“When The Saints” By Sara Groves
May 31st, 2010
Revelation 3:19
May 31st, 2010
Revelation 3:19 (NIV)
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
Hebrews 12:11
May 30th, 2010
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:5
May 29th, 2010
Hebrews 12:5 (NIV)
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you.”
Hebrews 12:7
May 28th, 2010
Hebrews 12:7 (NIV)
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Proverbs 15:32
May 27th, 2010
Proverbs 15:32 (NIV)
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
Proverbs 22:15
May 26th, 2010
Proverbs 22:15 (NIV)
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
Proverbs 29:17
May 25th, 2010
Proverbs 29:17 (NIV)
Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.
Ephesians 6:4
May 24th, 2010
Ephesians 6:4 (NIV)
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Romans 12:14-16
May 23rd, 2010
Romans 12:14-16 (MSG)
Bless your enemies, no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your friends when they’re happy, share tears when they are down. Get along with each other, don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
Raising Children in Reverence to the Lord
May 22nd, 2010
We are given authority over our children by an Almighty God. He has entrusted us with the offspring of His children and we should take that delegated responsibility seriously. We are all children of God in which he loves and disciplines (Rev. 3:19). The Lord disciplines his children in order to teach us His ways and turn us against our old ways of doing things. Since God has put sacred trust into parents to raise His children, we are to discipline them and guide them in their ways (Proverbs 22:6); teaching them that which is good and evil.
We are to teach our children about God and the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, for no one will enter into the kingdom of heaven except through faith in the Messiah (John 14:6). Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do to hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt. 19:14).
There is an enormous difference between child abuse and discipline. Discipline consists of several different tactics such as time out, loss of privileges and a good ol’ spanking on the hind-end. I believe spankings should not always be the first disciplinary action that we take because every action deserves a different reaction based on its severity. I believe in chances, but when the offense is a safety concern, a repeated offense or a sinful offense such as lying, stealing and evil deeds then punishing them on the cushion God gave them is completely acceptable and necessary (Proverbs 22:15, 23:13).
There is a healthy balance between discipline and love and we see that balance ourselves with our personal relationship with God. He loves us and therefore we are disciplined. Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord, the man you teach from your law (Psalm 94:12-13). As parents we do not enjoy making our children upset or sad, but children appreciate boundaries and discipline. Although my son does not enjoy being disciplined he will admit that he deserves it. I am proud of him for being humbled enough to understand why it is necessary and that he does deserve to be punished; he says it with a half grin and those beautiful brown eyes of his full of honesty at that very moment.
I make sure my kids know I love them every day and I also make sure they are aware that I love them even though they are disobedient sometimes. I am quick to let them know that I am teaching them the way in which they should go in life and that I discipline them because I love them. I acknowledge verbally that they are children and mistakes will be made, but God gave me his trust to raise and guide them in truth, love and even discipline.
I never know when will be the last day I get to hold them and tell him how very special they are to me. When I put my kids to bed I enjoy a moment of peace and quiet when I gently kiss their head and take a good look at their beautiful faces because I do not know what tomorrow holds. However, I try my best to do all I can today to raise them with the time I have to help them grow into their full potential as children of God and future leaders in this world. Therefore, everything I do day, the opportunity I have today to teach them is indispensable in the development of who they become tomorrow.
Romans 12:11-13
May 22nd, 2010
Romans 12:11-13 (MSG)
Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times, pray all the harder. Help needy Christians, be inventive in hospitality.
Prayer for Angie (continued)
May 21st, 2010
Angie has invasive breast cancer and had surgery a few weeks ago. I had requested prayer for her and I thank you for your prayers and time spent with God on her behalf.
The surgery went very well, however, now she began chemo treatment. It seems as though she is responding well to treatment thus far, but I continue to ask you to include her in your prayers for God’s protection and healing hand for Angie.
Angie is truly an amazing woman and has the blessing and favor of God upon her. I thank each of you for praying for Angie, including her in your church prayer groups and bringing this need to God on her behalf.
God bless each one of you.
Thank you Prayer
May 21st, 2010
Lord, thank you for protecting my Mom, Angelic, as she went through surgery this morning to remove a benign lump in her breast. God you are so faithful and we give you all the glory and praise.
There is no one like you Lord, no one that can come close to your glory and your power. Work on us so that we can be more like you, a bright reflection of your love and transform our heart to seek you and praise your Name.
Thank you for building our faith and hearing us when we call. You are a gracious God.
Romans 12:9-10
May 21st, 2010
Romans 12:9-10 (MSG)
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
Romans 15:5-6
May 20th, 2010
Romans 15:5-6 (Amplified Bible)
Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
1 Samuel 26:23
May 19th, 2010
1 Samuel 26:23 (Amplified Bible)
The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not stretch forth my hand against the Lord’s anointed.
Revelation 21:6
May 18th, 2010
Revelation 21:6 (KJV) And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Acts 20:32
May 17th, 2010
Acts 20:32 (MSG)
Paul is speaking
“Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God who gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.”
Acts 20:24
May 16th, 2010
Acts 20:24 (MSG)
What matters most to me is to finish what God started; the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God.
Prayer for Protection and Healing
May 15th, 2010
God, you know the difficulties that we face and you alone are the healing hand we need to overcome the attacks on our bodies. Lord I pray for healing and protection. I pray to be under your healing hand, your wing of grace and that your provide wisdom be upon those who are in charge of my care on this earth. I pray you grant me favor and help discover, heal and recover whatever is not functioning in my body as it should. My faith and my trust is in you and in you I find peace and hope. In you I find security and strength. Lord you are the foundation in which never fails and I thank you for always being there to catch us when we fall. I thank you for the faith you provide to those who believe in your Name and I thank you for being faithful when we lose sight of you. I thank you for never letting us go. Lord heal us this very day, this moment God I pray for your healing hand and protection for being upon us. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Prayer for Marriages
May 15th, 2010
Lord, you know those who need you to intervene in their marriages today. God I pray the they seek you like never before to rescue them and save the covenent they made in your presense. God I pray that these couples communicate like never before. I pray they hear and their eyes be opened to you, acknowledge the sin in their lives and I pray they rebuke and repent these sins. God I pray that they find comfort in your Word and your promise. Lord, speak to them and be the strength that we lack in and of themselves and be the Rock in their marriage and families. God I pray they create boundaries and safe guards to protect their marriage moving forward. I pray this hardship strengthen them and encourage them forever. We find strength in storms and trials and I pray this too shall pass and they will stand strong in you Word and your love and you will be glorified through the renewal of their hearts and marriage. I thank you Lord for hearing us as we call out to you and I thank you for answering our prayers. You are the one and only faithful God. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Acts 17:26-27
May 15th, 2010
Acts 17:26-27 (MSG)
He makes the creatures, the creatures do not make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time for space and living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark, but actually find him.
Proverbs 6:16-19
May 7th, 2010
Proverbs 6:16-19 (MSG)
There are six things God hates and one more that he loathes with a passion:
eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a trouble maker in the family.
Acts 14:15
May 6th, 2010
Acts 14:15 (MSG)
We don’t make God; he makes us, and all of this – sky, earth, sea and everything in them.