Growing in Grace

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." -Philippians 4:13 Inside the house, the kitchen sink was full of dishes, and the laundry baskets were piled high with dirty clothes. The floors were full of crumbs, and the windows had enough fingerprints to fill the files of the FBI. Outside, the lawn looked like a herd of horses needed to chew it down, and the children's toys were scattered from one end of the farm to the other. Company was scheduled to arrive for supper, and the meal was not yet prepared. I laughed to myself, wondering which of these tasks I would actually accomplish in addition to our homeschooling day. Just thinking about all the work made me tired and unable to even know where to start. Looking to God, I felt him gently urge me to begin. I did and somehow a miracle began. The day became supernatural, and I felt like angels were working with me to get every job accomplished. There were no interruptions, no accidents, no fights, nothing was ...

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." -1 Peter 4:10 Photo Credit Every believer, including children, has at least one spiritual gift (see 1 Corinthians 12:7). Unfortunately, many Christians never identify their spiritual gifts and simply live life as a spectator rather than a participant. God desires His church to be active and growing, with each believer playing an important part in its effective worship and work. Understanding your gifts, therefore, will help you find the best way to serve and eliminate frustrations over trying to do things the way someone else does. Not only will the church be strengthened and unified, but you'll also discover that spiritual gifts are really just Jesus working through your life as you carry on His ministry. Do you know your spiritual gift(s) in the Lord? As you read Romans 12:3-9, ask God to reveal which gifts He wants to use thr...

"Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint." -Proverbs 29:18 Photo Credit Wasting time is never wise in living the Christian life. Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about sitting back and letting life pass you by. Rather, the apostle Paul repeatedly addresses the need to discipline ourselves to achieve our utmost for God's highest. Buffeting our bodies and taking on the mind of Christ, we are to live each day wholly committed to doing the Lord's will. In fact, God commands us to present ourselves as living sacrifices that He might use us for His glory - no matter what time or day of the year (see Romans 12:1). Until the Lord returns, God expects you to be about His business each day using the gifts and talents He's given you. Don't be like the lazy servant in the parable of the bags of gold who hid his gold in the ground (see Matthew 25:14-30). Instead, come to the Lord each morning in prayer and discover God's purpose to keep your...

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. -Matthew 20:28 What chores have you delegated to your children to keep the wheels of family life turning? Hopefully, our children will learn early on that no amount of complaining or procrastinating will relieve them of their responsibilities. If they can learn to face their tasks with resolve and determinations, they will acquire a work ethic that will serve them well in the workplace one day. In living the Christian life, you too may face "chores" God has given you to do. Serving at church, helping elderly parents or grandparents, and taking care of the needs of your spouse and children can seem like a burden at times. Although the extra discipline required to minister to others may seem daunting at the time, you'll discover it develops a Christlike character that glorifies the Lord. Photo Credit Are you complaining about the chores God has given you to...

"I havre learned the secret of being content." -Philippians 4:12 Learning to be content with what you have is a secret few discover in this life. The apostle Paul is a wonderful example of someone who knew the contentment of having much or little when he said in Philippians 4:12, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." The success of his ministry to the Gentiles wasn't dependent on his paycheck from tent-making; it was dependent on God. In today's language, Paul learned to be happy eating steak or eating macaroni and cheese for supper. Either way, he knew God was with him, providing exactly what he needed. Photo Credit Would you like to feel more content? Learn the art of appreciating life's simple pleasures. If you constantly struggle to obtain the biggest and best, you'll n...

"Each heart knows its own bitterness." -Proverbs 14:10 The Bible warns Christians of a root that can destroy in a great way - the root of bitterness. In Hebrews 12:15, the writer says, "See. . . that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." As believers, we must forgive those who hurt or offend us. When we refuse to forgive, bitterness grows, intertwines itself around our Christian witness and chokes out our joy in Christ. Our lives become sour, and we see the world through critical eyes and speak with skeptical and sarcastic remarks. Not only is the Holy Spirit grieved, but also those we touch with the ugliness of bitterness. Photo Credit Has bitterness taken hold in your life? Perhaps you have a family member or friend who has hurt you deeply and you've refused to forgive him or her. Be careful that the anger you're holding on to doesn't lead to bitterness. Why not let God uprrot the pain and renew your bitter heart with a fl...

"My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? " -John 14:2 Photo Credit The home is really God's idea, a wonderful structure that Satan has worked hard at destroying. The evils and perversions of a sinful society have eradicated God's perfect plan of one man and one woman marrying and living together under His authority with their children. Refusing to believe the mandates in God's Word, the world conjures up theories and philosophies (based on human reasoning) and side-steps the issue by counterattacking with offensive statements directed toward "intolerant" Christians. Thank God no human can redefine the home in heaven God has prepared for those who love Him. Next to salvation, Jesus' promise to prepare a place for us to live with Him in eternity has to be the greatest hope for every Christian (see John 14:3). Each night as we lay our heads on our pillows,...

Photo Credit "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." -Matthew 6:24 Having two masters rarely works, and the Bible makes that clear. According to Luke 16:13, there are no fence riders in the kingdom of heaven. The choice is plain and simple. Either we choose to submit our lives to Christ, or we live for money and the pleasures it provides. Ironically, the lack of money can actually make us value money as much as a greedy person living in abundance. By making every penny count, we overdevelop our focus on purchasing necessary items for our home. We also begin to see a paycheck as our salvation, instead of trusting the Lord for provision. Money becomes our master - not because we have it, but because we don't. How much time to you spend thinking about money during your day? Do you wonder how you will make ends meet? If you're anx...

"For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So they began to celebrate . -Luke 15:24 Circumstances in life can change so rapidly. One day we think we are safe and secure. . . and the next day brings devastating problems that bring us to our knees. Like Job in the Old Testament, problems can hit us like a tsunami and wipe out all our joys in a single moment. Are you filled with uncertainty? Do you feel on top of the world one day and down in the valley the next? Hang on! God will help level out your days with His loving care and guidance, and He will help you find your way. Photo Credit -From the Homeschool Mom's Bible ; devotions by Janet Tatman; March 11; p. 288

Photo Credit Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. -Luke 12:33 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share . -1 Timothy 6:18 Our possessions are given to us by God. He makes us stewards of horses, cars and "things" to accomplish His will. . . Do you have possessions and belongings that are sacred to you - things you would never consider giving up for the cause of Christ? Ironically, the things you hold on to so tightly are the very things that begin to possess and hang on to you. You may think you've earned them or have a right to them, but your possessions really belong to God. Will you use them for His glory instead of your own? -From the Homeschool Mom's Bible ; devotions by Janet Tatman; March 3; p. 256

Photo Credit We must pay careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.  -Hebrews 2:1 Not following the directions in real life can have severe consequences. When dealing with a holy God, you simply can't skip over important details in his directions. If you try to do God's will your own way, you fail God's test because you didn't follow his directions. Is your life one that reflects God's divine instructions from His word? God doesn't give directions to make your life more difficult. He gives directions because He loves you and wants you to succeed in living for Him. -From the Homeschool Mom's Bible ; Devotions by Janet Tatum; February 26; p. 234

"When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way."  -Psalm 142:3 Moses had the responsibility to lead millions of stubborn, foolish people hundreds of miles to a new country. He felt overwhelmed by his inabilities. But Moses learned the secret to staying sane in the midst of this chaos - to continually pray for wisdom to make each decision. Because of Moses' obedience, God parted seas, provided food and water and performed miracles time after time to deliver his cherished people from their difficulties. Moses' continuous trust in God stands as a shining example for those who feel overwhelmed. Photo Credit Feeling overwhelmed? Take a step back and look again to your pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. (Exodus 13:21-22). Let the presence of the Holy Spirit light your path and protect you from the unknown. -From the Homeschool Mom's Bible; devotions by Janet Tatman; February 13; p. 182

For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. -Psalm 50:10 We have a storehouse in heaven for all our. . . needs that far outweighs any earthly fortune. God owns everything. We are simply stewards of the abundant blessings He chooses to bestow. Our heavenly Father has unlimited resources, and like the birds of the air and flowers of the field, He provides for our every need. How reassuring to claim the truth in Matthew 6:8, "Do not be like them, for our Father knows what you need before you ask Him." Photo Credit When your checkbook balance makes you anxious, do you worry and fret, or do you run to the Creator God for help? If you are living in obedience to His Word, you can trust Him to be there for you. That doesn't mean you'll receive every "bell and whistle" on the market or every "extra" for your home that you desire, but He does promise to provide for our needs if we follow the truths in Matthew 6:33: ...

"He will call on me, and I will answer him;  I will be with him in trouble,  I will deliver him and honor him."  -Psalm 91:15 Many men and women in the Bible asked God questions. Job is one example. When he asked God "why", God replied with a question of His own: "Where were you when I created the world?" Job confessed his ignorance and reached a point of submissive humility and brokenness. In our own pain and suffering God may be taking us to a new level of trust or trying to teach us a deeper truth. Either way, God has not left us. He sees every tear and will deliver us in His time. Continue to hope in Him and wait for His answer. -From the Homeschool Mom's Bible ; devotions by Janet Tatman; January 29

Photo Credit The greatest role model who will ever affect your child's life (other than Jesus, of course) is you! . . . You are being watched every day. Your attitudes and character (good or bad) are being imitated and incorporated into your child's life. . . Are you able to say like Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ"? -From the Homeschool Mom's Bible; devotions by Janet Tatman; January 22

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."   -Galatians 1:10 It is quite easy to give in to doubt over the many roles and responsibilities I have. I can often give in to "poor me" thoughts like, "No one notices the things I do," "I'm not qualified to do this task," "I could have done this or that better," "If only I was smarter, more patient, more bold, etc." Sometimes this kind of thinking goes on for hours or even days and I begin to loose confidence and at the same time become angry or bitter at those who I feel should be affirming me. This devotion, however, reminded me that I shouldn't be seeking the approval of my husband, kids, family or friends; but that the only person I should be concerned about pleasing is the Lord. Colossians 3:23-24 says "Whatever you do, work at it wi...