Take time this Easter to read a portion of God's Word each day, beginning on Wednesday.

Wednesday
E is for:
Emanuel (God with us) Matthew 1:23
Eternal Father Isaiah 9:6
Everyone John 14:31
Read John 16 and 17 experience the encouragement that Jesus gives to His disciples – preparing them for His death and leaving them.

Thursday
A is for:
Aside
Accepts
Angel
Agony
Asleep
Arrest
Read Luke 22:39-54. Jesus puts ASIDE His will and ACCEPTS His Father's will. An ANGEL came to help Him. We see His AGONY and ANGUISH, while the disciples are ASLEEP. Then there is the ARREST.

Friday
S is for:
Soldiers
Simon Peter
Suffering
Skull
Spear
Sacrifice
Read John 18:12, 19:1-37. The soldiers arrest and bind Jesus. Peter denies Jesus. Jesus SUFFERS on trial. He is taken to Golgotha the place of the SKULL and there He dies a SACRIFICE for all.

Saturday
T is for:
Tomb
Tightly sealed
Read Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42. A borrowed TOMB – buried according to Jewish custom.

Sunday
E is for:
Early
Entrance
Empty
Read John 20:1-10; Luke 24:1-12, Mary Magdalene went early and saw that the stone was removed. She went running and told Simon Peter. Peter was amazed at what had happened.

Monday
R is for:
Remember
Rolled away, rolled up
Risen
Running
Rejoicing
Read Matthew 27:62-66 and 28:1-9. The Pharisees REMEMBERED that Christ said He would be RAISED to life in three days. The angel said, "Christ is RISEN". The women RAN to the disciples REJOICING.

Barb, as she was affectionately known, went to be with her Lord and Saviour on the 30th January, at her home in Australia. Barb endeared herself to us all when she came as our Summer reTREAT speaker in 2007 and then again in 2011. Two weeks before arriving in NZ in 2011, Barb could barely walk. God graciously answered prayer, raised her up and brought her to us. We remember how our lives were touched as she took up the theme of "Courageous Commitment".
Her first message gave us a fresh insight as she described "Courage to Conquer" as 'the quality of mind and spirit that enables us to face life's dangers, difficulties or pain without fear – but rather with confidence, resolution and bravery'.
Barb, a beautiful lady, gave herself to serving God and being all He wanted her to be. When life overwhelmed her, she focused on Him, His greatness, His mercy and love and, as a result of her commitment, God used her to bless so many. How we thank the Lord for her life lived to the full.
She thought so often of 'her NZ ladies' and prayed that we would, each one, continue to be courageous in our commitment to our wonderful God and have the "Courage to Continue" as the writer to the Hebrews says in Chapter 12:1-3:

"……let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
He rises to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for Him!
Isaiah 30:18

Those who are unable to join a KYB group due to physical or geographical limitations may study by correspondence. They are assigned a tutor, to whom they send their answers by mail or email. The tutor then responds with comments. There is a range of studies available. Overseas students are welcome. For further information please contact the Australian CWCI Head Office by phone (0061) 2 9740 6355 or email asoho@cwciaus.org.au

Who cares?...
No-one understands!...
What's the point of living?...
My life is a mess and doesn't make any sense...!

Are these questions and thoughts new?
In looking back over history—we can say most definitely—'no'!
The same thoughts have plagued us all at one time or another.
Some find the answers and others, sadly, do not.

You see, history tells us of the real answer, the real way and the real life.
Something tried and true, tested and reliable—not just a theory or fiction.
SomeONE to know and who, more importantly, wants to know us!
SomeONE who designed and made us and has a purpose for each one of us,
who knows ALL about these thoughts and wants to walk alongside us each day
and who says "Come, walk with Me …. this is the way!"

This is what we, as Christian women, want to communicate to you …
So, come along and let us share together and encourage one another,
learning along the way—it's for young and old, whatever stage and age!

It's for you!

Above: The view from Lakeland Park Camp, Queenstown

From all that is written and said, it seems we make resolutions to pursue and accomplish personal goals. Activities that will make us 'better' people. Eat less, eat healthy, make more money and exercise more seem to top the list. I have heard it said that over 80% find they cannot keep their resolutions. Could it be because people are more apt to promise something that has little meaning in the fulfillment of their lives, or the lives of others?

How then do we seek and realize fulfillment in our lives as we begin 2013?
Reading through Deuteronomy, I have found the verses in chapter 6:1-9 helpful as I think about 2013. Here is something the Lord wants us to do. He told Moses to say to the people of Israel, "The Lord told me to give you these laws and teachings, so that you can obey them in the land He has given you. Soon you will cross the Jordan River and take that land. And if you and your descendants want to live a longtime you must always worship the Lord and obey His laws."

As we cross into 2013 and take the time that is given to us, ask God to help you,