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Praise Thursday

The blessing of trust!

More devotions today from the book “Time with God for Fathers” by Jack Countryman.  Our focus today is on the blessing of trusting in the Lord; plus, the importance of our relationship with Christ.

THE BLESSING OF TRUSTING IN THE LORD

Psalm 62, verses 5-7, reads:

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[c];
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

No matter where you travel in Life, or what challenges you may face as a father, the Rock of God goes before you; inviting you to trust in the Lord with all your heart (from Proverbs 3:5).

When you hand over your troubled emotions to him, he will always be there. Let nothing separate you from the love of Christ. Depend on his Spirit to give you strength and to guide you every day, through whatever life may bring.

God’s desire for your family is that each one of them will know the loving grace and mercy that only God can give. Let each day be filled with the power of God’s presence, as you trust him to give you his wisdom and understanding.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JESUS AND YOU

John 15:5-7 says:

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

The relationship you have with Jesus Christ is the most important relationship you will ever have; in fact, it’s the most important decision you will make in your life: whether to accept or reject Christ.

When you belong to Christ, you have been called to play a significant role in the kingdom of God. This role can only be fulfilled if you allow Jesus to live his life in and through you.

Remember, apart from him you can do nothing; but IN him you can do anything he calls you to do. Jesus did not want you to lead an unproductive or unfocused life.

He chose you not only for salvation, but also to fulfill a specific purpose for the glory of him and his kingdom.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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Modeling how to handle fear and forgiveness

Today, we continue our devotions from the book “Time with God for Fathers” by Jack Countryman.  Our focus today is on the important role of parenting in helping model two things: overcoming fear and forgiving.

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

God has promised that his grace is sufficient for any need that you may have. As a father, the security and strength that your children need comes from your willingness to build a bond of love and a bond of confidence that cannot be broken.

Each of us has faced fear at some point in life; it is what we do with that fear that matters the most. What do we do? We claim our position as a child of God who has been given the Holy Spirit as our guide and protector. We then apply God’s word to our life, giving us the power to overcome fear.

Deuteronomy 31:8
He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

When you’re fearing a situation or emotional challenge, really envision God saying this, just to you. I’m on your side. I’ll never turn on you. Some of our lowest, most painful moments in life can also be our closest times with the Lord.

MODELING FORGIVENESS

Psalm 103: 8-12

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

When you forgive your children for something they’ve done that has been disappointing or has been hurtful, you are showing exactly what your heavenly father does when you fail to live up to his standard for your life. You’re emulating his love.

Forgiveness breaks down the walls that separate you from the love of your children and it opens the door to reconciliation. The unconditional love that our heavenly father has promised to you is the same kind of love needed by those God has given you to nurture and raise.

Let nothing interfere with God’s gracious gift of forgiveness…and the reward you receive will bless you richly.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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Perfect Love and Comfort

Today we continue our devotional time from the book Time with God for Fathers, from author Jack Countryman.

Perfect Love Casts out Fear

Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

This reminds us that God’s love is not just a warm sentiment or a good feeling. It is an active, powerful force that changes who we are. God continually reminds us he is with us in the good times and the bad.

Jesus himself forever connected the love of God to His love of people.  When you feel afraid or uncertain about the future, let your spirit be lifted as you remind yourself of the loving character of God.

God Comes to Comfort When your Loved Ones are Hurting

James 5:14-15 reminds us, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”

The recognition that God can heal your loved ones is a big part of experiencing his tender love. Not only can he heal, but he can comfort you when you get that bad news from the hospital. God has promised to be with you in sickness and in health.

And as He ministers to you in those times, you should also let him equip you in those times to be a comfort to others when they need it.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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The Security of our Walk…

Today, we continue our devotions from the book “Time with God for Fathers” by Jack Countryman.  Our topics include the security and defense against worry that come when we walk with God.

Proverbs 2:1-5 reads:

My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.

Security and wisdom are like conjoined twins. One cannot accomplish anything without the other. The more we know and understand God’s work, the more secure we can feel in our walk with God.

So many times, we fail to see God’s wisdom and we strive to satisfy our passions and desires without regard to the future or the consequences of our decisions.

In this life, tests will come in all shapes and sizes. Some will require us to endure. Some we will anticipate but others will blindside us. All of them ask us to make the right decisions. Regardless of the task, God instructs us to come to him for the wisdom we so desperately need.

Psalm 145:17-21 says:

17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

Worry is a killer in the spiritual life of a Christian. When worry walks in your door, doubt will soon follow.

God is a great provider. Do not look to God merely hoping for what you need, but rather expecting. Put your hope in his great love, and worry will eventually disappear as you take your concerns to him.

God has the power and the wisdom to take care of those worries. Trust that he always has your best interest at heart.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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The joy of children and the joy that comes from worship

Today, we continue our devotions from the book “Time with God for Fathers” by Jack Countryman.  Our focus today is on the important role of parenting.

Today our topics include children and worship – and the joy they both bring.

Children are a joy from the Lord!

Matthew 5:13-16 reminds us that we are the salt of the earth.

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Jesus wants you to take your role as a parent seriously. As salt, our behavior is to be distinctly different from those who do not know God.  It must not reflect the same kind of behavior that corrupts a godless culture.

Do your children see that you are burning with the light of heaven? What good works do they see you doing that reflect well on your heavenly father? How does your faith cause you to behave differently from anyone else?

Let your light shine brightly for God and he will bless you beyond what you can imagine!

God fills fathers with joy when they worship Him

John 4:23-24 gives us a clue to what God seeks:

23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

God is looking for men who eagerly worship Him…according to the truth of the scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit.

In order for us to have an intimate relationship with God, it is essential that we come to him with an open heart.  We must be willing to surrender our life and worship Him in truth and in spirit.

Bringing glory to God will refresh our spirit and draw us closer to the heavenly father.

Make worshipping God a part of your character-building walk with him.

The impact that you will have on those you love will fill your heart with a deep sense of satisfaction; and give you a peace that passes all understanding.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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Confession and Praise: equally important

Today, we continue our devotions from the book “Time with God for Fathers,” by Jack Countryman.  Our focus is on confession and the equal importance of praise.

CONFESSION OF SIN IS NOT EASY; Proverbs 15:29-33:

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.

31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.

32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honor.

A father’s pride and ego is like a wall that separates him from the will of God; and that wall is not easily broken down.

When you believe you are self-sufficient and don’t need to answer to anyone, Satan will have his way in your life. When you become self-absorbed and listen to no one, there is no room for God to come in and change you for his glory.

The Bible clearly says in 1 John 1:9, “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Don’t let anything interfere with your confession. Let go of your ego and pride. God wants to restore you to his family today. His grace is sufficient and nothing can take that away. Praise God!

THE JOY OF PRAISING THE LORD; Psalm 145: 1-4

1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.

Life has a bunch of twists and turns. Sometimes it takes us down unexpected and difficult roads. So, sometimes it can actually feel strange to praise the Lord in those moments.

Still, He seeks your praise in all things; whether they appear good to us or not. Remember that God is good and always gives ample reason to praise him.

God’s overriding purpose for your life is to glorify him and He will use any means to accomplish that. Ask him to open your heart so that you will see life’s circumstances as he does. Psalm 146:2 says, “While I live, I will praise the Lord. I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”

Despite how you may feel, praise can flow from you like a fountain beginning right now.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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The challenge of patience…the power of the Holy Spirit.

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

Today it’s all about the challenge of patience, and the power of the Holy Spirit to help us!

THE CHALLENGE:

Romans 15: 3-5 starts our plea, “Father, help me to be patient.”

3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[ 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.

Patience has been defined as learning to accept difficult situations without giving God a deadline for their removal.

We know we need patience, but we generally shun the process by which we learn. We want it now. We can’t wait. When we do this and decide we can’t wait for God’s direction…and move ahead on our own…the Old Testament has something to remind us.

“Wait on the Lord, be of good courage; and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait I say on the Lord.” That’s from Psalm 27:14.

The bible promises our trials and tribulations will produce patience as you learn to endure, to bear up, persevere and to keep holding on with no worldly help in sight. If you do so, God will grant you all the patience you need.

THE POWER

So where do we turn for daily guidance on how to live, what to do, where to go, whom to see, and how to make decisions? And how to find that patience we need?

John 14: 16-17 gives us a clue…

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

The scriptures say the only guide worth trusting is the Holy Spirit.

He’s the only one who knows your past completely…from the moment you were conceived to the present…and who knows your future from this day to eternity.

Only he knows God’s plan and purpose for you what is fully good and right for you. The spirit of Truth is the inner compass for your life, pointing you toward what Jesus would be, say, or do in any given moment.

God desires to make his will known to you. He wants you to know what to do and when to do it…and he gives you this knowledge through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Trust the Holy Spirit to be your daily guide.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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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.

——————

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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