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Courage Like Mary’s – Laura Hodges Poole
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The courage of the two

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” Luke 1:46-50 NIV

I stared at the hospital’s stony façade with my husband at my side. I was eighteen years old and in labor with my first child. Though I’d prepared with childbirth classes, my mind raced with what the real deal would be like. The cold, sterile environment inside the hospital did little to calm my nerves. I tried to muster my courage. After all, the birth would happen, ready or not.

Courage comes in many forms, sometimes in small packages. A young Jewish girl named Mary was engaged to Joseph, a Jewish carpenter, when an angel appeared to her. The New Testament gives few details regarding Mary, but in the book of Luke, the angel greets her with the phrase, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Wow! That phrase may be small, but it packs a mighty message.

The rest of the message is enough to make even the toughest woman quake. Mary would be the mother of the Son of God.

Mary’s reply? “I am the LORD’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

Was Mary scared when Jesus’ birth was imminent? The Bible doesn’t say, but given the Jewish culture, Mary had much to fear. Joseph could desert her upon learning about her pregnancy. Much worse—being stoned for her “sin.”

However, Mary was not only obedient facing potential persecution—she was courageous.

We know the rest of the story. Joseph, a faithful servant of God, stayed with Mary and became Jesus’ earthly father.

The angel’s proclamation filled Mary with joy, but the angel never promised life would be easy. Over thirty years later, Mary watched her son die on a cross. Obedience often brings pain. But God promises to be with us through that pain.

Being courageous facing the unknown, or what your life experiences tell you might happen, is tough. God’s supernatural power which lives in Christians is tougher.

What obstacles are you facing? If you are living in God’s will, He will give you the tools and strength to conquer them.

All you need is courage.

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Laura Hodges Poole is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in media such as Reach Out Columbia, P31 Woman, WOW–Writing on the Word, Evangel, Christian Home and School, Our Town, and the Independent Mail. She currently writes Christian romance novels and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). She is a 2012 RWA Emily finalist, with her novel manuscript placing second amongst a nationwide field of Christian and secular entries. Her short story “Mission of The Heart” is included in the anthology “I Choose You” available this Christmas through OakTara Publishers. Laura lives in South Carolina with her husband and they have two children. Her passion is encouraging others in their Christian walk. Visit her blog, “A Word of Encouragement,” at laurahodgespoole.blogspot.com.
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A Closer Walk with God – Laura Hodges Poole
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Aches and Pains

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:8-9a

I couldn’t get comfortable, no matter what position I chose. Exhausted and in pain, my body finally relented and fell asleep. An hour later, I awoke with pain shooting from my hip down my leg.

For years I’ve dealt with sciatic nerve problems. Exercise helps, though finding the right balance can be a challenge, especially as I grow older. Sitting at a computer for long stretches doesn’t help and contributes to back and hip pain.

Within the last six months, the pain has started to disrupt my sleep, which in turn increases problems during the day. Frustration set in as I tried to find a solution. I made adjustments in my daily routine and switched from exercising at the gym to walking in the mornings to see if it would help.

After adjusting to the outdoor summer climate of South Carolina, I discovered something really neat. While the gym is bustling and noisy—outdoors it’s just God and me dwelling in nature! Genesis describes God walking in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day. I find it remarkable that Eve chose to jeopardize this relationship.

I return from my walk hot and sweaty but also refreshed physically and spiritually. My morning walk with the Lord clears my mind and soul of unnecessary distractions. Dealing with discomfort is still a challenge, but my sleep has improved, and I don’t wake up as hobbled in the mornings.

Through this and other trials, I’ve learned to appreciate Paul’s testimony of his “thorn.” God has shown me many things during our walks. I praise God for the pain that drove me into the comfort of His solitude each morning. I know He will sustain me through anything.

Place weaknesses in the hands of the one whose grace is sufficient.

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Laura Hodges Poole is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in media such as Reach Out Columbia, P31 Woman, WOW–Writing on the Word, Evangel, Christian Home and School, Our Town, and the Independent Mail. She currently writes Christian romance novels and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). She is a 2012 RWA Emily finalist, with her fiction manuscript placing second amongst a nationwide field of Christian and secular entries. Her most recent non-fiction work includes a book she co-wrote, Laurie’s Story: Discovering Joy in Adversity. Laura lives in South Carolina with her husband and they have two children. Her passion is encouraging others in their Christian walk. Visit her blog, “A Word of Encouragement,” at laurahodgespoole.blogspot.com.

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Wrestling with Sin – Laura Hodges Poole
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A harmless spider...

For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13b-15

The spider looked innocent enough, just like all the others I’d allowed inside my home, until it jumped on my husband’s arm and bit him.

I laughingly refer to my approach toward spiders as my amnesty program. As long as the spiders behave, they can come inside unharmed. My goodwill doesn’t extend to deadly spiders like black widows or brown recluses. However, at that point, my husband didn’t see the humor in being bitten by a harmless spider or my amnesty program.

The previous autumn, I’d allowed a rather large spider to come under the door every night and run around. By morning he’d be gone. Each night, this repeated itself until the spider climbed over the couch and landed on my husband’s lap while he watched television. He wasn’t amused by this episode either.

I began to see the parallels between allowing the spiders free run of my home and sin. The spiders spin their webs. I sweep them down and within a week, they’re back. I justify it by not allowing in deadly spiders. What harm can come of that?

The Bible instructs us to flee from sin, yet we allow it to creep into our lives and then routinely sweep out the debris without fully killing the sin. We comfort ourselves with the knowledge that we don’t commit deadly sins like murder or stealing, but the end result is the same. When we least expect it, the regular garden-variety sin has bitten us and left a mark on our lives.

What sin are you struggling to rid your life of today? Perhaps it’s a small sin you routinely wrestle with and it’s dragging you down because you won’t get rid of it once and for all. Ask God to help you identify the areas of your life that need cleaning up.

Laura Hodges Poole is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in media such as Reach Out Columbia, P31 Woman, WOW–Writing on the Word, Evangel, Christian Home and School, Our Town, and the Independent Mail. She currently writes Christian romance novels and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). She is a 2012 RWA Emily finalist, with her fiction manuscript placing second amongst a nationwide field of Christian and secular entries. Her most recent non-fiction work includes a book she co-wrote, Laurie’s Story: Discovering Joy in Adversity. Laura lives in South Carolina with her husband and they have two children. Her passion is encouraging others in their Christian walk. Visit her blog, “A Word of Encouragement,” at laurahodgespoole.blogspot.com.
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God’s Beautiful Design – Laura Hodges Poole
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…be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV

One of my favorite childhood toys was a small, inexpensive kaleidoscope. I would press one end of the kaleidoscope to my eye and marvel at the red, green, blue, and yellow colors morphing into different designs as I turned the tube. No matter how long I looked, I never grew tired of it. I played with this toy until it fell apart.

Oftentimes, we get caught up in the differences in Christian worship, whether it is within a church, between denominations, or within the Christianity community as a whole. The Apostle Paul admonishes us to put aside our differences and be of one mind for the sake of peace. No matter what our personalities, tastes in worship, or how we envision our particular church progressing into the future, we’re all part of the same fabric, woven together as the body of Christ.

The fascination of the kaleidoscope was the way the colors worked together to form a pattern and then changing into another beautiful design. My brothers and sisters in Christ are just as beautiful when they pull together to accomplish good for the Kingdom. Equally important is our willingness to transform for necessary progress.

Imagine my childish disappointment when I peered into the end of my kaleidoscope one day and it no longer worked. No matter how much I turned the tube, the colors were askew as the little broken lenses didn’t come together anymore to form a beautiful design. We’ve all seen this happen within the body of Christ as well.

Are you part of the peaceful work in your church, striving to be of one mind, meshing with those around you in a beautiful godly design? If so, you’ve experienced the peace and love that God showers on His believers.

Prayer: Father God, guide me to be a fruitful part of your design within the body of believers of which I belong. Help me to keep my focus on You and not the differences amongst my brothers and sisters in Christ, so that we may do Your Kingdom work effectively. Amen.
Laura Hodges Poole is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in media such as Reach Out Columbia, Evangel, Christian Home and School, Our Town, and the Independent Mail. She currently writes Christian romance novels and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Her most recent non-fiction work includes a book she co-wrote, Laurie’s Story: Discovering Joy in Adversity. Laura lives in South Carolina with her husband and they have two children. Her passion is encouraging others in their Christian walk. Visit her blog, “A Word of Encouragement,” at laurahodgespoole.blogspot.com.
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The Gift – Laura Hodges Poole
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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom… Isaiah 9:6-7a.

The sunlight streamed in through the curtains. Christmas morning had finally arrived. I tumbled out of bed and ran down the hall with my brothers and sisters in tow. I had waited months for the little red tricycle with a bell on its handle and a wooden wagon attached behind it, fireman’s style, with streamers to complete the ensemble. My anticipation heightened the closer I got to the living room and the Christmas tree.

I stopped short. To my surprise, a plain green tricycle sat under the tree. Where was the shiny red trike and wagon I had asked for? Apparently, the North Pole ran out of those particular trikes and delivered the plain green one on Christmas Eve instead. To say I was disappointed is an understatement.

The Israelites had a similar reaction to the gift of their Messiah. For hundreds of years, they had anticipated Isaiah’s proclamation of a Savior to rule like no king ever had in their history. Instead, they got a meek baby lying in a plain, no frills manger. Adding to their disappointment was the fact he was a mere carpenter’s son and, after a three-year ministry, was prepared to die on a cross. To save them from their sins? Did he not see the throat-hold the Roman Empire had on them?

The Jewish people couldn’t embrace this kind of Messiah. He didn’t fulfill their expectations. Even one in Jesus’ inner circle was disappointed enough to betray him.

I can’t say I got over my disappointment any easier than the Israelites. I never forgot the shiny red tricycle with its wooden wagon, bell, and streamers, although I had hours of fun on the plain green trike until I outgrew it.

When our expectations of God’s blessings don’t quite match what we receive, it’s easy to grumble and think our solution would have been better. Why didn’t He just answer our prayer according to our plans?

Trust God to bless you in the way He deems best. Our Savior Jesus Christ turned out to be the most perfect gift of all!

Laura Hodges Poole is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in media such as Reach Out Columbia, Evangel, Christian Home and School, Our Town, and the Independent Mail. She currently writes Christian romance novels and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Her most recent non-fiction work includes a book she co-wrote, Laurie’s Story: Discovering Joy in Adversity. Laura lives in South Carolina with her husband and they have two children. Her passion is encouraging others in their Christian walk. Visit her blog, “A Word of Encouragement,” at laurahodgespoole.blogspot.com.
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An Unexpected Death – Laura Hodges Poole
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Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

The light on my answering machine flashed with seven messages. My eyes darted to the caller ID. Fifteen missed calls. My heart pounded as I repeatedly pushed the button on the caller ID to see who had called. Most of my siblings and my mom were accounted for. Every inch of my being knew there had been a death.

On a beautiful February morning, my son and I went to the park to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather. There couldn’t have been a more beautiful day, if we had orchestrated it ourselves. The birds sang, children laughed and played, and the wind blew gently around us. Still reveling in sunshine and fresh air, we arrived home a few hours later to this.

My hand shook as I dialed numbers and listened to the answering machine at the same time. Cryptic messages from voices deliberately calm asked me to return their call. When I finally got hold of my younger sister, she delivered the news I’d dreaded receiving for the last twenty years. My older sister Michelle had taken her life.

Michelle had battled mental illness all of her adult life with varying diagnoses. The labels that seemed to stick were schizophrenia and major depression. She had survived many suicide attempts, but not this day.

Words can’t describe the valley I walked through during Michelle’s funeral and for months afterwards. The only thing that got me through was God’s hand directing me. Though the rod and shepherd’s staff represent power, they also represent comfort and guidance. The most important word in Psalm 23:4 is “through,” because with God’s help, I got through the valley. I can testify to the fact that God’s comfort guided me through this very dark period in my life.

Life is never the same after tragedy, but growth comes from it. Warm, sunny days in February bring back dark feelings, but the empathy God instilled in me for those who are suffering became exponentially greater after my sister’s death. Because of trials, we are able to relate to others on a deeper level.

What valley are you walking in today? God’s hand comforts even through the darkest of times.

Laura Hodges Poole is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in media such as Evangel, Christian Home and School, Our Town, and the Independent Mail. She currently writes Christian romance novels and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Her most recent non-fiction work includes a book she co-wrote, Laurie’s Story: Discovering Joy in Adversity. Laura lives in South Carolina with her husband and they have two children. Her passion is encouraging others in their Christian walk. Visit her blog, A Word of Encouragement, at laurahodgespoole.blogspot.com.

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Who is in Control? – Laura Hodges Poole
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I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121:1-3 NIV

A serial killer had struck. This was real and our community was stunned.

In 1990 my family and I were living in the college town of Gainesville, Florida. The weekend before classes began, a serial killer struck, savagely killing his victims. Fear of who would be his next victim spread. Each day passed and more bodies were found. Everyone clutched a paralyzing fear as tightly as the weapons they had acquired. Dozens of students moved into the apartments of their friends, hoping for safety in numbers. Security devices and weapons sold out quickly while rumors and theories flew.

Never had I experienced such an unbearable fear and worry. I prayed God would protect my family and relieve me of the awful feelings that threatened my life. Fear and worry work hand-in-hand to stifle a Christian’s spiritual life. Not only had this killer taken lives, he had ruined life for the rest of us. I was determined to rid myself of this fear. While I was awake and on my guard, I could function. It was sleep and darkness I feared, and I was not alone. Many weary people were in that community. Months passed before the killer was caught.

If I could just conquer the fear, I thought. Then I realized I didn’t have to. God already had. The Psalmist says, My help comes from the Lord…He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber. God does not sleep—so I could. His watchful eye was always on me.

Change didn’t come overnight but when I relinquished control to Him, the healing began. Day after day, He proved He was a God, faithful to His promises, and He was in control.

What fear or worry have you allowed to control your life? When we ask, “Where does my help come from?” we already know the answer—the Lord. It is up to us to put God’s word into practice.

Laura Hodges Poole is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in media such as Evangel, Christian Home and School, Our Town, and the Independent Mail. She currently writes Christian romance novels and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Her most recent non-fiction work includes a book she co-wrote, Laurie’s Story: Discovering Joy in Adversity. Laura lives in South Carolina with her husband and they have two children. Her passion is encouraging others in their Christian walk. Visit her blog, A Word of Encouragement, at laurahodgespoole.blogspot.com.

Read Laura’s devotions.

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