I need to work on what read this morning for my devotion! Please Lord give me the courage to glorify you!
Everyone was talking about Jesus! But when it came time to speak up for him in public, no one said a word. All were afraid. Fear can stifle our witness. Although many people talk about Christ in church, when it comes to making a public statement about their faith, they are often embarrassed. Jesus says that he will acknowledge us before God if we acknowledge him before others. Be courageous! Speak up for Christ!
John 7:13
But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
Devotion - Jesus is the only way
Devotion I read this morning:
After many of Jesus' followers had deserted him, he asked the 12 disciples if they were also going to leave. Peter replied, "To whom would we go?" In his straightforward way, Peter answered for all of us--there is no other way. Though there are many philosophies and self-styled authorities, Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. People look everywhere for eternal life and miss Christ, the only source. Stay with him, especially when you are confused or feel alone.
John 6:67-68
Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
After many of Jesus' followers had deserted him, he asked the 12 disciples if they were also going to leave. Peter replied, "To whom would we go?" In his straightforward way, Peter answered for all of us--there is no other way. Though there are many philosophies and self-styled authorities, Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. People look everywhere for eternal life and miss Christ, the only source. Stay with him, especially when you are confused or feel alone.
John 6:67-68
Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Devotion - God's Word
Devotion I read today:
Applying God's Word helps us grow. This is a principle of growth in physical, mental, and spiritual life. For example, a muscle, when exercised, will grow stronger; but an unused muscle will grow weak and flabby. If you are not growing stronger, you are growing weaker; it is impossible for you to stand still. How are you using what God has taught you?
“So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”
Luke 8:18
Applying God's Word helps us grow. This is a principle of growth in physical, mental, and spiritual life. For example, a muscle, when exercised, will grow stronger; but an unused muscle will grow weak and flabby. If you are not growing stronger, you are growing weaker; it is impossible for you to stand still. How are you using what God has taught you?
“So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”
Luke 8:18
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Parenting devotion on focus
Parenting devotion I read today-I often need to keep the focus!
FOCUS
God has provided guidelines and wisdom on how we should live. But our culture opposes these guidelines and sees God's truth as foolishness. We are bombarded with messages telling us what our children must have or do to "be somebody." Extravagant birthday parties, expensive gifts, violent video games, mature movies, profane music, and inappropriate clothing are just a few of the ways the world attempts to feed us a large helping of "compromise."
In the midst of this barrage we can get distracted. When we look "to the right or to the left" at choices made by other parents or our children's friends, we open ourselves up to the pressures of conformity. We know where the truth lies, however. The trick is keeping our focus on Jesus.
Discipline yourself to focus on Jesus and His truth.
“So be very careful to follow everything Moses wrote in the Book of Instruction. Do not deviate from it, turning either to the right or to the left.
http://bible.us/Josh23.6.NLT
FOCUS
God has provided guidelines and wisdom on how we should live. But our culture opposes these guidelines and sees God's truth as foolishness. We are bombarded with messages telling us what our children must have or do to "be somebody." Extravagant birthday parties, expensive gifts, violent video games, mature movies, profane music, and inappropriate clothing are just a few of the ways the world attempts to feed us a large helping of "compromise."
In the midst of this barrage we can get distracted. When we look "to the right or to the left" at choices made by other parents or our children's friends, we open ourselves up to the pressures of conformity. We know where the truth lies, however. The trick is keeping our focus on Jesus.
Discipline yourself to focus on Jesus and His truth.
“So be very careful to follow everything Moses wrote in the Book of Instruction. Do not deviate from it, turning either to the right or to the left.
http://bible.us/Josh23.6.NLT
Need more prayer time devotion
How easy it is to get caught up in life. Need to make more time for prayer!
Devotion I read:
People were flocking to hear Jesus preach and to have their diseases healed, but Jesus made sure he often withdrew to quiet, solitary places to pray. Many things clamor for our attention, and we often run ourselves ragged attending to them. Like Jesus, however, we should take time to withdraw to a quiet and deserted place to pray. Strength comes from God, and we can only be strengthened by spending time with him.
"But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer."
http://bible.us/Luke5.16.NLT
Devotion I read:
People were flocking to hear Jesus preach and to have their diseases healed, but Jesus made sure he often withdrew to quiet, solitary places to pray. Many things clamor for our attention, and we often run ourselves ragged attending to them. Like Jesus, however, we should take time to withdraw to a quiet and deserted place to pray. Strength comes from God, and we can only be strengthened by spending time with him.
"But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer."
http://bible.us/Luke5.16.NLT
Friday, September 21, 2012
Parenting Devotion
Parenting devotion we read:
TRUE VALUE
The Hebrew midwives feared God and did not obey the king's request. Interestingly the Bible records the names of the midwives, but not the name of the Egyptian king. By worldly standards this doesn't make sense. Egyptian kings are far more "important" than Hebrew midwives. But people who are revered on earth don't necessarily possess the qualities that are celebrated by God.
It is so easy to crave validation, status, and notoriety for our kids. We are tempted to buy into our culture's definition of "success." God's plan for our kids, however, may not bring worldly fame. Even so we should rejoice because there is no greater blessing than raising kids who are faithful to their calling.
Are you encouraging your kids to be significant to the world, or to God?
Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah:
Exodus 1:15
TRUE VALUE
The Hebrew midwives feared God and did not obey the king's request. Interestingly the Bible records the names of the midwives, but not the name of the Egyptian king. By worldly standards this doesn't make sense. Egyptian kings are far more "important" than Hebrew midwives. But people who are revered on earth don't necessarily possess the qualities that are celebrated by God.
It is so easy to crave validation, status, and notoriety for our kids. We are tempted to buy into our culture's definition of "success." God's plan for our kids, however, may not bring worldly fame. Even so we should rejoice because there is no greater blessing than raising kids who are faithful to their calling.
Are you encouraging your kids to be significant to the world, or to God?
Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah:
Exodus 1:15
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Say No devotion
Parent Devotion we read this morning:
LEARNING TO SAY "NO"
Moses was going to work every day as the sole judge over all the tribes of Israel. The number of people demanding his time was so great he worked from dawn until dusk without making a dent in the workload. His father-in-law, Jethro, saw this and immediately recognized a man who could not say "no" to requests for his time. He suggested Moses focus on only two things — representing the people before God, and handling the most difficult of the disputes. The rest of the work could be delegated to capable men he appointed. Moses listened, delegated, and found himself doing far more than he had ever done before, but in much less time. If this advice worked for Moses, will it not also work for us?
Appropriate boundaries are important for everyone in the family. As the parent, you have the responsibility to set limits for your children and for yourself.
“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Exodus 18:17-18
LEARNING TO SAY "NO"
Moses was going to work every day as the sole judge over all the tribes of Israel. The number of people demanding his time was so great he worked from dawn until dusk without making a dent in the workload. His father-in-law, Jethro, saw this and immediately recognized a man who could not say "no" to requests for his time. He suggested Moses focus on only two things — representing the people before God, and handling the most difficult of the disputes. The rest of the work could be delegated to capable men he appointed. Moses listened, delegated, and found himself doing far more than he had ever done before, but in much less time. If this advice worked for Moses, will it not also work for us?
Appropriate boundaries are important for everyone in the family. As the parent, you have the responsibility to set limits for your children and for yourself.
“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Exodus 18:17-18
Turn to God devotion
Devotion I read yesterday:
God told the people to turn to him while there was still time. Destruction would soon be upon them. Time is also running out for us. Because we don't know when our lives will end, we should trust and obey God now, while we can. Don't let anything hold you back from turning to him.
Joel 2:12-13
That is why the LORD says,
“Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish.
God told the people to turn to him while there was still time. Destruction would soon be upon them. Time is also running out for us. Because we don't know when our lives will end, we should trust and obey God now, while we can. Don't let anything hold you back from turning to him.
Joel 2:12-13
That is why the LORD says,
“Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Sleep out on trampoline
Last night Princess, Buttercup, & and I slept out on the trampoline. They both did a great job! It was a beautiful night!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Devotion from YouVersion
Isaiah tells us to call on the Lord while he is near. God is not planning to move away from us, but we often move far from him or erect a barrier between ourselves and him. Don't wait until you have drifted far away from God to seek him. Later in life turning to him may be far more difficult. Or God may come to judge the earth before you decide to turn to him. Seek God now, while you can, before it is too late.
Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. < a href="http://bible.us/Isa55.6.NLT" Target="_blank">Isaiah 55:6 NLT
Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. < a href="http://bible.us/Isa55.6.NLT" Target="_blank">Isaiah 55:6 NLT
Psalm 18:1
< a href="http://bible.us/Ps18.1.NLT" Target="_blank">Psalm 18:1, 2 NLT
"I love you, LORD; you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety."
"I love you, LORD; you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety."
Friday, August 10, 2012
Isaiah 45:7
The devotion I read this morning:
God is ruler over light and darkness, over prosperity and disaster. Our lives are sprinkled with both types of experiences, and both are needed for us to grow spiritually. When good times come, thank God and use your prosperity for him. When bad times come, don't resent them, but ask what you can learn from this refining experience to make you a better servant of God.
"I create the light and make the darkness.
I send good times and bad times.
I, the LORD, am the one who does these things." Isaiah 45:7 NLT
God is ruler over light and darkness, over prosperity and disaster. Our lives are sprinkled with both types of experiences, and both are needed for us to grow spiritually. When good times come, thank God and use your prosperity for him. When bad times come, don't resent them, but ask what you can learn from this refining experience to make you a better servant of God.
"I create the light and make the darkness.
I send good times and bad times.
I, the LORD, am the one who does these things." Isaiah 45:7 NLT
Thursday, August 9, 2012
1 Peter 2:24
1 Peter 2:24 NLT
"He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed."
"He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed."
Loading up the Roller
They micro-surfaced a couple of blocks from our house. After they were finished, they parked some of the equipment in front of our house and the next morning, we enjoyed watching them load the Roller onto the semi-trailer.
Playground wave
We went to the local school playground with the neighbors and all the kids liked playing on the wave.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Waiting for perfect time devotion
Wow what motivation this morning by the devotion I read!
Ecclesiastes 11:4 NLT
"Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest."
http://bible.us/Eccl11.4.NLT
Waiting for perfect conditions will mean inactivity. This practical insight is especially applicable to our spiritual life. If we wait for the perfect time and place for personal Bible reading, we will never begin. If we wait for a perfect church, we will never join. If we wait for the perfect ministry, we will never serve. Take steps now to grow spiritually. Don't wait for conditions that may never exist.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 NLT
"Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest."
http://bible.us/Eccl11.4.NLT
Waiting for perfect conditions will mean inactivity. This practical insight is especially applicable to our spiritual life. If we wait for the perfect time and place for personal Bible reading, we will never begin. If we wait for a perfect church, we will never join. If we wait for the perfect ministry, we will never serve. Take steps now to grow spiritually. Don't wait for conditions that may never exist.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Curtains for Tinkerbell
This weekend we decided to make room darkening curtains for Tinkerbell's room-ok my beautiful Princess wife did most of the work! I think they turned out really well! My beautiful wife did an AWESOME job!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Lil man drawing
Working on a database for my beautiful wife, I left the notepad where lil man could get to it, he decided to perform some artistic freedom with the pencil!
Inlaws visit
A couple of weeks a go we went up to my awesome inlaws and Grandpa had his tractor in the garage. The family decided to sit on it. While we were there my beautiful wife and I went on a date, while we were out the kids picked (with inlaws permission) petals off some roses and had fun tossing the petals in the air!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Family nature walk - playground
We went on a family nature walk and ended up at the school playground the other night. It was fun watching the kids play!
Lil man and a walk
Lil man and I went on a walk today, initially he wanted to go back to my sweet bride. After a while we were waking hand in hand!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Park time
Mom went with Grandma & Grandpa to Omaha for a Dr. appointment for Grandpa a couple days ago so we decided to visit the park! Kids had fun swinging, sliding, and 'being trapped with their angry faces.' We did not spend much time there because the temp was near 100 degrees! It was still fun though!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Nephews 2012
Our nephews were able to come and stay at our house this last week. We enjoyed riding bikes, swimming, went to a water park, miniature golfing, church, grilled out, had Reece's Peanutbutter pancakes, jumped on the trampoline, and had s'mores (even though it was 90+ outside). Overall it was fun and VERY busy four days. Hope they will come back next year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)