Sisterhood in Action: Uplifting through the 2024 Election

Morgan Farr, a "military wife," cares deeply about America. She is also a Christ-follower who teaches women how to think biblically. In this Elections UPGRADE—now that the important 2023 elections are over—Morgan looks ahead to what may prove to be a profoundly crucial year gearing up to the 2024 elections.

“What if," she asks, "we used SISTERHOOD to help our community through the 2024 Presidential election?”

I (Dawn) think Morgan’s suggestions for making a difference in local communities are a wonderful idea!

Morgan continues . . .

We are called to be salt and light in the world, and one of the most impactful ways we can do this is by actively participating in the political process. The 2024 presidential election presents a unique opportunity to unite, support one another, and make a difference in our nation.

How we can uplift one another through this election, grounded in the wisdom of Romans 12:10?

Paul says,

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor (ESV).

S-I-S-T-E-R-H-O-O-D in Action!

S — SUPPLICATE for Personal Guidance

Before diving into the practical aspects of getting involved in the election, start with prayer.

• Seek God's guidance for unity among Christian women, regardless of political differences.
• Pray for wisdom and discernment as you navigate the complexities of the election process.

Remember that Romans 12:10 encourages us to love one another with brotherly affection, even when our political views differ.

I — INFORM Yourselves.

Empower yourselves and your sisters in Christ with knowledge about the candidates and issues at stake.

• Host informational sessions or invite guest speakers to provide insights into the candidates' positions and the potential impact of their policies.
• Encourage fact-checking and discernment to make informed decisions.

S —SUPPORT Voter Registration.

Help one another register to vote. It's a practical way to uplift Christian women.

• Organize voter registration drives within your church or community. 
• Ensure that everyone eligible has the opportunity to participate in the electoral process.

This aligns with the biblical principle of stewardship, as we are called to be responsible citizens in Romans 13:1.

T — TALK with Each Other.

One way to uplift one another during the election is to engage in civil discourse.

• While differences of opinion are natural, approach conversations with respect and humility.
• Listen actively to the perspectives of your sisters in Christ and share your views thoughtfully.
• Use your discussions as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Keep in mind Proverbs 15:1:

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (NIV).

E — ENCOURAGE Voting on Voting Day.

Motivate your Christian sisters to exercise their right to vote.

• Share the significance of voting in a democracy and its impact on our nation's direction.
• Remember that voting is not just a civic duty but also an opportunity to be good stewards of the influence God has given us.

R — REACH OUT to Your Community. 

• Consider volunteering your time and skills for a campaign or an initiative that aligns with your values.
• Whether it's canvassing, phone banking, or offering marketing or event planning expertise, your contribution can make a significant difference.

Galatians 6:9 reminds us of the importance of not growing “weary in doing good.”

H — HOST with Puposeful Hospitality.

Christian hospitality can heighten participation during the election year.

• Create a safe and supportive community for Christian women during the election season.
• Offer encouragement and a listening ear to those who may find the process overwhelming or stressful.
• Get creative!

Acts 4:32a reminds us of the power of unity:

All the believers were one in heart and mind (NIV).

O — ORGANIZE Prayer Gatherings.

Prayer is a powerful tool in any election.

• Organize prayer gatherings within your church or community.
• Pray for:  the election process, the candidates, and the nation.
• Believe that unity in prayer—praying together and counting on God's presence—can bring about positive change!

This is emphasized in Matthew 18:20:

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them (NIV).

O — OPERATE with Understanding. 

Amid passionate discussions and differing viewpoints, remember the importance of grace and forgiveness. 

• Extend godly grace to your sisters, especially when disagreements arise.
• Practice biblical forgiveness when disagreements go too far.
  

Ephesians 4:32 encourages us to:

“be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (NIV).

D — DEMONSTRATE Christlikeness. 

Ultimately, as Christian women, we should do all to the glory of God — with Christlike choices and responses.

• Our vote should align with our values and principles—rooted in faith.
• In Christlike humility, seek guidance from Scripture, prayer, and the counsel of fellow believers as you make your voting decisions. 
• Trust that your choices reflect your commitment to love, justice, and righteousness.

The 2024 presidential election allows Christian women to uplift one another through unity, knowledge, and active participation. Grounded in love, respect, and stewardship principles, we can positively impact our nation and be a shining example of Christ's love in a politically-charged world.

Again, as we navigate the election season, may we remember:

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Let's let Romans 12:10 guide our actions and interactions.

Which of these “S-I-S-T-E-R-H-O-O-D” suggestions could you prepare to participate in during the upcoming election season? Can you think of a special sister in Christ who might join you to make a difference in your community?

Morgan Farr is a succulent-cultivating book nerd and aspiring author. She spends her days homeschooling her four young children and training her working dogs. As an Army wife, Morgan has learned to lean heavily on Jesus as she walks out military life. She is the Director of Publishing at Planting Roots, a ministry for military women and wives. You can connect with Morgan on all major social media channels using her handle: morgandfarr.

3 Ways to Recognize and Silence the Real Devil

Debbie W. Wilson's blog is about refreshing faith. It's full of positive counsel to grow in hope and spiritual maturity. She recognizes some of the struggles in the walk of faith, like dealing with a very real devil. In this Discernment UPGRADE, Debbie shares three ways to deal with the devil's attacks—to stop him in his tracks!

"On Halloween, horned devils and gruesome looking goblins may show up at your door asking for treats," she said. "However, the real devil is much more subtle—and dangerous."

I (Dawn) think the scary thing is that—even though people wear red horns and costumes of what they mistakenly think the devil looks like—so many people don't believe the devil is real! How do we silence the devil if we don't believe he exists? Debbie has some profound thoughts here.    

Debbie continues . . .

For several weeks the thought that an answer I’d given at Bible study had misled and confused my friend taunted me. I hadn’t seen her to address it.

Over mugs of steaming tea, I asked, “Can I ask you about the question you raised in Bible study?”

Her brown eyes widened. “What question? I don’t remember a question.”

I’d worried my answer to my friend’s question had led to an inaccurate understanding of the topic. Her response showed I’d been duped by our spiritual enemy’s lies and accusations—again.

The Bible describes our spiritual enemy, the devil, as a roaring lion that prowls around looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). He is “the accuser of our brothers and sisters” (Revelation 12:10).

Are you familiar with his accusations?

Satan also sows seeds of fear and doubt.

After a medical appointment, I mentioned to my husband what the nurse had said in passing that had left me feeling discouraged.

“That sounds like a poisonous dart,” he said.

“Reading through the Gospel of Mark, I’ve noticed that the first thing Jesus does when He meets someone tormented by demons is to tell the demons, ‘Be quiet.’”

The enemy had used this woman’s medical position to give her words power they didn’t deserve.

So how do we protect ourselves from the devil’s arrows?

Dealing with the Real Devil's Attacks

1. Stay Alert!

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT).

Copperheads live in our area. When I’m outside during warm months, I look where I’m gardening and where my dogs walk. Like copperheads, Satan blends in with otherwise safe and normal surroundings.

Knowing he is there should make us alert, not afraid.

Notice how Peter describes our enemy:

• He prowls: my computer dictionary defines this as, “move around restlessly and stealthily, especially in search of … prey.”
  • He slips in when we are weary or our defenses are down, like when we are in so-called safe places—like Bible study or a doctor’s appointment.
• Roaring: Lions roar to paralyze and intimidate their prey. 
  • I read that a lion’s intimidating roar can be heard up to 5 miles away. Their roars scare off hyenas and send fear through those they hunt. Lions that are too weak to hunt roar to scare off would-be attackers.
• Looking for someone to devour: 
  • The devil is always looking for opportunities to pounce. His goal is to destroy—our faith, joy, peace, fruitfulness, and relationships.

2. Be Discerning

Satan masquerades as an angel of light, pretending to offer correction. Yet, Satan just accuses and condemns.

While Satan hurls vague accusations of guilt and shame and offers no constructive steps to change, Jesus is our advocate.

The Holy Spirit’s correction is always specific, clear, and empowering (2 Corinthians 7:10). The Holy Spirit never shames you.

When we are in a spiritual battle, other believers can help us find truth. Let a trusting believer know your battle.

My husband’s insight exposed the dart and freed me.

3. Follow Jesus’s Example

If a fear or accusation continues to taunt you after you’ve confessed it, you are dealing with one of Satan’s fiery arrows.

If you feel guilty but have no clear wrong to confess, use your delegated authority (Ephesians 1:18-23) and follow Jesus’s example.

Tell the accuser, “Be quiet” (Mark 1:25).

I’d like to hear your insights. What helps you recognize and stop the real devil’s attacks?

Debbie W. Wilson is an award-winning author, Bible teacher, and former Christian counselor who speaks and writes to connect fellow sojourners to the heart of Christ. She and her husband lead Lighthouse Ministries, a non-profit Christian counseling and Bible teaching ministry. Despite time in Boston, the Midwest, and Southern California, Debbie still says y’all. Her family, which includes two grown children and two mischievous standard poodles, calls North Carolina home. Connect with Debbie, find free resources, and learn about her books, including her new release Little Strength, Big God at debbieWwilson.com.

Graphic adapted: Courtesy of Mikhail Nilov at Pexels.

Release Fear to Hope

Susan Stewart is a woman of the Word, and a practical, realistic optimist. In this Hope UPGRADE, she points us to many scriptures that will help us release our fears and move to a solid position of hope in the Lord.

Susan says, “An Inuit saying is, ‘We don’t believe. We only fear.’ Sadly, I think this is what our society has come to.”

I (Dawn) believe there are many ways to conquer fear, but hope in God is certainly one of them. (Depending on the Bible translation, the word "hope" appears anywhere from 133 times to 244 times!) I love how Susan zeroes in on this powerful truth.

Susan continues . . .

I don’t read or listen to “news” much anymore. Much of “breaking news" is dread rather than information: deadly storm coming, inflation going to rise, more people hospitalized. I even saw one headline stating, “Life Gets Hard.”

So negative . . . so fearful . . . so hopeless.

Add to this the stress of our modern life: jobs, kids’ activities, commutes, etc. The fearful news only adds to our everyday tension.

Scientists say fear is natural and can be healthy. As one psychologist said, it’s fear that causes us to jump off a railroad track when a train is coming. Fear can be important to our survival.

But the constant state of fear with associated anxiety disrupts our lives and, in extreme cases, our health. Sadly, even Christians succumb to the fear.

God doesn’t abandon us to fear and stress. Instead, he’s provided about 365 Bible verses about fear—one for each day of the year.

Of those 365, more than 100 verses tell us to “fear not.”

Recognize the Bad Kind of Fear

It’s usually not hard to recognize the bad kind of fear, and for those cases, God’s Word tells us to NOT fear—to choose to stand against it.

• "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).
• "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV).
• ". . . In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?" (Psalm 56:4 NKJV).
• "So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:6 ESV).

When I read these verses, I learn God doesn’t give me fear. Because he is my God, he will strengthen and help me. I have no reason to be afraid. He is holding me.

When I trust God, what can others do to me? After all, who’s in charge here? God is.

Practice Good, Wisdom-based Fear.

God also gives us specifics about good fear. As Job says, “. . . Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. . .” (28:28). Again, we have a choice.

• ". . . it will be well with those who fear God. . ." (Ecclesiastes 8:12 NKJV)"
• ". . . Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV).
• ". . . Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart" (1 Samuel 12:24 ESV).
• "You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield" (Psalm 115:11 ESV).
• "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?. . ." (Psalm 27:1).

I hear the loving Father say,

“Fear only me, that’s your duty. I’m your help, shield, light and salvation. Who should you be afraid of? Because you fear me and only me it will be well with you.”

Rejoice in Hope, the Source of Godly Fearlessness

God offers relief from fear through HO. He’s given us more than 100 verse about hope.

• ". . . your faith and hope are in God" (I Peter 1:21 ESV).
• "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23 ESV).
• ". . . Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation. . . " (Psalm 42:5, 11 and again in Psalm 43:5 ESV).
• ". . . we rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2 ESV).

God tells me in these few verse our hope is in Him. We can count on that hope because He promised, and He is faithful to keep those promises.

We have reason to praise God because of the hope we have from Him.

Job uses the word hope at least 25 times. If Job can have that much hope, why can’t we?

One of my favorite old hymns says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”

No matter how bleak the world may seem, or news announcements may make it appear, we Christians have nothing to fear.

We have the hope of Jesus in all things.

We can say with the angels, “. . . Fear God and give him glory” (Revelation 14:7 ESV).

What do you fear? How do you fight your fear? Where do you go for hope in a dreary world?

Susan K. Stewart, Managing Editor with Elk Lake Publishing, teaches, writes, and edits non-fiction.  Susan’s passion is to inspire readers with practical, real-world solutions. Her latest book, Donkey Devos: Listening When God Speaks, is a devotional based on life with her donkeys. You can learn more at her website www.susankstewart.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Open Clipart / Vectors and Dorothe, Dark Moon Art, both at Pixabay.

Upgrade Your Ministry: Continue Learning

Morgan Farr is a wise and practical teacher, distilling the truth of God's Word and applying it to everyday living. In this Ministry UPGRADE, she encourages us to keep on learning, for our benefit but also for the sake of better ministry.

"Learning shouldn’t end in a classroom," Morgan says. "It should be a forever part of the Christian woman’s life."

I (Dawn) agree with Morgan. We should always be lifelong learners, and nowhere is this more important than in our walk with God and ministry for Him.

Morgan continues . . .

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to let the pursuit of knowledge take a back seat. However, for Christian women, the call to learning should be a continual and integral part of our lives.

Our commitment to growing in wisdom, knowledge, and faith should stay in the forefront of our minds.

Let’s explore why every Christian woman should continue learning and what she should do with that knowledge. 

1. Get Wisdom

Even though history has not always been kind to women’s education, we see in scripture that learning and growing is a crucial part of life.

Proverbs 4:7 states,

"The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding."

This verse reminds us that wisdom and understanding are precious treasures worth pursuing at any cost. This means that wisdom and understanding are not one-time acquisitions but ongoing pursuits.

Learning isn't just about acquiring academic knowledge; it's also about deepening our spiritual understanding.

Ephesians 4:23-24 urges us to:

"be made new in the attitude of your minds"

and to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey, and learning plays a pivotal role in our development as followers of Christ.

Consider joining a Bible study group, attending seminars, or dedicating time to daily reading and reflection. 

2. Give to Others

Learning isn't just for personal enrichment; it's also a means to serve others effectively.

Proverbs 31:26 (NIV) describes a woman who

"speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."

When we continually upgrade our knowledge and wisdom, we become valuable sources of guidance and support for our families, friends, and communities.

God has given us unique talents and gifts, and we can use these gifts to bless others.

By investing in our growth, we can better equip ourselves to serve those around us.

This might look like using your skills as a bookkeeper to help a college student build a budget, or using your wisdom as a grandmother to minister in a children’s church. God gave you unique skills and experiences. Use them to give knowledge to others.

Let me share a real-life example.   

A YouTube star, Rob Kenney, created the channel “Dad, How Do I?” where he took his real-life experience and started making videos to help people walk through things they may not have learned from their parents.

I accidentally stumbled across his videos two years ago when I was trying to figure out how to replace a toilet seat. I was struggling and super frustrated, so I googled, “How do I replace a toilet seat?”

His video gave me the help I needed.

Now, that may not seem like a big deal, but when you realize that I had four kids ages six and under and my soldier husband was away—let me just say that there were a lot of tears when I finally fixed this silly thing that was creating so much frustration in my home.

Kenney's skills and willingness to share them helped me and my family, even though we have never met! 

3. Grapple with Relevance 

It is easy to feel irrelevant after hitting age twenty-nine. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

Just because you don’t know the latest TikTok dance doesn’t mean that you don’t have knowledge to share.

Find what you are good at and let your church or community leadership know you want to give in this area.

I guarantee you there is a place where you are needed!

For example, being able to sew my husband’s name tape and patches on his Army uniform has saved us a fair amount of money during his military career.

• I could ask my chapel about putting up a flyer letting other military wives know I have this skill.
• I can either offer it to them as a free/low-cost service, or I can teach them how to do it themselves.

We are told in Titus chapter two how older people should mentor younger people, yet this doesn’t happen often in church.

I see a divide between the older generations and the ones coming behind them because we don’t know how to communicate our willingness to learn and teach.

As Christian women, our commitment to learning should be an ongoing journey guided by the Word of God. Through this, we enrich our lives and fulfill God's purpose for us, becoming the women He designed us to be.

So, upgrade your commitment to learning today and let it be a continual part of your life for God's glory

What skill can you share with your community? 

Morgan Farr is a succulent-cultivating, book nerd, aspiring author. She spends her days homeschooling her four young children and training her working dogs. As an Army wife, Morgan has learned to lean heavily on Jesus as she walks out military life. She is the Director fo Publishing at Planting Roots, a minitry for military women and wives. You can connect with Morgan on all major social media channels using her handle: morgandfarr.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Pexels at Pixabay.

Is Fundraising Biblical?

Sally Ferguson writes devotionals and articles of consequence, and she even wrote a coloring book for children. As a speaker, she helps women find encouragement from God's Word. She is also helps women plan women's retreats and leads them herself. In this Biblical Discernment UPGRADE, Sally asks a question about fundraising, a topic dear to her heart.

“I was surprised recently to learn some people don’t think churches and Christian ministries should do fundraisers,” Sally said.

Fundraising can be a hot-button issue in some Christian circles, but I (Dawn) think Sally explores it with both insight and compassion.

Sally continues . . .

As one who was in church with my parents every time the doors were open, I grew up with a well-rounded view of the church and money.

My sister and I were eager to put our coins in the offering plate when passed down the row. It was seen as a privilege to be a part of God’s work.

When I graduated to the youth group, we each became a part of the fundraising team to ensure all could afford our ministry opportunities.

Church camp and youth conventions were a time of teaching God’s Word and growing in relationships. We came home from our mountaintop experiences ready to tell our friends at school about the transformation we’d encountered and how Jesus could make a difference in their lives, too.

Had we not done fundraising, maybe half of the group could not have attended.

It’s unthinkable that some of us would not have been included in those trips.

In the years following, I’ve been a part of fundraising for all types of church events, so it puzzled me that someone wouldn’t consider it biblical. It made me want to find out for myself what God says about our finances.

Exploring Fundraising Biblically

1. We’re told in Malachi to bring a tithe to God.

That foundational gift is to honor God’s care of us. He gives us all things, but only requires a tenth given back to support the ministry of His House, as planned in Numbers 18:21.

“Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams” (Malachi 3:10 MSG).

2. The early church modeled community for us in the way they took care of each other.

Acts 2:42-47 tells us people sold their possessions in order to provide for unmet needs.

People were so excited about what they were seeing take place around them, they joined forces to expand their reach.

3. In Romans 15:27, Paul says it is right for us to share our material blessings with those who bless us spiritually.

Have you felt joy when you gave to another? It has a boomerang effect in blessing the giver as much as the receiver.

Not only has fundraising helped our church reach goals of sending people on mission trips and building campaigns to expand ministry facilities, but it has also helped to build camaraderie within the church.

The process of working together toward a common goal bonds us together and builds community.

When we witness something accomplished that is bigger than ourselves, we get a faith boost because we know God is at work in our midst.

“In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14 MSG).

So, let’s circle back to the beginning.

What Is Fundraising?

Fundraising is raising funds for a particular need that otherwise wouldn’t be met. It’s money pooled together above and beyond the general tithe for a specific occasion.

Maybe you would call it an offering or a gift, but fundraising can look like many different things:

• A new church van for picking up children for Sunday School
• Packaged goods for the church food pantry.
• Bottle and can drive for missions.

One more story.

Our church issued a Backpack Challenge for members to fill backpacks with school supplies. One little girl turned in hers with a request. She had added clothes in her size for another girl to have for the first days of school.

Our youth pastor agreed to pray for that specific recipient.

Later that week, she received a call from a local agency. Guess what they asked for? Yep, that specific size was needed for a little girl!

Two gals learned about the power of prayer and that God cares about the details—when one responded to a fundraiser.

It was a great reminder to all of us that the smallest can teach us the biggest lessons.

What does fundraising look like to you?

Proverbs 3:9 admonishes us to honor God with all of our possessions. May we do so with generous and joyful hearts and wallets, as we look for ways to enhance ministry opportunities beyond the walls of our church.

What do you think? Is fundraising biblical?

Sally Ferguson is a teacher of God’s Word and a student of people. Whether leading retreats or small groups, she loves to see the light shine when hope abounds. Sally lives in western New York with her husband and her dad. Her current project is a Bible study for caregivers. Catch up with her at sallyferguson.net.