November Devotional

Week 1

“I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies, he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25-26

This scripture will be forever etched in my heart. On Sunday, June 8, 1986, we lost our youngest son Tom. He was 18, athletic and the goalie for South Bay Eagles. The goal post fell down and crushed his head.

Tommy knew Jesus. He had grown up going to prayer meetings and healing masses with me. Two weeks earlier, I began to pray daily to let go and let God. I wanted God’s will in Tom’s life. I now know God was preparing my heart for Tom’s divine appointment with Him. My prayer in the hospital was, “Lord, this was not what I expected, but if this is Your will for Tom, please let Your Glory shine through.”

Though I knew Tom was with Jesus, my heart was broken. I finally cried out, “I have to know for sure that Tom is with You.” Instantly, I saw the words, “He who believes in me, even though he dies, yet he shall live.” Total peace came over me. A few weeks later, I drove down to Tom’s favorite place--the beach. Looking out over a coral type fence, I was stunned to see carved in the wood, Tom Rutland lives. It was Tom’s printing! My heart almost leapt out of me. Truly this was another gift from the Lord.

-Dawn R.

Week 2

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God.” 1 John 3:17

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7

When I first came to WCF, I truly experienced the love of God in each of the ladies. I saw how everyone was accepted and welcomed. I know we are all on the same journey to know God through His word and grow in a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

We have laughed together, cried together and always prayed for one another. God has moved powerfully through the love and faith of all who come to WCF. I know the Lord put me here.

Joy is love’s strength. Peace is love’s security. Patience is love’s endurance. Kindness is love’s conduct. Goodness is love’s character. Faithfulness is love’s confidence. Gentleness is love’s humility. Self-control is love’s victory.

As we live in love, we fulfill the will of God in our lives to follow the Master and be strong in Him and in the strength of His might.

-Dawn R.

Week 3

“He who began a good work in you will continue it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Before I met Jesus I thought I knew Him, but I really didn’t. I thought I loved Him, but then I couldn’t have loved Him very much because I really didn’t know Him. He was that distant awesome Jesus, my Father God in heaven way up there.

My father died when I was two years old, and although my mother was wonderful, I didn’t have a father figure. I didn’t know what a father should really be like, so I prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray to God the Father for me. Then I met Jesus one evening about five years ago when I was being prayed over at a prayer meeting.

I saw Him sitting on a green grassy hill, and then I saw myself as a little girl again. When I saw Him I climbed up that hill to Him, and He put His arms around me and hugged me. He loved me. I was His. I knew then I had to become a little child again to know my Jesus, my Father, my God.

I wanted to know and learn all about God, His love, and His words. I joined Women’s Christian Fellowship. I am now not afraid to go to Him directly, talk to Him continually, and I feel His presence and love surrounding me.

-Mary B.

Week 4

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:19-20

Music has always been a big part of my life. I had seven older brothers, and we all sang songs in our home daily and in the church choir. The Lord gave us this gift of song and music. It has continued down, even professionally, in the generations to the present time. It is a beautiful way to praise, worship, and thank the Lord

“Come let us sing joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our Salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.” (Psalm 95:1-2) A song of David says: “My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.”
(Psalm 108:1-2)

We can sing the Psalms when we want to praise the Lord. For example, open the Bible to Psalm 147 through Psalm 150 and sing the words of the Psalm and let the Holy Spirit fill you with the Lord’s presence as you extol Him. Thanks be to God for his gift of music. It has been such a beautiful way to praise, worship and thank Him in my life, that I encourage everyone to praise God in song.

-Mary B.