Ironwifey- June 2017 - Renewal

AS IRON SHARPENS IRON, SO ONE WOMAN SHARPENS ANOTHER

IRONWIFEY MAGAZINE

RENEWING A VISION 9 STEPPING OUT IN FAITH

CHANGE YOUR LIFE

JUNE 2017 -ISSUE 1 - RENEWAL

UNPACKING PROVERBS

A NEW BEGINNING AWAITS

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Thank you for picking up the "Renewal" edition of IronWifey Magazine. My heart leaps for joy knowing that the Lord placed this vision in my heart to start a magazine, and before my eyes turned his Word into flesh. As I imagine you grabbing this very first issue and curling up on the couch with coffee or tea beside you, or sitting at your desk at work flipping through the digital pages of what once was a dream, I pray that you receive what the Lord has in store for you. I pray that you open your ears to hear from God and your eyes to see His glory. I pray that you invite Him into your life to renew your mind and that you trust and believe in Him to order your steps. Believing in God is free and His renewal is freeing!

Check out the digital copy online

www.IronWifey.com

As you read, keep in mind that renewal requires change. When your change your life by changing your mind you provide yourself with an opportunity to completely trust God and step out in faith. This faith journey removes selfish thoughts, actions, and speech and replaces them with godliness; charging you with the gift of creation and the desire to share God's word. Through sharing you provide others with a chance to unpack and practice His Word which fuels the new beginning and new life that the Lord promised His children. Going into the world and spreading the Good News of Christ is our purpose and gaining disciples is the mission. As women we are all a bride to Christ and we need to present ourselves to Him flawless and without spot. We must renew our minds and spark a fire in our hearts for God in order to empower each other through our flames. God's word is the fire and IronWifey is the flame, so as iron sharpens iron, one woman sharpens another.

Thank you for reading IronWifey Magazine!

-Micayla AS IRON SHARPENS IRON, ONE WOMAN SHARPENS ANOTHER

CONTENTS BEGIN HERE 04

CHANGE YOUR LIFE, BY CHANGING YOUR MIND AUTHOR: BRIDGETTE ROBERTSON

06

STEPPING OUT IN FAITH AUTHOR: FELISHA COOK

COVER STORY

RENEWING A VISION

LEARN MORE 09

How IronWifey Magazine got it's start.

UNPACKING PROVERBS

RENEWING THE VISION: THE START OF IRONWIFEY MAGAZINE AUTHOR: MICAYLA ROBERTSON

16

PRACTICING PROVERBS 27:17 A sister's take on unpacking the motto behind IronWifey Magazine.

UNPACKING AND PRACTICING PROVERBS 27:17 AUTHOR: NCEDIWE MDLULWA

BE ENCOURAGED 18

YOUR NEW BEGINNING AWAITS AUTHOR: DENISE DANDRIDGE

20

DEAR S.I.S.T.A.S.

AUTHOR: JOANNE LEIGH CHRISTIAN

TIPS

CHANGE YOUR LIFE, BY CHANGING YOUR MIND How one action can change your life for the better.

WWW.IRONWIFEY.COM

S.I.S.T.A.S

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO ALL WOMEN Join the SiSTAS Movement on Facebook for words of wisdom and encouragement.

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IRONWIFEY

Change Your Life. . .

BEGIN HERE

By: Bridgette Robertson

By Changing Your Mind And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2 The mind of Christ is the Word of Christ, which is the Word of God. Jesus tells us that he only says what God tells Him to say and in the John 1, the Bible says that "in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. - Phillipians 2:5 When you transform your mind, you remove your thoughts and allow Christ and His word to order your steps and guide your life. When you think like Christ, as Jesus did, you will say only what God tells you to say and your life will be brand new.

Life and death are in the power of the of what you say. Speak what Jesus says about you and your situation, and witness the new life you experience through Him. Speak and do anything else, and you will remain stuck and in death. Until you change your mind to think like God, you will never experience the good that He has for your life.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

John 16:13

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IRONWIFEY

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Speak the Word

JESUS SAYS THAT YOU ARE: A Child of God But to all who have received him, those who believe in his name, he has given the right to become God's children. -John 1:12 Chosen and Perfect in his sight For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love. -Ephesians 1:4 Redeemed and Forgiven In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. -Ephesians 1:7 Created in God's image for a good purpose Put on the new man who has been created in God's image--in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth - Ephesians 4:24 For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them. -Ephesians 2:10 Taken care of And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19 Made New through Him Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! -2 Corinthians 5:17

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IRONWIFEY

BEGIN HERE

STEPPING OUT IN

FAITH M

ost people live busy lives. There is always plenty to do between work and family life, but finding time to work on things that you enjoy or that you are gifted in can be hard.

I think it actually takes more time and energy to dwell on and make excuses for not trying to do the one thing you have always wanted to do. Believe it or not, it's easier than we think to just jump feet first and make an effort to start something and see it through to completion.

Take myself as an example. When I focus on how I relate to getting things done that I enjoy, I usually fall off because my focus is off. I'm distracted or have doubts and I give other things more time and attention.

But, when I am seeking the Lord for direction and inviting Him in to help with the things I find enjoyable or gifting in, He leads and blesses it.

When I am focused on the Lord and putting Him first, He helps me find time to be involved with ministry and to create works of art. I am never at a place where I have it all together, but everyday I lift my cares and abilities before Him.

By: Felisha Cook

Through Him, I was able to step out in faith and use the artistic gift that He has blessed me with. I have been able to create several journals, notebooks and scarves that are faith inspired for young girls and women.

The Lord is always giving me something new to work on and just as He creates, he blesses me with new creations. I also have found more time to be involved with my family’s ministry, Heavenly C. Ministries for the World, and we have just entered into our tenth year. To God be the Glory.

I am constantly reminded with both that God can use anyone to further reach people for His glory. We just have to be open and put faith into action. God usually doesn't lay everything out before us to make things easy. He desires for us to step out in faith because He wants to test our faith so that we will grow in His wisdom.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. -Proverbs 3:6

IRONWIFEY

Faithfulness Journal

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. - Galatians 5:22-23

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Fruits of the Spirit Journals $10.00 Etsy.com/shop/RoyalsNook

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RENEWINGA MAGAZINE A VISION: STARTING THE START OF IRON WIFEY

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IRONWIFEY

W

hat do you do when you feel like you have no vision?

For two years, I faced that feeling. I was complacent and unmotivated because I simply felt like I no longer had purpose or a vision for my life. It started right after college graduation and like most recent graduates, the struggle to find work became a full time job. When you go off to school, they don’t tell you that you may or not be able to find a job in your field. They simply push the “American dream” that you will graduate with a job, work your way up the corporate ladder, get married, buy a nice house and car, start a family, and live happily ever after. This was the vision I perceived for my life. Before graduation, I knew that walking across that stage to accept my degree would be the first steps I took toward achieving the dream. Unlike most though, I was already married.

Imagine it with me. You’re a 20-year-old college graduate and wife, with a Journalism degree, in a new city and state, who can’t find a job in her field to support her household and who just realized that the American dream is not a reality.

I was in shock.

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In the beginning, I had hope. I applied for jobs in faith that something would open up and I was blessed with a supportive and amazing husband who was willing to move wherever my degree took us. We were both determined. His dream was a become a full-time Youtube entertainer and my dream was to become a television or magazine reporter. Eventually, I planned on having my own television show, but I knew I’d have to start at the bottom first. The two of us would spend hours working our 9am-5pm job, only to come home to spend more hours working toward the dream. What one of us did not know, the other one could teach, and when one of us felt discouraged, the other would encourage with God’s word. We really are a great team.

Through it all, his Youtube dream has grown tremendously and my husband remains confident and faithful. Today, he continues to put in the work toward his Iron Angel Youtube channel and the Lord continues to bless the work of his hands.

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IRONWIFEY

I, on the other hand, gave up.

After receiving countless rejection emails over the course of two years, I had officially given up on my degree. I received a dreadful email for every entry level Journalism position I applied for and every nonentry level job required years of experience. I went from working in retail, to door-to-door sales, and when I landed a job in hospitality at a hotel, I was comfortable and decided that journalism was no longer for me. I told myself that since I didn’t really like bad news, I ultimately wouldn’t have enjoyed the work anyway. My husband encouraged me to create my own opportunities and report good news through my outlet outlet. I gave it a shot and started a blog called TheFittingRm. TheFittingRm served as the first stage of Iron Wifey.

The motto for the FittingRm was to take off sin, and try on Christ! It was more of a spiritual mindset, than a physical place. I wrote about God’s word and shared stories he placed on my heart or taught me through life. I wasn’t very confident when it came to writing about my personal life, and I feared that I would make a mistake when it came to sharing about the Lord, but I put it out there anyway. To my surprise, people actually read the blog. They were engaged and inspired and touched by how honest and transparent I wrote. A spark was started in me, but fear of rejection still kept me partially paralyzed. I would write little words of encouragement here and there on Facebook, and upload a blog occasionally when the Lord filled my mind with great content. But when moments were quiet and I didn’t hear from God, I didn't share anything.

My husband suggested that when I don’t have anything to write about, I should just share God’s word with people. I disagreed and it was brought to my attention that if I wasn't comfortable simply sharing God's Word, then I wasn’t really writing for God.

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I was just writing what I wanted and mentioning His name. I was taking off sin and trying on Christ, but I was not keeping Him on me or hiding His Word in my heart. I didn’t think that God’s Word alone would be enough for readers and I had become more focused on storytelling than glorifying the Lord. I knew that if I didn't correct myself then, I could easily stray from the Lord.

That same year, my grandmother passed away and after her death, I completely lost all desire to blog. My grandmother was my biggest inspiration and the strongest woman of God that I knew. We spoke almost everyday and when I needed encouragement, words from her mouth spoke wisdom. She was a true Titus 2 woman nd instead of letting her death depress me, I chose to let it inspire me and became a true follower of Christ, like her. I began really spending time in the Word of God and changing my thoughts and actions to imitate those of my Father.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. I became an imitator.

Ephesians 5:2

NEVER LET YOU FEARS STOP YOU FROM DOING WHAT YOU KNOW YOU ARE MEANT TO DO IN YOUR HEART. WITH ONE LEAP OF FAITH AND COMPLETE TRUST IN GOD, YOU'LL BE AMAZED

BY THE VISION AND POTENTIAL HE'S PLACED INSIDE OF YOU.

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The more I read, the more I noticed that everything happening in the world today had already happened before in the past and was found in the Bible. I was able to find situations I was going through in the Word and received instructions on how to overcome my situations. .

That’s when I realized how easy life is as an imitator. By copying off of Jesus and being obedient to God's Word, all of the pressures and worries of this world become nonexistent. I must admit that I am still a work in progress, and must crucify my flesh daily, but I have learned to be content in whatever situation the Lord places me in and His desires have become my own. This renewal in perspective pushes me to focus on living out God’s word and becoming the best Christian, wife, friend, sister, daughter, niece, and women that I can be, which brings us to IronWifey.

fire in order to be made ceremonially pure. These metal objects must then be further purified with the water of purification. But everything that burns must be purified by the water alone. - Numbers 31:22-23.

A couple of months ago, I was a guest on one of my husband’s Youtube videos and he asked his audience what my name should be. Since he goes by the name of Iron Angel and I am his "wifey", it only made sense to call me IronWifey. When I studied the Word find out if the IronAngel dream was biblical and lead by God, I was highly surprised by what I My husband embraces the Iron Angel name and walks in found and the very essence of the name spiritual purity and love. Strong like iron, he endures the fire carries power. or challenges in life that shape and sharpen him in Christ. He is aware that with God he will remain un-scorched which As Iron sharpens Iron, one friend sharpens another. - Proverbs 27:17 presents him as a messenger of God, as Angels are defined, who loves like Christ and share's God's Word with Iron, an element of great strength, is those in need. pure in its purpose and is often used to As an Iron Angel, he sharpens me in love and faith, giving up sharpen another strong element. The his life for me as Christ did the church and as his wife, my irony of iron, is that only iron can purpose is to help him, sharpen him in Christ, and submit to sharpen iron. him as I submit to the Lord. My journey of submission Anything made of gold, silver, bronze, became a desire to be the best IronWifey that I could be, iron, tin, or lead—that is, all metals that which meant I needed to be strong in order to match his do not burn—must be passed through strength and sharpen him.

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Remaining focused on my journey toward spiritual submission, I came across a magazine and had a vision that I started my own. In the vision women were gathering in fellowship and sharing their stories to encourage one another. They held each other accountable and prayed for one another and it was truly a beautiful sight. Although I had no idea how to start a magazine, nor did I have content written to share, the vision was plain and clear and I knew in my heart that it was from God. After weeks of research, trying to talk myself out of it, and much thought surrounding a title, I decided to just go for it and I was lead to use the name that embodies me and my current role in life: IronWifey.

Thus, IronWifey Magazine was born.

The purpose of this magazine is to provide an outlet for expression and create a community of women encouraging and sharpening each other in Christ. Therefore, for the purpose of this literature, Proverbs 27:17 is transformed to suit our sisterhood and as Iron sharpens Iron, one woman sharpens another. All of us, single or married, are daughters of the most high God, which makes us bride to Jesus Christ, We must become rooted in the Word in order to present ourselves to Christ flawless and without spot. This magazine is a reflection of my obedience to God and my acceptance of his plan for my life. The site originally used for TheFittingRm now serves as the website for the online magazine and blog, and the dream of becoming a magazine reporter has been renewed and re-established as a Kingdom reporter who started this magazine.

When you feel like you no longer have a vision for your life, give yourself completely to God and watch Him transform you into the woman He’s created you to be. God will renew the vision that He’s placed inside of you, but it's up to you to seek his Kingdom, trust in Him with all of your heart, and patiently wait for your moment of renewal.

this is for you But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Wait on the Lord Isaiah 40:31

GIVE ALL YOUR

WORRIES AND CARES

TO GOD, FOR HE

CARES ABOUT YOU.

1 Peter 5:7

IRONWIFEY

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TO UNPACK PROVERBS

I've personally asked myself: Who am I in Christ?

A sinner saved by Grace The grace I don't deserve But sufficient!

And enough to SAVE; A wretch like me!

Truth be told, I was..

I have been..

And I will always be a wretch, without Christ in my life Sin took one away from The blood of Jesus Christ Sin held one captive from embracing; The luxuries of dwelling in God's sanctuary One couldn't save herself from impurities, iniquities and transgressions...

The works of the Devil..,

One became a prisoner So how can one To bitterness and unhappiness...

Sharpen another or Ultimately MISERY being even begin to make sense The common denominator of proverbs 27:17 if one isn't ESTABLISHED Until that day one DENIED in God's sanctuary? herself and FOLLOWED Christ Or perhaps what does Saying "yes" Lord!.. proverbs 27:17 mean?

Accepting and welcoming The knock of God's call One could ask Isn't it to sharpen one another means being able to love God through loving his people?

What about to correct and rebuke each other in love, as key to support, help and care for each other To gain self-control, Godly conduct?

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AND PRACTICE 27:17 By: Ncediwe Mdlulwa

One may not have all the Answers. However, One is of the belief A wise man is the one Found in Proverbs 12:1; 15:31 “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction”. Proverbs 12:1

“If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise”. -Proverbs 15:31

This is to urge each of us as women Who are bride to Christ To be proverbs women Immersion with the word As a daily bread is A prerequisite so as To be presented to him As flawless without spot Accepting Christ became An enabler to comprehend such phenomenon One understood what it means spiritually And conceptually the passage "An iron sharpening another" In love and not in conspiracy That is precisely What this writing fosters..

To be educative and empowering women to dwell in Christ..

To uphold the principles of The greatest Command!

To Love God ..

The second greatest Being to love his people One envision in mind as Daughters of the most high God. . .

To pass any test One may face and be established In Gods Sanctuary The highest place!

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IRONWIFEY

YOUR NEW BEGINNING By: Denise Dandridge

A

life lived without God at its foundation, is destined to be a rudimentary, timeless existence.

A series of chaotic, complicated, convolutions absent of God's divine illumination, void of his vision, purpose and destiny for our lives. It's a hollow state of being where only mere glimpses of fragmented possibilities and untapped potential can be seen, seen but never obtained, always suspended just out of reach. Like the man at the well who desired healing in (John 5:1-14), we are a nation of blind, lame and paralyzed souls. We are imprisoned not by physical infirmities but by our primordial, immature minds that believe solely in independence from God.

BE ENCOURAGED

AWAITS

We choose self reliance and self gratification instead of trusting God and depending on him. Our ignorance and arrogance hurls us deeper and deeper into an abysmal state of hopelessness. Christ is, has always been, and will forever be the only way, the only truth, and the only life we will ever need.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. -John 14:6 Like Lazarus, God is inviting us to come out of the entombments that we have created for ourselves where the spirit of death has overtaken us. He wants resurrect us, heal us, forgive us, uplift us and prepare us for something greater.

BE ENCOURAGED

IRONWIFEY

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He wants to give each of us a new non-terminating lease on life that was paid for by the blood of Christ; a life free from the hurt and pain from our pasts and free from judgement or ridicule. God offers forgiveness for past mistakes, and mercy and grace for poor choices and misguided decisions. He offers a fresh start, a clean slate, and a peace that surpasses all understanding.

In Christ we are all new creatures, the old life has gone and a new life has begun.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

-Isaiah 43:19 God wants to renew and transform us, He wants to love us, cover and protect us. God wants us to "Get Up, Pick Up Our Mats and Walk" (John 5:8) into the destiny he has prepared for us so that he can do a new thing in our lives (Isaiah 43:19), and to show us that all things are possible to those who trust and believe in him (Mark 9:23).

"If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes."

-2 Corinthians 5:17

At what point will your reality confirm that the life you have chosen to live without Christ leading it, isn't living at all. At want point will you realize that God is all you will ever need. He is the source of your strength, and the strength of your life. All that you are and ever dream of becoming comes from God. Open your eyes to see, your ears to hear and your heart to feel his unconditional love. Trust God and step out of that comfort zone you have encircled yourself in. I did, and I will be forever grateful.

Your New Beginning Awaits.

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IRONWIFEY

BE ENCOURAGED

DEAR S.I.S.T.A.S BY: JOANNE LEIGH CHRISTIAN

Every once in a while we ask ourselves what is our purpose; and are we seeking God to reveal it to us.

He holds the master blueprint for us and nobody else can fulfill that specific destiny.

We must trust Him to lead, guide and empower us to succeed in fulfilling His mission for us.

Our purpose starts with whom we know, not what we know or how good we are."

SISTERS. IN. SYNC. TAKING. ACTION. SPIRITUALLY. Joanne Christian created S.I.S.T.A.S. (Sisters In Sync Taking Action Spiritually) as a mission for women, sisters and followers of Christ to pray and share with each other to become a perfect match to spiritually connect. Her foundation was laid from her family to build on a relationship with Christ and value those whom she comes in contact with. singer, F O R W E E K L She Y Ehas N Calways O U Rhad A Ga passion E M E NinTministry J O I Nas Ta H E S songwriter, I S T A S Fpraise A C Edancer B O Oand K now G RtoObe Uan P author.

A T : F Her A Cfavorite EBOO K . CisO“Be M Blessed / S I S T to A be S a Blessing.” soon quote

For more encouragement visit the S.I.S.T.A.S. Facebook page

We must first know that it's impossible to fulfill our Godgiven purpose unless we revere God and give Him first place in our lives.

PUT ON YOUR NEW

NATURE, AND BE

RENEWED AS YOU

LEARN TO KNOW YOUR

CREATOR AND

BECOME LIKE HIM. Colossians 3:10

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I LONG TO OBEY YOUR

COMMANDMENTS!

RENEW MY LIFE WITH

YOUR GOODNESS

Psalms 119:40

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