We love building relationships. Subscribe to our blog to receive weekly encouragement in your email inbox.
Search Our Blog Posts
Blog Article Tags
Visit Our Store
Donate
You can also mail checks, made out to IRSM, to:
Iron Rose Sister Ministries
PO Box 1351
Searcy, AR 72145
IRSM is a 501(c)(3), so donations are tax-deductible.
Blog
More blog entries below
Written by Liliana Henriquez, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Bogota, Colombia.
When you first heard this verse, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5:48 NIV), what did you think? Did you associate it with "always behaving well"? I don't remember exactly what I thought, but I probably would have had the same thought. That's a pretty simplistic view of what Jesus really meant.
Today, after several years following Jesus, I realize that holiness is not a destination that we arrive at and remain, but a path that we travel day by day. From experience, I am convinced that holiness is a process of transformation whose goal is to make us ever more like Christ: in His actions, in His way of thinking, of treating others, and of living in obedience to the Father's will. In other words, God perfects us little by little, from glory to glory.
What does this imply?
It implies that we have a lot of work ahead of us. The version of us when we started this race cannot be the same as the one that ends it. We should come to the encounter with Christ as transformed women.
What can we do?
- Recognize that following Christ has a cost.
Jesus was clear: following Him means giving one's whole life to Him (Lk 14:25-33). We no longer command ourselves; we have voluntarily decided to let ourselves be guided by Him.
- Obey with submission and love.
If we already recognize that the Father's will is our priority, then we must surrender to Him with trust and love.
- Cultivate an intimate relationship with God.
We are soldiers in an army commanded by God. To fulfill our purpose, we need to hear His instructions and be in tune with Him through prayer, the Word, and constant fellowship.
It is easier said than done.
However, as the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect.” If we want to be women of faith and holiness, we must practice, practice, practice... until our character is strengthened and it becomes more natural for us to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit in any of its nine "tastes": love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).
It's not going to go perfectly on the first try. But if we continue to strive with the help of the Spirit, we will be holy as He is holy.
I encourage you to keep moving forward, you're doing well!
Written by Karol Diogo, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Caring for people is one of the main examples Jesus left us as a way to continue His work, if not the main one: raising up men and women according to His biblical principles.
Paul mentored many people, but it was with Timothy that this work stood out most clearly. The image of a mentor shines through in 1 and 2 Timothy, especially at the beginning of 2 Timothy. There is great richness in mentoring.
I've been mentored by a sister in the Church of Christ for four years. Allowing myself to be mentored by her has been an incredible turning point in my life and my spiritual life. I believe we should all go through this experience. I see this all throughout the Bible. Jesus did this with the apostles for three years, teaching them both theory and practice, just as the apostle Paul did with Timothy, and it produced great results.
We can see these examples in 2 Timothy 2:1-2 and 2 Timothy 3:10-17. If we follow these examples that Paul left us, we will be following Christ's examples for our Christian life.
May we be GIVERS in our Christian walk (people who help others altruistically, prioritizing the well-being of others, even if it means personal cost). May we interact with each other based on the teachings of God's Word in our interpersonal relationships. In Ephesians 4:12-16, Paul speaks of the purpose of the church being built up is that all may attain unity in the faith and the knowledge of Christ. He further explains in 1 Corinthians 10:24, "No one should seek their own good, but the good of others” (NIV).
Establishing an intentional relationship with God, setting aside time regularly to be alone with Him, is our first priority. If I am faithful to God, I will be faithful to everything He asks (1Co 4:2). Keeping the Word alive within us so we can pass it on to others is a basic Christian principle we cannot forget. This practice is fundamental to the spiritual life, and neglecting it can lead to superficiality and other harm.
God's faithfulness and love offer us security, as Paul teaches us in Romans 8:31. Therefore, if we are faithful to Christ, we will be faithful in everything. This way, we can help others in need of a mentor, just as Paul needed Barnabas, and Timothy needed Paul's guidance. Sister, one day someone will need you—and me too. Therefore, let us be prepared for that moment, mirroring Christ, Paul, Barnabas, and so many others in the Bible who left this teaching.
I learned the importance and responsibility of having a mentor in my life. We know that our greatest mentor should always be Jesus Christ, but a suitable sister in our lives is also important, as we see in Proverbs 11:14.
What I learn, I immediately put into practice. Just as God teaches us, Paul passed his wisdom on to Timothy, and my mentor passes her wisdom on to everyone she teaches. I want to leave these words of encouragement to all: Always be faithful to God, and we will be faithful in everything we do. Never forget the teachings of our Lord and practice them, for poor are those who know but do not practice them.
Seek a Christian mentor, learn their teachings, and put them into practice. This way, you'll become a mentor in the future, helping other sisters. Dedicate yourself to God and to others. People are very important to God, and if they're important to Him, they must be important to us too. John 3:16 reminds us of this. Today, I mentor four sisters, to the honor and glory of our Lord Jesus. Learn, practice, and teach others.
May God always continue to bless us. May His name be glorified and exalted forever and ever. Amen.
