Have you ever noticed that as soon as you get situated or comfortable with your child’s routine, it changes again?

My toddler is ever-changing. As soon as we establish a nap schedule, eating habit, or cleanup routine, they’re quickly thrown out the window. He’s just recently decided that bedtime should be pushed back by an hour or so. We’ve been struggling to get him back into his normal routine. It means putting him back in his bed over and over again. He, however, is quite happy with his latest sleep schedule! The more we thought about it, the more we realized he’s his happiest in the evenings! With the longer days we get to send that much more time with him and he sleeps in an extra hour in the morning which means more quiet time for me in the morning.

As I was thinking on these things the other day, I realized that my relationship with the Lord should be much the same. The word says that God is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He is constantly guiding us and showing us how we need to grow (Psalm 32:8).

But if I’m honest, I often become routine in my walk with him. If left up to me, I would stay in this comfortable place. The truth is that I need to be stirred, shaken and thrown off of my game sometimes to avoid complacency.

This shaking and stirring can sometimes can be painful. Trials reveal our weaknesses and beseech us to change. But most of the time we don’t recognize this-- we just want to be delivered from our situation. But there is much-needed growth and blessings behind discovering our shortcomings.

In order for the Lord to bring us to the next place he has for us, in order for us to experience his plan and blessings in our lives, we must keep growing and be shaken from our complacently. When we are flexible with change and vulnerable in front of the Lord, he can truly mold us and shape us into the useful vessel He desires us to be.

Let’s not allow fear of leaving our comfort-zone, where we meet in our small groups each week, yet never really reach out to those who are lost and alone, or fear of pain or inconvenience keep us at a stand-still.

Let’s begin asking the Lord, What in me needs to be stirred so that your plan may be fulfilled in my life?”

And as we become shaken and stirred, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and allow him to produce in us that priceless inward change that perfects us more and more into His likeness.

Word of the Day:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I’m so thankful that I can have an intimate relationship with you, and that you openly reveal your desires for my life. Help me to step out of my comfort zone. Stir my heart for what you would have me to do. Give me grace and courage to overcome my weakness, that I may grow more fully into the disciple you’ve called me to be. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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Author:  Amanda Becker

By Amanda Becker


My mom and I have a great relationship. She’s always been a pillar in my life, and still is.

However, I’m finding now that I have my own child, our parenting styles often differ greatly (I’m sure you can relate). Most of those differences are trivial but I find that sometimes I want to do things my own way but I don’t always know how.

When I reminisce about my own childhood, many of my less-than-perfect memories seem so silly in comparison to my friends’ who have lived through childhoods that were excruciatingly painful, emotionally crippling and full of events they wish they could forget.


I was recently reading in 1 Corinthians, and this verse really stuck in my mind: 1 Corinthians 5:7 says, “Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch-- as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (NIV)


This verse is saying that because of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, we are made new.-- no longer contaminated by the “yeast” of our parent’s sins or way of life, or even our former life.

 

This concept is so important when it comes to raising our children. So many of us grew up in less-than-perfect homes. We came from parents who were over-protective, unreliable or even addicts. We suffered abuse, or were abandoned, or told we weren’t good enough. All these things have left us wondering if we’re capable of raising our children any differently.


Friend, this is a lie from the enemy.

It doesn’t matter where you’ve come from, He has broken every chain.


As set-free children of God, we’re not bound to our past generations. It doesn’t matter what our moms, dads, grandfathers, grandmothers, sisters or brothers did. God has made us new.


Right where you are, in all of your inadequacy and unsuredness, you can take the first step in the newness of His grace by believing this truth. Dig into the Word, filling your mind with truth, so that you may begin to recognize the lies from the enemy for what they are-- lies! Then, when you’re unsure of how to respond to different situations, ask God to reveal His way to you.


If you’re feeling doubtful, let me testify that each and every time I’ve prayed and searched His scriptures for wisdom, He’s given it. He has always placed the right people in my life at the perfect time.


Remember, friend, that we serve a God who takes pleasure in taking the least qualified and making them the most qualified! We’ve been set free. Today, let’s shake off that less-than-desirable past and allow Him to make us new parents, in Christ.
 

Word of the day:
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)


Prayer:
Lord, thank you for making us new. Thank you for breaking generational chains. We’re not bound to the past anymore! I ask that you would give us the wisdom and strength to be the moms you’ve called us to be. Help us to trust that you are growing us and guiding us to parent in a God-honoring way. Amen.

 

 

 

By Amanda Becker

With Mother’s day just behind us, I can’t help but to think back on ones in the past.

The one that I remember most clearly is when my husband so sweetly gave me a card, some of my favorite candy and a bouquet of half dead tulips. Half dead tulips… it was not exactly what every mother hopes for on her big day. I can tell you; I was just a little disappointed. If you know my husband, you know that he’s very loving and compassionate, but not great on details. This is not to harp on him at all! I tell you this story because I’ve realized something about myself. When I look back on that Mother’s day I can honestly say: “I love receiving grace, but boy, do I hate giving it!”

Grace was the last thing I wanted to give my husband when he handed me those wilted and faded flowers. I wanted to ask him, “what were you thinking? Don’t I mean more to you and some dead tulips?”  It’s so easy to become hurt, disappointed or even angry when we feel that others didn’t live up to our expectations. Luke 6:36 says, “Be Merciful, even as your father is merciful.” (ESV)

The tough reality is that we’re not to just give grace when we feel up to it or when it comes easy for us. We’re commanded to give grace to all and in any circumstance. Can you imagine if our God had decided to withhold grace from us and gave us the justice we really deserved?

Christ was the ultimate gift of grace! We were not deserving, yet he was merciful towards us and gave lovingly. Titus 3:5-7 says, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (NIV)

I for one love justice. I take comfort in the idea that those who work hard and are honest get the job, the raise and the reward. God doesn’t always administer justice in the way we think he should. Lets be real for a moment. Praise God he doesn’t give justice as I would give it! I personally would be without hope for sure.

Just as the Lord continues to show us mercy and grace each day, we are to show others that same grace. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. - Luke 6:36 (ESV) There are going to be times when others disappoint you, belittle you and receive the reward or gift that you worked so hard for. Though we may not understand why, we are called to mirror Christ at all times. 

Friends, lets be conscious about giving grace to others. Lets love others with a merciful love as Christ has called us to do. You never really know what someone is going through, what we don’t see about that person or situation that God does see.

What you wouldn’t know about my husband that Mother’s day I didn’t tell you is that he had been pretty sick for almost a week. He braved the crowds not just weak and running a fever, but with our rambunctious two-year-old to make sure I had something that day. Once he was better, he unexpectedly went and bought me something he knew I had been really wanting.

Even if he had not made up for buying those sad little flowers, grace was needed. That’s the frustrating thing about grace, it’s not typically deserved, but by showing grace to others we’re not just obeying our God, we’re giving back what was undeservingly given to us! 


Word of the day
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Matthew 5:7 (ESV)

Prayer
Heavenly Father we are so thankful that you showed us grace on the day you sent your only son to die for our sins. Each day you continue to show us grace and mercy. We don’t deserve it, but you do it because you love us. Please forgive us when we’ve failed to show others that same grace. We pray that grace would become our first reaction towards others. We ask that you would give us a mindful heart towards others. In your name we pray, Amen.