Driving Notes

Today we continue our devotions from the book “Time with God for Fathers by Jack Countryman.”

I John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

There’s a clean record that only God can give…

The forgiveness of sin is one of God’s greatest gifts to those who are in Christ. The slate has been wiped clean, and he has promised to never remember or mention our sins again.

Because of God’s total, unconditional, overwhelming and abundant love, he chooses to not only forgive our sins but also to remove them from his presence forever. The beauty of God’s forgiveness opens the door for each of us to have the relationship with him that he wants…and we need.

His love overshadows everything that we have committed. Remember, too that God’s mercy does not give us the freedom to sin, expecting more forgiveness; rather, it gives us the freedom to move past the mistakes we have made and into a deeper richer relationship with him and with our loved ones.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

As a Christian leader, God is calling you to walk in the spirit and your relationship with those you love and cherish. The transparent life that God wishes you to lead brings out the fruit of the spirit.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are all given to you by the Holy Spirit.

When the life you lead is God-centered and your relationship with Christ is a priority, the rewards you receive are the fruits of the spirit.

Only God can change your heart and give you that certain peace that passes all understanding and reflects the person God wants you to be. Remember those fruits are not simply one mark of a spirit-filled life…they are the essence of a spirit-filled life.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

PRAISE THURSDAY 9/5/19

Today we continue our devotions from the book “Time with God for Fathers by Jack Countryman.”

Psalm 139: 7-10

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139 provides you with all the insurance you need. In this profound passage, God has promised that no matter what we’re facing or going through, He will be there.

When we cannot understand ourselves or comprehend our feelings, God invites us to take our internal struggles to him and ask for his insight. God understands what we don’t and he knows what to do when we don’t.

Let each day be filled with the power of His presence, allowing him to guide us into a deeper relationship with Him. He is our everything. Our father is watching, so instead of fearing that, take advantage of it.

I Timothy 6:6-7

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

Contentment is a gift that only God can give.

So many times our desire for material possessions overshadows our relationship with God. We can become content if we are willing to see God as our sole provider and focus on the necessities of life.

God will often supply our WANTS out of his goodness and Grace, but he has promised to supply all of our NEEDS. Learn to express your gratitude for what you have and never be concerned about what you are missing.

Your greatest source of contentment will be found when you follow the instructions in Psalm 37:4 to “delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

Stop for a moment and take inventory of all God has blessed you with…and give thanks for all of those blessings!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

Today we continue our devotions from the book “Time with God for Fathers by Jack Countryman.” Today we look at our view of possessions and talents.

Luke 12:15

¹⁵ Speaking to the people, he (Jesus) went on, “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.” (The Message)

(This then leads into the parable of the rich fool)

So many times in life, we can get sidetracked with our grown-up toys and material possessions.

True satisfaction in life flows out of fulfilling the purpose for which we are created. That purpose is to enjoy an intimate relationship with God. Acquiring material things as a substitute for a real relationship with God? That only makes the heart feel hollow and empty.

The example that we portray for our kids about the importance of relationship with God compared to gaining material wealth, will set the stage for their priorities as they go into the world.

Exodus 31:1-5

31 ^1-5 God spoke to Moses: “See what I’ve done; I’ve personally chosen Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur of the tribe of Judah. I’ve filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him skill and know-how and expertise in every kind of craft to create designs and work in gold, silver, and bronze; to cut and set gemstones; to carve wood—he’s an all-around craftsman.

As a father, we have been given a powerful influence over those in our family.

God, in His divine mercy and infinite wisdom, has also given us certain gifts and talents. How we use them will determine the effect that we have on those we love and cherish.

A godly leader is not easily swayed, but rather is filled with conviction, faith and prayer. We will gain a sense of our godly responsibility when we choose to stand up for what is right.

The Bible encourages us to turn to God when we need wisdom and strength. Let our intimacy with God guide us in building on the talents we have been given.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

Today, we continue our devotions from the book “Time with God for Fathers” by Jack Countryman.

The Choice is Ours!

Matthew 6:24

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

So many times in life, we struggle with our priorities. We struggle in our choices. We struggle with our needs and our wants. It is too easy to end up serving more than one master…and then find there is little satisfaction from either.

When we have two masters such as: God and work, or God and bank accounts, or God and family, all which have contradicting demands, we must make a choice about whom we will serve when our life comes together.

When everything we desire places God first, the choices that we make will come easily.

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An ordinary man serving God is an extraordinary father

Ephesians 2:10

¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The wonderful message about God is that we were ALL created in his image and He believes that we are ALL extraordinary.

God knows this perfectly and loves us completely. Just the way we are. We are His masterpiece, His workmanship of grace and love. His work of art.

As we grow, He continues to paint the portrait of our lives in such a way that we will glorify Him. Many times for us, this is a hard concept to grasp since we see our lives as incomplete and maybe like an unfinished portrait.

But His eternal eyes know exactly what we need and where we need His greatest attention. Every frustration, every disappointment, and every joy is a brushstroke serving a purpose in God’s perfect plan.

In his eyes, you are a masterpiece.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

Today, we continue our devotions from the book “Time with God for Fathers” by Jack Countryman.  Our first focus today, ironically, has to do with our eyes.

USING THE EYES OF JESUS
Romans 15:7
⁷ Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

The attitude and influence we choose to have with our brothers and sisters in Christ is often determined by how we receive those we see every week…in church, at work and in the community.

When God looks at each of us through the eyes of Jesus, he sees us as perfect because Jesus has paid the price for all of our sins. The scripture asks us, in turn, to receive one another without fault or judgment.

When this happens, the barriers that stunt our relationship with other Christians are removed and fellowship becomes the joy of our hearts. This attitude is the foundation for building a solid relationship with those whom we call the body of Christ.

A PARENTAL LIFE WITH NO REGRETS
Romans 10:11-13
¹¹ As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Becoming a parent is a gift that only God can give.

Through his divine providence, we have been given the privilege of having children. We need to accept this blessing…and look forward to the adventure of raising our kids with the love of God in our hearts.

When we place our faith in Christ, his Spirit is ever-present to guide us to be the best parents that we can be. The Lord wants very much to be included in your daily life as a parent and as a follower of Jesus Christ.

God never offers salvation to you and then pulls the rug out from under you. When you put your faith in Christ, everything you need to be a great parent is available. You need only to ask and God, through his gracious mercy, will deliver.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

Today, we continue our devotions from the book “Time with God for Fathers” by Jack Countryman.  Our focus today is the power of God’s love and how it impacts us.

LET YOUR GREATEST LOVE BE GOD

Deuteronomy 7:9

⁹ Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Think about this: everything that we do and don’t do, face and don’t face is touched by God’s continuing love.

Everything about us is hanging on love; some might even say hinged on love, because God, who IS love, created you and me in his image. And because God loves us, He gives us blessings and lets us share them.

When we pray and are told to wait, it is because He loves us and knows that we need time to grow. When the overwhelming choices before us make it hard to know which way is up, our Lord and Savior shows us our need to depend on His guiding love…

…and until we come to understand and believe that at our deepest, innermost level…that God is love…we will continue to struggle with trusting him. With obeying him. And seeking him wholeheartedly.

One of the keys to our spiritual growth is believing in God’s love EVEN when we cannot see it.

FOCUS IS THE NAME OF THE GAME

Mark 12:30-31

³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’^] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^] There is no commandment greater than these.”

When we talk about being a Christian and living the Christian life, we know that everything hinges on the first two commandments.

There is first, the vertical commandment: to love the Lord with all of your heart soul mind and strength. Then the second is a horizontal commandment: to love your neighbor as yourself.

The essence of these verses is, of course, love! Love for God and love for each other. It is the kind of love that seeks no reward or personal gain, but rather desires to honor God by sharing his grace and generosity with those around us.

Great character and great morals are built on this foundation…and when we practice these in everyday life the Lord is lifted up. He is glorified! And we are also blessed.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd