.....found

The Psalm writer longed to be close to God - my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God Psalm 84:2. He knew his heart would only be satisfied by being in the presence of God; but not many of the children of Israel shared this same understanding.

The Israelites continually rebelled and failed to devote their hearts to God. They sought pleasure and security in the world and turned to worship idols and false gods. And though God sent many messengers to call His children home, they refused to change. Finally, God allowed the armies of Babylon to destroy the temple and lead the people into seventy years of captivity. 

But even in this most severe discipline, God demonstrated His love and true desire for His Children to return Home - I will come to you and fulfill My gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 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. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart - Jeremiah 29:10-13

God's plan is for us to be restored to Him and glorify His name as we love Him with all our heart. All other plans regarding the specific circumstances of our existence flow out of His plan for a loving relationship filled with worship; as we get to "seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness..." Matthew 6:33

He has promised a glorious future - not necessarily a future free of trouble, but a future filled with "the peace of God which transcends all understanding" Philippians 4:7, a future where we can learn real prosperity by "being content in any and every situation" Philippians 4:12. This future can only be had by those who seek Him with all their heart.

Let's allow God to be the all-consuming top priority of our life. Let's diligently seek Him in times of quiet as well as in the midst of the endless multitude of daily activities. And let's be filled with hope and encouraged by His promise that as we faithfully seek Him with all our heart, He will be found!

- adapted from steve troxel

.....cry

God created man in His own image Genesis 1:27. The image of God did not refer to our physical appearance but rather the character. The spirit of man was created in the image of God for the purpose of bringing Him glory and dwelling with Him for all eternity.

When man sinned, a separation immediately formed with God. Though man was physically banished from the garden and forbidden to experience the joy of walking side by side with his Creator, and though sin and the resulting separation was inherited by all future generations, there forever remains a damaged spirit which longs to return home.

How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God Psalm 84:1-2 this passage was written by one who knew God and the joy of His presence. But the author also knew of man's inability to be satisfied with anything less.

Before we know God, we attempt to stop the heart’s cry with all sorts of pacifiers, but nothing satisfies. We pursue pleasures of the flesh, challenges of the mind, and advancement in status, but the cry remains. Sooner or later we realize that Solomon was correct when he said; "I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind" Ecclesiastes 1:14.

Many things of this world are worthwhile as they are done for the glory of God; but in the sense that they attempt to satisfy, they are all meaningless. The ONLY answer to the unsettled and restless longing deep within our soul is to return to a restored relationship with God. 

When we place our life in the Father's Hands through faith in Jesus, He gives us His Spirit And as we learn to walk in this restored relationship, we will finally be at peace. There are so many things of this world which can occupy our time and consume our thoughts, but none that will truly satisfy. 

Our search can continue until our time on earth is gone, but the emptiness will remain. Let's return to the Father today and live the rest of our days fully devoted to loving Him. 

.....sanctuary

Seeking God and loving Him with ALL our heart is an important issue with regard to our Salvation and the eternally restored relationship to which we are called.

The author of Psalm 73 wrote with words of frustration about the things he saw in the world. He could not understand how the wicked could be so carefree and yet so successful; "For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked" Psalm 73:3 He felt he may have even wasted his time in maintaining Godly values; "Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence" Psalm 73:13. He kept searching for answers but found none until he returned to worship in the presence of God.

When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me - till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood Psalm 73:16-17

Many issues in our life simply cannot be resolved through our human understanding and reasoning. We often try to make sense of events in the world, or in our particular situation, only to discover there are no easy answers or solutions. 

No matter how confusing our life may become, we must always remember we are a child of God - a child of the Creator of the Universe!  Our Heavenly Father does not function according to a set of human rules. He is not confined by our understanding of time or space, and He is certainly not guided by our set of values. 

We must give God all of our mind as we seek to understand Him through His Word and study how He has moved throughout history; but we must also give Him all of our heart as we worship Him despite what we see, think, or feel. Only in the sanctuary of worship will we begin to truly understand.

We must come to our Heavenly Father with a heart-felt belief that being in His presence is more important than anything else in the world. This type of passion allows us to draw near and begin to see the disconnected pieces of our life fit neatly into God's perfect plan.

Let's return to the place where He is everything we desire and all we really need. Let's worship Him with all our heart and begin to understand His wonderful plan for our life. Let's enter His sanctuary!

- adapted from steve troxel

.....measure

God promises to be found by those who will seek Him with ALL their heart; "you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart" Jeremiah 29:13. The consistent message through all of God's Word is that He is calling us back to a restored relationship with Himself - a relationship which is only possible through faith in Jesus. We enter in by His loving grace, but His expectation for this relationship is that, through faith, we give Him ALL of our heart.

If we desire this restored relationship with God - if we desire to truly "find" Him - then our heart must be fully devoted to Him; there can be no rivals or competing affections which pull us away. When Jesus was asked to name the most important commandment, He replied, "Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" Mark 12:30. All means ALL - no cheating or deceiving!

Our Heavenly Father desires we give Him our love honestly and completely; "You must have accurate and honest weights and measures. For the Lord detests anyone who deals dishonestly" Deuteronomy 25:15-16. It's foolish to think we can cheat God and withhold even a small portion of our heart, for in doing so we ultimately cheat ourselves.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you Luke 6:38

God has promised to bless those who come to Him with a true and uncompromising faith in Jesus. His blessings include the right to be called children of God, as well as the inheritance of eternal life. But His blessings also extend to our days on earth as we receive the gifts of true joy, peace, and contentment.

When we understand the concept of true blessings, it should not be surprising that the measure we receive from God is directly related to the measure we use to give back to Him. Our blessings graciously flow as we give Him our worship and obedience, as we desire to walk in His presence and praise Him with every breath.

Our dealings with God become dishonest and deceitful when we expect a full measure of His blessing of peace, clear direction, or even assurance and freedom from doubt, and yet we are not committed to respond to His call. Let's enter into His presence and, each and every day, give Him the full measure of our heart.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....declaration

Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free John 8:31-32

Like millions of Americans this week, my mind is on the Fourth of July holiday and what it represents: our freedom as a nation. This freedom is a precious thing, bought with the sweat, toil and blood of countless Americans who initially fought to obtain it, as well as those who have fought to secure it in the centuries since that fateful day in 1776.

Gratitude without measure wells up in my heart when I consider the brave men and women of the American military who, this Fourth of July, will be standing guard around the world to combat the tyranny of terrorism. These soldiers stand in the train of valiant warriors who fought in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and the first Gulf War. Each of these conflicts—while unique in themselves—shared the common goal of protecting American freedom. Today's battles are no different.

But even as I prize my freedom as an American, I am moved to consider a greater freedom—my freedom in Christ. It is the freedom that comes with being a disciple of Jesus Christ. "If you abide in my word," our Lord declares, "you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" John 8:31-32

This statement was shocking to Jesus' audience. These proud men thought they already had all the freedom they needed by virtue of being "offspring of Abraham" 8:33. Jesus proceeds to point them beyond any national, social or religious freedom they might enjoy to the freedom that comes through His person and work: "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin … So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" 8:34,36. 

Even as Christians we can fall prey to the temptation to trust in other things for our freedom from the tyranny of sin: status, money, good works, associations, etc. But the true disciple finds freedom in Christ and Christ alone.

What am I trusting in today?   The Fourth of July is a wonderful time to consider our freedom - as Americans and as Christians. Our national freedom is precious, but our freedom in Christ is of infinite worth.

The great singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin was undoubtedly moved by his freedom in Christ when he penned this stanza in his song "Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone"... 

    My chains are gone, I've been set free 

    My God, my Savior has ransomed me 

    And like a flood His mercy rains 

    Unending love, Amazing Grace 

The saving truth that Jesus speaks of in John 8:32 brings ultimate freedom - freedom from sin and death and satan; freedom from a life of futility and an eternity of wrath.  

- michael pohlman

.....wait

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

My nephew's 10 year old son came for a visit one hot, July weekend. I was enticing him to stay inside by joining him in a Nintendo game. After being mercilessly defeated by a more experienced player, I suggested that we relax awhile. I collapsed into my favorite recliner to let my neck muscles relax and my ego recover from such a beating. He had slipped out of the room and I was catching a few relished moments of peace and quiet. 

"Look, Alice," he said enthusiastically as he ran over to the chair where I was recovering. "I found a kite. Could we go outside and fly it?"  Glancing out a nearby window, I noticed there was not a breeze stirring. "I'm sorry, Tripper," I said, "The wind is not blowing today. The kite won't fly." The determined 10 year old replied. "I think it's windy enough. I can get it to fly," he answered, as he hurried out the back door. 

I peeked out the window to watch determination in action. Up and down the yard he ran, pulling the kite attached to a small length of string. The plastic kite, proudly displaying a picture of Batman, remained about shoulder level. He ran back and forth, as hard as his ten year old legs would carry him, looking back hopefully at the kite trailing behind.

After about ten minutes of unsuccessful determination, he came back in. I asked, "How did it go?" "Fine," he said, not wanting to admit defeat. "I got it to fly some."  As he walked past me to return the kite to the closet shelf, I heard him say under his breath, "I guess I'll have to wait for the wind." At that moment I heard another Voice speak to my heart. "Alice, sometimes you are just like that. You want to do it your way instead of waiting for the Wind." 

And the voice was right. How easy it is to use our own efforts to accomplish what we want to do. We wait for the Wind only after we have done all we can and have exhausted our own strength. We must learn how to rely on Him in the first place!

- alice oola

.....trouble

When we commit to following Jesus and serving the Lord, there is a temptation to think that the rest of our lives will be trouble-free and smooth sailing. Sometimes it. Sometimes it is not. 

When troubles come, there is a temptation to think we are failures, that we are doing something wrong, or that God is unfaithful. Our confidence might be shaken, and our closeness to the Lord may have faded.

In those times, we must remember that missteps and mistakes do not disqualify us. Regardless of how we live our lives, God is always faithful and will not leave us. We can trust Him. He is always faithful. 

If you find yourself in one of those low and dry spaces, maybe these words from Psalm 34 will encourage you:

The righteous person may have many troubles,

but the Lord delivers him from them all;

he protects all his bones,

not one of them will be broken.

Evil will slay the wicked;

the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

The Lord will rescue his servants;

no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. Psalm 34:19-22

The Lord will deliver you from your troubles, and he will rescue you when you take refuge in Him.

.....motivated

God has called us to be His witnesses and "ministers of a new covenant" 2 Corinthians 3:6. Our mission field may span the globe or be focused on a few, but our ministries are all the same: we are to glorify God as we proclaim the true gospel of Christ through our words as well as the actions of our life.

If you have dedicated your life to following Jesus, you are in full time ministry. Ministry work can be extremely rewarding as we share the truth and witness real change in the life of someone God places in our mission field. Ministry work can also be very frustrating and discouraging whenever we forget the reason for our ministry and take our eyes off the One we serve.

We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. We were not looking for praises from men, not from you or anyone else 1 Thessalonians 2:4,6

God has entrusted us with His gospel message, and we must minister out of an obedience to this trust and a desire to glorify Him in all we do. We are setting ourselves up for failure anytime we become motivated by results or praise. God will often bless us and confirm His leading with fruit in our ministry, but our focus and motivation must always remain on loving Him through our simple obedience. He has called and we must follow for a lifetime, regardless of the result of each individual step.

We must serve and trust that God will bring the harvest in His perfect timing; "for the battle is not yours, but God's" 2 Chronicles 20:15. These are God's battles and ultimately His harvest. Our job is to simply enter the field, plow, and continue to scatter seed. The praises of men will come and go, but the joy of knowing that God is glorified by our obedience is steady and unshakable.

Our efforts may sometimes seem futile, and we may feel completely unqualified, but we must continue - we have been "approved by God!" Our love and encouragement toward others may appear to have minimal effect, but a small nudge today can cause a lifetime of change. An offer of prayer can give renewed hope, and a simple testimony of God's faithfulness in times of trial can soften a heart to the saving gospel of Jesus.

As we enter the mission field, God will use us to change the lives of those He places in our path. One day, when we stand in His presence, we may be allowed to see the true impact of our service. But until that time, we must simply continue to serve and be motivated by obedience.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....choice

Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did.  For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, 'They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.' So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'  Psalm 95:8-11

The word "Meribah" means to quarrel. The word "Massah" means to test. The Israelites tested and tried God even though they had seen the mighty miracles He had done.  

   God miraculously released the Israelites from Egyptian slavery...  

   He had parted the Red Sea when the Egyptian army was in pursuit of the people...  

   He provided food in the form of manna each morning... 

God had been faithful to His promises - but the people doubted. And as a consequence, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because they had disobeyed God and hardened their hearts against Him.

What is God saying to you today? Are you obeying Him? There may be great urgency for you to obey God's commands. You may not see why, but you are to obey God. If you obey, your life, your family, and your ministry will be blessed beyond measure. If you disobey, you will live with the consequences for a great while... 

Look at the consequences for the Israelites. The choice is now yours. Obey and receive blessing. Disobey and reap the consequences. Each day it's your choice!

- david langerfeld

......fork

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away Revelation 21:4

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things in order, she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible.

 

Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.  "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the pastor's reply.  This is very important," the woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." 

The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked.   "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming... like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. 

"Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?'. Then I want you to tell them: Keep your fork.... the best is yet to come." 

The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming. 

At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled. During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. 

The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.  He was right!!! So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come.

- dave langerfeld 

.....vision

After entering the promised land, the Israelites were ruled by a series of Judges. This time was characterized by God's discipline when the hearts of His children turned away, and deliverance when they repented and cried out for help. Unfortunately, this cycle was repeated many times! Deborah led the Israelites to forty years of peace, but then; "the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years He gave them into the hands of the Midianites" Judges 6:1

After seven years of oppression, "Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help" Judges 6:6. The Israelites were living in such fear that when God answered their cry and called Gideon to be the next deliverer of Israel, he was "threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites" Judges 6:11. Gideon would eventually lead a small army to victory and rule Israel for another forty years; but when God first called, he was fearfully sifting grain for his next loaf of bread.

The Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?' 'But Lord,' Gideon asked, 'how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family' Judges 6:14-15

Gideon was scared and saw himself as one with little worth, "the least in my family," but God saw the next brave leader of a nation. Gideon saw weakness, but God saw strength. Gideon saw his past failures, but God saw the future victories of a mighty warrior. Gideon's vision required him to fearfully work for his next loaf, but God's vision was calling Gideon to boldly lead many others closer to His side.

God sees each of us much differently than we see ourselves; "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" 1 Samuel 16:7. Not only does God see deeper, He sees with an expanded spiritual spectrum which we can scarcely imagine. Our Father is intimately aware of all our failings...and He loves us anyway! He not only sees who we are, but also who we will become as our heart is fully devoted to Him and we learn to walk in step with His Spirit. He sees every opportunity we will ever have to glorify His name.

Let's put aside the baggage of our past which clouds and distorts our view. Let's refuse to look through the filter of our present understanding and perceived limitations; "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen" 2 Corinthians 4:18. 

God has called us into His Glorious Kingdom, uniquely equipped us for His service, and given us an assignment to share His love and truth. Our Heavenly Father sees our full potential as we walk in His strength. Let's answer the call and move forward with confidence as we trust His vision.

- steve troxel

.....stake

I read something interesting this week about which I had never really thought. Most of us have either been to the circus or seen pictures of them on the television. Have you ever seen or noticed the huge elephants they have there and how they keep them from wandering off? They generally have a chain from their leg to a small stake in the ground. Have you ever wondered why they don't just walk off taking the stake with them?

Well, they are trained not to do that! How you might ask? I understand it goes something like this: When they are just babies they are chained or tied to huge stakes driven deep into the ground. There is not any chance the baby elephant can pull out the stake. For weeks the baby elephant tries to pull the stake and escape and eventually learns the lesson that you can't pull out the stake. They just stay where they put you and learn to live within the boundaries which their keepers have placed upon them. Each of us can look at that massive mammal and see that they can escape anytime they wish, just walk away, but they don't know the strength contained within them.

I wonder how many of us have been have been chained to a stake by people and circumstances in our lives? God created each of us with the potential to be just about anything we want to be and far too often we don't know the strength contained within us.

Commitments and personal obligations are things we choose willingly to do in or with our lives. They don't keep us from our potential; they help us see more clearly our goals or dreams.

What is your stake? Someone giving you a hard time about what you can or can't do well? Someone criticizing you or your work? Some real mistake you made in your past that you are having trouble dealing with now? Self doubt? Self pity? Perhaps something no one knows about but you? The Apostle Paul gives us some words of encouragement for living in and dealing with our personal "stake". In Philippians 3:13-14. Paul wrote, "No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven"

So how about it, are you going to continue to be tied to a stake in your life or are you going to break free and live to the potential God has given you? The greatest potential is that of being a genuine child of God! What's holding you back? I can assure you it's nothing that you and God can't pull from the ground and set you free.

May God give you the grace and strength in fighting your spiritual battles and finding your potential today!

- russ lawson

.....cross

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ Galations 6:14

I have read how, "During his reign King Frederick William III of Prussia found himself in trouble. Wars had been costly and in trying to rebuild the nation, he was seriously short of finances. He couldn't disappoint his people, and to surrender to the enemy was not an option."

"

After careful reflection, he decided to ask the women of Prussia to bring their jewelry of gold and silver to be melted down for their country. For each ornament received, he determined to exchange a decoration of bronze or iron as a symbol of his gratitude. Each decoration would be inscribed, 'I GAVE GOLD FOR IRON, 1813.'"

Apparently, "The response was overwhelming. The women prized their gifts from the king more than their former jewelry. The reason why is clear, the decorations were proof that they had sacrificed for their king. It even became unfashionable to wear any other jewelry. And thus was established the ORDER OF THE IRON CROSS."

I wonder how much we who name the name of Christ and call ourselves Christians are willing to sacrifice for and give of our best to our king, King Jesus-and receive from him the ORDER OF THE WOODEN CROSS?

Dear God, in light of all that you have done for me-in giving me the gift of life, pardon for all my sins, and the gift of eternal life-please give me a truly grateful and willing heart so that I will always give of my best for you in all that I am and do. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen

- dick innes

.....defined

God's Word is a message of love: His love for us and His call for us to love Him. We are to receive His love, return His love, and demonstrate His love by loving others. In addition, we ought to be thankful for His blessings of provision and for the beauty of His creation. We ought to be so filled with peace and contentment that we love our life?

If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be My disciple Luke 14:26

These may be the most difficult words Jesus ever spoke. Clearly, Jesus is not calling us to a life of hate. That would be completely inconsistent with the rest of God's Word; "A new command I give you: Love one another" John 13:34, and "Love your neighbor as yourself" Mark 12:31. The problem is not with Jesus' use of the word hate but with our understanding of the word love. With the same word we say we love our food, our pet, our spouse, our home and...our Jesus? Lord, forgive us!

Jesus is not saying we should love our life or family any less, rather that we should love our Heavenly Father more - much more! He is saying that unless our love for God is so great that our love for the things of this world appears as hatred by comparison, then we do not yet understand the love He desires and deserves.

We are called to love God with ALL our heart, soul, mind, and strength. But this love cannot be properly defined with our limited vocabulary. As we live a life of love, NOTHING must ever come close to competing with His rightful place on the Throne. He alone is worthy of our worship and praise - He alone is worthy of our true love.

There are certainly some addictive behaviors and time consuming bad habits which greatly hinder our relationship with God. These must be removed and destroyed without mercy or compromise. 

Most areas of our life can be placed in proper order by elevating our love and passion for God. Let's allow our attachment and feelings toward the blessings of this world to become as dust when compared with the mountain of hunger and passion for our Heavenly Father. 

.....10

 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 1:4

Most men want to succeed as fathers. They believe they are taking their role seriously. Though many men wouldn't admit it, they are eager for something that will enhance their effectiveness as a father. Dads can become heroes to their children. It takes a lot of work, patience and love, but it's possible. What follows are some suggestions that will help you fight the misperceptions of fathers in your own family by doing some right things with your children.

1. Be Around

Few things are as important as your presence. Dads often make lots of excuses. There is work, there is this project or that. There's the civic club, the golf game, the tickets to the ball game or the hunting trip. Twenty years from now your kids won't care about any of that and neither will you. You'll be wondering what happened to the relationship. Your kids need you. Be there!

2. Learn How To Encourage

Parents, by nature, tend toward the negative. "Don't" and "can't" are necessary tools. They help keep the kids out of the fire and help them understand it's not good to eat the whole jar of peanut butter at once. But, kids also need to know what they CAN do. Validate their abilities by telling them when they do something well. It will give them the desire and the courage to do even better.

3. Admit Your Faults

If you don't admit your faults, you'll be the only one ignoring them. Admit faults and be man enough to apologize. It will make you more sensitive about how you handle your children's faults. It will also make it easier for your kids to forgive you when you need it.

4. Make Trust A Priority

Trust comes two ways. One is to earn it through dependability and consistency. The other way is a gift. Children need to learn both. Show children they can trust you. Earn their trust. Teach them they must earn trust as well. However, there comes a time when you extend trust as a gift. When you do, you will tap into your child's increasing maturity.

5. Show Tenderness

Too many fathers grew up with the "macho-man" idea. Be strong, be tough, be hard, be busy. That's fine if you're a character in a Clint Eastwood movie, but it doesn't do much for relationships with kids. Children need to see that Dad is touched by some things, that there are emotions inside, and not just angry ones. Little boys and girls need hugs and kisses from big Dads. Many grownups cry because they never heard Dad say, "I love you," or felt a loving embrace from strong arms.

6. Love Your Wife

The single best source of input regarding marriage is from one's parents. Respect your kid's Mom. Be kind to her. Demand that your children respect her as well. Your response to your wife develops a sense of security in your children. Give your kids the security of a loving marriage.

7. Respect Authority

Most fathers want to fill the role of authority. However, if you want your children to respect authority they must see it in you.  Show respect for God, church, government, and your boss. Show respect for your own parents, if they are still living, or speak of them in ways that show respect if they are no longer around. Your example will instill the right attitude in your children's minds.

8. Be A Christian

Take the lead in spiritually nurturing your children. Plant spiritual values in your children's hearts. Teach them about God, Christ and His church. Show them it's important. Talk about death and eternal matters, but illustrate the importance by your own life. God will become important to children when God is important to Dad.

9. Teach The Bible To Your Children

Fathers spend thousands of dollars educating children for a job. They often spend little educating them for a life. The Bible will help your kids know how to live. You should be the primary instructor. One simple way to do this is to get a children's Bible and read one story a night with your children when they are young. As they grow older, simply go to more grown-up Bible stories until you are actually reading the Bible with them, or discussing what they have read in Scripture on their own.

10. Be Fun

There are plenty of times for seriousness. Your kids need to know that you can laugh and have fun. Lighten up! Everything is not earth-shatteringly important. Laugh at jokes, mistakes and yourself. Let some things happen with a smile instead of a frown. Your kids will think that you're great fun to be with. Bet you'd like that, wouldn't you?

- william denton

.....vessel

When Jesus was asked to identify the greatest commandment, He said it was to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" Mark 12:30. God wants ALL of our love! He has no desire to share our love with any of the little "gods" of this world; "For the Lord your God is a jealous God" Deuteronomy 4:24.

Giving God the fullness of our love requires that we live a very focused and holy life; "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do" 1 Peter 1:15. Our love must be intently focused on the holy things of God rather than the corrupted things of this world. Anytime we allow our love for God to mix with our love for the world, the worldly love initially dilutes and eventually completely overtakes any love for God.

"Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." James 3:11-12

Are we trying to walk on both sides of the fence? Do we maintain our "Godly" activities alongside our "ungodly" activities? Do we praise God and discuss Biblical issues during certain portions of the week and then lust after the world during the other? If so, beware! The ungodly will soon overtake and totally consume the Godly...and we won't even be aware it's happening. If we're not careful, we will one day look at what consumes our attention and say, "How did I come to this place in my life? When did I leave God's path?"

The good news is we have been given the Holy Spirit as the Great Purifier. If we make the time to carefully listen, He will "guide us into all truth" John 16:13. If we submit to His leading, He will strain, sift, distill, and refine until all that remains is the fresh and the pure.

Purity does not come by separation from the world, it comes as our heart is wholly separated unto God. We have been planted amongst the weeds of the world and there we will remain until the day of the great harvest Matthew 13:24-30. But while we must live and minister among the things of this world, and while we can certainly be thankful for some of God's worldly blessings and provisions, we must never give our worship to the things of this world: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" 1 John 2:15.

Jesus has made us into a new vessel and asked that we be filled with what is pure and holy. Let's stop mixing fresh and salty water, Godly and ungodly devotion. Let's commit every area of our life to our Heavenly Father and glorify Him in all we do by becoming a vessel of purity.

- steve troxel

.....example

Summer was here. For Craig, that meant he'd be going on an annual camping trip with his Grandpa and his cousin Scottie. Craig loved spending the summers at his grandparents' farm. But the annual campout was the highlight of his year. He was all packed - couldn't wait to go. 

Craig sat anxiously on the porch swing, waiting for Grandpa to pull up in his beat-up jeep. He noticed a few clouds in the darkening sky. "Looks like rain," he muttered, hoping the clouds would blow over. Then, just as Grandpa pulled into the driveway, it began to pour. 

"Looks like this trip is going to be ruined." Craig whined, as he threw his gear into the back of the jeep. "Well, I don't know about that." replied Grandpa with a wink. "By the time we get to the lake, it's likely this rain will have cleared up. Besides, the best fishin' comes right after a change in the weather." 

Craig hopped into the jeep and after a quick stop to pick up Scottie, they were on their way. 

As they arrived at the lake, the rain had slowed to a slight drizzle. Setting up the tent was a messy job. Though he had mud splattered everywhere, Grandpa never complained. He was grateful that God had sent a little water to make driving the stakes into the ground a little easier.  

Once the tent was set up, it was the boys' job to gather firewood. "This wood's all wet, Grandpa." yelled Craig. But wet wood wasn't enough to discourage Grandpa, either. As Grandpa carefully arranged the wood for a campfire, he told the boys a story from the Bible about Elijah calling down fire from heaven to consume not only wet wood, but an altar also.

After Grandpa got the fire going, the boys had a wiener roast. The mixed smells of the wood burning and the hot dogs roasting just above the flickering flame had the boys mouths watering with hunger. The hot dogs were delicious. Both boys ate heartily. Then Grandpa pulled out a big bag of marshmallows and they roasted them, too. 

Scottie's first marshmallow burst into flames so Grandpa showed the boys how to slowly and steadily toast them just above the fire. By this time, it was getting rather late. The boys sat close to Grandpa and watched the stars come out after the clouds had blown away. After a brief lesson in astronomy, the boys gazed into the heavens while listening to the sounds of nature. 

"What was that?" asked Craig, hearing an old owl hooting in the nearby woods.  "It's just an owl." replied Grandpa, who found himself identifying a number of other sounds to the boys. Together they learned to recognize the sounds of frogs croaking, crickets chirping and even a cougar's scream.  "Grandpa, how'd you get so smart?" Scottie questioned.  "Oh, Scottie, I'm not all that smart." Grandpa replied. "I just happen to know the One who has all the answers." 

"Me too, Grandpa." Craig shot back. "And do you know why we say our prayers every night before we go to bed?"  "Why's that, Craig?" 

"Because we know God's home when we see His lights come on." came Craig's reply.  And then with a chuckle, Grandpa explained to the boys that God is omniscient. "Now I know that's a mighty big word for you boys to understand, but let me put it this way. God is all knowing. He knows your thoughts before you ever put your prayers into words." "Wow!" came Scottie's reply. "That's awesome." said Craig. 

"Awesome," replied Grandpa. "I can't think of a better word to describe Him."  "And Grandpa," Scottie piped up. "We wouldn't know much about Him, if it hadn't been for you."  The Bible says, "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous." Prov 13:22

The most important thing you can give your children or grandchildren is a godly example of a life well-lived for Jesus!

.....destroy

Moses had led the people of Israel through the desert for 40 years and was now preparing them to cross the Jordan River into the promised land of Canaan. As part of this preparation, Moses reminded the people how God had provided for all their past needs and reviewed the laws by which God expected them to live; "and if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us, that will be our righteousness" Deuteronomy 6:25

The people of Israel would be brought into a right relationship with God as they worshipped Him and obeyed His commands. But as they entered the promised land, there were many enemies which had to be removed.

When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations - the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you - and when the Lord your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy Deuteronomy 7:1-2

These enemies posed a serious physical threat, but the longer term danger was to their spiritual survival. God wanted them completely destroyed because their worldly gods would continually pull at the heart of His chosen people; "Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods" Deuteronomy 11:16

This can be a difficult message with today's soft view of sin. But there is an important lesson for each of us who long for a close relationship with God. Today, Jesus has provided the path to righteousness; "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" Romans 3:22. But God still desires the entirety of our heart and expects us to turn from anything which pulls us away from an unhindered and unrestrained devotion.

As he leads us into His promised land of rest and peace, there will always be enemies which entice us to turn from God, many temptations which compete for our time and thoughts...and for our worship. These enemies will appear stronger than our ability to conquer. But as we follow hard after God, He will grant us victory

What enemies take us away from the worship of God? What addictions, activities, desires or fears are consuming our heart and keeping us from being focused on Jesus - keeping us from a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father? Let's be determined to possess the land and fully give our heart to God. Let's identify the enemies which hinder our walk and, without mercy, let's completely destroy the enemies.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....transformation

Salvation is a work of the Spirit, for those who truly believe in Jesus Christ. This miraculous work of the Spirit will always cause a change and will always produce fruit, we must balance this truth with the understanding that spiritual change is a transformation which is sometimes painfully slow. Each new creation in Christ is given the Holy Spirit as a guide, but we will spend the rest of our life learning who we really are in Christ and how to "keep in step with the Spirit" Galatians 5:25

Even Paul recognized his spiritual maturity was not complete. He had the unique opportunity to receive truths and understanding directly from God; "this is what we speak, not with words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit" 1 Corinthians 2:13, but Paul still fell short of God's glory and had to strive to reach the place Christ desired.

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me Philippians 3:10-12

Paul knew the goal of his life was to bring glory and honor to God by living in the fullness and power of the resurrection. He knew he was to live a submitted life as one who was born "into an inheritance that can never perish" 1 Peter 1:3-4. But he also knew he had not fully attained this goal.

Jesus "took hold" of our life, every single day we are given a new opportunity to pick up the pieces and bring Him glory and honor in ALL we do. We are to press forward in the obedience of worship, holiness, and eternal priorities.

No matter how difficult our current circumstances, how terrible our past mistakes or how seemingly hopeless our future, the only step under consideration is our very next. We must begin today to live as a new creation in Christ who desires to step in obedience and glorify His name. Then, we must continue to walk through a lifetime of transformation.

.....off

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' - or - whatever mules do when they fall into wells.  After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened... and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back... a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back... HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow.

"Shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

You guessed it!  It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL! What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him... all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity...THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT AND BLESS US! Remember that FORGIVENESS -- FAITH -- PRAYER -- PRAISE and HOPE... all are excellent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find ourselves!

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14