New Year's Resolution

It is that time of year when people make New Year's resolutions.  Many resolutions revolve around fitness, health, financial, better parent, better spouse, and the list goes on.  How about considering spending time with our Savior this year; really taking time to delve into His Word and connecting with Him.  Psalm 131 is a great Psalm to pray each and every day.

I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul

 

O Lord, My heart is not lifted up;

my eyes are not raised too high;

I do not occupy myself with things

too great and too marvelous for me.

 

But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child is my soul within me.

 

O Israel, hope in the Lord

from this time forth and forevermore.

 

Psalm 131

 

 

A calm and quiet soul allows the opportunity to spend time with Christ; to hear Him; to know His plans for you.  Take moments each and every day to spend in His word, to pray, and to find that peace because He has overcome the world! (John 16:33)

 

 

Cheryl

 

The Christmas Story

Luke 2:15-20

 

"When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."  And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.  And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.  And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.  But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."

 

 

Savannah was "Mary" for her preschool program.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

Cheryl

The Christmas Story Continued...

Luke 2:8-14

 

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased."

 



Luke 2:6-7

 

 

 

 

"And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."

 

Cheryl

The Beginning of the Christmas Story

Luke 2:1-5

 



As we have entered the Christmas season there are so many things that "need" to be done.  Life gets so busy we sometimes forget to reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas.  The next four weeks will be sections of the Christmas story from Luke 2.

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be registered, each to his own town.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child."

Bible Passage for the Week

Psalm 91:4 - "He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a buckler."

Sometimes there are crazy things thrown at us.  We have to face things that we don't really want to.  We have to deal with the good, bad, and ugly.  No matter what we have to face, or what we have to deal with we can take refuge in our Lord!  This verse paints a comforting picture.  We have a safe place to be under the "wings" of our Lord.  His refuge and faithfulness surrounds us like a mother bird surrounds her babies with her wings.  Take comfort in knowing our Lord has us covered!

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

Hebrews 12:28 - "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe."

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we have so much to be grateful for.  This verse truly shares that.  Thank you Lord for the unshakable Kingdom you have provided for us!

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

Psalm 146:3 - "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save you."

Remember where your trust should lie - your trust should be in the Lord as He is the one who can save you.  He is the one who has paid the price for each and everyone of us.  There is no prince, president, king or man on earth that can fulfill what Jesus has done for us!

Cheryl

Our Guardian

The saying – a picture is worth a thousand words – can speak to this picture.  I’ll try not to use a thousand words but there is just something about this picture.  This picture presents a very commanding look by what some could say is just an adorable animal.  However, there is so much more to a Llama than its “beauty”.   Llamas are protectors.  They guard flocks of sheep or herds of goats from the predators that roam around waiting to attack.  The llama, who lives with his flock or herd, keeps his eye out for anything that does not belong or could harm his flock.  He is always on guard and if something threatens his flock he is off and running.  You see when a llama feels there is a threat he runs at that threat.  He stares down the animal that is threatening his flock and will spit if the threat continues.  If the animal does not back off and makes his way towards the flock, the llama will knock the animal down and stomp it with its knees.  The animal will either run off or be stomped to death.

While taking this photo, it was very interesting to watch the llama.  I was off to the side taking photos, and he always kept his eye on me.  At the same time, there was a great deal of activity surrounding his pen and he also kept an eye on that.  He paraded around his pen making sure all was well and his demeanor changed when someone would get too close to his pen.  He became stiffer in his walk and made his way over to the “threat”.  If the “threat” did not back away or chose to climb on the fence he would stomp his front feet.  If that didn’t work, the spit flew.  The “threat” got first hand exposure to his line of defense and it worked; the “threat” backed off. 

The llama in this picture brings to mind the verse I shared a couple of weeks ago from 2 Chronicles 16:9.  “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him.”  I have this visual of the Lord with a commanding stand and watching out for me.  He is watching to and fro amongst all the activity that surrounds me and misses nothing.  He is my protector!  It is also noted in Psalm 34:7 that “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”  Not only is He constantly watching out for us He is encamped around us.

I need a protector!  I need the Lord’s strength and might to surround me; to encompass me as the “threats” of world are around me.  “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

Cheryl            

Bible Passage for the Week

John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

The strength we can pull from this verse is comforting.  Take a moment to consider how a branch survives.  The branch must stay connected to the vine.  If it does not stay connected the branch will wither away.  Well, Christ is the vine and a branch connected to that vine will thrive!  Abide in the Lord, stay connected to the Vine and thrive in Him!

Cheryl  

Bible Passage for the Week

My apologies for being late!

Philippians 1:3-4 - "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy."

Is there someone in your life that you are thankful for?  Make sure you let them know as well as pray for them.  Let God know you are so thankful for the people He puts in your lives. 

Cheryl

Does God Ask Too Much?

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts on your house and on your gates.”

 

Do you ever think sometimes God asks too much of us?  Take Deuteronomy 6:6-9 for instance.  God is asking us to take the commands He has given us and put them on our hearts.  Teach them diligently.  Talk of them when you are sitting.  Talk of them when you walking.  Talk of them when you lie down and when you rise.  Bind these commands on your hand.  Put these commands between your eyes.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and at your gates.  Good grief!  Is there ever a time to step away from it – to just be? 

The answer is no.  God commanded these very things for a reason.  In fact, He commanded them multiple times.  If you take a look at Deuteronomy 11, or Proverbs 3:3, or Proverbs 6:21, or Proverbs 7:3 they all talk about binding God’s word and commands.  So it must be something we should take to heart.

There is another section of scripture that talks about the devil lurking.  1 Peter 5:8 notes, “Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  The devil would love to devour you.  He wants to take you away from the Savior.  However, if you are putting the Lord’s commands on your heart; teaching them diligently; talking of them when you are sitting, walking, or lying down the devil has no space to “get in”.  You see, filling your time with Christ and being in His word fills you with all you need.  He will give you His guidance, His peace, His promises and the devil doesn’t fit anywhere in that equation!  “The Lord is faithful.  He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Each week there is a bible passage to ponder on this blog.  This is one way to fill yourself with His word and pass it along to others.  Whether there are children in your house or not we are all teachers of His word.  We can demonstrate to others; we can share with others; we can fill our lives with Christ!  Christ has conquered the evil one and we have victory through Him!  “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 15:57

Cheryl  Durheim  

Bible Passage for the Week

2 Chronicles 16:9 - "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him."

This verse provides such comfort!  The eyes of the Lord are constantly watching the whole earth to be able to give the support needed to those who love Him.  When we have that kind of support we have nothing to fear.  The Lord will provide, guide, and take care of us!

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

Isaiah 43:11 - "I am the Lord, and besides me there is no Savior."

Sometimes simplicity is nice!  There is no Savior but the Lord and it is as simple as that!  We don't look to anyone other than our Lord for the truth.

This is a great passage to memorize, post around the house and simply repeat over and over again.  No matter what anyone else tells us, we have one Savior!

Cheryl

Intimacy - There Is More To It...

 

1 Corinthians 7:5 –“Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer, but then come together again so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

Intimacy – or should I say sexual relations.  Many times when the word intimacy is used that is the first and only thought that comes to mind.  We will take a look at that aspect of intimacy but I want to begin with a different verse.

Psalm 139:1 – “O Lord, you have searched me and known me.”

The first definition of intimacy in the dictionary is… “Close or warm friendship or understanding; personal relationship.” (dictionary.com) To be intimate with someone you are really close to them.  You know them in and out; just as it states in Psalm 139:1 – “O, Lord, you have searched me and known me.” 

That definition paints a whole different picture to intimacy.  Do you know your spouse in and out?  Have you taken the time to listen, to understand, to find out the little details in every aspect of your spouse?  There are years of things to discover within each other! 

Let’s go back to 1 Corinthians 7:5.  This verse is clearly talking about the sexual intimacy in a marriage.  But what if we deprived each other of getting to know one another in a close intimate friendship?  What if we didn’t take the time to talk with one another?  What if we didn’t spend quality time together with our clothes on?  Do you think satan would use that opportunity to divide a relationship?  YES, he will!!

Intimacy entails a great deal of trust, time, and dedication to one another.  Take time to discover things you didn’t know about your spouse.  Laugh together; cry together; share together; pray together and the intimacy of the friendship will grow.  The trust and dedication between each other will be stronger and satan will not have the ability to come between you.  

Finally, back to 1 Corinthians 7:5 – “Do not deprive one another…”  God created man and woman to be together in a married relationship.  When that intimacy is not there, the devil has an open door to tempt you.  Leave him out of your relationship and grow together in all definitions of intimacy!

Cheryl Durheim 

Bible Passage for the Week

Psalm 92:5 "How great are you works, O Lord!  Your thoughts are very deep!"

The last couple of weeks the bible passages have dealt with following the Lord's plan.  Psalm 92:5 speaks to why we should follow the Lord's plans.  The works of the Lord are great and His thoughts are very deep.  They are beyond what we can comprehend.  So when God asks something of us that seems crazy or the world thinks is crazy - remember the Lord's works are great and He has truly thought everything through!

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

Colossians 3:23-24 - "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  You are serving the Lord Christ."

Take a moment to ponder how you are working heartily for the Lord.  Are you doing what God has asked you to do?  Sometimes God asks us to do things that we would never have considered.  In fact, society would probably consider those "things" that God has asked us to do as crazy.  They are not crazy!  The Lord knows the big picture and He has a plan where all of the pieces will fall together in His timing.  When we work heartily for the Lord we have our inheritance.  We have the promise of eternal of life.

Work heartily for the Lord - He has amazing things for each and everyone of us to do!

Cheryl 

Offering Support for your Spouse

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

In your wedding vows, if you said the traditional wedding vows, you stated “for better or for worse…”  While saying those words, life was on a high.  What could worse really mean?  Well, worse could really mean many things.  Each couple is going to experience their own “worsts” and will have to figure out how to support one another through those experiences.  But…how do you support one another?

The definition of support is filled with a great deal of action that takes a strong person to fulfill those actions.  To support means to…

1.       To bear or hold up

2.       To sustain or withstand

3.       To undergo or endure; especially with patience or submission

4.       To sustain under trial and affliction

5.       To maintain by supplying with things necessary for existence

(Dictionary.com)

How do you support your spouse?  How do you bear the burdens of your spouse?  Are you patient with your spouse while support is needed?  Are you able to sustain your spouse during trials and tribulations?   No matter how you look at it supporting your spouse takes a great deal of effort on your part.  Not only do you have to bear the burdens, be patient and sustain them while they are under trials and tribulations, you have to know how they want the support. 

This takes us back to the wedding vows or back to the wedding day.  From the time you say I do you are beginning a new life.  A life that includes taking each day to gain a deeper understanding of the person you married.  In doing that, you will discover how each other needs support.  Support can be many things.  It can be listening, taking action, holding one another, crying with one another, praying with one another, sharing with one another or taking a step back to let your spouse have space.  The key is taking the time to get to know your spouse so when support is needed you know how to support.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”   We do not have to carry the burdens alone.  Christ will carry us and give us rest.  As you go through this week take time to see how your spouse needs support.  It could simply be taking out the trash or it could be something that requires a great deal more effort.  No matter what it is, when you take the time to support one another you continue to deepen your relationship. 

Cheryl 

 

Bible Passage for the Week

Titus 3:5a - "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy."

I am so grateful that we have a merciful God; one that saved us despite our inability to do what He has asked. 

As we go through our everyday life and repeatedly make mistakes remember to go to God.  He is a merciful God that has sent His Son for us.  We have forgiveness through Him. 

Cheryl 

A Time for Everything

 

Have you ever thought about a season of a flower?  How it starts out as a seed and over time blossoms into a gorgeous flower and then it dies.  In Ecclesiastes 3:1 and following it notes there is a time for everything.  

 

Earlier this week, Psalm 119:35 was shared.  "Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight."  As God is directing us and we are following his direction, there is a time for everything that God has in store for us.  In that, the Lord will have times where He will close doors and open others.  Those times may be filled with numerous emotions but as noted in Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." we can be confident in those plans and seasons put before us.

 

God knows how all the pieces will work out.  We will prosper through Him!  Follow His lead.  Follow His direction and if the Lord is closing a door for you, be confident He will open another.  There is a time for everything and God's timing is perfect!

 

Cheryl   

Bible Passage for the Week

Psalm 119:35 - "Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight."

One thing I have learned over the years is "allowing" God to direct me in the path of His commands.  So many times I want to do what I want to do; yet that is not what God has in store for me.  In fact, He directs me and I don't "allow"/listen for that direction.  So, after being hit in the head a time or two or three, I have learned how delightful God's direction is.  I am truly amazed when I spend time in scripture how the Lord directs me and guides me through His word.  I am also grateful that God's plan always works out so much better than mine.   

Find delight in God's direction!  Spend time in His word discovering the great plans He has for you!

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

1 Timothy 4:12 - "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

My kids start another year of school tomorrow and are quite excited!  It is an opportunity for them to get back together with their friends, to learn, and continue the maturation process.  It is also an opportunity for them to demonstrate God's love through their actions and words.  As noted in 1 Timothy, the young can be great examples of God's love!  We need to make sure we share with the next generation that Christ is our Savior and let them know they can pass along the Good News as well! 

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

Psalm 117 - "Praise the Lord, all nations!  Extol Him, all peoples!  For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.  Praise the Lord!

I am not in my office this week with all of my resources to find a bible passage that would be fitting for the week.  Therefore, I opened my husbands Ipad, clicked on bible and fumbled my way through locating bible passages.  I finally found the the table of contents and decided to go with Psalms.  This is the one that came up.  It is always great to be reminded that the love we have from our Lord and the faithfulness He shows us is forever! 

Praise Him!  Extol Him!  So all can know of the great love we have been given!

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

It truly is a comfort to know that God will supply our every need.  The struggle that appears for many is worrying about the needs in advance.  As I look back in how the Lord has provided for me, I have always received what I need when I needed it.  I did not get it earlier than I needed it and it never came too late.  The Lord has promised to supply our every need.  We need to trust that He will come through on His promise. 

Take some moments this week to look back at how the Lord has provided for you.  Who has He placed in your path at the right time?  Where did the money come to pay for something that was needed?  Look at all the little details in how the Lord takes care of you.  What some might say is a coincidence, we know the Lord is provided in many ways!  We truly are blessed to have a Savior that knows our every need and covers those needs at the perfect time!

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

Philippians 2:5-8 - "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross."

This section of scripture makes me sit back in awe as I reflect upon what Christ really did for me and for everyone else.  He was in the form of God and made Himself nothing.  We live in a society where climbing the ladder is what makes us successful; yet, Christ diminished himself to a servant.  The beginning of Philippians 2 is entitled "Christ's Example of Humility".  This truly gives us something to ponder and consider as we go about our daily lives.

Cheryl 

Is Your Word Choice Gentle?

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Proverbs 15:1

Have you ever truly sat back and thought about how you respond to your spouse vs. other people?  What is the response you give to other people and what is the response you give to your spouse?  Is your response filled with gentleness or is it filled with sarcasm, frustration, and unkind words.  I’m guessing most of us have a sense of gentleness when speaking to others and our spouses get the not so gentle answers.  I am not saying we never speak gently to our spouse; however, we probably tend to use more harsh words with our spouse than other people. 

Scripture says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  So if we adopt the assumption that we are saving the harsh words for our spouse, we are then extending the invitation for anger in our relationship.  Let’s take this to another level, Ephesians 4:26-27 notes, “In your anger do not sin.  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”  If anger is present in the relationship and we are not to let the sun go down until the anger is taken care of there is going to be a lack of sleep for both.  When we lose sleep our ability to be gentle decreases.  It is almost a vicious cycle.

So instead of extending the invitation for anger we need to focus on extending the invitation for gentleness.  That invitation should not just include gentle words, but gentle actions as well.  Take a moment to think about what you are going to say or do before doing it.  Does your answer turn away wrath or bring it into the home?  This is not going to be an easy task all the time, especially when tiredness or frustration are present.  What we do have is a Savior that promises to guide us and we have forgiveness when we screw up. 

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

Jesus spoke these words and offered us peace.  It is not a kind of peace that the world tries to offer, but a peace that is fulfilling.  Our hearts do not have to be troubled; we do not have to be afraid because our Savior has taken care of everything.  In that we have a fulfilling peace!

Many times we do not let Christ's peace surround us, we try and take care of things ourselves or try to achieve peace from the world.  Post this passage around your house, in your car, on your phone, where ever it is that will remind you that peace surrounds you!

Cheryl 

Bible Passage for the Week

God had a great plan in mind when He rested on the 7th day of creation!  He lead by example and so many times we forget to follow His example. 

Well...I am taking vacation this week with my family along with some great friends!  I run hard for so long and forget that taking a break is important and in God's plan.  Therefore, I am going to take a moment to say - focus on your favorite bible passage this week.  Pick one for your family and post it around your house.  Talk about why it is your favorite and the importance of knowing God's word!

And remember...take a break as it is in God's plan!

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

Psalm 139:8-10 notes, "If I ascend to heaven, You are there!  If I make my be in Sheol, You are there!  If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."

Sometimes this vast world can be quite lonely.  It doesn't matter where we are at physically or emotionally, Christ is with us!  He will guide us and lead us through whatever it is we face.  This is a great verse to commit to memory so when we are struggling or feeling lonely we always know Christ is by our side.

Cheryl  

Broken Dreams Filled with Hope

I don’t know about you but when I got married and dreamt about having kids my kids were going to act appropriately!  They were not going to throw temper tantrums in the store.  They were not going to back talk their parents.  They were not going to openly disobey me.  Then I had kids and that dream went out the window!  The tantrums, the whining, the disobedience, and the back talk it is all there! 

With my “perfect” children dream out the window, my parenting dream went out the window too.  There are days that I am harsher than I should be; words come out of my mouth that shouldn’t.  There are days the discipline doesn’t match the crime; the kids are grounded way longer than they really need to be.  There are days that I simply don’t want to deal with whatever it is and I choose not to address it.  My dream parenting didn’t have any of those behaviors in it! 

Lamentations 3:22-23 notes, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  With my “perfect” parenting and “perfect” children out the window these verses are filled with such hope!  The love I receive and my children receive from the Lord never ceases!  It does not matter how imperfect we were throughout the day.  The best part, His mercies are new every morning! 

Each and every morning you wake up; remember it is a new beginning!  Share with your children how gracious our Lord is and thank Him for this new day and the ability to start out with a clean slate! 

Bible Passage for the Week

Isaiah 33:5-6 notes, "The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, and He will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure."

So many times things are crazy and and we are unsure of how it will turn out.  Well, we have our stability!  Christ is our stability.  We have salvation through Him and He provides us with wisdom and knowledge.  We need to make sure we always turn to Him so we have stability in this crazy world!

Cheryl

Encouragement

Encouragement

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

Encourage – a word our Lord uses.  So, what does it mean to encourage and what happens when you don’t encourage one another?  How do you encourage one another?

It is another simple word, another simple act that seems to disappear from our daily lives.  Having said that, it is important to take a look at what encourage means and how we can incorporate it back into our daily married lives.  The “technical” definition of encourage is…

1.        Inspire with courage, spirit, and confidence

2.        To stimulate by assistance, approval

3.       To promote, advance, or foster (dictionary.com)

There is not one part of this definition that would take away from our marriages.  In fact, the definition works well with how Christ talks about encouragement.  Encourage one another and build one another up.  If we inspire with courage, spirit and confidence we build up our spouse.  If we give approval we build up our spouse.  If we promote and foster we build up our spouse.  Therefore, when we encourage our spouse we build them up. 

However, as noted above, encouragement is a simple word that requires simple actions and it is seems to be lost within the daily marriage routine.  We can run the risk of taking each other for granted.  So what are some ways to encourage our spouse?

One very powerful way to encourage is through prayer.  It brings about a peace and comfort to know your spouse is praying for you.  My husband texts or emails when he knows there is something big, tough, or exciting going on in my life.  When he sends a text or email he simply says “praying for you”.  Those words let me know he cares enough about me to take time to pray and it encourages me in whatever situation I am in.  Isaiah 35:4 goes along with this concept.  “Say to those who have an anxious heart, Be strong; fear not!  Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.  He will come and save you.”  Encourage through the words of Christ!

Other ways to encourage…

·         Say Thank You

·         Take time to listen

·         Write them a note

·         Ask for advice

·         Be genuine

This is a short list of things to do.  You have to do what works for you and your spouse.  Whatever encouragement looks like for the two of you should be what you focus on this week.  As you encourage one another, you build one another up.  When you build one another up, you develop a deeper relationship.  When you develop that deeper relationship you both win!

Cheryl 

  

Bible Passage for the Week

Psalm 68:19 notes, "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation."

This bible passage is filled with so much hope!  God bears us up DAILY!  He doesn't just get around to it or when we are in desperate need; He is there for us daily! 

Last week we had Vacation Bible School and we have the children share each day how God was present in their lives that day.  What a great witness these kids were!  They shared numerous things on how God bears us up each and every day.

Post this around your house, in your blackberry, in your car, or wherever to remind you that we have a Lord that covers us each and every day.

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

Today was our first day of VBS at Redeemer and the bible passage came from 1 Samuel 16:7 - "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

This is a great verse to remind us that no matter who we are God knows us!  It is also a great reminder that we should be careful how we judge people by their appearance.  We do not know what is on their hearts by looking at them. 

Cheryl

Are you deliberate?

(Rose no longer in its prime)

Tonight, while watering the poor plants that were begging for something to drink, I noticed a rose that was no longer in the prime of its bloom.  The bloom had “run” its course and needed to be plucked from the stem.  However as I was standing there replenishing the plants with water, I noticed the rose had a particular beauty about it even though it had “run” its course.  For that reason I decided it was a good night to get out the camera; something I hadn’t done in a while.

Once again I wasn’t disappointed in what nature has to offer.  I decided the details of the rose were intricate enough that I should use my macro lens.  I am truly amazed every time I look through that lens.  Tonight, while taking pictures of the beautiful dilapidated rose I noticed a green insect on the plant; the rose no longer became the focus.  This insect was fascinating!  It was very deliberate in all of its actions.  It moved very slowly as it turned around; one step at a time.  At some point in watching this insect it appeared to be “cleaning” its legs.  It would put one leg at a time up to its mouth and then carefully put it back.  No move was quick or jerky but “thought” out.

As I was watching this insect through my camera lens, the thought that came to mind was how deliberate am I in my relationship with Christ?  Do I set aside time to study and pray or is it something that I get to when I have a chance?  Sadly, too many times I have to say I am not deliberate or it is the first thing knocked off my list of things to do.  Life gets busy!

I am so grateful Christ doesn’t operate under the same premise as I do!  Can you imagine how busy Christ is with all the details of the world?  He could easily forget about me; but he doesn’t!  Matthew 6:26 notes, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?”  Matthew also notes in 10:30, “And the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”  Christ is never too busy for any of us.  We are truly valuable to Him; so much so that He even knows how much hair we have on our heads. 

Christ was also deliberate in His love for us.  Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  He could’ve decided He wasn’t going to die for us because we couldn’t get our act together; but he didn’t!!!  His love for us is so grand that while we continually sin He doesn’t give up on us! 

Be deliberate in your relationship with Christ!  Don’t set Christ aside and when you have a moment you will get to Him!  When I take time for study despite my long list of things to do; I always seem to get everything done.  Many times I even have time to spare.  Not only do I have time to spare, but I had time to truly spend with the One that loves me so dearly.  Christ should never be on the “to do” list, He should be foundation of our everyday life.

(One very deliberate bug!}

Cheryl   

Bible Passage for the Week

Hebrews 12:28 - "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe."

In the days of so much uncertainty, it is such a blessing to know we have Christ and His Kingdom that is unshakable!  We have been given an amazing gift!  Post this around your house to remind you of the amazing gift as well as to do all you do in reverence and awe of our Lord! 

Cheryl 

How Do You Care for Your Spouse?

“Your care has preserved my spirit.” Job 10:12b

Care – such a little word that everyone seems to understand.  We obviously care about our spouse or we wouldn’t have married them.  Then why write about the word care?  The definition of care is not as simple as the word appears to be.  Care means, “Serious attention; solicitude; heed; protection.” (dictionary.com)  The words used in the definition take what seems to be such a simple word and gives it a whole new meaning. 

As you think about your day-to-day interactions with your spouse do you provide serious attention, expressive attentiveness (solicitude) and protection for your spouse?  Does that question make you stop and think about how you care for your spouse?  I have no doubt that all of you care for your spouse; yet are we deliberate in our care?  How do we be deliberate in our care?

Care for your spouse can be shown in many ways.  Care can be shown in the simple ways such as knowing your spouse needs something at the grocery store and you just pick it up.  You may just come home and give your spouse a hug because you are expressing your care for them.  Care is more complex too.  As noted in the definition care means protection.  You can care for your spouse by protecting them and not using harsh words about them to other people.  You can protect them by not allowing harsh words from other people. 

When you take a moment to really digest the definition of care the care you give your spouse is crucial to growing together.  Scripture notes in Job, “Your care has preserved my spirit.”  Job was not in a great situation.  He had lost loved ones and livestock and yet he saw and felt the love from God.  He noted how His care is what was getting him through the tragedy.  The care you give your spouse can protect the spirit of your spouse.  It is not the same protection that we get from God but it is a safeguard for our spouse.   Stuff is going to come up throughout marriage and it will not always be pleasant.  You can offer that “safe” place for them.  That place where they know they can go and find solicitude.

Christ has provided His care for us.  He cared enough for us to protect us from evil.  He cared enough for us to prepare a place for us in heaven.  He cared enough for us to die.  He also cares enough for us to help us.  Caring for someone is very involved.  Ask Christ to help you see where your spouse needs care and how to provide it in a way that preserves their spirit. 

Cheryl           

Bible Passage for the Week

Psalm 143:8 notes, "Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.  Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."

What a great prayer to offer every morning!  Lord, let me hear of the love you have provided for me and please continue to show me the way I should go.  Do we take time each morning to hear Christ?  Do we hear of the amazing love He has and continues to provide for us?  Do we listen to the direction He wants us to go for the day?  Many times we get busy and life is "routine".  We need to make sure we take time out each and every day to hear Christ and follow His direction.

Cheryl

Bible Passage for the Week

Psalm 127:1 "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."

This is a great verse to remind us that the Lord is overseer and if we go about building our home without Him, we are building in vain.  Post this around your home to remind you that Christ is center of your household! Turn to Him in how to build your home and family! 

Cheryl

Peaceful Sleep

Does peaceful sleep elude you?  Do you just want to lie down, close your eyes, and fall into a peaceful sleep?  Psalm 4:8 states, “In peace I will lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”  Sleep, peace and rest are all things we look for in the hectic society we live in today.  David was looking for the same thing so many years ago.  Just think…he wasn’t connected to work via blackberry 24/7.  He wasn’t managing a lifestyle that prides itself on being busy all the time.  David was managing a lifestyle of enemies surrounding him.  He was King and had to make some tough decisions.  He was constantly being watched.  Whether it is today’s society or a few thousand years ago sleep, peace, and rest are important!

David said, “In peace I will lie down and sleep…”  What a sweet thought - to lie down and rest peacefully.  However, the author of the book “A New Song” posed a very interesting thought.  “I can’t help but wonder what song I carry with me as I lay my head on the pillow each night.  Too often, it’s a litany of the day’s problems drumming a steady beat in my head.” (Fryar, pg. 74)  Does that sound familiar to anyone?  Sometimes I wish I had an on and off button for my brain!  Oh, how I desperately need that off switch at times. 

The crazy part in all of this is Christ is the “off” switch.  The second half of the verse notes, “For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”  Therefore, I have nothing to worry about!  I have all the reassurance I need that I am taken care of.  Then why does the brain not shut off?  I feel like the disciples in the boat as they cried out for help and Jesus says, “O you of little faith.” (Matthew 8:26)  The bible passage might as well be saying, O Cheryl, you have little faith.  The promises have been given and I still choose to worry.

Worry, doubt, lack of rest, and any other uninvited word one that can be put in the list is satan’s way of working his way into our life.  I Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around you like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  If we are consumed with worry, doubt, lack of rest, etc. then the devil is doing a pretty good job of devouring.  If we cannot shut off the brain, the devil is willing to add his two cents into the “conversation” running through our head. 

Remember to let Christ be your “off” switch!  He will take care of you; in fact, He has everything under control!  There is no need to worry.  Peaceful sleep can be yours!

Cheryl
  

Bible Passage for the Week

I Corinthians 2:9 - "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him."

I remember talking in my sixth grade class what we thought heaven was going to be like.  My teacher noted in his mind it was going to be like the chocolate river flowing in the Dairy Queen commercial.  He was going to float on down the river, have his ice-cream covered in chocolate, and be in heaven!  This verse notes it is going to be even better than we can imagine!  God has prepared a place for us!

Remember to thank a veteran today for the sacrifices they and their family make so we can have the freedom to share God's word!

Cheryl

A Weed is Beautiful?

 

A stress reliever for me is getting out my camera and taking pictures of whatever I come across.  A while back I had my camera out and was playing with my macro lens; a lens that allows me to see intricate details in things that I cannot see with the naked eye.  On this particular day I focused in on dandelions.  I found dandelions that were at different stages of its growth cycle.  I was stunned at the beauty within a weed as it was blooming as well as when it was going to seed.  I am sure my husband would not say dandelions are beautiful as he tries to rid them from his lawn; but they are truly beautiful. 

God says in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time."  Now, from a teacher perspective you alert students to words such as always, everything, never, etc. because not too many things fit in such categories.  However, God stated everything is beautiful within its time.  Do we see the beauty in things as we look at them or do we just see ordinary every day things?  Do we notice that everything has a beautiful attribute?  One aspect I truly appreciate about taking photos is I see God's beauty through a camera lens.  I see things that seem ordinary but really are extraordinary. 

You may not be a photographer but you can see God's beauty with your own eyes.  Take a moment to see just how beautiful things are!  Notice the little things, or the simple things, that God has given us that truly make this world stunning!  The Awesomeness of our Lord is even present in the little things; things such as dandelions!   

Cheryl

    

Bible Passage for the Week

Micah 4:2 notes, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths."

Do you take time out of your day to spend it with the Lord so He can teach you?  This is an excellent bible passage to have noted around your house, office, car, etc. to remind you that you need to take time out so God can teach you.  God has so much to offer but often times we think we don't have enough time to dig into His word; to let Him teach us.  We have things that "have" to be done.  What we really need...Christ!  Find that time and see what God has in store for you!

Cheryl    

Tough Life?

Have you ever taken a moment and thought about what occurred during biblical times and what God’s chosen leaders went through.  They had a tough life!  For instance, Psalm 3 is a Psalm that David wrote when he was fleeing from his son Absalom.  David is crying out to the Lord and asking how many are against me?  Yet, in that David didn’t forget that his salvation rests in God.  Psalm 3:8 states, “Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people!”

Psalm 3:8 is the end of  Psalm 3 and it is perfect!  Salvation belongs to the Lord!  If you take a quick look at Psalm 3 David talks of how God is a shield about him; he can rest because the Lord sustains him; he doesn’t have to be afraid because the Lord is on his side despite being pursued by his enemies.  We, too, can cry out to the Lord and ask to be held in His comfort; to rest because we are sustained; to know we have the Lord on our side.  AND…It all comes down to His salvation!  The rest of the “stuff” we deal with in everyday life does not matter.  We have His blessings upon us and we will someday bask in the Glory of the King!

Take a moment to consider what His salvation means and why all that other “stuff” does not matter.  Each of us was born into a sinful world.  We all started off with a common denominator – we are sinners.  The “stuff” in our lives look different for each of us, but can all be brought back to the fact we live in a sinful world.  We are not capable of doing anything to dig ourselves out of the hole we are in.  We cannot even come close to trying to live the perfect life needed to obtain salvation!  That’s were His salvation comes into the mix.  Psalm 37:39 states, “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble!”  Then Psalm 62:7 says, “On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God!”

Salvation is having a stronghold when times are tough.  Salvation is having the mighty rock and refuge we need.  Salvation is also having a Savior that is truly the King of Kings.  There is no other god besides the one True God!  Isaiah 43:11 – “I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.”  Isaiah 45:21b” – And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.”  Hosea 13:4b – “You know no God but me, and besides me there is no Savior.”  Salvation is having a Heavenly Father that sent us a Savior, His only Son, to pay the price of our sins; to bear the pain for us. 

Life is not easy!  In fact, it can be quite tough!  The “stuff” will try and overtake life.  However in Galatians 6:9 it says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up!”  We have Salvation!  We have Christ!  Don’t give up!

Cheryl

           

Bible Passage for the Week

Proverbs 22:6 notes, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

This bible passage is a great reminder of why it is so important to instill God's word in our children from a very young age.  As you go about your week, note how you are instilling God's word within your children as well as how you, yourself, are staying in God's word.

Cheryl

Exalting Your Spouse

Exalting Your Spouse

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Have you heard the phrase it takes 10 positive comments to counteract one negative comment?  It is a statement that many times is told to kids as they are being taught how to positively treat others.  It is also a statement that applies to marriage.  To build each other up is by using words that are exalting of one another. 

Exalting, according to Dictionary.com, means; “to raise in rank, honor, power, character, quality, to elevate, to praise”.  As you think about conversations you have about your spouse with other people, do you exalt them?  Do you speak in such a manner that the other person knows exactly how amazing your spouse is? 

Our spouse is the person that is the closest one to us and therefore is the easiest person to hurt.  When we choose to speak poorly, or not exalt our spouse, a couple of things happen.  First it hurts our spouse.  It leaves a “wound” that is going to require attention.  It is going to take 10 plus positive comments to undo the one statement.  The second thing it does is it leaves a bad impression of our spouse to whomever we are talking with.  It brings a “third party” in on the issues that are occurring between each other.  The problem in bringing in the “third party” is two-fold.  First, only one side of the story is being presented.  Second, when you and your spouse make-up the “third party” is not present.  Therefore, they are still left with the negative impression given in the previous conversation.  They have not moved on from the issue as the two of you have.  They are still holding the hurt that you shared with them. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 states we are to encourage one another and build one another up.  There is no better place to apply this message than our marriages.  As previously noted, our spouse is the easiest person to hurt.  Because of that, if we do not consciously exalt our spouse we run the risk of tearing each other down instead of building each other up.  Marriage is not an easy road!  It requires work and the ability to find the good in one another constantly.  The more you speak of your spouse in an exalting manner the more you will see them as an amazing person.

Marriage may be a tough road to walk down; however, it is a road that is filled with so many blessings.  Exalt your spouse to others as well as to each other.  Remember you married an amazing person!  Find the good in each other and share that with your spouse and the world!

Cheryl