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