It's already December!

Where does the time fly. It's actually November 30th but Christmas is just around the corner. I haven't updated my blog in so long I thought I would drop a personal line to wish everyone a happy holiday, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

If you haven't already sign-up for my newsletter on my website http://www.filoiannwiedenhoff.com/ and say hello. I am sending a special Christmas newsletter coming out this week. Until next time! God Bless and stay safe this holiday seson.

Blessings, Filoiann Wiedenhoff

A New Year of Change by Filoiann Wiedenhoff

New Year of Change


With every new year I ponder on the prior year and remember the good and the bad but most importantly I examine whether or not I have grown spiritually or have I stayed stagnant in my walk with God or worse digressed. I do this every year to remind myself that no matter how long I have been a born again Christian, I still have much to learn and new growth waiting to spring up in me if I would just allow God to continue to water and nurture my life with His living water.

I’m not saying I am not blessed where God has me. I just believe that God’s ultimate goal for our lives is to be transformed into His image as His salt and light to the world and when I examine my heart soberly before God I see the areas in my life He desires to change and give me victory in, so that I can experience the fullness of God and the abundant life He has for me.

The word “Change” has been coming up a lot lately especially for 2009 and I believe that word is for me. Do you think that word may also be for you? One day I was in the midst of prayer and I was praying my usual, “God help me in this particular area” prayer when I felt the Holy Spirit remind me of this scripture;

“And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." NKJV Matthew 9:28-29.

When I remembered this passage, I immediately responded as the blind men did and said, “Of course I do God!” but for good reason I sensed God was asking me a hypothetical question and after some thought I realized, that in certain areas I have abundant faith, but in the areas that I struggle with, it is as if I have no faith at all. Yes faith that God can certainly heal or change others but for me, Nah…I will just have to struggle with this the rest of my life.

God impressed on my heart that He wanted me to change the way I viewed His power in my life. At our last women’s retreat I shared a devotional from Reverend Charles Spurgeon who wrote with beautiful transparency. He wrote how easy it was for Him to believe God could move mountains for others but for himself in certain areas he did not always think it possible. He was confessing how easy it is to have faith for others to be healed but for ourselves we think it impossible. I was encouraged to know that I was not alone and confessed that was how I viewed my struggles. Yes, for everyone else it is not impossible for God but for me, not so possible.

Can you relate? Do you have certain areas in your life you want God to give you victory in but you just don’t think it’s going to happen? I believe God wants to change our hearts and point of view to a faith that believes and receives that He can… especially for us.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” NKJV- Heb 11:6

That same night I asked God to help me in my unbelief and made a conscience decision that I was going to believe God was able in this area and the very next morning my heart was definitely changed. From a heart that was feeling defeated to a heart that believed God could do this in my life. I just needed to believe and as I took active steps by faith I began to see a transformation take place and I am still seeing it as I keep moving forward in His direction.

I understand now that in order to experience victory in my life in these areas I first needed to change the way I viewed God in light of His power in my life and also I needed a change of heart from unbelief to believing by faith He was able.

Did you know the Hebrew definition for “repentance” is having a change of mind, a fundamental and thorough change in the hearts of men and women from sin towards God? As we take a deeper look at the word “change” in regards to repentance we will also find that change is only the beginning or shall I say the starting point of a new direction. Real and true change comes when we confess our sin, stop walking in that sin, turn and go towards God and walk in His direction.

The interesting thing about change is once you walk along the path in a new direction it now becomes a new destination and for us who walk in Christ are walking in new life. “Therefore If anyone is in Christ, is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” NKJV - 2 Corinthians 5:17. There is no condemnation, God in turns forgives us of the past and then gives us new life in Him.

I would like to challenge you by asking you to take a moment to examine your heart and your life soberly and see if there is anything you believe God would like to change in you, grow you or give you victory in. Also, if you need to repent by all means repent from your unbelief and ask God to help you believe. God is a forgiving God and is able to do above and beyond what you can imagine or think and is faithful to do it!

God loves you and has a plan for your life and would like nothing more than to see you fulfill His plan for you according to His will through Him. It reminds me of the worship song, “Change my heart O God”,

Change my heart O God
Make it ever new
Change my heart O God
May I be like You
You are the Potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray


May the Lord bless you with a change of heart that glorifies Him and makes you anew and afresh in Him.

Filoiann Wiedenhoff is a pastor’s wife, woman’s biblical counselor, bible teacher, writer and columnist. You can visit her website at www.filoiannwiedenhoff.com.

The Perfect Gift Giver

By Filoiann Wiedenhoff

James 1:16-18

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. NKJV

How would you love to be known as the perfect gift giver? Not just at Christmas, but birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and showers? The title alone would give you notoriety for sure…not to mention the reputation of a genius. Why do I say “Genius”?

It’s pure and simple: It’s not easy finding the perfect gift for someone. You have to know what they like, need or want; their particular tastes, styles and whether or not it fits into their own personal lifestyle.

It takes real time and effort to give the perfect gift and the reality is, it never comes without a cost.
The perfect gift giver usually spends time and effort into every detail from the personal gift that is unique for that particular person or one that is needful. This thoughtfulness goes beyond the normal thought of giving, to a genuine care or concern on whether or not this person will utilize, benefit and enjoy this gift long after they received it.

I know personally I fall short as a “Gift-Giver” but when I stopped to think about who I knew was the perfect gift giver; only one person came to mind. God!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. NKJV - John 3:16-17

Let’s think about this for a moment shall we? The three main qualities of a perfect gift giver are; thoughtfulness, personal time and effort. You see God gave above and beyond what we can imagine or think. He gave us a gift that was more than thoughtful; it was personal, sacrificial, beneficial, eternal, and full of unconditional love.

As we take a closer look at these heavenly qualities, I pray that you would remember that He did this for you personally and when Jesus took up the cup of suffering and hung on that cross He had you on His mind. This understanding alone I hope touches your heart as it does mine.

Sacrificial: God willingly sacrificed His only begotten son and Christ consented, that the requirements of the law would be fulfilled and the punishment of death that was due was paid in full through Jesus, who bore our sins and iniquities and took up our offenses. (Acts 13:33-34, Romans 8:1-4, Isaiah 53:5)

Beneficial: In receiving Jesus Christ into our hearts by faith through His grace we now have new life that is eternal, born from above through the Holy Spirit, no longer born of this world but heirs with Christ in the kingdom of Heaven. (2 Corinthians 5;17, Ephesians 2; 8-10, Romans 10; 9)

Personal: Also, in receiving Jesus Christ as our savior and Lord we also have a personal relationship with Him. One that is closer than a brother and more than a friend. We can now come boldly to the throne of grace in our hour and time of need and know that He hears us because we are now His children and can cry out, “Abba” Father! (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6, Hebrews 4:16, John 15; 13-15, Proverbs 18: 24)

Un-Conditional: God’s unconditional love is proved in this, that when we were dead in our trespasses and sins He still died for us. God did this that none would perish but all would come to repentance because He loves us and cares for us deeply. (Ephesians 2; 4-7, 2 Peter 3; 9, Isaiah 43:4-5, Jeremiah 31; 3, John 15; 9, John 15; 12)

I encourage you to look up these scripture references; they will bless your heart and soul. I don’t know about you but after reading this list I am sold that God is the ultimate and perfect gift giver in this world and the question is, “Have you received this free gift of grace for yourself”?

If you receive His free gift of grace, confess your sins and believe by faith that Jesus died on the cross for you as your Lord and savior; you have everything to gain and nothing to lose but if you choose to reject this gift of salvation, you have everything to lose and nothing to gain. Without a savior the bible says that we are condemned to hell where there is a weeping and gnashing of teeth. Eternal damnation is destined for those who do not receive the gift of God’s grace. God’s whole purpose to send His son was to save you from hell punishment and death.

There is a great deception that all roads lead to heaven but the scriptures are clear that there is only “One” road and that one road is one person, Jesus Christ. Don’t be deceived!

“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” NKJV - John 14:6

The bible also says, to choose this day whom you will follow. Remember that Jesus is the reason for this season, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6) Please choose life! God’s Gift is free but know it did not come without a cost and only Jesus could pay that price and willingly already has for me and you that we might have life and life more abundantly!

I hope after reading this, you have received the “Perfect Gift” from the “Perfect Gift Giver” and if you have… please be sure to share this gift with others. It will be the best gift they will ever receive!

Filoiann Wiedenhoff is a pastor’s wife, woman’s counselor, writer and columnist. Visit her website, http://www.filoiannwiedenhoff/ for more inspirational articles and devotionals and sign-up for her monthly newsletter.

Remembering Father on Father's Day!

Dedicated to My Father, My Husband, and My GodMy father was a First Sergeant in the Marine Corps, serving in the Vietnam War. He came home with wounds and purple hearts to show for it. I was born during that time in November of 1967. He was there a few days after I was born but had to return to Vietnam shortly after. He may have come home another time when I was very little, but I don't remember.

I remember seeing him for the first time when I was about five years old. I still remember the day he came home from the war. My mother, brothers and I were standing right outside on the blacktop where the planes landed, waiting anxiously for him to walk out.

Suddenly, a handsome young man dressed in a beige Marine uniform with medals swarming the side of his chest and wearing a sharp hat to match started walking toward us. I remember my mother bending down beside me, whispering in my ear saying, “That’s your father.” Without any hesitation I remember running up to him as fast as I could, opening up my arms and jumping right into his chest. He caught me in the air, hugging me tight, swinging me around laughing with the biggest smile I ever saw.

At that moment in time it didn’t matter that I didn’t know him; all I knew was he was my father and I loved him and he obviously loved me back. It was the beginning of a new relationship and I couldn’t wait to get started.

Our relationship never changed from that day. I was daddy’s little girl (and only girl) so I can honestly say I was indeed spoiled and my three brothers, Jaffa, John, and James can all testify to that fact, but they were okay with it being that I was a “girl” and all.

There’s something special about a father’s love that makes us feel secure, protected and grounded in who we are. Perhaps it’s because of their strong stature, their demeanor, or the fact that we know they go to work day in and day out to support the family, whether they feel like it or not. It’s not a conscious thought on our part, it’s just a sense of comfort and security knowing they are there.

There’s a quote by Billy Graham, a well-known Christian Evangelist who said, "A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society." I agree with Billy Graham; fathers do so much, they mean so much and are valuable in our society, but are not given the praise and appreciation they deserve.

I pray that this Father’s Day you would honor your fathers, husbands, brothers and any men you know in this important role and bless them with your words of affirmation, your actions and your love for all they do. While you are doing this, don’t forget you also have a Heavenly Father who loves you and is right there with you.

I would like to make a special dedication to my father, David Jaffa Solomon, my husband, Daniel Wiedenhoff, and my Heavenly Father.My father is now in heaven but I know I will see him again. I just want to say, “Dad, I salute you with all my heart and I'm so proud of you. Thank you for loving me, my family and my country. I love you and I will see you again!”

To my husband, Dan, "Thank you for being a wonderful father; for all that you do, your hard work, labor of love and commitment to taking care of your family, even when you are tired or don’t feel like it. No matter what, you still get up and go to work every day to provide for us. We love you, appreciate you, and thank you for all you do!"

To my God and Heavenly Father, "Thank You for sacrificing Your only Son to give us eternal life. Thank you for Your unconditional love that never fails, Your consistent caring for us, and for never leaving nor forsaking us. There is nothing in this world I could give You to express my gratitude for all You have done for us and are still doing, except to say my prayer is that we could show You our appreciation by living a life which honors You and glorifies Your name. Thank You so much and we love You!"

To all you fathers, “Happy Father’s Day!” May you be blessed this day with peace, love and many blessings. We honor you and we appreciate you for all you do!

Filoiann Wiedenhoff is a pastor's wife, woman's biblical counselor, bible teacher, writer and columnist. You can view her website on http://www.filoiannwiedenhoff.com/ and sign up for her monthly newsletter.