A Mind to Work by Eileen Alpaugh

She gets the call at 5:15 p.m. Her mother-in- law is stopping by to say ‘hello.’ She hangs up the phone, takes a look around her house and tries not to panic. “What do I do first? Freshen the bathroom…no, load the dishwasher… pick up hubby’s socks next to his favorite chair (maybe she should leave them there so his mother can see!)” Twenty minutes later she opens the door and welcomes her unexpected guest into a perfectly presentable home complete with supper cooking on the stove. How did she do it? She had a mind to work. The same woman who just a half hour ago arrived home from an exhausting day at work, ready to put her feet up with a cup of tea and a couple of Swiss Fudge Cookies, managed to find the wherewithal to get a full days chores done in 20 minutes armed with nothing more than a mind to work. The right motivation can give us the energy and stamina to accomplish things that would otherwise seem impossible. As women we are called upon to do this almost daily. Functioning at work after a sleepless night with a sick child, or the unexpected trip to the school with the forgotten permission slip, or the “Oh honey, I forgot – could you do this for me today?” – in between the 25 other to do’s on the list. We manage to get things done when we put our minds to it.

The call is going out “Jesus is Coming Soon.” As His followers we recognize the signs of the times and are convinced that His return cannot be far off. This knowledge motivates me to do what might otherwise seem impossible…to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of my community so that they will not be ignorant or caught unprepared at His appearing. There are so many who need to hear. Like Nehemiah I am broken hearted when I look at the brokenness of my home community.

“What can I do?” you may ask, “I am only one person.” In the book of Nehemiah we are given an incredible example of the difference one person can make. With a broken heart and a sincere prayer he made himself available to be used by God to rebuild the wall of his ravaged home town. What he and his fellow countrymen did in 52 days was nothing short of miraculous.

When you look around your community, among the people in your own church and you see the vast needs, does it motivate you to work beyond your ability, beyond your natural energy to do what seems impossible? As you look around your home town do you see things that break your heart? Lives in shambles, broken hearts, and families being torn apart and left in ruins? If you could change it, would you? Will you?

Do you need a place to start? Truth for Women has many volunteer opportunities available. With combined strength and resources we are working together to help rebuild our community one woman at a time. You could be a person who makes a difference. God is looking for people with a mind to work. The plan is simple; you bring a willing heart and He’ll provide everything else – the energy, the resources, the intelligence and He’ll even provide the results. You’ll be amazed at what can be accomplished with a mind to work.

For more information about Volunteer opportunities call 610-866-5755

For further reading:
Nehemiah 4:6
Philippians 2:13
1 Corinthians 3:6-7

Who's Answering? by Eileen Alpaugh

“Would you do me a favor?” Depending on who’s doing the asking we may respond quite differently. To our closest friend we immediately answer, “Sure, what do you need?” Without hesitation or need of further explanation, anything within our power or possession becomes instantly at their disposal. To the one who has asked more than their share of favors and has seldom responded in kind we may be a bit less enthusiastic, “Why, what do you want?” We cautiously withhold our answer to evaluate the cost. Hopefully we have more of the first kind of relationships than the second. What a great gift and comfort to know there are those you can call upon regardless of the time of day or gravity of situation. Even greater is the honor of being known as the kind of friend who will be there in any time of need. This kind of reputation is one that is built over time, tested in a variety of circumstances and once it is earned never has to be proven again.

How do you respond to God? Has He been given the honored standing of one to whom you will respond quickly and without reservation or do you withhold your answer to calculate the cost? Has He proven Himself to you time and time again only to be met with hesitancy upon each request? Or has His faithfulness been repeatedly proven giving you the assurance you need to be able to trust in spite of what your natural mind can comprehend?

How does God responds to us? Before we knew we had a need, He provided the solution. While we are yet calling, He answers. He gives above and beyond all that we could ask think or imagine. He bends low to hear our requests. Ask of God, “Will you do me a favor?” His answer is always, “My child, I already have.”

Truth for Women is in a season of asking, “Will you do me a favor?” As we prepare to open the Women’s Center, a dream and vision of the past 10 years quite honestly we need favors. Many of you who have had the privilege of being involved with us will undoubtedly answer positively and without hesitation to the best of your ability. Those of you who are new friends may want to spend some time on our website, getting to know us a little better before making an offer. Perhaps you’d like to schedule an appointment to meet with us and see first hand what God is doing on behalf of the women of the Lehigh Valley.

We are certain that God has heard our prayers to provide workers, supplies, and finances. His answer to us is, “My daughters, I already have.” Are you someone God is inspiring to be instrumental in His answer? I trust your answer to Him will be that of how you would answer your closest friend.

For further reading:

Psalm 86:7
Psalm 116:2
Romans 5:8
Ephesians 1