Raising Them for the Lord

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. -  Hebrews 12:1-2 You started an exercise program, huh?   Y ou probably have several friends who know you started exercising and eating healthier, but for whatever reason did not join you on this journey.   Know this, they are watching you.   They want to see if you can be any more successful at this “exercise thing” than they were the last time they tried it.   The Plan 1.    Lay aside the weight you have been carrying around for too long 2.    Replacing the poor food choices with healthy fuel for your body Onc...

I Corinthians 10:31- Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Recently I have heard this verse used in reference to several different topics: drinking, working, eating, etc., because they are directly referenced in this verse.  While I've not had to struggle with alcohol and no longer work outside the home, I have tried to apply this more to my eating habits.  But that is not what God has been convicting me about lately with this verse.  It has been about taking care of my home and family for the glory of God.  It is easy to take the privilege of being a stay at home mom for granted.  I am home all day, so the dishes and other housekeeping can wait. I am busy checking my favorite blogs, I can read the kids a book later. My Bible isn't going anywhere, I'll do my devotions later on...maybe while the kids nap. And there are many more things that I can take for granted.  But are the tasks I am avoid...

In America, the land of religious freedom, no one likes to think about being persecuted for faith in Jesus Christ.  But the Apostles were persecuted from the very beginning.  They were told by religious leaders, who had physically seen and heard Jesus teach, no to teach and preach in Jesus' name.  But the Holy Spirit was with the Apostles and gave them power and strength to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The religious leaders hoped to see this new zealous group fizzle out as others had done before.  One wise leader said in Acts 5:39, "If it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."   Seriously, how far can you get fighting against God?  He has unlimited resources, and has proven that He can lift up another to preach in place of one persecuted and even killed in his service.  God is on our side; are you on His side?

Yes, they come up often and far too easily.  Whether thoughts of things to do today, or children running in just as you are surely going to glean something deeply spiritual in your daily devotions.  Even if nothing profound was right on the horizon, the spirit of the moment is lost. Goals should be flexible to the changing needs of the family's daily schedule, but try not to be discouraged when interruptions come along.  Stop where you are, address the distraction (love on your child, help them find clothes, write down the chore you are sure you will forget later in the day), and then return to the quiet time when things have calmed.  Sometimes you may find that quiet time shortly after the distraction, or it may be the next day.  Don't be discouraged, we all face those distractions.  It is our response to those distractions that makes the difference. Start looking for a nugget of nourishment from the beginning of your Bible reading.  Even if you d...

James 2:9 - " But if ye have respect to persons , ye commit sin.. ." The book of James covers many ways to be a Christian.  Each one could be taken individually (and should be), and practiced in the life of every Christian.  After all, faith without works is dead. The first admonition to stand out to me was in chapter 2 regarding not having respect of persons due to their outward appearance.  How easy it is to be drawn to things and people that appear clean and sparkle; and avoid the dirty, smelly, unwashed outer appearance.  Only God knows what is on the inside, and he may have brought the aromatic person into your path today to share the gospel with them.  If you allow the unsavory-ness of the person to put you off, you may lose out on the blessing of witnessing.  I'm reminded of Romans 14:15 where the Bible speaks of the one "for whom Christ died."  You were once the one "for whom Christ died," in need of a Savior. I find it easy to appro...

II Peter 3:18a - "But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." How sad it is when we hear of one who has chosen to follow false doctrine to justify their own sinfulness.  II Peter warns against false teachers.  They are nothing new.  False prophets were around during Old Testament days; false teachers were in the early church; and, today, we find still false teachers and preachers in the church.  But, thankfully, God preserved his truth through the ages. Keep your eyes on Jesus.  Make it your goal to become more like him, and you will find it difficulty to accept false doctrines to cover sins.  Your spirit will refuse to accept them because they do not follow what Jesus taught while here on earth, and through his Holy Spirit as godly men wrote to the early church. What are you doing to guard yourself from false teachers and their doctrines?

I John 1:7 - "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." This is the goal of every believer - to walk only in the Light.  When we walk in the light, guided by the Holy Spirit, we will not sin because we will be following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The hard part comes when the flesh rises up and pushes the Spirit aside.  There the sin enters the life of the believer.  But God has given His children the power to overcome the flesh by the Spirit and have victory over the temptation that so easily besets us as humans. If you are not daily learning about the way of the Holy Spirit, you will not know how he will and does lead the believer.  How do you get to know how someone will act in a situation if you don't get to know them intimately? What did you learn about how the Holy Spirit works today?

The book of Revelation really is a page turner.  So many things happening, people appearing, constant praises to God, and proclamations being made.  People today pay a fortune to get a vague idea of what their future will hold.  Often the predictions are easily applicable to anyone - you will have a good day, good fortune awaits you, etc.  However, we have the true future of humanity spelled out in the book of Revelation, written in such detail that it has intrigued man to study it through the many generations since John wrote it down.  My curiosity was piqued today when I read in chapter 10 about the message of the Thunderings that John was told to seal and not to write.  What a secret to keep when there is so much awesomeness occurring around you!  But be assured, God promises to reveal it in His time. Loud praises to God who knows all things and cares for His own. What did you find in your Bible reading today that caused you to consider d...

I've just returned from a Ladies Retreat this past weekend and was encouraged to find a name or attribute of Jesus for each of the letters of the alphabet...an ABC Journal.  Today, in reading just the last three chapters of Hebrews I was able to find several to put in my Journal.  I'm sure as I continue my search I will find other supporting verses for those I have found today, in addition to many new ones! By having something specific that I was seeking, I feel that I was more aware of all that I was reading and able to concentrate better on the Word and not allow my mind to wander - to things I need to get done today, what happened last week, etc. One of my finds today was in Hebrews 11:6 - Rewarder .  "...he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  Everyone enjoys receiving a reward.  However, as with any reward you must seek it to receive it. What are you looking for today?