearts show outward joy!  Eyes swell with hopeful tears.  Spiritual appetites are fed and blessed.  In fact, now I look at how and when I speak as an opportunity to "spiritually take someone out to dinner"... for that is exactly what it feels like.  God is using me to nourish a recipient with the best fruit - the Fruit of the Spirit!  And whether my recipient realizes it or not, EVERYONE yearns for Jesus' feast and bounty.  Everyone benefits from His verbal love!

So friends, today I encourage you to not only guard your lips against evil, but to also consider when you should speak up - using your words wisely and often.  Begin your own quest and choose to use your lips for good.  Choose to speak with God's love.  Your words can be His healing medicine.  So allow the Great Physician to do His good work in you and through you.  For there is always, always something to appreciate in Jesus' Name.  There is always an opportunity to care and love with your voice - uplifting others in honor of God's Kingdom.  So speak up!  Don't hold back!  Offer His gracious honeycomb this day and taste the sweetness of His love as it leaves your mouth and penetrates a heart He has come to bless.  The Holy Spirit lives in you.  So let Him speak for you as well.  Be the instrument that plays His sweet, new song!  Hallelujah!

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

junk mail is still junk

I spent the latter part of yesterday cleaning my office.  Normally, I live by the rule of touching incoming paper once (maybe twice)... once to handle whatever needs to be handled (paying bills, reading notes, etc.), and then twice by filing it away or throwing it out, depending on what the situation calls for.  But as of late, my office has been looking more like a landfill.  Stacks and stacks of catalogs, reading materials, medical explanation of benefit forms, charitable requests, and what not's have started winning the battle over the small square footage I like to consider my most precious writing and thinking space.  Lord, HELP!  Drowning in bills and junk mail is not how I wanted to go!  I can read the headlines now, "Forty-five year old writer suffocates under extreme duress of Pottery Barn catalogs."  It could happen.

Anyway, yesterday was my day to focus on removing this threat.  And it got me thinking.  How easy it is for the enemy to overwhelm us with idols and weights.  With his subtle, casual infiltrations that we fail to acknowledge as sinister, manipulative, menacing.  Instead, we allow the Deceiver inside our homes, and excuse his ability to divide our attention away from what is holy.  We provide his evil ways a foothold to fester and multiply in the very location we consider most sacred.  This is how Satan works.  He deceives us with small propositions that appear to be insignificant and even attractive, of course, mind the small print.  And rather than choosing to immediately reject his beefy catalog of alluring transgressions, we allow him into our homes, our hearts... usually without invitation... but also without refusal.  And, once his vampiric toxins gain a small, forgotten spot in our most treasured of places, he begins to slowly, methodically, weigh us down with ungodliness until we can't seem to find God anymore... until we are sucked dry and barren... until we are overwhelmed, depressed, isolated, and left for dead.  This is how we get stuck.  And sadly, this is how many proclaimed believers in Christ feel right now.  But are they really living, breathing, sleeping with all their heart, soul, mind and strength "in Christ"?  I fear not.  We must confess such sin and repent to the Lord.  We must take the time to throw away all distraction and give Jesus full authority and access to clean our house!  Transfer full ownership to Him.  Run everything... EVERYTHING(!) through His filter of holiness and grace.

Friends, only when we make the effort to remove and reject Satan's ongoing intrusions will we gain access into God's peace.  For God will not tolerate ANY sin.  God will not excuse ANY violation, no matter how insignificant it may seem.  Nor should we.  For when we give Satan a foothold to hang up his dirty rags, we prevent God's willingness to clothe us from His closet of holiness.

So, today I encourage you to really consider what sin you have been overlooking as insignificant.  What are you allowing inside, even if you didn't invite it in?  What are you watching on television?  What are you reading?  What are you even eating and/or spending your time doing?

Is it holy?
Is it healthy?
Is it Jesus?

If not, no matter how small it may seam, treat it as sinister, manipulative, menacing... for that is exactly what it is.  Excuse nothing outside of Christ.  Lay aside every weight and any sin which clings so closely and/or easily.  Stop defending evil to fester and breed.  Stop giving Satan a foothold.

Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.  (Hebrews 12:1)

Blessings!

Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

SO. MUCH. BETTER.

This morning I wasn't sure I would be able to write a blog for y'all.  You see, I suffer from many health ailments, but one of the very worst is when my severe migraines knock me down HARD.  This is when I can't sleep or get comfortable.  When I can't stand simple odors or sounds because they are all too intense.  And especially, when I can't look at ANY light.  Mind you, on normal days I already deal with an inherited light sensitivity in both my eyes.  In fact, nine times out of ten, you will usually see me wearing sunglasses instead of my contacts or regular specs.  But on migraine days, even those beloved sunglasses are unable to make the world dark enough for my stressed out eyes.  My neurologist says that I suffer from a condition of ongoing migraine headaches and poor blood flow.  Meaning, I'm usually always fighting some form of headache behind my eyes and tightening in my neck each and every day.  YUCK!  So, it is normal in my home, for me to rate my headaches on a 1 to 10 scale, so my family knows what I can handle any given day.  (Ten being the most severe of migraines.)

OK, so anyway... last night my family gathered to watch a television show together and my eyes started having trouble looking directly at the light of the TV screen... classic migraine trigger.  Immediately, Momba ran to get my meds and Chuck massaged my tightening neck.  Their quick and kind response allowed me to make it through the evening at a migraine level 4, and we all enjoyed being together.  But then, in the early hours of the morning, my headache suddenly returned - this time in a massive way.  At an intense level 10, I couldn't see straight in front of me, and I felt like throwing up my body weight.  I immediately took more meds to reduce it's severity and hopped into the bath tub to try and relax.  Thankfully, I was able to make it through the night without having to be rushed to the hospital for a Morphine shot.  (Which is usually my only option at a migraine level 10.)  But praise the Lord, I was able to sleep the night through and am just now starting my day.

Chuck, who was already up working in his home office, came in to check on my status.  We hugged and kissed like usual and ran through both our plans for today.  Mine, of course, starting a bit later than anticipated due to my difficult night.  Then, he asked me if there was anything he could do for me, and I said no, but thanks.  Then I mentioned that I had a craving for potatoes.  I know, sounds weird... but it actually is normal for me.  You see, for whatever reason, potatoes have always helped me through my migraines.  Immediately, Chuck headed to the kitchen and made me a small bowl of mashed potatoes and then returned.  Two bites later, and I feel SO. MUCH. BETTER.  Better enough that I can look at my computer monitor and type this blog entry to you!  YAY!

And this brings us to now.  As I type out today's thought for the day....  as I think about the love of my family and the simple efforts they offer to me to try and make things better... to make US better... I am humbled at their ongoing sacrifice and genuine love for my well-being.  And, I have to say, I truly believe that their example is what the body of Christ is all about.  To lift one another up and do all we can to encourage one another out of our most wretched sicknesses... to care about each other in both word and deed while trusting and allowing Jesus to repair and restore us into His full health.  This is how we are to love... by feeding one another the meat and potatoes of Scripture regularly, daily, hourly so that every ailing sinful nature is medicated with holiness... so that broken sensitive eyes can see God's light again.  So that our weakest link may grow strong once again and give God the glory.  We are to be living parts of His solution in order to strengthen US as a whole... to make US better in Jesus' Name.  And there is such power in His Name, isn't there?  We are God's family... God's beloved... God's chosen.  We are to love one another as if we were loving for ourselves.

So, as I am now able to pay forward the love that my dear family has given me... I would like to share with you some healing encouragement from God's perfect Word.  May it motivate you.  May it give you hope.  May it heal you so that, in turn, you might also be motivated to help and uplift another brother or sister in need today.  For Jesus is able.  Jesus is King.  Jesus will heal and restore!  I believe, that with Him, we are SO. MUCH. BETTER!  Don't you?...

"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." (John 12:46)

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12)

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11:25-26)

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 47:1)

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. " (Isaiah 43:1b)

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:27-28)

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." (Deuteronomy 7:9)

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." (Jeremiah 29:12)

"The LORD will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." (Psalm 121:7-8)

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (John 15:9-11)

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." (Deuteronomy 11:18)

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

I love you, family!  Be Blessed... Be BETTER!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

good as new

I've been thinking a lot about how hard we can be on ourselves.
How critical and unforgiving we can become deep inside.
For many, today is a make or break day, you see.
January 2nd usually weeds out those successfully resolved (those who have accomplished and continue to improve while moving forward) from those once-resolved (those who remain stagnant and/or have fallen short from their hope of becoming better).

To some, the diet, the simplifying and organizing, the habit breaking, the "new" of the New Year got off without a hitch.
But for most... (sigh)... Failure with it's best friend Defeat knocked us down and skinned up our knees before we ever even left the gate.

For the latter, here we sit on January 2nd - already feeling as if another year has been marred by our pityful mistakes, our laziness, our confusion, and our overwhelming loss of control.

"What's the point?"  The enemy whispers...
"You cannot do this."
"You won't ever get there."
"You aren't able to improve."
"You aren't strong, or smart, or talented enough."
"And now you've missed your window of opportunity."
"Let's face facts, you will ALWAYS be a loser."
"You will ALWAYS fail when it comes to _________ (fill in the blank)."
"You will ALWAYS be unfixable, unlovable, unwell, un-everything!"
"Why don't you just give up because 2016 is already a waste."

How hard we treat ourselves when we believe the serpent's lies and add our own weights onto his snagging noose.
How out-of-focus our vision becomes when we accept Satan's slurred images and hateful threats of absolute imprisonment to whatever we have hoped to change for good.

But Believers, Satan cannot lock us onto any of his false absolutes, can he?
No.
In fact, if we are living under Christ's headship, Satan has zero authority or claim over us.
He has no final say to our future.
Really, he is nothing more than a bullying pest trying to distract and stall us away from racing joyfully toward the holiness and freedom that God intends for our lives.

To this end, I encourage you to fixate on one thing, and one thing alone today (and every day hereafter):

JESUS!!!

The Glory of The Ages!  

The King of kings!  

The Lord of lords!  

Friends, we are good as new in Jesus!!!
Because of this, His glory alone must become our absolute focus!
His "new" is available right now and every second that follows.
Under His glory, we can successfully resolve anything because He is already able to get us there under His grace!
Believe it and fixate your eyes on His glory!

Choose now to stop being distracted and harassed by that condemned bully, the Devil.
You have a more promising Word to hold onto instead of accepting Satan's annoying put-downs.
Furthermore, stop being so hard on yourself.
You are no longer a victim!
You are not a failure!
You are redeemed and beloved by God FOREVER!
His is ALWAYS victorious!
He will do a good work in you as you look solely upon His Throne.

Hurray!  Today belongs to the Lord!
Let's put on His armor and stand in confidence with His eternal absolute kingdom.
He will teach us.
He will shield us.
He will help us get there... perfected and holy in His presence.
He will make us the "new" we desire to become.
So, proclaim His glory this brand new day... for in Christ you are indeed good as new!

My hope, my future, belongs to the Lord God Almighty!

But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.  (Psalm 73:28)

Woo hoo!

Happy, blessed day #2 of January 2016!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

happy new!

come!

Holy Spirit, please come.

Reside in my heart, soul, mind, strength.
Fill me with your perfect presence and direct my every step... my every thought.
Influence my conscience to forever seek what is holy, what is wise, what is in accordance with your Word.
Do this, so that I might act righteously.

Do this, so that I might stand firm against every principality that dares to slander your powerful Name.

Come, comfort me, Father.
Cover me.
Give me your breath and peace...

A peace I cannot understand but desperately need to survive, to move forward, to flourish, to fear not!

You are welcome here, dear Savior.
This house is yours to abide... to relax comfortably.
Freely monopolize every corner and crevice.
Redecorate every square inch with your creative newness.
Remove the cob webs, the filth, the grime, the spoiled, the soured.
Evict what is not fit for your sanctuary so that every room illuminates your glory.

Come, so that every bone, every limb, every cell, every organ... every part of me shines your precious grace from within.
When others approach, may they become Son-burnt by your warmth.

May they feel welcomed and accepted as family once lost... now found.

Allow me to open every door, not only to receive... but to give, offer, sacrifice.

Teach me to surrender all skepticism and pride.
Teach me to not only feast, but to serve at your table.

Teach me to enjoy and extend every blessing of your love.
Teach me to cling to what is true, what is noble, what is right, what is pure, what is lovely, what is admirable, what is excellent, what is praiseworthy...

For only you are all these...

Only you.

Creator, please come!

You are welcome here!
Fill me. Consume me. Reconstruct me. Redefine me.
Replenish my soul. Renew my life.
Restore my soul to you, my Beloved...

Yes, my glorious Redeemer... come... redeem.

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” (Revelation 22:17a)

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done!

Blessings!

Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

a large piece of humble pie for breakfast

This is one of THOSE mornings in my home, Lord!  It is a morning when my family has not realized that I am a writer, and sometimes writers need actual quiet time to well... write.  As I type this, my husband is chatting away - asking me riveting questions as to where he could have possibly left his favorite pair of shoes, his car keys, his whatever!!! My mother is noisily moving around the house, rearranging things from point A to point B while carrying on a not-so-insightful conversation with our motley crew of pets.  Furthermore, there is even a pesky mosquito that someone accidentally let into our house last night who has taken a personal liking to my head and won't let up on his covert attacks to freak me out with a surprise dive bomb at any given moment.  (I'm itchy just thinking about him!)  Argh!

What's the matter with this picture, Lord?  What is the problem?  What is it about ME right now that seems so engaging for others to annoy?  ME, an introverted insomniac who sits quietly in a corner with laptop and coffee.  ME who wants nothing but disengagement and solitude in the early AM hours of her weekday.  ME, a person who, right now, wishes to be invisible... rather than converse, or help, or answer, or attend to those I share living space.  ME, a girl who just wants some space... some peace and quiet, if you will.  Space, so that I can spend my time writing to other women about (pause...) sharing the love of Jesus in our daily lives. (Gulp.) Yep, I just realized what the problem is, Lord.  The problem is (gulp again)... ME.

While realizing this, my loving husband (unaware of my morning selfishness) begins coo'ing to me across the house. He playfully sings out to me from an open office door, "Vic, I love you!"  Then he joyfully continues... serenading my spirit with a playlist of romantic songs while physically organizing his busy workday.  Clearly his morning is not one of THOSE mornings.  His morning is full of love and gratitude and blessing.  He is not short-sighted with ego or pride.  No, instead, my husband loves.  Who does he love?  He loves ME!  He is appreciative to have his beloved bride of almost two decades near him.  He is thankful for our life and all God has supplied us.  He is thoughtful and mindful and motivated and chivalrous.  He is not stingy, or sarcastic, or disheveled about what is wrong or what is not going his way.  No, instead his day begins with fresh eyes of kindness.  His morning is full of grace.

As I type the last paragraph (above) my mother walks into the room where I sit and quietly kisses my head.  She whispers, "Good morning, sweetie!" and happily continues on with her chores.  She is excited about the new day.  She is content and quiet, and peaceful.  She is everything I aspire to be in a godly woman.  (Why again did I want space, Lord?)

So, dear reader, perhaps this is not one of THOSE mornings when I need to write an insightful blog post. For clearly today I could learn a thing or two about sharing the love of Jesus from those He has blessed me with.  Yes, perhaps this morning I will stop festering in disappointment about what isn't working out "just so" for ME, and instead eat that large piece of humble pie the Holy Spirit has served up for breakfast.  Yep, today is one of THOSE days that I must accept that, yes, I am a writer, and sometimes writers need actual quiet time to well... LOVE.  For what's the point of writing anything, if I don't actually take time to first love others like Jesus?... with all my heart... with full gratitude... with thoughtfulness, and mindfulness, and motivation, and charm... with kindness, and grace, and contentment, and godliness.

Yep. It's time for this writer to stop typing and start eating the tasty lesson my Redeemer serves for breakfast. Give me a full plate of your humility to consume, Holy King. I am indeed hungry for YOU!  So, please, dish me up a much-needed, early morning helping - and make it a heaping helping to boot!  And, most importantly, thank you... thank you for the large piece of humble pie, dear Lord.  Thank you for the reminder!  Thank you for first loving ME and actively showing me your love through others!  Thank you for blessing me with a wonderful marriage, family, and life!  Thank you for every goodness, and thank you for a full, satisfying future of hope!!!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making this one of THOSE mornings to teach me about how important it is to share your love in my daily life!  Blessed be YOUR Name!!!

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  (Colossians 3:12-17) 

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

a special day to celebrate

It used to really bother me.
It used to gnaw at my gut.

How could I say I was a Christian if I couldn't even remember the historical calendar date when I was saved?

You see, I was spiritually "born again" very early in my life.  And although I was young, I indeed recognized my sin, repented to God, and submitted to the truth of Scripture that says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) and “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered.” (Joel 2:32).  But my problem was that I was too young, too childlike, too spacey, too naive to actually think about documenting that momentous date.  I was just a "little one to Him belong".  As a result, later on it really, really bothered me that I did not know the initial date when I accepted Jesus as my Savior.  For I simply had nothing on the calendar to look to as documented proof.  I believed in Christ as my King, but I couldn't answer the question, "So, WHEN were you saved, Victoria?"  Sure, my big brother's salvation was clearly noted in my father's Bible.  But nobody... nowhere... had written down anything about my own conversion.  What up, people?  Lord, now what do I do???

Again, how could I say I was a Christian if I couldn't remember the historical calendar date when I was saved?

Sadly, for years this little detail made me question my eternity.  Over and over I would find myself walking down church pews to rededicate my life to the Lord... just to be sure...  Just to show Him my heart's desire - - even if I couldn't remember my salvation date.  Again and again, I would be tucked into bed each night and fearfully question my mother, "Momba, am I really saved?" Oooo, that ruthless enemy and his bag of tricks.  He frequently introduced doubt while scoffing at my undocumented profession of faith - causing me to question God's promise.  Leading me to consider his lies.

Thankfully, after years of tip-toeing over Satan's minefields (mind-fields) and seeking after Christ's security, God finally offered me this important understanding.  Salvation is not about that one moment in time.  It is about every moment in time with Jesus.  It is not a date noted on a calendar.  It is about a new life affectionately receiving and loving Jesus.  He is the importance.  He is the beginning and the end.  He is the proof.  It didn't matter WHEN I had accepted Him.  It only mattered that I HAD accepted His beautiful gift of NEW life, and that He continues to be my #1 priority and focus as I live it!

Ahhhhh!  Freedom in Christ!  Freedom to celebrate believing in Him!  Freedom to know that I have called on His Name and that I am delivered by His grace!!!

Ladies, the Bible commands us to evaluate and examine our spiritual condition so that we aren’t self-deceived into thinking we’re truly saved when we’re not. (See 2 Corinthians 13:5 and 2 Peter 1:10.)  We are to regularly test ourselves to insure that we are living faithfully to Jesus. We are to diligently make certain that we are following His call.  That said, for those of you like me... those who never documented their historical date of salvation and have questioned your commitment to the Lord because of it... let me share with you something important...

Jonathan Edwards wrote in his famous work "A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections" these important words: “There is no question whatsoever, that is of greater importance to mankind, and what is more concerns every individual person to be well resolved in, than this: What are the distinguishing qualifications of those that are in favor with God, and entitled to his eternal rewards?  The principle evidence of life is motion; so the principle evidence of saving grace is holy motion.” 

What did Edwards mean?  He meant what Jesus said simply in Matthew 12:33, "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit."  Or my own paraphrase: When someone is physically alive... they move, act, breathe, progress, and live their life.  Equally, when someone is spiritually alive... they move, breathe, progress, and live their life choosing to actively follow Jesus Christ.  And by choosing to follow (or not follow) His Way, our spiritual fruit (our salvation) is made known.  In short, His Law becomes every believer's new oxygen to breathe in and out!  The priority of loving, obeying, and submitting to His reign becomes evident because we are living in holy motion.

Does this mean we won't struggle with sin.  Absolutely not.  We are still sinners.  But in taking on God's Name, we are goats now transformed into sheep by His grace. We are NEW creatures!!!  Sure, even Paul struggled with sin in Romans 7 where he shares with us his battle with the old sinful nature.  Clearly none of us is perfect.  But Jesus is.  And He will do a good work in those who actively seek after Him.  He will lead His sheep into His perfect pastures and restore us into His righteousness!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:2-3)

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  (Titus 2:11-14)

Zealous...  That is what we should be questioning.  Our zealous evidence of holy motion toward Jesus.  Are we spiritually alive - moving, acting, progressing, and living affectionately, lovingly, and wholeheartedly in obedience of Jesus Christ?  You see, calendars are not the importance when it comes to the Savior... for TODAY is the day to celebrate His promises and reign!  TODAY is the day to rejoice and be glad in His authority!  TODAY is the day to accept Christ the Lord again and again and again as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!  Yes, THIS IS THE DAY TO REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN HIM!

I am so thankful that God taught me that every calendar day is a special day to celebrate and believe in His promised salvation.  So, TODAY I live in praise and commemoration of Him!  For I have recognized my sin. I have repented to His authority.  And I have submitted to His truth and chosen to affectionately, zealously, and lovingly believe in His only Son with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength!  Yes, every day, I live NEW because of the Savior's glorious gift of LIFE!  Jesus is my assurance!  Jesus is my proof!  Jesus is my new oxygen!

Believer, God assures us that, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).

Ahhhhh!  Freedom in Christ!  Freedom to celebrate believing in Him!  Freedom to know that I have called on His Name and that I am delivered by His grace!!!  This is definitely a special day to celebrate in His Name!  WOO HOO!

The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.  The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.  The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.  I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.  The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.  Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:  This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.  I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.  The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.  This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.  This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.  Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.  God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.  Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.  O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 118:14-29)

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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

Let us rejoice and believe!!!  Let us actively LIVE our new life zealous to honor the King of kings!!!

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

call to me and I will answer you

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (Jeremiah 33:3)

Call upon the Lord.  Sometimes I forget this.  Sometimes I suffer unnecessarily before finally realizing that I am incapable of fixing everything.  Understanding that my way isn't always the right solution.  Unfortunately, my standard default is to think I know everything... or that I can come up with all the correct answers.  Sure, I can figure this whole life thing out on my own.  NOT!  Alone, what do I know about life except to complicate it?!

But God... ah, God knows me better than I even know myself.  He created me.  He knows how many crazy, curly blonde hairs sit atop my head.  He knows my comings and goings.  He knows exactly when I am walking in and out of His will... when I am wasting my time with distractions that do not glorify Him, and when I am loving Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Yes, God knows everything.  Even things I do not.

So why not call upon Him?
Why assume that my independence can somehow surpass His greatness?  What foolishness!!!  Especially when He promises to bring new things, new solutions, new ways to the forefront.
Why not go to God first?  Why not call on Him for direction?  Why not?

You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it?  From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known. (Isaiah 48:6)

Friends, the daily dialog of prayer with the Creator of all things is vital for every Christian to flourish and live fully.  Yes, we need to hear and know our Master's life-giving Word... but application to "do" is equally important.  We must communicate!  We must make the effort to speak with Him.  We must allow our Redeemer the glory and honor to answer us with His unfathomable grace.  We must see and declare every wonder, every blessing, every miracle, every truth our King delivers to us in real time.  We must live our testimony out every hour rather than hole up in stifling selfishness.  Simply... our way does not work.  But His Way is transforming!

I cannot overestimate how vital our calling to the Lord in prayer is.  In fact, daily communication with God is as important as learning His Word inside and out.  Without such dialog, we are unable to share and relate with God.  (And there is no relationship more important than His.)  So, today I encourage you to take time out to call to Him.  God wants us to call to Him so that He can answer our prayers. He wants us to share our lives with Him so that He can bring to us His incredible blessings that we might otherwise have missed. James 4:8 tells us to “draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” God wants us to be close to Him always, folks.  God wants us to acknowledge Him in worship and be thankful to Him for all He provides.  God wants us to confess and repent our sins to Him so that He can further teach and guide us into His holiness.  God wants us to obediently acknowledge Who is really in control of this life we are living.

God is sovereign. Nothing happens without His knowing about it.  As such, He deserves our full attention, our only worship, our complete and consistent praise... our words, thoughts, deeds... our everything!

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. (1 Chronicles 29:11)

Let me encourage you to acknowledge Him each and every day.  His proper place in our lives is FIRST!  His authority is FIRST!  His Way is FIRST!  So, humbly, reverently, and regularly call to your King.  He will answer.  He will bless.  He will lead you and restore your weary soul.

What a marvelous privilege to be given the freedom to call upon the King.  To have a real relationship with the One.  To live with the honor and know the friendship that brings us into actual speaking terms with the great I AM.  Do not take such a blessing for granted.  Build your relationship with the Lord always.  Talk with Him regularly.  Unite yourself to Him in all things.  Draw near and allow Him to show you true life!

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

a broken spirit running with blinders... conditioned for His prize

Jesus is all I need.  I really do believe this.  But sometimes I forget and do not live like it.  I stress over the big things, the little things... everything!  I fear and worry.  I want, and want, and want.  But if I were to be honest with myself, I rarely ever find myself in need.  I mean really hard-core NEED!  For God always supplies, doesn't He?  Maybe not exactly the way I want Him to.  Maybe not in the timing I'd expect or in the method I'd prefer... but He always comes through.  He always protects, always cares, always gives.  God always loves me.  What an incredible Master who loves His servant more than the life of His own Son.  Who freely offers full adoption into His household and knights those who believe in Him with every blessing and title attached to His Mighty Name.  Astounding.

What really matters is being close to Jesus.  Being near Him.  Staying open to receive His boundless love, and banking on His hopeful future.  Learning and obeying His Word.  Seeking Him in every circumstance.  I know this.  And yet, too often I find myself stuck in a self-made prison of doubt, fear, defeat.  I forget His higher Ways as I focus on my lower worries.  Why?  Because the enemy distracts my eyes away from God's vision.  Rather than give thanks for every gift, I set my short-term sight on greed, lust, pride.  Ugh, pride.  My pride pushes me to look away from God and toward false comforts and fake promises.  And I love me my comforts.  For the sake of comfort, I have bought into so many fake promises "guaranteeing" safety, security, fullness, peace.  But without God, there can be no peace.  So, inevitably I stumble in my selfishness.  I fall down and feel my heart break once again for my Creator, my Savior, my Teacher, my Redeemer.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar. (Psalm 51)

Some horses must wear blinders.  Blinders are a pair of small screens attached to a horse's bridle to prevent it from seeing sideways or behind.  Many astute riders depend on blinders to keep a horse on-track, on-course, on-point.  It channels a horse's vision and cuts down on the scope of their natural sight, producing a potent effect on an anxious horse accustom to seeing and reacting to everything that is around him.  Not every horse runs with blinders, mind you.  Some are more developed and inclined to block out distracting sights and sounds.  I, however, am not such a horse.  I am easily distracted, it seems, at every twist and turn.  In fact, I am quite capable of slowing down and wandering off my intended course.  Because of this, I need the blinders of Christ's Spirit protecting my eyes.  I need to solely focus on the restoration and joy of His salvation.  I must willingly rejoice in His unfailing love without compromise.  For I cannot run my best without His veil of peace over me.  I cannot win this race without His compassion and help.  I cannot live pure, or steadfast, or justified without Jesus's Name clothing my whole being... my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Only with Him guiding me forward, will I win.  His Way is all that matters.  He is all I need.

My natural sight easily paves a path into sin.  Alone, I am corrupt, lost.  But my new life and vision in Christ exposes the full and complete compassion and love of Jesus.  He gives.  He provides.  He loves.  He conditions me for MORE!  In His Name, I am a running purebred with a broken spirit.  So today, my sacrifice, O God, is a broken contrite heart that You will not despise.  Today, I choose to run with Your blinders on so that I might be trained to win.  Please keep me focused and thankful, dear Lord.  Stay close to me and help me to overcome because You already overcame!  Yes, help this old mare to run well, run hard, run deliberate, and run with full vigor and thankfulness in order to glorify Your perfect Name.  For all I really need is YOU leading me!

All I really need forever is Jesus!!!

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

keeping our lips filtered with His holiness

Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3)

All too often the Holy Spirit must remind me mid-sentence what words I am allowing out of my mouth...
What under breath comments and harsh tones I am capable of blurting out and, even worse, believing are fully justifiable and warranted.

Yes, it is natural to grumble.
It’s easy to passively (and sometimes not so passively) express hatred when we blurt out snide comments of discontentment to those within earshot.

You see, people (especially the one’s we love most)... well, they can really annoy us, can’t they?
They don’t always care about what we care about.
They don’t always do things the way we want done and for reasons we think important.
So yes, people can get on our last nerve.
So much so, that our love for them can seem downright schizophrenic when it comes to our words.
For when others irritate us, we usually say so.
We share our thoughts.
We say our peace.
But is it peace?
Is it really God’s defined peace that we are sharing?
Do our words accurately represent His holiness... or do they represent our own selfishness?
Have we forgotten to filter our lips not only with His truth, but with His perfect love, respect, and sacrifice?

I find it interesting that so many Christians (myself included) are more than eager to criticize and negatively complain about any given topic, but falter when it comes down to actually uplifting, evangelizing, and sharing God’s love.
Is this how our voices are to be used to represent the Savior?
Absolutely not!
We are to love others as if we were actually loving ourself.
We are to give them the benefit, share with them the truth, pray for them, honor and respect them, and most importantly extend to them the consistent and never-ending love of Christ!

So, dear readers, today I implore you (and myself!) to please think before you speak.
Be deliberate and thoughtful in Jesus' Name before choosing to be vocal.
And most importantly, use your words to uplift and promote His kingdom... what, in God's economy, really matters:

Whatever is true.
Whatever is noble.
Whatever is right.
Whatever is pure.
Whatever is lovely.
Whatever is admirable.
And ANYTHING excellent or praiseworthy...

Yes, think about these things!  Speak about these things!  Encourage these things and let the love of the Lord be showcased again and again and again!

Heavenly Father, set a guard over our mouths and watch over how we communicate in your Name.
May our words always be pleasing to your ears.
May our voice be your voice as we strive to represent your holiness and love always!

This is the day to joyfully and gladly be His blessing!
THIS IS THE DAY!!!

XOXO!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

the path of the righteous

The Time: Fall 2001

The Place: Fort Walton Beach, Florida

The Occasion: Business/Mini-Romantic Get-Away Trip

The Participants: Chuck and Victoria Anderson

The Mission: A few customer sales visits, eating as much seafood as humanly possible, and relaxing on the powder white sands of the Gulf Coast together.

Chuck had flown in from business out of New York.
I had flown in from Chicago.
We met in Atlanta's airport.
Once reunited, we took a short flight together to Fort Walton's airport anxious to start our "Romantic Get-Away" trip.

Chuck arranged everything in advance: beachfront hotel, upgraded rental car, primo restaurants, etc.
It was an impromptu vacation that we were very much looking forward to since we hadn't been together in over two weeks.

Once in Florida, we held hands and casually rolled our suitcases to our favored rental car vendor and picked up a brand new Buick Rendezvous. For those of you unfamiliar with the old Buick Rendezvous, it was a "crossover car" made for consumers who wanted the cargo carrying capacity and elevated seating of an SUV but who never planned to take the vehicle off the pavement. Because of this, the Rendezvous was developed as a front-wheel drive SUV that drove similar to a standard car, just higher.

With gooey-gum-drop eyes filled with love and anticipation for the romantic time we would soon have together, Chuck thoughtfully loaded our luggage pieces into the vehicle, opened/closed my door (like the gentleman he always is), and proceeded to show me a map with the fastest route to our beachfront hotel. It was a magical time... the beginning of our mini-vacation of LOVE! WOO HOO! We drove onto the highway - my husband taking charge as "acting pilot" of the vehicle while I assumed the role of his faithful "co-pilot". We breathed in the glorious fresh air and acted like newlyweds who had just left for their honeymoon, laughing and enjoying one another's company while driving to our resort destination.

I was so excited to be with MY MAN. Sure, I knew Chuck would fit in one or two customer sales visits during this trip, but that would allow me some time alone to enjoy a great novel by the pool or get a manicure. One thing was certain, this was going to be a FUN vacation together!

In 2001, navigation systems were not yet mainstream in rental vehicles. So as we drove along, we relied upon our map to get us safely to our hotel. Since I was acting co-pilot,  I was in charge of navigation.  Now admittedly, I am not the most adept at giving directions or reading maps, and I was distracted by the beautiful shoreline and dreamy expectations of our time now together. So, when we neared the resort, I failed to pay attention to the path we were on and missed telling Chuck when to turn. This resulted in us overshooting the entrance to our hotel. No biggie, right? Easily correctable.

Chuck found a nearby souveneir shop and pulled in so that he could turn our vehicle around. Once in the parking lot, we both realized that we could actually see our hotel from behind the shop. In fact, the only thing separating the two buildings was a small sand dune.... but the road entrance was back the way we originally came from. Suddenly the proper entrance seemed too far away to my husband, and without thought, he impulsively decided to "gun it" toward the sand ahead.

As I remember the next few moments playing out, it seemed as if life began to move in slow motion. For in this instance of impulse, my husband had forgotten that he was behind the wheel of a vehicle unintended for off-roading. On the other hand, I immediately remembered that the Rendezvous was not a four-wheel drive SUV and panicked... I quickly yelled out in desparation, "Noooooo!" But alas, the deed was already done. As the tires hit the soft earth beneath us, we both instantly knew it was too late. We were stuck. Really stuck. Worse yet, the more Chuck spun the tires, the deeper the car sank into the sand... and the farther we felt from the hotel and each other.

In the end, we were able to contact a towing service who came to our rescue... but at a very high cost. After what seemed like hours, we were finally able to check into the hotel. The same hotel that we viewed from only a few feet away while stuck in the sand for hours. Finally, we were back on track and following the original plan. But my lack of attention to insure that we were on the correct path followed by Chuck's impulse to take the "easy" way to our hotel, cost us a lot of time and money and hindered our happy adventure together.

Proverbs 4:25-27 says, "Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."

How often in our Christian walk do we look away from God? Sure, we know He has a planned path for us and are truly thrilled in anticipating eternity with Jesus, but sometimes Satan distracts us with attractive earthly scenery and selfish expectations and desires. We become so distracted that we stop focusing our full attention on God's Word - our map. Then, we slowly lose sight of where we should be and fall away from Christ's call. Before we know it, we find ourselves in the wrong place. The only way to get back to God is to stop, admit our mistake, turn from our sin, and change our course so that we are back on track seeking His way.

How often in our Christian walk do we try to take an alternate, easy route? Sure, we know our way is not the same as His instructed way, but we think we can get there on our own... so why not go for it? Then, before we can correct the mistake, we find ourselves knee-deep in unlevel ground, sinking from our sinful decision... STUCK! The only way out, is to call on God for help and let Him rescue us and take over correcting the mess we have made.

"The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compass some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light. The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there they shall shine as the sun in his strength. The way of sin is as darkness. The way of the wicked is dark, therefore dangerous; they fall into sin, but know not how to avoid it. They fall into trouble, but never seek to know wherefore God contends with them, nor what will be in the end of it. This is the way we are bid to shun. Attentive hearing the word of God, is a good sign of a work of grace begun in the heart, and a good means of carrying it on. There is in the word of God a proper remedy for all diseases of the soul. Keep thy heart with all diligence. We must set a strict guard upon our souls; keep our hearts from doing hurt, and getting hurt. A good reason is given; because out of it are the issues of life. Above all, we should seek from the Lord Jesus that living water, the sanctifying Spirit, issuing forth unto everlasting life. Thus we shall be enabled to put away a froward mouth and perverse lips; our eyes will be turned from beholding vanity, looking straight forward, and walking by the rule of God's word, treading in the steps of our Lord and Master. Lord, forgive the past, and enable us to follow thee more closely for the time to come." ~Matthew Henry

"Listen, my son (daughter), accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. (Proverbs 4:10-15)

Let us be wise and follow God's Word.
Let's guard our hearts and focus on His ways rather than impulsively running in our own direction.
Let's not stumble or hamper our steps and waste precious time recovering from our own sinful mistakes.
Let's not get stuck in sin.
Rather let's protect ourselves from the ways of the wicked and set our feet on His solid, level ground.
This is our life... let's always seek Jesus with joy and perseverance as we strive to live it well.

The Time: NOW

The Place: HERE

The Occasion: LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS

The Participants: YOU

The Mission: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

I'm engaged to be married!

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:1-5)

Did you hear?
I'm engaged to be married!
I've met the most wonderful man who really loves ME!
In fact, He loves me more than He loves His own life!
Our story is so incredible too.
Would you like to hear it?
Yes?
OK, let me share it with you....

I was at my most hopeless state.
Alone... defeated... stuck in the rut of my own self.
In fact, I was just SICK of myself... you know, with my shame and the sin.
I dated around, but all the guys I met were losers.
You know the type - promises promises promises.
Everything had to be on their terms.
And, ugh - the egos!
In fact, the last one I dated... I think he thought of himself as some kind of god or something!
He was a noisy, clanging symbol of garbage that My Father would NEVER have approved of irrespective of my own problems!

Then, miraculously, HE showed up... and He was perfect.
I couldn't believe He would even look at me because I was such a mess and had hung out with so many other messes.
But He saw past that.
He didn't care.
He just loved me.
Let me tell you, there is nothing better than knowing that you are loved, irrespective of your past!
I was in shock.
Could this be real?
Could this glorious Man be trusted?
Or was He like the others who promised but never delivered?
I had to find out.

When He understood my reservations, He suggested I measure Him up against all the other "wanna-be's" out there.
He has always been a gentleman and very honest with me.
In fact, in the beginning of our relationship He laid out exactly where He stood on all matters and what He knew to be right.
All the promises He has every made me... he has kept.
It has been unbelievable, wonderful.
The more He has revealed about Himself to me, the more trustworthy I see that He is.
I can't help but want to love Him!
Finally, I told Him that I wanted only HIM with all my heart.
No one else could ever compare!
This was TRUE LOVE!!!

So, now I've accepted His proposal for a new life together!
I can't believe it.
It's like a fairy tale to think that one day, I will be HIS bride!!!
When I think about it, I get so excited and have to sing about how thrilled I am to all the world...
WOO HOO!!!
I'm engaged!!!
To the KING!

Oh, didn't I mention that?
Yes, He's the King.
I'm engaged to THE KING!
And He loves me.
He pursues me.
He cherishes me.
Wow.
I really need to thank Him for loving me so much.

Anyway, did you know that He is so in love with me that He has offered EVERYTHING in His kingdom for me to enjoy?
We have nothing between us.
In fact, right now He is preparing our new home together.
I am so excited!!!
I know he won't spare any expense or luxury.
I know he is very particular that I receive only the best He has!
He is so kind to me.
And sweet too.
He continually reminds me in the silliest ways how much He loves me.
He's such a romantic.
Did you know that just this morning, he gave me the most gorgeous sunrise?
Then he covered the whole earth with His glory so that I could see how much he cares about me.
No matter how busy, He always takes the time to bless me with His love.

Purrrrrr.
I love being in love!

There is still that old boyfriend of mine who just can't take NO for an answer though.
He is a pain that I must endure until I'm finally reunited with my True Love!
You know how hard it is to shake an old stalker-ex???
Let me tell you, it isn't easy!
But my Honey is aware of the matter and promises me that if I follow His instructions, I will be safe. So, follow Him I will.
I know that even though we aren't physically together right now, my Love has made every provision to make sure I am protected, nurtured, blessed and cared for under His authoritative reign.
Boy, that makes is so much easier to relax when Mr. Old Boyfriend keeps calling!!!

So now, I'm using this time apart from my Love to get as gorgeous as I can.
I want to be ready for Him on our wedding day.
For example, I have so many things I still must learn about His kingdom.
I want to please Him with how much I truly know about Him.
To honor Him, I want to be the best bride possible.
He's a great role model for me to follow since He has taught me all about true LOVE.
So, I'm modeling myself after how He lives.
It is so exciting!
I can hardly contain my enthusiasm!!!
I just want to kiss Him, and love Him, and be with Him FOREVER!!!
He is just the BEST!

Oh sweet Jesus, take me away with YOU!
Let's hurry to our wedding day!
I'm so excited!!!

So anyway, that's my awesome news!
But wait.... did I hear a rumor that you were engaged too? (Wink!)

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:6-9)

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

selah.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah. (Psalm 62:8)

I must confess, my heart hurts today.
My eyes are teary this hour.
My stomach feels as if it has been punched.
Why, you ask?

Well, yesterday my family and I had to make the hard decision to put down our sweet kitty of 16 years.
Her failing kidneys had finally gotten the better of her.
In only a short period of time, her little frame had dropped a lot more weight.
We knew it was time.
Our vet confirmed it was time.
So goodbye, sweet Valentine...
Selah.

As my whole family struggles to get used to this new reality, we are in agreement concerning one definitive truth...
Death sucks!
Seriously... it just sucks!
Mind you, for me it isn't so much the dying part that is hardest to absorb.
Rather, it is the forced goodbye that we must endure while watching someone we love no longer exist in our same realm.
I hate that goodbye.
I hate that feeling of loss and the physical separation from someone I have cared deeply for.

In my life, I have been forced to say many goodbyes to people and pets.
I am quite familiar with the feelings that accompany dying.
The isolation.
The remoteness.
The solitude that lingers as I am left behind to live out the rest of my days without their presence.

As a human, I personally know the lasting hope and/or the bitter misery that can accompany another person's passing.
For the outcome of our death is always dependent upon one's choice to receive or deny Jesus as Savior.
Either Jesus is our God or someone/something else is selfishly substituted in His place.

Every conclusion of human life will summarize WHO that person chose to make first.
Jesus or Self?
Success or failure?
Sadness or rejoicing?

In seeing both decisions made by people I care for, I've experienced my share of celebration and sorrow when saying goodbye to loved ones who have passed.
I've understood that some of death's forced goodbyes are only temporary...
And some, sadly, are not.
(The "not's" are when death sucks the most.)
(The "not's" are when I lean on the sovereignty of my Maker and trust that His ways are higher than my own.)

All that said, Valentine's passing yesterday has caused me to think about something more than death...
My little kitty's exit from this earth forced me to consider the concept of "time" itself.
For in one moment Valentine was alive...
And in the next, she was gone.
The only thing separating her life from her death was time.
The quiet tic-tock of the clock was the distinguishing factor that determined her existence vs. her nonexistence.

Valentine's death has caused me to think deeply about my own life.
About my God, and about the time that has been ordained especially for me to exist.
For God created all time when He created the world.
He made it so that mankind could take note of seasons, days, years.
And as a result, in the world's timeline, our Heavenly Father has prescribed a certain amount of time for each person to individually live out their days.... a lifetime, if you will.
He has destined for us to be alive at this very point in earth's history.
Because of this we can surmise that we are here, now, for a very specific and individually planned purpose according to His will.

And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. (Genesis 1:14-16)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity." (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

The good news is, God is not limited by time, but rather in control of it.
I am alive today, because He planned it.
I am here writing this blog to you on His schedule.
I have and will experience many more trials and joys over the course of my lifetime - all because God has approved what will occur and when it will occur in my life.

Yes, I am the recipient of His grace to LIVE.
And in this life, I am called to live wisely and for His glory.
Sure, I could choose to disobey His purpose.
I could separate myself from Him with sin.
I could choose to reject and deny Him as a holy, perfect King.
But that doesn't mean He isn't God.
My choice will not change the fact that He knows what will occur and will use it to be glorified and honored.
I cannot change His ultimate headship or plan.
For every moment belongs to Him, and He will use my obedience (or disobedience) to serve His kingdom.
All His creation will follow His supreme rule.
That just makes sense, doesn't it?
For what kind of King would set up a kingdom He couldn't ultimately rule?
What kind of Potter does not mold His clay into His planned vision?
So, whether mankind accepts their Maker or not... God will still be God, folks!
And we cannot function healthy without Him!

Fortunately, He is a good and just King and will wisely advance His kingdom while blessing those who love and follow His ways.
Ultimately, there will be no life without God.
We cannot exist without His presence.
When I consider all this, I always think, "How great is our Almighty Father in Heaven!?"
I cannot fathom His omnipotence and omniscience!
For despite our decision to love or hate the One who must be praised...
His love for us is unmeasurable!
In fact, He loves us more than Himself.
For He sent His only Son to secure us a place in His home.
We are offered everlasting life in His presence!
He lovingly gives Himself (for He is the gift of LIFE) to every person on earth, and will continue to do so until the end of days.

All God desires is to be close and intimate with mankind.
All God longs for is our complete devotion and affection!
All God wants is for us to enjoy the very best He could possibly offer - Himself!
He knows that there is nothing better for us than His goodness and blessing.
Yes, all God has planned for our lifetime... for our eternity... is His true love!

All God has given is ALL God, ladies...
ALL GOD!

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:1-16)

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (1 John 4:9)

Once we realize God's goodness and look at "time" in terms of being completely connected and completely devoted to Him, the limitations of earthly moments become cloudy and irrelevant.
Only HE becomes clear and worthwhile.
Only HE proves important.

When I focus on His presence and the authority He holds, the past and future do not seem to be such a concern.
The details are more for Him to work out.
For He is my refuge and strength.
He is an ever-present help in times of trouble.
No past mistake or sad experience can separate me from His love.
No deliberation or worry over comfort, plans, or any future event or outcome could overshadow the glory He has in store for those who love and seek after Him.

When I surrender my life to the loving presence of this Master, He is all that matters.
Death does not hold it's sting.
Sin cannot enslave me in defeat.
For all my life... all my time... all my eternity is safe in His capable hands.
No hour will pass if He has not sanctioned it.
No moment is without His rule.

Whatever HAS happened and whatever WILL happen are not as important as WHO I have placed all my trust in right now.
WHO is in control.
WHO is the same yesterday, today and forever!

Jesus is all I need.
He is WHO my faith rests upon.
He is WHO I must follow... no matter what.
All seasons belong to Him.
All time is always His.

The death of my kitty, Valentine, has made me wonder what echos my own life will produce in the halls of God's kingdom.
Today, I consider the "now" of my time on this planet, and the urgency of God's presence in this day.
For this is the day to honor His headship as King and praise Him for His sovereign rule.
This is the time to seek His holy and righteous glory...
To live joyful in His hope.
To trust His perfect purpose and infinite love.
Friends, this is the time to live out our faith...

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Life is really nothing without the love of the LORD.
Time is really useless without His presence.
It is not about what we want, or get, or experience.
No, the blessing now and forevermore is in WHO we serve.
Joy is found only in WHO has saved us.
The glory is in WHO we place all our trust.
HE IS WORTHY!

So, as I mourn this hour...
I also rejoice in His unfailing love.
He will use all things for good.
He will turn today's sorrow and tears into everlasting joy.

Yes, Jesus is all I need.
He is WHO my faith rests upon.
He is WHO I must follow... no matter what.
All seasons belong to Him.
All time is always His.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah. (Psalm 62:8)

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson

the love of One

In a world where relentless, sinful men devise to take take take from me,
It's nice to know the love of One who gives gives gives for free.

While others try to benefit their bank accounts and fame,
My Jesus humbly intercedes and shares His Holy Name!
The greedy scream and shout their lust with pushy, self-demands,
But my God's still, small voice of truth remains the strongest place to stand.
Surrounded by excessiveness and hype spun out of control,
I'm thankful for all I'll ever need is the Savior who saves my soul.

Yes, in a world where relentless, sinful men devise to take take take from me,
It's very nice to know the love of One who gives gives gives for free.

Thank you, my generous King.
I am blessed in every breath with Your unfathomable, eternal love!

And he said unto me, It is done. 
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. 
I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 
(Revelation 21:6)

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson