TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY JULY 10, 2009.
HUNGRY
Defined by Webster:
A compelling need or desire for food; the painful sensation or state of weakness caused by the need of food.
GODS WORD
“Who gives food to the hungry?” Psalm 146:7
“I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink.” Matthew 25:35.
“And He fills the hungry soul with goodness,” Psalm 107:9.
“A righteous man gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked.” Ezekiel 18:7.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Since 1961 we have been involved with ministries that have dealt with physical hunger. And since we were in college we have been involved with ministries that were concerned about spiritual hunger. How do you react when you see or talk to a hungry person who is hungry both spiritually and physically?
Have you talked to a spiritually hungry person who was searching for peace and a relationship with God? Let me assure you that that is one of the great thrills of life, especially if God blesses you and you lead that person to a personal relationship with Jesus. Then the spiritual hunger for this person is satisfied for a life time as he has Christ in his heart
Dealing with physical hunger is an entirely different situation. Some one once said that you can feed a person a meal and in a few days he will be hungry again. But you can teach that person to fish and he can provide himself food for a lifetime.
But the real truth is that in most areas of our world where hunger is a problem it can not be solved by giving fishing lessons. But as Christians we have some lessons to learn about hunger. In the scriptures there are many references to hunger --- both spiritual hunger and physical hunger.
When we talk about spiritual hunger God expects us as Christians to be ready in season and out of season to “preach the gospel.” [II Timothy 4:2] God wants us to walk the walk and talk the talk every moment of every day being an example to all that see us. He also expects us to show others that we love and serve the Lord. By doing this when one who is suffering from spiritual hunger needs help he will come to you. And then you must be ready.
As for physical hunger, we have the responsibility to do all we can to meet the needs of those that are hungry. We are to give food to those who need food, give drink to those who are thirsty, give clothes to those that need cover and to do all that we can to help people who are physically hungry. But you may then ask --- where do I begin because the needs are so many. All God asks is that we do something and then do all we can to meet needs as they cross our paths.
We read in Matthew 15:32 that Jesus called His disciples to Him and said: “I have compassion for these people; because they have already been with me three days and have had nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, as they may collapse on the way.” For three days Jesus had been teaching and healing a multitude of spiritually hungry people, but Jesus not only saw their spiritual hunger, He saw their physical hunger.
The disciples could only come up with seven loaves of bread and a few small fish; Jesus performed a miracle and multiplied the loaves and fish so that 4000 people could eat. And after they had all eaten all they could, there were seven baskets left over.
Jesus cares not only about our spiritual hunger but also our physical hunger. Jesus expects us to care for others the same way.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Thank you first of all dear Lord for all that you have blest me with this day. Give me a sensitive heart today for those that are hungry both spiritually and physically. Help me to be in the right place at the right time and then help me to respond in a way to honor your name.
July 12, 2009
Thanks: July 9, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY JULY 9, 2009.
THANKS
Defined by Webster:
To express gratitude or appreciation; a grateful feeling.
GODS WORD
“Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercies endure forever.” I Chronicles 16:34.
“Oh that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107: 8-9.
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” II Corinthians 9:15.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
When the American colonies were first settled one man suggested that as a group they were dwelling too much on their problems. It was time to focus on their blessings. Thus we had the first thanksgiving celebration in America.
As Christians every day should be a day of thanksgiving. Just take a moment and list in your mind all the things that God has given you to be thankful for. Our health, our family, our salvation, our job, our home, our neighbors, our church, our Bible, our automobile and the list goes on and on. Many people in our world, in fact over 85%, do not have any where near the many things that we as Americans have to be thankful for. How much more then should we be thankful to God?
It is so easy for us to take for granted how much God has blest us. In Psalm 103:2 it reads: “Praise the Lord, Oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” WOW, do we really thank God for all He gives us?
As far back as we can remember we spent time every day praying and thanking God through prayer for His blessings. As a child we prayed before every meal, we prayed every morning and we prayed every evening before we went to bed. This training developed a lifestyle that we used to train our kids and now our kids are training their kids in the same manner. What a marvelous heritage.
What about you? The past is no longer vital if you do not have that heritage. The present is vital so now is the time for you to take time every day to thank God for His blessings. Our God is a loving God and yearns for your gratitude. And He will respond by multiplying His blessings upon your life if you just take the time to thank Him.
Have you thanked God recently for sending His Son to pay the penalty for your sins? Have you thanked God for the assurance that you have that He is in heaven preparing a place for you for eternity? The apostle Paul calls God’s gift of salvation and grace that he gave us by giving His only begotten Son to die on the cross as “GOD’S INDESCRIBABLE GIFT.” We should be so thankful for this gift that Paul says is above all else.
If we pause to think, we will have cause to thank. We need to remember with gratitude God’s many blessings.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Give me this day a spirit of gratitude to you dear God for all that you have blest my life with. As a family may we begin today spending more time just to thank you for all that you mean to us. Thank you for your goodness and for your wonderful works. Thank you for satisfying my longing soul and for filling my life with your goodness.
THANKS
Defined by Webster:
To express gratitude or appreciation; a grateful feeling.
GODS WORD
“Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercies endure forever.” I Chronicles 16:34.
“Oh that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107: 8-9.
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” II Corinthians 9:15.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
When the American colonies were first settled one man suggested that as a group they were dwelling too much on their problems. It was time to focus on their blessings. Thus we had the first thanksgiving celebration in America.
As Christians every day should be a day of thanksgiving. Just take a moment and list in your mind all the things that God has given you to be thankful for. Our health, our family, our salvation, our job, our home, our neighbors, our church, our Bible, our automobile and the list goes on and on. Many people in our world, in fact over 85%, do not have any where near the many things that we as Americans have to be thankful for. How much more then should we be thankful to God?
It is so easy for us to take for granted how much God has blest us. In Psalm 103:2 it reads: “Praise the Lord, Oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” WOW, do we really thank God for all He gives us?
As far back as we can remember we spent time every day praying and thanking God through prayer for His blessings. As a child we prayed before every meal, we prayed every morning and we prayed every evening before we went to bed. This training developed a lifestyle that we used to train our kids and now our kids are training their kids in the same manner. What a marvelous heritage.
What about you? The past is no longer vital if you do not have that heritage. The present is vital so now is the time for you to take time every day to thank God for His blessings. Our God is a loving God and yearns for your gratitude. And He will respond by multiplying His blessings upon your life if you just take the time to thank Him.
Have you thanked God recently for sending His Son to pay the penalty for your sins? Have you thanked God for the assurance that you have that He is in heaven preparing a place for you for eternity? The apostle Paul calls God’s gift of salvation and grace that he gave us by giving His only begotten Son to die on the cross as “GOD’S INDESCRIBABLE GIFT.” We should be so thankful for this gift that Paul says is above all else.
If we pause to think, we will have cause to thank. We need to remember with gratitude God’s many blessings.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Give me this day a spirit of gratitude to you dear God for all that you have blest my life with. As a family may we begin today spending more time just to thank you for all that you mean to us. Thank you for your goodness and for your wonderful works. Thank you for satisfying my longing soul and for filling my life with your goodness.
Obey: July 6, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 8, 2009
OBEY
Defined by Webster:
To comply with the wishes; instruction or commands; to follow; to respond readily; to submit or conform to; to be obedient.
GODS WORD
“Be doers of the Word and not hearers only.” James 1:22.
“If you obey my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.” John 14:9
“But if anyone obeys His Word, God’s love is truly made complete.” I John 2:5-6.
“What does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
“This is love that we walk according to His commandments.” II John 1:6.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Obedience is the result of love and loyalty and they cannot be separated. Obedience to God is a demonstration of our love for Him. Obedience is doing what Christ has commanded us to do and living as He wants us to live. Jesus set the example for us. He was obedient to His father and obeyed His commands. By experience we know that obedience brings reward and disobedience has consequences.
We read in Numbers 20:7-12 that Moses struck the rock to get water rather then to just speak to the rock as God commanded him to do. Moses did not obey God and therefore forfeited his privilege of entering the promised land with the children of Israel, whom he had led for years. Think how painful it must have been for Moses after leading the Israelites out of Egypt and all through the wilderness for forty years and then not to be able to enter the promised land with them.
When we obey God, He uses ordinary people to do extra ordinary things. The disciples obeyed when Jesus said: “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark 1:17.
Trusting and obeying the Lord brings to one’s life true happiness. The noted author Philip Yancey wrote: “Obedience to God and only obedience offers the way out of futility.” The way of obedience is the way of blessing. We must learn to obey.
Have you noticed that children never need to be taught to disobey? Disobedience is a result of our sinful nature and each one of us --- parents, teenagers, adults and children --- need to learn to obey.
We learned as we were raising our children that the best way to teach obedience was to first set clearly the standards. Then when these standards were not honored and when we had given fair reminders, we would take away something that the child really wanted as a punishment for not obeying. The punishment had to have significance in the child’s mind, so it had to be painful. We also learned that it did not help to yell or threaten; this only built up resentment and never gave good results. When giving out punishment for not obeying it is very important to be consistent as well.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Help me this day to obey your Word. Help me to study your Word so that I may do a better job of obeying your commands. Bless my family and give me a spirit of love and loyalty that only comes when I am honest to You and to them.
Your Friends,
Ken and Dottie Phillips
OBEY
Defined by Webster:
To comply with the wishes; instruction or commands; to follow; to respond readily; to submit or conform to; to be obedient.
GODS WORD
“Be doers of the Word and not hearers only.” James 1:22.
“If you obey my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.” John 14:9
“But if anyone obeys His Word, God’s love is truly made complete.” I John 2:5-6.
“What does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
“This is love that we walk according to His commandments.” II John 1:6.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Obedience is the result of love and loyalty and they cannot be separated. Obedience to God is a demonstration of our love for Him. Obedience is doing what Christ has commanded us to do and living as He wants us to live. Jesus set the example for us. He was obedient to His father and obeyed His commands. By experience we know that obedience brings reward and disobedience has consequences.
We read in Numbers 20:7-12 that Moses struck the rock to get water rather then to just speak to the rock as God commanded him to do. Moses did not obey God and therefore forfeited his privilege of entering the promised land with the children of Israel, whom he had led for years. Think how painful it must have been for Moses after leading the Israelites out of Egypt and all through the wilderness for forty years and then not to be able to enter the promised land with them.
When we obey God, He uses ordinary people to do extra ordinary things. The disciples obeyed when Jesus said: “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark 1:17.
Trusting and obeying the Lord brings to one’s life true happiness. The noted author Philip Yancey wrote: “Obedience to God and only obedience offers the way out of futility.” The way of obedience is the way of blessing. We must learn to obey.
Have you noticed that children never need to be taught to disobey? Disobedience is a result of our sinful nature and each one of us --- parents, teenagers, adults and children --- need to learn to obey.
We learned as we were raising our children that the best way to teach obedience was to first set clearly the standards. Then when these standards were not honored and when we had given fair reminders, we would take away something that the child really wanted as a punishment for not obeying. The punishment had to have significance in the child’s mind, so it had to be painful. We also learned that it did not help to yell or threaten; this only built up resentment and never gave good results. When giving out punishment for not obeying it is very important to be consistent as well.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Help me this day to obey your Word. Help me to study your Word so that I may do a better job of obeying your commands. Bless my family and give me a spirit of love and loyalty that only comes when I am honest to You and to them.
Your Friends,
Ken and Dottie Phillips
Success: July 7, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JULY 7, 2009.
SUCCESS
Defined by Webster:
favorable determination of endeavors; attainment of wealth; position; honors; a successful achievement.
GODS WORD
“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success. Ecclesiastics 10:10.
“Please give me success this day and show kindness to my master Abraham.”
Genesis 24:12.
“God gives strength and success in proportion to the strain. He gives power to the weak.” Isaiah 40:29.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
The key to success lies in the exchange of our limited resources for God’s limitless strength. You cannot store up treasures in heaven [this is success from God’s point of view], if you are holding on to the treasures of earth. No level of success is safe or has real value without the presence of God’s hand on your life.
The best starting point for one to achieve success is to pray and ask God for success. In Genesis 24:12 it is Abraham’s most trusted servant who is asking God for success. He was sent by Abraham back to the land of his family to find a suitable wife among his relatives for his son Isaac. The servant prayed that he would know which girl God had chosen. God answered his prayer and gave him success.
Solomon advises us to commit our plans to the Lord if we want success. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3. When we commit our plans to the Lord, we are putting our trust in God for His guidance and giving Him control. We must work as if everything depends on us, but pray as if everything depends on God.
Solomon also advises those who would be successful that they need the right tools and must learn the necessary skills. It is difficult to chop wood with a dull ax. You must recognize the areas of your life that are lacking and then you must sharpen those skills. It will require hard work. But if you are diligent and put your trust in God, success will follow. If you desire to be effective in doing God’s work it is imperative to “sharpen your ax” by studying daily God’s Word. It is written by David to his son Solomon in I Chronicles 22:13 “Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
God told David that his son Solomon would build the Temple and David wanted Solomon to be successful. David gathered the material and the workmen and then instructed Solomon, “Now begin the work and the Lord be with you.” As parents we realize we have to instruct our children and prepare them if they are to be successful.
Mark Twain said while talking about success: “Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching and live like it’s heaven on earth.”
In raising our family we have always strived for success in all that we have done. Our number one goal was to be successful in leading our children to having a personal relationship with Jesus. We can be successful in every other section of life but if we do not have this spiritual success it is all worthless. Like Solomon, we say to our children; “Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you.” Like Solomon we encouraged them to be strong and courageous, and not to be afraid or discouraged.
We always wanted our children to be balanced in their approach to their everyday lives. Thus we encouraged success in their school responsibilities, church activities, sport activities, leadership roles, and general life responsibilities and they all excelled. When the right approach is taught and learned it will reach down to the next generation. This has been true with us as we rejoice in seeing our grand children balanced in their success as their mother and father were.
But if you would talk to each of our children today they would tell you that the most rewarding success they enjoyed was being involved in spiritual activities both personally and in groups.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Help me today to look at success in terms of what I have done for you. Make my life speak loudly to all that I meet today, and may each person see that God is my strength and the source of my success. In my weak moments I look to you for my strength. Thank you for answering my prayers.
Your Friends,
Ken and Dottie Phillips
“Today’s Word” is sent to you free
to encourage you to commit today to
serve and honor God as a family.
SUCCESS
Defined by Webster:
favorable determination of endeavors; attainment of wealth; position; honors; a successful achievement.
GODS WORD
“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success. Ecclesiastics 10:10.
“Please give me success this day and show kindness to my master Abraham.”
Genesis 24:12.
“God gives strength and success in proportion to the strain. He gives power to the weak.” Isaiah 40:29.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
The key to success lies in the exchange of our limited resources for God’s limitless strength. You cannot store up treasures in heaven [this is success from God’s point of view], if you are holding on to the treasures of earth. No level of success is safe or has real value without the presence of God’s hand on your life.
The best starting point for one to achieve success is to pray and ask God for success. In Genesis 24:12 it is Abraham’s most trusted servant who is asking God for success. He was sent by Abraham back to the land of his family to find a suitable wife among his relatives for his son Isaac. The servant prayed that he would know which girl God had chosen. God answered his prayer and gave him success.
Solomon advises us to commit our plans to the Lord if we want success. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3. When we commit our plans to the Lord, we are putting our trust in God for His guidance and giving Him control. We must work as if everything depends on us, but pray as if everything depends on God.
Solomon also advises those who would be successful that they need the right tools and must learn the necessary skills. It is difficult to chop wood with a dull ax. You must recognize the areas of your life that are lacking and then you must sharpen those skills. It will require hard work. But if you are diligent and put your trust in God, success will follow. If you desire to be effective in doing God’s work it is imperative to “sharpen your ax” by studying daily God’s Word. It is written by David to his son Solomon in I Chronicles 22:13 “Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
God told David that his son Solomon would build the Temple and David wanted Solomon to be successful. David gathered the material and the workmen and then instructed Solomon, “Now begin the work and the Lord be with you.” As parents we realize we have to instruct our children and prepare them if they are to be successful.
Mark Twain said while talking about success: “Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching and live like it’s heaven on earth.”
In raising our family we have always strived for success in all that we have done. Our number one goal was to be successful in leading our children to having a personal relationship with Jesus. We can be successful in every other section of life but if we do not have this spiritual success it is all worthless. Like Solomon, we say to our children; “Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you.” Like Solomon we encouraged them to be strong and courageous, and not to be afraid or discouraged.
We always wanted our children to be balanced in their approach to their everyday lives. Thus we encouraged success in their school responsibilities, church activities, sport activities, leadership roles, and general life responsibilities and they all excelled. When the right approach is taught and learned it will reach down to the next generation. This has been true with us as we rejoice in seeing our grand children balanced in their success as their mother and father were.
But if you would talk to each of our children today they would tell you that the most rewarding success they enjoyed was being involved in spiritual activities both personally and in groups.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Help me today to look at success in terms of what I have done for you. Make my life speak loudly to all that I meet today, and may each person see that God is my strength and the source of my success. In my weak moments I look to you for my strength. Thank you for answering my prayers.
Your Friends,
Ken and Dottie Phillips
“Today’s Word” is sent to you free
to encourage you to commit today to
serve and honor God as a family.
Success: July 7, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JULY 7, 2009.
SUCCESS
Defined by Webster:
favorable determination of endeavors; attainment of wealth; position; honors; a successful achievement.
GODS WORD
“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success. Ecclesiastics 10:10.
“Please give me success this day and show kindness to my master Abraham.”
Genesis 24:12.
“God gives strength and success in proportion to the strain. He gives power to the weak.” Isaiah 40:29.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
The key to success lies in the exchange of our limited resources for God’s limitless strength. You cannot store up treasures in heaven [this is success from God’s point of view], if you are holding on to the treasures of earth. No level of success is safe or has real value without the presence of God’s hand on your life.
The best starting point for one to achieve success is to pray and ask God for success. In Genesis 24:12 it is Abraham’s most trusted servant who is asking God for success. He was sent by Abraham back to the land of his family to find a suitable wife among his relatives for his son Isaac. The servant prayed that he would know which girl God had chosen. God answered his prayer and gave him success.
Solomon advises us to commit our plans to the Lord if we want success. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3. When we commit our plans to the Lord, we are putting our trust in God for His guidance and giving Him control. We must work as if everything depends on us, but pray as if everything depends on God.
Solomon also advises those who would be successful that they need the right tools and must learn the necessary skills. It is difficult to chop wood with a dull ax. You must recognize the areas of your life that are lacking and then you must sharpen those skills. It will require hard work. But if you are diligent and put your trust in God, success will follow. If you desire to be effective in doing God’s work it is imperative to “sharpen your ax” by studying daily God’s Word. It is written by David to his son Solomon in I Chronicles 22:13 “Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
God told David that his son Solomon would build the Temple and David wanted Solomon to be successful. David gathered the material and the workmen and then instructed Solomon, “Now begin the work and the Lord be with you.” As parents we realize we have to instruct our children and prepare them if they are to be successful.
Mark Twain said while talking about success: “Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching and live like it’s heaven on earth.”
In raising our family we have always strived for success in all that we have done. Our number one goal was to be successful in leading our children to having a personal relationship with Jesus. We can be successful in every other section of life but if we do not have this spiritual success it is all worthless. Like Solomon, we say to our children; “Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you.” Like Solomon we encouraged them to be strong and courageous, and not to be afraid or discouraged.
We always wanted our children to be balanced in their approach to their everyday lives. Thus we encouraged success in their school responsibilities, church activities, sport activities, leadership roles, and general life responsibilities and they all excelled. When the right approach is taught and learned it will reach down to the next generation. This has been true with us as we rejoice in seeing our grand children balanced in their success as their mother and father were.
But if you would talk to each of our children today they would tell you that the most rewarding success they enjoyed was being involved in spiritual activities both personally and in groups.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Help me today to look at success in terms of what I have done for you. Make my life speak loudly to all that I meet today, and may each person see that God is my strength and the source of my success. In my weak moments I look to you for my strength. Thank you for answering my prayers.
Your Friends,
Ken and Dottie Phillips
“Today’s Word” is sent to you free
to encourage you to commit today to
serve and honor God as a family.
SUCCESS
Defined by Webster:
favorable determination of endeavors; attainment of wealth; position; honors; a successful achievement.
GODS WORD
“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success. Ecclesiastics 10:10.
“Please give me success this day and show kindness to my master Abraham.”
Genesis 24:12.
“God gives strength and success in proportion to the strain. He gives power to the weak.” Isaiah 40:29.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
The key to success lies in the exchange of our limited resources for God’s limitless strength. You cannot store up treasures in heaven [this is success from God’s point of view], if you are holding on to the treasures of earth. No level of success is safe or has real value without the presence of God’s hand on your life.
The best starting point for one to achieve success is to pray and ask God for success. In Genesis 24:12 it is Abraham’s most trusted servant who is asking God for success. He was sent by Abraham back to the land of his family to find a suitable wife among his relatives for his son Isaac. The servant prayed that he would know which girl God had chosen. God answered his prayer and gave him success.
Solomon advises us to commit our plans to the Lord if we want success. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3. When we commit our plans to the Lord, we are putting our trust in God for His guidance and giving Him control. We must work as if everything depends on us, but pray as if everything depends on God.
Solomon also advises those who would be successful that they need the right tools and must learn the necessary skills. It is difficult to chop wood with a dull ax. You must recognize the areas of your life that are lacking and then you must sharpen those skills. It will require hard work. But if you are diligent and put your trust in God, success will follow. If you desire to be effective in doing God’s work it is imperative to “sharpen your ax” by studying daily God’s Word. It is written by David to his son Solomon in I Chronicles 22:13 “Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
God told David that his son Solomon would build the Temple and David wanted Solomon to be successful. David gathered the material and the workmen and then instructed Solomon, “Now begin the work and the Lord be with you.” As parents we realize we have to instruct our children and prepare them if they are to be successful.
Mark Twain said while talking about success: “Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching and live like it’s heaven on earth.”
In raising our family we have always strived for success in all that we have done. Our number one goal was to be successful in leading our children to having a personal relationship with Jesus. We can be successful in every other section of life but if we do not have this spiritual success it is all worthless. Like Solomon, we say to our children; “Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you.” Like Solomon we encouraged them to be strong and courageous, and not to be afraid or discouraged.
We always wanted our children to be balanced in their approach to their everyday lives. Thus we encouraged success in their school responsibilities, church activities, sport activities, leadership roles, and general life responsibilities and they all excelled. When the right approach is taught and learned it will reach down to the next generation. This has been true with us as we rejoice in seeing our grand children balanced in their success as their mother and father were.
But if you would talk to each of our children today they would tell you that the most rewarding success they enjoyed was being involved in spiritual activities both personally and in groups.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Help me today to look at success in terms of what I have done for you. Make my life speak loudly to all that I meet today, and may each person see that God is my strength and the source of my success. In my weak moments I look to you for my strength. Thank you for answering my prayers.
Your Friends,
Ken and Dottie Phillips
“Today’s Word” is sent to you free
to encourage you to commit today to
serve and honor God as a family.
Authority: July 6, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY JULY 6, 2009
AUTHORITY
Defined by Webster:
The power to determine or settle issues; the right to control; authorization; adjudicate; a power or right delegated as given; an expert on a subject.
GODS WORD
“For there is no authority except from God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Romans 13:1.
“All authority has been given to me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18.
“When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” Proverbs 29:2.
“For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:29
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
As Christians we need to look at the word “AUTHORITY” from several
perspectives. First the authority that God has over us as Christians. And second what God says about the authority we have in the individual roles that we have been given or assumed in life.
The Bible declares God to be the supreme authority and the source of all authority. The scripture is clear that there is absolutely no authority given to man other than by God.
By the time that the Children of Israel had left Egypt, they were a large nation and needed a provision of authority to unify them, to give leadership to them and to keep order. God exercised His authority with them and delegated authority to the priests and the prophets to guide their spiritual needs. Then He gave authority to a King to govern and establish civil law.
When we are in a position of authority in this life, we must recognize that all of our authority comes from God and we should exercise our power according to God’s rules and remember that God will judge us on our performance. Concerning the authority of our leaders in government and at our work place, unfortunately we live in a corrupt and sinful world so we have corrupt leaders. Nevertheless, we as Christians must accept authority as a divine institution and submit to government authority as long as it does not conflict with God’s laws and moral standards. And remember, when we rebel against those in authority over us we are rebelling against God.
Concerning authority in the home, the scripture gives us in Ephesians Chapter 5 specific instructions on how family members should relate to one another. As the head of the wife, husbands are to love their wives and wives are to submit to their husbands. This does not mean that the husband is the ruler nor is the wife inferior. But it does mean that the husband is the spiritual leader always thinking of his wife’s best interests and his wife should acknowledge his leadership. A husband that loves the Lord and is wise will not take advantage of his leadership role and a wife who loves the Lord will wisely not seek to undermine her husband’s leadership. Unfortunately, this line of authority is not popular today and is not being practiced in most homes. Consequently we have seen family values eroding and more than 50% of all marriages fail.
Men no longer know how to lead their families properly under God’s direction. They have abused their role. Wives want to be equal today and do not want to be subject in any way to their husband as is God’s plan for marriage.
It is very important that parents establish with their children, at a very young age that they [the parents] are in charge. They must understand early in life that it is God’s plan for, “children to obey their parents.”
School teachers must make this same declaration but unfortunately cultural changes in our school system are making respect [authority] very difficult and a lot of this is because of bad parenting. Also in the work place today there is a lack of authority demanded or even expected. A respected, clearly stated line of authority brings success to the work place.
But most important, we need to recognize and respect God’s authority in all that we do as individuals, as a family, with our neighbors and in our work place. For Christians --- all authority is with God.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Prepare my heart to live a life that respects Your authority in all that I attempt to accomplish this day. Give me a new respect for You, my family and all those that I make contact with today. Continue to teach me daily to trust you more.
Your Friends,
Ken and Dottie Phillips
AUTHORITY
Defined by Webster:
The power to determine or settle issues; the right to control; authorization; adjudicate; a power or right delegated as given; an expert on a subject.
GODS WORD
“For there is no authority except from God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Romans 13:1.
“All authority has been given to me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18.
“When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” Proverbs 29:2.
“For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:29
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
As Christians we need to look at the word “AUTHORITY” from several
perspectives. First the authority that God has over us as Christians. And second what God says about the authority we have in the individual roles that we have been given or assumed in life.
The Bible declares God to be the supreme authority and the source of all authority. The scripture is clear that there is absolutely no authority given to man other than by God.
By the time that the Children of Israel had left Egypt, they were a large nation and needed a provision of authority to unify them, to give leadership to them and to keep order. God exercised His authority with them and delegated authority to the priests and the prophets to guide their spiritual needs. Then He gave authority to a King to govern and establish civil law.
When we are in a position of authority in this life, we must recognize that all of our authority comes from God and we should exercise our power according to God’s rules and remember that God will judge us on our performance. Concerning the authority of our leaders in government and at our work place, unfortunately we live in a corrupt and sinful world so we have corrupt leaders. Nevertheless, we as Christians must accept authority as a divine institution and submit to government authority as long as it does not conflict with God’s laws and moral standards. And remember, when we rebel against those in authority over us we are rebelling against God.
Concerning authority in the home, the scripture gives us in Ephesians Chapter 5 specific instructions on how family members should relate to one another. As the head of the wife, husbands are to love their wives and wives are to submit to their husbands. This does not mean that the husband is the ruler nor is the wife inferior. But it does mean that the husband is the spiritual leader always thinking of his wife’s best interests and his wife should acknowledge his leadership. A husband that loves the Lord and is wise will not take advantage of his leadership role and a wife who loves the Lord will wisely not seek to undermine her husband’s leadership. Unfortunately, this line of authority is not popular today and is not being practiced in most homes. Consequently we have seen family values eroding and more than 50% of all marriages fail.
Men no longer know how to lead their families properly under God’s direction. They have abused their role. Wives want to be equal today and do not want to be subject in any way to their husband as is God’s plan for marriage.
It is very important that parents establish with their children, at a very young age that they [the parents] are in charge. They must understand early in life that it is God’s plan for, “children to obey their parents.”
School teachers must make this same declaration but unfortunately cultural changes in our school system are making respect [authority] very difficult and a lot of this is because of bad parenting. Also in the work place today there is a lack of authority demanded or even expected. A respected, clearly stated line of authority brings success to the work place.
But most important, we need to recognize and respect God’s authority in all that we do as individuals, as a family, with our neighbors and in our work place. For Christians --- all authority is with God.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Prepare my heart to live a life that respects Your authority in all that I attempt to accomplish this day. Give me a new respect for You, my family and all those that I make contact with today. Continue to teach me daily to trust you more.
Your Friends,
Ken and Dottie Phillips
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