Devotions - Prayer
Boundaries are based on truth and we each need to know our limits in each area of our life.
Setting boundaries is an essential skill in life, especially for people like us in recovery who are addicted to a sin (which we all have in one form or another: worry, over eating, gossip, anxiety, chemical dependency, etc. etc).
Addicts for example, often grow up in dysfunctional homes, where boundaries were either too rigid (leading to suppressed emotions or distant relationships) or too enmeshed (depriving them of a sense of personal identity).
Later in life, their interpersonal relationships may continue to be defined by old roles and patterns, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety and addictive or compulsive behaviors.
THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!
John 8:31-32: Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
*Does our life look like someone who’s on the same page with Christ?
*Do we tend to believe our negative feelings more than the positive truth of God’s Word?
Four Components for Successful Boundaries: YOU GET WHAT YOU WORK FOR!
1. Vision: Do you know what you want as an outcome? Define your specific expectations in writing.
2. Communication: Do you thoroughly communicate and address the specific expectations, your purpose and results and if broken the consequences?
3. Application: Do you follow through with the message, consequences (good or bad).
4. Action: Develop your plan, determine how to hold yourself accountable to your plan.
Ephesians 6:14 “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”
Why are boundaries important?
They keep you safe from being manipulated, abused or taken advantage of, while also protecting other people from harm you may consciously or unconsciously inflict.
They prevent both parties in a relationship from blurring the lines between self and others.
With healthy boundaries in place, you can begin to tune in to your inner voice(Holy Spirit) and trust those thoughts and feelings, and then communicate those to other people.
Romans 2:8 “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”
*If we strive for God, we will receive mercy.
*If we seek eternal life, we will find it.
*BUT if we seek the world, we will be left in the world.
Lord, help us all to seek You and set good and healthy personal boundaries in our lives to be able to create more of Your Character in us for others to see and follow. Help us to see and know more and more of Your Truths. Amen
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We mustn’t say, “I will choose to love this person if it kills me,” but rather “I will set myself aside and allow God to love this person through me.”
“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven…”Matthew 5:44
A pure and contrite heart is being formed within us as we continue to walk out our eternal sanctification.
“Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, but humility goes before honor.” Proverbs 18:12
A negative thought first crossing our mind is not sin. But if we choose to bury that thought in our hearts or turn it into a negative action, sin is the result. We need to take that thought captive and immediately relinquish it to God.
“…we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…” II Corinthians 10:5
Painful memories grow strangely dim when we allow the Holy Spirit to light the candle of God’s Love within our hearts.
“…but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
Paul chose to look at life from a heavenly perspective. That’s why he could write:
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body (2 Cor. 4:8-10).
Paul had experienced a level of opposition and suffering that you and I can scarcely imagine. People said they would do things but did not follow through. He could not depend on certain people. Yet he was not crushed, and he refused to give in to despair. He viewed his life as a continual process of dying. His goal was to live in such a way that the life of Jesus would be revealed in his response to adversity.
Beware of placing too much expectation on others. Realize that people will let you down from time to time, but do not let that impact your faith. Trust God to work even through these disappointments.
The Bible is clear that humans do not achieve greatness without having their sinful will broken. This process is designed to create a nature change in each of us, not just a habit change. The Bible calls it circumcision. Circumcision is painful, bloody, and personal.
JN 17: 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Thank You Jesus for the gift of eternal life. Help me always see the Eternal Perspective in all my circumstances to bring You Glory and me Hope. Amen
Read MoreLuke 4:4, “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”
Jesus answered every temptation with, “It is written.”
*The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17).
*The Word of God is the only offensive spiritual weapon that we have.
Since Jesus was the Word of God (Jn. 1:1), anything he would have spoken would have been the Word. He could have said “scat” and the devil would have had to go, yet He quoted the written Word of God three times.
This gives us great assurance that the written Word of God is sufficient for us.
*Jesus, in the face of the greatest temptations that Satan had to offer, did not need to say anything that was not already recorded in scripture.
It is likely that when Jesus returns to this earth and destroys His enemies, He will just speak the Word that has already been given in scripture.
*No wonder Satan tries to keep us from studying and knowing God’s Word.
*Even our good works will hurt us if they keep us from really knowing the scriptures.
God has given us this mighty weapon of His Word!
*When we speak the Word in faith, hell shakes. Satan and his followers have already experienced what the Word can do. They know its power.
We need to know it, too!
THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR WORD! 2 Timothy 3: 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. Amen
Read too: Matthew. 4:1-11 and Mark1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13
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Elisha prayed for him to receive sight,
“O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17).
Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
When we can’t see our situation with clear spiritual vision then we tend to fixate on our earthly circumstances.
Each morning we get out of bed: 1. walking by faith in the Son of God or 2. wandering about in unbelief obsessed over our earthly circumstances.
When the eyes of our heart are wide open to God’s truth, then the light of his word cuts through the fog.
Paul prayed for the Ephesians to have spiritual eyes to see.
*He prayed that the Father of glory would give them the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of God, having the eyes of their hearts enlightened (Ephesians 1:17–18).
When God opens the eyes of our hearts then we can see Him for who He is.
And when we see who He is then we understand certain things that will change the way we look at ourselves and our situations.
*We can know the hope to which God has called us (Eph. 1:18) and we can recognize the fake hope that slides out of our hands.
*We can know the riches of God’s glorious inheritance in the saints (Eph.1:18) and we can dismiss the fake rewards of the world.
*We can know the immeasurable greatness of God’s power toward us who believe (1:19) and we can reject the fake power offered to us by the enemy.
*We can trust in God’s mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places (1:19–20).
*We can see Jesus as he truly is — “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come” (1:21) — and happily submit anything and everything to him.
When you open your Bible then you can see the flashes of light refracting from the sword of the one who guards your soul from death.
The sword of God’s word can cut through even the most formidable morning fog of doubt or spiritual laziness.
Since faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17), then we would do well to fill our ears with God’s word every day.
Thank You for Truth Lord. Help me daily to read and meditate on Your Word. Thank you Jesus that You are the Way, the Truth and the Life and help me start and finish each day giving you all the glory for what you are doing for your kingdom to come. Amen
Read MoreETERNAL HAPPINESS= NOT WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND ME—IT’S ABOUT WHAT GOD IS DOING IN ME!
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)
*Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
*Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
*Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
*Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
*Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
*Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
*Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
*Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
No commands here. Just declarations — declarations of who the blessed/happy people are and where that blessedness leads them.
The Beatitudes
1. God’s grace in the gospel shows you your moral and spiritual bankruptcy. (Total dependence on God).
*You must be spirit-poor if the cross is what it took to rescue you.
2. God’s grace in the gospel makes you mourn.
*To know that your sin nailed Jesus to the cross breaks your heart.
*I can’t do it without you, God….take this cup…NOT MY WILL but YOURS be DONE!
3. God’s grace in the gospel makes you meek.
*How can you be touchy and defensive now that you’ve seen Jesus dying for you? There’s nothing in you worth defending.
4. God’s grace in the gospel lets you see how hungry and thirsty you are for a righteousness that will open the door to God’s acceptance.
*Jesus is that righteousness given to you freely as a gift.
5. God’s grace in the gospel makes you merciful.
*How can you choke your neighbor over what they owe you when both hands are already occupied receiving the mercy of Jesus Christ?
6. God’s grace in the gospel makes you pure in heart.
*Knowing that God has accepted you on the basis of Jesus blood and righteousness frees you to live honestly before God and people, admitting who you really are and how desperate you are for Christ.
7. God’s grace in the gospel leads you to be a peacemaker.
*Your experience of God’s grace puts so much joy in your heart that you cannot help but tell others how they can be at peace with God.
8. And finally, your experience of God’s grace in the gospel will get you persecuted.
*I will be hated because of my faith in Christ…I can take joy though that my reward is not in this life. Need the Eternal Perspective!
Jesus draws to himself people who realize how weak they are and how powerless they are.
John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Amen
Does our heavenly Father favor certain of his children?
When it comes to salvation and his wonderful promises, God treats ALL alike but He also puts his special favor on those who respond wholeheartedly to his calling and yield their lives to him entirely!
God is all knowing, therefore He knows the good and the bad, those who seek him an those who don’t. If you truly seek him with your heart and through your actions then he will have a place for you in heaven!
Our heavenly Father puts a special garment on those who completely give him their heart:
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10).
* True saving faith’s object is Jesus alone
* True saving faith results in a changed life.
W are to be looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith! When Satan comes and points at some weakness in our heart, WE have every right to answer, “My God already knows it all and he still loves me! He has given me everything I need to attain victory and keep it.”
(See 1JN 4:4 for Fighting From Victory)
The Lord leads each of His children along a path that is uniquely tailor made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.
**Don’t look for affirmation in the wrong places; your own evaluations, or those of other people.
*The only source of real affirmation is the Lord’s unconditional Love.
JESUS died for your sins, so that He might clothe you in His garments of salvation. This is how the Lord sees you: radiant in HIS robe of righteousness.
When the Lord disciplines you, it’s never in anger or disgust; it is to prepare you for face-to-Face fellowship with HIM throughout all eternity.
Romans 8: 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
* Paul provides us with a very descriptive manifestation of all that is for those who are in Christ Jesus;
Romans 8:
1. No condemnation! (vs. 1)
2. Live in the Spirit (vs. 9)
3. Life because of righteousness (vs. 10)
4. Are children of God (vs. 14 & 15)
5. Have hope (vs. 23-25)
6. Experience God’s good working (vs. 28)
7, Are called, justified, and glorified (vs. 30
8. Are more than conquerors! (vs. 31 &37)
9. Will never be separated from the love of God! (vs. 35)
This is an amazing Chapter full of the promise that God gives us- His children.
YES WE ARE GOD’S MASTERPIECE. Amen Thank You Jesus!
Read MoreMark 11:2 “And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.” (Read more: MARK 11:1-6)
The gifts of the Spirit are not meant to be a substitute for our own faith in the Lord. (See 1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
*We are not to depend so completely on some individual with a spiritual gift that we neglect our own spiritual growth and maturity.
*We can receive anything we need from the Lord without a gift of the Spirit operating through another individual, if we know how to believe.
Dependence on the Lord directly is superior to dependence on the Lord indirectly through someone operating in one of the spiritual gifts.
What if there were no gifts of the Spirit and the Lord established that the only way we could receive from Him was through our own faith?
*They would die if it wasn’t for others interceding for them or someone with the gift of healing praying for them.
That’s why the Lord gave these gifts—to keep us encouraged and alive so we can mature.
*It is also wrong for an individual not to mature in his personal faith in the Lord and become dependent on the gifts.
* It is not right for someone to receive a miracle through someone with the gift of miracles and then just struggle along until the next time that gifted minister comes through town.
The Lord wants us to receive His power through these gifts, but then we must mature so that we can walk in God’s best on our own.
We are able to mature beyond a total dependency on the gifts to where we can hear and receive from God directly.
*But none of us will ever reach such a level of maturity in the Lord where there is nothing left to learn or receive.
Let Him teach you through His Word today.
Speaking God’s Word in faith brings the Holy Spirit into action.
In Luke 4, when Jesus was tempted of the devil for forty days, it was the Word of God that Jesus used to defeat the enemy at His temptation.
We must take advantage of God’s Word by placing it in our hearts so that the Holy Spirit may bring it forth at the appropriate time to accomplish a complete and total victory.
“It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.” 1 Corinthians 12:11
Thank You Jesus for the Body. Thank You Jesus for giving each one of us a gift to be used to build up the Body (the Church) and bring Glory to You. Help us Lord to see and put into action each day the gifts You have given. Amen
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Praying and Growing in your Relationship with Jesus Christ
Below is a 30-day plan created to help you in praying and growing in your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
You may want to do this as couples, families, groups or as individuals and As you are consistent in this, God will respond!
1) Every morning, for 30 days, read and react to the two texts from Ephesians:
a. Ephesians 2:1-10: this describes our two possible conditions:
1) to be spiritually dead, 2:1-3, or
2) to be alive in Jesus Christ, 2:4-10.
As you read this, every morning look for a new truth you can focus on through the day.
b. Ephesians 6:10-20: this gives us the armor of God to be victorious:
2) Each day of the week, focus on a piece of God’s Armor: Try this for four weeks and see what God is saying to you.
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Day 1 – Truth – read John 8:31-58. Through the day, concentrate on being truthful and letting Jesus free you from whatever binds you.
Day 2 – Righteousness – read 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. Through the day be an Ambassador for Jesus, knowing that God accepts you because of Jesus’ righteousness.
Day 3 – Good News – read 1 Thessalonians 1. Through the day, thank God for all the good that is yours since you “turned from idols”) addictions, bad habits, wrong activities, to serve God!
Day 4 – Salvation – read 1 Peter 1:1-12. Through the day, celebrate what God has done and is doing for you!
Day 5 – Faith – read Hebrews 11. Through the day ponder how 3 or 4 “heroes of Faith” from Hebrews 11 pleased God. Can you?
Day 6 – The sword of the Spirit – the Bible – read Hebrews 4:12-16. Face whatever you are covering up that is against the Bible and give it to God in confession. Ask God’s help to confidently move ahead.
Day 7 – Prayer – read Colossians 1:9-23. Through the day pray Colossians 1:9-14 for yourself and another believer. Center on Jesus.
3) Every night: Pray about how your day went – give it all to God.
Read a Psalm, for example: 1; 23; 32; 90; 91; 103; 139.
4) Find a prayer partner, someone you know and trust and cares about you. Meet at least one time per week. Read Philippians 2:1-18 together. Pray.
5) Meet at least once a week with fellow believers to worship, thank and praise God. Focus on Jesus. Read Revelation 4 or 5 or a Psalm: 90 – 100.
Pray on the Armor of God every day!
Lord, Thank You for Your Word which is Truth. Help me take the time to spend some time in Your Word. Speak to me through Your Word and show me more and more of Your Love. In Jesus Name, Amen
Read MoreTemptation is a false promise–a promise that doesn’t deliver. When we give into temptation, we put our trust in a lie, we are believing a lie. (Lies VS Truth).
John 6:28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
*Jesus was making the indisputable point that unbelief is the force that gives birth to all of our bad behavior and every moral failure. It is the root!
Thought: “Every Sin begins with a Lie”?
Believing 100% that “it is finished”, that EVERYTIHING we need in Christ is already ours and therefore we need NOTHING more, is the hardest thing (so much harder than modifying our behavior) because we are all seasoned “do-it-yourselfers.
“To be convinced in our hearts”, said Luther, “that we have forgiveness of sins and peace with God by grace ALONE is the hardest thing” because “the sin underneath all sins is the lie that we cannot trust the love and grace of Jesus and that we must take matters into our own hands.”
*Real freedom in “the hour of temptation” happens only when the resources of the gospel smash any sense of need to secure for myself anything beyond what Christ has already secured for me.
Hebrews 13:14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
“God is patient.” Why, “because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.”
2 Peter 3:15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.
All afflictions are not sickness and poverty as some religious teachings suggest. These afflictions are described as the “fellowship of sufferings” that the believer will encounter for doing the will of God, or the sufferings brought on by one’s allegiance to Christ.
Persecution for righteousness’ sake is not something that we can rebuke (2 Tim. 3:12). We must remember that as we live godly lives, suffering will follow. The Apostle Peter reminds us that these trials of our faith will result in praise, honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:7). Jesus’ comfort, strength, help, and love are ready to “overflow” into every “trial” that we face if we will only look to Him (Heb. 12:2). Amen
Psalm 31:15 My times are in your hands…
What a profound and blessed revelation – that God has absolute control over all the times in our lives.
God is the only one in the universe that totally controls time.
This is beautifully demonstrated in the heavenly bodies.
*Countless millions and millions of stars move around in the universe with absolute precision.
*Isaiah the prophet says that the Lord calls every one of them forth by name and they are all present, not one is wanting.
*The sun never rises late or sets early. *Astronomers can calculate the exact place of every heavenly body in the remote past, in the distant future.
God has absolute control over time and what David realized when he uttered those words is this: that God has absolute control over the times in our lives.
*He’s never late.
*He’s never premature.
*He has a time for every situation, every circumstance.
If we will just commit our lives totally into His hands, we’ll find that our times are in His hands.
God says, “I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as LORD.When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them. (Psalm 91:14, 15 )
Be strong, focused and unwavering, and it will help you deal with the chaos around you.
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Lord, I truly do want to surrender my will to You. Empty my heart of all desires not placed there by You. I open my heart so that You might have your way with Me. Use me in the way that is most fitting to you, Lord. Amen
Read Ecclesiastes 7:14
Read MoreSometimes in life when we pray we wonder if God is even there. But the more we learn about Gods character and heart we will realize that he is always there no matter how we may feel.
“Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?” – Psalm 10:1
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.
Thank You Lord for Your word— “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8) Amen
Read MoreLoving God with “all our heart” doesn’t just mean inviting Him into our hearts. It also means allowing Him to be the motivation for all our choices.
“Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast taken hold of my right hand. With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, and afterward receive me to glory.” Psalm 73:23-24
How to stay free from bondage and captivity.
*How can we stay in victory?
*How can we walk in a constant flow of not having to return to the things that once plagued us?
Sometimes the emotional baggage that we grew up with can cause us to have certain patterns of living.
For instance, some might have experienced a series of disappointments that must be fought against.
*Is there a way not only to break free but to stay free?
*Is there a way not only to gain the victory but to keep the victory?
*Is there a way for us to find glorious, overcoming, sustained, powerful, lifelong victory in Jesus Christ?
You might think it will take ten years of counseling to attain victory, or twenty years for the maturation process to take place in your life, but Jesus can come in and instantly set you free.
Jesus will not only set you free but He will keep you walking in that freedom.
We need to have the kind of mindset that says,
***“It’s not about me, it’s all about Jesus.
*** It’s not about my purposes, plans and ambitions, it’s all about Him.”
Set your eyes on Jesus and He will cause you to be raised up and set free and He will enable you to stay free in the things of God.
“We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Amen
Read MoreEphesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
*We as Christian fathers know we cannot be perfect, because we have our mistakes & shortcomings.
BUT-God has a plan that’s perfect in our lives.
We do not make the plan perfect, but it’s Christ who is perfection. (Phil. 1:6) He has a great work for us. (Eph. 2:10) He has created us in Christ to do the work He did.
Are WE ready to unravel the plan that God has for US?
Us fathers today should take our cues on fatherhood from the Father of Fatherhood. It’s never to late to start.
The most obvious feature of the Father of Jesus Christ is His generosity. He is generous with His glory (John 1:14), with His tasks (John 5:18), with His protection (John 10:28–32), with His home (John 14:1–2), and with His joy (John 16:23–24).
The Father gives (John 3:34–36). The Father gives His Son (John 3:16; 18:11); the Father gives His Spirit (John 14:16–17); the Father gives Himself (John 14:22–24).
Learning this about the Father who is a Spirit, who is intangible, should stir us deeply.
He is seeking worshipers who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth — in short, who will become like He is. And what is He like?
*He is generous with everything. Is there anything He has that he has held back? And what should we — tangible fathers — be like?
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Proverbs 23:24 The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.
Hebrews 12:10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.
Colossians 3:20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.
HAPPY FATHERS DAY! YOU ARE LOVED BY YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER! PASS THIS LOVE TO OTHERS!
Go to web site and read “love letter from your Heavenly Father” www.movingforwardwithhope.com
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For Encouragement: Ponder Matthew 1:18-25
*Our faith is strengthen only when we trust Him…
*In those things that are the most difficult we are to trust Him..
*In those moments that life is at its craziest times we are to trust Him.
*When it looks to be at its worst or when we don’t understand we are to trust Him!!!
Christmas inspires us not to be afraid because God is WITH US.
“they will call him Immanuel” (which means”God with us”).” ~ Matthew 1:23
Jesus was more than a HERO, He is GOD IN THE FLESH.
The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the father, full of grace and truth. (ref: John 1:14)
Jesus is more than able to LEAD us through our challenges. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin. (ref: Hebrews 4:15)
Let’s not be afraid, but COURAGEOUSLY go where Jesus is leading.
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had communicated to him and took Mary home as his wife. (ref: Matthew 1:24)
Let us approach Gods throne of grace with confidence, so that way we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (ref: Hebrews 4:16)
Jer. 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
God is here with you through all the trials that you are going through. No matter what the evil one throws at you, God will always help, guide, protect, redeem you.
Always remember that trials are coming and WILL come. God does not say that He will protect us from the trials: He will guide us through them.
We will always go through trials, but God is more powerful then anything the evil one can throw at you. (read 1 John 4:4)
We can celebrate because of His presence with us at all times!!
Thank You Jesus for being there for us 24/7! Amen
I believe through experience and trials– difficulties often are meant to bring us into maturity and out of childish bondages.
Consider the way children react; one minute they’re laughing and the next they’re screaming.
*They’re easily hurt and they cry a lot.
In spite of all this, godly parents love and comfort their children through all of life’s experiences.
Likewise, as Christians, we sometimes pout or throw fleshly tantrums when we face difficult times.
We cry, “Okay, God, if that’s the way You’re going to treat me, if You’re going to keep letting bad things happen, then why should I even pray to You?”
Yet our heavenly Father loves and comforts us through every tantrum, through our burdens, our childish ups and downs.
*His great desire is that in the midst of our trials we begin to grasp the knowledge of who we are and what we possess as His children.
*He knows that whenever we are tossed about by the winds and waves of our emotions, we often forget we are His children and we begin living far beneath our privileges.
Yet His Word tells us we are His heirs and joint heirs with Jesus!
“The heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all” (Galatians 4:1).
Paul says such a child illustrates those who are under the law.
*The law is the tutor that instructs us in God’s commands.
*But a time comes when our schooling ends and we are to take our places as heirs of God’s riches through the grace of Christ.
Yet, many Christians still live according to good works and rules without comprehending their position as sons of God.
“We, when we were children, were in bondage” (verse 3). They are still serving God as slaves, bound by fear, guilt and despair because they don’t understand their adoption.
Paul says to such believers, “You’re still childish in your thinking, laboring under the bondage of laws you established for yourself.
*You don’t see that you’re now lord over all things, able to partake in everything your Father owns.
*He adopted you, loved you and put you in school to prepare you.”
Here is the amazing thing about Jesus. When Peter began sinking, he cried out for Jesus to save him (Matt. 14:29). And Jesus did. Just as Jesus didn’t hesitate to pull Peter out of the rough waves, He will pull you and me back too as soon as we ask.
Life has stormy seasons. Unexpected health diagnoses’, years when children decide to walk away from the Lord, rough patches in our marriage … all cause waves of doubt, stress, worry or fear. These can cause us to stumble and fall if we only focus on them.
The best place to fix our eyes is on Jesus. He’s our peace, source of hope, and the One person we can trust will always be there for us.
And when we do fall, as soon as we call out to Him, He’ll pick us up.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Dear Jesus, I confess I lose focus on You while running through the distractions of life. I have fallen many times. Help me to trust and have faith in You, and avoid letting life distract me from Your truths. Help me read Your word daily to find Truth! In Jesus Name, Amen.