Today's One Thing

[Judy Harder]

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Genesis 50:20 ESV


The Journey to Your Freedom
Imagine a life journey that begins with ultimate betrayal—at the hands of family members—those who are supposedly the ones who love you most. Joseph, the most favored son of his father was still a child when his ten older brothers plotted against him. Some of them even wanted to kill him because of the jealousy that raged in their hearts.

God had given Joseph a dream that foretold his destiny. Although Joseph didn't understand the dream, he shared it with his brothers. In his dream, he saw his brothers would someday bow down to him.

His brothers' jealousy consumed them. Perhaps the revelation of this last dream caused them to snap, and they conspired to get rid of him once and for all. They sold him into slavery. The brothers returned to their father and told him that a wild animal had eaten his beloved son.

Joseph's journey was very difficult, but he remained faithful to God and eventually found himself in the palace in Egypt, second in command only to Pharaoh. His dream was realized as his brothers bowed in fear before him, and instead of repaying them for their wrong, he assured them of his love and forgiveness.

Forgiveness liberates you from the captivity of past wrongs others have done to you. When you choose to let it go, you can be completely restored and respond to others in love.
 
Today's One Thing
Is something still holding you captive from your past? Choose to be restored by letting it go today.
 
Going Deeper
Genesis 47; Genesis 50

[Judy Harder]

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 ESV


The Evidence of Faith at Work
Tears slid silently down Ellen's face as she watched one person after another cross the stage without words, allowing the cardboard they held in their hands to tell their story. Ellen remembered YouTube videos of this exact thing being shared through Facebook posts by friends. She even watched a few, but this was different. The people standing on the platform were family, friends and acquaintances she had spent time with. She'd been to some of their homes. Some of their stories, she knew. Others had been through so much and never said a word about the trial that had tested their faith—until now.

As the pastor began to speak, Ellen was lost in her own thoughts. Every card said who they were before, and who they were today. Without God's intervention, their lives were headed for disappointment, disaster and even death. But their decision to stand and believe God for something miraculous produced results.

Faith is trusting in the unseen but not the unknown. Your faith is in something that you do not see, but in something you know and have experienced. When you sit down in a chair, you have faith that the chair will support you. The evidence occurs when the chair holds your weight. Likewise, your faith is justified by the transformation that occurs in your life through the power of God, in your relationship with Him.

One of the beautiful things about being a part of the community of faith is the great stories we hear in the lives of others even today. Those real life experiences become evidence of God's transformational power in your life. It offers assurance that faith works.
 
Today's One Thing
Take some time to get quiet and reflect on the things you know and have experienced that caused you to know God—and believe in Him.
 
Going Deeper
Hebrews 11; Romans 10:5-17

[Judy Harder]

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:10 NIV


Establishing an Atmosphere of Peace
When it comes to describing a Christian home, pastor and author J.R. Miller wrote "It ought to be a place where love rules. It ought to be beautiful, bright, joyous, full of tenderness and affection, a place in which all are growing happier and better each day." There are people from all walks of life that aren't feeling that tenderness and joy at home and in their families.

You want your home to be a healthy, safe place for every member of your family, but that doesn't happen just through good intentions. You have to take action. The ONE THING you can do to bring peace to your home is to make prayer the center of your family life.

Every Christian would probably say they should pray with their family, but it's easy to have it slip down our daily to-do list. The kids need to go the library for a school project; someone needs to get dinner on the table, the afternoon meeting at work runs long... life gets in the way of what we plan. It's a challenge to fit everything in, but if you want a family that is connected to God, close to each other, and is able to recover from life's hurts, conversations with God are essential—as a group and individually.

If you want your family to be successful, you need to slow down and show your family that you care enough to spend time with them in prayer. Romans 12:10 (NLT) tells us to "Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Prayer as a family is not just a symbol of that affection, but a way for your family to grow together. Praying together creates intimacy and has a powerful effect on family life.
 
Today's One Thing
Create a habit each day of time in prayer together as a family. Start today.
 
Going Deeper
Romans 12:9-12; James 5:13-20

[Judy Harder]

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:14-15 NIV


The Cost of Unforgiveness
Have you ever thought to yourself that's something I just can't forgive? There's a saying: "Unforgiveness is a poison we drink, hoping someone else will die." You can be hesitant to give up what you feel is your right to hurt someone in return for what they've done to you, but that reluctance only ends up harming you. Ask a doctor... they'll tell you that holding those feelings inside will actually harm your physical health.

One of the biggest obstacles to growth in life can be unforgiveness. Jesus includes a call to forgiveness in his instructions on how to pray in Matthew 6:12. You ask God to forgive your sins in the same way you forgive "those who sin against you."

Forgiveness is about a change of heart. Broken relationships and unresolved feelings can leave a mess in your heart and potentially keep you from moving on with your life. Temptation towards bitterness is exactly the sort of tactic Satan will use to keep you from doing God's work.  Unforgiveness blocks your view of your purpose in life and often steers you towards a very unintentional life.

Clearing out the messes relationships often leave behind leaves more room for God to work, and for His peace to fill in that space.
 
Today's One Thing
Count the cost of unforgiveness today. Talk to God about the hurts you feel and then release those hurts to him—forgiving the one who hurt you.
 
Going Deeper
John 20:19-23; Matthew 8:21-22

[Judy Harder]

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
John 14:12 NIV


Make a decision to influence your world today
Your redemption was the most significant purchase ever made. Christ's birth put God's plan for your relationship with God to be restored in motion. His life was your ransom. God bought you back—at the cost of His Son's life. It was the highest price God could pay and He was willing to do it in order to open the door for you to have the option of spending your life with Him—now and for all eternity.

Each day you live on the earth is an opportunity to influence others with your belief. Each decision you make impacts others. How you live your life influences those around you in their choices and decisions.

The decision to go to the cross for you required Jesus to have more than just a belief that God's love was true—He was beyond belief in that He passionately demonstrated and modeled love to His disciples. If there's ever a time to have passion in your world, it's today. The hurts of people are overwhelming, and the need for your good works has never been greater.
 
Today's One Thing
Make a commitment to take action and see your world changed by the power of God's love today.
 
Going Deeper
John 14:5-14; John 12:37-50

 

[Judy Harder]

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children.
Psalm 103:17 NIV


Give Praise for the Little Things
Pam's son, David was really struggling to learn his multiplication tables. He was angry and frustrated with himself and refused to participate in math class. When the teacher called to voice concern, Pam put the whole family together to help David. She found some games that taught multiplication tables. Within two weeks—with lots of encouragement from his entire family—David began to understand and eventually excel in his math class.

Dr. Carlson often says, "Whoever or whatever is most intentional in the lives of your family... wins." We all intuitively know there's no such thing as perfect children, perfect parents, and perfect families. But there are families who are committed to being intentional. One way you can be more intentional in your family is to celebrate successes often. Intentional families praise each other for accomplishments, big or small.

As you make this commitment, you'll find your family growing healthier and stronger when you put Christ at the center of your life and family.
 
Today's One Thing
What is ONE THING you and your family can do together to celebrate small successes?
 
Going Deeper
Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 1:1-7

[Judy Harder]

This is what you are to say to Joseph: "I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly. Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
Genesis 50:17 NIV


Blessing from Forgiveness
Joseph's love for God brought him through some horrific situations. He was willing to forgive even the brutal betrayal by his own brothers. His unwillingness to hold offense against them preserved a nation and saved His immediate family from famine.

When you've been hurt; it's human nature to want to retaliate. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, a new nature—God's way of doing things—has been given to you. It needs to be cultivated and practiced. As you begin to respond to your world with God's nature, you can find His strength to let go of the past hurts and forgive those who have wronged you.

Forgiveness benefits you as well as those around you—just as in Joseph's case. When you follow God's commandment to forgive, the benefits and blessings may reach far beyond the individual receiving your forgiveness.
 
Today's One Thing
Is there some hurt you can't seem to let go of? Begin releasing it to God today and watch Him turn it around.
 
Going Deeper
Genesis 50

 

[Judy Harder]

And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.
Deuteronomy 28:2, 6 NIV


Open Hearts and Open Homes
James and Tess walked into the kitchen with their arms loaded with groceries. They were greeted by their son Marshall and several of the football team sitting at the kitchen table. They were chowing down on breakfast burritos—probably the only thing in the house to eat, before their grocery run this morning.

Marshall asked, "Mom, did you get more hot sauce!" She pulled a jar of her son's favorite hot sauce from the bag and passed it to him as the boys all got up to help carry the rest of the groceries in. Tess smiled at James.

Tess had grown up in a violent home where friends weren't welcome. The risk of her alcoholic father erupting into a rage kept Tess and her sisters too fearful to bring friends home. She loved that her home was always full. Her teenage boys and their friends were in James and Tess's home most nights (and free food was an added bonus to the football team). She and James had even converted the garage into a den just for the kids to have their own space.

Your home—your family—should be a refuge from the cruelty of the world you and your loved ones live in. Every family member should feel that they can find the emotional support and strength they need to face tomorrow after a difficult today. No matter how negative life is, can you count on your family—and can they count on you?
 
Today's One Thing
Let your family know that home is a safe place and demonstrate it today.
 
Going Deeper
Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Deuteronomy 28:15-45

[Judy Harder]

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
Hebrews 12:28 NIV


Give Thanks to God
When the challenges you face each day in life overwhelm your mind and heart, it can become difficult to give thanks to God. Hebrews 12:28 encourages you to give thanks because you are an eternal being. Everything created can be shaken, but your relationship with God cannot be shaken. You can forever trust Him.
Give thanks to God that hears and answers your prayers. He will never leave your or forsake you, but is always with you.
Thank God for His provision. He will give you what you need to accomplish the things He has purposed in your heart.
Give thanks for His continued blessings in your life as you live for Him.
Thank Him that His character is steadfast. He cannot lie—all His promises to you remain true.
Be thankful for the relationships you have with other believers. Believers are connected and should encourage and build one another up in their faith.
Today's verse reminds you that everything created can be shaken, but your relationship with God cannot be shaken. You can forever trust Him.
 
Today's One Thing
Give thanks today. Make a list of things you are thankful for—both big and small—and share your list with God in your prayer time today.
 
Going Deeper
Hebrews 12:18-28; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-16

[Judy Harder]

I will make the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who minister before me as countless as the stars in the sky and as measureless as the sand on the seashore.
Jeremiah 33:22 NIV


God of Wonder
When was the last time you experienced the wonder of creation through the eyes of a child? Perhaps it was a trip to the ocean, or a climb to a mountain top. Maybe it was a sunset from your back patio.

God often pointed to creation to demonstrate His faithfulness. He pointed to the stars outside Abraham's tent to demonstrate His promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations. He defied nature repeatedly to show His power when Pharoah wouldn't let His people go.

God reveals Himself to you through His creation. It's as though He is turning the pages in His own personal photo album, telling you something about Himself on each page.
 
Today's One Thing
Take some time today to observe all that God's created. What is He revealing to you?
 
Going Deeper
Psalm 8; Psalm 139:13-18