Jan16

#shineforHim

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#shineforHim

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

I am the mother of a seven year old girl and eleven year old boy. They are very different from each other. One breezes through academically while the other has to work harder to succeed at school. One goes with the flow while the other pushes the limits. The list could go on and on about their differences which make them unique. My goal as a parent is to mesh those differences into a loving Christian family. Some days I am successful and some days are a complete flop. Usually I flop because I am doing my own thing and not asking God for guidance. Thankfully on those days that I flop, I can ask God to help me straighten it out and when I listen He will lead me.

Each morning as we get into the car to go to school, my children and I read a devotion together in the driveway. Some mornings we are rushed and our moods are negative, but we still read our devotion together because those are the days we need it most. It seems we always read just the right words for that day. I then lead my children in a prayer for our day. I always include in the prayer, “Lord, help us to be more like Jesus in the ways we speak to and treat others. Help us be an example so others will want to learn more about you.”

I try to instill in my children that others are always watching how we act and react to others and our actions and words can be a light that shines for Jesus. Likewise, I am an example in my home. My actions and reactions show my family how I am allowing Christ to shape me. It has occurred to me that often, inside my home, I lash out at my family and act most un-Christlike. My home is the place God has planted me to grow other Christians first hand. It is my responsibility to truly shine for Him at home; not just in the outside world.

This week, my goal as a mom is to be ever mindful of my actions and reactions with my family. May all that I say and do be a reflection of Christ’s work in me. Being a parent is no easy job. Being a Christian parent is not easier, but praise God I am not alone on my journey. Christ is by my side. I must look to Him daily for guidance and direction. He will lead the way…I just have to follow. As I follow His path this week, may I shine for Him so that my family may see His presence and want to learn more about Him.

– Deborah Ard –

 

#Prayer #Salt

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for choosing us, your creation to be Holy and blameless in your sight Eph 1:4.

You say we are the salt of the earth, but to keep our saltiness we must continually seek you.

You say we are the light of the world, a city that cannot be hid, but we must let that light shine for others to see

your good works in us that you will be glorified Mat 5:13-16.

I desire more of you and less of me Jn 3:30.

I desire your wisdom in my daily challenges my world presents so that I may make the most of every

opportunity as a mother and your disciple.

Let my conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt,

so that I may know how to answer everyone Col 4:5-6.

Show me your ways and teach me your paths Psa 25:4.

When I am weak your strength and power are made perfect in my weakness 2 Cor 12:9.

In the name of Jesus Amen

-Julie Wicker-

Worship with us, click here to hear Salt & Light by Lauren Daigle

Nov29

#TODAY

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Heavenly Father,
Today I will let go of my past, putting off my old mindset. Instead I will be made new, having a Christlike attitude Eph 4:22-24. I will be diligent in my work, giving myself wholly. I will make progress! I will persevere! I will be a witness to those around me 1 Tim 4:15-16. I offer my body to you today as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to you. I will not conform to the patterns of this world but I will be transformed by the renewing of my mind. I will testify to your perfect Will Rom 12: 1-2. As I submit myself to you, I will resist the devil and he will have no choice but to flee Jam 4:7. Everything is possible because I believe Mark 9:23. I will not grow weary in doing what is good! I will not give up! And at the right time I will receive my reward Gal 6:9. As I consecrate myself today, You will do amazing things all around me Josh 3:5.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost AMEN!

_

Julie Wicker

Nov29

Am I Coachable?

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My son plays baseball. He loves baseball. He is passionate about baseball and sometimes he thinks he knows everything about baseball. I often remind him that it is important to remain coachable-capable of being easily taught and trained to do something better.
This makes me ponder. Does God view me as coachable? Do I humble myself and allow God to teach and train me to do something better? I love learning. I like hearing new insights and taking notes. But, do I allow God’s words to teach and train me? At the baseball field, I often hear coaches telling pitchers to follow through. Do I follow through? When I hear God’s words and take notes about it, do I then follow through? Do I change from His word and apply His message in my words and actions?
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly or the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. “Psalm 1:1-6
I want to be coachable. I want to be a tree which yields fruit and whose leaves do not wither. I want to prosper for God. What about you? Are you presenting yourself to God as coachable? Are you ready to learn and apply His word for you today? God wants for us to not only hear his word and read His word, but to also learn and grow from His word. He wants us to be changed by His word. And as a result, we should be living our lives in a way that exemplifies His word.

Prayer: Dear Lord, open my eyes and ears to your words for me today. May I be humble and yielding to your message and may I apply your word in the way I live out my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15

May you feel His presence today as you present yourself to learn!

—
Deborah P. Ard