“I showed what you are like to those you gave me from the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me.” (John 17:6a NCV)

The world is full of sons and daughters who desperately need spiritual leadership. Is it possible your kids are among them? You can become a spiritual leader to your children by developing the characteristics that we see in Jesus as he taught his disciples for three years.

First, Jesus helped the disciples know God.

You need to help your children get to know God, because eternity is in the balance — life or death, Heaven or Hell. It is your job to help make sure your kids are introduced to God.

You learn to say, “God, I am the steward of these children, whom you put into my care, and I will do what you need me to do to help them achieve their purpose.”

Notice Jesus then says, “I showed what you were like to those you gave me.” Jesus doesn’t say, “I preached. I sermonized. I pontificated. I lectured so the disciples would know you.” He says, “I showed.” He led by example.

This is one of the most sobering truths about being a parent. For right or wrong, for good or bad, whether you like it or not, your children’s idea of God is going to be largely determined by the kind of parent you are. You may not like that. I may not like that, but it’s the truth.

If you are impatient and demanding, they’re going to think God is impatient and demanding. If you are distant and detached and never have time for your kids, they’re going to think God is distant and detached from them. If you are inconsistent and unreliable, if you break your promises, they’re going to think their heavenly Father is inconsistent and unreliable and breaks his promises.

What is God really like?

• God is caring.
• God is close and aware of the  details.
• God is consistent.
• God is competent.

Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection

Thanks for listening, Dave
 

Mothers are the foundation in the family, they are the glue that holds familys together.  They spend more time with the children in most cases that the father.  They instill the values and beliefs that kids hold on to as they grow older.  Tell your mother you love her, get her a nice card, do something nice for her that you wouldn’t normally do.  She deserves all the love and attention you can give her.

Thanks for listening, Dave

“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.  But I, with a song of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you.  What I have vowed I will make good.  Salvation comes from the Lord.”  Jonah 2:8-10

As I read these verses I thought to myself, what are the worthless idols that I cling to?  Most of us, when we think of an idol think of a statue or something like that but idols come in many shapes and sizes.  Any thing that can take your attention away from God can turn into an idol.  When something becomes more important to you than God’s plan you are in trouble.

People who aren’t  Christians may not understand this, but to me one of the best things about being a Christian is God’s grace.  He loves me enough to forgive me when I fail, even if something in my life becomes an idol for a time if I recognize it and ask for His forgiveness.  He does forgive me.  It’s lucky for me there is such a thing as grace because I sure need it.
Thanks for listening, Dave

“In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.” (John 17:18 MSG)

As a parent, I am responsible to protect my kids as they’re growing up, but that doesn’t mean I protect them from taking risks for the glory of God. You can be so over-protective that you do not release your kids emotionally or maybe even physically to do what God wants them to.
You say, “Sure, I want my kids to serve God, as long as they stay here in the area” or “Yeah, I want my kids to do what God wants them to do. They can follow his plan and purpose for their lives, as long as they live down the block. They can do whatever God says as long as they don’t do something that’s dangerous, where they could be hurt or killed.”
It is natural as parents not to want your kids to be hurt. But let me ask you this very frank question: Are you willing to let God be God in your kids’ lives? Or, are you still trying to be God in their lives? You have to let them go. I’ve seen some parents try to control their children’s lives even after they are married; yet, the Bible teaches that for marriage, “a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one” (Genesis 2:24 TEV).

The point is this: It is God’s plan for children to leave and, as parents, we must teach them while we have them, but then let them go to serve God’s purposes.
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection

I think most parents can relate to this, after 18 or so years of giving your children direction it’s very hard to let them go on their own. You have to count on the fact that what they have been taught will guide them in the end, but be prepared, they will make mistakes. After all don’t we as parents, at our age, still make mistakes?
Thanks for listening, Dave

“Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves but to God; he bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God’s glory.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 TEV)

I saw the CEO of weight watchers on tv this morning, he was also a member and had lost a lot of weight over a 9 year period.  As I listened to him talk about how he had learned to replace his bad habits, not exercising  and eating right, and now how he ate a good breakfast every morning exercised  and ate right through out the day I thought of  this verse from 1 Corinthians.

Like most of us I struggle daily with these very same issues.  It seems most of the time I am unable to break the bad habits that leave me in the 200lb. + range.  Even when I do manage to do OK for a while I always seem to fall back into my bad habits.  The Lord says I gave you this body and you need to take care of it, I don’t seem to do that good at it.  As in most parts of my walk on Life’s Trail I am thankful for the grace given to me through the blood of Jesus Christ, just as in my eating and exercising habits my Christian walk depends on the grace of God.  With out it where would I be? Nowhere!

Thanks for listening, Dave

Do not be deceived:  God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature from that nature will reap destruction, the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:7-10

I don’t know about you but I’ve heard ” you reap what you sow ” most of my life. Paul’s message in the beginning of the verse isn’t something I had tought about though. By not doing our best to live a Christian life we are mocking God. It’s bad enough that we are sinning but I never thought about it as mocking God, I think I have to try harder to live better and to treat the people I come in contact  with better.
Thanks for listening, Dave

“Correct your children while there is still hope; do not let them destroy themselves.” (Proverbs 19:18 NCV)
We all need correction at times, because no one is perfect. If I don’t discipline my kids, it means two things:
I’m willing to participate in their destruction. Proverbs 19:18 says, “Correct your children while there is still hope; do not let them destroy themselves” (NCV). If I don’t take the time to correct my kids and teach them new habits and the right way to behave and think, I’m actually setting them up to fail and be destroyed. Even worse, refusing to take the time to discipline our children is evidence of a lack of love in our heart. We don’t think of it that way. Sometimes we’re just too tired to fight another battle. But that reveals that we’re putting our needs ahead of our child’s needs. We need to take the time to discipline our kids.
How can we correct them in a way without condemning them?
Don’t correct in anger. Ephesians 6:4 says, “Don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with loving discipline, with suggestions and godly advice” (LB). When I’m frustrated and angry with my kids, it feels good to let out that frustration; that release is an instant solution. But it does nothing for the long-term problem, and it strains the relationship between my kids and me. Instead of disciplining in anger, back away, calm down, get yourself under control, then come back and deal with the problem.
Watch your words. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that built up” (GN). Harmful words create hurtful memories. Those words that are spoken in anger and belittle our weaknesses and our faults and our failings are like knives in the heart. You don’t want to leave harmful words in your family’s memories. Instead, choose your words carefully, and speak in love.
A Parent’s Prayer
Make this your prayer today and every day: “I will try to walk a blameless path, but how I need Your help especially in my own home, where I long to act as I should” (Psalm 101:2 LB).
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection

Baby boomers grew up in a time when correcting your children wasn’t generally accepted. That has trickled down and todays children who are being raised by the next generation aren’t being corrected either. With faith being taken out of school and anywhere that’s in the public eye and political correctness gone crazy it’s even more important for parents to correct and teach their children and those of us who are grandparents need to be involved as well. It’s harder today than ever and our children and grandchildren need all the help they can get.
Thanks for listening, Dave

God has a plan for you, how well His plan for you works depends on whether or not you’re receptive to it.

Bob Clark – pastor, Lakeview Fellowship Church

Are we receptive to God’s plan for us? Do we try to listen and hear what His will for us is? I think most of us try to live our lives according to God’s will, But, speaking for my self I know it’s easy to let my will subvert God’s will. There are times when we believe that what we want, our will, is God’s will for us.
It says in the Bible that God has given each of us a gift, it’s up to each of us to decide how or if we use it. In the same way, He has a plan for each of us as well. He won’t make us follow his plan so it is up to each one of us to pray and ask Him, Lord what is your will for me?
Thanks for listening, Dave

“‘My wayward children,’ says the LORD, ‘come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.’ ‘Yes, we’re coming,’ the people reply, ‘for you are the LORD our God.’” (Jeremiah 3:22 NLT)
When was the last time you hungered for God, wanting intimacy with him so badly you chased after him with abandonment, desiring God so much you’d follow him through the desert and through an empty and barren land (Jeremiah 2:2)?
If you’re like me, you may be thinking, “God, I don’t think that kind of love is humanly possible!”
And if you’re thinking that, you’re right. Only with Jesus within are we capable of loving God with the supernatural mystery of his own love. God is able to change the desires within you; he is able to rekindle a deep, devoted love within you.

If you’ve lost your passion for God, the way to get it back is not to try harder until you somehow reach that level of love. The way back is to trust God’s promises to bring you back into deep devotion (Jeremiah 2:2).
God will forgive our prodigal nature; he’ll cure us of our lethargic faith. He says, “My wayward children … come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.”
And our response should be, “Yes, we’re coming … for you are the LORD our God” (Jeremiah 3:22 NLT).
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection

I don’t know about you but there are times when I feel like I’m away from God. Times when I feel disconnected if you know what I mean. Many times there are things going on in my life or in my family and I just can’t seem to see the hand of God working and at those times I really really want to see Him working in my life or family. I’m learning as I travel down this trail He’s put me on that those are the times I need to lean on my faith, trust Him and pray. He’s always there, it’s not Him whose drawn away from me ,just the opposite, but me who has drawn away from Him. At these times, my mothers favorite bible verse comes to me.

Proverbs 3:5&6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all you ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Thanks for listening, Dave

“Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10 TLB)

The most important lesson that we teach our kids is knowing and loving God.

You don’t have all the answers. If you haven’t figured that out yet, you will. You don’t have all the answers for the questions your kids are going to ask. I don’t mean things like, “Why is the sky blue?” or “Why do dogs bark?” — for which you make up answers to satisfy them for awhile. As they get older, they ask questions like, “Why did God make me this way?” or “If God is loving and in control of everything, why did he allow Grandma to die?” Questions like that are very tough to answer, and my reservoir of answers is very small. But it’s my job as a parent to point my kids to a God who does have all the answers.

You can sit down and tell your kids things about God, and that has some effect. But if you want to be even more effective, you have to be a role model. The best way to teach your kids is by modeling for them the truths you want them to understand.

Sometimes parents make the mistake by hiding from their kids the struggles that they’re facing, because they want to protect them. But in certain situations, sharing with our kids the things that are going on in our lives helps them see how to get through those struggles. When you’re experiencing financial difficulties, how better to teach your kids to have faith in God than by constantly expressing to them, “Yeah, it’s tough right now, but we have a God who is faithful to us, and he’ll provide for us”? If they don’t see our trust in God and his deliverance in our lives, why should they rely on him?

Knowing God is the foundation of life. Many parents who are not even Christians talk about God — but that’s not enough. We need to point our kids to Jesus Christ, their Savior, by modeling for them every day what we know to be true about God and his Son.
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection
Thanks for listening, Dave

“Reverence for God gives a man deep strength; his children have a place of refuge and security.” (Proverbs 14:26 TLB)

Life is full of storms that batter us, bruise us, and beat us up. Life is very tough, and we all need a place of safety, security, peace, and protection. God has planned that our homes be that place.  How do you build a home that can be a shelter in a storm?  These four things, hear, hug, hope and help.  You may not be able to protect your children from the storms of life, but you can help protect them in the storms of life by making your home a place of security and support.

“Your children are a gift from God.” (Psalm 127:3 TLB)

God intends families to be a haven for happiness and fun — a place to party, kick back, relax, and have a good time.  It is true that the family that prays together, stays together. Also, the family that plays together, stays together.

Your children are gifts from God, meant to be enjoyed, not just endured. A lot of parents endure their kids; they don’t enjoy them. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 16, “Celebrate with your whole family.” Party down! Have a good time. If you wait until all your problems are gone to start enjoying life, you’ll never enjoy life.

If your home isn’t fun while your kids are growing up, don’t be surprised if they don’t come back often when they’re grown. Why should they?
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection

I believe that one of the most important things that God wants us to do is to bring up our children to love Him. I can’t say I’ve always done that but as I get older ( 14 grandchildren ) I realise more and more the importance of teaching them about God. I’ve heard parents say, I don’t want to push them in any one direction because it’s important to let them make up their own minds, to which I say BULL!!. Just look around you at the ones who were left to make up their own minds or just left alone in general. There are more wrecked lives and devastation now that ever before, why, because they aren’t being taught. We all must do our part to teach the youth of today, if not your own children maybe someone elses.
Thanks for listening, Dave

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52 NIV)

The Bible says that one of the goals for parenting is to prepare your kids for life. God intends the family to be a learning center for life. You learn things in your family that you don’t learn anywhere else.  You learn life’s basic skills in the family, like how to walk, talk, eat, and use a TV remote. God says we are to prepare our kids for life.

The Bible says this about Jesus in Luke 2:52: “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (NIV). This verse says there are four ways Jesus grew, and these are the same four ways you, as a parent, have to help your children grow.

The Bible says:

• Jesus grew in wisdom — that’s      mental or intellectual growth.
• Jesus grew in stature — that’s      physical growth.
• Jesus grew in favor with God —      that’s spiritual growth.
• Jesus grew in favor with men —      that’s social growth.

Those should be the goals you have in your family for each of your children, which focus on balanced growth: mental, physical, spiritual, and social. The Bible is very clear that the primary responsibility of raising children and helping them be prepared for life belongs to the parents. Life is full of storms that batter us, bruise us, and beat us up. Life is very tough, and we all need a place of safety, security, peace, and protection. God has planned that our homes be that place.

The moment you took part in a conception you got a job description; raising your children well is your responsibility. Help your children grow strong mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially.
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection
Thanks for listening, Dave

As I prepare for my annual backpacking trip on the Appalachian trail I’m reminded again of the comparisons to  Life’s trail.  While backpacking you experience many ups and downs ( literally and figuratively ), the highs and lows of walking alone through the mountains mile after mile.  Some days you’re feeling good and take the challenges of hiking over the next mountain in stride, other days it’s raining and all you can do to keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.  Your body aches and your feet hurt and you wish you were anywhere else but where you are.

Isn’t that a lot like Life’s Trail?  As I walk my full-time Christian walk on Life’s Trail I go through many of the same emotions.  There are days when everything is going fine, all the kids are doing ok, my wife and I are happy and life is good.  Then there are those days when it seems like the world is caving in around us.  No one is doing ok, my wife and I aren’t happy and there is no end in sight.  Just like hiking, those are the days you keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.  Just like hiking you know that it will get better, you may not know when but you know it will.  The thing about Life’s Trail is that you have a guide,  He knows what you’re going through and is there for you if you stumble.  God will never give you more that you can handle and will always be there for you to lean on.

My backpacking trip last for a week or so, my trip on Life’s Trail is life long,  I thank God everyday for being with me and helping me on this trail.
Thanks for listening, Dave

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears not fruit.  While every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1&2

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit;  apart from me you can do nothing. “  John 15:5

God chose you long before you chose him,  He knew you before you were even conceived!  Isn’t it a wonderful thought that even before we were born He had a plan for us and what we would do with what He had given us.  God has given each of us a talent or skill, some are very big talents or skills and some not so big, but no matter big or small they are for us to use for Him.  You may be wealthy and give large amounts of money, you may be a great speaker and move people with your words, you may write and move people with the written word, or you might be good at yard work or maintenance and help keep your church looking good and in good condition, maybe you teach sunday school.  You see, it’s not so much what your talent or skill is, it’s that you use it for God’s glory.
Thanks for listening, Dave

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last.  The Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:16&17

“So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us.” (Hebrews 12:1b TEV)

If we’re going to be used for God’s purposes, we have to focus our lives. The Bible compares life to a marathon, and that means we have to simplify our lives.  This means we should remove anything from our lives that would get in the way and hold us back. If the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy. He’ll even keep you so busy doing good things that you won’t have time for the best things.

That’s why the Bible tells you to simplify your life. You have to get rid of the unnecessary baggage in life. Don’t try to do it all. Do what matters most. A serious runner focuses on the race.   I’ve heard people say, “I would love to live my life for God’s purpose, but I just don’t have time.” The reason they don’t have time is they haven’t taken the time to simplify their life.
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection

I often find it hard to focus on the best things.  I believe that most of us try to do the good things and it’s easy to feel good about doing them but I think that Rick is right about how easy it is to get caught up in doing good things and not have time for the best things.

The thing is that there is no set rule, it comes down to what is good and what is best for each of us. We certainly can’t point our finger at anyone and say that they aren’t doing the things they should be doing (they might be pointing back at us).  As with so many things in the Bible it comes down to your relationship with God.  No matter what anyone else says or does it all comes down to you and your relationship with your saviour.  We are all on Life’s Trail and its up to us to make the walk worth while.
Thanks for listening, Dave

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:7

Through God’s word I have become more and more aware of my responsibilities to my wife & children, my family and friends, my church, community, country and the world in general. We have all been blessed by God.  We should tithe, but He never ask us to give up everything we have, He only wants what we give willingly and cheerfully. He doesn’t want us to feel reluctant or compelled to give back to Him. We give back according to what has been given to us. Some can give a lot, some a little, all of us can give something though because we have all been blessed by God. After all everything we have is a gift from Him. I’m not just talking money though, we all have a gift or talent from God that we can share with those around us.
Thanks for listening, Dave

“We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge purrs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Don’t we all at one time or another feel like we know a little more, are just a little smarter, are just a bit better that someone else? Don’t we get to being just a little bit full of ourselves, because we are saved, we are forgiven, we know God? I know it happens to me. It’s easy to feel that way around others who don’t know God (even those who do at times). I mean don’t we have the inside line? Aren’t we, after all better that the others because we are saved? I think not, we are however luckier because we have been taught about and been saved by the grace of God. Our job isn’t to act superior but to spread the good news about salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. Our job is to make sure that everyone is lucky enough to hear the word of God.
Thanks for listening, Dave

“I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:10b-11 NIV)

The devil wants to destroy your marriage. He wants to destroy every other good relationship. Why? Because he loves conflict and arguments. He wants to cause confusion, arguments, stress, hurt feelings, disappointment, anger, chaos. He loves to do it. James says you have to give in to God and let him have control. Then, you have to do some defensive action. You have to resist the devil and realize what he’s doing. If you get up in the morning and you don’t run into the devil head-on, then you’re already going in the same direction.

How does the devil operate? He doesn’t stand around with a pitchfork and a red suit, like Underwood deviled ham. He plays on our pride — particularly wounded pride. He tells us what we want to hear. He whispers in our ear and gives us little thoughts, suggestions, and ideas. When you’re in the middle of an argument, he starts whispering things in your ear, like “You don’t have to take this kind of stuff. Retaliate. Who do they think they are? Get even. Assert yourself. Don’t put up with this kind of stuff. Show ‘em who’s boss.” He tells you all the things your pride would love to hear.

In response, you have to say, “Satan, I know that’s you.” Resist him.

You resist the devil the same way Jesus did: He quoted Scripture. Memorize Proverbs 13:10: “Pride leads to conflict” (NLT). The next time you get into an argument, the Lord will bring this verse to mind. Stop and ask yourself, “How am I being prideful here? What am I not willing to admit? Why am I not willing to compromise? Why am I only thinking of myself and not the other person’s needs, desires, and attitudes?”

There is a great promise in James 4:7: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (NIV). You don’t have to put up with him. Give in to God, and get wise to Satan.
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection

Sometimes before I realize it, the devil has me doing or saying things I shouldn’t be doing or saying. Some of these times I’m able to stop my self and push him away in the name of Jesus (the name Jesus is so powerful that, most times, just to say His name is enough to make the devil leave you alone). There are times though that I do or say things that are hurtful or harmful to myself or others, those are the times I’m thankful for the grace through the blood of Jesus. Without that I would surely be lost.
Thanks for listening, Dave

, “The confession of bad works is the beginning of good works.” We start by dealing with our past. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing” (1 John 1:9 TEV).

I’ll never forget the first time I made a “sin list.” I felt like God was a million miles away, that he was distant. I couldn’t feel his power or his grace. I felt like my prayers were bouncing off the ceiling. So, one night, I took out a pad of yellow paper and said, “God, show me every sin between me and you, and I will write it down specifically. I committed it specifically. I’m going to confess it specifically. We’re going to deal with it right now and get it out of the way.”
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection

Sometimes because I know that I’m forgiven by being saved I have to remember that I’m still a sinner and being forgiven doesn’t give me a free pass. How easy it is to start feeling like we can’t do anything wrong! It’s like, it doesn’t matter what I do I’m forgiven because I’m saved. Let’s not fall into that trap, like Rick Warren says, we need to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. Anything else is a trap by Satan to deceive us and cause us to turn away from God.
Thanks for listening, Dave

“The Lord turned to [Gideon] and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?’” (Judges 6:14 NIV)

Gideon was the least member of the weakest clan in the tribe of Manasseh. His task on the day in question was the tedious threshing of wheat, a process where the cereal grain is knocked loose from the chaff. But this devotional is not about agriculture. It’s about God’s ability to see you for who you are meant to be, not for what you appear to be. God saw Gideon as a mighty warrior and judge who would lead the Israelites back to their proper worship of God (Judges 6:12).

Gideon, on the other hand, saw himself as just a guy cranking wheat through a creaky old winepress.
But that didn’t matter to God. He told Gideon: “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14 NIV) Take note: The strength of the Sender is more important than the strength of the one being sent. God asks, “Am I not sending you?” Gideon was still stuck in tunnel vision, believing what he thought and what he saw was the truth. To paraphrase the ancient Hebrew, Gideon told God, “I just don’t have what it takes, Lord. I know you’re perfect, but I think you made a mistake” (Judges 6:15).
God, in a sense, says, “Get your head out of the wheat dust and pay attention to me. I will be with you and so, yes, you will strike down all the Midianites as if they are no more than one man” (Judges 6:16).
It doesn’t matter what Gideon said about himself or what others said about Gideon. Only one opinion counts: God’s.

What God says about Gideon is the truth.
What God says about you is the truth. You are a precious child, created in his image, a sweet aroma that is pleasing to the Lord.
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection

Isn’t it often the case, that we don’t think that we are up to the task the Lord has set before us? I’m often unsure about what God wants me to do. I have learned that His will will be done whether on not I know what it is.  I think  He uses me sometimes and I’m not  even aware of it.   I like the idea of knowing that the Lord used me for a specific purpose, but just knowing that He uses me makes me feel very good.  I hope I can be a useful tool for Him.
Thanks for listening, Dave

“Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited …” (1 Corinthians 13:4b HCSB)

Did you ever play “King of the Hill”? You know the game: There’s only room for one guy at the top, and when you make it there, you’re the King of the Hill! We’re envious of the person at the top, and, when we finally get there, we like to make others envious of our position!

As adults, we still play that game — we just do it more subtly. “Hey! Look at me! Notice the kind of car I’m driving! Notice my jewelry! My kids are smarter! Notice the color of my credit card!”  But the truth is, envy can make you miserable. Envy is usually an expression of insecurity. When we feel inferior, we get envious.  No one is immune to envy, and you probably know from experience that it can make you miserable. Envy is to your soul what cancer is to your body. It will eat you alive if you don’t watch it.

Envy can cause us to become obsessed with changing our circumstances. We think the answer is more money, so we become consumed with making more money. The problem is that once you get to that level, there’s a next level. If you’re motivated by envy, you’re going to burn out, because there’s always a next level.

Because envy is a hidden sin, we tend to think it’s not as bad as overt ones. But envy is destructive!

It devalues others. It destroys relationships. It causes you to miss out on sharing in much joy, such as weddings, births, or promotions. Instead of being envious, God wants us to be happy when he blesses others! When you learn to enjoy others’ success, you’ll experience a lot more joy.
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection
Thanks for listening, Dave

“Let everyone be sure to do his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work done well and won’t need to compare himself with someone else.” (Galatians 6:4 LB)

Truth be told, you cannot be happy and envious at the same time. In fact, one of the greatest secrets of having happiness in your life is learning how to eliminate envy. Just acknowledging that you struggle with envy can be painful, but it is the first step toward a change of values and a more mature spiritual life. God says the way you change envy is by changing your perspective. While you may not be able to completely change the feelings that cause envy, you can change the way you look at things, and that will eliminate envy from your life. To change your perspective, the first thing you have to do is stop comparing yourself to others. The Bible says satisfaction comes from doing your best, not comparing yourself to others: “Let everyone be sure to do his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work done well and won’t need to compare himself with someone else” (Galatians 6:4 LB).

Take an envy self-examination. Do you compare your life, your home, your husband, your kids — even your lawn — to other people’s? This exam may reveal some surprises and show you that there are more important things to do than compare yourself or what you have to others. When you strive to be the person God made you to be, you’ll find real meaning, purpose, fulfillment, and satisfaction. You can’t focus on your purpose while looking at other people.
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection

I don’t think it’s wrong to want something more or something better than what we have, I do believe that when we get into trouble is when wanting what someone else has consumes our life. Ambition isn’t a bad thing but envy is.
Thanks for listening, Dave

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at what ever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1 NIV

Have you ever been sitting in a restaurant and thought to yourself, look at the size of that woman or man?  Look at his teeth, how could someone drive an old car like that?  Look how their kids act, I would never let mine do that.  How many more things do all of us do every day that judges another person in one way or another?  And we’re Christians!  We’re supposed to be the good guys who set a good example to others who aren’t.

Many people who aren’t Christian think that when you accept Christ as your savior that suddenly everything is rosie and life is good from that point on, or on the flip side they point their fingers at us and judge us (rightly so in many cases).  Many times we fail to set a good example for others to see and follow.

Many non Christians don’t know about the daily struggle to be a Christian.  You don’t instantly change into someone who doesn’t sin when you accept Christ.  In most cases what happens is that you begin to examine your life and you see all of your own  faults and because our goal is to be more Christ like we start to change our lives to be more like Him.  From the day we are saved until the day we die we struggle with our worldly selves, never becoming perfect but always trying to do and be better.  Christ said that the struggle is what helps us learn and makes us strong.
Thanks for listening, Dave

“I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:10b-11 NIV)

The devil wants to destroy your marriage. He wants to destroy every other good relationship. Why? Because he loves conflict and arguments. He wants to cause confusion, arguments, stress, hurt feelings, disappointment, anger, chaos. He loves to do it. James says you have to give in to God and let him have control. Then, you have to do some defensive action. You have to resist the devil and realize what he’s doing. If you get up in the morning and you don’t run into the devil head-on, then you’re already going in the same direction.
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Connection

We fight a daily fight with the devil, just when we believe that things are going smoothly we suddenly find ourselves in the middle of turmoil. Just like you, my family goes through the ups and downs of living in the world. We ask God to see us through the hard times and praise Him in all things.
Thanks for listening, Dave

Hebrews 4:2  For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.

What use is the Bible?  Without faith you can read it over and over but it isn’t of any value to you,  it only has value if  you have faith.   When we have faith in God’s word the Bible is filled with meaning and help and encouragement.  It makes you realise how blessed you are in the good times and lifts you up and holds you when times aren’t so good.  If you don’t have faith the Bible is just another book.  If you don’t have faith look around at our world, what can you depend on?  Read the Bible, have faith in God’s word and you will have a solid foundation to lean on.

Thanks for listening, Dave