Temptation

This guy often has trouble going to sleep. When he has trouble going to sleep, he gets bored. When he gets bored, he peels the paint off of his wall. When he peels the paint off of his wall, he gets in trouble.

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This evening he was having trouble going to sleep again. I sat with him as he stared at the wall and he told me how much he wanted to peel at the paint but he knew that he would get in trouble if he did. At first I told him to stop focusing on the wall, to roll over and look away from the temptation. Then I asked him if he wanted me to lay down with him - to lay between him and the wall. He said “yes”.

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As I laid there, watching him go to sleep and keeping him away from temptation, it occurred to me how necessary it is for each of us to have that person in our lives that we can share our biggest temptations with. We all need someone that is willing to lay everything else down to keep us away from giving in to the thing that will lead us to trouble.

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Tonight consider; “Who is “that person” for you?” And, give thought; “Who are you that “someone to?”

You Are Powerful

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

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Many people are going through life fearing what lies ahead - afraid to speak and act - operating in a mode of timidity, uncertainty, and apprehension.

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Yet God, through His Spirit, offers a better way; power, love, and self-discipline.

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This means that we can - you can - be boldly confident - courageously assured in all things. We are given a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. And we are called and commissioned to use this power to affect others for Jesus - in love - and to live a life of obedience to Jesus - through self-discipline.

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Today, own this. Be filled with God’s Spirit. Be powerful. Be loving. Be obedient. Be self-disciplined.  

Could it be

Could it be that God is sitting on His throne prepared to pour down blessings upon His Church...prepared to break down barriers and tear down walls...prepared to bring healing and hope to lives and to families...prepared to bring His Church together in unity and revival... 

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Could it be that God is waiting for the commitment - the faith and faithfulness of a few - to come before Him in prayer? 

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Could it be that God is waiting for His Church to call out in agreement?

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Could it be that God is waiting for His Church to cry out in desperation?

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Could it be that God is waiting for His Church to be ready?

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Could it be that we need to pray?

Pain

I started my day praying with a woman who has dealt with severe pain these past few months. I prayed with her as she told me of the pain that she will be facing in the days to come.

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Midway through the day I found myself in a dentist chair receiving treatment for pain that I was personally dealing with - a shooting pain that would not subside.

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Late this evening I received a call from a man who shared of the ongoing pain of grief that he faces with each evening as he lays down and tries to get some sleep.

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Pain. It’s not enjoyable but it is inevitable.

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Pain is the alarm that screams “something is not right”. Pain is the red flag that signals “I have had enough”.

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We each deal with pain in life because we live in a world flooded with sin - a world of selfish desires - a world that is not our home. 

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Pain is the continual reminder that we are hurting. Pain is the continual reminder that treatment is needed. Pain is the continual reminder that we incomplete. 

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Let us be reminded - by our pain - that eternal hope, healing, and wholeness is ours in The Lord. Let us celebrate our pain - as we are reminded of eternal glory.

Court-side

The kids and I went to the Indiana vs. Arkansas basketball game this afternoon. We were given tickets to sit court-side. I’ve been to several IU games but - by far - this is the closest I’ve been to “the action”. 

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This experience left me with few observations;

(1) I could hear what the players, coaches, and officials were saying and they could hear what I was saying. (I will admit that I yelled several encouraging words at the Hoosiers and some not-so encouraging words to the opposing team and the officials.)

(2) You must be aware that more people will see you - in the arena and on television. (We showed up in the “big screen” twice and two people sent me “screen shots” of our family on ESPN.)

(3) Fans are much more passionate and engaged court-side than they are “in the rafters”. (Every play was an occasion to jump up and cheer or stand up and yell.)

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Then I think about The Church; Could it be that many people are not close enough to “the action”? Could it be that many people are satisfied watching from a distance in the rafters (or even watching on tv or Facebook)?

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Perhaps this is why some Christians cannot hear the voice of God, why they struggle to understand His Word, or feel as though God cannot hear them. Perhaps this is why some believers fail to live a life of love, joy, and peace before others, as Jesus has called His followers to. Perhaps this is why so many followers of Jesus lack a passion and excitement to worship and serve The Lord.

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Could it be that you are not sitting “court-side” with Jesus right now? Could it be that you are missing out on “the action”? Could it be that you have never experienced His presence in this way?

Respond

We are in an all out war. We are facing an enemy that has spent centuries on this earth deceiving and distorting. This enemy wants to steal, kill, and destroy our lives, families, and children. How will we respond?

Parents, we have been entrusted with one of the greatest gifts from God - the ability to influence and nurture a life. We have the responsibility of affecting the generation to come - in small and large ways. How will we answer?

Your child's...

...friends cannot save them

...technology cannot save them

...sports cannot save them

...politics cannot save them

Jesus is the only hope for our future.

Jesus is the only hope for you and me.

Jesus is the only hope for victory.

Jesus is the only hope for your child.

Read and discuss Scripture with your child - daily.

Sit down and pray for and with your child - daily.

Get engaged in a Bible-honoring faith community - weekly.

We are in an all out war. How will you respond?

Family Devotions

Family devotions are often an emotional time (especially for Bennett). Here are the highlights from tonight...

The verse; “Do not love the world or anything in it. If you love the world, love for the Father is not in you.”

‭‭(1 John‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭NIRV‬‬)

Benn: I’m not really getting this? Does that mean I have to get rid of everything?

Me: Not necessarily, just the things that go against God or keep you away from God.

Benn: *starting to cry* But you (mom and dad) are things in the world. 

Me: Well, for you it might be tv or technology. But for some it is moving away from their family because their family keeps them away from God.

Benn: *full blown snot cry*

Me: We have got to come to a point where we live God more than anything else. That includes our money, our technology, and even our families. And, as you fall more in love with God that’s going to get easier. Because, someday, everything else will pass away, but God remains forever. 

Benn: *sobbing uncontrollably* Someday I’m going to have to live in a world without you? I already have to live in a world without Great Grandpa Poppy!