Digging Deeper

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. -Luke 2:19

Thinking about mothers I couldn’t help thinking about Jesus’ mother Mary. This verse in Luke kept coming to mind. Mary in the midst of the worship and adoration of her son withdrew into herself and pondered the wonder of her child. I have come to understand as I’m writing this devotion what God is trying to get through to me.

At the birth of each of my four children the wonder of it all was so powerful I cried each time a warm newborn was laid on my belly. There is no description of the overwhelming love that fills a mothers heart. Mary felt it with Jesus, millions before her experienced it and millions more since then. It is a special moment for women.

But this is the sad truth of life; we forget to be awed by it way to soon. Reality makes us forget the pure joy of being a mother. We lose sight of the precious beauty of it all. We allow hurts, tiredness, and stresses of the day fog up our view. The simplicity of loving our children gets drowned in disappointments, disobedience and disillusionment.

What we need to do is take a page from Mary’s book, remove ourselves from the hullabaloo of life and ponder the wonder of our children. Each one an individual a soul God loves and died for, each one on a journey different from our own but special. We need to rejoice in the gift of being a part of their history. Remember they are a work in progress just like us.

Yes things change, yes we face heartbreak and frustrations, but hope is never gone because God is on His throne!!

Scripture Psalm 127:3-5

Father God may I remember to enjoy the wonder of my family.

by Becky Hutzel

And do not forsake your mother’s teaching. -Proverbs 1:8

Children mimic adults. From our language to our attitudes even the way we walk or eat. We have all done it one time or other. Picked up a trait from mom or dad without realizing it until one day it hits us we have become them!

Sometimes this is a good thing like a sloppy teenager suddenly morphs into a clean housewife without knowing quite how it happened. Other times it isn’t so good like a child becoming a critical adult that mom can’t figure out till one day she catches herself acting the same. What they see us doing will last longer than any well-worded lecture. Our life is their GPS. When we are programmed by God’s instruction Book we can lead them in the right direction, but when we malfunction oh what a mess.

I don’t know about you but I ‘m very aware of how often I malfunction. How ashamed I am to see actions that are not Christ like and realize they’ve picked it up from me.

Thanks be to God, I do not have to be perfect that is His job. There is enough grace to cover us all, The important thing, is I admit when I’ve done wrong ask forgiveness of God and my family then keep on living one day at a time through the power of Jesus!!

In the end that is what they will remember.

Scripture Proverbs 31:26-31

Father God, help me live a life of integrity and honor. Shine through me O Lord and strengthen me for I am weak but you are strong. Make my words and actions agree and point the way to You. Amen

by Becky Hutzel

And let her rejoice who gave birth to you. -Proverbs 23:25

There is a saying that goes something like this… “If Momma ain’t happy ain’t nobody happy.” I laugh every time I see this and the little fat, very ruffled hen that is pictured with it.

But have you ever noticed just how true it is. Come on – we all remember those childhood days you knew you better walk the straight and narrow if you valued your skin!  And let’s admit it girls when the day has gone very badly the air is rather chilly when our husbands walk in the door.

You’re probably wondering where I am going with this. Well, the point is, as mothers we have the power to set the tone of our family. But it isn’t as easy as it seems. I mean from this verse in Proverbs I automatically visualize nice boys and girls always saying yes ma’am and doing exactly what they’re told. In these circumstances it would be easy to be happy right? But as I write this I realize that’s not real life. We are called to love our children no matter what they are acting like.  We will face multiple challenges every day but just as Christ rejoices over us and patiently deals with our bad behavior so too should we follow His example.

The next time we want to take a chunk of hide off our poor unsuspecting loved ones because of a bad day let’s stop,  take a moment to crawl into our Father’s lap and breath in the fragrance of peace. Let Him have the load. Then Momma is happy and so is her nest.

Scripture Philippians 4:4-7

Father may Your peace reign in our home rather than our emotions.

by Becky Hutzel

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. -Proverbs 31:30

Mother, the very name calls up a certain picture in my mind. We each visualize something different but we all have a feeling, an emotion that this word triggers. For some it brings pain and disappointment for others it is a sweet and comforting word.

I had a wonderful, loving, God fearing mother. Oh we did not always see eye to eye and I gave her my fair share of heartache. But I was secure in my Mommas love. The day she went home to Jesus was one of the hardest days of my twenty-five years.

What I learnt from my loss though is that Mom left me with a legacy that does not rust or get eaten away. She left me with the power of the Cross. I can see her facing cancer without wavering in her love for the Lord. I saw Him as her sustainer when her marriage hit the shallows of unfaithfulness. I heard her talk about losing her two infants 18 months apart without ever blaming God. Was she perfect, No!! But she feared the Lord her God and that legacy lives on in me.

I had a good Momma who passed her flame to me. A Godly mother has an incredible role in Gods kingdom. When my Mother said yes to Jesus she set a course that impacted my life from conception to eternity. Mothers have the power to plant Christ in the hearts of others.

If nothing else is said but that we were wonderful mothers who lived for Jesus then we have lived a worthy life and left an eternal legacy behind.

Scripture reading 2 Timothy 1:5

Lord make me an instrument of peace a vessel of honor and help me faithfully pass the flame of Christ to my children. Amen

by Becky Hutzel

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28

Where is our desire to live forever?  Sometimes we forget that we are not home yet.  We become so focused and absorbed in this world’s opportunities, possessions, and pain, that we forget this is temporary.  Yes, the journey can get very long and rough.  But through it all, we must keep our hearts’ desire on eternity.  When getting upset and stressed out about too many commitments, let’s ask, “What matters in eternity?”  Can we uncluttered our lives and concentrate on things of eternal significance?  Do we allow ourselves to savor moments of love and joy?  These are small glimpses of the joy unspeakable awaiting for us.

God never said the journey would be easy, but He did promise to be with us every step of the way.  He may not do what we desire, but He does promise to do what is best.  We must hold on tightly to His hand and He will lead us home!

Bible Reading: John 16:33

Oh Dear Jesus, I put my full trust in You…my Rock, Refuge, and Savior.

Dianna L. Brisco

For where you have evil and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  James 3:16

Sheep aren’t smart.  They tend to keep their heads down eating from one mouthful of grass to the next without regard for where they are going.  A few years ago we had a black lamb we dubbed as Darth, from Stars Wars’ Darth Vader.  She would wander around the pasture and be tempted by grass on the other side of the fence.  Darth would easily stick her head through the fence, but then became stuck.  Her forlorn bleating would have us running to her rescue.  Why was the grass on the other side of the fence so desirable to her?  It looked exactly the same to us.  Why could she easily stick her head through the fence, but not get it back out again?  All Darth could see was the green, luscious grass.  She didn’t even notice the fence waiting to ensnare her.

We too are like sheep.  We keep our heads down going from one activity to another barely noticing God’s endless blessings around us.  We stick our heads and desires in places which trap us.  We cry out for help, and our Shepherd comes running.  He gently encompasses us in His loving arms.  Sometimes we get ourselves into predicaments that have long lasting consequences, but our Shepherd will walk beside us.  He knows us by name.

Bible Reading: Psalm 23:4-6

Thank You Jesus for coming to my rescue when I find myself in situations I should have avoided.  Walk beside me and when I get tired, carry me home.

Dianna L. Brisco

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so your daily life may win the respect of outsiders…1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Our five sheep are heavy and restless with their winter wool and impending birth of lambs.  I watch them trying to get comfortable enough to sleep.  The conditions must be just right.  No predators, tension among the flock, buzzing insects, an abundant supply of grass and water…they need a shepherd to make sure they are at peace.  When they see me, they cry a pitiful baaa that sounds just like, “Maaaa!”

I enter the pasture with a soothing greeting, scratch behind their ears, and provide for their needs.  Before long, they fold their legs underneath them, plop down to the ground, and become a plump bundle of wool with ears still alert for danger.  They exhale a contented sigh, drop their heads and close their eyes.  Without a shepherd, they can not rest.  Without a Shepherd, neither can we.

Bible Reading: Psalm 23:1-3

My Shepherd of strength and protection, I rest confidently in You.

Dianna L. Brisco

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?   -Matthew 16:26

What are you passionate about…sports, scrapbooking, travel, family?  Our passions naturally consume us and we think and talk about them frequently without any effort.  Paul was passionate about telling everyone he met about Jesus. The end of Acts describes Paul’s twelve hour Bible Study in Rome. He proclaimed the Kingdom of God with boldness and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. Now that is the perfect example of enthusiasm and passion!

Our passion and desires can reflect God when we study and talk about Him.  The more we do something, the easier and more natural it becomes.  How will you apply this in your family or with others for whom you are responsible for?

Bible Reading: Acts 28:23-27

Dear Father, I ask for You to give me that same passion for You in my life.  Then help me share it naturally and freely with others.

Dianna L. Brisco

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. -Philippians 2:2

This week we will be taking a closer look at responding to our desires.  The definition for desire is to long for; wish for; to crave; to request or ask for…our desires need not be detrimental if they align with God’s will for our lives. How do we know God’s will?  Seek to know Him better through prayer, relationships and accountability from other Christ followers, wisdom from reading the Bible, and letting the Holy Spirit guide and convict us.

“Against the dark backdrop of a bitter and bloody civil war, President Lincoln shocked a nation by calling for an end to hatred and violence and for a new era of kindness and compassion toward the rebel states.  His desire?  To bind up the nation’s wounds.  In a larger sense, this is what God has done in Christ.  Spiritual salvation doesn’t stop the hostility between God and man, but it opens up the floodgates of heavenly blessing upon former foes.

From sworn enemy to beloved and blessed child of God.  Is there a more stunning truth anywhere?” Len Woods

Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-2

Heavenly Father, please forgive me when I don’t put You first in my heart.  May my desires reflect only You and You alone.

Dianna L. Brisco

Daddy, Daddy! “the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace”

Romans 8: 6

Martin Luther once said “the Christian should live his life and sin boldly”. I don’t necessarily agree with all of that but the spirit of what he said is well taken. The life of the Christ-follower is not always guided by the Spirit. Sometimes we fall, we say things we shouldn’t, we get attitudes that are not becoming to the life of a Christian, we are not always guided in what we do. That is a given because we are human. The title today is what most of say when we are in trouble. We find out that things have not gone well, or we were selfish or unfaithful and we want him to take over. A word of advice: ask his help before we jump into something. Ask his advice before things go wrong. Choose freedom before we choose bondage. Have a great weekend!

Scripture Romans 8: 11 “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you”

Prayer Father, thank you that you never leave, when all my friends walk out and pretend I don’t exist, you are still there……