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Praise Thursday

Accountability and Open Hearts

Today, we continue our devotions from the book “Time With God for Fathers” by Jack Countryman.  We start with Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 and the topic of accountability:

9 Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.

The idea of being accountable to someone for our actions in life is often like sandpaper rubbing our egos raw.

God never calls on any of his children to go it alone in their walk with Him. We need each other, not only to receive help and encouragement, but also to remain transparent with our loved ones and those whom God has brought into our lives. When we are honest with God and with a trusted Christian friend, the commitment we have for a deeper walk with the Savior becomes a spiritual bond that will not be broken.

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Lord, hear my prayer for an open heart, from Matthew 7: 7-8…

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Lord, you have asked me to come to you with an open heart, to seek you and find what is your will for my life.

Help me to be open and sincere with all that I am for your Glory. Through your grace and goodness, I pray that you will lead me to a deeper, richer relationship with you. Mold me, Lord to be the father you wish me to be.

Fill me with your wisdom and understanding so that your word will come alive in my life. Place your hand upon me so that your spirit will be my constant guide, so that you may be glorified and all that I say and do. May you forever be praised.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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Showing your faith

As we approach this Easter weekend, we continue our devotions from the book “Time With God for Fathers” by Jack Countryman.

Today we’re sharing the importance of making sure that, as leaders and heads of our household, that we show and demonstrate our faith in our heavenly father.  How we do this will set the stage for our families.  It also sets the spiritual climate of our home.

The goal for the Christian leader is not to sin less, reform our manners or just do better than we used to…the goal is a TOTAL transformation into the likeness of Jesus.  That seems like an impossible goal, but it’s what God desires…and He wants to help us get there.

God truly wants us to be more like His Son every day.  We should work to resemble Christ!  Here’s encouragement from Galatians 6: 9-10.

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

One of the ways we show our faith is by where we place our treasure.

Treasure is a word most people relate to money, power, and possessions; and the achievements attained in the business world. But let us consider another aspect of treasure.

What do you think about during the day?

What gets your heart beating fastest and loudest?

What do you think you could not live without?

Whatever it is, that is your treasure…and nothing but God is worth it. Too many times we try and serve two masters: God and works; or God and the bank account, but Jesus said it’s impossible to serve two masters!  When you store up your treasures in heaven, your heart will follow.  Here’s Matthew 6:19-21:

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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Honesty and Forgiveness

As we continue our series on ‘Time with God for Fathers,” from author Jack Countryman, we turn our focus to passages on honesty and forgiveness.

Proverbs 12:22 is a stark reminder that a father’s character begins with honesty:

“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight.”

The Bible clearly states that God always keeps his promises. He always speaks the truth. When a father can be trusted to speak the truth and every circumstance, he builds a bond of trust that pleases God and everyone in his family.

Proverbs 13:3 says, “he who guards his mouth preserves his life…but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.” Guard your words with those you love; for they are watching YOUR character as you try to build up theirs.

Romans 12:17-18 tells us about forgiveness, which is a trait God loves…

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

Forgiveness is an essential element in living the Christian Life. When you choose to forgive someone who has hurt you or disappointed you, the window of God’s forgiveness will open to comfort and heal your own heart.

Everything you do should reflect well on the Savior; who bought you with his own blood. Pleasing God with your words and deeds opens heaven’s door to bless your life for His glory.

If God has forgiven you of your transgressions, should you not do the same for anyone who is offended you?

Psalm 103:12 says, “as far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

 

 

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Strength in Separation

Today we’re discussing how we as family leaders find strength in separation.

Psalm 143: 4, 7 and 8 reads:

Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
My heart within me is distressed.

7 Answer me speedily, O Lord;
My spirit fails!
Do not hide Your face from me,
Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
8 Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.

Sometimes in life and for various reasons, families fall apart. At that point every emotion imaginable enters into your life, leaving you hurt, broken, confused and wondering how this could possibly happen.

God stands ready to give you his guidance…and you need to recognize that we all need it every day. He will instruct you if you ask for it. You must ask in faith and be willing to listen carefully to his voice.

He will guide you when you are truly ready to follow.

Be willing to look beyond your ego and emotion…and depend on the one who loves you with an everlasting love. He is the perfect healer for your broken heart.

The challenge to grow, from Psalm 119: 33-35

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.

If you want to please God and honor him with your life, you must get to know His Word.

The Bible warns us of the challenges we may face, steers is toward the heart of God, and gives us the wisdom to flourish in any situation we may face.

Many Christian leaders, fathers and mothers have never experienced the power and encouragement available to them through studying God’s Word and memorizing scripture.

But when you lock portions of God’s word in your mind they remain available to all ways to help you in tough times. Begin today and let God’s word strengthen your Christian walk.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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Peace, Anger and Discipline

I Corinthians 1:10 says:

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

As we continue our devotional series this week, we are reminded by author Jack Countryman that when anger and discord become a regular visitor in our homes, there will not be a place for peace in our families.  Peace and anger are like oil and water – they do not mix!

Peace will walk out the backdoor when anger becomes a regular visitor.  The family is called to be of one mind and one spirit. The father’s role is to make sure this is the mindset inside the home.  The spiritual leadership in the home and the unity between parents and guardians ALL contribute to the family’s balance.

As leaders in the home, whether we are male or female, we must accept God’s role and create a bond of love than cannot be broken.

Just like promoting and nurturing peace, handling discipline is also our responsibility. Still, discipline and correction do not come easy to a loving parent.

But Proverbs 22:15 says:

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

If we love our children, we discipline them promptly.  We all need correction many times in life, and our children need to learn what is acceptable in life.  We don’t want them to go down the wrong path and end up at the wrong destination.  Our firm, loving hand today will be a building block for tomorrow.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

 

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Praise God that He moves…despite us!

God IS on the move – that’s not up for debate!  It’s a truth we can rest in.  What we have to realize is that God will move despite us…so it’s a theme that reminds us not to get in the way or clog up what He is doing.

BUT…even though we know He moves despite us, we still should ask Him to move – our prayers and requests should be asking the Holy Spirit to move in and around us.

How do we get in the way?

One way is that we fail to embrace to fruits of the spirit – the very things we ask for that we fail to do ourselves.

Do we love well?                                                         Or get bogged down in hate?

Do we choose joy?                                                      Or choose grumpy?

Do we promote peace?                                              Or spread and promote conflict?

Do we demonstrate patience?                                  Or fly off the handle?

Do we offer kindness?                                               Or are we offering indifference?

Do we seek goodness?                                                Or seeking the negative and critical?

Do we ground ourselves in faith?                            Or trust our own understanding?

Do we embrace gentleness?                                       Or are we rough around the edges?

Do we embody self-control?                                       Or is it anything goes?

What about things like forgiveness? Think about this: if God forgave you like you forgive others, where would you be?

Is it more about Him?  Or more about us?

These are challenges for us to consider moving forward…

Thanks for listening!
-Joe and Todd

 

 

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Collegiate Prayer, Kindness and Comfort

Today is the Collegiate Day of Prayer around the United States – we would LOVE for you to join us in praying for students, faculty and staff here at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.  Click here for more about it!

In our devotional “Time With God for Fathers,” by Jack Countryman, we’re looking at verses about kindness and comfort today.

A father, or parent for that matter, with a kind and tender heart can be a magnet to those he loves. Everyone craves love and encouragement. Kindness builds  confidence, security and trust for those around you.  We can reflect God’s kindness with those in our circle of family and mentorship.

Matthew 7:9-11…9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

The phrase “the God of all comfort” in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 is encouraging.  It helps us remember that God will always come to our aid – it is His promise for those who follow Christ. He will see us through the trials we are facing.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any [a]trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our [b]consolation also abounds through Christ.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

 

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Trust and Gratitude

The word trust is mentioned in the Bible over 50 times.  Proverbs 3:5 is a signature verse for many as it reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…and lean NOT on your own understanding…”  When we learn to trust and we accept this command, we can face ANY circumstance with confidence and hope!  This especially goes for parents as we raise our children.

Our confidence and hope doesn’t come from our strength, wisdom, energy or power.  It comes from God’s ability.

In our devotional “Time With God for Fathers,” by Jack Countryman, he also uses
2 Samuel 22:2-3:

2 And he said: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
3 The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior, You save me from violence.

When we trust, we tap into an irresistible force that no one or nothing can successfully oppose!

Have you ever heard this? “Life is 10% what happens, 90% how we react to it.”  What about this one? “You need to change your attitude.” How we approach the challenges of like determines the kind of person we become. If we ponder negative things, our frame of mind will soon turn sour, pessimistic and negative. But, if we fill our minds with the things of God, the opposite happens.

Philippians 4:8 says:

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things arelovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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The Dad Manifesto for Valentine’s Day

Today we’re re-issuing a Dad Devotional from last week with a new twist:

A Father’s Prayer – Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

This prayer is simply, “Guide me with my words and actions toward my children…”

So how can we get some practical ideas this Valentine’s Day?

Here’s a great poster from author Jay Payleitner that hangs in my office…and reminds us of 52 things that we as ‘forever fathers’ should not forget…

Dad manifesto

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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