Teach Your Children

 

     Raising our children to love Jesus in the world today is vital. As we see disrespect grow, violence increase, drug use as an epidemic, our youth need Jesus. The Jewish people were taught to have God’s word on their hearts and minds each day.

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home, when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 11:19 (Deuteronomy 6:7)

    God has promises for us as believers. As we teach our children about His love and His word, they will never forsake Him.

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

     I have such special memories of our girls growing up. Reading devotions with them each night before bed. Praying with them when they were having difficulties at school or with friends. And they love Jesus. They are passing their faith and love on to the next generation!  Our grandkids are blessed.

     Our faith will never leave us. Jesus is always here with us. Faith does not have to be and should not be a once-a-week duty. It is a life. A life lived for Christ. A life filled with His everlasting love. Believe and your children will never depart from it. God’s love is everlasting.

The Lord appeared to us in the past saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him and His righteousness with their children’s children. Psalm 103:17

Father,

Your everlasting love will flow from generation to generation as we speak of you as we walk through our days as we sit down and as we rise. Help our younger generation to find You again, for our country to trust in You again. We love You as You first loved us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Happy birthday to our daughter Lauren!

Loved By God

 

     As we age, we can appreciate our memories, our life-long friendships, our families and our Christian family. I am beyond blessed and I am feeling the love of Jesus.  The sunny vibrant skies of fall have been a reminder of all that God has given us.  Feel loved today and take in every single blessing in your life.

     Years ago at a Bible study I facilitated, we studied the books of the Thessalonians. The study included these words:

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you. 1 Thessalonians 1:14

     You, dear brothers and sisters, are loved by God, chosen in fellowship to worship, to pray, to sharpen the faith of one another.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

     The Bible reminds us to stay close to our fellow Christians as we witness the times leading toward Christ’s return. Stay in the word. Rely on your Christian family and continue and appreciate the glory of the earth God has given us.

Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Let all of the trees of the forest sing for joy. Psalm 96:12

The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1

Father,

Your love for us is so deep and overwhelming. Thenk You for surrounding us with a family of believers. Keep us united in Spirit as we live out our lives with Your amazing grace and love.

In Jesus name,

Amen

His Marvelous Ways

 

     This week I have been striving for more flexibility, away from the sometimes rigid and controlling plans of my own. Jesus can change me with words from wise friends, with my conscience giving me clues on right and wrong, and through our plum line, the Bible.

     But I have come to a realization. Deep down, I appreciate my ordinary life, filled with routine. I know it fits me at this season of my life. Maybe, just maybe, God ordained it this way.

     Has he allowed you a life to fit your deep-seeded personality and your gifts? How marvelous are His ways. With my eyesight deteriorating, I am more than grateful to have a patient husband, supportive daughters and their families and great friends who still want to hang around with me!

     God understands each of us, in whatever season of life we find ourselves. His ways will work with you, wherever you are, in whatever place you live, with the people surrounding you, to help you be at peace and filled with joy. Most of all, we have Jesus.

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways. He does great things beyond our understanding. Job 37:5

For you are great and do marvelous deeds. You alone are God. Psalm 86:10

The Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118:23

     Wherever life finds you today, give praise to the Lord. He has done and will continue to do marvelous deeds in your life and in mine. He will allow and encourage changes in us and He will find the perfect places and people to surround us. Let Him be sufficient for your days, routines and all.

Lord,

How marvelous are your ways! You find a perfect fit for us throughout our lives. Guide us into praising You each day and listening to Your voice.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Do Not Worry

 

     Our heavenly Father is in control. His wish for us is to trust Him completely with our lives, to believe He has us in the palm of His mighty hands. How about a day without worry? Having loved Jesus with a deep faith for thirty plus years now, I have seen Him deepen my faith through suffering, deny my wishes when He knew they weren’t right for me, delight me with His miraculous ways time and time again, and defended me when I needed it most.

     Listen to the words of Scripture and allow Jesus to take away your worries and your burdens. He cares for us.

“Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, not about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to the span of life?” Matthew 6:25-27

“Come to Me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

     God is watching over you. Cast all of your cares on Him.

Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

     As our trust grows in our God, the one who promises us eternal life, the one who sent His only Son to die for us, the one who cares for the birds of the air, the one we can trust to keep all of His promises, we can find peace. Here is another promise to fill your heart.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Father,

We take the words of Jesus into our hearts and souls today, trusting Him with all of our cares and worries. Fill us with that peace that passes all understanding as we give all of our lives to You. You are faithful and unchanging.

In Jesus name,

Amen

A New Thing

 

     I like to have a plan. Early to bed, early to rise describe my husband and me. Breakfast is typically around 6:30, lunch around 11 and dinner at 5.  Each day I sort through what lies ahead for the day, for meals, for the week ahead.

     I am fortunate to have some wonderful and wise girlfriends and I was able to spend a few hours with some of them over the weekend. One of them said, “Well, we have to be flexible.” Wise words.

     Lately, I have been writing the blogs for the week as a theme, spending a few hours putting them together. Last week’s theme was finding freedom in the Holy Spirit, understanding that God will always work in us, working for His good and perfect purpose in our lives.

     This week let’s listen to the Spirit, allowing him to do something new. Each day will bring new surprises and adventures. I plan to get up at my usual time. (No surprise there!) But I will not plan what I am going to write ahead of time, trusting the Spirit to move in my life as I allow Him to do as He pleases with the day.

     What will He do in your life today?

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it. I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19

     If you are feeling stuck or lost, don’t be afraid. God will make a new way. He can provide clear, living water during the desert times of life. He can bring fresh blooms and new fruit, after a long cold winter. He can find a new way for us! Do you see it?

Father,

Thank You for teaching us and leading us with something new. We ask for Your Holy Spirit to show us a new path today. Thank You for the freedom that faith gives us to place our trust in You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

The Plan Is Jesus

 

     Thinking about freedom in Christ brings about peace and faith. His good and perfect plan will be fulfilled and, somehow, He uses us to accomplish just that. We have relaxed into His Spirit this week, dressing ourselves in our new spiritual clothes, allowing Him to work in us as individuals as He uses our very own personalities and gifts. Let’s continue to listen for His lead, understanding He never gives up and will continue to work in us until His coming.

     As we close out the week of studying His plans and purpose, He reminds us that all of us, working together, as different parts of His body, are working toward one common goal. Our goal, as a church, is to bring glory to Him and to make Him known.

     It is not about us. It is always about Him.

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you My power and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Exodus 9:16

     God has raised you up at this time, in a particular family, in a work environment, in a neighborhood, to bring glory to His name, so that others may know and proclaim who He is. And every single thing we do, including laundry, eating a meal, fulfilling our passions and desires, the ordinary and extraordinary, can be done for Him.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:3

     God created us for His glory. That is our united purpose, each one of us, to show His glory.

Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory, I have formed and made. Isaiah 43:7

Father,

You have created us to glorify You. Complete Your plans and purposes in our lives as you continue to work in us with Your everlasting and unfailing love. Give us the spiritual clothes we need in our hearts to live our lives for You and give us freedom and peace to enjoy the journey.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

A Purpose and a Plan

 

     God’s purpose and His work in you will look very different than His purpose and His work in me. He knows us intimately. He understands our quirks, our frailties, and He understands and will use our personalities, our natural talents and the spiritual gifts He freely provides.

     I have given time to ministries that were not a good match for me. Once I understood that God could use me in exactly the ways He had made me, I began to understand and to listen to how He could use me in the very best way that suited me. The work He has for us will always bring joy and blessings.

     If something you are doing in the name of Christ brings a sense of duty and obligation, a sense of dread or fear, pray and ask if it is right and if it will bless others. God loves a cheerful giver. It’s easy to compare and compete in this world. But God ordained the body of Christ to work together.

     Sometimes, we will plant a seed, and the next person will water that seed, and finally, God will grow and nurture it until it blooms!

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 1 Corinthians 3:8

     Whatever God accomplishes through us will be for our good and for the good of others and to fulfill His perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Jesus,

Help us to see ourselves through Your eyes. Allow us to walk in the plans You have designed for each one of us individually. It is miraculous that You have designed each one of us to be used in such a variety of ways We praise You today.

Amen