Today's One Thing

[Judy Harder]

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
1 Peter 1:22 NIV


Setting Realistic Expectations
God designed your marriage as a shining example of His love. One of the biggest challenges facing marriages today is unmet expectations. Unrealistic expectations can rob you of the relationship He wants you to have. You can alleviate unrealistic expectations that might plague your marriage by expressing your feelings and emotions to each other without criticism.

Have you always spoken the truth, in love? Has your spouse? Consider some of the expectations they may have had for you in your marriage that have not been met. Ask God to give you a fresh start and a tender heart toward your spouse.

You can live your marriage by His Word, under His direction and for purposes of glorifying Him.


Today's One Thing
Discuss one expectation you have in your marriage with your spouse and ask God to help you show unconditional love as you do so today.


Going Deeper
1 Peter 1:13-25; Ephesians 4:1-16
 

[Judy Harder]

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction.
Proverbs 29:18 NIV


Moving Forward, Together.
It's easy to get caught up in the moment, taking care of what has to be done. But it's also important to have a plan for the future—especially in your marriage. When a couple doesn't have a sense of direction in their marriage or a purpose beyond today, it's easy to look for other things to fill that void in their lives. But when a couple really sees a vision from God for their lives, they can work together toward the future.

If you are married, it's important to have a plan for your marriage, know where you're going and write it down. Discouragement and stress of daily living can cause procrastination. God intended for you to have a place to go together in marriage. Having a vision allows you to experience a desire for what the future could be like before you ever get there. It builds excitement and anticipation for doing things together.


Today's One Thing
Every great journey needs a starting point, and today is a good day to start on a journey together. Put together a plan by asking, "Where would we like to be five or ten years from now in each of the five areas of life: faith, family, health, finances and work.


Going Deeper
Proverbs 16:9; Jeremiah 29:11-13

[Judy Harder]

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 2:3-4 NIV


Consistency—Your Key to Intentional Parenting
The Bible says, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
You can be sure that His example for your life is consistent and will be the same every day of your life.

As a parent, one of the great gifts you can give your child is consistency. As your child grows, he or she wants to live each day with security in knowing what to expect from you. If one day you say yes to something and the next day the answer is no to the same question, inconsistency can create problems in parenting.

There also needs to be consistency in the way that Mom and Dad parent. If parents are not on the same page, kids see that and drive a wedge between you. It's important to be predictable every time. Kids need to know that they can count on you.


Today's One Thing
Give your child security by asking the Lord to help you to be consistent as you parent him or her today.


Going Deeper
1 John 2:1-14; Matthew 5:37

[Judy Harder]

Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Proverbs 21:21 NIV


In This Together
The unity candle often used in wedding ceremonies symbolizes two individuals becoming one flesh—two separate voices coming together and living in unity and harmony as one voice.

Marriage takes work and it's vital to the success of the marriage to have realistic expectations. There are good days, like the day you got married. There will be difficult days as you discover how your relationship should grow.

The journey toward your dreams often provides you with the unexpected. It's easy to become discouraged while the events of your life look unfamiliar or unnecessary. Just as the unity candles come together into one flame, couples come together with focused minds and hearts. Together you can work to develop behaviors in your marriage and move forward in a direction that honors Christ.

The key to successful marriage is doing it together. It's then that you must realize that you can trust God to do exactly as He promised, then we have that added initiative to hold on and see it through. No matter what you face, face it together for a lifetime.


Today's One Thing
Make a list of things that you want you and your spouse to do together. Take time today to pray about that conversation. Then sit down with your spouse and discuss those things as the Lord guides you.


Going Deeper
2 Peter 3:9; Numbers 23:19

[Judy Harder]

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
2 Timothy 1:5 NIV


Faith for Generations
Mason stood next to his wife as he held his infant daughter in his arms in front of their pastor. He looked into her sleeping face and tried to take in the moment. She was beautiful and she was dressed in the beautiful dedication gown that his great-great grandmother had made for his grandmother. Every daughter since has worn this more than 100-year-old dress as his parents and grandparents had stood before God and the church promising to raise their daughter according to God's purpose for their lives.

The dress was a symbol of the spiritual heritage he had been given, and wanted to pass on to his daughter. He had not been a perfect child. He had not chosen the right path as a teen or even a very young adult, but God had been there—even when he hadn't. And when he had hit the lowest point in life, God met him where he was at. His parents had been praying and supported him through the difficult times.

He had a strong spiritual legacy and today he was choosing to pass that on to his firstborn. He knew only God could help him for the journey of parenting her that was before him. Only God could help him train her and bring her to a place that hopefully she would live her life without stepping off God's path and would always serve him.

What does your family's heritage look like? Do you come from a long line of families who trusted God with their children? Or, are you beginning a new legacy with your generation? Wherever you are at, God is there and He will give you what you need to build faith in your children and your family for generations.


Today's One Thing
Pray and ask God what ONE THING would help you in your desire to leave a strong legacy of faith for your family. Then start doing that ONE THING today.


Going Deeper
2 Timothy 1:6-13; 2 Timothy 4:1-22
 

[Judy Harder]

When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
Exodus 17:12 NIV


Even Moses Needed Help
Moses was a strong leader and God's people depended on him for many things. But even the greatest leaders need assistance. They can't do everything on their own. When the Amalekites, enemies of Israel came and attacked them, the people of Israel fought against them. Moses stood at the top of the hill above the fight with his hands held high.

As long as Moses hands were raised, Israel advanced against their enemy. But when his arms grew tired and he put his hands down, the enemy would move against God's people. Moses needed help! So Joshua and Hur came alongside Moses. When his strength drained, they held up his arms until the battle was over and the Israelites emerged victorious.

No matter how strong a person seems to be—they will always, at some point need help. You can lift up the hands of others by carrying some responsibility, imparting a word of encouragement or offering a prayer on their behalf.   


Today's One Thing
Ask the Lord who He would have you help, then be open and alert to the opportunities He brings your way today.


Going Deeper
Exodus 17:8-15; Deuteronomy 25:17-19

[Judy Harder]

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NIV


Just Jump In
The guest speaker at Maggie's church had spoken to her heart and opened her mind to some wonderful new things she believed the Lord wanted to do in her life. As the service let out, hundreds of people from the congregation flocked to the speaker's book tables. The line flooded the church foyer and she knew it would take an hour to get all the people served unless someone stepped up to help.

Lord, what can I do, she asked in her heart? Suddenly, she knew. She set her purse and Bible down behind the book table, gave her husband a knowing look to which he nodded approval and then stepped in next to Kayla, one of the ladies trying to process credit cards. "I'll make a cash only line," she said to Kayla. "Great idea," Kayla said.

Maggie raised her hand and her voice, "If you have cash only, make a line here." People shifted and a cash line formed almost immediately. Maggie looked up 25 minutes later and the people had all been taken care of.

Kayla gave her a big hug! "Thanks for jumping in. You saved us a ton of time." Maggie smiled as she gathered her things, thankful to God for showing her how she could serve her church by just jumping in when she was needed.


Today's One Thing
What ONE THING could you do today to serve others? Perhaps there is something the Lord would have you do that is spontaneous. Are you willing to jump in?


Going Deeper
Matthew 5:13-16; Hebrews 13

[Judy Harder]

You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing.
Isaiah 42:20 NIV


The Gift of Listening
Arguably there is nothing more frustrating than to give instruction to your son or daughter only to discover they did not hear a single word you said. With technology and so many different distractions at our fingertips, children aren't the only ones not listening. It can sometimes seem to be a lost art in society.

How many business meetings have you set in where the leaders have their phones on the table while you try to deliver a proposal and it buzzes and hums. Regrettably, sometimes they even step out in the hall to answer a call, or sit right there texting a message as you speak. Churches now post signs that remind people to silence their phones when they enter the sanctuary.

Listening is a discipline and extremely vital to your personal and professional success. It requires self-control and a willingness to truly desire to understand instead of seeking to be understood. You can have amazing relationships with another person when you learn to listen to them carefully.

Jesus said, "He who has ears, let him hear" (Matthew 13:9 niv). The same reality exists in your relationship with God. How can we expect to be good at listening to God, who we can't see, when our attempts at listening to the people around us, who we can see, are so unintentional?

Think about how you feel when someone gives you their undivided attention. It's a true gift when you know that someone gave their time to you and allowed you to be heard. 


Today's One Thing
This week make an intentional decision to practice becoming a good listener in your relationship with God and with your personal relationships.


Going Deeper
Matthew 13:9-17; Isaiah 42:18-25

[Judy Harder]

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:11 NIV


Thankful for God's Divine Intervention
Missy just couldn't get her act together. For whatever reason, she could not get out of the house on time that particular Tuesday morning. She dropped her contact on the bathroom counter and it took forever for her to find it, clean it and get it into her eye. She dropped her green drink she made for breakfast on the kitchen floor, and had to clean that up and change her shoes. Then when she started backing out of the garage, the trash truck was picking up her trash and blocking her exit route. Delay...delay...delay.

She tried not to become any more frustrated. She leaned her head back on the headrest and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as she waited for the truck to move on down the street. Her phone beeped several times on her way to work, but she didn't pick it up to read the texts since she was driving. About a mile from her office, the traffic was at a dead stop. She assumed there was an accident up ahead.

She picked up her phone to see several texts from her co-workers about a fire at the office. Some who had not been able to get in the building were concerned for her because she was always at the office a good 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Not today, she thought. Several of her team from her department had been taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. She texted her boss to let him know she was okay. 

What Missy had originally thought to be unusual mishaps at home, instead were divine delays. She believed the little challenges to her morning that had made her late, perhaps saved her from the fire. She was quick to take a moment and thank God for his protection.


Today's One Thing
Are you easily frustrated when your plans are delayed. Consider the possibility that perhaps you need to slow down a little to be in the right place in God's divine plan today and thank Him for his plan for your life.


Going Deeper
Psalm 91; Proverbs 3:5-6

[Judy Harder]

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:11 NIV


What Gift Will You Give?
Jay and Valerie knew before they were married that they were called to the mission field. When the Lord created them individually, He also called them together to serve the children of Guatemala. Each day they live their lives and their faith as an open book before the children they are fostering in their home.

Jay and Valerie's home, Casa del Destino (House of Destiny) is a children's home in Antigua, Guatemala that was established in 2007 by West Coast Believers Church, located in Southern California, East Coast Believers Church, located in Florida and several other non-denominational churches across the United States. It is a legal corporation, recognized by the Guatemalan government, that maintains the power to adopt.

Casa del Destino has been commissioned to help raise up kids in the teaching of God's Word and place them into healthy, Christian homes across the world. Jay and Valerie give their gift to God and these children each day as they parent these beautiful children. Individuals and families across the United States partner with Jay and Valerie financially each month to provide for the children's daily needs. Whether you go and serve physically where God has called you or you offer your gifts as a volunteer or a financial partner in the place God has connected you, you are helping those in need.


Today's One Thing
How had God called you to give to those in need? Will you do that ONE THING today?


Going Deeper
Luke 14:1-14; Isaiah 58:10