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Amy Carroll | September 17, 2007
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7 (NIV)
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Wendy Pope | September 13, 2007
“Praise the LORD! Happy are those who fear the LORD. Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what He commands." Psalm 112:1 (NLT Chronological Bible)/em
When titling this devotion I wondered, "Would I buy a book with this title?" then I quickly thought of all the well intended help books that have been written but seemed to have produced children who continue to make poor decisions. Despite the valiant effort of numerous authors, our world is still full of young people who don't reach their full potential and settle for less than what God desires for them. My children are young, nine and seven, but no matter how old your children are, you still have the ability to influence their success.I am reading through the entire Bible for the first time in my life. I have to tell you, it is one of the most exciting things I have done in my journey with the Lord. In my daily reading I stumbled across today's key verse. I have to admit that I read it with familiarity until I got to verse 2:"Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed." (Psalm 112)Did you catch that? Reread today's key verse above, then read verse 2. I had to read and reread these verses several times. As I pondered them I realized the truth in the message: the success or lack of success in the life of my children rests on me, in fact, generation to generation. The future of the children God has entrusted to me and the children they will bring into this world (my grandchildren) is affected by my willingness to obey the Lord's commands and to reverently fear Him. The reality of this truth makes me more eager than ever to obey the Lord, not just obey but delightfully obey Him.I haven't read very many "raising kids books." I don't know much about the reputation and integrity of the authors who write them. I can boast with great confidence, however, in the Author of book that taught me today's truth. His reputation is impeccable and His record is unblemished. His advice on childrearing is trustworthy and when followed will produce the results promised.I don't know about you, but I am not willing to risk the success of my children and grandchildren on my own plans and ideas for their future. My plan is to put today's key verse into practice, sit back and watch what happens.Following the words of the Author not only blesses your children and the future generations, but also pleases your Heavenly Father and gives Him the desire to bless you for your obedience. A two-fold blessing - you can't get any better than that!Dear Lord, You are at work all the time. I want to participate with You by saying “yes” to your commands, and make a difference in my loved one's life today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.Related Resources:Do you know Him?Out of the Mouth of Babes by Wendy PopeDon’t Make Me Count to Three by Ginger PlowmanFrom the Pound to the Palace by Van WaltonApplication Steps:In your prayer time ask God to show you someone who needs encouragement. Tell Him you will say yes to Him. Share your experience of saying yes to God with someone.Reflections:Do I hear and understand when God is saying something to me?Am I delighting in following God’s commands?Power Verses:1 Thessalonians 5:11, "So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing."(NIV)Proverbs 12:25, "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." (NIV)Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." (NIV)
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Lauren Blight | September 11, 2007
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11
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Van Walton | September 11, 2007
“The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life."Proverbs11:30 (NLT)
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Sharon Glasgow | September 10, 2007
Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
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Glynnis Whitwer | September 7, 2007
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 12:10 (NIV)
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Micca Campbell | September 6, 2007
“For the Lord God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NKJ)
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Melanie Chitwood | September 5, 2007
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the One who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!” Proverbs 3:5-7. (The Message)
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Tracie Miles | August 31, 2007
“They cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them, he rescued them from the grave.” Psalm 107:19-20 (NIV)
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Micca Campbell | August 30, 2007
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirst for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalms 63:1 (NIV)
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Zoe Elmore | August 29, 2007
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
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Melissa Taylor | August 27, 2007
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37:5 (NLT)
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Karen Ehman | August 24, 2007
“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. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. II Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV)
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Wendy Pope | August 21, 2007
“Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God." Exodus
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Zoe Elmore | August 20, 2007
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:9-12 (NIV)
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Rachel Olsen | August 15, 2007
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 (NASB)
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Susanne Scheppmann | August 14, 2007
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NIV)
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Bonita Lillie | August 13, 2007
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)
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Zoe Elmore | August 10, 2007
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
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Tracie Miles | August 9, 2007
“.... God formed man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The man came alive – a living soul!” Genesis 2:5 (MSG)