Protestant Women of the Chapel

This brought me to the point that I made a commitment to God. I committed to read His Word each day, talk to Him, and listen for His guidance, basically, to abide in Him. Even though I had always acknowledged Him throughout my day, I was not always reading His Word to put into my heart to guide me each day. I also made a commitment at this time to pray for my family and all those around me every single day. I had always prayed, but not with the diligence I wanted to pray.

I can’t begin to tell you what a difference this has made in my life. God draws near to those who seek Him and I can tell you abiding in Him has changed me drastically. My actions and speech are even different when I respond to people. When my day begins now, I know Who is guiding me. I know when I make a decision, He is in control.

In John 15:4, Jesus says: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."  John 15:7, says: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."

So why am I telling you all this? I want us to all abide in Him and seek His will for this year in PWOC.

To abide in Christ is to be in the 'being' mode. We still are doing the things that God has called us to, but we are doing it in His strength. Abiding in Christ is about having an intimate relationship with Him. The relationship is more important than the things we do or don't do. The more we are abiding in Him, the more we will be faithul. We will hear His voice clearer, not be works oriented, and have more peace in our life. To abide is to experience His presence.   I pray this year 2011-2012, we will experience His presence individually and corporately as Yokota PWOC.  May God bless you richly.

Cathy Smith, President 

Yokota PWOC

Thankfulness

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col. 2:6-7)

In the verses above, Paul is exhorting believers to live their lives in Jesus, to be rooted and built up in Him, to be strengthened in the faith that they were taught, and to overflow with thankfulness. We must choose to do these things in obedience to the Word of God.

If you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, then you should be overflowing with thankfulness. Jesus has saved you from sin and eternal separation from God. He promises eternal life with God and abundant life on earth. According to The Oxford dictionary, overflow means to flow over the brim; be so full that the contents overflow it; extend beyond the limits; flood; to be very abundant (harvest). These are definitions that provide strong visual pictures in my mind. Our hearts should be so full of Jesus, that thankfulness is overflowing the brim of our hearts and pouring out of our mouths. There will be an abundance of thankfulness in our words (speech) and actions and the people around us will see and hear the evidence of Christ Jesus in our lives. It will flood everything around us and impact the lives of others. There will be a harvest of thanksgiving produced in our lives ‘in season’ and ‘out of season’ and it will bless those around us as we share our lives with them. Actually, it will be Christ flowing out of us; impacting the world through us.

I am so thankful my parents taught me from a young age about Jesus and raised me in the church. I thank God that at the age of twelve, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit of my sinfulness and received Jesus as Savior. At the age of thirty-one, in God’s grace and mercy, the Holy Spirit continued to draw me to the point of surrendering my life to Jesus to be Lord; to rule and reign in my life (and this is an ongoing process). Through Bible study, prayer, and seeking God in order that I may know Him intimately, I became more aware of the working of the Holy Spirit in my life and the power to live a victorious life in Him who loved and saved me.

I am thankful for PWOC. God has used this ministry to help strengthen me in the faith that I was taught from a young age and has kept me rooted and built up in Him through weekly Bible study, prayer meetings, monthly programs and conferences. PWOC has given me an outlet to serve God and others. Praise God this ministry flourishes within the military and blesses so many women.

.

God, continue to bless PWOC! Bless the chaplains and the chaplain assistants that serve the military communities. Holy Spirit, help us to continue to live our lives in Christ Jesus and to be rooted and built up in Him. May we have hearts that overflow with thankfulness! Use us to be salt and light across the United States and abroad.

In Jesus name, Amen.

By Laura Miller

For several weeks I have been considering and praying about whether or not to attend the PWOC International Conference in Dallas, Texas, Nov 11-14 (I live in Japan). Three years ago I was at this same point trying to decide if I should go to the West Region PWOC Conference that was held in El Paso, Texas. A chaplain’s wife persuaded me to attend and it was an awesome experience. The speakers and music were so anointed by God that you could feel the heat and power of God’s presence. God used that weekend to teach, develop and empower me with His Spirit to lead women at the local PWOC that year and to minister to my family.

Quin Sherrer, a speaker at the conference, had some wonderful words of wisdom and testimonies she shared that impacted me personally. She spoke about prayer and spiritual warfare and the sphere of influence we have as Christian women over our home, husband, children, and friends. God places women on the front lines to do battle for their loved ones. God gives us authority in the powerful name of Jesus and His blood, to pray protection and deliverance over those He places in our lives. There is Victory in Jesus!

One particular story Quin shared was about a woman that suffered insomnia. Quin suspected she was experiencing an attack by the enemy because she had a picture of a dragon in her home. When the dragon, a symbol of Satan, was removed, the woman no longer was plagued with insomnia. God used this testimony to bring deliverance in my home. My daughter was experiencing insomnia for several weeks prior to the conference. When I returned from the conference, she was still suffering from inability to sleep. I immediately thought about the story I had heard in El Paso and decided we needed to search my daughter’s room for anything that symbolized the enemy; something that may have opened the door for a spiritual attack. A picture of a dragon that she painted was found tucked in the corner of her room on the floor. I was surprised! I immediately knew God wanted me to hear Quin’s story so I could be used to minister to my daughter. I prayed over her and the bedroom, removed the picture, and God delivered her from insomnia. God is Great!!

Praise God for raising up women to preach the Word of God and share testimonies that impact lives; not only spiritually, but also physically and emotionally. God wants to raise up each one of us, HIS daughters, so that we can declare, The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. [Is 61:1]

Paul teaches, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [Ephesians 6:12]

If you are experiencing an attack by your adversary, Satan and his cohorts, then rebuke the evil one in the name of Jesus and plead the blood of Jesus over your self and household. Be bold to proclaim the Word of God with the authority He has given you through His Son and Trust Him to deliver and bring you Victory!

Hope you will join me in Dallas in November for the PWOC International Conference. I am ready to be empowered and filled with the Spirit from the teaching of Priscilla Shirer, music leader Kari Jobe and all the other wonderful teachers that will be leading workshops. I believe God has a special word for the women who will attend that will impact our lives, our loved ones, and the women we serve in PWOC.

For the latest information about PWOC International Conference, click here.

My sweet Sisters in Christ,

I miss you! I am so thankful that God blessed me with each of you. You and PWOC have been on my mind so much lately I had to write. I pray that you are all successful in reaching multiple women with this blessed ministry and through reaching them, the chain reaction that will occur in the lives of so many. I pray that Satan be pushed away from covering the base with his desires. As you embark on this year with PWOC may you find the joy the Lord has in store for you. You each serve a purpose for His greater good, relish in that. He will give you the strength and ability to do what He has called you to do.

I thank each of you for the role you played in my life through PWOC and the friendship you extended me. I left Japan a stronger women not only in my faith and relationship with Christ, but mentally. Because of you, my sisters and friends, I was able to survive one of the toughest moments in my life. I came out a better and stronger person because of it. I walk even closer to my Father and I stand firm knowing I am His worthy daughter set on this earth to do His good. I also learned that I can step out of my comfort zone when he calls me, because He gives me the support I need through others. I pray you each realize what PWOC and your fellow sisters in Christ have done for you and what you will do for those around you. Ladies I pray you have more blessings than you know what to do with and may you know the grace that God extends you each day just because He loves you.

My family recently traveled to the tropical and very hot Kingdom of Cambodia. It is a third world country stricken with poverty; not only physical, but spiritual too. I was disheartened by the many Buddhist temples and shrines that lined the main roads and were scattered across the county side. My heart felt joy when I identified a small number of churches that displayed a cross above the building; a visible symbol to me and a remnant of HOPE that TRUTH was being proclaimed in this land. There are people who heard the call to missions in this country. A mission is defined as an assignment, task, job, work, charge, undertaking, duty, or operation. “Missions” is the Great Commission that Jesus calls us to fulfill in the book of Acts and the four Gospels.

Thankfully there are people who answer the call to share the Gospel in lands such as Cambodia that are in desperate need of Jesus and the salvation that only He can offer. When I was a young teenager, I felt in my heart God called me to the mission field. However, I didn’t surrender to the call to go into foreign missions and went my own way. I pursued a college degree and upon graduation, married an Airman from my home town. Even though I didn’t step out in faith and obedience when I was young, God had His way of accomplishing His purpose and plan in my life. God foreknew I would marry an Airman who would take me all over the United States and the world. I have had wonderful opportunities to be a missionary in several states and live abroad in predominantly Islamic and Buddhist countries. God is amazing!! Only He could have orchestrated the plans He had for me. I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve my God, husband, children, country and church in the wonderful places He has sent me and will send me.

God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives. It is His plan for us to share the gospel; not only in word, but in actions too. There are many people with physical and spiritual needs. Jesus did not come only to save the lost from their sins; but He fed the hungry, cast out demons, and healed the sick. He told the disciples that anyone with faith could do greater things if they ask in His Name. (John 14:11-13). The Holy Spirit will give you boldness and endue you with power to witness and minister to a lost world. He will be the light shining through you in a dark world. Where has God placed you? Are you sharing the gospel? Are you a living testimony of His salvation and are you demonstrating His love and power in your actions? It is His plan for you to be where you are right now and to use you. Listen to His voice and allow Him to guide your footsteps. Surrender your ‘will’ and step out in faith and obedience to serve Him wholeheartedly. Love, minister and proclaim the gospel of HOPE and TRUTH to the people He has placed in your home, neighborhood, school, workplace, and church. If you are stationed in a foreign country, take the opportunity to reach beyond the gates of the base. The mission field is all around you. Have you heard and surrendered to The Call to Missions?

What you can do:

• Share the Gospel

• Live the Gospel

• Support missions with tithes and offerings

• Pray for missionaries around the world

• Pray for those who need Jesus

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:8

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Psalm 33:11

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. John 14:11-13

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in PWOC. I had the pleasure to serve on the executive board. It gave me the opportunity to work on my leadership skills considering that my husband intends on entering the ministry at some point. I have made wonderful friends that have shown their faith, love and service to others. It also gave me the chance to use my gifts of hospitality and service. It also took me out of my comfort zone to become a facilitator for over 2 years. I have loved where God has taken me in this journey and hope that ladies don't listen to those that say you can't because all things are possible through Christ who loves me and gives me strength. Thank you for letting me serve and may all that we do, we do for the glory of God.

The weather in Japan has been nice lately. The hot, humid temperatures haven’t descended upon us yet. Everyone has been enjoying the outdoors and working hard to mow the grass weekly and keep things neat and trimmed to pass Air Force standards for base quarters. Many people have planted flowers, bushes and added outdoor décor in their yard in hopes to create an appearance that is nice, beautiful and different from the next door neighbor. That is difficult to do in base housing. But it is achievable with hard work and time.

My friends that live in the quad across from me have beautiful gardens growing. They get a lot of sun during the day because of the position their house is facing. Unfortunately, my house is facing the opposite direction, so my front flower garden is not receiving the sunlight needed for the flowers to grow and flourish. I should have planned logistically and purchased predominantly shade plants or plants that require only part sun, but I bought some that require full sun and they are not growing as well in the shade.

Another gardening problem I am encountering is a pine tree that sheds a lot of needles in my yard. These needles create a huge hindrance as they fall down upon the ground under the tree. The needles produce an environment that is harmful and can destroy the grass, so my husband and I rake the needles every week to remove them because they prevent the grass from growing and spreading.

God is the great gardener of our lives. He desires for us to grow spiritually, flourish, bear fruit, and spread His love and the Gospel to others. We must position ourselves before the Son, the light of the world, in order for God to be able to create and bring forth a harvest from our lives in order to bring Him glory. It is not easy in the world and sinful environment we live in today. We must be sure to rake or remove areas that hinder our growth, not just weekly, but perhaps even daily that could prevent us from becoming the person that God desires to create. It takes much time spent with God and sometimes hard work and perseverance when the needles start falling down upon us.

Tip of the summer season as we take a break from PWOC activities: Don’t neglect the garden….spend time with God in His Word and time in prayer.

How is your garden growing? Are you beautiful in appearance and bearing fruit? Do you need to do some raking? Are you planning and positioning yourself before the Son of God and allowing Him to shine His light upon you so that you may grow and bring Him glory? That thought actually brings me to the new PWOCI theme, Shine In the Light of His Glory.

John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Psalm 79:9

Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

The 59th National Day of Prayer theme is Prayer, For Such a Time as This. This is a well known Biblical phrase from the book of Esther. Many women in PWOC did the Beth Moore study on Esther this year because the International theme is Arise, For the Lord Extends His Scepter. By God’s providence, Esther, a young Jewish girl, was chosen to be the Queen of Persia. During this time a law was declared to destroy the Jewish people. Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, in a state of sorrow and repentance, went to Esther to encourage her to go before the king to beg for the Jewish nation to be saved. He believed Esther came to the position she was in For Such a Time as This.

Esther responded in desperation and love for her people and requested all the children of God to fast and pray for three days. On behalf of her nation, she went before the king without being summoned; a decision that could have resulted in death. She said, “If I perish, I perish”. The king responded by extending his scepter and allowed Esther to come before him on the throne and petition him. With a step of faith, she arose, and God used her to save His people. The Jewish nation wasn’t only her nation, but His nation too.

The story of Esther is an amazing example of how God was moved by prayer and intervened when His people cried out in repentance and asked to be saved. The United States is a nation in bondage; the evidence is appalling. God is calling us to be an Esther or a Mordecai and repent and cry out (petition Him) for the salvation of our nation. He desires and calls us to come before Him on the throne with hearts broken by sin and return to Him in faith for healing and deliverance. A nation can only be changed and become righteous when the hearts of God’s people are truly changed. What is it going to take for God’s people (the true Church) to repent and turn back to Him…. a declaration of law against our freedoms or even our right to exist? God have mercy! May this never happen. It is time for the PWOC to fast and pray, repent, and Arise, For Such a Time as This.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil. 4:6

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7

Isaiah 45:8

You heavens above, rain down righteousness;

let the clouds shower it down.

Let the earth open wide,

let salvation spring up,

let righteousness grow with it;

I, the LORD, have created it.

Song of Solomon 2:12a

Flowers appear on the earth;

the season of singing has come,

Spring to Life: Bloom and Grow was the theme of the Yokota PWOC conference held on March 19-20. The theme and decorations were planned around the season and colors of the Sakura Tree. Sakura means Japanese flowering cherry (cherry blossom) and it is a beautiful season to observe in Japan and Washington D.C. too. The Sakura tree has the appearance of a dead tree during the winter months and in late March it springs to life (blooms) with delicate white or pink blossoms. The tree branches become loaded with these lovely blossoms; but within a week, they begin to float to the ground, dropping their seeds upon the soil, and the branches are replaced with light green leaves. As the tree grows, the branches develop more leaves that take in sunlight and by summer the tree is filled with dark green leaves that reveal a mature tree with abundant life. Under the tree the roots are taking in nutrients from the soil and water that nourishes the tree and makes it flourish above.

As I reflect upon the cycle of a Sakura tree; I compare it to the life of a Christian. Do your branches appear dead? What is the condition of the soil of your heart? A fertile heart is created by allowing the Holy Spirit to plow deep into the heart to reveal sin and strongholds that leads to confession and repentance; turning away from sin. God places His seed, Jesus--the Word of God, into the soil of our hearts and causes salvation to spring up and righteousness to bloom and grow. May our hearts be fertile ground and the seeds planted through daily devotions, weekly Bible studies, monthly programs, and PWOC conferences be brought to germination by the power of the Holy Spirit. God desires to create a woman full of the Holy Spirit; a beautiful flowering tree that appears on earth that offers up a sweet fragrance unto Him. His plan is for us to drop or sow seeds of His Word and bear fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:8). Are your branches bearing fruit? Abide in Him (John 15). Are you sowing seeds of righteousness and sharing the gospel? Hearts that are cultivated and watered with prayer and fed the Word of God (the Christian’s Miracle Grow) will result in transformed lives and mature women in Christ. Allow the Son to shine upon you and bask in His presence in prayer. Sink your roots deep into His Word so that you may bloom and grow and flourish; even under adversity (winter).

Adversity creates an environment that can destroy a tree, such as a wind storm or freeze. Adversity can actually make you stronger if you remain firmly planted and rooted deep in Christ and trust Him to get you through the struggle; resulting in a stronger faith and closer relationship with God. You will not be uprooted or die and can withstand the harsh winter months and burst forth with fruit (flowers) in due season of time.

This morning as I drove my children to school, I noticed the Sakura trees that line the streets of my neighborhood are laden with flower buds. Yokota AB will soon be filled with shades of pink and white. I hope as we witness the cycle of the Sakura tree or any other flowering tree this spring; from the budding of the flower, to the blossom floating down to the ground, then see the development of the leaves as they grow and multiply into a mature tree, that it will remind us that is what God wants to do within our hearts.

I would also like to remind you that it was upon a tree that Jesus died and gave His life for you and me. Spring to Life: Bloom and Grow as you celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may Jesus be resurrected in you!

Acts 13:29

When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.

Acts 5:30

The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.

A few years ago my husband was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan. This third world country, located north of Afghanistan, is unlike the western world. My husband was allowed to take his family to this remote part of the world and within 30 hours of our arrival, I experienced a suicide bombing. The two years spent in this country were at times dangerous and uncertain, however, I felt safe and comfortable most of the time. I have fond memories of my years spent in this predominantly Muslim country.

One of my favorite places to visit was Tizzy Kavka. Americans called it the ‘junk’ bazaar….because it literally had a lot of junk. This place was extremely filthy and foul smelling; causing me to hold my breath and then gasp for air as I meandered through the crowded lanes filled with a mixture of unusual aromas of food cooking, cigarette smoke, incense, and body odor. People had blankets on the ground or tables displaying their possessions in hope of a sale. I enjoyed this place because I find people interesting. But I also enjoyed searching for treasures to purchase. It is true that one man’s junk can be another man’s treasure. I found some awesome vessels that I could see beyond the defects and dirt and saw the beauty and potential use for each one I chose and bought.

I purchased different kinds of vessels. Some of them made of clay, copper, metal and glass with different shapes and sizes. Many of the vessels I chose were defective in some way; chipped, scratched, cracked, old or dirty and no longer wanted by the owner. I took them home, cleaned them up and each serves a purpose as a decorative item and some I use every day, such as a teapot.

These vessels represent to me lives and hearts. Sometimes we see ourselves and the world and Satan makes us feel like junk; old, defective, useless, not the right size, of no value and purpose. Sin and the trials of life can break us down, crack us, and make us feel dirty, undesired, maybe even frightened in a world filled with danger and uncertainty.

Praise God He sent His son to purchase and redeem us with His precious blood and death on the cross. He searches and chooses each one of us living in this dirty, foul world and gives us the gift of faith. He saves us, washes away our sins, and begins sanctifying us-the process of purifying, refining, and transforming us into the image of Christ. He makes each one of us valuable (we aren’t junk) and gives each of us a purpose.

Just as I saw the beauty, value, and found the vessels as treasures with a purpose, that is how God sees us. We are loved, valued, beautiful, and He wants us to become a vessel He can use to bring Him glory.

2 Tim 2:21 Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

2 Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not of ourselves.