Written by Karla Herbert

As I was reading my morning devotional today, the main theme was based on Matthew 5:13-16.

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

I was considering my level of saltiness. I was quite far away from God at this time last year.

Unbelievably far away.

As far away as I'd always said I'd never get from Him.

However, the merciful and saving God I serve never let me get out of His sight. He knew I'd be back. And here I am, back with a heart filled with gladness and completely restored by his grace.

I will say that depression is a dark and dreadful place.

A place so horribly scary that you often can't seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel, even though the smallest flicker of hope catches your attention at various moments.

Arriving at the other end, where all the light surrounds and permeates every molecule of your being is glorious.

Rewarding.

Refreshing.

Restoring.

And it's all wrapped up in a cloak of peace.

Utter peace.

In this moment, I'm very salty. How about you? Are you shining for God before his children? 

Our prayer focus today will be that God will use us, as an army of His women, to be that city on a hill that cannot be hidden. I pray that whatever level of saltiness you contain, in this moment, will be enhanced by His grace. If you're feeling discouraged, I pray for encouragement in the little things you do today. If you're feeling depressed, I pray that God will be the lifter of your head today. If you're so salty that a fine layer of salt mineral is covering your skin, then I pray that God will dust some of it off onto His other children that you meet along the way.

Pray for this entire army of God's women. Ask Him to enable us, by His Holy Spirit, to continue to march onward.

Written by Karla Herbert

I was reading a Bible study book the other evening titled "The Life-Changing Power of Prayer" by T.W. Hunt. I was blessed by what I read when it came to a discussion on prayer. Mr. Hunt wrote that "prayer is a relationship." I guess I never looked at it that way. I always thought of prayer as, well, prayer. I knew I was talking to God, but never really considered it a relationship. But it really is! It's us talking to God, and Him speaking to us. 

I've had difficulty in the past waiting long enough for Him to speak to me. I've heard Him a few times, but it was when I was very still and no other thoughts were filling my head. It was a very remarkable time for me! And I do believe that being still in His presence, and spending some uninterrupted time with Him is His desire ~ and needs to be ours, as well.

The other passage I read in T.W. Hunt's study guide talked about calling on the name of the Lord. I've read so many passages in the Bible that mentioned so-and-so "called out to God," or another so-and-so "cried out." I assumed they were sending a prayer request to God, but it wasn't that clearly written.

Mr. Hunt writes, "The Hebrew word call (qara) is a strong verb of action. It means to cry out, to call aloud. Rather than just a random outcry, qara is usually used to address a specific person in order to make a specific request. People used this word throughout the Old Testament to cry out to God for His help."

So as you pray tonight and each time from now on, feel free to cry out to God on behalf of the needs in which you have and/or are praying about. He always hears us. He never turns away from us. He may say, "No, I've got something better planned for you" or "Not now because I'm working out a detail or two that you're unaware of" or "Okay, here you go!" 

He's a good God and He desires a relationship with us ~ daily. He can truly be your best friend!

Written by Karla Herbert

Isn't God just the best? I love how He lays something on our hearts, gets us excited about it, and then asks us to be His hands and feet in spreading His message.

Take yesterday, for example. All I was doing was putting on makeup and listening to Casting Crowns singing their song titled "Until the Whole World Hears." I was belting out the lyrics, making a joyful noise to God, (who is the only one within 100 ft. of me that thinks I'm the best singer in the world) when He spoke to my heart loud and clear.

I heard "There's an army of women out there that need to be my prayer warriors."

We are to pray and call out to Him on behalf of our families, husbands, parents, friends, neighbors, etc. 

His other specific words were, "Intercede. Watch me at work!"

So far what I've received in direction from Him is that this will start as an online prayer ministry. My first goal was to ask people for their prayers as I start this new ministry. Then I knew I needed to start a blog. Next may be getting a group going on Facebook, then a website. After that I'm not sure where this will go, but I've already told God I'm all His.

Well here we are and I stand amazed at how God gets the ball rolling. He's given me many ideas, a few people who are already praying for this ministry, and an offer that came in this morning to help promote An Army of God's Women.

I'm sitting here smiling! I've worn this grin almost all day today. I turn around and He's making more plans for me. What an incredible God, and just to think that only last year at this time I was in reality quite far away from Him. That's another story, but one that I'll share over time.

I can't wait to begin this amazing prayer relationship with God and with you, my dear prayer warriors. Ready yourselves.