Pastors’ Wives Retreat 2022 Teachings
Revelation 4:11 | Cathy Dickenson
Pastors’ Wives Retreat 2022 Workshops
In His Image – Patti Height | Listen Now
The Power Of Prayer & Evangelism – Peggy Brown | Listen Now
Counseling – Terri Rodriguez | Listen Now
Thriving VS. Surviving – Michelle Randall | Listen Now
Parenting – Diana Faatai | Listen Now
He Is Worthy Of Our Service – Lauren O’Neill | Listen Now
Worthy Of Our Worship – Gia Lucid | Listen Now
Pastors’ Wives Retreat 2021 Teachings
Tribute to Kay Smith
STIR UP ONE ANOTHER
Hebrews 10:24 | Panel of practical, fun, and helpful ideas for the ministry.
Brenda McClure, Merrily Hagerman, Michelle Randall,
Bethany MacIntosh, Marie Rosales, Jean McClure
Pastors’ Wives Retreat 2021 Workshops
Speaking the Truth in Love (Ephesians 4:15) | Patti Height | Listen Now
Clothe Yourself with Humility (1 Peter 5:5) | Cathy Dickinson | Listen Now
Building Up One Another (Romans 14:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:11) | Michelle Morales | Listen Now
Equipping One Another (Ephesians 4:12) | Sara Enterline | Listen Now
He Heals the Broken Hearted (Ephesians 4:12) | Teri Stagner | Listen Now
Balancing Marriage, Family, and Ministry (Romans 12:10, 16) | Merrily Hagerman | Listen Now
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 4:10) | Cathy Dickinson | Listen Now
For Such a Season as This (Romans 15:5-6) | Inga-Lil Guzik | Listen Now
Spiritual Warfare (Ephesians 6:11-18) | Sonia Trujillo | Listen Now
Preparing and Teaching a Bible Study (2 Timothy 3:16-17) | Christy Duff | Listen Now
Comforting the Grieving (Galatians 6:2) | Gail Mays | Listen Now
Parenting in Every Season (1 Thessalonians 5:11) | Morgan Beeler, Bethany MacIntosh | Listen Now
Pastors’ Wives 2019 Retreat Teachings
June Hesterly – Listen Here
Sandy Macintosh – Listen Here
Gail Mays – Listen Here
Mindy Love – Listen Here
Jeannette Walls – Listen Here
Karyn Johnson – Listen Here
Sharon Ries – Listen Here
Jean McClure – Listen Here
Pastors’ Wives Conference 2019 Workshops
Assistant Pastor’s Wives Role : Peggy Kravig | Listen Now
Supporting Role : Lauren O’Neil & Melissa Salamat | Listen Now
The Christian’s Greatest Wireless Connection : Janie Alfred | Listen Now
Modern Day Event Planning : Michelle Randall & Connie Green | Listen Now
Freshening Up Your Women’s Ministry : Kelly Bell | Listen Now
Millennials, Gen Z & Ageism : What Does it All Mean for Ministry? : Brenda Leavenworth | Listen Now
Identifying Destructive Teachings : Ruth Beeler | Listen Now
How to Teach a Bible Study : Christy Duff | Listen Now
Marriage : Terri Rodriguez | Listen Now
Pastors’ Wives 2018 Retreat Teachings
Pastors’ Wives Weekly Devotional Archive
Week 1 : Pleasing God
Pleasing God
“I do always those things that please him.”
John 8:29
“Live to please the heart of God.” The speaker repeated the phrase several times. The third time she said it, I really heard it! For weeks, Chuck’s messages had been focused on the events preceding the return of Christ. These sermons caused me to evaluate my life and my walk with the Lord in a fresh way.
Because I was born again, I knew I wouldn’t be left behind, but if the Lord were coming for His church today, what would I want to be sure I had done? The more I thought about it, the more concerned I became. So I prayed a simple prayer: “Lord, how do You want me to live in these last days?”
I don’t know how I expected Him to answer, but these words came clearly into my mind: “Live to please Me.” To please means to bring pleasure to; to satisfy; to gratify. That became my goal—to live a life pleasing to God.
During the next few weeks, the Lord used four Scriptures to confirm His answer to me. The first was Revelation 4:11: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (KJV, emphasis added). What an awesome thought! I was created for His pleasure.
Next, I casually pulled a Scripture out of a Bible promise box. It was John 8:29. Jesus confirmed that it is God’s will that we live to please Him when He said, “I always do those things that please [the Father]” (KJV, emphasis added). This is our Jesus in whose footsteps we are to walk.
The third confirmation came out of a little antique devotional I happened to be reading one day. It was based on Colossians 3:23: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men” (KJV). A short selection from an old hymn accompanied the verse: Teach me, my God and King, In all things Thee to see, And what I do in anything. To do it as for Thee.
Finally, God confirmed His answer to me through Hebrews 11:5: “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (KJV, emphasis added). Those words, “That he pleased God,” struck a responsive chord in my heart.
“Does this please the heart of God?” simplifies my life. It isn’t always a choice between right and wrong; it is more often the choice between pleasing self and pleasing my heavenly Father. It should always be our desire to follow the example of Jesus and to “always do those things that please [the Father].”
Kay Smith
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Santa Ana, California
Week 2 : My Delight Is in Him
My Delight Is in Him
Blessed is the man . . . [whose] delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither.
Psalm 1:1–3
Living in the middle of a desert that is experiencing a drought, I often look upon the barrenness of the land with sadness. Yet, when we consider ourselves, how often do our spiritual lives resemble the desert—dry, cracked, and fruitless?
Psalm 1:2–3 tells us that as we delight in the Word of God and meditate upon it, we will become nourished, refreshed, and fruitful. Delighting in the Word is more than simply doing our Bible reading for the day. It is looking forward to and enjoying our time with the Lord above all else. Afterwards, it is savoring those tasty morsels and meditating upon them throughout the day.
When you have a free moment, where do your thoughts go? May we shift the focus of our hearts and minds off ourselves, our schedules, and our ‘to do’ lists and onto the Word of God, that our delight might be continually in Him and His Word.
Then we will be like that tree planted by the rivers of water.
Amber Knapp
Calvary Chapel Green Valley
Henderson, Nevada
Week 3 : Dying Moment by Moment
Dying Moment by Moment
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Romans 13:14
I so often wish that the things we lay on the altar would stay there. They always seem to get up and creep back off the altar. Seldom is it a simple matter of saying, “Lord, I give You these struggles and temptations. Take them from me; let me be more like You,” and poof, they disappear! They may be gone for a time, but often it seems we turn around and there they are again.
It is essential to understand that placing things on the altar is a day-by-day, moment-by-moment offering. The more we do it, the easier it becomes, but yielding to the Holy Spirit must never stop. We have to be constantly aware that we are giving these things up to the Lord. If we aren’t consistent, they will find their way back into our lives, and eventually overtake us.
Continually turn to the Lord and His Word—this has to be our way of life.
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him.
Psalm 37:7
Bonnie Botsford
Horizon North County
Rancho Santa Fe, California
Week 4 : In the Secret Place with Christ in the School of Prayer
In the Secret Place with Christ in the
School of Prayer
“Pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Matthew 6:6
“Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Prayer is something that I will continually learn, but I have found valuable lessons from Jesus’ response to the demands of ministry.
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth . . .
Matthew 5:1–2
For a higher experience with Jesus, we must pull away from the multitude of things that will crowd out our time alone with Him. When we come close to Jesus and sit still with Him, we have the promise that He will open His mouth and speak to us. And with that comes great reward!
What crowds Him out, oh restless soul? Do you desire the blessings of His voice, oh listening ear? Learn from the Master, oh disciple, the rewards of:
A secret place to meet with Jesus.
A set aside time to be with Jesus.
As a student ready to hear His voice, open your Bible. He has something to say to you.
Jesus opened His mouth and spoke to His disciples then, and when His disciples open His Word, He will speak to them today!
Candice Beckelman
Calvary Chapel Coastlands
Red Bank, New Jersey
Week 5 : How Does Your Garden Grow?
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Psalm 92:13
I love to garden. I love to plant because I love to see flowers blooming. Maybe it’s because I’m from England where so many people keep beautiful gardens. But what I love most is a flower with a sweet fragrance. To walk up the path to my front door and smell the fragrance of flowers that I have planted gives such satisfaction.
What does God see as He gazes at our lives? Does He see us flourishing in Him, giving off a pleasant fragrance? He will, if the soil of our hearts is soft and fertile. In order to “flourish in the courts of our God,” we must cultivate hearts of worship. True worship—for who God is, and in thankfulness for all He has done for us—is like bringing Him a fragrant blossom.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.
Psalm 100:4
So take some time today to be alone with the Lord. Come without a list of requests. Gaze upon His beauty, His holiness, and worship Him, for He is worthy!
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God.
Psalm 95:6–7
Carol Wild
Calvary Chapel Merritt Island
Merritt Island, Florida
Week 6 : When Fear Comes In
When Fear Comes In
He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:7
When I was first diagnosed with melanoma, what a shock it was! My mind was flooded with so many questions and so many fears. I knew I had a choice to make—to trust the Lord no matter what or to be overcome with fear. “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” (Psalm 56:3).
What is it that has come into your life and caused you to be fearful? Perhaps it’s financial distress, a prodigal child, problems in the church, or even a life-threatening illness. Whatever it is, remember the faithfulness of our loving God. He is right there with you to bring you through the fiery trial.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:6–7
Trust the Lord to use this situation in your life to make you more like Him. Choose faith—not fear.
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice.
Psalm 18:6
Cheryl Cahill
Calvary Chapel Boston
Rockland, Massachusetts
Week 7 : Sing to the Lord a New Song
Sing to the Lord a New Song
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:3 NIV
Our Lord desires us to have fresh new things to sing about and praise Him for. Praise abounds from a heart that is experiencing His new mercies every day, like an overflowing cup, full to the brim and spilling over with joy.
There are times when I am in His Word and a certain passage blesses me so much that I have a new song of praise in my heart. My heart also begins to sing at a retreat or conference when a speaker shares about a treasured moment with the Lord. Often during worship I am so filled with adoration for the Lord that each word I sing is a new reflection on who He is and how worthy He is to be praised.
Remember Snow White and the seven dwarfs singing, “Whistle While You Work”? It’s hard to be like Grumpy when you’re singing. Singing changes our attitudes. It makes the ordinary extraordinary.
I’m convinced that if we are making music in our hearts to the Lord, melody will flow out to others who will put their trust in Him. Take time with God often and I promise that you’ll have plenty to sing about!
Christy Michaels
Calvary Chapel of the Springs
San Marcos, Texas
Week 8 : Ever, Only, All for Thee
My eyes are ever toward the LORD.
Psalm 25:15
With all the busyness of life and all its trials, and with all the unrest in the world, now more than ever we need to become passionate about our Lord Jesus! Webster defines passion as “a strong love and affection;” it implies a strong emotion that has an overpowering or compelling effect. We need to be passionate about His Word and about spending time in His presence. In these last days, we need to acquire a strong, overpowering love for Jesus that has a compelling effect on our lives, which in turn will affect all the lives around us.
Our passion grows as we spend time in His Word and in His presence. Our passion grows as we keep our eyes ever toward the Lord: focused, fixed, and firm. Dear precious one, are you in the Word daily? Are you seeking the Savior’s heart in prayer? Where is your focus? What are you passionate about? May your life be one of passion for your Jesus! Lift up a heartfelt prayer unto Him!
“Take my love,
My Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.”
Frances R. Havergal, 1836–187913
Cyndi Ballmaier
Calvary Chapel of Elk Grove Village
Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Week 9 : Why Ask?
Let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6
On a recent trip to Alaska, my husband and I took the tour through Denali National Park to see Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America. While waiting for the bus into the park, several other vacationers commented about how the spectacular mountain is usually shrouded in clouds, often leaving tourists disappointed. I prayed a little prayer that God would let me see the top on this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
The bus driver started telling us about the surroundings and warning us that we probably would not see the top of the mountain. I prayed again and really felt that God whispered to my heart, “You’ll see it!” When the mountain came into view, it was shining in all its splendor—all the way to the snowy top! The gasp of appreciation was audible on the bus.
What about the people who saw it and did not pray? Yes, they were blessed, but I enjoyed something very special in the privacy of my heart. Because my Father and I discussed this matter, our fellowship was exquisitely sweet and very personal. I was blessed because I had asked. How awesome it is to have fellowship with the God of the universe regarding things that are important to me. Invite Him into your day.
Dianna Michaels
Calvary Chapel Spring Valley
Las Vegas, Nevada
Week 10 : Be Content No Matter What!
I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:11 KJV
Are you searching for contentment in your life? Have you looked for it in things or even in people, only to find that there’s no joy there? That’s not a surprise. The things of this world, even the relationships found in this world, cannot meet your deepest needs or fulfill the dreams of your heart. The Lord is the only One capable of doing that.
Whatever your current circumstances might be, good or bad, you need to view them as an opportunity to deepen your relationship with Jesus. God will always use whatever situation you’re in to draw you closer to His side. It is possible to live above your circumstances. You can detach yourself from those harmful, anxious concerns that always seem to swallow you up and cause you to fall apart. How? By trusting the Lord, knowing that He’ll never take you through anything that is not absolutely necessary; by accepting His plan and cooperating with Him; by choosing to be content; and by seeing Him in all that comes your way.
Determine in your heart and mind that you are going to be content no matter what comes your way because God is in control!
Gail Mays
Calvary Chapel South Bay
Gardena, California
Week 11 : Eternity in Our Hearts
He has also set eternity in the hearts of men . . .
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
You know, missionaries have always been seen as birds of another feather. And maybe in some ways it’s true. But when it comes right down to it, we all have wants, dreams, and desires. As God began tugging at my heart to serve Him in Colombia, South America, the question arose, “Will I obey?”
For a missionary, the hardest adjustments aren’t so much changes in food, language, or culture. The most painful thing is leaving family behind.
One day before my departure, my father said to me, “Hallie, the Indians in Arizona need Jesus too; why do you have to go so far away?” I answered him, “Daddy, if I wasn’t absolutely sure of eternity, I could never leave. But I know this life is but a breath, and what is eternal lasts forever. We have all eternity to be together.”
May we always keep that hope, and may our treasures always be in Him.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21 NIV
Hallie Martinez
Calvary Chapel Golden Springs
Diamond Bar, California
Week 12 : Why That Face, Mommy?
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
Matthew 6:14 NIV
One day my daughter said something that really saddened my heart. She said she was sorry. I told her that, yes, I would forgive her. Later she came and saw my face hadn’t changed much. Even though I had forgiven her, my heart was still sad. She said, “Mommy, why that face? Are you still mad at me?” I told her, “No sweetie, I’m not mad, I’m still just sad.” “It isn’t fair,” she said, “Jesus has forgiven me, why can’t you?” Oh, the words that can pierce our hearts.
Have you not forgiven someone for something they have said or done to you? Are you harboring feelings of bitterness or resentment against them? In Colossians 3:13 Paul says, “even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
May the Lord give us the capacity to forgive others and truly show His compassion and mercy towards them, and may those characteristics be seen even on our faces. “The LORD make His face shine upon you . . .” (Numbers 6:25).
Hallie Martinez
Calvary Chapel Golden Springs
Diamond Bar, California
Week 13 : Adorned in His Righteousness
I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10 NLT
My twenty-year-old niece, Iris, died from an overdose of heroin. At a vulnerable stage in her life, drugs had made their way into her hands. While Iris was still in a coma, my sister chose to bring her home to breathe her last breath. She wanted to hold and care for her daughter one more time. Iris’ mother desired to clean her up and make her a new dress. On day one, her new dress was completed. My sister bathed Iris and washed her long black hair and put her new dress on. Iris died a short time later.
This beautiful act of love from a mother was a clear picture to me of what Christ has done for us. When we were dirty with sin, He came to us to offer salvation. He took us as we were, cleansed us with His blood, and clothed us with His robe of righteousness.
How our hearts burst with joy because of such love! Won’t you take a few minutes today to meditate on all that Christ has done for you, that you may share this joy with another?
Janice Orate
Calvary Chapel Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Week 14 : Love One Another
“This is my command: love each other.”
John 15:17 NIV
It was the end of the pastors’ wives retreat. We were all singing the last worship song after Communion. I had felt particularly burdened that day. I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders and no one knew.
A young pastor’s wife leaned forward and softly whispered in my ear, “Your shoulders are very broad. They are carrying many burdens. They are wasted burdens. Give them to God and do what you know to do best: love the people.”
There was my answer! It was God’s job to take the burdens of people and my job to simply love them. That was the key. After all, He loved us first (1 John 4:19) and then set our example.
To love others is not a suggestion found in the Scriptures. It is a command from God. First Peter 4:8 states, “Above all, love each other deeply” (NIV). It is not possible to love others “too much.” It is with love that we win people to Jesus and this love. Let us continue to love one another. “Love covers over all wrongs” (Proverbs 10:12 NIV).
Jean McClure
Calvary Laguna
Irvine, California
Week 15 : We Need a Hero
I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.
Genesis 3:15
Are you overwhelmed by the daily pressures of life? The world tells us to be tough and efficient. “You can do it all, you are a woman.” Striving for the independence and efficiency that perspective requires of us makes me . . . tired!
Our hearts’ desires are to be protected, fought for, wanted, noticed, pursued, and cherished. We want to be “number one” in our husbands’ lives, their first priority. We want to be rescued from the daily pressures of life. After all, didn’t God give them to us to fix things? Eve went to Adam to fix her situation, and his best effort was getting her to sew fig leaves! God provided her a covering and it wasn’t the man He gave her.
I find much freedom in submitting to the strength and comfort of my husband. But, we need to remember who our true Hero is:
“For your Maker is your husband—the LORD Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. The LORD will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—a wife who married young, only to be rejected,” says your God.
Isaiah 54:5–6 NIV
HE IS OUR HERO.
Jeanette Graves
Calvary Chapel Bangor
Orrington, Maine
Week 16 : Grace to the Hearers
. . . good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Ephesians 4:29
We were sitting at the dining room table putting together every puzzle we owned at the request of our two little girls. Praise music played softly in the background, inspiring conversation about our Lord. My husband told the girls, “I sure do love Jesus, but sometimes I do things wrong, and when I decide to do things my way instead of His way, it makes Jesus sad and disappointed in me.”
Thinking he had done a good job of imparting the knowledge that Jesus is hurt and sad when we disobey Him, my husband was interrupted by our five-year-old daughter, who said, “Daddy, I think I hear Jesus saying, ‘I love you, Bill.’”
Oh, Lord Jesus, thank You for a little girl who can hear Your voice and speak Your Word.
What has the Lord been speaking to you lately? Are you investing your time in listening for His voice?
Joy Welsh
Calvary Chapel Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach, California
Week 17 : True Beauty
Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
1 Peter 3:3–4
One of the most popular programs on television today is Extreme Makeovers. The world is fascinated with those who are completely transformed by drastic surgeries, weight loss, hair styling, and wardrobe changes.
As Christians, the temptation is to follow the world’s view of beauty and to seek to be changed externally. Yet 1 Peter 3:4 tells us “the hidden person of the heart” is far more precious in God’s sight.
Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised” (emphasis added). True beauty that is lasting comes from a reverential fear of God.
Let Him give you the “ultimate” makeover that will never sag, wrinkle, or fade away—a beauty that results from an intimate, personal, and vital relationship with the living God.
June Hesterly
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Santa Ana, California
Week 18 : God’s Cafe
I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
Job 23:12
My grandfather used to take my sisters and me to a first-class French restaurant every now and then that served seven courses of the finest food—in fact, food so delicious that we would skip breakfast and lunch to get the most enjoyment out of dinner at the café. By 4:00 p.m. on the day we were to have dinner there, we would get so hungry that my sisters and I would grab a bag of potato chips and eat just a few to tide us over. Of course, we couldn’t eat just one, so soon we would finish the whole bag and realize the big mistake we had made. Sitting at the French café, we wouldn’t dare admit that we weren’t that hungry, so we would stare at our plates hoping no one would notice.
Imagine being so full of junk food that you couldn’t possibly enjoy the most delicious gourmet meal! When my spiritual appetite is low, or when I am stuffed on spiritual junk food, God often corners me, “Why don’t you desire Me and My Word with a passion like others have?” He reminds me how at times when my appetite was at its peak, in weakness I have filled it with the wrong things. At these moments, I have learned firsthand that the flesh profits me nothing—it is the Spirit that gives life!
Jeremiah warned the people about going anywhere but to God for fulfillment:
For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Jeremiah 2:13
What do you turn to for a quick fix—food, TV, shopping, running to a friend? Whatever it is will leave you hungrier still. Jesus alone is the bread of life (John 6:35). Partake of Him and you will be satisfied. Wait on Him to fulfill you in His timing. As Amy Carmichael said, “You’ve never known passion or fulfillment till you have felt the fire of God.”5
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
Matthew 5:6
Karen Pulley
Calvary Chapel Old Bridge
Old Bridge, New Jersey
Week 19 : When God’s Plan Seems Impossible
Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
Romans 11:33
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8–9
When I look at some of the circumstances in our lives and the ways the Lord causes us to trust Him, these are the passages of Scripture that come to my mind.
And as I look at Joshua’s life, the testing of his faith, and the miraculous way God destroyed the enemy, I praise and thank the Lord for His great and simple ways—the ways that confound the wise. God gave Joshua a simple plan: march around Jericho once each day for six days, and on the seventh day march around seven times, blow the trumpets, shout, and the walls of the city will fall down flat (Joshua 6:1–5).
Just think that plan through! It doesn’t make sense! It’s not logical! It is impossible, even ridiculous, yet Joshua didn’t try to figure it all out. He simply trusted and obeyed.
What do you do when the Lord gives you a plan or direction that seems simple, even ridiculous, and doesn’t look like it would make any difference at all?
We are to trust the Lord and lean not on our own understanding. When we do, the walls will fall down.
Karin Kyle
Calvary Chapel Modesto
Modesto, California
Week 20 : Keep It Simple, Sister
These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.
Ezra 2:62 NIV
When Jeff and I got married thirty years ago, we had a tiny little house. But I had a “junk drawer” that held all those little “things” that I just knew I would use someday. As our family grew, so did the junk drawer. Soon it became the “junk closet” and then the “junk garage.” Why did I feel the need to save all that stuff? I began to realize that trying to organize the clutter was keeping me from precious devotional time with the Lord. I’ve found that clutter can’t be organized, it just needs to be given away.
After the Jews were freed from Babylonian captivity, they needed the papers that proved who the priests were; but they had lost them in that worldly city. The clutter of Babylon and captivity had stolen what was really precious. Are you lost in the clutter of your home? Is God’s Word mixed in with a pile of papers and junk? Do you feel captive by all your “things?” Remember, we’re pilgrims passing through. It’s all going to burn anyway.
Karyn Johnson
Calvary Chapel Downey
Downey, California
Week 21: Satisfied from Above
My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the LORD.
Jeremiah 31:14
To live in America is to be continually bombarded with advertisements. Although annoying at times, these distractions do serve one useful purpose: they incessantly remind us how dissatisfying life is apart from Jesus Christ. The unregenerate man continually searches for the latest gizmo on the market, hoping that it will finally bring lasting satisfaction to his empty soul. There always seems to be something newer, bigger, or faster—like a carrot dangling before his eyes.
Maybe you too have found yourself caught up in the striving of this culture. Perhaps you have been looking again to circumstances, relationships, material possessions, or even ministry to fill the holes in your heart.
Run back to Jesus, my friend. Abide in Him and allow His everlasting love to consume you. As you rest in your Father’s arms today and allow Him to meet your every need, your heart will once again rejoice in complete contentment. For “my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.
Psalm 107:9
Kathy Morales
Calvary Chapel Lone Mountain
Las Vegas, Nevada
He has also set eternity in the hearts of men . . .
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
You know, missionaries have always been seen as birds of another feather. And maybe in some ways it’s true. But when it comes right down to it, we all have wants, dreams, and desires. As God began tugging at my heart to serve Him in Colombia, South America, the question arose, “Will I obey?”
For a missionary, the hardest adjustments aren’t so much changes in food, language, or culture. The most painful thing is leaving family behind.
One day before my departure, my father said to me, “Hallie, the Indians in Arizona need Jesus too; why do you have to go so far away?” I answered him, “Daddy, if I wasn’t absolutely sure of eternity, I could never leave. But I know this life is but a breath, and what is eternal lasts forever. We have all eternity to be together.”
May we always keep that hope, and may our treasures always be in Him.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21 NIV
Hallie Martinez
Calvary Chapel Golden Springs
Diamond Bar, California
Pastors’ Wives 2017 Retreat Teachings
Audio Resources
Pastors’ Wives Conference 2017 Workshops
streaming | download : Event Planning for Multiple Genereations : Marie Rosales & Connie Green
streaming | download : Serving in a Foreign Country : Christa Foote
streaming | download : The Gifts & Baptism of the Holy Spirit : Cathy Dickinson
streaming | download : Writing Women’s Bible Studies : Kelly Bell
streaming | download : Raising Godly Children in the Ministry : Brenda McClure
streaming | download : Empowered & Overjoyed : Using our Gifts for His Glory : Kathy Morales
streaming | download : Comforting with His Comfort : Diane Cochran
streaming | download : The Battle for Your Marriage : Ruth Beeler
streaming | download : Preparing a Message : Christy Duff
streaming | download : The Path of Loss : Shannon Gallatin
streaming | download : Ministering to Your Leadership : Teri Rodriguez
streaming | download : Dealing with Difficult People : Jeanette Graves
streaming | download : The Ministry of an Assistant Pastor’s Wife : Jean McClure
Pastors’ Wives 2016 Retreat Teachings
Audio Resources
Pastors’ Wives Conference 2016 Studies
streaming | download : Session 01 : Board Testimonies
streaming | download : Session 02 : Sandy Macintosh
streaming | download : Session 03 : Janie Alfred
streaming | download : Session 04 : Board Testimonies & June Hesterly
streaming | download : Session 05 : Jean McClure & Inga-Lill Guzik
Pastors’ Wives Conference 2016 Workshops
streaming | download : Don’t Settle : Cathy Dickinson
streaming | download : Raising Up Leaders : Brenda Levenworth
streaming | download : How to Minister to the Hurting : Gail Mays
streaming | download : The Necessity of Prayer : Jeanette Walls
streaming | download : Preparing a Message : June Hesterly
streaming | download : Raising Children Who Love Jesus : Karen Pulley
streaming | download : Forgiving Others : Karyn Johnson
streaming | download : Living and Loving to the Praise of His Glory : Kathy Morales
streaming | download : Reaching Our Community : Kelly Bell
streaming | download : Supporting Our Husbands : Marie Rosales
streaming | download : Continuing in Chaos : Maureen Schaffer
streaming | download : Transitioning : Mindy Love
streaming | download : Reaching the LGBTQ Community : Patty Height