Taken From - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/marketplace/
Psalms 10:1 Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?
One of the great mysteries of God is His ways. Some of His ways almost appear to bring us into the most difficult places, as if He were indifferent to our circumstances. It would appear that He is turning His head from our sorrows. These events in our lives have a particular objective to perform for us. That objective is to bring us to the end of ourselves that we might discover the treasure of darkness. "Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness" (Job 30:26).
When we are taken into these dark periods, we begin to see light that we never knew existed. Our sensitivities become heightened and our ability to see through spiritual eyes is illuminated. Unless we are taken into these times, our souls never develop any depth of character. We do not gain wisdom, only knowledge. Knowledge is gained through understanding; wisdom is gained through the experience of darkness.
After we go through these periods, we discover that God was, in fact, with us throughout the entire time. It does not feel or appear that He is there when we are in the midst of the dark periods. However, He is there walking with us. He has told us countless times that He will never leave us. However, when we are in those dark periods, it does not feel like He is there because He does not rescue us from the circumstances. He does this for our benefit in order that we might become more like Jesus. Jesus learned obedience from the things He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). What does that say about how you and I will learn obedience? Embrace the dark times and gain the wisdom that God intends for you from these times.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
TEST
Hey Men,
Please come back and post a comment letting us know that you have received this message. Due to a few server migrations we lost some email functionality. By using a google group we are trying to regain the ability to send the posts to each of us.
Blessings,
er
Please come back and post a comment letting us know that you have received this message. Due to a few server migrations we lost some email functionality. By using a google group we are trying to regain the ability to send the posts to each of us.
Blessings,
er
Empty Net Syndrome
Taken from - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/harvestdaily/
“Simon Peter said, ‘I'm going fishing.’
“ ‘We'll come, too,’ they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.” (John 21:3)
It was déjà vu time for the disciples. They had been fishing all night on the Sea of Galilee and hadn’t caught anything. The Lord had risen. He already had appeared to some of the disciples. There were no clear marching orders, so they thought they would go back to what they knew how to d fish.
Now it was early in the morning, probably still dark. They saw a figure standing on the shore. He called out, “Friends, have you caught any fish?”
Throughout the Bible, God often asked probing questions when He wanted a confession. In the same way, Jesus was asking His disciples, “Did you catch anything? Have you been successful? Have things gone the way you had hoped they would go? Are you satisfied?”
Why did Jesus want them to admit their failure? So He could bring them to the place where they needed to be.
When they cast the net on the right side of the boat, as Jesus told them to, their net became so heavy with fish that they couldn’t pull it in. The Lord was teaching the disciples an important lesson: Failure often can be the doorway to real success.
We need to come to that point in our lives as well. We need to come and say, “Lord, I am not satisfied with the way my life is going. I am tired of doing it my way. I want to do it your way.” If you will come to God like that, He will extend His forgiveness to you. Then He will take your life and transform it in ways you couldn’t imagine.
Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org .
“Simon Peter said, ‘I'm going fishing.’
“ ‘We'll come, too,’ they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.” (John 21:3)
It was déjà vu time for the disciples. They had been fishing all night on the Sea of Galilee and hadn’t caught anything. The Lord had risen. He already had appeared to some of the disciples. There were no clear marching orders, so they thought they would go back to what they knew how to d fish.
Now it was early in the morning, probably still dark. They saw a figure standing on the shore. He called out, “Friends, have you caught any fish?”
Throughout the Bible, God often asked probing questions when He wanted a confession. In the same way, Jesus was asking His disciples, “Did you catch anything? Have you been successful? Have things gone the way you had hoped they would go? Are you satisfied?”
Why did Jesus want them to admit their failure? So He could bring them to the place where they needed to be.
When they cast the net on the right side of the boat, as Jesus told them to, their net became so heavy with fish that they couldn’t pull it in. The Lord was teaching the disciples an important lesson: Failure often can be the doorway to real success.
We need to come to that point in our lives as well. We need to come and say, “Lord, I am not satisfied with the way my life is going. I am tired of doing it my way. I want to do it your way.” If you will come to God like that, He will extend His forgiveness to you. Then He will take your life and transform it in ways you couldn’t imagine.
Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org .
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Who is in Control?
Taken from - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/homeword/
This devotional was written by Jim Burns
What good is it for man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? — Mark 8:36
When it comes to our life, we have nothing to say about our birth and little say about our death, but in between these two events most of the decisions are ours to be made. Are you letting life and circumstances control you, or are you controlling your own life and destiny with God’s help. Don't let life pass you by when you have the God-given ability to make things happen. I've heard it said:
You can't control the length of your life, but you can control its use.
You can't control your facial appearance, but you can control its expression.
You can't control the weather, but you can control the moral atmosphere that surrounds you.
You can't control the distance of your head above the ground, but you can control the height of the contents in your head.
You can't control the other fellow's annoying faults, but you can see to it that you do not develop similar faults.
Why worry about things you cannot control? Get busy controlling the things that depend on you.
This devotional was written by Jim Burns
What good is it for man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? — Mark 8:36
When it comes to our life, we have nothing to say about our birth and little say about our death, but in between these two events most of the decisions are ours to be made. Are you letting life and circumstances control you, or are you controlling your own life and destiny with God’s help. Don't let life pass you by when you have the God-given ability to make things happen. I've heard it said:
You can't control the length of your life, but you can control its use.
You can't control your facial appearance, but you can control its expression.
You can't control the weather, but you can control the moral atmosphere that surrounds you.
You can't control the distance of your head above the ground, but you can control the height of the contents in your head.
You can't control the other fellow's annoying faults, but you can see to it that you do not develop similar faults.
Why worry about things you cannot control? Get busy controlling the things that depend on you.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Overcommitment & Fatigue: A Deadly Sin
Taken from - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/homeword/
We live in a culture which has often fooled us into believing that more is better and busyness is a virtue. Far too many people in our world are spiritually, emotionally, and physically bankrupt because they are overcommitted and fatigued. Vince Lombardi said, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." The comedian Flip Wilson summed it up best for many of us when he said, "If I had my entire life to live over again, I doubt if I'd have the strength."
I don't believe that God wants us to be one step from a nervous breakdown, always on the edge of exhaustion. What's the answer? There are no easy formulas for success, but there are two suggestions that I want you to think about today.
1. Cut back and do less.
If this means making less money, cutting back on your social obligations, or even taking a night off from church activities, then do whatever it takes to not be so overcommitted and fatigued. A friend of mine once told me, "If the devil can't make you bad, he'll make you busy."
2. Rest.
Rest should be a nonnegotiable time in everyone's life. Even God rested! Exodus 31:17 says, "In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed" (RSV). When we rest we get a proper perspective on our life. When we rest we can reflect on what has taken place in our life during the week. Does your life have control of you, or do you have control of your life? Rest and reflection will help you answer that important question.
Overcommitment & Fatigue: A Deadly Sin
This devotional was written by Jim Burns
Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 RSV
I don't believe that God wants us to be one step from a nervous breakdown, always on the edge of exhaustion. What's the answer? There are no easy formulas for success, but there are two suggestions that I want you to think about today.
1. Cut back and do less.
If this means making less money, cutting back on your social obligations, or even taking a night off from church activities, then do whatever it takes to not be so overcommitted and fatigued. A friend of mine once told me, "If the devil can't make you bad, he'll make you busy."
2. Rest.
Rest should be a nonnegotiable time in everyone's life. Even God rested! Exodus 31:17 says, "In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed" (RSV). When we rest we get a proper perspective on our life. When we rest we can reflect on what has taken place in our life during the week. Does your life have control of you, or do you have control of your life? Rest and reflection will help you answer that important question.
Friday, January 25, 2008
What Ever Happened to Simplicity?
Taken from - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/momentstogether/
What Ever Happened to Simplicity?
Matthew 14:29,30 And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
Rare is the family that doesn't grapple with friction caused by the complexity of life in the twentieth century. In the last 100 years a strong cultural storm has swept the family far from its moorings of commitment and stability. Consider some of these changes.
During the 1800s, life was fairly simple. The economy was basically agrarian and most people lived on farms, working 80-hour weeks to grow their own food and make most of their own clothes and furnishings.
Today, most Americans live in cities. We are urban and mobile. We turn to technology instead of agriculture to meet our needs. With more choices and more people, life becomes more complex.
Families 100 years ago learned to function as a team because survival was at stake. Their interdependence fused them together.
Today we don't have the same need to work as a team. We can seek individual careers, education, hobbies and entertainment. These interests inevitably conflict with each other at some points, causing friction. And they are a breeding ground for selfishness, which erodes the cement of commitment to each other.
All this complexity captures our attention just as the storm distracted Peter. While his eyes were focused singly and simply on Jesus, Peter was able to walk on water. When he focused on the complexities of the storm, he sank.
There is no way to go back to life as it was 100 years ago. But we can exercise some control over complexities that cause friction. We can fix our eyes on Jesus. We can eliminate options that distract our attention from Him. We can organize the smaller commitments of life around our primary commitment to Him. And we can practice the most powerful word in the English vocabulary-No!
Prayer: That your family will be able to see the need to knife through the complexities of life and to organize family life around Jesus Christ.
Discuss: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your family's ability to tolerate different interests and commitments? Should some be curtailed?
What Ever Happened to Simplicity?
Matthew 14:29,30 And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
Rare is the family that doesn't grapple with friction caused by the complexity of life in the twentieth century. In the last 100 years a strong cultural storm has swept the family far from its moorings of commitment and stability. Consider some of these changes.
During the 1800s, life was fairly simple. The economy was basically agrarian and most people lived on farms, working 80-hour weeks to grow their own food and make most of their own clothes and furnishings.
Today, most Americans live in cities. We are urban and mobile. We turn to technology instead of agriculture to meet our needs. With more choices and more people, life becomes more complex.
Families 100 years ago learned to function as a team because survival was at stake. Their interdependence fused them together.
Today we don't have the same need to work as a team. We can seek individual careers, education, hobbies and entertainment. These interests inevitably conflict with each other at some points, causing friction. And they are a breeding ground for selfishness, which erodes the cement of commitment to each other.
All this complexity captures our attention just as the storm distracted Peter. While his eyes were focused singly and simply on Jesus, Peter was able to walk on water. When he focused on the complexities of the storm, he sank.
There is no way to go back to life as it was 100 years ago. But we can exercise some control over complexities that cause friction. We can fix our eyes on Jesus. We can eliminate options that distract our attention from Him. We can organize the smaller commitments of life around our primary commitment to Him. And we can practice the most powerful word in the English vocabulary-No!
Prayer: That your family will be able to see the need to knife through the complexities of life and to organize family life around Jesus Christ.
Discuss: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your family's ability to tolerate different interests and commitments? Should some be curtailed?
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tests of the Heart
Taken from - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/marketplace/
Tests of the Heart
Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.
Has God performed a heart test on you lately? There are times in our lives when God leads us into the desert in order to let us find out what is in our heart. These times can be very difficult and humbling. They can test our mettle like no other time. Desert times often mean we are living without those things we are normally accustomed to: water, food, limited supplies-and with few comforts. In modern terms, it may mean a different environment. God is performing a very important work during these times. He wants to know if we can be obedient to Him in these times; or will we be obedient only when times are good?
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you (Deuteronomy 8:3-5).
These desert times may mean experiencing new ways of provision from the Lord. Like manna from Heaven, it may mean seeing miracles we've never seen before. Like clothing that never wears out, it may mean seeing your normal capabilities expanded. Like walking hundreds of miles without pain, desert experiences provide new lessons and new experiences that only these times can teach us.
What desert experience has He brought into your life lately? Perhaps it is a lean time in business. Perhaps it is a new environment. Whatever it is, when God decides to bring new disciplines into our lives by bringing us into the desert, do not fear the heat that is sure to come. He is walking beside you in order to test you and find out what is really in your heart. Ask for His grace to pass the test. He wants to bring all of His children into the Promised Land.
Tests of the Heart
Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.
Has God performed a heart test on you lately? There are times in our lives when God leads us into the desert in order to let us find out what is in our heart. These times can be very difficult and humbling. They can test our mettle like no other time. Desert times often mean we are living without those things we are normally accustomed to: water, food, limited supplies-and with few comforts. In modern terms, it may mean a different environment. God is performing a very important work during these times. He wants to know if we can be obedient to Him in these times; or will we be obedient only when times are good?
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you (Deuteronomy 8:3-5).
These desert times may mean experiencing new ways of provision from the Lord. Like manna from Heaven, it may mean seeing miracles we've never seen before. Like clothing that never wears out, it may mean seeing your normal capabilities expanded. Like walking hundreds of miles without pain, desert experiences provide new lessons and new experiences that only these times can teach us.
What desert experience has He brought into your life lately? Perhaps it is a lean time in business. Perhaps it is a new environment. Whatever it is, when God decides to bring new disciplines into our lives by bringing us into the desert, do not fear the heat that is sure to come. He is walking beside you in order to test you and find out what is really in your heart. Ask for His grace to pass the test. He wants to bring all of His children into the Promised Land.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Are You a Fake?
Taken from - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/momentstogether/
Luke 6:46 And why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord," and do not do what I say?
Some people are excellent "fakes." Publicly, they may do an abundance of "Christian deeds" and use the right Christian clichTs. But privately, their lives are charades. They aren't listening to God. Their lives are mockeries.
A young man who had just graduated from law school set up an office, proudly displaying his shingle out front. On his first day at work, as he sat at his desk with his door open, he was wondering how he would get his first client. Then he heard footsteps coming down the long corridor toward his office.
Not wanting this potential client to think that he would be the first, the young lawyer quickly picked up the telephone and began to talk loudly to a make-believe caller. "Oh, yes sir!" he exclaimed into the phone. "I'm very experienced in corporate law....Courtroom experience? Why, yes, I've had several cases."
The sounds of footsteps drew closer to his open door.
"I have broad experience in almost every category of legal work," he continued, loud enough for his impending visitor to hear.
Finally, with the steps right at his door, he replied, "Expensive? Oh, no sir, I'm very reasonable. I'm told my rates are among the lowest in town."
The young lawyer then excused himself from his "conversation" and covered the phone in order to respond to the prospective client who was now standing in the doorway. With his most confident voice, he said, "Yes, sir, may I help you?"
"Well, yes you can," the man said with a smirk. "I'm the telephone repairman, and I've come to hook up your phone!"
We sometimes fake the Christian life in the same way. We say we honor God, but we don't obey Him day to day. Preoccupied with self and wanting our own ways, we ignore God and pretend to be spiritual. Instead of having Christ's character imprinted on our lives, we go our own ways, and our Christianity becomes a forgery.
Prayer:
That the Holy Spirit will reveal how you can walk with God moment by moment, in an authentic manner.
Discuss: If someone accused you of being a "fake Christian," what evidence could you present to prove otherwise?
Luke 6:46 And why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord," and do not do what I say?
Some people are excellent "fakes." Publicly, they may do an abundance of "Christian deeds" and use the right Christian clichTs. But privately, their lives are charades. They aren't listening to God. Their lives are mockeries.
A young man who had just graduated from law school set up an office, proudly displaying his shingle out front. On his first day at work, as he sat at his desk with his door open, he was wondering how he would get his first client. Then he heard footsteps coming down the long corridor toward his office.
Not wanting this potential client to think that he would be the first, the young lawyer quickly picked up the telephone and began to talk loudly to a make-believe caller. "Oh, yes sir!" he exclaimed into the phone. "I'm very experienced in corporate law....Courtroom experience? Why, yes, I've had several cases."
The sounds of footsteps drew closer to his open door.
"I have broad experience in almost every category of legal work," he continued, loud enough for his impending visitor to hear.
Finally, with the steps right at his door, he replied, "Expensive? Oh, no sir, I'm very reasonable. I'm told my rates are among the lowest in town."
The young lawyer then excused himself from his "conversation" and covered the phone in order to respond to the prospective client who was now standing in the doorway. With his most confident voice, he said, "Yes, sir, may I help you?"
"Well, yes you can," the man said with a smirk. "I'm the telephone repairman, and I've come to hook up your phone!"
We sometimes fake the Christian life in the same way. We say we honor God, but we don't obey Him day to day. Preoccupied with self and wanting our own ways, we ignore God and pretend to be spiritual. Instead of having Christ's character imprinted on our lives, we go our own ways, and our Christianity becomes a forgery.
Prayer:
That the Holy Spirit will reveal how you can walk with God moment by moment, in an authentic manner.
Discuss: If someone accused you of being a "fake Christian," what evidence could you present to prove otherwise?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
We can rejoice
Taken from - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/livingfree/
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5 NLT
Thoughts for Today
It is usually easy to rejoice when things are going well in our lives. But how about when we are having problems … and suffering? The Bible says even then we are to rejoice!
None of us like to suffer, but experiencing problems does not have to be destructive to our relationship with God. We need to trust God and see the good that can come through our experiences of suffering. Suffering teaches us to patiently endure. It also teaches us that our comfort is not the most important thing in life. It builds our character. It strengthens our hope because when we have to face another tribulation, we can look back on how God helped us in the past.
Consider this…
Although we would all prefer to be exempt from tribulations, God uses them to deepen our relationship with Him. They are still painful, but we can be comforted with the knowledge that our sufferings do not mean God is displeased with us. And we can rejoice because God will bring good even from the most difficult times … if we will continue to trust in Him and His great love.
Prayer…
Father, teach me to rejoice even when I am suffering … to see the good that can come from these struggles … and to remember your great love for me. In Jesus’ name …
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5 NLT
Thoughts for Today
It is usually easy to rejoice when things are going well in our lives. But how about when we are having problems … and suffering? The Bible says even then we are to rejoice!
None of us like to suffer, but experiencing problems does not have to be destructive to our relationship with God. We need to trust God and see the good that can come through our experiences of suffering. Suffering teaches us to patiently endure. It also teaches us that our comfort is not the most important thing in life. It builds our character. It strengthens our hope because when we have to face another tribulation, we can look back on how God helped us in the past.
Consider this…
Although we would all prefer to be exempt from tribulations, God uses them to deepen our relationship with Him. They are still painful, but we can be comforted with the knowledge that our sufferings do not mean God is displeased with us. And we can rejoice because God will bring good even from the most difficult times … if we will continue to trust in Him and His great love.
Prayer…
Father, teach me to rejoice even when I am suffering … to see the good that can come from these struggles … and to remember your great love for me. In Jesus’ name …
Monday, January 21, 2008
Standing at the Window, Wondering
Taken from Crosswalk.com - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/homeword/
Standing at the Window, Wondering
This devotional was written by Jim Burns
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Isaiah 43:25
My friend Steve Arterburn told a wonderful story that has a great moral to it...
There was a little boy and his sister visiting his grandparents on their farm. Johnny was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes" But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help" She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's; he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."
And so it is with us. Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done...And the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.) ...whatever it is...You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you.
Today, as a follower of Christ, don’t allow the devil to keep you in slavery. Instead, celebrate the freedom found in Christ: freedom from our past sins, and freedom to choose not to repeat them. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes .
Standing at the Window, Wondering
This devotional was written by Jim Burns
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Isaiah 43:25
My friend Steve Arterburn told a wonderful story that has a great moral to it...
There was a little boy and his sister visiting his grandparents on their farm. Johnny was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes" But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help" She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's; he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."
And so it is with us. Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done...And the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.) ...whatever it is...You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you.
Today, as a follower of Christ, don’t allow the devil to keep you in slavery. Instead, celebrate the freedom found in Christ: freedom from our past sins, and freedom to choose not to repeat them. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes .
Friday, January 18, 2008
Leadership by Servanthood
This was taken from Crosswalk.com - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/homeword/
Leadership by Servanthood
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt
Whoever wants to become great among you must serve the rest of you like a servant. Whoever wants to become first among you must serve the rest of you like a slave. In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people. Matthew 20:26-28 (NCV)
The world considers Jesus to be one of the greatest leaders in all of history – whether or not they believe Him to be God. There is no doubt that Jesus influenced others – and has continued to do so for 2,000 years. But, Jesus taught that real leadership was achieved not by throwing around power and authority, but through serving others.
A friend once told me the true story of a young man who was a college football player – until he had a stroke during practice one day. The young man suffered brain damage and was in a coma for a couple of weeks. When he woke up, he was paralyzed and couldn’t walk. The doctors told him that he would never walk again. Eventually, he regained the use of his legs and re-learned how to walk. But, the brain damage had been severe enough that he would never be normal again. The university where he had played football hired him as a custodian. He loved his job. He said that he was so thankful to God that he was alive and the he could hug his wife and play with his children. He said that he was so thankful that the university had given him a good job – even if it was picking up other people’s trash – because he loved helping other people. Here was a guy who had all the reason in the world to be angry at God and to give up. But instead, because his life had been touched by God’s love, he had found real life – in loving God and serving others.
By the world’s standards, this young man was not a leader. Still, he has demonstrated the type of leadership that Jesus promotes – serving others. He’s influenced others by serving them. And, I know that the retelling of this young man’s story continues to serve as an inspiration to others.
If you have ever found yourself thinking that you are just an average person with no exceptional skills or expertise to make a difference in the world, let today’s story remind you that everyone can be a leader through becoming a willing servant – helping others whenever and wherever we can.
Leadership by Servanthood
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt
Whoever wants to become great among you must serve the rest of you like a servant. Whoever wants to become first among you must serve the rest of you like a slave. In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people. Matthew 20:26-28 (NCV)
The world considers Jesus to be one of the greatest leaders in all of history – whether or not they believe Him to be God. There is no doubt that Jesus influenced others – and has continued to do so for 2,000 years. But, Jesus taught that real leadership was achieved not by throwing around power and authority, but through serving others.
A friend once told me the true story of a young man who was a college football player – until he had a stroke during practice one day. The young man suffered brain damage and was in a coma for a couple of weeks. When he woke up, he was paralyzed and couldn’t walk. The doctors told him that he would never walk again. Eventually, he regained the use of his legs and re-learned how to walk. But, the brain damage had been severe enough that he would never be normal again. The university where he had played football hired him as a custodian. He loved his job. He said that he was so thankful to God that he was alive and the he could hug his wife and play with his children. He said that he was so thankful that the university had given him a good job – even if it was picking up other people’s trash – because he loved helping other people. Here was a guy who had all the reason in the world to be angry at God and to give up. But instead, because his life had been touched by God’s love, he had found real life – in loving God and serving others.
By the world’s standards, this young man was not a leader. Still, he has demonstrated the type of leadership that Jesus promotes – serving others. He’s influenced others by serving them. And, I know that the retelling of this young man’s story continues to serve as an inspiration to others.
If you have ever found yourself thinking that you are just an average person with no exceptional skills or expertise to make a difference in the world, let today’s story remind you that everyone can be a leader through becoming a willing servant – helping others whenever and wherever we can.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Mustard Seed Faith in Business
Taken from Crosswalk.com - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/marketplace/
Mustard Seed Faith in Business
Matthew 17:20
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Does God do miracles in business? Is He concerned about the mountains we face in our work life? Does He want us to bring the everyday problems we face in the workplace to His attention? The answer to every one of these questions is yes. God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives.
Gunnar Olson, the Swedish founder of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce, tells a story about God performing a miracle in his own business a few years ago. He owns a plastics company in Sweden. They make huge plastic bags that are used to cover bales of hay in the farmlands across Europe. It was the harvest season and they were getting ready to ship thousands of pallets of these bags to their customers. More than 1,000 pallets were ready to ship when an alarming discovery was made. Every bag on the warehouse floor had sealed shut from top to bottom. Scientists declared the entire stock as worthless trash. Nothing could be done. The company would go out of business.
Gunnar, his wife, and children sought the Lord in prayer about this catastrophe. The Holy Spirit spoke through various family members. The wife said, "If God can turn water into wine, what are plastics?" The daughter said, "I don't believe this is from the Lord. We should stand against it." Gunnar sensed they were to trust God for a miracle in this situation. They began to pray. They took authority over this mountain of a problem based on Matthew 17, which gave them the authority to cast a mountain into the sea if faith only the size of a mustard seed could be exercised. The following Monday they went to the warehouse and laid hands on every pallet asking the Lord to restore the bags to their original condition. It took several hours. Later, the employees began to inspect the bags. As they inspected the bags, they discovered that every single bag had been restored to its original condition! An incredible miracle had taken place.
What obstacles have been placed in your life that need a miracle today? Could God be setting the stage in your life for you to trust Him at new levels you've never trusted before? God sets the stage to allow His power to be revealed for those willing to exercise the faith of a mustard seed. All things are possible with God.
Mustard Seed Faith in Business
Matthew 17:20
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Does God do miracles in business? Is He concerned about the mountains we face in our work life? Does He want us to bring the everyday problems we face in the workplace to His attention? The answer to every one of these questions is yes. God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives.
Gunnar Olson, the Swedish founder of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce, tells a story about God performing a miracle in his own business a few years ago. He owns a plastics company in Sweden. They make huge plastic bags that are used to cover bales of hay in the farmlands across Europe. It was the harvest season and they were getting ready to ship thousands of pallets of these bags to their customers. More than 1,000 pallets were ready to ship when an alarming discovery was made. Every bag on the warehouse floor had sealed shut from top to bottom. Scientists declared the entire stock as worthless trash. Nothing could be done. The company would go out of business.
Gunnar, his wife, and children sought the Lord in prayer about this catastrophe. The Holy Spirit spoke through various family members. The wife said, "If God can turn water into wine, what are plastics?" The daughter said, "I don't believe this is from the Lord. We should stand against it." Gunnar sensed they were to trust God for a miracle in this situation. They began to pray. They took authority over this mountain of a problem based on Matthew 17, which gave them the authority to cast a mountain into the sea if faith only the size of a mustard seed could be exercised. The following Monday they went to the warehouse and laid hands on every pallet asking the Lord to restore the bags to their original condition. It took several hours. Later, the employees began to inspect the bags. As they inspected the bags, they discovered that every single bag had been restored to its original condition! An incredible miracle had taken place.
What obstacles have been placed in your life that need a miracle today? Could God be setting the stage in your life for you to trust Him at new levels you've never trusted before? God sets the stage to allow His power to be revealed for those willing to exercise the faith of a mustard seed. All things are possible with God.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Unprofitable Anger
Taken from Crosswalk.com - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/marketplace/
Unprofitable Anger
Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Every day of our lives we are placed in situations that engage us with other people, whether it is in the office, our homes, or in public places. Do you recall the last time someone cut you off in traffic, or you were forced to wait in line because someone up front got held up? Perhaps your employer did something that was downright unfair. Anger can result from many circumstances.
A friend once told me that anger is like warning lights on the front of your car dashboard. They signal that there is something going on under the hood, and we should take a look to examine the source of the problem. Anger can be traced to a few sources. First, when we lose control of a circumstance that we have placed certain expectations on and those expectations do not result in our desired outcome, we are tempted to get angry. The source of this type of anger is both fear and protection of personal rights. You see, when we believe we have a right to something, we have not given the Lord permission to allow an outcome different from what we want. If an outcome is different from our expectations, this may stimulate fear.
For instance, if a vendor failed to deliver an important job on time due to something out of his control, you may respond out of anger. Please know that the source of your anger is the fear of what might happen to you or what this might say about your abilities to manage a project. You no longer are in control of the circumstance and this creates fear in you.
The next time you get angry ask the Lord what is the source of that anger? Did the Lord allow that failure to let you see what is "under your hood"? God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind (see 2 Tim. 1:7). Give up your rights to expectations that God never gave you. You will find a new freedom in Christ you never knew you could have.
Unprofitable Anger
Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Every day of our lives we are placed in situations that engage us with other people, whether it is in the office, our homes, or in public places. Do you recall the last time someone cut you off in traffic, or you were forced to wait in line because someone up front got held up? Perhaps your employer did something that was downright unfair. Anger can result from many circumstances.
A friend once told me that anger is like warning lights on the front of your car dashboard. They signal that there is something going on under the hood, and we should take a look to examine the source of the problem. Anger can be traced to a few sources. First, when we lose control of a circumstance that we have placed certain expectations on and those expectations do not result in our desired outcome, we are tempted to get angry. The source of this type of anger is both fear and protection of personal rights. You see, when we believe we have a right to something, we have not given the Lord permission to allow an outcome different from what we want. If an outcome is different from our expectations, this may stimulate fear.
For instance, if a vendor failed to deliver an important job on time due to something out of his control, you may respond out of anger. Please know that the source of your anger is the fear of what might happen to you or what this might say about your abilities to manage a project. You no longer are in control of the circumstance and this creates fear in you.
The next time you get angry ask the Lord what is the source of that anger? Did the Lord allow that failure to let you see what is "under your hood"? God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind (see 2 Tim. 1:7). Give up your rights to expectations that God never gave you. You will find a new freedom in Christ you never knew you could have.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Possessions of the Kingdom
Taken from Crosswalk.com - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/marketplace/
Possessions of the Kingdom
Genesis 15:14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.
Whenever God brings you through a time of great adversity, you can expect to come out of that experience with great possessions, if you have been faithful through the trial. This is a universal truth. Wisdom comes from obedience, not knowledge. When we have been tested and proven, the reality of our faith results in possessions from God that we would never receive if we had not gone through those trials. These are precious in His sight and should be valued greatly. Those who know you will be amazed at the wisdom that comes from your mouth. It is one of those mysteries of the gospel that only those who experience incredible testing and hardship can explain.
God kept the people of Israel enslaved 400 years, but when the time came to free them from the bondage of slavery, they came out with great possessions. These physical possessions symbolize the spiritual possessions we receive when we come out of being enslaved to those things that have hindered us all our lives. These possessions are to be shared with others so that they also can know how they might become free.
What has God freed you from that allows you to share your possessions with others? Share what God has done in your life with someone you work with today. It may be the possession they need most in their life.
Possessions of the Kingdom
Genesis 15:14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.
Whenever God brings you through a time of great adversity, you can expect to come out of that experience with great possessions, if you have been faithful through the trial. This is a universal truth. Wisdom comes from obedience, not knowledge. When we have been tested and proven, the reality of our faith results in possessions from God that we would never receive if we had not gone through those trials. These are precious in His sight and should be valued greatly. Those who know you will be amazed at the wisdom that comes from your mouth. It is one of those mysteries of the gospel that only those who experience incredible testing and hardship can explain.
God kept the people of Israel enslaved 400 years, but when the time came to free them from the bondage of slavery, they came out with great possessions. These physical possessions symbolize the spiritual possessions we receive when we come out of being enslaved to those things that have hindered us all our lives. These possessions are to be shared with others so that they also can know how they might become free.
What has God freed you from that allows you to share your possessions with others? Share what God has done in your life with someone you work with today. It may be the possession they need most in their life.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Daily Devotional
Taken from Crosswalk - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/marketplace/546826/
The Interests of Others
Philippians 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
One of the walls of Christianity that has existed for centuries is the attitude of many "full-time" Christian workers and businesspeople. Often pastors, missionaries, and other "full timers" (I put this in quotes since all of us should consider ourselves full time) see businesspeople as a dollar sign. They see them as the instrument to fund their next project or provide the support they need. This wrong view toward businesspeople encourages them to harden their hearts toward legitimate projects. It creates a vicious cycle in which satan robs both servants of God of the blessing of each other's gifts and talents.
I once attended an international conference in which businesspeople acknowledged having this attitude toward Christian workers. Christian workers asked for forgiveness for viewing those in business as objects for funding. There was a time of repentance and tears for the selfish attitude and callousness of both groups. Christian businesspeople have more to offer the Kingdom than their dollars, but this is often overlooked.
Paul admonishes us to:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3-5).
If the God of the universe came as a humble servant, we in business must maintain our humble servant attitude toward those who have lesser means and are seeking to serve the Lord. God has entrusted many of us in business with greater resources. The test is to examine whether we are operating in vanity or Christ-like servanthood, looking out for the interests of others.
Ask the Lord to provide the grace to consider each request that comes to you for assistance and to avoid becoming callous to these requests. This is one test from God that He brings to determine whether you will serve others before yourself. The true test of giving is when it has no benefit to yourself.
The Interests of Others
Philippians 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
One of the walls of Christianity that has existed for centuries is the attitude of many "full-time" Christian workers and businesspeople. Often pastors, missionaries, and other "full timers" (I put this in quotes since all of us should consider ourselves full time) see businesspeople as a dollar sign. They see them as the instrument to fund their next project or provide the support they need. This wrong view toward businesspeople encourages them to harden their hearts toward legitimate projects. It creates a vicious cycle in which satan robs both servants of God of the blessing of each other's gifts and talents.
I once attended an international conference in which businesspeople acknowledged having this attitude toward Christian workers. Christian workers asked for forgiveness for viewing those in business as objects for funding. There was a time of repentance and tears for the selfish attitude and callousness of both groups. Christian businesspeople have more to offer the Kingdom than their dollars, but this is often overlooked.
Paul admonishes us to:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3-5).
If the God of the universe came as a humble servant, we in business must maintain our humble servant attitude toward those who have lesser means and are seeking to serve the Lord. God has entrusted many of us in business with greater resources. The test is to examine whether we are operating in vanity or Christ-like servanthood, looking out for the interests of others.
Ask the Lord to provide the grace to consider each request that comes to you for assistance and to avoid becoming callous to these requests. This is one test from God that He brings to determine whether you will serve others before yourself. The true test of giving is when it has no benefit to yourself.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Devotional
Taken from Crosswalk - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/marketplace/
Four Attributes of a Life God Blesses
Isaiah 28:16 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed."
Whenever God calls us into a consecrated life, it is made up of four distinct stages. Christ often compared this process to building a house. First, we must prepare to build by laying a foundation. That foundation is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. Any foundation other than Christ will not stand.
Second, as we enter a walk of faith with God, He allows each of us to experience trials, testings, miracles, and challenges in life that are designed to provide "faith experiences" that demonstrate tangible evidences of His work in our life: Moses' burning-bush experience, Peter's walk on the water, Joshua's parting of the Jordan River. These experiences built the faith of these people. The depth and width of our calling is directly proportional to the faith experiences He allows in each of our lives. If God plans an international ministry with you, chances are you will experience a higher degree of faith experiences compared to another. The reason is, you will need to look on these to ensure your calling and provide testimony to His work in your life.
The third stage deals with motives. "All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord" (Prov. 16:2). What is the motive behind my actions? Is it only financial accumulation? Is it to gain control? Is it to create independence? The primary motive must be God's leading you to take such an action-it must be obedience. These other factors must be by-products of the decision.
Finally, we are prepared to take action. Here we must ask, "Do we have the skill, quality, and ability to enter into this activity?" So often we have not trained ourselves adequately to be successful in our endeavor. You would never want someone working on your teeth who had not been trained and certified as a dentist.
Before you begin your next project, ask yourself these four questions. What is the foundation this project is based on? What experiences has God demonstrated in my life that indicate His involvement? What is my motive for entering this activity? Do I have the skill, quality, and ability to accomplish the task? Answering these questions will tell you whether God will bless your activity.
Four Attributes of a Life God Blesses
Isaiah 28:16 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed."
Whenever God calls us into a consecrated life, it is made up of four distinct stages. Christ often compared this process to building a house. First, we must prepare to build by laying a foundation. That foundation is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. Any foundation other than Christ will not stand.
Second, as we enter a walk of faith with God, He allows each of us to experience trials, testings, miracles, and challenges in life that are designed to provide "faith experiences" that demonstrate tangible evidences of His work in our life: Moses' burning-bush experience, Peter's walk on the water, Joshua's parting of the Jordan River. These experiences built the faith of these people. The depth and width of our calling is directly proportional to the faith experiences He allows in each of our lives. If God plans an international ministry with you, chances are you will experience a higher degree of faith experiences compared to another. The reason is, you will need to look on these to ensure your calling and provide testimony to His work in your life.
The third stage deals with motives. "All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord" (Prov. 16:2). What is the motive behind my actions? Is it only financial accumulation? Is it to gain control? Is it to create independence? The primary motive must be God's leading you to take such an action-it must be obedience. These other factors must be by-products of the decision.
Finally, we are prepared to take action. Here we must ask, "Do we have the skill, quality, and ability to enter into this activity?" So often we have not trained ourselves adequately to be successful in our endeavor. You would never want someone working on your teeth who had not been trained and certified as a dentist.
Before you begin your next project, ask yourself these four questions. What is the foundation this project is based on? What experiences has God demonstrated in my life that indicate His involvement? What is my motive for entering this activity? Do I have the skill, quality, and ability to accomplish the task? Answering these questions will tell you whether God will bless your activity.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Devotional II
OK, I thought I would add a second one today. Also from http://www.crosswalk.com/
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/marketplace/
Knowledge That is Productive
References: 2 Peter 1:8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Productivity is a term all businesspeople can relate to. It is the by-product of what we desire from our work. Without productivity, we do not make sales, we do not deliver goods, we do not achieve our goals. There are things in our business lives that can creep in making us unproductive. The same is true in our walk with God.
The apostle Peter tells us that we can become knowledgeable of Jesus but fail to be effective and productive in our relationship with Him. We are a society that has great knowledge, but our comparable scale of productivity from that knowledge is extremely weighted to the knowledge side. The apostle Peter tells us there is a solution to this dilemma.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8).
Is your Christian experience filled with knowledge, but little power? Is there a staleness in your walk with God? Is there an unrest in your soul? It may be due to a need to develop character that only the Holy Spirit can develop out of an obedient heart. Ask the Lord today to add these qualities to your faith so that you can be productive as a soldier of Jesus Christ.
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/marketplace/
Knowledge That is Productive
References: 2 Peter 1:8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Productivity is a term all businesspeople can relate to. It is the by-product of what we desire from our work. Without productivity, we do not make sales, we do not deliver goods, we do not achieve our goals. There are things in our business lives that can creep in making us unproductive. The same is true in our walk with God.
The apostle Peter tells us that we can become knowledgeable of Jesus but fail to be effective and productive in our relationship with Him. We are a society that has great knowledge, but our comparable scale of productivity from that knowledge is extremely weighted to the knowledge side. The apostle Peter tells us there is a solution to this dilemma.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8).
Is your Christian experience filled with knowledge, but little power? Is there a staleness in your walk with God? Is there an unrest in your soul? It may be due to a need to develop character that only the Holy Spirit can develop out of an obedient heart. Ask the Lord today to add these qualities to your faith so that you can be productive as a soldier of Jesus Christ.
Devotional
Do Something of Value Tonight (Part Two)
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/momentstogether/
References: -->Ephesians 5:17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
As the kids surrounded my car like a band of whooping Indians, screaming, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy," I was glad on this night I had made the right choice.
At supper, rather than just grazing our way through the meal, we spent a few moments on nostalgia. Each of us answered the question: What was your favorite thing we did as a family this past year?
After supper I gave the kids three choices of what we would do: Play Monopoly together, read a good book together or wrestle together on the living room floor. Which do you think they chose?
Three little sumo wrestlers grabbed my legs as they began to drag me into the living room. Dad was pinned by the kids. Mom was tickled by Dad. And kids went flying through the air (literally) for the next hour. Even our 10-month-old got into the act by pouncing on me after she had observed the other kids in action.
Will the kids remember? Maybe, but I doubt it.
Did I waste the evening? No. With the power that God supplies, I did my best to leave a legacy that counts-a legacy of love that will outlive me. I was reminded of two things. First, I thought of Paul's words in Ephesians 5, in which he reminded us to make the most of our time and to "not be foolish."
Second, I remembered my dad. He was badgered by one determined boy into playing catch over and over again. I can still remember his well-worn mitt and curve ball.
If you struggle with priorities as I do, you might want to commit to memory those verses in Ephesians. The "fool" Paul wrote about is something we never intend to become; it just happens-one day at a time.
I hope you did something of value today. And I hope you will tonight as well.
Prayer: Ask God to give you favor as you invest your lives in one another and in your children.
Discuss: What choices do you often have to make to balance your own needs with those of your family? Do you ever resent these demands? What is one goal for family time that you want to achieve in the coming year?
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/momentstogether/
References: -->Ephesians 5:17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
As the kids surrounded my car like a band of whooping Indians, screaming, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy," I was glad on this night I had made the right choice.
At supper, rather than just grazing our way through the meal, we spent a few moments on nostalgia. Each of us answered the question: What was your favorite thing we did as a family this past year?
After supper I gave the kids three choices of what we would do: Play Monopoly together, read a good book together or wrestle together on the living room floor. Which do you think they chose?
Three little sumo wrestlers grabbed my legs as they began to drag me into the living room. Dad was pinned by the kids. Mom was tickled by Dad. And kids went flying through the air (literally) for the next hour. Even our 10-month-old got into the act by pouncing on me after she had observed the other kids in action.
Will the kids remember? Maybe, but I doubt it.
Did I waste the evening? No. With the power that God supplies, I did my best to leave a legacy that counts-a legacy of love that will outlive me. I was reminded of two things. First, I thought of Paul's words in Ephesians 5, in which he reminded us to make the most of our time and to "not be foolish."
Second, I remembered my dad. He was badgered by one determined boy into playing catch over and over again. I can still remember his well-worn mitt and curve ball.
If you struggle with priorities as I do, you might want to commit to memory those verses in Ephesians. The "fool" Paul wrote about is something we never intend to become; it just happens-one day at a time.
I hope you did something of value today. And I hope you will tonight as well.
Prayer: Ask God to give you favor as you invest your lives in one another and in your children.
Discuss: What choices do you often have to make to balance your own needs with those of your family? Do you ever resent these demands? What is one goal for family time that you want to achieve in the coming year?
Monday, January 07, 2008
Devotional
Morning guys.
It has been a while. Thought I would try something new this morning. For you guys who are not married, be creative on this one. This was taken from www.crosswalk.com at this url http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/momentstogether/
God Bless,
cas
Do Something of Value Tonight (Part One)
References: -->Ephesians 5:15,16 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time.
Driving home one night after work, I switched on the radio to catch the news. In a moment of uncharacteristic sincerity, the announcer made a statement that sliced through my fog of fatigue: "I hope you did something of value today. You wasted a whole day if you didn't."
His statement struck me abruptly. Fortunately, I felt pretty good about how I had invested my time that day, solving some of the problems of a swiftly growing organization. But in 10 minutes I would be home where one lovely lady and six pairs of little eyes would need my attention.
Would I do something of value with them tonight?
It's just one night, I thought, and besides, I'm exhausted. Then I pondered how one night followed by another, 365 times, adds up to a year. The nights and years seemed to be passing with increasing velocity.
Five more minutes and I'd be home.
I'll bet there are other men like me who are really tired right now. I'll bet I do better than average with my kids, I smugly concluded.
But another question came to mind and lingered: Did God call me to be merely a better-than-average husband and father? Or to be obedient and to excel?
But it's just one night. What would I accomplish? Would I waste it spending all evening in front of the television? Or invest it in planting the seeds of a positive legacy?
I wanted just one evening of selfishness-to do my own thing. But what if Barbara had a similar attitude? Then who would carry the baton?
One more minute and I'd be home.
Just one night, Lord. It's just one night. But then the same angel who wrestled Jacob to the ground pinned me with a half nelson as I drove into the garage.
Okay, Lord, You've got me.
Prayer: Ask God to help you keep your priorities straight in the midst of the pressure and schedule you face. Ask Him to give you courage to do right.
Discuss: Did you do something of value today? If you didn't, you just wasted a whole day of your life.
It has been a while. Thought I would try something new this morning. For you guys who are not married, be creative on this one. This was taken from www.crosswalk.com at this url http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/momentstogether/
God Bless,
cas
Do Something of Value Tonight (Part One)
References: -->Ephesians 5:15,16 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time.
Driving home one night after work, I switched on the radio to catch the news. In a moment of uncharacteristic sincerity, the announcer made a statement that sliced through my fog of fatigue: "I hope you did something of value today. You wasted a whole day if you didn't."
His statement struck me abruptly. Fortunately, I felt pretty good about how I had invested my time that day, solving some of the problems of a swiftly growing organization. But in 10 minutes I would be home where one lovely lady and six pairs of little eyes would need my attention.
Would I do something of value with them tonight?
It's just one night, I thought, and besides, I'm exhausted. Then I pondered how one night followed by another, 365 times, adds up to a year. The nights and years seemed to be passing with increasing velocity.
Five more minutes and I'd be home.
I'll bet there are other men like me who are really tired right now. I'll bet I do better than average with my kids, I smugly concluded.
But another question came to mind and lingered: Did God call me to be merely a better-than-average husband and father? Or to be obedient and to excel?
But it's just one night. What would I accomplish? Would I waste it spending all evening in front of the television? Or invest it in planting the seeds of a positive legacy?
I wanted just one evening of selfishness-to do my own thing. But what if Barbara had a similar attitude? Then who would carry the baton?
One more minute and I'd be home.
Just one night, Lord. It's just one night. But then the same angel who wrestled Jacob to the ground pinned me with a half nelson as I drove into the garage.
Okay, Lord, You've got me.
Prayer: Ask God to help you keep your priorities straight in the midst of the pressure and schedule you face. Ask Him to give you courage to do right.
Discuss: Did you do something of value today? If you didn't, you just wasted a whole day of your life.
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