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This is not a part of the devotional, but it’s been eating at my heart lately because, well, Mother’s Day is coming and I can’t help but wonder what if. . . . I had to get it on paper and, since I wrote it, I figured I may as well share it. I pray it touches someone.
Dreading Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day, 1997. I am lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. I hear my husband in the shower. I know I should get up, but can’t move.
“God, I’m not going to church today. They’re going to try to give me some hokey gift. And there’s going to be those stupid contests: Who has the most children? Who has the oldest children? Who’s children traveled farthest to be with her today?
“What about: Who’s the worst mother in the world because she can’t keep a baby alive for more than ten weeks? Where’s the prize for the most miscarriages? Now there’s one I could win.
“I’m not going. Someone else can teach Children’s Church or they can sit with their precious mothers. I’m staying home.”
God, in his loving, smack-me-into-obedience voice said, “You will go because you have a responsibility and you will keep your word. And I have given you the 30 children in that church. You are their spiritual mother. Go take care of them.”
I dragged myself out of bed and spent five minutes staring at my closet trying to decide what to wear. By the time I got myself together we were too late for me to sneak in past the gift givers.
Pastor’s wife caught me as I walked in the door. She thrust a pot of violets into my hands. “Happy Mother’s Day.”
“I’m not a mother.”
“But you represent motherhood.”
Right, sister. I’m not going to stand here and argue with you. I took the pot, muttered thanks, took off down the hall, and deposited the gift on the first table I passed. Someone else can have two.
I was setting up chairs in my room when Rueben came running up to me waving a piece of paper. “Here, Miss Debbie, this is for you.”
It was a picture of him and me with some flowers. Printed across the top in his very best 5-year-old writing, it said, “Happy Mother’s Day.” That picture holds a permanent place in my keepsakes.
*********
The following Mother’s Day, I was pregnant – again. The next month, I miscarried – for the third time. My husband was on a business trip when it happened so I was home alone. Oh, so alone. I knew it was coming because, just as before, I went in for the first appointment and there was no heartbeat. Two weeks later, again, no heartbeat. The ultrasound revealed the whole truth. This child, too, had quit developing. But I couldn’t help but hoping that somehow, the doctor was wrong. Until he was proved right. “God! How can you keep doing this to me! If you don’t want me to have children, don’t let me get pregnant!”
Gently, he spoke again to my heart, “The next one, you will hold.”
I knew the voice, and knew I should trust, but the pain was too great. “Okay, but don’t let me find out until the heart is beating.”
Three month after that last miscarriage, my cycles still hadn’t regulated, so I hauled myself back to the doctor. Michelle, the PA, said she could put me on the pill to help my body normalize, but first she wanted to do an ultrasound. Off to the skimpy paper gown for me, then the ultra sound. And a heartbeat. A strong heartbeat.
They monitored that baby closely for the first three months. She developed normally, and was born June 6, 1999. She was followed by her sisters in 2001, 2002, and 2005. All just alike as four peas in a pod.
My oldest knows her story, and often asks me to tell it. She is our child of promise, our reminder of hope, that no matter how hard things get, God is not finished.
Why did we miscarry the first three? I don’t know. Maybe so I would have a place in my heart for infertile couples, so I can know how to grieve with them.
As the years progressed and I busied myself with the others, the pain lessened. But every year, Mother’s Day has an empty moment, where I remember my three who no longer are: my Donna Marie, Rueben Daniel, and Doxa Christi.
Mamma love you, my dears.
Reference:
Jennifer Saake has written a wonderful book, Hannah’s Hope, for couples dealing with the pain child loss due to infertility, miscarriage, adoption loss, or death in early infancy. You can find her book at http://hannahshopebook.com and an online support community at http://www.hannah.org
We pray you are abundantly blessed as you learn from God’s Word this week. Block out a portion of each day to meditate on His Word and allow it to take root in your life. If you take time to write out your answers, you will enjoy deeper insight and create a journal of your spiritual journey.
If you would like to download this post to journal and save or to share with a friend, click here: A Good and Faithful Servant
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This week’s passage focuses on A Good and Faithful Servant. What does God require of His servants and what does that look like?
Scripture
Luke 17:7-10
“Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ “
Sunday
Pray: Lord, as I meditate on Your Word today, help me see You in a way I never have before. Help me see this portion of Your Word in a new light. Drive it deep into my soul so it becomes an integral part of my life.
Spend several minutes meditating on Luke 17:7-10. Consider it phrase-by-phrase. Write down key words or phrases that seem to “jump out” at you and any insights you receive from God.
Monday
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. . . .
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:3-5, 12-17
Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23
No one said the Christian life would be easy. Jesus, Himself, promised troubles. But we can rest knowing that whatever problems we face, they are for our growth.
Often, Christ requires difficult things of us – impossible things, outside of His power. But, when we learn to trust Him and follow Him, we grow and learn and better reflect His glory.
What does Jesus require of His servants? How faithful are you in that service?
Pray: Lord, help me to serve as you served. Give me power to love as you love.
Tuesday
As a family, in anticipation of the theater release of Prince Caspian, we are reading the book by the same title. At one point, Aslan sends Peter and Edmund into the How where they overhear a disturbing conversation that ends in a battle.
When the dust has settled, High King Peter greets each of the survivors, thanking them for their faithfulness. His last greeting is to Trufflehunter, the badger. I’ll quote from the book:
“Best of badgers,” [Peter] said. “You never doubted us all through.”
“No credit to me, Majesty,” said Trufflehunter. “I am a beast and we don’t change. I’m a badger, what’s more, and we hold on.”(1)
Trufflehunter had never doubted help would come and seemed to know that it would be in the help of the Kings and Queens from the past. Even when all seemed hopeless and everyone mocked her for her faithfulness, the badger never quit believing. But when thanked, she had one response: I only did what I needed to do.
That is how we should be. We serve because we are commanded to and because we love our Master. When it is time to be in His presence, we first serve Him through our worship, then we may, ourselves be fed.
If we are faithful, in the end, He will say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:21,23
Our response will be, “I only did what You required of me. Thank You for allowing me to serve.”
What does the Lord require of you today? How faithful are you in responding with thankful obedience?
Pray: Lord, soften my heart to Your ways. Cause me always to respond, always with “Yes, Lord,” and immediate obedience.
(1) Prince Caspian C.S.Lewis © 1951, 1979 Harper Trophy
Wednesday
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40
I admit it: I am a 21st century American capitalist. I like having the ability to choose my own job, establish my own business, and run it how I want (within legal and ethical bounds, of course). I also like keeping (most of) the money I make.
The thought of working all day, then turning around and waiting on someone else while I’m tired and hungry, flies in the face of the me-first generation I grew up in. But then I became a Mom.
Babies don’t care if you’ve just worked all day. When they’re hungry, they want fed. They don’t care if you’ve already washed four loads of laundry. If they are wet, they want changed – and into dry clothes, thank-you-very-much. If you are tired and they are not, guess who wins the sleep-depravation battle. But we do it, lovingly, because we love the child.
The master in Luke 17 probably had done some work during the day – but more than likely, not nearly the level of physical labor required of the servant. Yet, when the servant arrived at the house in the evening, he had to prepare supper and serve the master before he, himself, could eat.
It would be good for us to learn to love and serve each other in the same way. What if, when you got home, you saw the floor needed vacuuming – and pulled out the vacuum instead of waiting for your spouse to do so. What would happen if, when the local body of believers needed someone to help in the nursery (or youth), there were several volunteers eager to serve their Lord? What would happen if we put the needs of our family and the Kingdom of Christ above our own feelings and desires? What would our world look like?
In what areas is God stretching you for better service?
Pray: Lord, give me an overwhelming love for those around me, so it is a pleasure to serve them. Help me see my service to them as a reflection of my love for You.
Thursday
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
It’s not always easy to show love. But God requires it.
Some days, when I’m feeling selfish, I don’t want to serve. I don’t want to forgive. I don’t want to trust or believe. I want to give up. But God requires it.
In another section of Prince Caspian, Aslan has just shown himself to Lucy and told her to follow him. She, also, must tell the others to follow her. Since they cannot see her, and she is the youngest, they were rather rude and reluctant to follow. But she must do as the Lion has commanded.
“Lucy went first, biting her lip and trying not to say all the thins she thought of saying to Susan. But she forgot them when she fixed her eyes on Aslan. He turned and walked a slow pace about thirty yards ahead of them. . . .
He led them to the right of the dancing trees – whether they were dancing nobody knew, for Lucy had her eyes on the lion and the rest had their eyes on Lucy.” (1)
Aslan required her to follow. She did, and as she focused on Him, the pains and distractions fell away. And, in the end, it worked out best.
Where is your focus? What things do you need to forget as you fix your eyes on the Lion of the Tribe of Judah?
Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to stay focused on You and the task you have required. Not for fame, fortune, or reward, but for the joy of serving You and doing what You require.
(1) Prince Caspian C.S.Lewis © 1951, 1979 Harper Trophy
Friday
Review your journaling for this past week. What themes run throughout your thoughts?
Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me _________________________________________ (You fill in the blank.) Show me how You want me to grow.
Record His answer in your journal.
Saturday
Spend some time in focused prayer today, reflecting on the requirements of a Servant of Christ.
Pray: Thank you, Lord Jesus for choosing me before the creation of the world and calling me to be your servant. Keep me faithful, not out of duty or guilt, but out of love for you.
We pray you are abundantly blessed as you learn from God’s Word this week. Block out a portion of your day, each day, to meditate on His Word and allow it to take root in your life. If you take time to write out your answers, you will enjoy deeper insight and create a journal of your spiritual journey.
If you would like to download this post to journal and save or to share with a friend, click here: See the Glory of God
If you prefer to read on-line, read on.
Did you know you can receive new posts via email? Just click the link on the left. And we promise we will never share your info with anyone.
This week’s passage focuses on Seeing the Glory of God. God puts us in difficult places sometimes, because, in the dark, His Love shines brightest.
Volume 1 Issue 6
Scripture
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Sunday
Pray: Lord, as I meditate on Your Word today, help me see You in a way I never have before. Help me see this portion of Your Word in a new light. Drive it deep into my soul so it becomes an integral part of my life.
Spend several minutes meditating on John 11:38-44. Consider it phrase-by-phrase. Write down key words or phrases that seem to “jump out” at you and any insights you receive from God.
Monday
Jesus was near the Jordan River, two days’ journey from Bethany, though the journey probably took longer for Jesus, given that he had to push through crowds to go anywhere.
After he received the message that Lazarus was sick, he waited two days before leaving. When he arrived, Lazarus had been buried four days.
What must Mary and Martha have thought when Lazarus died then their messenger returned without Jesus? I’m sure they had doubts: Did Jesus really love them? Did He love Lazarus? Is He really the Son of God? Why didn’t He know to come even without the messenger?
Both sisters sum up their feelings in their shared greeting, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”
Verses 4 and 40 tell us Jesus’ motive for delaying: “Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
God is an “on time” God. He does not work in our timetable, but always answers at just the right time to increase our faith and show His Glory.
For what miracle are you waiting? Or have you been waiting and just received?
Pray: Jesus, help me to trust You when my life doesn’t go the way I think it should and when You don’t respond in my timetable. Even when all hope seems gone, cause me to continue to trust in You.
Tuesday
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Mary knew Jesus could heal Lazarus. She even knew Jesus could raise him from the dead. But she was stuck in the visible. She desperately needed to see the Glory, but her faith could not break through the fog of grief and confusion.
What is blocking you from seeing the glory of God in your life?
Pray: Lord, I want to see your Glory, but all I can see right now are my circumstances. I know you can heal and deliver, but my heart is weary. Help me in my unbelief.
Wednesday
Martha knew God the Father would give Jesus whatever He asked (John 11:22) She knew He would bring Lazarus back to life.
She also knew he wouldn’t smell so good. (v. 39)
Jesus reminded her she was focusing on the wrong thing.
When we focus on the “smell of the dead,” we miss the point.
Do you want to see the glory of God? Can you put up with a little inconvenience to see His glory? Or are we going to let a bad smell keep us from it?
What things in your life have a “bad odor”? Are you focusing on them, or allowing your praises to rise like a fragrant offering to our Lord?
Pray:
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.Take my will, and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.By: Frances R. Havergal, Take My Life and Let It Be
Thursday
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Luke 2:9
We often talk about the glory of God? But what does that mean?
As in Luke 2, God’s glory is often signified by a great light. But is that His glory?
Not to the full extent. You might say dynamite is a big noise. And, to some degree, you would be speaking the truth. But there’s more to it than that. Just as there’s more to God’s glory than appears when He shows up.
The NASB Topical Index says, “The terms for glory in both the OT and NT (Heb. kabod and Gr. doxa) are used of the honor and praise due a person of worthy reputation because of position, power, and riches. Such glory ultimately belongs only to God since He alone is worthy.” (1)
So, if I’m reading that right, God’s glory is a display of his power, position, and riches. He certainly displayed that at Lazarus’ tomb. Where might He display it in your life?
Pray: Jesus Christ, display Your unconquerable power, position as King of All, and unending riches in my life. Let me be a reflection of Your glory.
(1)
The NASB Topical Index. 1998 (electronic ed.). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Friday
Review your journaling for this past week. What themes run throughout your thoughts?
Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me Your glory. Show me how I can be a better reflection of You.
Record His answer here:
Saturday
Spend some time in focused prayer today, reflecting on Christ’s faithful, eternal mercy and love.
Pray: Thank you, Lord Jesus for loving me before the creation of the world. Thank you for showering me with Your mercy. Cause Your love to overflow into these areas of my life:
We pray you are abundantly blessed as you learn from God’s Word this week. Block out a portion of your day, each day, to meditate on His Word and allow it to take root in your life. If you take time to write out your answers, you will enjoy deeper insight and create a journal of your spiritual journey.
Here is the download you can print and journal or share: Vol 1 Issue 5: His Love Endures Forever
Or, if you’d rather view it online, read on.
Did you know you can receive new posts via email? Just click the link on the left. And we promise we will never share your info with anyone.
This week’s passage focuses on God’s eternal faithfulness. As you let the assurance of God’s love become real to you, allow it to flow abundantly to those God places in your path this week.
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.23 to the One who remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us from our enemies,
His love endures forever.
25 and who gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
Sunday
Pray: Lord, as I meditate on Your Word today, help me see You in a way I never have before. Help me see this portion of Your Word in a new light. Drive it deep into my soul so it becomes an integral part of my life.
Spend several minutes meditating on Psalm 136:1-3 and 23-26. Consider it phrase-by-phrase. Write down key words or phrases that seem to “jump out” at you and any insights you receive from God.
Monday
Read all of Psalm 136. What character qualities does the author attribute to God? What works of God does the author remind his readers? What does God continue to do?
Which of His character qualities has God demonstrated to you? How? What has God done in the past for you? For your ancestors? What is God presently doing for your family?
Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for your faithfulness to me. You have shown your abundant love in many ways. Help me, Lord, to continually honor You for what You have done and for who You are.
Tuesday
Psalm 136 is a reader-response song. The cantor would sing a line, the congregation would respond with the phrase “His love endures forever.” Throughout the Psalm, the congregation praised God for His character, His sovereignty, what He has made and done, and what He continues to do.
The Hebrew word translated “love” in the NIV is chesed (pronounced hess-id). It is one of those words that cannot easily be translated from one language to another. It encompasses a variety of meanings including loving-kindness, mercy, faithfulness, and loyalty-kindness. In some places where this word is used throughout the Hebrew scriptures, there is an idea of covenant relationship (unbreakable bond) implied.
When and in what ways has God shown His chesed to you?
Pray: Precious Lord, thank you for your unfailing, eternal love. Thank you for placing Your love deep in my life through Christ Jesus. Cause that love to shine through to everyone around me.
Wednesday
Legacy. Webster defines legacy as: “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past .”
Psalm 136 trasmits a legacy of trust in an ever-loving God. The author recalls the mighty way the Lord created the world, chose Israel, then delivered them from their enemies and guided them to their inheritance. Throughout the entire recollection, we are constantly reminded that “His love endures forever.”
Do your children know of their Godly heritage? Do they know who in their family has served God, and in what ways? Do they know the ways God has miraculously provided for your family? Are you building in them a trust in a God whose love is victorious today, and will continue forever?
Write a refrain of your own, recalling God’s faithfulness to you and your family. When you are finished, share it with your children.
Pray: Lord, I pray you will guide me in building for my children a legacy of faith and trust in your eternal, unfailing love.
Thursday
We should be convinced by now that God’s love lasts forever. I find this knowledge very assuring. I know, whatever I do, God will love me. He loved me so much He sent His Son to die so He could be in relationship with me. He placed the fullness of His Son in me so I have all His power (Colossians 2:9). My responsibility then, as a bearer of that fullness is to allow it to shine through me to everyone God puts in my life.
Read Ephesians 5:21-33. Does your love for your spouse follow these Godly mandates and demonstrate an everlasting covenant?
Read Matthew 15:1-9. Do you honor your parents as Christ commanded? Does your love for your parents? (Yes, adult children must continue to honor their parents, too.)
Read Colossians 3:21. Do you love your children with a patient, understanding, everlasting love? Do you, in your relationship with them, accurately portray the Father-heart of God?
Read Luke 6:32-36. Do you love your enemies as Christ has loved you? Maybe you think you don’t have enemies. Think about these people: the lady down the street who yells at your children, the person at church who constantly complains, the young man next door who blasts his car stereo at 1:00 A.M., the people who are making war and slanderous remarks against your God and your country?
Pray: Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for Your unfailing love that You have given to me. Cause it to grow and shine bright, blotting out any bitterness, anger, or hate I have for the people I’ve listed above. Let me be a true representation of your everlasting love.
Friday
Review your journaling for this past week. What themes run throughout your thoughts? How has God shown you His faithful love? In what ways do you represent His mercy to others? In what areas do you need to grow in love?
Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me just how faithful You are. Forgive me, Lord, for the times I have been selfish and kept that love inside me, instead of letting it shine. Show me how You want me to change.
Record His answer in your journal.
Saturday
Spend some time in focused prayer today, reflecting on Christ’s faithful, eternal mercy and love.
Pray: Thank you, Lord Jesus for loving me before the creation of the world. Thank you for showering me with Your mercy. Cause Your love to overflow into these areas of my life:
Here is the download you can print and journal or share: Volume 1 Issue 3: Rooted and Established
Or, if you’d rather read online, read on.
Did you know you can receive new posts via email. Just click the link on the left. And I promise I will never share your info with anyone.
Rooted and Establised
We pray you are abundantly blessed as you learn from God’s Word this week. Block out a portion of your day, each day to meditate on His Word and allow it to take root in your life. If you take time to write out your answers, you will enjoy deeper insight and create a journal of your spiritual journey.
This week’s passage focuses on establishing our lives in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that out of his [the Father's] glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Sunday
Pray: Lord, as I meditate on Your Word today, help me see You in a way I never have before. Help me see this portion of Your Word in a new light. Drive it deep into my soul so it becomes an integral part of my life.
Spend several minutes meditating on Ephesians 3:16-19. Consider it phrase-by-phrase. Write down key words or phrases that seem to “jump out” at you and any insights you receive from God. Record you thoughts in your journal.
Monday
As I was meditating on this section, I had to ask myself, “What are the ‘glorious riches’ of God?”
My thoughts first went to Colossians 1:27 “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” But, I didn’t want to make any hasty declarations, so I searched some. I found this wonderful passage in The Believers Bible Commentary. I’ll just copy the whole section.
We cannot help but be struck by the vastness of Paul’s request: That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory. He is going to ask that the saints might be spiritually strengthened. But to what extent? Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown answer: “in abundance, consonant to the riches of His glory; not ‘according to’ the narrowness of our hearts.” Preachers often point out that there is a difference between the expressions “out of the riches” and according to the riches. A wealthy person might give a trifling amount; it would be out of his riches, but not in proportion to them! Paul asks that God will give strength according to the riches of His perfections. Since the Lord is infinitely rich in glory, let the saints get ready for a deluge! Why should we ask so little of so great a King? When someone asked a tremendous favor of Napoleon it was immediately granted because, said Napoleon, “He honored me by the magnitude of his request.”
Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much.
-John Newton
MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Eph 3:16). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
And it is in proportion to this glory that Paul asks the Father to strengthen us so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. We have no reason to be afraid.
More about “dwelling” tomorrow.
Do you have faith to ask the Father for great things? Do you believe He will overflow you with His strength? As you think about these questions, record your thougths in your journal.
Pray: Heavenly Father, strengthen with Your power, according to Your glorious riches, so that Your Son may feel at home in my heart, and that I might comprehend Your wondrous love.
Tuesday
Ephesians 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Dwelling: The Greek words used here actually mean “to feel at home” or “to settle down.”
As I pulled into my best friend’s driveway, I noticed she had another visitor. We were supposed to be meeting to make a delivery dinner together. When I entered her house, I saw she was working with a member of our church, so met me at the door then went back to her meeting.
I didn’t want to interrupt the meeting, but we were on a tight schedule. I had been in her home multiple times and knew where everything was in the kitchen, so got to work. I felt at home.
However, I promise you, if I needed something from her bedroom, I would not have gone rummaging through her personals to find it. I didn’t feel that much at home.
How “at home” is Christ in your life? Are there closets that you deny Him access to? Or does He have free reign? Have you given Him everything so when He says, “Go,” you leave, and when He says, “Give” you obey without argument?
Pray: Lord Jesus, be at home in my heart. Reveal to me any area of my life that I have not given you access to, and strengthen me with Your power to submit to You in all areas.
Wednesday
Ephesians 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
Rooted is an agricultural term. I’m planting my garden right now (The joys of living along the Gulf Coast.) One of the other joys of living along the Gulf Coast is there are two type of soil: clay or sand. (We happen to have clay.) However, as my plants grow, it is important that their roots are established in rich soil – not too much clay or they will get too wet and rot, not too much sand or they won’t have the nutrients they need. I have spent the past week gathering supplies and building garden boxes that I will fill with the “perfect” soil so my plants can grow strong and healthy.
We derive our life from God. Isaiah 61:3b says we are “called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” And just as my seeds must be planted in rich soil, our spiritual roots, also, must begin in the Love of Christ. For if I “have not love, I am nothing.” (I Corinthians 13:2)
Tomorrow we’ll talk about being “established.”
With what are you nurturing your soul? Are you showing the fruits of a life rooted in Love?
Pray: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for pouring out Your love in my life. Help me to constantly nurture my spirit with it and, in turn, overflow into the lives of others.
Reference: Moule, H C G. Studies in Ephesians Kregel Publisher
Thursday
Ephesians 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
Established is an architectural word. It talks of the foundation, specifically referring to the temple and its bases, we are stones of the great temple, “with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” (Ephesians 2:20)
When we bought our home, one of the things we had examined was the foundation. Was it solid, or was it cracking? Once a foundation begins to crack, the whole house becomes unstable. If that happens, the owners have two choices: destroy the house or spend several thousand dollars repairing the foundation. What causes the foundation to crack? I’m glad you asked. If the ground under the foundation is unstable, the house will settle. All houses will settle some, but if the ground shifts too much, the foundation cannot bear the strain and will crack.
Back to the joys of South Texas clay soil: When it is dry – it is DRY. Rock-hard. Cracked. And – important for our topic today – contracted. But, give us an hour or two of torrential rain, the ground becomes saturated and soggy. And it expands. The constant contraction and expansion of the soil year after year makes our homes’ foundations especially vulnerable to cracking. So how do we combat it? We water our houses. Yep! We encircle the house with a soaker hose and keep the ground constantly saturated.
So, what does this have to do with Ephesians 3:17? Our lives must be founded on Jesus Christ – through daily prayer and Bible study. And we must be saturated in His love to keep our foundation strong.
How is your Foundation? What are you doing to keep it firm?
Pray: Lord Jesus, saturate me with Your love, and set the foundation of my life firmly on You, that I may know You and reveal Your Glory to all around me.
Reference: Moule, H C G. Studies in Ephesians Kregel Publisher
Friday
Paul was great at interrupting himself. It allowed him to add great insight into short space, but can sometimes make for difficult reading. Hopefully, you have already done so, but allow me to pull out some clauses to focus on one sentence.
Starting in the middle of verse 17: And I pray that you. . . may have power. . . to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
And how do we have this power? Because of He has poured out His glorious riches, so Christ is at home in our lives, so we are rooted and established in Love.
But why do we have this power? So we can know the knowledge-surpassing love of Christ Jesus.
I know about the ocean – I’ve swam both the Atlantic and the Pacific, and several bays, gulfs, and straits, too. And I’ve read several books about the ocean. But get my girls asking me questions, and I have about five minutes before they exhaust my knowledge. There’s just too much to know.
This is Paul’s prayer for us: that we would know (by experience) that which is too vast to fully know. But take time to allow God to engulf you with His great Love, and be filled to the measure of all His fullness. The more He dwells in you, the better you know Him, the fuller of Him you become, so the more He dwells in you.
Review your journaling for this past week. What themes run throughout your thoughts? How well do you know Christ Jesus? In what ways are you growing in Him?
Pray: Lord, engulf me in Your love so that I learn, day by day, more about You so I may overflow with your fullness.
Saturday
Spend some time in focused prayer today, reflecting on God’s riches and Christ’s love and the power we, therefore, have.
Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for rooting and establishing my life in You. Show me how You want me to grow and know You better. Record His answer in your journal
I finally figured out what I was doing wrong with the uploads. Here are Issues 1 and 2 for you to download, print, and use as a journal or share with your friends.
Blessings!
Volume 1 Issue 2: The Love of God
We pray you are abundantly blessed as you learn from God’s Word this week. Block out a portion of your day, each day to meditate on His Word and allow it to take root in your life. If you take time to write out your answers, you will enjoy deeper insight and create a journal of your spiritual journey.
This week’s passage focuses on the love of God.
If you would like to sign up to receive To Every Generation through e-mail click on the link to the left. I’m having problems with the download function, but hope to have it resolved soon.
Scripture
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Sunday
Pray: Lord, as I meditate on Your Word today, help me see You in a way I never have before. Help me see this portion of Your Word in a new light. Drive it deep into my soul so it becomes an integral part of my life.
Spend several minutes meditating on 1 John 4:7-12. Consider it phrase-by-phrase. In your journal, write down key words or phrases that seem to “jump out” at you and any insights you receive from God.
Monday
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Last week we discussed the Mind of Christ. This week we are discussing the love of God. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, keeping in mind your thoughts from 1 John 4 and Phillipians 2.
How does Jesus show His love? How do you show His love to your family? Friends? Co-workers? Jot down in your journal areas you succeed in showing God’s love and areas you need to grow.
Pray: Lord Jesus, cause me to be faithful to Your love. Open my heart to forgive, trust, and serve.
Tuesday
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10
Many have likened the love of God to a man rushing into the street to toss a toddler out of the way of an oncoming car – only to be hit himself.
I don’t believe this is an accurate analogy. God not only gave himself, he sacrificed his own son. I see it more like this:
Jason sat back in the boat, dangling his line in the water. He watched the two young boys, his son, Andrew and his friend Timothy, jostle around on the other end of the boat. No way fish are going to bite with all that ruckus. But he didn’t care. They were all enjoying themselves.
Timothy jabbed Andrew in the ribs. The shock sent Andrew to his feet and the sudden movement capsized the boat.
As soon as Jason’s head broke the surface of the water, he began looking for the boys. Neither could swim and both had shed their life jackets. “It’s just not, cool, Dad.”
They bobbed to the surface at the same time, a good three yards from the boat. They flailed their arms, trying to keep their heads above water.
Andrew had accepted Christ as his savior the previous summer. As far as Jason knew, Timmy was unsaved. With only a moment’s hesitation, he dove toward Timmy and wrestled him back onto the boat.
By the time he went back for Andrew, it was too late. Rescuers pulled his body from the water later that evening.
Reflect for a moment on all Christ has given you. His love is so vast, His blessing innumerable. I challenge you to, in your journal, make a list of 100 things God has blessed you with.
Pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your abundant blessings that you richly pour out on me, Your precious child. Thank You, especially, for the gift of salvation, without which all your other blessings would be meaningless.
Wednesday
A short Greek study
There are four words in the Greek language for “love.”
Stergein is a love that has its basis in one’s own nature. It is the love of parents for children and children for parents, of husband for wife and wife for husband, of close relations one for another. It is found in the animal world in the love which the animal has for its offspring.
Eran is a love that has its basis in passion, and its expression takes the form of a blind impulse produced by passion. It is not found in the New Testament.
Philein is a love that has its basis in pleasurableness. This is an unimpassioned love, a friendly love. The one loving finds a reflection of his own nature in the person or thing loved. The Greeks made much of friendship, and this word was used by them to designate this form of mutual attraction.
Agapan, the word used throughout our passage this week, is a love that has its basis in preciousness, a love called out of one’s heart by an awakened sense of value in the object loved that causes one to prize it. It is a love that recognizes the worthiness of the object loved.
In contrasting philein and agapan, we might say that the former is a love of pleasure, the latter a love of preciousness; the former a love of delight, the latter a love of esteem. In the New Testament, agapan is used 320 times, where philein is used 45 times. The emphasis is clearly on the love God has for us because of the value He places on His creation.
Adapted from: Wuest, Kenneth S.: Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English Reader. Grand Rapids : Eerdmans, 1997, c1984, S. Bypaths in the Greek New Testament: p.109-124
Spend some time with your journal, praying and answering the following: When do you demonstrate each of these different kinds of love? Which of these is easier for you to show?
Pray: Father, show me the true value of those around me, so I can be a vessel of your agape love.
Thursday
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:11-12
Why is it so easy to love strangers, but terribly hard to consistently extend that love to my own family?
For example: I was at the grocery store. A lady pulled an orange from the display and created an avalanche. I sympathized with her and helped her collect the fruit.
Back home, however, one of the children dropped a box of beads. I rolled my eyes, sucked my teeth, and sighed. “Why can’t you be more careful!”
I wouldn’t dream of reacting that way to the stranger – who was old enough to notice the precarious position of the oranges. But when it’s my child – who is still figuring out physics and cause-and-effect – where is my grace and patience?
Am I alone? Or do you struggle with the same issues? If you’re with me, write a prayer of repentance and a petition for God’s help.
Pray: Father help me show the same love to my family that I do to my friends and strangers. Cause me to walk in grace and mercy, to lovingly train my children to follow Your footsteps.
Friday
Review your journaling for this past week. What themes run throughout your thoughts?
Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me Your Great Love. Show me how You would have me to Love more like You.
Record His answer in your journal.
Saturday
Spend some time in focused prayer today, reflecting on Christ’s faithful, eternal mercy and love.
Pray: Thank you, Lord Jesus for loving me before the creation of the world. Thank you for showering me with Your mercy. Cause Your love to overflow into these areas of my life: (record in your journal)
Welcome! We’re glad you have found us. We’ll be working with formatting as we go along, so your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Below, you will find a scripture passage with suggestions for each day of the week. For convenience, they are labeled Sunday – Saturday. If your schedule works better on a different pattern, you are certainly free to adapt it to fit your needs.
All links *should* open in a new window. Simply close the window to return here. If you prefer to download this study to your computer, click on the following link for the Microsoft Word file: Vol 1 Issue 1: The Attitude of Christ
We pray you are abundantly blessed as you learn from God’s Word this week. Block out a portion of your day, each day to meditate on His Word and allow it to take root in your life. If you take time to write out your answers, you will enjoy deeper insight and create a journal of your spiritual journey.
This week’s passage focuses on the attitude of Christ. As you study this week, begin looking for ways you can demonstrate Christ’s attitude to the people around you. As you determine to bless those around you, Christ, in turn can, and will, bless you with many blessings.
Scripture Passage:
3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Sunday
Pray: Lord, as I meditate on Your Word today, help me see You in a way I never have before. Help me see this portion of Your Word in a new light. Drive it deep into my soul so it becomes an integral part of my life.
Spend several minutes meditating on Philippians 2:3-11. Consider it phrase-by-phrase. In a notebook, write down key words or phrases that seem to “jump out” at you and any insights you receive from God.
Monday
The Admonition Verses 3 and 4 are an attitude see-saw: up with you and down with me – selfish ambition and focused on myself vs. God’s way, in humility, seeing myself as your servant and wanting to do those things that interest you. Compare Philippians 2:3-4 with Acts 4:32-5:10. Record your thoughts in your journal.
The Attitude Verse 5shows us the same mind, the same attitude, as Christ is the key to servanthood. It is the opposite of selfishness as the following verses illustrate. Write a few comments in your journal as you compare Hebrews 12:2-3 with Philippians 2:5.
The Action In verses 6 – 8, we see that Jesus humbled himself to become a servant, from Deity to die for us – not refusing to do that which would cost everything, because of His Love – just as we are now to do the same for our spouses. Read Ephesians 5:25-27 and relate it to Jesus’ attitude in Philippians 2:6-8.
The Aftermath There is one thing more certain than death or taxes – Every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! No other name will be exalted – for all that we have done is through Him, with Him, and in Him to the glory of God the Father! Read Colossians 1:15-20 while thinking about the results of Christ’s obedience, recorded in Philippians 2:9-11. Write your thoughts in your journal.
Pray: Lord Jesus, I thank you that you have shown me the way to glory leads through being your servant and that though we may suffer for a short time, our suffering is not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us!
Tuesday
“Well, that’s just me. I have an attitude!”
Have you ever heard anyone say that? My mom did one day as she was correcting my niece about her sassy mouth. Mom, in her own quiet wisdom replied, “Yes, you do. Everyone does. And you can choose to have a sassy, ugly attitude. Or, you can choose to have a pleasant, happy attitude. The choice it yours.”
One of the points that struck me as I was reading this week’s passage was that Jesus had an attitude. He had an attitude of humility. He had an attitude of a servant. He had an attitude of submission. And we are instructed to have that same attitude.
I love the following quote by F.B. Meyer:
“I used to think that God’s gifts were on shelves one above the other, and that the taller we grew in Christian character the more easily we could reach them. I now find that God’s gifts are on shelves one beneath the other and that it is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower.” (1)
You, too, have an attitude. What type of attitude do you choose? What does your attitude reflect? In what ways do you reflect Christ? In what areas does your attitude need some adjustment?
Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to have the same attitude as you. Help me to be an example of service, humility, and submission. Show me ways I can stoop lower to serve my family.
-
Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1991). With the Word Bible Commentary(electronic ed.) (Php 2:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Wednesday
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death-
even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8 (NIV)
Wow! How often do I serve my family that in the way Christ has served me? Servanthood is not easy. Flesh gets in the way and screams, “What about me?” But this selfishness directly opposes God who says, “Consider others better than yourselves” (v.3).
Jesus considered us this way. He did not say, “I am God, I don’t need to do that.” Or “This is a thankless job. I quit.” Or “I deserve better than this.” No, He led us in obedience to the Father, reached inside Himself and gave all.
What do you do when you have worked all day and come home to a messy house? What do you do when you need help with a situation, but your spouse is focused on another project? What do you do when the children are noisy and restless and you need some quiet?
Do you throw a pity-party and say, “I don’t deserve this?” or do you chose to die to yourself, reach in deep to Christ-in-you and, in His power, give all?
When do you find it most difficult to die to yourself and keep giving?
Pray:Lord Jesus, help me to love my family with your undefeatable power. Help me to keep giving and keep loving until my family is a true reflection of your power.
Thursday
What would I see if I walked in your house? I don’t care about the mound of laundry on the couch or the pile of dishes in the sink. (My house has them, too.) I’m talking about the heart of your house.
How do the members of your family relate to one another? Are your interactions based on an attitude of love and service? Or does each one look only to his own interests? Do you strive to build each other up? Or is your home filled with “I’m more important than you” fights?
As parents, our job is to model the attitude of Christ. Yes, I am the parent and I could demand my children bow to my every wish. I could make them do all the “dirty” jobs. I could treat them like little slaves. But is that what Christ would do? If He did not consider equality with God something to be held on to, how can I imagine myself as an authoritarian taskmaster? When I have a job for my children to do, I need to let them know respectfully. When I have a difficult job that they need to learn to do, I work alongside them. As I follow Christ in serving my family, everyone is blessed by a peaceful, loving home.
Consider your interactions with your spouse. With your children. Do you model the servant-attitude of Christ? What areas do you need to turn over to Jesus’ control and become more of a servant?
Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for becoming a servant and modeling, for me, the life of humility. May your love overcome my fear of being mistreated. May your light shine brighter than my pride. Change my heart so I can serve my family as you have served me.
Friday
Review your journaling for this past week. What themes run throughout your thoughts? What areas of your life do not reflect Jesus Christ’s servanthood?
Pray:Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me the areas in my life that do not reflect Your standard of servanthood. Show me how You want me to grow to be more like you. Record His answer in your journal.
Saturday
Spend some time in focused prayer today, reflecting on Christ, the Servant-Leader and your role in your family.
Pray: Thank you, Jesus, for infusing my life with Your power. Because the Spirit of Christ dwells in me, I have power to overcome pride and selfish ambition. Because the Spirit of Christ dwells in me, I have power to lay down my life to serve my family.
I am going to briefly touch on two topics today.
1) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5
Today, in the 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, Nancy discusses parenting, one of those topics that, in the years before our oldest was born, would send me into a fit of tears. If you are dealing with infertility, either because of the inability to conceive or due to miscarriage, please check out the Jennifer Saake’s book and web site: Hannah’s Hope.
Jennifer and her husband grieved through ten years of losses before being blessed with their two living children. God has used Jennifer to show countless couples that they are not alone in their grief. The book also includes tips for those supporting the infertile couple through their journey.
***
A couple days ago, I discussed my philosophy on complaining about my husband. Add to the list of people never to complain to: children. I do my best to never correct Dan in front of the girls. They need to know we are united in raising them and they cannot play us one against the other. In fact, in our home, to ask Daddy when Mommy’s said “No” is a crime equal to disobedience.
Children need to know they can count on Dad and Mom to work together for their good. They need Mom’s example to teach them to honor Dad – and their future spouses. Let’s give them the model they need.
My Turn: Dan was a “change of life” baby. His parents were not ready for the energy necessary to take care of rambunctious little Danny, especially once he got older and they were sick. In spite of limited modeling of appropriate skills, Dan works to be the best Daddy he can be for his girls.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for your word, which gives us all the wisdom we need for parenting and marriage. Help us to look to Your timeless instructions so our most important relationships can succeed.
PS: On the topic of fathers, have you heard Steven Curtis Chapman’s new song: Cinderella? I heard it today for the first time – and cried all the way through it.
