Elizabeth George's Blog, page 19

How to Get to Know Him

 

There is something so spiritual and reverent about the Bible. The words within its pages are alive with truth that has the ability to transform us as we read them. It is the foundation of our faith; our Christianity. Even still, the discipline to sit down and read daily can be an internal battle. When you read the Bible, you aren’t just reading a book of wisdom and history…you’re forced to face yourself.

We awaken the truth within us when we allow the verses to nudge us, to reveal the Lord to us. Chapter 24 in the book of Luke talks about Jesus walking alongside some of his followers. To them, he was just another man. The scripture tells us they did not recognize Him because they did not know Him (Luke 24:16). What’s more surprising about these verses is that they were in mourning over the man they did now know. It wasn’t until Jesus began to speak all the prophetic verses about His resurrection that they recognized Him.

Sometimes we are in place of void, going through the motions of day to day life and neglecting that which gives us life. We fail to hear from Him because we have missed that time meditating on His word and knowing Him. But He is always there…walking beside us.

There are many ways you can develop more consistent and solid bible reading time. These three are the most important by far.

Be passionate about it!

You have to want to read. You must be excited to confront those things about yourself and be willing and eager to let the transformation happen. His word is the difference between a mediocre life and a full life!

Ask Him to help!

Pray to God and ask Him to help you with your commitment to read His word. Even if you don’t yet want to, simply telling Him that you surrender your will and asking Him to give you the desire and discipline to commit, He will do it.

Make it a priority!

These days everyone has multitude of digital devices that they take with them everywhere they go. Then, when relaxing at home, we are inundated with television, video games, internet, on demand music and movies, and books on e-readers. These are all wonderful advancements for our society, but it leaves zero idle time. We’re always occupied. We must reverse our perspective on this. Shut off all of the devices at a certain time each day. Ignore them. Focus on Him. Make Him a priority. Don’t just fit Him in between cat videos and the posts on the latest social media platform. Yes, those furry felines can do some pretty cool tricks, but just wait until you read what Jesus did!

RESPOND:

Lord, my heart’s desire is to fill my mind with Your Word. I want to be able to pull up Your truths and promises in a split second, to be able to comfort my soul when needed, and to speak a word in season to those who are weary. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

From longtime bestselling author Jim George--a concise, simple, easy-to-remember survey of each book of the Bible in a highly portable format! The Basic Bible Pocket Guide offers two outstanding benefits: A straight-to-the-point summary of each book in God's Word and a panoramic overview of all the Bible's high points from beginning to end.

REFLECT:

When was the last time the Bible made you feel alive? Reread those verses and ask God to rekindle that flame within you.

REMEMBER:

Immerse yourself in Scripture. And pray as you read. Commit yourself afresh to spiritual growth and the practice of Bible reading.

Season of Promises

 

Isn’t it wonderful that we have a God, a loving Shepherd, that watches over us? His love is unending. His guidance is unfailing. His presence is everlasting.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

 

Just like you, I need God’s promises. I need them today and for the times I have yet to brave. I need them for the seasons I’m experiencing as well as those to come. Isn’t it wonderful that God’s care for us is unceasing? Absolutely! He is with you, dear friend, every season. What a joy to know you are cared for by such a great God.

Seasons of Change

I still remember when we found out that Jim and I would be “empty nesters” and maybe even grandparents! During the same season we knew that my parents, who were then in their eighties, could die soon. My thoughts went through several other possible scenarios related to life, marriage, health, and ministry.

As I was writing goals and thinking about them in terms of time, it hit me hard just how many life-altering events could happen in a person’s near and distant future. I was a little shaken...until I remembered Psalm 84:11 and what we’ve been talking about in this section of the book:

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory.

My heart settled down as I acknowledged once again that God would be a sun and a shield for me. His grace would prepare me and accompany me through whatever was to come. Once I calmed down, I regained that quiet assurance and contentment that comes from believing and trusting in the promises of God. God is in control—everything will be all right. What a blessing the promises of this verse are!

Seasons of Grace

Well, sure enough, over those next 10 years both of my parents died...and God’s grace was there. And sure enough, both of my daughters were married...and God’s grace was there. And sure enough, a multitude of other challenges came along, such as major surgeries, cancer scares, and a grandchild with a physical problem—things I didn’t dream of at the time but that turned my life in new and dramatic and sometimes difficult directions. Still, God’s grace was there. His grace is there for you too.

God is your sun. You have His provision. Just as the sun is the source of all physical life, so God is the source of all life, both physical and spiritual. You don’t have to worry about provisions.

God is your shield. You have His protection. Just as a shield is protection in war, so God is your source of safety and security. You don’t have to worry about fighting enemies alone.

God gives you His grace. You have His grace, His sufficiency. When you need Him, He provides all things through His grace. You don’t have to worry about being strong enough.

God will give you glory. You have God’s promise that He will give you glory—eternal glory—no matter how or when you die. You don’t have to worry about your eternal destiny. And you will experience some of Jesus’ glory here on earth!

These are some fantastic reasons why you can trust God and be content, aren’t they?

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, You are “the God who is there,” Right now I can’t see the end of this season in my life, but because You are here with me now, I can make it through today. Thank You! Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

Breaking the Worry Habit Forever  – Going beyond the simple "just pray and give your troubles to the Lord," Elizabeth acknowledges how hard it can be to "let go and let God." She offers practical step-by-step advice to help you in this encouraging book for women.

REFLECT:

Thank Him for for the promises He gives us in the Shepherd Psalm that confirm our hope and strength and joy in Him as we grow through and weather the seasons of life. As the psalm’s precious fourth verse promises: God is with us every day and all the way!

REMEMBER:

Take time to reflect today what season are you in, in the various aspects of your life. How had God sustained and challenged you in each season? What have you learned? What do you think God is trying to teach you in this season?

Mentoring Moms and Dads

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Raising a child can feel overwhelming at times. At least most parents I know have felt that way. I know I have; especially in the earlier years of childrearing. I believe the most encouraging wisdom and insight I received as a young, clueless parent was shared by another father and mentor to my husband, Jim.

We held on tightly to these words while our girls were in their formative years and living at home. And do you know what? We still find comfort from them as grandparents today. Jim’s mentor told him, “The ground at the cross is level when it comes to child-raising.”

This Godly parent with much more experience than us went on to explain that he had learned not to judge other parents, because parenting is simply hard work. No parent has done or will do it all perfectly. It’s likely the biggest challenge accepted for each and every parent.

Jim’s mentor also encouraged us that the end results are never fully evident because God is in the equation and that only time will reveal the outcome of our parenting, which is intermingled with God’s sovereignty and grace. No matter what appears to be real, whether rough seas or smooth sailing, all parents need God, and with God, all things are always possible.

So know that your mission is to begin where you are to follow the Lord. Just as it is never too late to receive Christ as Savior, you can choose any day — today, if you haven’t already — to begin diligently teaching your children and talking to them about the God you love and who loves them. Raising children is never done perfectly, but it is usually done with a heart of immeasurable love…and hope.

You know what this means, don’t you? That you and I as parents must always be praying hope for our children regardless of their age or stage in life. In fact, this is yet another one of God’s “missions” for moms and dads: We are to be diligent prayer warriors. We are to do battle through prayer on behalf of our precious children.

Pray for their spiritual growth into a man or woman after God’s own heart as your calling, your mission assignment from God. One of my favorite verses to pray for my children is Ephesians 1:17, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ…may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.”

Jesus was the greatest mentor of all time. He took a ragtag group of uneducated, ill-equipped men and, in three years, molded them into a force that turned the world upside down. Here’s what we can learn from His example:

There can be no impact without contact. Jesus spent time with His men. He taught by word and example, cared for them, and was patient with them.

He looked for men who were willing to learn. When He called them to the ministry, they eagerly followed. They made mistakes, but they were willing to listen and obey.

He expected His disciples to make disciples. Jesus commanded them to carry on His work. You are now a part of that work, and you are to pass it on to others.

RESPOND:

Lord, empower me today to follow Your example. Help me to pay attention to others and to offer my input when they are willing to receive it. Most of all, I want to eagerly follow you in obedience. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:
[image error] A Mom After God’s Own Heart  offers moms practical advice and real-life suggestions for helping children, no matter what their ages, to incorporate God into daily life.

REFLECT:

What additional verses or thoughts do you daily pray over your children or those children in your life?

REMEMBER:

Commit to doing your part, and trust God to do His!

Marriage During Tough Times

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Have you ever lost an expensive pair of earrings and spent hours searching for them? I’m guessing you didn’t give up until you found them, right? Well, think about this: How much more important is your marriage? Earrings are things —things that can be replaced. But your marriage? Your husband? Well, that’s another story.

We’re all going through tough times right now, but when it comes to your marriage, you should be willing to do whatever it takes to produce God’s kind of marriage relationship. You should commit to following His rules and guidelines, to living out His will for you and your spouse. God has placed you in your marriage and expects you to do your part. That’s His will for you . And, to be sure, God has His guidelines for your husband too. But He only asks you to focus on and take care of your role.

So we wonder: How do wives do this? How can I, as a wife, do this?

I know a L-O-T about hard times and life changes. Jim and I married in college and completed our educations without financial support from our parents. It’s not that they didn’t want to help out—they simply didn’t have the money to help us.

When I met Jim on campus, we both had part-time jobs that we kept until graduation. And since then, we have known only a very few years when we didn’t both work in some way to take care of our daughters and living expenses. I worked away from home until we had children. Then I worked at home doing transcription, bookkeeping, and other office-type work.

Believe me, we saw our lives turned upside down almost every other year as Jim was transferred every 18 months for his job. He was even activated into military service during Operation Desert Storm and the Bosnian crisis.

Tough Times

But I learned the most about supporting my husband’s job during ten very lean years. That decade began when Jim resigned from his job as a pharmaceutical salesman to enter seminary to prepare for the ministry. As you can imagine, those were some tough years. And our daughters remember those years too. One day my Katherine, a newlywed at that time, called and asked, “Mom, do you have any of those recipes you used to fix when we were in hard times?”

I think a lot about those challenging years. Well, one morning I was wondering how I made it through those trying times.

Making It Through

Actually, it was a trying decade! So I looked through my prayer notebook, located those years, and read through my prayer lists. And there I discovered my prayer requests for my Jim, who had four—yes, four—part-time jobs so I could stay at home with our two preschoolers.

Instead of being bitter and dwelling on the plenty we had enjoyed in the past, we adjusted. Jim took on extra work, and I did everything I could do to keep spending to a minimum.

And...I prayed. I prayed like crazy. I felt like the man who shared the following experience, which I believe is the way God wants us to live:

“In a single day I have prayed as many as a hundred times, and in the night almost as often.”

Friend, you can make it through any tough times you and your husband are in through God’s strength. Start now to pray for it!

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, I am coming to You with the needs of our marriage. I ask that You shower my husband and I with Your grace and favor as I pray for, support and love my husband! Grant us wisdom and strength during these tough times. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:
[image error] A Couple After God’s Own Heart  by Elizabeth George—Enrich your marriage and learn the essentials for enjoying life together by developing better ways to communicate and drawing upon God for unity and strength in hard times. Click to HERE read more about this Bible study for couples.

REFLECT:

In what ways do you support your husband during tough times?

REMEMBER:

The goal is to work together as a team, today and every day throughout life and its seasons.

Teaching Versus Training

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Many fathers are convinced that they aren’t cut out to teach the children, but this is simply a matter of perspective and word choice. Fathers do teach. They simply do so in a manner more respective to their natural gifts and talents. To be more specific, fathers train their children.

Training is the method most fathers are comfortable with when it comes to communicating God’s truth to their children. Both teaching and training are important aspects of imparting information to others, but each aspect has its subtle differences.

Teaching is mostly done in a classroom, while training is often done in the lab, workshop, or on the job.
Teaching tends to emphasize theory, while training usually involves the practical.
Teaching generally provides the knowledge, while training helps apply that knowledge.
Teaching talks of tools and techniques, while training puts the tools and techniques into practice.
Teaching fills the mind, while training shapes habits.
Teaching usually has more immediate value, while training tends to offer more long-term value.
Teaching usually deals with general information, while training looks more closely at the specifics.

Being a dad after God’s own heart sometimes requires playing the role of a drill sergeant or instructor. Those who are chosen to become drill sergeants are given that task because they are serious, well-seasoned, and battle-hardened. Their job is to take a raw recruit and make him into a soldier in only a few months. The tougher they are on the recruits on the training ground, the more likely a soldier will survive on the battlefield.

As we look to the example of a drill sergeant, be aware that I am not asking you to emulate their harshness. Rather, I am encouraging you to emulate their tenacity towards preparing soldiers - in your case, your children - for survival on the battlefield of life. As a dad, one of your jobs is to take a raw recruit - your child - and turn him or her into a godly man or godly woman who will love Jesus and, in turn, train up yet another generation to follow the Lord.

Also, whereas a drill sergeant has a recruit for only two or three months, you have your children for about 20 years! And you get to train and instruct them every day. Because God gives you many years to raise up your children, you have many opportunities to influence and train them up—in every area of life!

Dad, your first objective is to help your children develop a heart that follows God, that delights in being responsive to Him and His commands. Your goal is to nurture in them a heart that obeys.

Benjamin Franklin summed up the differences between teaching and training this way. I added the words inside the brackets to help provide clarity:

"Tell me and I forget.

Teach me and I remember.

Involve me [train me] and I learn."

RESPOND:

Lord, You’ve given me a wonderful family. I delight in being with these people You’ve given me to cherish…and I especially delight in You. Help me to train them up in the way they should go so that when they are old, they will not depart from it. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:
[image error] A Dad After God’s Own Heart by Jim George—In this fresh rerelease, learn the basics for how to be a good dad with your kids!

REFLECT:

In what ways are you purposeful in training your children and communicating God's ways to them?

REMEMBER:

Time keeps on ticking, and children grow up quickly. Use the everyday tasks and experiences to train your children and impart wisdom.

Making Your Home a Haven

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Our job as a mother and homemaker is to make sure that our children’s lives are precious to us, that they have a shelter from the world. You see, the home is God’s recovery plan for our family.

Relationships are severed. Friends turn away. Abilities are overlooked. Dreams are dashed.

But how blessed is the husband and child who can simply come home after the rigors of the day and know that all is well there … and will remain well? How blessed they are to have one place—a place you are in charge of—that is a safe space, a harbor, a shelter for their bodies and souls?

Home must be the one place our loved ones can count on to hold them up and build them up again. Let’s commit this week to do the work that makes our home a haven. Think about it.

“If I can just get home, everything will be okay!”

Wouldn’t it be great if every member of your family knew there was one place where everything would be all right? Your home should—and can be—a place of refuge; a place for healing; a place for renewal.

Look around your house or apartment… inside and out. And while you’re looking, make a list of the things that need to be added, repaired, or set up to create an ambiance of a peaceful haven. And don’t forget your attitude. That’s where we’re sometimes put to the test. What is that one attitude that if it were improved-transformed by God-would enhance the feel of your home?

I encourage you to take a new look at your home and how people interact there. Take whatever steps you need to improve the sometimes calm, sometimes fun, and always supportive atmosphere at home.

Would you describe what goes on in your home as “heaven on earth”? That’s quite an expression, isn’t it? Heaven…on earth! And life in your home is meant to be exactly that! The Bible uses home life and marriage as illustrations of God’s relationship with His church, with the people who follow Him. And when you live out your God-ordained roles and fulfill your God-given assignments at home others take notice and see proof of your special relationship with the Lord.

You have the privilege of presenting a picture of what heaven will be like to those around you. When you pursue with passion and purpose God’s design for a woman, a homemaker, a wife, a mom, you establish a home that reflects the order and beauty of life in heaven. An amazing opportunity, isn’t it?

RESPOND:

I’m only human, Lord. How can I have a home and marriage that reflects Your perfect love, Your perfect peace? Show me, Lord. Please help me. I want to grow in these areas. I want to bless those in my home and point people to You. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:
[image error] Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman : in this timely book, you’ll be delighted to see how easily you can be like the Proverbs 31 woman … an ordinary woman who made herself available to an extraordinary God—and became a tremendous blessing to everyone around her.

REFLECT:

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV)

Do I intentionally make the effort to create a home where my family longs to be?

REMEMBER:

Home must be the one place our loved ones can count on to hold them up and build them up again.

Parenting the Heart

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Our behavior is heart driven. There­fore, correction, discipline and training, every aspect of parenting, must be addressed to the heart. The fundamental task of parenting is shepherding the hearts of your children. Author Tedd Tripp says it best:

“…parenting is concerned with shepherding the heart. You must learn to work back from the behavior you see to the heart, exposing heart issues for your children. In short, you must learn to engage them, not just reprove them. Help them see the ways that they are trying to slake [satisfy] their soul’s thirst with that which cannot satisfy. You must help your kids gain a clear focus on the cross of Christ.”

Our children are blessings given to us by God and their hearts are your stewardship from God. He expects you to do your part in raising them to know and love Him. The good news is He has given you all you need in Him to accomplish his purposes. The heart is the best place to start!

The prophet Samuel spoke for God when he rebuked Saul for failing to obey God’s specific instructions (1 Samuel 13). Over and over again as reported in 1 Samuel, Saul overstepped the bounds God set for him. On several occasions he specifically disobeyed God. Although he was very careful to offer prescribed sacrifices to Him, Saul failed to offer God the ultimate sacrifice—obedience from a heart wholly devoted to Him (1 Samuel 15:22).

Finally, after one extremely serious act of disobedience, God sent Samuel to Saul with a twofold message: “Your kingdom shall not continue” and “The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14).

God was communicating something along this order—”Saul, you’re through as king. I’ve put up with your rebellious, unresponsive heart long enough, and now I’ve found just the right man to serve Me. This man who will take your place is a man with a responsive heart, a man with a heart of obedience, a man who will follow all My commands, fulfill all My desires, and do all My will.”

This is where we witness two very different kinds of hearts—the heart of David and the heart of Saul.

David served God while Saul served himself and did things his way.
David was concerned with following God’s will, but Saul cared solely for his own will.
David’s heart was centered on God, and Saul’s was centered on Saul.
Even though David didn’t always obey God, he had what mattered over the long haul—a heart after God. In sharp contrast, Saul’s devotion to God was impulsive and sporadic.

David was a man’s man, well-known for his physical prowess and might as a warrior. Still, he was humbly dependent upon God, trusting in Him and repeatedly acknowledging, “The Lord is the strength of my life” (Psalm 27:1). Saul, on the other hand, was proud. He relied on his own skill, his own wisdom and judgment, and his arm of flesh.

God gave both of these kings opportunities to lead Israel, but in the end they walked down different paths—Saul away from God and David toward Him.

How’s your heart? The heart God delights in is compliant, cooperative, and responsive to Him and His commands.

When you train your children, be sure to look to their heart for insight into the behavior. Pray and ask God to reveal their hearts to you so that you can parent them better. And don’t forget that being a good role model is Godly parenting at its finest.

RESPOND:

Jesus, I love you with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength. Write your commandments upon my heart and the hearts of my children. Impress them on my family. Remind me to talk about them when I sit at home and when I walk along the road, when I lie down and when I get up. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:
[image error] In A Man After God's Own Heart: Updated and Expanded by Jim George, God knows what it will take for you to experience the satisfaction that comes from living a life of purpose--His purpose. In A Man After God's Own Heart , you'll discover God's perfect design for how you can make a difference in all of the key areas of your life.

REFLECT:

How’s your heart? The heart God delights in is compliant, cooperative, and responsive to Him and His commands.

REMEMBER:

God gave both of these kings opportunities to lead Israel, but in the end they walked down different paths—Saul away from God and David toward Him.

Our True Citizenship

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The temptation for worldly acceptance comes when you lose sight of your identity. As a believer in Christ you are a kingdom citizen (Philippians 3:20). You are a sojourner and a pilgrim (1 Peter 2:11), merely passing through this life on your way to eternity. So don’t get too settled in a world and a life that is passing away.

Accept your eternal citizenship.

This will keep you from worrying and being overly concerned about what people think of you and your Christian standards and beliefs.

God is fully able to enable you to live a victorious Christian life. And He is willing and available to do so. That’s His part. Now it’s up to you to do your part, to focus fully on Him—not others—and live for Him.

Citizenship in heaven is exclusive.

Jesus made a promise to His disciples: “I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 4:3). Those who are believers in Jesus will be taken to God’s heavenly Kingdom. In fact, Revelation 21:27 lists for us the kind of people who will enter: "Nothing impure will ever enter, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.”

Citizenship in heaven is eternal.

Your citizenship in an earthly kingdom began the day of your birth, and that citizenship will end the day you die. Similarly, your citizenship in God’s kingdom begins at your “new birth” in Christ, but unlike your citizenship here on Earth, it will never end.

Citizenship in heaven brings immediate benefits.

In Colossians 1:12-14, we read of five immediate benefits for those who become citizens of God’s kingdom:

We are qualified to share in Christ’s inheritance in the kingdom (verse 12).
We are rescued from the dominion of darkness (verse 13).
We are brought in to the Kingdom of the Son of God (verse 13).
We are redeemed from sin and judgment (verse 14).
We are forgiven of all our sins (verse 14).

Citizenship in heaven means representing Christ here on Earth.

If you were to move to or visit a foreign country, you would represent to them your native country. You are a reflection of your home. This is the same with God’s kingdom. We must reflect the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to those around us. Second Corinthians 5:20 tells us that we are Christ’s ambassadors here on Earth. Let’s represent Him well.

Citizenship in heaven comes with a tutor.

The Holy Spirit is here with us, to teach us all things. John 14:26 tells us that the Holy Spirit is our guide, helper, and teacher until we get to heaven. We don’t have to go at this ambassadorship alone. As always, the Father has provided for us.

While things here on Earth don’t always seem peaceful, and certainly not easy, we aren’t in this alone. Though we are citizens of our magnificent country, we are also citizens of heaven. That alone should bring joy to our hearts. The things we deal with here are temporary. Be encouraged.

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, please help me crave only Your approval, and to not be concerned with the ways of the world. I want to live for You alone. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:
[image error]Drawn from The 50 Most Important Teachings of the Bible by Jim George. This helpful resource highlights key teachings every believer should know. With great clarity and simplicity, this book focuses on the most essential elements of the faith that’ll strengthen and encourage you!

REFLECT:

Are you more concerned with what the world and people think or about what pleases God?

REMEMBER:

If your focus is on pleasing Christ, you will always say and do the right thing, the God-honoring thing.

Focus on Marriage

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Not long after Jim and I were married, we realized we had a longing for many of the same things a lot of other newlywed couples long for. Besides having fun together, we wanted good jobs, a good income, a new car, and an exciting lifestyle—and, of course, the funds to finance them. However, as time went on and we achieved these goals, we began to wish for more. Specifically we began to wish for a terrific home to own. Within eight years of marriage, we had all of these things. Life was good. Then we realized the error in our focus.

Because of the temporary nature of our possessions, Jesus tells us exactly where we should place our focus.

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:20-21).

Where is your focus? Where is your “treasure”? Put another way, what occupies your thoughts and time? The goal is to make sure your first loyalties—your priority heart commitments—are on the right things, the things that cannot fade away, the things that can never be stolen, the things that cannot wear out (and are never out of fashion!). In short, the things that last—the things that are eternal.

God created marriage. In His perfect wisdom, He designed man and woman to complement each other and to enjoy a permanent and complete union with each other. In Genesis 2:18 He said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” After the Lord created Eve, He then said, “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his spouse, and they shall become one flesh.”

When you take time to nurture this oneness with your spouse, you bring honor to God and acknowledge His ideal design. As you love your marriage partner, you are showing love and obedience to God as well. And as an incredible result, you’ll experience the fullness and blessings that God designed for a married couple to enjoy! Take time now. Set aside five minutes and pray, “Lord, how can I express my love today?” Then write down every way you can think of to tell your honey, “I love you.”

“Nurturing oneness” in your marriage should be something you think and pray about every day. Make it a priority to find new ways to show your love.

L ove your spouse unconditionally. Your love cannot be cause-and-effect in nature, with an attitude of “if he/she does this, I’ll do that.” Love does not keep records (1 Corinthians 13:5). It gives, expecting nothing in return.

O rder your priorities. Next to your love for God, you are to love your spouse. They are to be your highest human priority. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his spouse” (Genesis 2:24). What have you done lately that would make your spouse know they are your Number-One human priority?

V alue the many sterling qualities in your spouse. Your spouse married you, so they definitely have a lot going for them! Praise your spouse often, and praise them publicly. One husband said this to his spouse before a whole city: “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all” (Proverbs 31:29).

E njoy the spouse of your youth—sexually, physically, and as a best friend. Your spouse, and your spouse alone, is to be the love of your life. Never let your eyes wander (Proverbs 5:15-19). Your vow to love your spouse was a covenant made with God and with them (Proverbs 2:17). So keep it!

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, may we look at our treasures with clear eyes that can discern the temporary from the eternal. May we pursue those treasures that will last forever! Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:
[image error] A Couple After God’s Own Heart —Enrich your marriage and learn the essentials for enjoying life together by developing better ways to communicate. This book for couples will help you draw upon God for unity and strength.
REFLECT:

Where is your focus? Where is your “treasure”? What occupies your thoughts and time?

REMEMBER:

By God’s grace we can live a life filled with Jesus Christ and have goals centered around eternity and eternal values.

Embrace the Real You

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We are all God’s children. We are all made in His image. It’s time we get real and embrace our life and our uniqueness. We can’t hide from who we are. If we succumb to peer pressure and attempt to change to please others, that is like telling God His design is flawed.

There are likely people in our past, present, and future who want to change us. They’d like nothing more than to make us a little more like the image they have conjured up in their mind of how we should be.

Unfortunately, it’s likely that we do that to other people as well. For some reason we think everyone has to be like us and think like us. Sometimes, the way we live our lives or the words we speak may offend others. Why do we do this to each other? We judge others by their actions but we judge ourselves by our intentions. It’s wrong.

That does not mean we are without sin. There are some strict "do nots" in the Bible: no adultery, no fornication, no lying, no stealing, and so on. However, there is no dictation as to how we should do the dishes or how we should clean a bathroom. I haven’t yet found a verse in the Bible that dictates whether we should or shouldn’t put our kids in sports, write a book, or style our hair either.

I think it is time we all get real. It is time to get past our past mistakes, failures, and mindsets. We should learn from it and repent if we should, but we must move on. We must choose to do better. It’s also time we embrace our uniqueness. God didn’t make us all the same on purpose. He has a brilliant blueprint for each one of us. No two will look alike.

We should not try to fit into a mold. Just be you. Be the best YOU that you can be, whether you are single, married, working, a mom, or whomever you are. For most of us the only stumbling block in our way is ourselves. You don’t try something different for fear of not being accepted or loved. And then there is that nagging thought of, “What if someone says something about it?” I know. I’ve been there and still go there from time to time.

We may have done wrong in the past, but we have an amazing future and without that past we would not be who we are today. We should want to live our life in a way that pays homage to what our Savior did for us. We should want to live in such a way that brings glory to His name, serves others, and represents love.

We go through phases. We go through seasons in life. It is what we do with all of those experiences that makes a difference. We can use it for good or bad. I choose to have a good perspective and use it to grow. Everything in life is either a stepping stone or a stumbling block.

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, as I look into Your Word, I want to thank You for Your concern and care for the details of my life. Today has its difficulties and stress. May I be faithful to trust in Your perfect and personal management of the world around me...and me! Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

[image error]Creating a Beautiful Life by Elizabeth George—Each new day presents opportunities to grow your faith, manage your work and goals, and make good use of the time God gives you. This book for busy women will help you create a more beautiful and productive life.

REFLECT:

Whenever you are in a tough situation and you don’t know what to do just ask yourself, “Do you want to stumble or do you want to climb?” Are you ready to embrace the REAL you?

REMEMBER:

Whenever your life seems to be out of control or you feel like the world and its pressures are crashing in on you, realize God is sovereign and He created you perfectly, and in His image, just the way you are.