GMG Week 5

Monday

John 17:18

As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Jesus prayed this prayer to his heavenly father concerning those that belonged to him. He was holy and showed how to live a holy life so that they could do likewise and so that they could be sent out into the world to be a testimony for God! He prayed this for them and for us... for me. 

How do I learn to live a holy life? By knowing Jesus and following his example. How do my children learn to live a holy life? The same way... but it must be modeled to them first and that is my job. And as I guide them and they learn then they can begin to know Jesus and listen to him and follow his example. This is vital to be able to withstand evil and to have an impact on the world in which he is sending us into. 

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Tuesday

Ephesians 2:1-2

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil- the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

Although I was physically alive, at one time I was spiritually dead because I lived in sin. How harsh is it to say that I "obeyed the devil", yet when I choose to sin that is what I am doing... Ouch. That really hurts. How sad it is to me to see so many people who I love and care about who are under Satan's influence. I will pray for them and for opportunities to share with them the truth. I have been given new life and they can too. 

And again, these are all opportunities for teaching my children.

And I just have to say THANK YOU JESUS for giving me new life and that I am no longer dead in my sinful old life!!!

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Wednesday

Matthew 4:19

"Come follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." or as the NLT says, "I will show you how to fish for people."

I love this! Jesus didn't just pick a few people he thought were already good at something... he chose and he taught. He didn't just say "Ok, go on, get on out there and catch some people!" He chose ordinary people and said, "follow me and I will show you how." 

A great picture for parents... we must show our kids "how" ... I'm seeing a trend in all of these studies... it's about teaching, guiding, modeling... just as Jesus did! And when we don't have the answers (which is often) we have our teacher, Jesus, right there with us. SO cool! Thank you Jesus for your patience with us and for taking time to help us learn. You are good!

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Thursday

Luke 14:27-30

And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

This one speaks loudly to me because of our experiences with leaving friends, family and home to minister in different areas. We have come up on hard times and have thought about just quitting and going home. The cost is high when following Jesus but I don't want to be one who says the cost was too high... I don't want my actions to say that my family and friends, beaches and campgrounds, good times to be had with loved ones were or are more important than Jesus. I love all of these things... but I have to... I want to love Jesus more.

And since we're right in the midst of this... why not use it as yet another teaching opportunity for our kids as well? 

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Friday

Matthew 6:19-21

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

All earthly things will at some time be worth nothing. So why then put so much value in them?

People's souls are what will last. Why do we not value them more? 

If my treasure is in material things, I will most certainly lose sight of loving those whose souls are lost.

If my treasure is in the Lord and in his will, then I should be most concerned with what is his heart: people.


If we think that we can tell our children this, but not live it, we are sadly misguided. They see where are hearts are focused... if we want them to be kingdom focused and learn that earthly treasures have no real value, then we must model that... this is a hard one when so many people are so "things" focused. But I believe that when our hearts are right and focused on the kingdom, that they will see a difference. 

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