Wonderful Devotion from My Professor

As we study the last chapter on children, let's think about how they have developed. Certainly children are a gift from God. They embody our dreams and desires. As a parent, the main focus is allowing our child to mature and develop in every possible way. Luke 1:80 tells us that "the child grew and became strong in spirit." Of course, he is speaking of John the Baptist. However, isn't it equally important to teach our children the spiritual truths of Scripture? As you parent and grandparent the young ones in your life, pray that the Lord show you how to influence their spiritual growth. How can you teach through example and words the truths of God?

How often do we do this? We ask for deliverance from something, we are thankful for the deliverance, but then as we walk through the hard parts of actually being delivered, the flesh begins to cry out in opposition. We start drifting backwards in our spirits to that place that was familiar, instead of walking obediently towards where God wants to take us.

I don't want to look backwards or give into the comforts my flesh craves. I want to push forward, straining for the prize God has for me. I want to seek Him with all my heart – no matter where that takes me. I want to live in that sometimes uncomfortable place of walking in total obedience. When the rain comes pouring down, I want to choose to dance in the puddles instead of longing for the shelter of past sunny days.

Dear Lord, I want to focus on Your plan and not my comfort level when things get hard. I want to live a life that seeks You instead of a life spent looking backwards. Help me to thank You in all circumstances and to trust completely in You. I know that I have strayed, that I have tried to handle everything going on in my life myself rather than relying on you. Please send help to lead me back to you...

My iGoogle today ... two different feed ... same scripture. What do you think God is trying to tell me tonight??

Forgiveness Quote of the Day: If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him." (Luke 17:3)

Words of Christ: So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him. (Luke 17:3-4) (NIV)

What is amazing ...

That God went one verse more the second time just in case I didn't get it the first.

I had a meltdown tonight, and recognized that I am very angry.

There is a specific person that I need to go through forgiveness with.

I'm not sure I'm strong enough to do it alone.

Forgiveness is such a simple thing, I know the ins and outs. It's very different though to find yourself on the opposite end of right. Just like with this losing weight thing. I know the right answers, I know what I should do, yet I find myself doing what I know is wrong.

An Anonymous Poem

This was shared with me today at work, I think it is very profound.

What do you think?

Dream what you want to dream;
Go where you want to go;
Be what you want to be,
Because you have only one life
And one chance to do all the things
You want to do.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,
Enough trials to make you strong,
Enough sorrow to keep you human and
Enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don't necessarily
Have the best of everything;
They just make the most of
Everything that comes along their way.
The brightest future will always
Be based on a forgotten past;
You can't go forward in life until
You let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying
And everyone around you was smiling
Live your life so at the end
You're the one who is smiling and everyone
Around you is crying.
- Anonymous