FBC Sisters

11/07/2025

04/24/2023

Monday Motivation 🤍 Written by Selena Smith

“You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”
My father-in-law said those words to me very early in my marriage after I had had an argument with my husband. I have thought about that saying many times over the years, but never really put it to use until after I found Jesus. From a young age I have been responsible for others. I am the oldest of 2 children, I was a teen mom, wife for 28 years, grandmother, mother-in-law, and a nurse. I feel a huge sense of responsibility for all the roles I play in life. I have very often felt overwhelmed, rushed and just plain exhausted. To say that I can be demanding and not so nice about it at times is an understatement. BUT I do all of that out of love for my family, my friends, and my patients. Does that make it ok? NO, it does not. Last week after having a phone conversation with a pharmacy technician who had been rather rude with one of my coworkers and I quote “oh you have 48 to refill a prescription? Well, that is just great I will tell the patient she will have to do without her medicine because your office has 48 hours to respond” and hung up the phone without giving my coworker a chance to respond. My first response was to defend my coworker and call this young lady and ask her exactly where she got off speaking to our office this way. Then I remembered a conversation I had had with an insurance company a few months back where I was trying to get them to pay for a medication that a patient needed. I remember saying to them “well, I guess I will just tell them they cannot get their medication because their insurance company knows more than the doctor and hope they don’t die without it. “
Galatians5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law” Kindness should come naturally to us, but sometimes we need extra encouragement or ideas to get us started.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
God has really laid it on my heart lately to be kind. Show kindness even when you don’t feel like it, even when you feel like the world is just messed up and makes no sense. Have faith that God is in control, and you do not have to “fix” all the problems for everyone. Rest in knowing that Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

Romans 8:28-29 tells us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. God's good purpose for all Christians is that we be "conformed to the likeness of his Son". Jesus forgave Peter and Judas. Jesus even forgave the soldiers that crucified him. My hope is that you will take this reminder into the world this week and conform to the likeness of Christ and be kind.

04/17/2023

Monday Motivation 🤍 Written by Sara Voyles

Martha & Mary

When asked to do this, I prayed and asked God to reveal in my life an area that I struggled in but also something that would be helpful to other women. Through prayer and meditation, God revealed in my life an area I desperately needed help.

As women, we wear many hats:
Wife
Mom
Sister in Christ
Referee
Teacher
Cook
Maid
Nurse
Taxi driver
Therapist….and the list goes on.

If you’re anything like me, you try to do your best at all of the hats you juggle. For me, I wanted perfection in all the hats I was wearing. These hats were becoming heavy, so heavy, they were now becoming a burden. I was becoming super anxious when I wasn’t perfecting each task for each hat I wore. I was stressed when my house was dirty, things were out of place when I didn’t know what to cook for dinner, the kids were bouncing off the walls, fighting, and I was constantly raising my voice, and I dreaded going anywhere because I had so much to do. I no longer found joy in serving others. My joy was robbed from me, and I was helping the enemy by allowing him to hold onto my happiness because I had so much going on that I wasn’t putting any time into studying my Bible or being prayerful.

Let’s take a look at Martha in the Bible.

Luke 10: 38-41 says:
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Martha was upset that preparing for Jesus and his disciples was left solely to her.
Mary prioritized Jesus and his teaching over chores. Jesus ignored the traditional role of women & encouraged Mary’s desire to listen, learn, and grow.
Jesus never says Martha’s service is unimportant. Jesus made it clear serving others is an important part of His ministry. However, He wants Martha to realize two things.
Being Jesus' disciple & learning His teachings comes first, and all other tasks are secondary.
Jesus reminds Martha she is worried & upset about many things. Martha’s desire to be a superb host caused her anxiety, hard feelings toward her sister, and an outburst toward Jesus.
Philippians 4:6 says:
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

So what can we learn from Martha?
Our priorities matter; however, we must make time to sit at the feet of Jesus.
Do not let our busy lives & acts of service get in the way of spending time in God’s word.
Anxiety doesn’t solve problems; Jesus does
1 Peter 5:7 says
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Acts of service & hospitality are a form of discipleship. They should come from a heart overflowing with Jesus’ love which we develop by studying God’s word. Fill up, listen, learn, and grow strong in His word.
The story of Martha and Mary shows us two women that loved Jesus dearly. Jesus would rather we sit at His feet while He first feeds us before we go out in the world to perform acts of service in His name.
Are you so busy doing things for Jesus that you’re not spending time with Him? Don’t let your service become self-serving. Jesus did not blame Martha for being concerned about household chores. He was only asking her to set priorities. Doing the right thing with the wrong heart motive misses the mark. God requires more than external behavior.

04/13/2023

04/10/2023

Monday Motivation 🤍 Written by Krista Nicholson

"Truth Be Told" .....
If you haven't listened to the words of this song by: Matthew West you must do so. At somepoint in everyone's life this song has probably or will probably match what you are going through depending on what season of life you're in.
I have to admit that for about 30 years of my life I felt like the majority of the people sitting around me in church had their lives pretty well put together, some seemed pretty perfect. If I'm being real honest for the majority of my life I felt like my family expecially, was very blessed and had very few struggles. The majority of my family sat around me week after week in the church pews and were saved, so I felt we had very little problems and that things could always be much worse.
Four years ago my life came crashing down. My parents very unexpectedly separated and I suddenly realized I had taken my entire life for granted as many changes in my family occurred. I kept going to church even though to be honest it hurt stepping through the doors, listening to the music, and to the words that God had given the preacher each Sunday. It hurt, because parts of my family who had always been there worshiping together were no longer there. I felt like God had left us. I would cry out to God in prayer to heal our family. I would look around at everyone else that seemed perfectly happy and they didn't seem to have any problems of their own or so I though. I would pray to God, but often hear silence or I would pray and read the Bible and hear a sermon that would be on patience and if you know me that is one quality that I struggle with sometimes.
I have finally gotten to a better place in my life where I am able to continually ask God for not my will to be done, but yours Lord. I had to completely give up the drivers seat if I wanted to recieve peace again. God can heal your pain of whatever you are going through, you just have to trust Him and His timing. Whether things are bad, good, or great PRAY!
Fast forward about 3 years: God is working on my family, he is restoring my family. Only God can take what is so broken, bruised, or hurt, and mending it back together. God can use our story to help someone either stay clear from the sin or open their eyes to change direction before they go down the same path. God can use our family to witness to others dealing with simular situations. Something I realized over the past year is in our church there are so many people that have their own story. Everyone sins and no one is perfect. Praise the Lord for dying on the cross for each of our sins, we just have to accept His gift of salvation. Just because others put a smile on their face, doesn't mean that everything is always peachy, it might just mean that because of God they are getting through the situation day by day and having faith that God is going to show up and send blessings if you follow him.
I tell the truth, because I don't want others not coming to church or feeling like they are less because of your past. God is in the forgiving business. Ask and you shall recieve what you ask for if it is in God's will.
If you see someone struggling, tell them your story, sometimes all others need to hear is how you struggled and when you least expected it God showed up in a BIG way.
GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD!

Psalm 13
1
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
2
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3
Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4
my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6
I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.

04/03/2023

Monday Motivation ♥️ Written by Judy Kaut

Where are you?
Matthew 13:44-46

Where are you? The essential question in these parables look at our perception of how we are
living for the Kingdom to come, “are you a hidden treasure? Or a seeker of the valuable?”
Whether you are in a spiritual battle with private demons, surrounded by the damage of world
war, or just in a conflict of standing up for doing what is right, you are on a Kingdom assignment
as a soldier of God. This makes you a warrior in the Spirit. This duty calls us to seek the most
valuable treasures, the lost, the broken and His Will! So sisters, how are you living?
Are you living in comfort or surrender to the will of God? Do you keep Christ and His Kingdom
front and center? Esther 4:4-14 finds Mordecai reminding Esther of her purpose to God and His
will, but she almost let fear hinder her walk of Faith. God wants surrender to obedience over
convenient worship. Are you Esther hiding in the palace in comfort or Esther risking everything
to do God’s will through her? Will you surrender to make a way for God to use you or remain
hidden in the comfort of convenient worship? Are you the pearl or the merchant?
Each of us have been appointed a mission on this side of the Spiritual battle, we have a
purpose to fulfill to the Kingdom for the Glory of the Father. There may not be a Mordecai
coming to remind us of the purpose of His plan for us, but as Christians there are scriptures that
guide us for preparing to do His work.
Esther surrendered to His will and a nation rejoiced, lives were spared and souls reclaimed. Go
be an Esther of surrender and remember you were called “for such a time as this”!

03/27/2023

Monday Motivation 🤍 Written by Suzy Hammock

Good morning, ladies!

When Emilee approached me and asked me to write something for Monday Motivation, I wanted to turn and run! If you know me at all, you know that I am not good at public speaking/writing, but God grabbed me and told me to accept the challenge and He would help me. By the time I got home from the church, He had already given me three topics, two songs, and two verses. I am going to try my best, with His help, to tie all this together and present it to all of you.

I hope this helps each of you to learn more about His love for us and how to be able to rest in Him and prioritize our time to be able to spend more time with Him and get to know Him better. I do believe that is why He gave me this!

So, here goes! The first subject I was given is knowing who I am in Him (learning to love myself).

First of all, don't focus on yourself, instead focus on the awesome love that God has for you! "But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

In 1 John 4:19 it says "We love because God first loved us."

God is the creator of love! He IS love and His love for you has no end. Our doubts do not change God's love for us. His love is steadfast and constant. No matter what we do, He still loves us! No one loves us like He does.

It is really easy to love yourself when you learn how much God loves you and how He considers you precious and special in His sight. See Isaiah 43:4.

The second subject is resting in Him. We need to learn how to rest in Him and how to seek Him. "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

This verse comforts me and reminds me that I can take His yoke and find rest in Him. But, we also need to be seeking Him and spending time with Him.

I love the song "The More I Seek You" They lyrics are as follows:

The more I seek You
The more I find You
The more I find You
The more I love You

I wanna sit at Your feet
Drink from the cup in Your hand
Lay back against You and breathe, feel Your heart beat
This love is so deep, it's more that I can stand
I melt in Your peace, its overwhelming

The words to this song make me just want to seek Him and feel all these things. I think it really describes what we need to do to seek Him and spend quality time with Him. The love I feel for Him is overwhelming!

In seeking and spending time with Him, we also need to praise Him! I love the song "Gratitude" The chorus to this song just really says it all:

So I throw up my hands
And praise you again and again
'Cause all that I have is a Hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it's not much
But I've nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing Hallelujah
Hallelujah

What an absolute truth! He is our King and truly deserves our gratitude!

And finally, the last subject is prioritizing. I know that we are all busy, but we need to make time for God.

I love this story in the Bible: "Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he said. But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her'". (Luke 10:38-42)

In this story, Martha works hard to welcome Jesus to her home. Her sister, Mary of Bethany, simply sits at his feet and listens. Both Mary and Martha serve, yet Mary understands the priority and necessity of choosing to abide with Christ.

I hope this blessed all of you ladies reading this as much as it blessed me to write it!! I hope y'all have a wonderful day!!

03/24/2023

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:1-3‬ ‭

03/20/2023

Monday Motivation 🤍 Written by Trina Wright

Good morning all.
How are you? Really? What’s weighing on you? Do you find there’s that one thing that seems to be dragging’ you down or just kicking you in the gut? I feel ya’, sister!

Some of you have heard me state “start praising the Lord” when you’re attacked. Yes, it is hard, and more than likely, the last thing you’ll feel like doing. But that’s just it-if you wallow, you get swallowed by the evil one. And that’s EXACTLY what he wants! So now comes your crisis of faith-do you “hear and apply” what you’ve read or just keep carrying this filthy piece of baggage?

James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking ANYTHING.

Psalm 22:3 (KJV)
But thou art holy,
O thou that inhabits
The praises of Israel.

We also read in James 4:7-8 9 (and are reminded) Submit yourselves, then, to God. RESIST the devil, and “HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU!”

Does that in itself not give you reason to shout?! I mean, you can really gross the devil out so much that he won’t just turn his face but actually run from you---when you praise your heavenly father!
So now you have to ask yourself, “do I trust you, God?” Yes? Okay, but how much and with what things? Everything? Do you trust that even this gaping wound you’ve been emotionally dealt has FIRST been sifted through HIS hands? That He has already gone before you and is absolutely aware of what’s going on? Do you know and trust that He will ONLY do what is righteous and what is best for you, His child, and what will glorify His name? In the midst of what appear as unanswered prayers, David knows God is holy and inhabits His people’s praises. So I ask again, do you trust God? TRUSTING-what God has said-those things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen?

Remember, we are told that if we choose to follow Christ, like Him, we will be persecuted. If the devil can’t touch Him, you better believe he’ll go after us, God’s children. There is far more to this life than trusting in Christ-there is also suffering for him-

Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in HIM
“but to suffer for HIM”

And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting!

As hard as it seems, sounds or feels, TRUST that your Abba is in control and is trusting you with this moment-trusting you’ll still call out to Him with “holy, holy, holy…” For He is preparing you for bigger things.

Get ready!

03/13/2023

Monday Motivation 💛 Written by Kelly Doyle

Good morning FBC Sweet Sisters! God’s mercies are new every morning. His word is always sure. It’s a living and certain word for uncertain times. It’s true that we are going to face uncertain times, difficulties, trials, and problems in this life. When these things come our way, we may feel like they sneak up on us. But rest assured, sisters, they didn’t sneak up on God. He knew. He knew us before we were born. Before our struggles ever existed, He knew. He knew the struggle would be real. He knew the pain would be bad. He knew we would mess things up. He knew we would sometimes repeat our mistakes, even when we didn’t mean to. He knew. What’s “new” to us was already “knew” (known) by Him. He knew all the problems we would have or will ever face and while we may be caught off guard, He has a plan. He knows the plans He has for us. We don’t. We just deal with things as they come, but He knew they were coming. Can I tell you what else He knows? He knows our potential. Say that out loud, “God knows my potential.” Not only does He know this, but He is preparing us for our future. He has been all along. He’s calling us forward into something grand, into something for our benefit and the benefit of others. He has been using all our circumstances, all of our brokenness, and all of our messes to prepare us to be the perfect fit for our future, the plans that He has for us, for His glory. Sometimes this “calling us forward” is uncomfortable. Sometimes we just haven’t walked through what He’s teaching us long enough yet to be able to see the good that’s coming, His plans for us. But, Sisters, we can’t aways just hang out in the familiar. We must press on, realizing that He’s not finished with us yet. He knows His plans for our future. Let’s allow Him to teach us so we aren’t fighting against the very things He’s using to prepare us. The day to day battles we’ve faced all along have been getting us ready for our future and His plans for us. After all, His plans for us have brought us all to this place, to this hour, this day, this week, this month, this year (Back to Basics). Now together, let’s seek His plans for our future and see what He can do with us….for His glory. Do you know what He’s called us to be? He’s called us to be like Him. Let’s do just that. Let’s love like Him. Let’s teach like Him. Let’s share Him in all we do. Let’s trust Him. We may sometimes struggle in the unknown, but together, Sisters, we can accomplish amazing things….for His glory.

03/09/2023

“O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16:5-9‬ ‭

🙌💕

03/06/2023

Monday Motivation ♥️ Written by Kim McVicker

The book of Philippians is an epistle of Joy! It is full of loving encouragement and you often see or hear it quoted as inspiration. But, here’s the kicker. Paul wrote this letter from behind bars. Nothing says joy like prison, right?! How could Paul be surrounded by so much joy while being locked up?

“For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:21

Paul’s joy did not come from frolicking in a meadow, free from chains. It did not come from having nice material things or his favorite foods. Because he knew the gospel is true, Paul’s joy came only from Christ!

In this little letter to the Philippians, Paul shares three unexpected places where Christ brings us Joy.

1. Christ gives joy in community.
Paul emphasized the value of every person and role, reiterating that we all have a place in the community of the Church, even in hard times.
2. Christ gives joy in persecution.
The Philippians were proud of their earthly citizenship, but Paul directs them to find joy in heavenly citizenship.
“Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭
With his eyes fixed on heavenly citizenship, Paul was able to find joy while he was persecuted in prison.
3. Christ gives joy in humility.
Paul’s language, in light of his present uncomfortable living conditions, makes us consider the crazy idea that joy actually comes not through glory, but humility. We can find joy in Christ when, like Him, we clothe ourselves in humility.
“In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬

Like Paul, we will know what it is to have a little and what it is to have a lot. Like Paul, our story will include sacrifice, struggle, and suffering. And like him, we have been given profound joy and unending riches in the gospel and glory of Jesus Christ.

My dear sisters, I pray that today you look for the joy of Christ in unexpected places.