Men of Faith

I have a lot going on in my home right now and it's good to be reminded of where I should have my priorities. No matter what is going in my home, I should shout from the rooftop that my house is God's house, my children are God's children, my spouse belongs to God...indeed this house shall serve The Lord.

Men of Faith

...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord

- Joshua 24:15b

Joshua was a great leader, not only by giving good admonition but by his example. He told the people of Israel that, if they were not going to serve the Lord, it really didn't matter which false god they chose because one was just as bad as the other. But his public declaration was this: my decision is made, my mind is set, my house will serve the Lord. Sometimes fathers fail to make such a bold declaration and so leave their family struggling without the benefit of a committed leader.

We see from Joshua's life, both before and after this bold proclamation, that these were not just words that he spoke -- this was a commitment that he lived. Much can be learned from this single-minded man of God.

When he was sent to spy out the land of Canaan, he and Caleb were the two who came back not only with a positive report about the land, but expressing confidence that with God's help they could possess it. He was not overcome by the influence of the majority report, the popular opinion, the "common" sense. He stood firm by his convictions. He was faithful and stable as a leader. He relied on God's promises and continually encouraged the people.

Joshua also showed concern for the next generation. He had the Israelites set up twelve stones as a memorial when they crossed Jordan so that, when questions would be asked about their meaning, parents could tell their children about God's great power in rolling back the waters. And Joshua served faithfully to the end. He did not bow out claiming he had already done his part earlier in life; he served till he died at 110 years old.

Let us learn from his life of faithful service to make a commitment without wavering, to put God first in all things and to draw strength from His promises. As for Joshua, and his house, they boldly served the Lord. Will this be your determination, as well?

 http://baptistbiblehour.org

What is the Point of Marriage: Friendship

Loved this devotional I recieved today and I wanted to share bits and pieces of it.... After he created Adam, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Why not? Well, because humans are made in God’s image. That means we are called to image God, to mirror and mimic God to the world. But that’s a problem for Adam because God exists in a web of life-giving relationships, but Adam is alone. Early in the story, God says, “Let us make mankind in our image.” Who is God talking to? Himself! When people say, “All you need God." it’s just not true. God never says, “All you need is God.” Adam has God, and it’s not enough. God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone”! In the wedding ceremony God says, “They become one flesh.” That word one isechad in Hebrew. It’s a graphic, weighty word. When you combine it with the word flesh, it basically means “fused together at the deepest levels.” And the exact same word is used for God. The ancient Hebrews had a prayer called theShema that was the epicenter of Israel’s faith — “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is echad.” God is fused together at the deepest levels. And in marriage we catch glimpses, hints, shadows of that kind of oneness. There’s a line in the Hebrew wisdom literature that refers to a person’s spouse as his or her allup. It’s a word that can be translated “companion” or “best friend.” Your spouse is your closest friend. That’s one of the reasons God created marriage. For you to walk through life with the person you enjoy. With your spouse as the primary relationship in your life. Your allup. The one who knows you better than anybody. Better than your own mother. To know and be known is a powerful thing. No matter what the day throws at me, I know I’m not alone.

The Word

"Does not my word burn like fire?" says the LORD. "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?" (NLT) -Jeremiah 23:29

The Bible is a wonderful tool that we have been blessed with. It is God's Word and direction to us. It can calm fears and convict heavy hearts. Are you staying tuned into what God has to say to you?

Be faithful to the Lord and discover what His word can do in your life.

Evangelism

In all our zeal to spread the gospel around the globe, we sometimes miss the most obvious and useful field of evangelism that is open to any of us -- our own family and friends.

If we are to be a light in this dark world, who better to see that light shine than those who are closest to us? If we are to be salt to the earth, who better to taste the savor of the Savior in our lives than those with whom we interact on a daily basis? On the other hand, if we hide the open flame of our Christian witness under a basket when our dearest loved ones are with us, how can we ever hope to bring the good news to the heathen in another hemisphere?

It can sometimes be daunting to witness to loved ones with whom we interact on a regular basis. Sharing the gospel with them will necessarily mean having to live the gospel in front of them. Yet the clear emphasis of Scripture is that "going into all the world" and "preaching the gospel to the whole creation" begins by sharing the good news in our own living room, cul-de-sac, or cubicle.

Our Words are Seed

We all need to hear what Joyce is trying to tell us in this devotional.  Read and soak it in!

Our Words are Seeds by Joyce Meyer - posted February 24, 2014 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. —Hebrews 4:13 NLT Every action is a seed we sow, and we will reap a harvest from our seeds. Our words, thoughts, attitudes, and actions are all seeds that we sow, and seeds produce harvest. Sow mercy; reap mercy. Sow judgment; reap judgment. Sow kindness; reap kindness. If you don’t like how your life is right now, I have good news for you. You can change your life by sowing right seeds. If you’re not in a good place in life, you didn’t make one wrong choice to end up where you are, and you can’t make one right choice to get yourself out of it. Change won’t happen overnight. But if you invest your life in learning what is the right thing to do and then do it with God’s help, you will reap the harvest. Power Thought: With God’s help, I’m sowing good seeds every day of my life

Reminder

Under no circumstances will you be able to find an error in the bible for it is inspired by the Creator of the universe. 

And He doesn't make mistakes!

So live it, love, it, and breath it in and see where this life, this God might take you.

God Bless.

Making Small Things Significant

I know I have been sharing a lot of other people's material's lately but I have found myself blessed by them and I wanted to share with the intent it makes a difference in others. 

This is from John  Bevere and his devotional:

Making Small Things Significant

May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow more and more and become as great as our love for you. In this way he will strengthen you, and you will be perfect and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all who belong to him. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 GNT)

The gifts of God start in seed form. A seed will multiply in time, but it looks insignificant at first. So don’t take the leading of the Holy Spirit for granted, even in the small things. The most insignificant things He’s led me to do have turned out to be the most significant multiplication factors of my life. God wants you to multiply, and He wants to reward you for that multiplication.

We can’t take lightly our time here on earth. So much is at stake. People’s eternal destinies are dependent upon our obedience to the plan of God. It’s His will that all be saved and conformed into the image of Jesus. He doesn’t want any left behind.

All it takes is each of us doing our part and multiplying what He’s entrusted to us.

Don’t be discouraged. Don’t see your part as insignificant. Don’t lose your passion.

Not only are others in your generation counting on you—some in desperate need for you to reveal Jesus to them, others in need for you to extend them His encouragement and strength—but your eternal destiny also waits to be determined. The plan of God for your life is utterly beyond your ability, but you will surely succeed if you depend on His grace. He is faithful!

As you sow seeds of love in many lives, God will grow them exponentially. He is the Master Gardener who nurtures and cultivates the crop of His children. And for our part, we will be with Him for all eternity. 

Adapted from Driven by Eternity: Making Your Life Count Today & Forever (Faith Words, 2006), p 258-259.