TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY OCTOBER 12, 2009
CARING
Defined by Webster:
A troubled state of mind; a cause of worry or concern to devote great care to ones work; protection; charge; to be concerned; to desire to make provision; to watch over.
GODS WORD
“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse then an unbeliever." I Timothy 5:8.
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." James 1:27.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
These scriptures remind us that we have a responsibility to care, both physically and spiritually, for those in our family. God’s word also instructs us of our responsibility to CARE for the orphans, the widows, the hungry, the poor and the needy.
God instructed the children of Israel under Moses, when they were wandering in the desert, that they were to take care of their families, and not only their families but also the widows, the fatherless and their neighbors. Caring for others does not come readily for most people. God does care about each one of us. After the children of Israel left Egypt, God saw that He would have to give laws to Moses so that Moses could teach them how to live peaceably with each other and to provide for each others needs.
It is God who works on us to care about others. Down through the years it has always been those who love God who have done the most to care for those who are lonely, hungry and needy and many times it is not an easy task. The closer you are to God, the more you will have a heart for others and caring for others will become more natural to you.
As those who love the Lord, loving and caring for others should be our major life's work and caring for those of our "own house" is our highest and holiest priority.
All of our lives we have had, what we consider to have been, a privilege to work with missions where we have been able to help CARE for the poor and needy. It began over 50 years ago when we were in Korea with the assignment to set up over 140 orphanages to take care of the "GI" babies after the Korean War. It continued then for us in later years as we cared for the children living in the slums and in refugee camps in Africa. We will never forget caring for over 10,000 children that we saw living on top of a massive garbage dump in the Philippians.
Our hearts were broken when we saw children in Honduras dying with cancer with no medical equipment or medicine in the country to help them. We could not help but to respond by getting them equipment and medicine to show that we cared for them. These few examples, we pray, will be enough to challenge you to care for someone you meet today that has a need, someone that needs your love and a word of encouragement, someone who is waiting for you to CARE for them.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Make this a special day for me by leading me to someone that needs to be cared for. Soften my heart and allow me to care as only You cared for this world that we live in. Thank You for the many blessings that You have given and continue to give my family. But for the grace of You, I realize that we could be one of Your children living in some remote part of our world that has never heard Your name. Thank You for who You are and I praise You for being my Lord and my Savior.
October 11, 2009
Choices: October 9, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY OCTOBER 9, 2009
CHOICES
Defined by Webster:
The act or instance of choosing; selection; the right or power or opportunity to choose; a variety from which to choose.
GODS WORD
Jesus said: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.” John 15:16
Joshua said: “Choose you this day whom you will serve, but for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
“A good name is rather to be chosen then great riches.” Proverbs 22:1
“Refuse evil and choose good.” Isaiah 7:15
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Every day we make many CHOICES in our day to day living. Some of these choices we make are good and some are bad. We choose what we wear. We choose what we eat. We choose where we go. As parents we choose how we lead and teach. And as children we choose how we respond. When facing life as we know it every day we have to make choices.
The greatest and most important CHOICE we must make in our life is whether to serve God or not to serve God. One way or the other everyone makes that choice. This choice is easy to make. If we choose to serve God we have made a good and positive choice. If you choose not to serve God, you have chosen – even by not acting – not to serve God.
How can we determine when the choices we make in our daily lives are right or wrong? The right choice will not be in conflict with God’s Word – the Bible. This is why it is so important to study the Bible because in the Bible is God’s guide book for our life. The Psalmist said: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.
Parents have a huge responsibility to train their children in how to make choices. There are so many outside influences today that make a profound impact on children’s thinking and affect the choices they make. Three of the most harmful are peer pressure, music and television. Parents must be constantly on the alert and that is why we encourage every family to have dinner together every night so your children can talk and you can listen to what they are seeing and feeling.
Parents must begin teaching their children at a very early age that making the wrong choices can have a negative effect on their lives for a life-time. And the opposite is also true. Making the right choices affects one’s life in a positive way for a life time.
The choices children make are influenced by what they have observed in the actions of their parents. That is why we parents must live a consistent Christian life putting God first in all we do and in all we say.
As a parent do you take into consideration how the choices you make will affect your children and grandchildren? [Exodus 20:4-5] Parents who live by faith before God will have a strong influence for the positive on their children and grandchildren
Today’s Family Prayer
Give us this day, dear Lord the wisdom to make choices to honor Your name. We give You praise for choosing us and then allowing us to choose to follow You and then bear fruit for Your sake. Help us to make the right decisions today for our choice of friends, our choice of words and our actions. Protect our children, dear Lord, from harmful choices. Thank You for being our Lord and our Savior.
CHOICES
Defined by Webster:
The act or instance of choosing; selection; the right or power or opportunity to choose; a variety from which to choose.
GODS WORD
Jesus said: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.” John 15:16
Joshua said: “Choose you this day whom you will serve, but for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
“A good name is rather to be chosen then great riches.” Proverbs 22:1
“Refuse evil and choose good.” Isaiah 7:15
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Every day we make many CHOICES in our day to day living. Some of these choices we make are good and some are bad. We choose what we wear. We choose what we eat. We choose where we go. As parents we choose how we lead and teach. And as children we choose how we respond. When facing life as we know it every day we have to make choices.
The greatest and most important CHOICE we must make in our life is whether to serve God or not to serve God. One way or the other everyone makes that choice. This choice is easy to make. If we choose to serve God we have made a good and positive choice. If you choose not to serve God, you have chosen – even by not acting – not to serve God.
How can we determine when the choices we make in our daily lives are right or wrong? The right choice will not be in conflict with God’s Word – the Bible. This is why it is so important to study the Bible because in the Bible is God’s guide book for our life. The Psalmist said: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.
Parents have a huge responsibility to train their children in how to make choices. There are so many outside influences today that make a profound impact on children’s thinking and affect the choices they make. Three of the most harmful are peer pressure, music and television. Parents must be constantly on the alert and that is why we encourage every family to have dinner together every night so your children can talk and you can listen to what they are seeing and feeling.
Parents must begin teaching their children at a very early age that making the wrong choices can have a negative effect on their lives for a life-time. And the opposite is also true. Making the right choices affects one’s life in a positive way for a life time.
The choices children make are influenced by what they have observed in the actions of their parents. That is why we parents must live a consistent Christian life putting God first in all we do and in all we say.
As a parent do you take into consideration how the choices you make will affect your children and grandchildren? [Exodus 20:4-5] Parents who live by faith before God will have a strong influence for the positive on their children and grandchildren
Today’s Family Prayer
Give us this day, dear Lord the wisdom to make choices to honor Your name. We give You praise for choosing us and then allowing us to choose to follow You and then bear fruit for Your sake. Help us to make the right decisions today for our choice of friends, our choice of words and our actions. Protect our children, dear Lord, from harmful choices. Thank You for being our Lord and our Savior.
Discouragement: October 8, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY OCTOBER 8, 2009
DISCOURAGEMENT
Defined by Webster:
An act or instance of discouraging; the state of being discouraged; to deprive of courage, hope or confidence.
GODS WORD
“But God, who comforts those that are downcast, comforts us." II Corinthians 7:6.
"Fathers do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." Ephesians 6:4.
”Why are you downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Discouragement does deprive one of courage, hope and confidence. There are many reasons given for being discouraged. A child can be discouraged when he cannot find good friends, was not chosen for some role hoped for at school, or because of a grade on a test. For parents discouragement is a result of a souring relationship, an unhappy job situation, money concerns for the family, just to name a few.
From the moment each of our children was born we were, as parents, committed to teach and train each child to live with a positive attitude. We were committed to provide the love, interest and concern for each child as needed. It was important to us as parents to make sure that our children were involved in church, in school, in sports and with their daily "household jobs" because being involved in activities is an important part of a child's life. It helps them learn, to develop relationships, keeps them active and busy and they were very rarely discouraged.
When discouragement comes your way, look to the Bible for strength and answers to your concerns. God told Joshua to always be strong, have courage, do not be afraid and do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. [Joshua 1:9] This verse should be read every time you become discouraged
Do something positive when you begin to feel discouraged. Eliminate negative thoughts in your life. Each day give something, like a kind word, to someone you do not know. David said to Solomon, his son: "Be strong and of a good courage." As parents we need to remind not only ourselves but also our children to be strong in the Lord. Our Lord is a God of comfort and hope. When we are downcast He will comfort us and renew our hope and we will be able to praise Him in spite of our discouragement. One of the best ways to brighten any day, if you are discouraged, is to STOP for a few minutes and think about the blessings, the good things, that you have and then thank God for those blessings. It is hard to be discouraged and praise God at the same time.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Dear God, thank You for a new day and I ask for Your blessing on my life. Help me to not be discouraged today but to face each moment knowing that You are my God and that You are with me every moment of today. Comfort my family, friends and those that need a special touch from You this day because they are discouraged.
DISCOURAGEMENT
Defined by Webster:
An act or instance of discouraging; the state of being discouraged; to deprive of courage, hope or confidence.
GODS WORD
“But God, who comforts those that are downcast, comforts us." II Corinthians 7:6.
"Fathers do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." Ephesians 6:4.
”Why are you downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Discouragement does deprive one of courage, hope and confidence. There are many reasons given for being discouraged. A child can be discouraged when he cannot find good friends, was not chosen for some role hoped for at school, or because of a grade on a test. For parents discouragement is a result of a souring relationship, an unhappy job situation, money concerns for the family, just to name a few.
From the moment each of our children was born we were, as parents, committed to teach and train each child to live with a positive attitude. We were committed to provide the love, interest and concern for each child as needed. It was important to us as parents to make sure that our children were involved in church, in school, in sports and with their daily "household jobs" because being involved in activities is an important part of a child's life. It helps them learn, to develop relationships, keeps them active and busy and they were very rarely discouraged.
When discouragement comes your way, look to the Bible for strength and answers to your concerns. God told Joshua to always be strong, have courage, do not be afraid and do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. [Joshua 1:9] This verse should be read every time you become discouraged
Do something positive when you begin to feel discouraged. Eliminate negative thoughts in your life. Each day give something, like a kind word, to someone you do not know. David said to Solomon, his son: "Be strong and of a good courage." As parents we need to remind not only ourselves but also our children to be strong in the Lord. Our Lord is a God of comfort and hope. When we are downcast He will comfort us and renew our hope and we will be able to praise Him in spite of our discouragement. One of the best ways to brighten any day, if you are discouraged, is to STOP for a few minutes and think about the blessings, the good things, that you have and then thank God for those blessings. It is hard to be discouraged and praise God at the same time.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Dear God, thank You for a new day and I ask for Your blessing on my life. Help me to not be discouraged today but to face each moment knowing that You are my God and that You are with me every moment of today. Comfort my family, friends and those that need a special touch from You this day because they are discouraged.
Respect: October 7, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7, 2009
RESPECT
Defined by Webster:
Esteem; admiration; proper acceptance of courtesy; the condition of being esteemed or honored.
GODS WORD
“Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them RESPECT." Hebrews 12:9.
"Show proper respect to everyone. Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the King.” I Peter 2:17.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Without question one of the most serious problems facing young people today is their lack of respect. Most young people do not respect their parents, their siblings, their peers, their teachers or even their friends. The root problem is that so many children and parents have no respect for God Himself. How many times a day do we hear God's name and the name of Jesus used in a disrespectful way? For example parents and children are heard saying: "Oh my God, it was awful." This is the ultimate of disrespect and misuse of God's Holy Name and leads to disrespect in all areas of life.
In Exodus 20:7 we are warned that the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name. When children hear their parents misusing God's name they think it is OK for them to do the same. The lack of respect is part of the breakdown of the family unit for our children today.
When our children were teenagers, we can remember several incidents when we as parents had set standards and expected respect from our child in regards to adhering to those standards. When one of our children broke the standard that we had set, we first of all clarified to them the reason for the standard and then issued the penalty. We always tried to be fair and consistent in our response and then we saw that the penalty terms were honored with respect. The penalty was always increased when our child would respond with a lack of respect.
At the time, our child's response was often negative but because we were clear, consistent and fair it rarely would happen again. Now that our children are parents, they fully understand the necessity of setting standards for their families and they expect their children to be respectful to them. This is very rewarding to us to see that children have learned the value of respect and that they are now teaching their children respect and even though they live in a TOUGHER WORLD today their children all show great respect to God, their parents, their grandparents, their siblings, their cousins and their friends.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Dear Lord, help us to honor and respect You in all that we do. Help us to respect those that we meet with today, including our parents and friends, and let our love for You shine through our lives to them. Help us to honor all the people we meet, loving the unlovely that need our love, and then honoring the Lord in all we do and say.
RESPECT
Defined by Webster:
Esteem; admiration; proper acceptance of courtesy; the condition of being esteemed or honored.
GODS WORD
“Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them RESPECT." Hebrews 12:9.
"Show proper respect to everyone. Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the King.” I Peter 2:17.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Without question one of the most serious problems facing young people today is their lack of respect. Most young people do not respect their parents, their siblings, their peers, their teachers or even their friends. The root problem is that so many children and parents have no respect for God Himself. How many times a day do we hear God's name and the name of Jesus used in a disrespectful way? For example parents and children are heard saying: "Oh my God, it was awful." This is the ultimate of disrespect and misuse of God's Holy Name and leads to disrespect in all areas of life.
In Exodus 20:7 we are warned that the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name. When children hear their parents misusing God's name they think it is OK for them to do the same. The lack of respect is part of the breakdown of the family unit for our children today.
When our children were teenagers, we can remember several incidents when we as parents had set standards and expected respect from our child in regards to adhering to those standards. When one of our children broke the standard that we had set, we first of all clarified to them the reason for the standard and then issued the penalty. We always tried to be fair and consistent in our response and then we saw that the penalty terms were honored with respect. The penalty was always increased when our child would respond with a lack of respect.
At the time, our child's response was often negative but because we were clear, consistent and fair it rarely would happen again. Now that our children are parents, they fully understand the necessity of setting standards for their families and they expect their children to be respectful to them. This is very rewarding to us to see that children have learned the value of respect and that they are now teaching their children respect and even though they live in a TOUGHER WORLD today their children all show great respect to God, their parents, their grandparents, their siblings, their cousins and their friends.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Dear Lord, help us to honor and respect You in all that we do. Help us to respect those that we meet with today, including our parents and friends, and let our love for You shine through our lives to them. Help us to honor all the people we meet, loving the unlovely that need our love, and then honoring the Lord in all we do and say.
Anger: October 6, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2009
ANGER
Defined by Webster:
A strong feeling of displeasure aroused by a real or supposed wrong; wrath; a sudden violent displeasure accompanied by an impulse to retaliate; insults that provoke a burst of anger.
GODS WORD
The Lord is merciful and gracious; slow to anger, and abounding in mercy."
Psalm 103:8
"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you."
Ephesians 4:31
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
It takes an unusual temperament for a person not to show ANGER at some point in his or her life. One of the concepts we attempted to teach our children, using verses from the Bible, was that when one was angry he or she never came out a winner. Families constantly face moments that can bring on anger. Parents get upset at children over an issue. Children get upset with parents over set boundaries. Children get upset at their siblings over "things". And husbands and wives get upset at each other over small and large concerns.
The scripture gives us clear guidelines as to how we should handle those "ANGRY MOMENTS." In Proverbs 17:27 it reads: "He who has knowledge spares his word". This means that we need to keep to ourselves opinions that we know could ignite anger in others. Certain personalities have trouble with this concept because just by their nature they want to stir up conflict. It is human nature to want to "have the last word." We must learn to think before we speak and remember God's admonition from Proverbs [above] to SPARE OUR WORDS.
In Proverbs 17:27 the Lord gives us another concept. "A man of understanding is of a calm spirit". This verse gives us counsel concerning the emotional side of anger. A mature person, one that lives by God's Word, always exhibits understanding by keeping cool in a time of conflict. Problem solving is always enhanced by an even tempered approach. The key to controlling anger is to STOP when a conflict begins and ask God for a calm spirit and a clear mind. The best time to stop an argument is before it starts. Remember "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" Proverbs 15:1.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Thank You, dear Lord, for giving to me this day self control in all of my words and deeds.
Help me to rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life today and may others see in me the Fruits of the Spirit controlling my life. Help me to honor God, my family, my neighbors and my friends today in all that I do and say.
ANGER
Defined by Webster:
A strong feeling of displeasure aroused by a real or supposed wrong; wrath; a sudden violent displeasure accompanied by an impulse to retaliate; insults that provoke a burst of anger.
GODS WORD
The Lord is merciful and gracious; slow to anger, and abounding in mercy."
Psalm 103:8
"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you."
Ephesians 4:31
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
It takes an unusual temperament for a person not to show ANGER at some point in his or her life. One of the concepts we attempted to teach our children, using verses from the Bible, was that when one was angry he or she never came out a winner. Families constantly face moments that can bring on anger. Parents get upset at children over an issue. Children get upset with parents over set boundaries. Children get upset at their siblings over "things". And husbands and wives get upset at each other over small and large concerns.
The scripture gives us clear guidelines as to how we should handle those "ANGRY MOMENTS." In Proverbs 17:27 it reads: "He who has knowledge spares his word". This means that we need to keep to ourselves opinions that we know could ignite anger in others. Certain personalities have trouble with this concept because just by their nature they want to stir up conflict. It is human nature to want to "have the last word." We must learn to think before we speak and remember God's admonition from Proverbs [above] to SPARE OUR WORDS.
In Proverbs 17:27 the Lord gives us another concept. "A man of understanding is of a calm spirit". This verse gives us counsel concerning the emotional side of anger. A mature person, one that lives by God's Word, always exhibits understanding by keeping cool in a time of conflict. Problem solving is always enhanced by an even tempered approach. The key to controlling anger is to STOP when a conflict begins and ask God for a calm spirit and a clear mind. The best time to stop an argument is before it starts. Remember "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" Proverbs 15:1.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Thank You, dear Lord, for giving to me this day self control in all of my words and deeds.
Help me to rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life today and may others see in me the Fruits of the Spirit controlling my life. Help me to honor God, my family, my neighbors and my friends today in all that I do and say.
Trust: October 5, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY OCTOBER 5, 2009
TRUST
Defined by Webster:
Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability and surety of a person; hope; one upon which a person relies; God is my trust.
GODS WORD
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart, do not try to figure everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go. He is the one that will keep you on track. Do not assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!” Proverbs 3: 5-6 [Message Translation]
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
We must learn, as families, to trust God daily and not to rely on self. This is a difficult concept to teach our children in today's culture because we are living in a "ME" generation. Children, youth and adults today are being pressured by their peers to live a self reliant life driven by the idea that we should make our life decisions based on what "I" feel best to do.
For most families today there is no thought of relying on God and what God teaches in His word. They put their trust in what they hear from others, what they see on television and what they read on the internet. It is no wonder that our society is in the mess that it is in.
When a family relies on God in all they do, He will direct their paths each day. God is trustworthy and He is true to His Word! Each individual family member must grasp this concept and learn to trust God.
We have learned that one of the key ingredients in keeping a family together is trust. Our children are teaching their children today what we taught them some years ago. We are blessed to see our grandchildren living solid Christian lives and trusting God daily for direction and strength. God is trustworthy and we must prove ourselves trustworthy. Parents must trust their children and children must trust their parents and siblings. Remember, this works only if a family learns to first trust God to lead them in their lives.
When trust in God is preeminent in the day to day activities of a family and when a family is guided by the standards outlined in the Bible, that family will avoid some of the difficulties that cause dissension. Trusting in God is the glue that holds a family together for a lifetime.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Give us strength, dear Lord to live this day by trusting You in all that we do. May our trust in You keep us on track and may the joy of the Lord radiate through our lives to all we meet today. Help us to trust You for integrity, strength and assurance in whatever circumstances we encounter in our life this day, and help us to show ourselves trustworthy to others by our words and actions.
TRUST
Defined by Webster:
Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability and surety of a person; hope; one upon which a person relies; God is my trust.
GODS WORD
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart, do not try to figure everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go. He is the one that will keep you on track. Do not assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!” Proverbs 3: 5-6 [Message Translation]
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
We must learn, as families, to trust God daily and not to rely on self. This is a difficult concept to teach our children in today's culture because we are living in a "ME" generation. Children, youth and adults today are being pressured by their peers to live a self reliant life driven by the idea that we should make our life decisions based on what "I" feel best to do.
For most families today there is no thought of relying on God and what God teaches in His word. They put their trust in what they hear from others, what they see on television and what they read on the internet. It is no wonder that our society is in the mess that it is in.
When a family relies on God in all they do, He will direct their paths each day. God is trustworthy and He is true to His Word! Each individual family member must grasp this concept and learn to trust God.
We have learned that one of the key ingredients in keeping a family together is trust. Our children are teaching their children today what we taught them some years ago. We are blessed to see our grandchildren living solid Christian lives and trusting God daily for direction and strength. God is trustworthy and we must prove ourselves trustworthy. Parents must trust their children and children must trust their parents and siblings. Remember, this works only if a family learns to first trust God to lead them in their lives.
When trust in God is preeminent in the day to day activities of a family and when a family is guided by the standards outlined in the Bible, that family will avoid some of the difficulties that cause dissension. Trusting in God is the glue that holds a family together for a lifetime.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Give us strength, dear Lord to live this day by trusting You in all that we do. May our trust in You keep us on track and may the joy of the Lord radiate through our lives to all we meet today. Help us to trust You for integrity, strength and assurance in whatever circumstances we encounter in our life this day, and help us to show ourselves trustworthy to others by our words and actions.
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