Faithfully Yours Forever

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV 1984)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

In this world we face many challenges and hardships.  Those of us who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are remarkably blessed with a comfort that is sometimes hard for others to understand.  May we help those around us, who face similar challenges and hardships, to find the comfort that may be known by having a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

1 Timothy 3:4 (NIV 1984)
He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.

The Bible contains so much practical advice for us.  Heeding the advice found in the Scriptures can help us live our lives well – in relationship to others.  An important covenant between people, within the family, in the church, and as a member of society, in general, is respect – mutual respect for one another.  May we show those around us the respect that is due them as one of God’s children.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Colossians 3:21 (NIV 1984)
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

You may have heard the expression, “it goes both ways.”  Well, yesterday we considered how important it is to honor our earthly parents.  Today, we are considering how important it is to encourage our children.  I expect many of us have experienced how an unkind word or action, especially from a parent, can discourage us.  May we find ways to encourage and lift up each other.  May the Lord help us not to become bitter or angry when we are faced with discouraging circumstances.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Deuteronomy 5:16 (NIV 1984)
“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Living life is about relationships.  The Ten Commandments [Exodus 20:1-17] contain wisdom to guide us in our relationship with God, with others, and with family members – particularly with our earthly father and mother.  In today’s broken world we find that not all families are healthy – some are dysfunctional.  May we, regardless of our family circumstances, find a way to appreciate and honor the role that our father and mother have had in shaping who we are in Christ.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Matthew 21:16 (NIV 1984)
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they 
    asked him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
“‘From the lips of children and infants
    you have ordained praise’?”

Yesterday we considered that a simple childlike faith is all we need to believe.  We are reminded with today’s Scripture verse, that praising and worshipping God should be a natural outcome of our belief in Jesus.  May we simply worship and praise Him in all we do and with who we are when we are in Him.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Matthew 18:3 (NIV 1984)
And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Often we make things too complicated!  Our faith in Jesus, the Christ, need not be so difficult.  May we simply believe in Him and what He did for us on the cross.  God opens the door and, by His grace, makes it possible for us to believe.  May we accept His free gift of grace… and simply believe.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Luke 2:49b (NIV 1984)
“Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

Jesus, even as a boy, desired to be with His Father and to do His will.  However, sometimes as we seek to do the will of our heavenly Father, we can become distracted.  May we be able to focus on those things that God has uniquely gifted us to do for Him and to advance His kingdom.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Psalm 1:1a, 2 (NIV 1984)
Blessed is the man
    who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
    …
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

Reflect on The Ten Commandments that we considered two days ago.  May we, in this earthly life, be delighted and blessed, as we, and those around us, seek to follow the directions given to us in the Scriptures.   (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Exodus 20:20 (NIV 1984)
 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

Test results show us the correct responses to the questions on the test.  What we believe to be true, or correct, is either affirmed or rejected.  A test can also show us where our understanding of things needs to change or be improved.  May we learn the way of the Lord, our God, so we can live lives that are honoring to Him.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)