"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2) I have found a theme that weaves its way through both my faith and my golf game. I wish I could tell you the answer is that I’m always “par for the course”; but the theme I’m referring to is trust. I need to exercise trust. In golf there are so many times where I’m holding my 7 iron for my 150 yard shot, but the wind is blowing at me and the pin is in the back. I really need my 6 iron, but I don’t trust what I know is true. So I usually find myself swinging too hard and landing in a hazard somewhere. The examples continue… I don’t trust the break on the green, or the feel of the wedge in my hand as I attempt to get out of the sand. You might be gaining some insight to my golf handicap. Trust is so necessary in my faith as well. I’ve been taught over and over again that God loves me and has a plan for me; but do I always trust that? Honestly I don’t. I find myself taking life in to my own hands, and thinking my plans can be better. God tells his people all throughout scripture to trust Him with life circumstances. What is it for you today? I think that God always has something for us to trust Him with. Is it your marriage that might not be as stable as it should? Is it your child who is getting ready to go off to college (welcome to my story)? Is it your job that isn’t totally satisfying? God wants to meet us in these places, and be the answer to our fears and doubts. It’s actually an opportunity to lean in to Him, which strengthens our relationship. Whatever it is that has already come to mind for you – trust Him with that today. Author: Brett Hersma
0 Comments
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 exhorts us fathers to disciple our children “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Isn’t this hard when the kids are absolutely on your nerves? It makes me crazy, and I justify my strong and curt reactions and demands as worthy discipline. However, have you ever noticed that the word “discipline” comes from the same root as the word “disciple”? Isn’t that was being a father really is – being a disciple to our children in the ways of the Lord? The purpose of discipline is always to instruct and to bring growth in a godly direction. Even when we do exercise appropriate correction, it shouldn’t be for the sake of punishment, but to bring about repentance, a change of heart, and a turning back to God and his righteousness. Let’s challenge ourselves as fathers to put the disciple back into discipline. Author: Ryan Rimington Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV) This verse was highlighted at church this week as we discussed the importance of raising our children. The basic message; instead of just incorporating (making them believe what we believe) or just isolating (trying to keep them away from anything that could have a bad influence on them), we need to insulate them - instilling godly values in them so that they will make the right choices for themselves. As parents, this can be difficult. As my kids get older (oldest is 13), I find it much easier to just "lay down the law" and assume that they'll turn out OK. Sure, this tactic is necessary when the kids are younger, but as they mature they will need to learn how to make their own decisions. I won't be there every time they flip through the TV channels, or browse the internet, or hang out with friends. They will need the courage and maturity to make the right decisions for themselves, and I need to model that for them, teach them what God says, and listen to them as they struggle to make the right choices. This verse from Proverbs is very reassuring as my wife and I attempt to raise our kids in a godly manner. We need to teach them to trust and acknowledge God, and then God will direct their path. And as parents we need to trust and acknowledge Him as we raise our kids - and the end result will be up to Him. Author: Mark Dwyer |
Categories
All
ContributorsBrett Lilly - Campus Pastor at Compass Church (95th campus), husband, father Archives
January 2017
|