Re-gaining focus

This morning I have just sat back a little and took a look at the world we live in. So many things going "wrong" in our society today. I see people on the left screaming and throwing fits. I see people on the right shoving agendas down your throat. I see people afraid of confrontation. I see Christians treating people like they don't matter. What happened to the morals our country used to have? What would happen if we did not rely on government to fix our problems? Let me propose a few questions for you. 

What would happen if instead of debating right vs left, we worked together? What would happen if instead of shoving people down to better our selves, we picked up those who need help? What would happen if Christians set aside there pride and loved people like Christ loves the church? What would our country and world look like if Men stepped up, were active in their families lives. What if Men taught their daughters how a man is to treat a woman? What if boys were raised to treat woman with love and respect? What if Men sacrificed their wants and needs and put their wives first? What if wives stepped up and supported their husbands? What if we operated on balanced budgets and did not bury ourselves in debt? What if spouses took time and prayed together? What if couples put God at the center of marriage? Bottom line, what if we lived our lives in the way Christ lays out for us in the bible? 

Here is what you would see. Children would grow up to be godly men and woman. Boys would be raised to treat woman with respect. Girls wild be raised to have standards in men. Crime would decrease, we would have no need for slander, violent relationships would decrease, sexual abuse would stop, mental health problems would decrease, drug addictions would decrease, budgets would be balanced, marriages would not end in divorce, kids would not be raised in broken homes,  and we could stop sitting around waiting for government to fix it. 

You will not find the answer to our society problems wishing government programs or research. It is the people who have the power to change our world for the better. It is the families who can change things. It is the parents who can raise the next generation to work hard, and play even harder. It is the neighbors who can look out for eachother. 

God call us all to live in a way that glorifies him. Ask your self, are you glorifying God today? 

We love each other because he loved us first. (1 John 4:19 NLT)

We are sacred Ground

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

New International Version (NIV)

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

I was reading my devos the other day, and it was on 1st Corinthians 6:19-20. 

God now resides within it. This makes us Holy and Sacred ground. I mess up all the time. But despite my faults, despite my sin, God has chosen to make me Holy. This is the kind of love my father has. He does not look at me and say "there is a worthless person". He loves me despite all the things I have done. I have been made pure and holy in his eyes. That is a humbling thought. 

Just a quick thought as you go about your day. You are holy ground!

Not everything revolves around money

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT)

I was reflecting on this as we continue to battle finances, bills, and debt. I was reminded by this verse that life is not always about money. God wants to be first and foremost in our lives, and money is so easy to put before god. 

I know for a lot of people money is tight, Wages have been cut, and bills are barely being paid. But it is in times like these where God says trust in me. Trust in me, I am here, I will never leave or forsake you. God has shown me time and time again how faithful he his. His grace and love is lavished upon us daily. 

Thank you father for being my provider, and help me not to love money. Help me to love you more. 

Verse of the day

Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. (2 Thessalonians 1:3 NLT)

A child like heart.

This is the devo I read today. I did not write the following, but it was a great reminder that God is big, I'm small, he is my daddy, and will take care of me. I am his child whom he loves.

A Childlike Heart

Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all.
Mark 10:15

How would a child come to God?
With no reservations, no preconceived fears or doubts.

"Looking up" to Him -- from a child's perspective.
He is big and I am little. He is strong. I am weak.
He will hold me in His arms. He will hold my hand.
He will know what to do. . . .
Ready to listen and to ask questions,

but not to express her views or to argue
with Him about His views.
Giving Him the responsibility of caring for her.
Indeed, expecting Him to care for her.
Trusting Him to care for her.
Reaching out to touch Him. Holding His hand for
security and comfort.
Resting in His lap.
Putting her arms around His neck.
Being excited to see Him and be with Him.
Knowing that He is wiser than she is.
Knowing that He is stronger than she is.
I have often thought that the time to enjoy your child to the fullest
is when she, with childlike trust and love . . .
walks by your side
holds your hand
wants to be with you, near you
listens to what you say
believes what you tell her
looks to you every day to plan her life
asks permission to do something her way
brings her problems to you
enjoys the "little" things you give her
appreciates the "little" things you do for her
doesn't question your decisions
doesn't need anyone in her life but you
lets you know that you are the most important person in her life.

Dear Lord, why do we grow away from You
as we get older? Why do we begin to think
we don't need You? Why do we question
Your motives? Your love? Your power?
I am so sorry, Lord God.
How I need You.
In childlike faith I come to You today,
recognizing that You are my Father, my God . . .
and that I am Your child.

Verse of the day

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

—1 Corinthians 15:20

Verse of the day

Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. (Ecclesiastes 11:5 NLT)