The Privilege of Being Called Mommy & Daddy

Psalm 128:1-2 (NKJV)

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,

Who walks in His ways.

When you eat the labor of your hands,

You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

~Prayer~

That you will never forget that children are a blessing.

~Something To Ponder~

Prayerfully reflect on the high and  holy calling of being a mom and dad. Share why it is such a privilege.

God's Word Has Full Authority PT 3

Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

~Prayer~

That God will give you and your family hope and joy in the midst of troubled times...~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

What is causing heartbreak and sorrow in you life right now? Have you spent time talking with God about it?

God's Word Has Full Authority PT 2

Mark 1:17 (NKJV)

 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

~Prayer~

That you will grow in your hunger and thirst for knowing the One who has the words of eternal life....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Do you know of someone who has withdrawn and no longer follows Jesus? How has that decision affected his or her life? And those around him or her? Have you left your nets to follow Jesus?

God's Word Has Full Authority PT 1

Ephesians 1:22 (NKJV)

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church...

~Prayer~

Honestly go to Jesus Christ in prayer right now. Pray about His authority in your life, home and family.

~Something To Ponder~

How do you think your life and marriage would be different if you gave Christ full authority in your life?

A Parent's Love

1 Thessalonians 2:7 (NKJV)

But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 

~Prayer~

As a parents, I pray that my husband be a strong leader , and will not be confused  with being gentle and tender for weakness with every member of our family....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Husbands, do you find it hard to be tender and intimate with your children? Describe some times when your attempt to be tender with them really "worked."

The Freedom To Fail

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)

 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

 

~Prayer~

 

That God will increase your faith to match the challenges you face, and that He will teach you how failures have helped you mature in Christ.

 

~Something To Ponder~

 

Share what you would consider to be your greatest failure. How has that impacted your decision-making process today? Discuss a decision you are facing and how the fear of failure is influencing that decision. 

 



The Fear of Failure

1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)

Love will cover a multitude of sins.

~Prayer~

The God will give you enough faith to move beyond your mountins of fear and trust Him even in the midst of failure......~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Evaluated your own fear of failure. Are you a risk taker? are decisions difficult? How would you evaluate your mate? What can you do to encourage him or her to move past fears?

Are You Listening?

Psalm 61:1-2 (NKJV)

Hear my cry, O God;

Attend to my prayer.

 

From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

When my heart is overwhelmed...

~Prayer~

Take your wife's hand and genuinely thank God for her....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

What has God taught you through your mate? In what situation has the Hole Spirit used your mate to help you become more Christlike?

Grant Her Honor

1 Peter 3:7 (NKJV)

Husband, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

~Prayer~

Ask God to help you be the servant-leader your wife needs you to be....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

How do you treat your wife? Is she a true partner in your life? Would she say you are unselfish?

Needed: Spiritual Workouts PT 2

1 Corinthians 9:26-27  (NKJV)

 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

~Prayer~

As God for the courage to exercise your faith daily and grow stronger in Jesus Christ.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

What areas of spirituality in your own life need strengthening? What pressures keep you for devoting more time each day to spiritual disciplines or "Workouts"?

Needed: Spiritual Workout PT1

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV)

But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.  For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

~Prayer~

As a couple, set aside a 24-hour period to pray and fast together. Consider using this time to pray together about a problem you're facing as a couple or in your family.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Do you have regular time of jogging or other physical workout? Do you have regular time of spiritual discipline-prayer, Bible study, ministry to others? How can you give more importance to these disciplines?

Gripes, Grumbles and Grouches PT 2

Jude 1:16 (NKJV)

 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.

~Praying~

Give thank right now, for where God has you as individual and as a family. Be specific as you thank Him for your circumstances....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Are you satisfied with what God has provided for you today (your mate, your children, your circumstances)? Do you think that  God know what He is doing in your life?

Gripers, Grumblers And Grouches PT. 1

Philippians 2:14(NIV)

 Do everything without grumbling or arguing...

~Prayer~

If appropriate, have each family member specifically confess the sin of grumbling, and in prayer give thanks to God for at least three things.

~Something To Ponder~

What are you trying to do when you grumble and complain? What are your children trying to do when they gripe?

Too Heavy To Carry

Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)

 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

~Prayer~

That the forgiving grace of God you've experienced in your own life will characterize also your attitude toward those who wrong you....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

How would people who know you best describe you? Do you tend to carry grudges? Evaluate if you are carrying any grudges at home, at work, at Church or your mate and family.

The Value Of A Listening Ear

 

James 1:19 (NIV)

 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry...

~Prayer~

That you and your family can maintain a healthy balance between speaking openly and focused listening.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Pick a topic that's begging for discussion, and spend 5 or 10 minutes talking about it while practicing the listening skills. Then evaluate how you think the discussion might have been improved...

Men And Work

Genesis 1:26 (NKJV)

 Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

~Prayer~

That you can help your husband live by his priorities, balancing his need for work with his need to focus on is family....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

How can you help your husband keep a balanced perspective about work? What are your husband's need right now when it comes to work?

Affair Proofing Your Marriage

Hebrews 13:4 (NKJV)   

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

~Prayer~

Ask god to bless your physical relationship with your spouse.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Pick time and set the scene for sharing with your mate exactly how you feel about physical intimacy in our marriage....~Amen~

Whatever Happened To The Family Tree?

Malachi 2:16 (NKJV)

For the Lord God of Israel says

That He hates divorce......

~Prayer~

That God will cement your family together and that you can realize His purpose for your home. Join me in asking God to heal our nation from divorce and  the devastation it is bringing to millions of children's lives....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Why do you think God hates divorce? 

(See 1 John 4:17.)

Reaping What You Sow

Proverbs 16:31 (NKJV)

The silvered-haired head is a crown of glory,

If it is found in the way of righteousness.

~Prayer~

That God would give you creative ways to involve your parents in your family...

~Something To Ponder~

How would your children complete this statement: My parents honor my grandparents by ______________.

The Importance of Expressing Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-5(NKJV)

  Love ...does not seek its own...

~Prayer~

Ask God to show you five ways you can communicate love to your spouse so that he or she feels loved....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

What tangible way will you say "I Love You" to your mate today?

The Risk Of Responsibility

1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NKJV)

 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient  with all.

~Prayer~

For the courage to risk allowing your children to be children, as well as for their continued growth toward maturity and increasing dependability....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

How does your family divide household chores? Do any of your children complain that their part is unfair? What jobs do you sometimes think you had rather do yourself than risk children doing them inadequately? 

Perfectly Clean

1 Peter 4:11 (NKJV)

 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

~Prayer~

Ask God to enable you to glorify Him by keeping the proper tension in your home between orderliness and relationships.

~Something To Ponder~

How much emphasis do you put on orderliness in your household? How are you tempted to sacrifice relationships between your mate and your children for a clean house?

"I Believe In You!!"

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJV)

 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

~Prayer~

There  as a parent you will be able to inspire every member of your household by expressing positive expectations.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

What communicates affirmative belief to you? In what one area would it most encourage you if someone believed in you more? List an area in which you can show positive belief in your mate and in your children....~Amen~

A Women's Emotions PT 3

 Ephesians 5:25 (NKJV)

 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her...

~Prayer~

Ask the Lord to help you both grow in you understanding of one another's emotions and to learn to be sensitive, to be more loving,  listening  and affirm your mate.

~Something To Ponder~

Are you encouraging or discouraging your wife in sharing her emotions? What can you do to start encouraging her and stop discouraging her?

A Woman's Emotions PT 2

1 Peter 3:7 (NKJV)

 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife...

~Prayer~

That  God will give you the ability to live with your wife in a "understanding way." Ask Him to help you communicate this to your wife.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

Ask your wife if this is what she generally needs to handle her emotions and restore your relationship with your husband and family. How can you apply 

1 Peter 3:7 in your marriage?

A Woman's Emotions PT 1

Ephesians 4:26 (NIV)

 “In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.

~Prayer~

Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you, guild you and direct you in how you are to handle your emotions in your marriage and family relationship.....~Amen~

~Something To Ponder~

How are you in controlling your emotions when it come s to dealing with your mate or your children?