Today's One Thing

[Judy Harder]

All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace.
Isaiah 54:3 NIV


A Place to Belong
Every person wants to matter, to contribute and to belong. Ernest Hemingway's short story, "The Capital of the World" is about a father and his teenage son. The son had disobeyed and disappointed his father and then ran away from home. The father searched the country for him, but could not find him. Finally, the father placed an ad in the daily newspaper. The ad read: "PACO - MEET AT HOTEL MONTANA NOON TUESDAY. ALL IS FORGIVEN, PAPA."

When the father reached the hotel in hopes of finding his son, police officers were trying to contain the crows of eight hundred young men named Paco came to receive the forgiveness and love they craved.

Children persistently try to be a part of something significant. An intentional parent knows their child has those specific needs and strives to meet those needs by finding ways to affirm them each day. 


Today's One Thing
Give the gift of approval to your children and look for ways to demonstrate you believe in them each day.


Going Deeper
Romans 7:3-5; Romans 12:4-6

[Judy Harder]

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV


Memories for a Lifetime
Shane's parents were getting older and life had been so busy there had been few opportunities to spend time with them. Shane's wife, Melinda found an amazing deal for flights to Florida while planning their vacation six months in advance.

Melinda's mother-in-law's words continued to come up in her heart—"If you ever go to Florida again, we'd love to go with you." She felt like she had a good relationship with her husband's parents, but there were times she could get frustrated with them—especially when she spent a week or more with them.

One morning she made an intentional decision to include in-laws on this vacation. She approached Shane and encouraged him to call and invite them. She reminded him, "Honey, we need to make memories with them. They're getting older and we don't really know how much time we have left with them. Shane picked up the phone and his parents were thrilled to join them for the trip.

The inescapable truth is that in-laws are family and if you're not careful, you'll unwittingly make them feel like outlaws, and risk depriving yourselves and your children of a vital and needed family relationship.


Today's One Thing
Take time today to invest in the lives of your in-laws. Perhaps start with asking them to share special family memories from your spouse's childhood. Just spending time with them and really listening can make a difference in your relationship.


Going Deeper
2 Corinthians 5:11-21; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

[Judy Harder]

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children...
1 Thessalonians 2:11 NIV


What Are You Waving Off?
Travis wrote spiritually encouraging articles for a living. He was so good at it, and he poured more and more of his time and energy into writing them. Overly absorbed in encouraging, exhorting, and comforting thousands of people through the words he carefully crafted, his family watched as he slowly slipped away from them, too distracted by work.

One night Travis's 4-year-old daughter walked up to him while he typed furiously away on his laptop, and asked, "Daddy, will you put your computer away and blow me some kisses?"

He was immediately ashamed that his daughter would even have to ask, and realized, ironically, that his time was being spent encouraging others to do exactly what he was supposed to be doing, but wasn't.

For the next several minutes, Travis spent beautiful moments in his daughter's presence, soaking up the time she wanted to spend with her father. When she was done she said, "OK, Daddy, you can go back to helping people now."

As tears filled his eyes, he told her, "I'm going to tell them about how I love your kisses."


Today's One Thing
Take 15 minutes today to make sure your calling doesn't get in the way of people you should be loving.


Going Deeper
Matt. 19:13-30; 1 Cor. 13

[Judy Harder]

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Matthew 5:42 NIV


Giving to Something that Will Outlast You
Finding a place of service can be challenging. You want to find a place where you are comfortable and where there is a need. As followers of Christ, we have allowed the culture of the world to take our minds off of the way we should respond to life according to God's direction. When all we do is sit down and watch TV day after day, we lose in life.

1 John 3:16-18 says, This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (NIV).

Consider spending your time for something that will outlast you. There are so many needs and so many places to serve. Those who have an attitude of service add years to their lives. Service is beneficial to you and also in the lives of others. Take what you have—time, talent, a listening ear—and share with others.


Today's One Thing
Choose to make a difference in someone's life today even if it only takes a few minutes. Ask the Lord where you can serve. See how it changes you!


Going Deeper
John 3:16-21; 1 John 3:11-24

 

[Judy Harder]

Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.
Proverbs 20:11 NIV


Growing Your Child Up in Wisdom, Stature and Favor
If you are a parent, God wants you to be the best parent you can be. Parenting isn't easy, and it takes commitment to help your child reach his or her full potential. Most of us need help as parents. We get a glimpse of what a life lived according to God's vision looks like through the person of Jesus. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52).

Long before He was identified as the Savior of the world, everyone who knew Him held Jesus in high esteem. The Scriptures don't give us many details about Jesus' lifestyle as a youngster, but we know that good reputations are not bestowed by chance or coincidence, but earned.

Most of us think of stature as meaning physical height. But stature also refers to esteem. From boyhood on Jesus undoubtedly practiced a righteousness that was plain for all to see and commanded respect.

The Bible is a vivid testimony of the life of Jesus that you can share with your child. God wants all His children – both young and old – to steadily grow in knowledge of Jesus until we begin to resemble Him in our thoughts, words and actions. One of the best places to start your journey toward the intentional life in Christ is to pursue lifelong habits of Bible study and prayer.


Today's One Thing
Take some time to sit down with your child and God's Word to demonstrate how you spend time with God in prayer and the study His Word today.


Going Deeper
Psalm 119:9-16; Luke 2:41-52

[Judy Harder]

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:8,10 NIV


Intentionally Loving Our Veterans
Regina sat at her gate in the airport waiting for her next flight. Her book that she'd brought to read wasn't all that exciting and she didn't want to drag her laptop out since they'd be boarding shortly. She scanned the crowd. She really enjoyed watching people. Her eyes fell on a very young man in military uniform. He can't be much more than 18 years old, she thought. Wow! He's probably leaving home for the very first time.

She gathered her things so she could make a quick dash to the ladies room before getting on her flight. She suddenly found herself seated next to the young man. "I'm sorry to impose," she began, "but I couldn't help myself, seeing you in uniform...." She noticed his slight smile. It means a lot to me and my family. My brother-in-law is in the service and I don't take your sacrifice for granted. I wanted to just take a second and thank you for your service."

The young man looked very serious. "Mam," he said, in a very southern draw, "thank you for the opportunity I have to serve." He reached out and shook Regina's hand. She was speechless at his words. She choked back tears as she nodded and whispered, "I'll pray for you!" He leaned over to her as he got in line for his own flight and said, "I'd appreciate that—please do!"


Today's One Thing
Look for opportunities today to offer your love and support to those who have served our country and have given with great sacrifice for your freedom.


Going Deeper
Romans 13:8-14; 1 John 3:1-10
 

[Judy Harder]

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
1 John 3:16 


Because He Loves
John, the disciple Jesus loved, says that God's great love for us compelled Him to sacrifice His only Son, which provided the one and only way to salvation through Jesus Christ, but, this is not the end of the story.

If you compare John 3:16-18 to 1 John 3:16-18 you will discover the why—why did God do it. In this parallel of scripture we are instructed to lay our lives down for others. We're encouraged to die to self for someone else and follow Jesus' example.

An intentional life in Christ requires that we figure out what will please Christ and then do it. We can't experience an intentional life in Christ if we don't know what the Bible teaches. So, in this particular example, we love others because we're loving them for Him. We're choosing to love them to please Him and follow His example.

God desires for us to show His love by sharing what we have with others. Good words and a great speech is not enough. It's taking what you know; caring about others enough to take action and do something that demonstrates God's love to them.

Are you willing to bring Him pleasure by living the life He created you for? That's living the intentional life! That's doing what matters most for the love of God.


Today's One Thing
Establish one Godly goal—find out what the Bible says about the thing you're wrestling with—or what He wants you to do for someone else—and then take action by doing that next right one thing today!


Going Deeper
John 3:1-21; 1 John 3:11-24

[Judy Harder]

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10 NIV


What Can You Do for Someone Else?
Claire's day had been full, and she was a little drained. She was relieved to finally finish her last meeting of the day as she turned her car toward Alexandra's house. She had promised to stop by after her meetings and visit her young friend who was home alone with her six week old daughter.

She waited patiently as Alexandra came to unlock the door and let her in with the baby in her arms. One look at her young friend and she knew it had been a tough day. "You okay," she asked. Alexandra smiled as the tears welled up in her eyes.

"I've tried everything—feeding her, changing her, putting music on. The swing doesn't even seem to soothe her anymore. Claire reached for the baby and her pacifier while giving direction, "I'll take care of the baby; you go take a hot shower!"

"But you came to visit," Alexandra protested. "I'm here for whatever you need! And you need a shower," Claire insisted. "Now go..." Thirty minutes later Alexandra emerged like a new woman. "Ahh! I needed that, she said, as she took the fussy infant to feed her. "I feel like a new woman—and my husband will appreciate that I was able to take a shower!"

When it comes to serving others, it doesn't have to be something long, drawn out and extravagant. It can be as simple as picking up a loaf of bread for a neighbor at the grocery store, stopping to get your friend's mail or pacifying a baby while mom takes a shower.


Today's One Thing
Take a few moments today to see what those around you might have need of. Then meet the need for them as an act of service unto the Lord.


Going Deeper
1 Peter 4:1-11; John 13:1-17

[Judy Harder]

Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
Proverbs 25:11 NIV


Words—Pieces of Your Heart
Frank Outlaw, the late president of the Bi-Lo Stores, a successful supermarket chain said, "Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character for it becomes your destiny."

The wrong word spoken at the wrong time to the wrong person may destroy a relationship, or separate a family or sink a career. Just as the right word being spoken at the right time can certainly change a life and bring positive results. A word is a piece of your heart given to another person, without ever being able to take it back. A word spoken is gone forever to places that we may never go, but those words linger and last.

The psalmist, David, who God called "a man after my own heart" prayed: "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14 NIV). Perhaps his words today will also be your prayer.


Today's One Thing
What "One Thing" will you do today to be intentional with your Words. 


Going Deeper
Psalm 19; Proverbs 18:20-21

[Judy Harder]

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
Titus 3:1-2 NIV


How You Set the Temperature in Your Marriage
No matter how hard you try, the message you send to your spouse is often not received as intended. How many times have you communicated to your spouse something that was misunderstood? Misunderstandings happen because of the way humans communicate. The receiver determines what the message is; not the sender.

What is it in your communications that makes your spouse feel accepted and understood? What makes you feel most defensive in your spouse's communication to you? Perhaps it's not the words they say that makes you feel loved, encouraged and accepted, but their facial expression and body language.

It's important to consider all those things and be aware of how you set the temperature in your communication. When temperatures are running high, reset the thermostat. Relax your body language and open your heart up to understand. Speak back to your spouse to be sure that you understand.

Taking the time with your communication can multiply an intentional decision that will make a huge impact.


Today's One Thing
Check the temperature of your communications today. Do you need to turn down the thermostat or make adjustments in the way you communicate to your spouse?


Going Deeper
Titus 3:1-9; Matthew 12:36-37