Scripture: Luke 12:40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Observation: Staying in the Word and prayer is essential because time is short and He could be coming any time. No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Matthew 24:36 I want to be ready when He comes!
Application: When I get to heaven, I long to hear the words "Well done my good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25:21 I want to make sure I'm ready for that day. I need to allow Jesus to mold me into the woman He wants me to be and make sure He always takes first place in my life.
Prayer: My Lord, Thank you that you have promised me a place with you in eternity someday. I pray that I will be ready for the day you come to take us there. Please show me the areas you want me to grow in and help me to become the servant you want me to be. Help me to be bold when it comes to talking to others who don't know you so they can share in the hope that I have. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Amen
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Luke 11 A House United
Scripture: Luke 11:17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.
Observation: Many times I view our family as "me against them". I don't mean to, it just slowly evolves. Then it becomes a game I can't win. I'm lonely and they're defensive. I don't want to be a house divided.
Application: I need to try to find more ways to involve my kids, enjoy time together, laugh and play with them and not get bogged down and frustrated with all my to-do lists not getting done. A long time from now, I won't remember all the lists I scratched off but I will remember all the memories we made in the process. I want to make sure they're good ones.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please forgive me for allowing my house to be divided. I don't want it to be a "me against them" game. I want us to be united in You. Show me how to create a more unified environment with more joy so that we can make memories that will last. Help me to not get so caught up in my lists that I miss the important stuff. Thank you that your mercies are new each morning. Please bless this family, Lord.
Amen
Observation: Many times I view our family as "me against them". I don't mean to, it just slowly evolves. Then it becomes a game I can't win. I'm lonely and they're defensive. I don't want to be a house divided.
Application: I need to try to find more ways to involve my kids, enjoy time together, laugh and play with them and not get bogged down and frustrated with all my to-do lists not getting done. A long time from now, I won't remember all the lists I scratched off but I will remember all the memories we made in the process. I want to make sure they're good ones.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please forgive me for allowing my house to be divided. I don't want it to be a "me against them" game. I want us to be united in You. Show me how to create a more unified environment with more joy so that we can make memories that will last. Help me to not get so caught up in my lists that I miss the important stuff. Thank you that your mercies are new each morning. Please bless this family, Lord.
Amen
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Luke 10 Choose What is Better
Scripture: Luke 10:41-42 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Observation: I am a Martha through and through. I worry about many things and forget to focus on what really matters. At the time, all those things I'm concerned with seem important but in the end I've lost perspective and "sweated the small stuff". If I would only choose the better, I have the promise that it won't be taken away from me. In other words, I won't regret it.
Application: Whether it's having people over, trying to keep up with the daily demands of life or just watching my daughter make a mess in the kitchen while she makes us cookies, I need to remember not to worry about the small stuff. When people come over, I need to focus on loving them, listening to them and blessing them with friendship. When my daughter is making a mess in my eyes, she's really trying to use the creativity that God gave her and bless her family. I need to pray that God will help me see the more important things that are happening and that I won't focus on the silly little details that I get all caught up in.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please help me to focus more on the big picture. I tend to worry about all the little details when you would rather that I focus on loving you and my neighbor. Show me how to let go of all my concerns and let you guide me. Forgive me for missing the point so many times. I don't want to look back and have regrets about not choosing what was better.
Amen
Observation: I am a Martha through and through. I worry about many things and forget to focus on what really matters. At the time, all those things I'm concerned with seem important but in the end I've lost perspective and "sweated the small stuff". If I would only choose the better, I have the promise that it won't be taken away from me. In other words, I won't regret it.
Application: Whether it's having people over, trying to keep up with the daily demands of life or just watching my daughter make a mess in the kitchen while she makes us cookies, I need to remember not to worry about the small stuff. When people come over, I need to focus on loving them, listening to them and blessing them with friendship. When my daughter is making a mess in my eyes, she's really trying to use the creativity that God gave her and bless her family. I need to pray that God will help me see the more important things that are happening and that I won't focus on the silly little details that I get all caught up in.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please help me to focus more on the big picture. I tend to worry about all the little details when you would rather that I focus on loving you and my neighbor. Show me how to let go of all my concerns and let you guide me. Forgive me for missing the point so many times. I don't want to look back and have regrets about not choosing what was better.
Amen
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Luke 8 Nothing Is Secret
Scripture: Luke 8:17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
Observation: It's scary to think that all those things we think were done in secret will be revealed. It truly makes me ponder the past to try to remember anything I have done that I haven't ever told anyone. Whatever it may be, Jesus saw and He knows. It must be hard for Him to watch us doing those things we think we are doing secretly.
Recently, I was lied to. It broke my heart to know that this person I trusted would look me in the eye and lie to me. Even harder, I knew I was being lied to but I was wishing that I didn't. It must break His heart to watch us sin "in secret".
Application: I need to remember that every moment of every day, Jesus sees me and what I'm doing. Nothing is secret from Him. I can't hide any sin or struggle from Him. He loves me and wants to forgive me and heal me so that I can do the work He put me on this earth to do.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please forgive me for the times that I think I'm "getting away" with something. I can never get away with anything with you. You see it all and I'm sorry that at times I must break your heart with my thoughts and actions. Please help me to "take every thought captive" and make sure that wherever I am and whatever I'm doing that I'm honoring You. Thank you for not allowing me to get away with anything and always holding me accountable.
I want to be pleasing in your sight, always.
Amen
Observation: It's scary to think that all those things we think were done in secret will be revealed. It truly makes me ponder the past to try to remember anything I have done that I haven't ever told anyone. Whatever it may be, Jesus saw and He knows. It must be hard for Him to watch us doing those things we think we are doing secretly.
Recently, I was lied to. It broke my heart to know that this person I trusted would look me in the eye and lie to me. Even harder, I knew I was being lied to but I was wishing that I didn't. It must break His heart to watch us sin "in secret".
Application: I need to remember that every moment of every day, Jesus sees me and what I'm doing. Nothing is secret from Him. I can't hide any sin or struggle from Him. He loves me and wants to forgive me and heal me so that I can do the work He put me on this earth to do.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please forgive me for the times that I think I'm "getting away" with something. I can never get away with anything with you. You see it all and I'm sorry that at times I must break your heart with my thoughts and actions. Please help me to "take every thought captive" and make sure that wherever I am and whatever I'm doing that I'm honoring You. Thank you for not allowing me to get away with anything and always holding me accountable.
I want to be pleasing in your sight, always.
Amen
Monday, December 12, 2011
Luke 7 A God of Compassion
Scripture: Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."
Observation: It is so comforting to me that our Lord is so compassionate. He truly feels our pain and hurts with us. I love knowing that His heart goes out to me when I'm struggling and He sees me when I cry.
Application: When I am feeling utterly alone and hopeless, I need to remember that He said in Joshua 1:5 "I will never leave you nor forsake you". He sees me when I cry and is waiting to comfort me. He understands my pain and hurts when I hurt. He is preparing a place for me where there are no tears or pain to live forever with Him (John 14:2)
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for being such a compassionate and loving God. I love knowing that when I cry, you are right there ready to comfort me and lead me on. Please help me to allow you to comfort me. Help me to feel your presence in those moments and remember your words of compassion and hope so that I can then get up and move on. Thank you for the power of your love. I pray that I can show that same compassion to others. I love you my Lord.
Amen
Observation: It is so comforting to me that our Lord is so compassionate. He truly feels our pain and hurts with us. I love knowing that His heart goes out to me when I'm struggling and He sees me when I cry.
Application: When I am feeling utterly alone and hopeless, I need to remember that He said in Joshua 1:5 "I will never leave you nor forsake you". He sees me when I cry and is waiting to comfort me. He understands my pain and hurts when I hurt. He is preparing a place for me where there are no tears or pain to live forever with Him (John 14:2)
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for being such a compassionate and loving God. I love knowing that when I cry, you are right there ready to comfort me and lead me on. Please help me to allow you to comfort me. Help me to feel your presence in those moments and remember your words of compassion and hope so that I can then get up and move on. Thank you for the power of your love. I pray that I can show that same compassion to others. I love you my Lord.
Amen
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Luke 6 Students Follow In Their Teacher's Footsteps
Scripture: Luke 6:40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.
Observation: The truth is that we unknowingly become like our teachers. They are in authority over us and we follow their lead. This seems especially true when it comes to homeschooling. I am with my children all day, every day and influence them greatly. I need to make sure that I'm fully trained by my Teacher so that I will be like Him and teach my children accordingly. I want my children to see Jesus through me!
Application: I know this has been repeated quite often but reading the bible and having a daily quiet time will ensure that I'm continuing my training. I need to make sure that Jesus is my teacher and not the multitude of outside influences such as friends, television, facebook, etc.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please help me to be consistent in my daily quiet time. Help me to place you first above all else so that you are my teacher. I want those around me to see you through me. Please help me to follow in your footsteps so that my children will do the same. Forgive me for allowing other things to guide and teach me when I should be focusing on the wisest teacher there is. Thank you for daily meeting me for training!
Amen
Observation: The truth is that we unknowingly become like our teachers. They are in authority over us and we follow their lead. This seems especially true when it comes to homeschooling. I am with my children all day, every day and influence them greatly. I need to make sure that I'm fully trained by my Teacher so that I will be like Him and teach my children accordingly. I want my children to see Jesus through me!
Application: I know this has been repeated quite often but reading the bible and having a daily quiet time will ensure that I'm continuing my training. I need to make sure that Jesus is my teacher and not the multitude of outside influences such as friends, television, facebook, etc.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please help me to be consistent in my daily quiet time. Help me to place you first above all else so that you are my teacher. I want those around me to see you through me. Please help me to follow in your footsteps so that my children will do the same. Forgive me for allowing other things to guide and teach me when I should be focusing on the wisest teacher there is. Thank you for daily meeting me for training!
Amen
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Luke 5 God's Grace
Scripture: Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"
Observation: If we could really grasp the amazing grace that Jesus gives us or the massive power He has, we would probably understand completely where Peter was coming from! How small he must have felt when his eyes were opened and he caught a glimpse of who Jesus really was.
Application: I never want to lose sight of the greatness of Jesus. I can easily get caught up in the temporary things of this world and forget all that Jesus did for me on the cross and daily does for me in the forgiveness of my sins and His great love for me. When I focus on it, sometimes it completely overwhelms me to think that He would do all of that for me. I can't grasp it. But I never want to stop trying.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you never quite seems to cover all that you have done for me. You gave your very life for me so that someday I could come spend eternity with you. Daily you forgive my faults and errors, loving me more than I can ever imagine. The greatness of your grace and mercy and love astounds me and confounds me. I give you my thanks and my very life to use for your will and glory. I love you my Lord and Savior, my King of Kings and Lord of Lords and I can't wait to spend eternity with you.
Amen
Observation: If we could really grasp the amazing grace that Jesus gives us or the massive power He has, we would probably understand completely where Peter was coming from! How small he must have felt when his eyes were opened and he caught a glimpse of who Jesus really was.
Application: I never want to lose sight of the greatness of Jesus. I can easily get caught up in the temporary things of this world and forget all that Jesus did for me on the cross and daily does for me in the forgiveness of my sins and His great love for me. When I focus on it, sometimes it completely overwhelms me to think that He would do all of that for me. I can't grasp it. But I never want to stop trying.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you never quite seems to cover all that you have done for me. You gave your very life for me so that someday I could come spend eternity with you. Daily you forgive my faults and errors, loving me more than I can ever imagine. The greatness of your grace and mercy and love astounds me and confounds me. I give you my thanks and my very life to use for your will and glory. I love you my Lord and Savior, my King of Kings and Lord of Lords and I can't wait to spend eternity with you.
Amen
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