Today's One Thing

Started by Judy Harder, July 23, 2013, 08:57:18 AM

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Judy Harder

Allen and Rachel's blended family was faced every day with the same challenge: being comfortable with each other.   




For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13


Blended Marriage

Allen and Rachel's blended family was faced every day with the same challenge: being comfortable with each other. They found resistance to change from their children ages 4-13. The children were apprehensive about new siblings. They were feeling like they lost their parent to someone else.

Allen and Rachel's blended family is like an investment. One day, small contributions will add up to a lot of interest. The return was not immediate, but it was steady.

The parents began to see success as they spent more time with all the children. They had picnics and went to sporting events. The exercised together and worshipped every Sunday morning as a family

The greatest gift Allen and Rachel could give to their children was to love each other and demonstrate that love through their daily words and actions to one another.


30-Day Challenge
If you could do ONE THING and know that it would make a significant, lasting, possibly life-changing difference in your life, would you do it? Dr. Carlson shares the power of ONE THING and why you should get started doing your ONE THING today.


Today's One Thing
Write out a mission statement for your family. If you have one already, revisit it.

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Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness."
Exodus 34:6 NIV


Step Up
The curly-headed two year old lifted herself from her mother's lap onto the next rung of the play set. "I do it myself," she proclaimed. The mother patiently smiled as she considered her daughter's limited information. Without her lap lift of several inches her little one wouldn't be able to climb up to the next level, but she really thought she was doing it by herself.

Have you ever fallen into the trap of thinking you're functioning on your own? Usually at some point you end up realizing that God has been there all along, patiently giving you the lift in the direction you needed. He carefully picks you up when you stumble and fall and sets you back onto the right rung as He steadies and guides you just like a loving mother would.

Has God been nudging you in a particular direction? What will be your response to Him today?


Today's One Thing
Thank God for His patience and acknowledge His help, and take the next step you know He wants you to take.


Going Deeper
I Peter 3:9, Romans 2:4, Exodus 34:1-11
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Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

 


The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 NIV


God's Patience with Job
Have you heard the term, "the patience of Job," and wondered what it means? It comes from the story in the Bible of a man named Job who lost his family and all of his worldly possessions. He went from being a wealthy man with ten children to a poor, childless and hopeless man. Through all his losses he refused to turn his back on God. He did, however, have a bit of a discussion with the Almighty.

With great patience God listened to all of Job's groanings of despair. Then God reminded Job that He is God and Job was not. Job admitted he was wrong. Don't miss the end of his story in Job, Chapter 42. It's a must read!

Aren't you thankful for God's patience? Aren't you glad you're not God? Let Him be in charge and don't give up on Him even when times are troubling.


Today's One Thing
Be honest with God about what concerns you and trust Him with the outcome.


Going Deeper
Job 42, Romans 8:28, Romans 15:4

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Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Psalm 90:2 NIV


He Is Big Enough
As she buried her toes into the sand and felt the lapping of the tide cover her ankles, Jan looked out at the ocean that stretched to the horizon. She knew it continued past the point where it met the sky and that it kept on going, but its vastness was beyond her grasp of comprehension.

This is only a glimpse of how big God is. He spoke the world, the mountains and the oceans, into being. He has no beginning and no end, yet He desires a personal relationship with you. He cares about the things that linger on your mind day and night. He cares about the people you anguish over. He understands the work you never seem to finish.

He is much bigger than all of these things and He wants to help you. He wants to give you His peace that is beyond your understanding.


Today's One Thing
Talk to God through prayer about what concerns you today and receive His peace and rest as you focus on the truth of His words in your Bible.


Going Deeper
Psalm 147:5, Isaiah 40:28, I Peter 5:7



Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Psalm 46:10 NIV


Stop and Listen
Steven Curtis Chapman tells the story behind his chart-topping Be Still, recounting his frustrating airplane ride to Africa with his family for ministry work.

"Nothing I thought I was going to feel was going on inside of me. But somewhere around the time my son spilled his second drink all over my lap, I had opened my Bible and read the Psalm that tells us to 'be still and know that I am God.' That's what God is saying: rest and listen, and still your heart in the midst of this."

Sometimes it's easy to lose the forest for the trees, and forget that God desires presence more than performance. The good news is your Heavenly Father is always present and available.


Today's One Thing
Slow down and really pay attention to the moments God gives you to see the work He's done today.


Going Deeper
Psalm 139; Romans 8:31-39
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Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

 


Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 NIV


The Immediate Connection
"There's nobody can beat me talkin' to the Lord about me."

Those words were preached by Dr. S.M. Lockridge in his best-known sermon from the 1970's. He continues to audience laughter: "Now, I appreciate you prayin' for me, but when it comes to prayer, I don't trust you. Nobody can plead my cause before God like I can."

Maybe you feel like others can reach God more easily because, well, maybe they just have a better relationship with Him than you. The doctor's point is clear: Prayer is the single most powerful tool God has given you for direct conversation with Him, and there's no one who can talk to your Father about you more accurately than you.

God is available at all times, to all people, for all requests. Talk to Him today; He's waiting.


Today's One Thing
Today, talk to God somewhere prayer might have seemed usually out of place.


Going Deeper
Heb 4; Phil 4:1-9
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Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 NIV


Tight Rope Peace
As Nick Wallenda walked on a tight rope across a 1,500 foot tall gorge near the Grand Canyon he gave praise to Jesus. In front of the whole world he prayed for peace and asked God to calm the 20 mile per hour winds. As he gingerly stepped foot over foot for more than twenty minutes with his life literally on the line, he talked to His Lord and focused on Him. He made it all the way across safely.

Hopefully, you're not walking on a tight rope today, but you may feel like you're struggling to take the next step. Are you overwhelmed with anxiety? Or unsure of how much further you can make it? Do you feel like you're walking a fine line?

Follow the example of Nick and focus on the Lord Jesus and He will direct your steps. He will bring you to peace and safety.


Today's One Thing
Choose to keep your focus on Jesus when you are tempted to become anxious. The more often you do, the easier it gets.


Going Deeper
Matthew 11:28-30, John 16:33, Proverbs 3:5-6
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Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

 


For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.
Ephesians 5:31


Where Does One Start and the Other Stop
Unfortunately for many, marriage is no longer sacred. It is perceived by some as just another of many relationships you encounter during your journey in life. Your decision to live an intentional life in Christ by making Him your Lord and Savior, means you have chosen to live according to God's perspective. It's taking those truths found in His Word, believing them in your heart so that they become habits of your day-to-day life.

From God's perspective, marriage is sacred. God's design means two people coming together as one spirit, soul and body. They are joined together—intertwined in such a way that no one can tell where one starts and the other stops.

You spouse becomes your best friend, your confident, your trusted companion. It's not uncommon for those married for years to know what the other is thinking or complete one another's sentences. Although they may not always agree on everything—they are united as one.

Does your marriage look like the marriage God intended for you to have? Are you committed and willing to forsake all others in order to love one another?


Today's One Thing
What ONE THING can you do today to show your spouse that they are your most prized relationship here on earth?


Going Deeper
Ephesians 5:21-31; Hebrews 13

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Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8 NIV


Good Enough
What are you missing in your life? Is there something you have been wanting for a long time and God hasn't answered that prayer with a "Yes" yet?

Nick Vujicic is a motivational speaker. He trusts God with his whole heart. He trusts Him so much that he travels around the world encouraging others to put their hope and trust in Jesus. He tells them that God can use them no matter what. When Nick speaks people pay close attention. They hang on his every word because Nick has lived all his life with no arms and no legs. He was born with a congenital condition and has never known life differently. It's not that Nick has never questioned God's goodness in his life. He has. Still, he has concluded that in God he trusts. God's goodness is good enough for him.

Imagine for a moment life without arms and legs. What would be different for you? Does that thought invoke lots of things to be thankful for?


Today's One Thing
Thank God for His goodness in your life and choose to let Him use you the way He wants to.


Going Deeper
Psalm 100, Psalm 135:3, Psalm 145:9
:angel:


Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

Judy Harder

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8 NIV


He Goes On and On
Close your eyes and imagine being with God where there is no pain and no sorrow. Think about complete joy and peace that goes on and on and on. It never ends. It's difficult as a human being to picture that since you are trapped in time limitations, but God always was and always will be. There will come a day when you, who are in Christ, will be in His presence and away from earthly struggles forever. Can you picture it?

God knows everything that concerns you, has the power to take care of you and is everywhere you go. He is infinite. He loves you and has your best interest in mind. You can trust Him no matter what happens. There is much more going on than what you can see in the physical world. He sees it all and knows exactly what you need. You can trust Him.


Today's One Thing
Spend a few moments thinking about God's attributes. Thank Him for taking care of what you need today.


Going Deeper
Genesis 1:1, Revelation 4:8b
:angel:


Today, I want to make a difference.
Here I am Lord, use me!

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