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Your investment in your kiddo’s

21 May

Your investment in your kiddo’s

Deuteronomy 6:2,6-7 that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

My life has changed a lot since Dana lost her job a few weeks back. I had settled into patterns with my boys, and spending quality time with them in the Bible. Now I am back to workaholic mode with the start of the cooling season and the additional responsibility of the sole provider. This weekend my 5yr old Dalton was talking about heaven and it has struck me this morning of how I must return to investing that time with them. Nothing in life is as important that how you raise your children, and we must strive to teach our children Deut.6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. We cannot do that in only words for they will see right through us, but it is how we live it out. Do we hurriedly go to church on Sunday, only to live for the world without Christ six other days a week? That is teaching them Salvation by works, and that is a pathway to hell.

Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. As a dad I know the power of my words to my boys. I know how I can tear down in a simple sentence saying the wrong thing to a child. I know with my temper that my speech can cut like a sword. I thank God that He has been doing great works in helping me with my temper and speech. Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. The more time you spend with God, the easier it will be to teach your children the ways of God. You will naturally become more like Christ and your spirit will reflect Him to your children. You cannot teach your children what you do not already know yourself. Seek Christ diligently like you never have before, for those you will leave behind are your greatest investment.

 
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Posted by on May 21, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Grace and Mercy allow us there

20 May

Grace and Mercy allow us there

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I was discussing with my best friend the other day of how it must have been so hard living before Christ with a heart and the desire to pursue God. All of the Law,  and the rulers of the Law, consistently pointing to the inability to fulfill it’s requirements. It simply would have caused incredible mental strain at “the tasks”. But Christ has come to redeem the world and we can approach God at the Throne of Grace in awe and reverent fear; for Christ sits at his right hand to intercede for us. In the scriptures prior to this the author is speaking of the “rest” that we have in Christ, or even peace and assurance I might add that give us rest.

This scripture is speaking of approaching God in prayer. Matthew Henry said, “Mercy and grace are the things we want, mercy to pardon all our sins and grace to purify out souls.” I believe it was Adrian Rogers who put it, “Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve. Grace is God giving us what we don’t.”  Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus. When you are truly needing, truly seeking God, humble yourself and realize how Christ has provided you the pathway to enter into His presence. That humility and reverent awe allow your prayers to be heard, and your heart to be felt when approaching God. There is nothing hidden from God, He knows and sees all, even discerns your heart and thoughts It is through the “lens of the gospel” (Ed Gravely) that you begin to understand your intercessor in Christ, and the ability only He provides to approach God. When you accept Christ, that peace and rest will come with an understanding of your security and ability to approach God.

 

 
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Posted by on May 20, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Flee to……

19 May

Flee to……

Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

I pulled an overslept card this morning and got about an extra hours rest. I awoke this morning thinking about two friends specifically and what they are going through. One is going through issues with aging parents, the other with direct illness. Both situations are very hard real life circumstances that they are facing, and they are leaning on God and those praying for them for strength. I received a heart felt email thanking those who were lifting them up in prayer. In a conversation last night the term “stressed but bathed in prayer” was spoken. Those carry a lot of weight, for their strength is found in our Lord and knowing those close to them are praying for them when they need it most. Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

When these real life real hard struggles come and you are squeezed, what comes out? What do you flee to? You will flee to something and hopefully it is God. Once you realize your true needs can only be met by the strength in Him, there comes an inner strength and peace. Psalm 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. There is a peace in eternal security that cannot be compared to anything hear that is truly temporary. Temporary does not bring peace, for at some time the temporary will flee also. Inner strength is found in eternal strength, and eternal strength is found only in Christ. That strength is available to you when you realize your need for it, humble yourself and ask for it. That strength will never flee….NEVER.

 
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Posted by on May 19, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Side Tracked

16 May

Side Tracked

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I was reading this morning in 2 Timothy and feeling the weight of school. Yesterday was rough at work and left me physically and even mentally drained. I came home exhausted and unable to do homework. Satan smiled at the distraction. In these versed above Paul is encouraging Timothy to keep his focus on the things of God and His Word. It is the only time in the New Testament that “rightly divided” is used and which means to ‘cut straight’. A straight path has no distractions that tug it off course. We all learned early in school that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and our course with God should keep that principle also.

How do we go about the keeping the straight course and our focus on God? Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. If we truly begin to seek God with all our heart, soul, and strength; keeping the straight course will naturally come. With a true heart for God comes a desire to follow His Will, and remain on that path. Satan will provide all the distractions in many forms along the way, but a heart truly seeking God in everything will discern those distractions. Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. That straight line to follow God may take you through many trials in your life that you would have never taken on your own. You would have taken the side track and possibly gotten off course, and missed the blessing God had planned for you if you remained focused on Him.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. This verse is a lifestyle of focusing on God and keeping the course.

 
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Posted by on May 16, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Consistency

15 May

Consistency

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18   Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

As I struggled yesterday with the anxiety of the start of school, I was reminded of “pray without ceasing” from 1Thessalonians 17. I have written many times of my battles with anxiety and I have come to label it my “thorn in the flesh”; for it only seemed to rear it’s head upon truly seeking God a few years back. I accept that and in those struggles where Satan torments me, it truly draws me closer to God. When you are facing struggles you will not remain idle, but deal with them likely in two ways. Satan desires for you to flee from God and handle them on your own however you choose. God’s desire through them is for you to see His provision and Sovereignty through and on the other side of the struggle. You either run or you draw near.

There comes a point in any struggle where we likely want to throw our hands up in the air and give up. At that breaking point is a key point in your life and your walk with Christ. It is at that point that you let go of that pride you are resting on of handling it yourself. That pride is rooted in fear of the unknown, and Satan uses that fear and doubt as a powerful weapon. But in contrast if we realize that “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7); we can go to God in prayer and His Word for strength to fight that demon of fear. This war is not fought once; but one that is a daily battle for many of us in many areas. The praying without ceasing is the key to overcoming what your struggle is. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Pride is not found in that scripture; but a submissive heart for the will of God to handle what we cannot. Throw your hands up today and give your struggles to God in prayer. He is waiting to carry them for you as many of us have seen.

http://llerrah.com/footprints.htm

 
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Posted by on May 15, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Knowing?

14 May

Knowing?

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned..

This morning I was in John 3, reading of Nicodemus coming to Christ with his inquiring mind. I had awoke this morning and though of writing of a “New Day”, for what today represents in my life starting this new chapter. As I searched scripture, I ended up spending more time where I left off in John 3. Nicodemus was a leader of the Jews and had investigated John the Baptist and Christ in their legal system. Yet he could not understand what he heard. Even today as an outsider looking into Christianity, the comprehension is not there. The understanding of Spiritual things is a Spiritual gift received upon Salvation when the Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside you.  1 Corinthians 2:10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

Do you want to understand? Does something inside your soul yearn to know more, and even understand your Bible, and the things you hear those who profess Christ speak of? 1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. That we might KNOW the things; that it is a free gift available to you also. All of these things are available to you, but only through Christ. Christ was telling Nicodemus of how his desire to adhere to the law wasn’t going to save him. He was telling Nicodemus how to be saved. John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
The realization and repentance of your sin is the first step to understanding the things of God. The Spirit that will reside in you as a result of Salvation will bring to light many of the questions you have, for that Spirit that will reside in you is the Spirit of Christ.

 
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Posted by on May 14, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Proverbs 31 Mom’s

14 May

Today if you didn’t see on FB, I lost almost and entire devotional when my computer battery died while working on this about 6am at the beach. It was the straw that about broke me with IT, and that Dell almost found out how deep the sea was. I have tried to remember, but only got close I think. I was just trying to thank my mom and my wife for all they do for me. I know it is late, but Happy Mother’s Day to all of you mom’s out there!

 

 

Proverbs 31 Mom’s

Ephesians 6:1-4   Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Honoring our parents is so important in Gods eyes that it made the Ten Commandments. If it made God’s Top Ten list, we should understand how important it is, but nevertheless it is even followed by a promise of a long good life as in Deuteronomy 5:16 ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. That may be in this life or the life thereafter in eternal paradise. The Bible is full of God speaking of the blessings of generations. Are not your parents worthy of such respect if they are striving to raise you in a Godly home?

Today is Mothers Day and I struggled on where to go until I remembered Proverbs 31 ministries Dana is so fond of. Proverbs 31 is almost unattainable, yet I see it in both my mother, and my wife. They have and are much more of a Proverbs 31 woman than in humility they will admit. Today it is with honor to my mother, and my wife I say humbly thank you for all you do for Him, and for us. I love you both.

Proverbs 31:10-31
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.

 
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Posted by on May 14, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Turn on the light

11 May

Turn on the light

John 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

In the first five verses of the gospel of John, there is a beautiful summary of creation deep in theology. A summary of creation, sin, and redemption through Christ of a lost world. A summary of how everything is sustained by God’s sovereign power. We live in a dark sin filled world which is so evident all around us today in all arena’s. The darkness has not only entered into our daily lives, but our churches too  as leaders fall or preach false truths. This darkness has been here all along, but the Light has also. John 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

When we get scared in the night, our first move is to turn on the light. That light brings an instant peace for the unknown of the darkness is revealed. Those troubling sins, fears, anxieties, and demons we battle can be conquered through the Light of Christ. Those tugs that you feel when you know you are steep in sin are convictions to turn from that sin. Turning from that sin to Christ will make you a child of Light, and Christ can conquer that darkness you cannot. John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” The way to battle those deep dark demons, is through the power of the Light that has not darkness at all: Pure Light. 1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Turn on the Light in your life that never grows dim, and the fears of the darkness will flee from you for eternity.

 
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Posted by on May 11, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Love as He does

10 May

Love as He does

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

I was saying yesterday on Facebook how I don’t mix politics and religion; I pick religion. The passion that was in so many posts yesterday regarding Amendment 1 was coming through on both sides. It was on many stations that I listen to also. I did not vote, therefore I am not allowed to have an opinion, but I can understand some of the viewpoints on both sides. It does however hurt me to see the political arena bring such strong emotions and many times as Christians we begin to not act like Christians. We are to emulate Christ and the love of Christ. We must look past our differences on many fronts and have love for one another. 1 Peter 4:And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

God is a God of love and the book of 1 John is a great place to read of God’s love for us. In this short book John uses different forms of the word love 46 times trying to press the understanding of the importance of love we are to emulate. The more time you spend with God and begin to develop that relationship, the more you will begin to emulate Christ. You begin to see how you walk every day in His grace and mercy. That realization produces an outpouring of thanksgiving of a grateful heart full of love for Him. You will begin to see things in a different light and that hate that the world produces will flee from you. Light dis-spells darkness and in “that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

 
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Posted by on May 10, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Heart or Ears?

28 Apr

Heart or Ears?

Matthew 13:14-15 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’

Everybody wants to hear God speak. We all want an audible voice and to know it was God. I think if we heard that audible voice, our ears He designed couldn’t handle it. It takes filtering it through our heart to hear the voice of God, but you can hear Him through your heart. We all have those “gut” feelings that many times inside us are God, yet many times we choose to ignore or suppress them for many reasons. But when you are feeling those tugs of curiosity and desire, that is God pursuing you; do not deny Him. You must humble yourself and accept Him before you will ever hear him. He is preparing your heart as in Psalm 10:17 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear. Denying those inclinations you are feeling will have eternal consequences.

Many times someone that is “lost” will open their Bible from curiosity and try to understand. But a key to understanding the Bible is the power of the Spirit who brings to light the Word of God. When Christ returned to Heaven, His Spirit became available to dwell within us. Acts 2:32-33 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. The Holy Spirit is the key to hearing God’s voice, and that all begins with the acceptance of Him into your heart upon the repentance of sin, and the gift of Salvation. You can’t hear God, until you accept Christ. You then may hear God as you hear nothing else in this world; for He is not of this world. He speaks not through your ears, but through your heart in a way that will bring you peace, comfort, and understanding upon the pursuit of a daily relationship with Him.

 
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Posted by on April 28, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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