Beyond

Nothing will be impossible with God.

Luke 1:37

Today's devotional is kind of a continuation of yesterdays. The writer talks about sometimes we think our desires are too big, but a lot of times , God might actually be saying, "No, I want you dream bigger." She says if God gives you a desire, a big desire, don't be afraid. She says to attempt things for God that are so great that they're destined for failure unless He's in them. She goes on to talk about how we tend to spend time sweating out things like details, but that God always knows how everything turns out. He knew every day of your life before you ever came to be. The desires that you have are no surprise to Him, He already knows what He's going to do with them.

I am actually watching God work out a big desire. He put a desire for a backyard bible club on my husband's heart late last year. This hasn't been done through our church for quite a few years, and something my husband has never done. Our church had no budget for this at all, but my husband knew God wanted him to do this. We started our first night Monday evening, and are having a pretty good success with it. It is amazing to watch God work, and I am privilaged to be apart of it.

Steps of Faith:
Lord, You are able to do above and byond all that I ask or think-according to the power that works in you-to You be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Deeper Walk:
Ephesian 3:14-21 NAS

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the bredth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Waiting Room

May He give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose.

Psalm 20:4

In today's devotional the writer talks about how sometimes God puts a desire in you that's really specific. She says that those desires are also one of the ways God establishes a deeper relationship with you, because many times they aren't going to be fulfilled unless you depend on Him. She also says that one of the signs that dreams come from God is that they are bigger than you are, and you can't accomplish them without Him.

She talks about how God may seem slow in fulfilling our desires, He may allow obstacles and hardships in order to weed out the weak desires, to strengthen your resolve, to produce endurance, and to test your faith. She goes on to say that we may be tempted to make what we heard more specific than God intended it be. For example, if God has put missions on your heart, don't narrow it down only to missions in China. She says to have specific desires, but let God handle the details, and to be open to His bigger plans.

I have experienced God putting something specific on my husband's heart, and my desires following along. God has laid several specific things on my husband's heart, and He has put it on my heart to follow my husband in his desires and help him with his ministries. We have experienced obstacles and hardships, but the writer is right. It has strengthened our resolve, and we have drawn deeper into God through the hardships and obstacles. These things are so hard to go through when you feel like you are doing what God has laid on your heart, and you are in the midst of an obstacle, but God always uses things for His glory, and your work for the kingdom never goes unnoticed by God.

Steps of Faith:
Lord, I'm not sure how the desires You have put in my heart will come to fruition, but I trust in You to prepare me and to work out the details. Let me rest in Your love and I will trust You have all things under control.

Deeper Walk:
Psalm 20 NAS
Theme: A prayer for victory in battle. Such a prayer can help us prepare for any great challenge. David knew that trust should be placed in the Lord more than in human power.
Author: David. The events in 2 Samuel 10 may have prompted this prayer.

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high! May He send you help from the sanctuary and support you from Zion! May He remember all your meal offerings and find your burnt offering acceptable!

May He grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your consel! We will sing for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God . They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stood upright. Save, O LORD; may the King answer us in the day we call.

Does God Care?

He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry for help and saves them.

Psalm 145:19

Today's devotional talks about how when we decided to follow Jesus, we laid down everything in our lives before Him. Romans 12:1 says we became living sacrifices, surrendering our lives - including our dreams and desires-to God. The writer asks the question, does that mean every single desire we ever have is wrong? She answer with a resounding NO, not at all. She goes on to say that God doesn't want us to be passionless and dreamless. The anchor verse tells us that God wants to work through our desires, and some of the dreams and desires we have are from Him. She goes on to talk about how sometimes the Holy Spirit actually works through us by changing and moving our hearts, and our desires. But if we have a stranglehold on our desires we close ourselves off to God, and miss out on things God has for us. She also talks about how some people deny the interest, gifts, talents, and passions that God put inside of them because they think they're supposed to "deny themselves". She explains that what happens is that they keep dismissing God every time He tries to work through their desires because they assume their desires aren't from Him.

I have certainly experience God changing my desires and moving my heart in His direction for my life. A few years ago I could have never imagined myself working with teenagers. They frustrated me beyond all belief, and I didn't really know how to relate. However, my husband and felt the call to attend our first mission trip with the youth of our church. That first trip was a little rough, for a variety of reasons, but over the past couple of years of working with the youth, I have found that my heart has changed, and I am figuring out ways to connect with them. I love working the youth, it really is the last place I ever thought I would be serving, but this is where God has called me, and He has equipped me for His service by changing my heart.

Steps of Faith:
Father, You know all the desires of my heart. Please help me to know which desires are from You and let me put the rest aside so I can follow Your perfect will for me.

Deeper Walk:
Psalm 145 NAS
Theme: A time will come when all people will join together in recognizing and worshipping God because God is full of love, He satisfies all who trust in Him.
Author: David

I will extol You, my God, O King. And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wonderful works, I will meditate. Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, and I will tell of Your greatness. They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness and will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.

The Lord is greacious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works. All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, and Your godly ones shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power; to make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts and the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them. The Lord keeps all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

Doing Some Good

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Romans 12:2

Today's devotional talks about a woman who moved to a new city, and thought a good way to make new friends would be through a knitting class. She envisioned not just knitting with her new friends, but also sharing concerns and praying for one another, as she had done with her old knitting group. Her new group was different though. Although they did share concerns with each other, they did so with heavy doses of criticism and gossip. The woman started praying for her new friends, and fully intended to share God's love with them. However, after knitting with her new friends for a couple of months, she neglected to share her faith with them, started becoming more like her new friends. She felt convited of her actions, so she prayed and asked God if she should drop out of the group to safeguard herself from these ladies influence. In the end she felt God telling her to stay with the group, and felt even more burdened for her friends salvation.

As beleivers we have to make efforts not to isolate ourselves from unbelievers. It is wonderful to be around people who believe the same way you do, and it makes living Christ that much easier. But we are called to go out into the world. When we mix with nonbelievers it becomes difficult to be set apart. I have experienced many times when I allowed myself to become more like my nonbeliver friends. In the end I always feel unhappy with myself for allowing this. I have found though that I can be friends with nonbelievers and still live my life for Christ. My friends see that I am different, and they know why. I hope that some of them will come to Christ because of this. I pray that I can influence my nonbelieving friends to become more like me, instead of me becoming more like them.

Steps of Faith:
Father, I want ot make a difference in this world. Help me live a set-apart life while I connect with the world around me.

Deeper Walk:
Matthew 5:13-16 NAS
Jesus Teaches about Salt and Light

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Receiving God's Provision

The LORD is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion.

Isaiah 30:18

The devotional today tells a story about a single mother named Katy. Katy is telling her friend about a recent Saturday morning surprise. When her doorbell rang, she couldn't understand who would be at her house that early. It was the men's ministry from her church, they were there to put a new roof on her house. She was telling her friend how not only the men's ministry helped her, but that her dad had been doing repair work on her house, the older kids had helped out with groceries, and her friends had given her gift cards for her birthday. She was grateful to recieve these things, but was telling her friend how painful it was to know that she couldn't give anything back right now. Her friend told her that she needed to understand that she was not indebted to these people, that they were simply being God's hands and feet, as He honored His word and provided for her. Her friend told her that she would be robbing these people of great blessings if she refused their kindness, and that one day God would use her to extend that same blessing to someone else.

We all need help from time to time, and I think we all struggle with accepting acts of kindness like this. Even though we may desperatly need it at the time, we deny the help, and yet at the same time wonder why God is not providing for our needs, when if we would have just accepted a blessing from someone we would have been accepting God's provision for our need. During my mission trips I have had the great honor and privilage of being the hands and feet of Jesus, and meeting needs for people who desperatly need them. Some are struggling with accepting our help, and some are overwhelmed with gratitude, but I always feel like I walk away much more blessed then the person I am there serving. I have also learned that I need to accept act of kindness, and not refuse them out of my own pride. I now know the feeling of being blessed by blessing someone, and I do not want to rob anyone who feels they are being led by the Lord to bless me.

My husband and I have someone in our life that has many needs. They have let us help them on a few things, but struggle to let us help them very much. I pray that they would understand that we feel we were placed in their life for this season to help. I just wait and pray that God will show me opportunities to help.

Steps of Faith:
Thank you, Lord, that You are the God who provides. Teach us to recognize and receive Your good provision with thanksgiving and praise.

Deeper Walk:
2 Corinthians 9:6-13 NAS

Now this I say , he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudginingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, "HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER." Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all.

Seek Him

You will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul.

Deuteronomy 4:29

So I have been gone for a little while. I was on a mission trip with my yourth group last week, and I didn't post for a few days before either. I am back now though, and hopefully back on track.

Today's devotional talks about how we spend our time. The writer talks about an exercise that she had to do in her workplace where they had to keep track of and account for every minute of their time for a few weeks. She was glad when it was over, but it made her wonder about how she spent her time at home. So she started keeping track of her time at home, time spent cleaning, doing laundry, watching tv, surfing the internet, etc. She was shocked at how much time was spent on things like tv and internet, in comparison to how much time was spent on bible reading and prayer time.

I think we would all be a little shocked to find out exactly where our time is going. While the writer talks about how there is nothing wrong with watching tv, and playing games on the internet, it can get in the way of our spending sufficent time seeking our Saviour. She goes on to say that if we are seeking anything or anyone else with greater fervancy then we seek after the Lord, we are guilty of idolatry.

Last week, I spent most of the week seeking the face of God. I was on a mission trip in Cincinnati. And although every minute was filled with something to do, it was also focused and geared around worshiping and focusing on God. I had a difficult start to my week with a couple of the youth on my crew. I found myself praying everytime eyes were rolled at me, or I heard sighs or glares were thrown my way. By the end of the first workday, I was very frustrated and at the end of my rope. I talked the situation over with my husband, and I prayed about it. I truly felt like God wanted me to wait and see what happened the next day. And then if I had problems with these youth again, I was going to take them on a walk and talk to them. However, the next day went much better, and the next even better.

I was in an environment where I was fully focused on God, and was able to hear what he had to say to me. Now I am back to reality. I always try to bring what I learn on mission trips home with me. I am especially trying this year. Satan is on the attack. He has come at my husband and me with everything he has lately. But he is in for a fight! We have strapped on our armor, and we are ready to take him on.

Bottom line is I think we tend to seek God more when we are feeling Satan attack us, when we should be seeking Him every day. I don't know about you, but I know that I can't make it without His perfect wisdom, strength and guidance each and every day.

Steps of Faith:
Father, please forgive me for letting anything or anyone take the place that rightfully belongs to You. Give me the grace to make You my first priority always.

Deeper Walk:
Deuteronomy 4:15-40 NAS

So watch yourselves carefully, since you did not see any form on the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb from the midst of the fire, so that you do not act corruptly and make a graven image for yourselves in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky, the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water below the earth. And beware not to lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, those which the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, from Egypt, to be a people for His own possession, as today. Now the Lord was angry with me on your account, and swore that I would not cross the Jordan, and that I would not enter the good land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance. For I will die in this land, I shall not cross the Jordan, but you shall cross and take possession of this good land. So watch yourselves, that you do not forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a graven image in the form on anything against which the Lord your God has commanded you. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. When you become the father of children and children's children and have remained long in the land, and act corruptly, and make an idol in the form of anything, and do that which is evil in the sight of the Lord your God so as to provoke Him to anger, I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will surely perish quickly from the land where you are going over the Jordan to possess it. You shall not live long on it, but will be utterly destroyed. The Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord drives you. There you will serve gods, the work of man's hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the Lord your God and listen to His voice. For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them. Indeed, ask now concerning the former days which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and inquire from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything been done like this great thing, or has anything been heard like it? Has any people heard the voice of God speaking from the midst of the fire, as you have heard it, and survived? Or has a god tried to go to take for himself a nation from within another nation by trials, by signs and wonders and by war and by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm and by great terrors, as the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown that you might know that the Lord, He is God; there is no other besides Him. Out of the heavens He let you hear His voice to discipline you; and on earth He let you see His great fire, and you heard His words from the midst of the fire. Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them. And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great pwoer, driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in and to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is today. Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the Lord, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other. So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time.

Too Soon?

God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble

Psalm 46:1

In today's devotional the writer talks about how many people were shocked to see her associate pastor at church the day after his wife's memorial service. She says that not only had he lost the love of his life, but she had been taken suddenly. Many wondered was he ready to be around so many people, answering the same questions and rehashing the painful events of the previous week? The writer felt God telling her that her pastor needed to be around his church family.

The writer goes on to talk about how our responses to grief and tragedy are as different as our personalities, and it isn't our job to keep track of how long a person should stay in isolation, or what they could handle when.

I haven't experienced the loss of a spouse or a parent, but I lost my grandmother 2 years ago. It was the first person close to me that I had lost. She had, had a disease that was supposed to have taken her life at any time, but that she ended up living with for 15 years. In the end cancer took her, not the disease. I flew back and took care of her for 2 weeks right before she died. It was tiring, but God gave me the strength each day that I needed. I was so glad that I went to take care of her. It gave me some precious time with her, that I wouldn't have had otherwise. After she died, and I came home, I just wanted to be around my husband and my kids. I didn't feel up to going out and socializing. I got lots of advice on what I should do and how I should handle my grief from well meaning friends. They were trying help me, they are friends that love me and didn't want to see me hurting. But like the writer says the way we each deal with our grief is as different as we all are. And while I may want to go into seculsion for an extended period of time, someone else may want to be surrounded by people to help them get through it. God made us all the way we are, and the way we respond to the things that happen in our lives.

Steps of Faith:
Father, show me how to help when a friend is grieving. Stop me in moments when I evaluate of judge, remembering that there is no right or wrong way to mourn.

Deeper Walk:
Psalm 46 NAS
Theme: God is always there to help, providing refuge, security, and peace. God's power is complete and his ultimate victory is certain. He will not fail to rescue those who love him.
Author: The sons of Korah (temple assistants)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has wroght desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted amoung the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Not Alone

I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you

John 14:18

I am a day behind again. I have had a very sick little one at home to take care of. She is on the mend, so I am going to attempt to get caught up.

Tuesday's devotional tells the story of a woman walking through her local park, looking for a good place to read her book in the sunshine. As she walks she hears the laughter of the neighborhood children, and begins to feel the pangs of loneliness. She found an empty park bench and watched the mother's play with their little ones, remembering her own family, and how she was once a busy mother. But her children were grown now, and had moved away, and she was feeling left behind. All of a sudden a little voice says "hi, what's your name?" She smiled and told the little girl her name. The little girl introduced herself, and told her that this was her grandmother, Louise. The little girl ran off to continue playing, and Louise sat down. Louise told of how her granddaughter was always trying to get her to meet other women when she took her to the park, she thought that her granddaughter knew how lonley she was when she wasn't around.

Isn't it amazing how God answer's our prayers. Even the prayers that we don't speak, just the desires of our hearts. And the ways that He answers them always astound me. In this case he used a little girl, to help not only her grandmother, but the woman in the story, whose family lived so far away. I live far from my family, and understand the loneliness the woman talked about. When we first moved to our town, 8 years ago I felt very lonely. We had lived in a major city before, and moved to a small town. There was a bit of culture shock along with the loneliness. My son was only 2 years old, so he wasn't in school yet. I only knew the people I worked with, and the babysitter. I asked my husband to find a job back home, because I wanted to go back. But I started to adjust to my new surroundings, and I started to make friends, we got involved in our church, and my son started school. I still feel lonely from time to time. I'm not very good at completely sharing my feelings with my friends, or breaking down my wall that I have built around me, and I can tend to be a bit antisocial. I tend to like my alone time, and my time when it's just me and my family. My husband is much more social, and people tend to take to him better, and that can sometimes be a hard thing to take. I am working on it, and it's getting better and easier the more that I interact and socalize with those around me.

I think we all feel lonely from time to time, but the writer in my devotional points out that God can use our loneliness to drive us to Him. So if you are feeling lonely, go to God, who is always pleased to hear from you.

Steps of Faith:
Father, please give me the strength I need to keep moving forward, even when I feel completely alone. Guide me to other people who will help fill the loneliness I sometimes feel inside.

Deeper Walk:
Psalm 27 NAS
Theme: God offers help for today and hope for the future. Unwavering confidence in God is our antidote for fear and loneliness.
Author: David

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice, and be gracious to me and answer me. When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O Lord, I shall seek." Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up.

Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path because of my foes. Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence. I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

A Better Plan

Sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of amoung you, as is proper for saints.

Ephesians 5:3

Today's devotional talks about the write'sneighbor, Rita whose husband left her for another woman. She talks about how Rita became bitter about her situation. Rita had gone from being a stay at home mom, living a comfortable life, to a working single mom of two teenage daughters. One day Rita announced that she had met a man. They had been dating for a few months, and he was going to move in with her and the girls. The writer expressed her concern, but Rita did not want to be lectured. The writer explanied to Rita that she was concerned that Rita may be settlinn for something that might not be God's best for her. Rita became defensive and said, "Well we're not living in the 50's anymore. People just take it for granted that couples are going to live together. It's no big deal."

The writer goes on to give statistics of a study done by Rutgers University of living together before marriage, and how it increases the risk of breaking up after marriage, domestic violence for women, and the risk of physical and sexual abuse for children. The study states that unmarried couples have lower levels of happiness and well-being than married couples.

This is one of those areas where I tend to feel like a hypocrit. My husband and I lived together before we were married. If I had it do over, I would do it differently, we both would. I was a Christian at the time, but not where I needed to be with God. I had come out of a very bad marriage, where, to me, I didn't see how abusive my ex-husband was until we were married and living together, and I did not want to go through that again. In reality, I was so young when I started dating my ex-husband, and still so young when we got married, that He was like that the whole time, I just didn't want to see it. I hope to help our youth decided not to live with a boyfriend/girlfriend before marriage, but I also hope that they don't think me a hypocrit for telling them not to do something that I myself did.

Steps of Faith:
Father, please convict couples who are living together without the benefit of marriage that it is not Your best for them. Protect any children involved in those relationships.

Deeper Walk:
Ephesians 5:1-14 NAS
Be Imitators of God

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named amoung you, as is proper amoung saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of the darness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

It's Only Lunch

Each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires.

James 1:14

Friday's devotional is about a woman named Meg. Meg is tired, after another week of being alone with her kids, and trying to hold everything together, while her husband is gone on another business trip. A male co-worker stops by her office and asks her if she would like to grab some lunch with him, she hesitates, but says "sure". As soon as the words were out of her mouth she felt the Holy Spirit warning her, but she ignored it. It's only lunch, she thought. But throughout the morning she found herself thinking about her co-worker. During lunch the conversation started out lively, but turned serious, as her co-worker touched her hand, and told her that he noticed she'd been down lately. She pulled away, and told him that she shouldn't have accepted his invitation, that she was married. The co-worker told her that he knew, but he could be a good friend if she needed one. Back at the office Meg realized that she had used poor judgment. While it felt good to have a man's attention, she knew she was flirting with sin, that could get her into serious trouble.

The writer of the devotional goes on to talk about how our society's standards of what is and what is not appropriate have changed over the years, somewhere blurring the line between right and wrong. And as Christians, we need to be clear about where we stand, and to remember that we represent the King of kings.

I think the writer hit the nail absolutely straight on the head. We have to guard our hearts and our minds. Something may seem so innocent, but lead you towards a dangerous road. I make it a point to never do anything that I wouldn't tell my husband about, and he does the same. We know the passwords to each other's e-mail accounts, and facebooks. I am frequently on my husband's e-mail account. Not because I don't trust him, but because he doesn't always check it, and I can let him know that there is something there that he needs to check. As a matter of fact, about a year ago, and old boyfriend found me through myspace. We messaged each other catching up on each other's life. The old boyfriend was recently single, and I felt a little uneasy, because I had not told my husband. I told my husband immediately about it, and felt much better. I kept my messages to the old boyfriend strictly on a casual basis, and where my husband could read them. There is nothing that my husband and I don't tell each other. Which is the way it should be, but I know that I have to guard my heart and my thoughts always, because Satan is always lurking trying to lead me down the path to sin. I once shared a quote with someone who was trying to justify a sin like this, and it so true. "Sin will take you further than you want to go, for longer than you want to be there, and cost you more than you want to pay." Charles Stanley.

Steps of Faith:
Father, when I face temptation, strengthen me and help me to resist the traps the enemy sets for me. Let me be obedient to Your still, small voice.

Deeper Walk:
James 1:12-15 NAS

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

He Provides

My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Thursday's devotional was about a stay at home mom, Shelly whose family relied completely on her husband's salary. They only had one car, and always had watch how they spent their money. Shelly's husband lost his job in the economic downturn, and they had not family they could turn to for help. Her husband immediately began sending out resumes, and as their rent due date grew closer, they prayed about what to do. After sharing their worries with a few friends at church, a number of people contributed anonymously. Shelly and her husband found a envelope with more than $800 in their mailbox, just enough for them to get by for the their first unemployed month. On a whim her husband sent head shots to a local agent and got a non-speaking part in a new family-friendly television show that was filming in their area. Shelly got a job, during the day, and since her husband filmed at night, he was able to stay at home with their daughter while shelly worked. Their life to a new twist, but their faith grew, as they watched God provide for their needs.

I am always amazed at the ways God provides. My husband and I went through a strain in our finances when his company cut back on overtime. We lost a big portion of our monthly budget. We are like the family in the story. I am a stay at home mom, and we only have one car. We live very close to everything, including my husband's job, so the strain of only having one car, isn't that great. After our we lost the overtime portion of my husband's salary, I watched and was amazed at how God continued to provide. It was always in such creative ways. And last year, as we were feeling the urge of getting out of debt, God provided a small part time job for me, that still allows me to be at home with my children. My husband's company just came out of a bad year, where there were no pay raises, no bonus, and every worker was forced to take 1 week off a quarter, along with lay offs. My husband had enough vacation time to cover the first two quarters, but not the third. We planned it during a month that we got 3 paychecks, and we were able to claim unemployement for that week. My husband made it through around 10 rounds of lay offs, and the company started to rebound, and he didn't have to take any time off in the 4th quarter. Making through each lay off was extremely stressful, since we are a one income family, but I was not as anxious as in the past. I knew if my husband got laid off, then God must have different plan for us, and that He would provide.

Steps of Faith:
Lord, when I feel anxious about the economy, help me to trust You to provide.

Deeper Walk:
Exodus 16 NAS
The Lord Provides Manna

Then they set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the sons of Isreal came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt. The whole congregation of the sons of Isreal grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The sons of Isreal said to them, "Would that we had died by the Lord's hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from the heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily." So Moses and Aaron said to all the sons of Isreal, "At evening you will know that the Lord has brought you out of the land of Egypt; and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, for He hears your grumblings against the Lord; and what are we, that you grumble against us?" Moses said, "This will happen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning; for the Lord hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him. And what are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the Lord." Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to all the congregation of the sons of Isreal, 'Come near before the Lord, for He has heard your grumblings.'" It came about as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the sons of Isreal, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Isreal; speak to them, saying, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God.'" So it came about at evening that the quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. When the sons of Isreal saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, "It is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded, 'Gather of it every man as much as he should eat; you shall take an omer apiece according to the number of persons each of you has in his tent.'" The sons of Isreal did so, and some gathered much and some little. Whey they measured it with an omer, he who had gathered much had no excess, and he who had gathered little had no lack; every man gathered as much as he should eat. Moses said to them, "Let no man leave any of it until morning." But they did not listen to Moses, and some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul; and Moses was angry with them. They gathered it morning by morning, every man as much as he should eat; but when the sun grew hot, it would melt. Now on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. When all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, then he said to them, "This is what the Lord meant: Tomorrow is a sabbath observance, a holy sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over put aside to be kept until morning." So they put it aside until morning, as Moses had ordered, and it did not become foul nor was there any worm in it. Moses said, "Eat it today, for today is a sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. "Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the sabbath, there will be none." It came about on the seventh day that some of the people went out to gather, but they found none. Then the Lord said to Moses, "How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My instructions? See, the Lord has given you the sabbath; therefore He gives you bread for two days on the sixth day. Remain every man in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day." So the people rested on the seventh day. The house of Isreal named it manna, and it was like coriander seed, white, and its taste was like wafers with honey. Then Moses said, "This is what the Lord has commanded, 'Let an omerful of it be kept throughout your generations, that they may see the bread that I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.'" Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar and put an omerful of manna in it, and place it before the Lord to be kept throughout the generations." As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the Testimony, to be kept. The sons of Isreal ate the manna for forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate the manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan. (Now an omer is a tenth of an ephah.)

It's Not My Fault

Make you own attitude that of Christ Jesus

Philippians 2:5

Ok, so this is Wednesday's devotional. I'm running a little behind, but today is catch up day! So the title is perfect for me today!! I'm not going to give you excuses, but I'm not an excuse kind of gal.

The story is about a woman, who is continually late for work. Her boss lets her know that she is, once again, late. She runs through her very valid excuses in her mind, she was stuck in traffic, the kids missed the bus, she had to retreve an escaped dog, etc.... but as she was going through her list of excuses, she felt the Holy Spirit convicting her that she needed to take responsbility for her actions.

The writer goes on to say that God wants us to have a good attitude, and in Ephesians 6:7 we are told to "Render service with a good attidue, as to the Lord and not to men." And that if we find ourselves blaming other's for our faults or mistakes, to pray about our circumstances and ask God to change your heart.

For the most part, I am a take responsibility for my actions/mistakes kind of gal. I hate excuses, just ask my husband. Do I own up to every action or mistake? No. But I do try to. I have found that trying to cover up an mistake only makes it so much worse, and I really feel a whole lot less anxiety when I own up to what I did or didn't do.

But I think what this devotional is trying to drive home, is, it's not just about owning up to our mistakes, that we know we should own up to, but about the times when we feel it's truly not our fault. Like in the story, she was continually late but it seemed like she continually had circumstances that were beyond her control. However, we need to be prepared for those circumstances, and adjust, so that we aren't just making excuses, but serving the best way we can. It's so hard to own up to things when you feel you have a valid excuse for what happened. But if we look deeper, we see that we really don't have a valid excuse at all, it's just justification. And I always say if you have to justify it, you probably shouldn't be doing it in the first place. When you are in the midst of being chewed out by a boss for something, this is the most difficult thing not to do, justify your actions. You want to defend yourself, and explain, it's natural and we all do it. But if we take responsiblity, and trust God, things will always get better, and maybe the chewing won't be so bad.

Steps of Faith:
Father, forgive me for not wanting to accept responsibilty for my actions. Please help me to have the right attitude, even when I'm being disciplined.

Deeper Walk:
Philippians 2: 1-11 NAS
Joy in Serving; Be Like Christ

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if ther is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interest of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, althought He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in apperace as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Right Next Door

Put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12

This is actually yesterday's blog, I will blog today's in a seperate blog. I did read this devotional yesterday, but struggled with it, and what God was trying to say to me through it, so I rebelled and didn't blog about it yesterday.

The story in the devotional is about a woman answering God's call to help her recently widowed neighbor. Her neighbor is a young, mother struggling to balance everything in her life.

The story in the devotional wasn't exactly along the same lines of what I was struggling with. I was struggling with the verses that God was pointing out through the anchor verse and the deeper walk verses. I am having trouble in several different, and completely unrelated areas of my life, with the compassion and kindness that I should feel towards my Christian brothers and sisters. I see women with gentle and quiet spirits and I admire them so, I strive to be like them, but God just didn't make me that way. So this is an area in which I struggle. I have observed my reactions to be much calmer over the last couple years that I have been focusing on this, but I still let my mouth run away with me sometimes, and my hot head gets in the way. I am learning to try to look at the other side of the coin, but I don't always WANT to look at it. When you are so frustrated, you just don't want to, then a devotional like this comes along, where you feel God talking directly to you, and you go ahead and look at the other side. I am struggling.....and I don't understand all the things that are going on....but I know the one who does, and I know that He will bring me through, and mold me in the process, as long as I continue to rely on Him.

Steps of Faith:
Heavenly Father, show me what You want me to do to help people who are in need. Give me a tender heart and use me to further Your kingdom.

Deeper Walk:
Colossians 3:13-17 NAS

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in the word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.