Today's One Thing

[Judy Harder]

Are you feeling trapped, like there is nowhere to turn? 
   
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  —Isaiah 43:2 (ESV) 
 
You Will Get Through
If you had been one of the Israelites heading out of Egypt after years of slavery, what would have been your thoughts when you realized Pharaoh's army and over six hundred chariots were chasing after you? Would you have been afraid as the Israelites were? Would you have trusted God with a plan of escape? The Red Sea was up ahead and there was no way of crossing it. Would your mind have been whirling with worries of drowning?

God had led His people out of Egypt and He was about to show them how He would get them through this. He opened the Red Sea and made it possible for them to walk through it on dry land. He then destroyed the enemy when the waters of the sea came crashing down on them. God got the glory.

Are you walking with God through difficult times right now? Remember He is with you and will get you through.
 
Today's One Thing
Tell God you trust Him to get you through whatever you are facing. Do not allow yourself to worry. Put your hope in Him and watch expectantly.
 
Going Deeper
Exodus 14:21-31

 


You may not be headed for an Olympic competition, but life is full of challenges that require you to be prepared and strengthened. 
   
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.  —Hebrews 12:1 (ESV) 

The Ice of Life
In order to train for the Olympics, serious figure skaters not only skate, but they take classes in another kind of discipline that isn't even considered an athletic sport. They take ballet classes. It strengthens their muscles and provides them with the grace that is so crucial on the ice. It trains them in the art of beautiful positioning of head, arms and legs.

What is your "secret" spiritual discipline that helps you win the gold medal in your relationship with God? Is there something you're committed to that helps you pass on the grace of God to those you meet each day?

You may not be headed for an Olympic competition, but life is full of challenges that require you to be prepared and strengthened. What is your next step to building a solid relationship with the One who created you and Who knows all that is best for you? Is it attending church on a regular basis or joining a Bible study? It could be spending a few minutes in prayer or Bible reading each day. Make a commitment and you'll be strengthened and full of grace the next time you hit the ice of life.
 
Today's One Thing
Identify one way you can build a stronger relationship with God today. Do it regularly.
 
Going Deeper
Galatians 6:7-10, Jeremiah 29:13

[Judy Harder]

FEBRUARY 10

Obey More, Learn More

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." - John 14:21

In frustration many say, "Well, there's so much in the Bible I don't understand." Do you feel that way? But Mark Twain was once reported to have said, "It's not that part of the Bible I don't understand that gives me so much trouble; it's the part I do understand." I'm afraid that's true of many of us. We must learn to practice the Word of God.

There may be mysteries you don't understand, but you can understand when the Bible says "love one another," can't you? If you want to learn more about the Word of God, first you must obey the part you do know. You see, when it comes to obedience, the rich will get richer. It's not enough to recite the promises without obeying the commandments. The more you obey, the more you will learn and understand.

Keep the Word of God. That's a simple principle, but how important it is. Jesus said, "He that keeps my commandments, he it is that loves Me, and he that loves Me shall be loved of My Father and I will manifest Myself to him." You want Him to be real to you? Then begin to obey His Word.

[Judy Harder]

God will meet your needs as you work and trust Him. 
   
And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. —Nehemiah 4:9 (ESV) 
 
Work and Watch What God Will Do
The Jewish people had set out to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Their enemies were very much opposed to them doing so. They proceeded to intimidate the people by harassing them. They made fun of them and struck fear into them.

This didn't stop the Jews from doing what they knew was the right thing to do. They prayed and set to work. Under Nehemiah's guidance, they trusted that God would fight for them and they did the next thing that needed to be done to rebuild the wall. They were not afraid to work. As they worked they prayed, and God did indeed fight for them.

It is a good thing the people didn't throw in the towel and give up when they met opposition, because it was as they worked that God met their needs.

Do you have a challenge before you right now? Is your work more difficult than you imagined? Don't quit. Pray and then do the next thing.
 
Today's One Thing
Be willing to work as you pray, and trust God to do what you can't.
 
Going Deeper
Nehemiah 4, Proverbs 12:11

 

[Judy Harder]

Are you tired of moving two steps forward and then falling three steps back? 
   
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. —Proverbs 16:3 (ESV) 
 
Two Steps Forward
Roald Amundsen was a man with a plan and he stuck with it. He did not waver or doubt. He prepared, and then led a Norwegian team in a race to the South Pole in the year 1911. No matter what the weather was, his team traveled fifteen to twenty miles each day. He knew that, even in good weather, his team needed to stop, rest and refuel. He knew that sure and steady wins the race. And he did. He and his whole team made it to their destination.

Robert Scott, Amundsen's opponent, faced the same weather and the same challenges, but he lacked a steady plan. He would push his team to exhaustion in good weather and sit in his tent and whine when the weather was bad. This irregularity not only cost him the race, but it also cost him his life. In fact, none of his team lived to tell about the race.

Do you have some goals to reach? Make a plan for at least one in your life. Even if you fail on a particular day, get back at it the next. Keep the course and stay focused.
 
Today's One Thing
Ask for God to give you direction in one area of your life. Make a plan and stick with it.
 
Going Deeper
Proverbs 3:5-6

 

[Judy Harder]

Is it time for you to get out of the play and begin cheering from the sidelines? 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  —Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) 
 
On The Sidelines
The mother was so distraught over the choices of her adult children. She felt like her words kept falling on deaf ears. As she wrung her hands, her thoughts kept dwelling upon where their actions would lead them. Devastation was sure to come.

Then one day, as she was praying, God made it clear that it was time for her to get out of the game. She needed to stop planning the plays, running the ball, passing the ball, running defense and getting tackled. It was time for her to stand on the sidelines, cheer for her children and pray for them.

Are you struggling with the decisions your loved ones are making? Are there people in your life who aren't listening to your advice?

Maybe it's time to get out of the play and pray. Maybe it's time to only give advice when asked. Focus on your relationship with the Lord. Read His word and study it with others, and pray specifically.
 
Today's One Thing
Commit to stop worrying about the choices of your loved ones. Pray for them and put your hope in God.
 
Going Deeper
Psalm 42:5, Psalm 62:5-6

[Judy Harder]

Maybe, just maybe, forgiveness in this case was more for the forgiver than the forgiven.     
 
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. —Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV) 

Liberty through Forgiveness
She went to sleep thinking about how she had been hurt. She awoke feeling wounded and defeated. How could someone who called herself a friend do this to me? Her stomach hurt and her heart ached as she waited to hear the words, "I'm sorry." She never did.

Then the thought occurred to her; God didn't say to forgive only when someone says she is sorry. He said to forgive. Period.

She picked up the phone and called her friend who had offended her, "I want you to know I forgive you." Unfortunately, there was no apology and the call ended. Even so, it was then that she felt one hundred pounds lifted from her shoulders.
Maybe, just maybe, forgiveness in this case was more for the forgiver than the forgiven. Either way, she knew she had done what God wanted her to do. Now she was free.

Are you harboring a grudge? Is there someone you need to forgive? For your sake, make the choice to let it go.
 
Today's One Thing
Give grace to someone in your life. Forgive if needed, and enjoy the liberty it brings.
 
Going Deeper
Mark 11:25, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:12-13


 

[Judy Harder]

How can you know God more intimately? 
 
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. —2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV) 
 
Become Determined to Know Him
Marla and Christine were hitting it hard at the gym. "Thanks, Marla, for sticking with me, staying committed and pushing me to go to the next level of health. Without you, I don't know if I could have hung in there and pushed through these last few weeks."

"It's powerful to have an accountability partner," Marla replied. "On those days that I want to stay in bed and skip out on my workout, it means texting you and admitting failure that day. I just couldn't do that so I just kept showing up." Christine smiled. "I think that's why I've made it this far because I know I'd have to call you."

"Now that we're starting to see a difference in our health, I wondered if you'd be interested in serving as my accountability partner spiritually. Through our time at the gym I've seen progress. It's because we're putting forth effort to change. I want to see that kind of change and growth in my spiritual life as well."

"Let's do it," Marla said. "I know that God will help us as we make the commitment to Him and to each other."

God has given you everything necessary to live your life with the goal of pleasing Him. Discover a more intentional life by getting to know Him personally and intimately.
 
Today's One Thing
What ONE THING will you do today that will help you know God in a more intimate way?
 
Going Deeper
1 Peter 1:3-12; 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

[Judy Harder]

Do you always have a thankful heart?   
 
To know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us. —Ephesians 3:19-20  (ESV) 
 
With Gratitude and Thanksgiving
Fifteen-year-old Ryan sulked in the passenger seat as his mother, Janet started the car. Their trip to the mall had one mission—new shoes for school. Ryan had outgrown the ones he had, so they had to make a special trip to the mall.

"I don't know what the big deal is," Ryan started. "Dad would have gotten me the shoes I really wanted - and the jeans." Janet tried not to show her frustration. "We have to be careful with our finances right now, Ryan."

Janet turned the car in the opposite direction from home. "What are you doing," Ryan asked. "This isn't the way to the house." Janet replied, "I want to show you something." Ten minutes later Ryan said, "This is not a good part of town. You should turn around."

"Ryan, see that house on the corner?" Janet didn't wait for his response. "That's where I lived when I was your age. It wasn't in the nice part of town back then, either. Dad and I have worked hard to give you and your brothers the things we didn't have, but wanted. It's important to be thankful for what you have."

It's important to see things from a positive side. Instead of focusing on what you want or don't have, think about the rich blessings you do have as a result of knowing God.
 
Today's One Thing
Make a list of the things you are thankful for today. Spend some time thanking God for each of them.
 
Going Deeper
Ephesians 3:14-21


 

[Judy Harder]

If more families saw themselves working together as a team, there would be much less sibling rivalry as children or into adulthood. 
   
If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. —1 John 4:20 (ESV) 
 
Encouraging Positive Sibling Relationships
Marsha and Doug encouraged their children to pitch in and finish up with their chores so they could have some extra family time this weekend. While Marsha was in the living room vacuuming, daughter Dayna folded the last of the laundry while Doug finished loading the last of the dishes into the dishwasher.

Doug closed the dishwasher and walked back toward the laundry room to throw the dirty dishtowels into the laundry basket, passing his youngest son's room on the way. He heard a commotion—the boys were fighting again. Doug stepped into the room and the older one, Greg, quickly told his dad that his room was clean. The youngest, Daniel's room was a mess. "Greg keeps bugging me and I can't get my room clean," Daniel complained. "Sounds like Greg has plenty of time to help you get that done," Doug replied. Greg moaned. "C'mon, it's all about team work. It takes the whole family to keep this household running strong," added Doug.

Most who have a warm, positive adult sibling relationship recall a certain time or perhaps a particular event when they bonded with their brothers or sisters. Parents usually get what they expect. If Mom and Dad expect their children to have unity, to work together and be part of the team, they usually follow through in their parenting to make it happen.
 
Today's One Thing
What can you do to encourage an all-for-one and one-for-all team mentality with your children?
 
Going Deeper
Ephesians 4:32; 1 John 4:7-21

 

[Judy Harder]

God offers hope in the midst of catastrophe. 
 
While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" But overhearing[e] what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." —Mark 5:35-36 (ESV) 


Only Believe
God offers hope in catastrophe. It's natural to feel confused, frightened and without hope when faced with a crisis. One man, Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue at Capernaum came to Jesus who was surrounded by a crowd, fell down at his feet and begged for Jesus' help. He asked Jesus to come with him to his home because He believed if Jesus would do so, His daughter who was near death, would live.

In the midst of the conversation, someone touched Jesus and he felt healing power leave him. Jesus was willing to go with Jairus, but he wanted to find out who had touched him. He wanted to know who had been healed. While Jesus was speaking with the woman, messengers came from his home and told Jairus his daughter was dead. They even informed him there was no need to trouble Jesus now.

But Jesus told him not to be afraid, but instead believe. Jesus encouraged him to have hope. Imagine how that must have increased Jairus' faith. Not only did Jesus offer him hope, he gave him a promise. Jesus proceeded to Jairus' home and raised his daughter from the dead.

When we are faced with crisis, we have the opportunity to look at the situation from Jesus' perspective. No matter what you're facing, look to Jesus for hope and promise for your life today.
 
Today's One Thing
What ONE THING do you need Jesus' perspective on today?
 
Going Deeper
Mark 5:21-33; Romans 12:9-21