— Sidney Poitier
APRIL 20
And it shall come to pass.—GENESIS 4:14 (KJV)
In the beginning chapters of the book of Genesis we see a prophetic word that things will “come to pass.” In fulfillment of this word, the expression “it came to pass” is used hundreds of times throughout the King James Version of the Bible. For example, in Genesis 39 (KJV), which describes some of Joseph’s experiences in Egypt where he was sold into slavery and rose to second in command of the entire nation, the phrase “and it came to pass” appears eight times. The last book of the Bible, Revelation, speaks of “things which must shortly come to pass” (SEE REVELATION 1:1 KJV). That should tell us in this life whatever exists now, or will exist in the future, is not permanent but temporary. The good news is, no matter how dismal our current situation or outlook, we are assured by God, “This, too, shall pass.”
Life is a continual process in which everything is constantly changing. If we can grasp that truth, it will help us make it through the difficult times in which we find ourselves. It will also help us not to hold on too tightly to the good times, thinking, If I ever lose all this, I just can’t make it.
God wants us to enjoy all of life—not just its destination but also the trip itself.
Meyer, Joyce (2007-10-24). New Day, New You: 366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life (p. 111). Hachette Book Group. Kindle Edition.
APRIL 20
But the meek [in the end] shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. PSALM 37:11
We can learn to get along with people. It is especially important to learn to get along with our immediate family members and coworkers. There are many informative books about personality differences to help us understand why people feel and act the way they do. Understanding helps to smooth over strained relationships. People make decisions differently. Some give an immediate answer, while others want time to think about things first. Try to understand the people you will see today. Ask God to show you ways to get along with them. He will give you favor as you trust in Him.
Meyer, Joyce (2004-03-15). Starting Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Morning of the Year (p. 111). Hachette Book Group. Kindle Edition.
APRIL 3
But we do [strongly and earnestly] desire for each of you to show the same diligence and sincerity [all the way through] in realizing and enjoying the full assurance and development of [your] hope until the end. HEBREWS 6:11
In some ways, spiritual growth can be compared to physical growth. Sadly, many people do not enjoy their children while they are raising them. At each stage of growth the parents wish the child was in another stage. If the child is crawling, they wish he was walking, out of diapers, in school, getting married, and on and on. In Deuteronomy 7:22, Moses told the children of Israel the Lord would drive out their enemies before them “little by little.” Between each victory in your life there is a time of waiting, but it is usually difficult because you want everything now! As a Christian you grow throughout your lifetime and never stop progressing. Learn to enjoy each stage of life as it comes because each has joys uniquely its own.
Meyer, Joyce (2008-11-16). Ending Your Day Right: Devotions for Every Evening of the Year (p. 94). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.
— Kate Reddy (Sarah Jessica Parker), I Don’t Know How She Does It movie
source: Real Simple Magazine, January 2012
scanned via TurboScan iPhone app
As a law-enforcement officer, I’ve seen firsthand the deep hurt and devastation that fatherlessness brings in a child’s life.
Our prisons are full of men and women who lived recklessly after being abandoned by their fathers,
wounded by the men who should have loved them the most.
Many now follow the same pattern of irresponsibility that their fathers did.
While so many mothers have sacrificed to help their children survive, they were never intended to carry the weight alone. We thank God for them.
But research is proving that A CHILD ALSO DESPERATELY NEEDS A DADDY.
There’s no way around this fact.
As you know, earlier this year, my family endured the tragic loss of our 9-year-old daughter, Emily. Her death forced me to realize that not only had I not taken advantage of the priceless time I had with her, but that I did not truly understand how crucial my role was as a father to her and our son, Dylan.
Since her passing, I’ve asked God to show me, through his word how to be the father that I need to be.
I now BELIEVE that God desires
for every father…
to courageously step up
and do whatever it takes…
to be INVOLVE IN THE LIVES OF HIS CHILDREN.
But more than just being there or providing for them…
he’s to WALK WITH THEM
through their lives…
…and BE A VISUAL REPRESENTATION
of the character of God…
their father in heaven.
A FATHER should LOVE HIS CHILDREN,
and seek to WIN THEIR HEARTS.
He should PROTECT them…
DISCIPLINE them…
and TEACH them about God.
He should MODEL how to WALK with INTEGRITY and
TREAT OTHERS with RESPECT…
and should call out his children to
BECOME RESPONSIBLE MEN AND WOMEN…
who live their lives
for what matters in eternity.
Some men will hear this
and mock it…
or ignore it.
But I tell you that as a father
you are accountable to God…
for the position of influence
he has given you.
You can’t fall asleep at the wheel…
only to wake up one day
and realize that your job…
or your hobbies
have no eternal value…
but the souls of your children do.
Some men will hear this
and agree with it…
but have no resolve to live it out.
Instead, they will live for themselves…
and waste the opportunity to leave a godly
legacy for the next generation.
But there are some men…
who, regardless of the mistakes
we’ve made in the past…
regardless of what our fathers
did not do for us…
will give the strength of our arms
and the rest of our days to loving God with all that we are,
and to teach our children to do the same…
and whenever possible,
to love and mentor others
who have no father in their lives
but who desperately need help
and direction.
We are inviting any man whose heart is willing and
courageous to join us in this resolution.
In my home, the decision has already been made.
You don’t have to ask who will guide my family, because by God’s grace, I will.
You don’t have to ask who will teach my son to follow Christ, because l will.
Who will accept the responsibility of providing and protecting my family? I will.
Who will ask God to break the chain of destructive patterns in my family’s history? I will.
Who will pray for and bless my children to boldly pursue whatever God calls them to do?
I am their father. l will.
I accept this responsibility, and it is my privilege to embrace it.
I want the favor of God and his blessing on my home.
Any good man does.
SO WHERE ARE YOU, MEN OF COURAGE?
WHERE ARE YOU, FATHERS WHO FEAR THE LORD?
IT’S TIME TO RISE UP AND ANSWER THE CALL THAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU AND SAY,
“I will. I will. I will.”
— Adam Mitchell, Courageous Movie
MARCH 1
The humble shall see it and be glad; you who seek God, inquiring for and requiring Him [as your first need], let your hearts revive and live! PSALM 69:32
If it is still hard to start your day right, pray this prayer: “Lord, I struggle in taking time to fellowship with You and read Your Word. I know that spending time with You is not a law, it is a privilege. It is something that benefits my life. I pray that the bondages, the lies of Satan that keep me out of the prayer closet and away from time with You, will be broken off of me. “Help me to see clearly that this is something I must do to live in victory. I pray for an anointing that will draw me into Your presence and cause me to run after You. Help me to get every morning started right.”
Meyer, Joyce (2004-03-15). Starting Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Morning of the Year (p. 61). Hachette Book Group. Kindle Edition.
