Practicing Honor, Day by Day 25

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

Today, sit down with your family and ponder the year 2012. What were the highs and lows?

In our home, we refer to them as “Blessings and Bummers,” a phrase we borrowed from dear friends.

As you look at 2013, choose one word to focus on for your entire family. Choose a word that you want to explore and grow in, one that you can look up Bible verses for and study.

Most importantly, choose a word that will challenge you to become more like Jesus.

In 2012, our family focused on “Honor.” Here, at the end of the year, we see that we still have much more to learn about honor, so we are carrying it over into 2013.

Other words we have focused on are rest, restoration, peace, hope, abide…there are so many great ones!

Heavenly Father, thank You for a new year and a fresh start. I pray that I will learn from the mistakes and trial of this year as I open the door to a new one. I trust You to go before me and to prepare the road I must walk. You are my God and I put my faith in You.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 24

"(Jesus) answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27 (NIV)

Today, as you look at the start of a new year, don’t overwhelm yourself with resolutions you cannot keep.

Consider this: When you look back at 2013, do you want to be the same person you were at the start of the year?

Keep first things first, honor God and honor others.

What does that look like?

Spend more time investing in relationships and going after that which is eternal.

The temporal things will fade away, but relationships with God and others will last forever.

Invest in that which brings forth good fruit!

Have family dinners, games nights, date nights with your spouse, and weekend getaways with those who build you up!

Let’s make 2013 the year of getting back to basics…love God. Love others. You really cannot do one without doing the other!

Heavenly Father, You created me for the here and the now. You placed me on this earth for such a time as this. There are precious people you will place in my path this day and this year. I want to be deliberate and intentional about loving them and reaching out in tangible ways. I know nothing in life matters more than loving You and loving others. I choose to set my eyes upon that which is eternal.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 23

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)

Today, and in the days ahead, choose to speak words of life, healing and hope.

If it isn’t life giving, affirming, lovely, pure and worthy of praise, don’t speak it!

Bite your tongue, walk from the room if you need to, and ask God for His help, moment by moment.

Heavenly Father, may the worlds of my mouth and the meditations of my heart please you today. Set a guard upon my heart and on my mouth. I want my words to bring life to those around me. I ask You to convict me when I am about to speak anything that is inappropriate or hurtful. Use me to speak blessings, not curses!

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 22

"“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."” Matthew 25:34-36 (NIV)

Today, many people are sick. If you are, my prayers are with you.

If you are taking care of loved ones, I pray for strength for you.

If everyone in your house is blessed with good health, consider making a pot of chicken soup and taking it to someone who is ill. Offer to pick up groceries or medicine for someone who is sick.

Be His hands and feet today.

Dear Heavenly Father, I am willing to look after others today. Show me who needs Your love. I want to be “Jesus with skin” to someone who is broken. My day may be packed, but I invite you to interrupt my plans and use me as You see fit.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 21

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Today, continue to hold conversations with your family members or others close to you.

Ask for accountability in the area of honor.

When you gather over the holidays or for other family functions, focus on speaking that which edifies and builds others up, not things that tear down.

Beware of the lazy, slothful tendency to kick back and let things fly once bellies are full and gifts are unwrapped.

Our family sets a time limit for how long we’ll be at most functions, as we have learned past a certain point, things go downhill.

Set limits to avoid common pitfalls.

Heavenly Father, You have given me everything I need to be Your messenger today. My words are powerful and I want to use them to build up and not to destroy. I know it is easy to settle in and become comfortable when I am in certain settings. Today, I ask You to keep me alert and make me aware of how my words affect the spirits of those around me.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 20

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

Today, ask God to show you someone who needs to be encouraged. Look around—in your home, your classroom, your office, or a store you’re shopping in.

Ask for discernment to see past the smiles people often paste on their faces. Look into their eyes.

Who is lonely? Who is down trodden? Who needs a friend? Who needs to be told that their life has value and worth?

Chances are, everyday, there are many that we pass who need this gift.

I am often reminded of a precious young man who battled mental illness most of his life. He was a gem of a soul and I never saw the worst of his disease, but many did. His last night on earth he was taking care of customers and was treated rudely. The next day, he was gone. We’ll never know exactly what happened or what went through his mind that night.

If my words are the last words someone hears, I want them to be words of life and kindness. Let’s spread some love today!

Heavenly Father, I know that my life impacts others. Each and every day I come into contact with people and I have a choice. I can make certain they feel loved, noticed and honored. Or, I can shrug a shoulder of indifference and pass them by. I choose to be Your hands and feet today. Show me the ones who need to feel Your love.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 19

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today..."" Hebrews 3:13a (NIV)

Today, we are reminded that the future is uncertain. While it is still called “today,” let’s live well and love deeply.

Speak words of affirmation over those you love, don’t assume they know how you feel about them. Give “flowers” to the living, words that will bring life and honor.

Write down the encouraging words so that your loved ones will cherish them for years to come.

Don’t wait for tomorrow, it may never come.

Heavenly Father, I know that today is a gift from You. I thank You for giving me another day to live and love and share Your love with others. Show me the one who needs to be encouraged today. Give me Your words for him/her and speak through me.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 18

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…” James 1:19 (NIV)

Today, spend time with your spouse, child or another loved one.

Have a goal of at least thirty minutes and make sure you ask questions and show interest in his/her life.

Let him/her do the talking, while you listen, listen, listen!

Heavenly Father, I choose to slow down today and listen to what other people have to say. I will not interrupt or plan my responses or rebuttals. I will show genuine interest and invest time and energy into someone else’s life. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear beyond their words. As I listen, I pray that I will represent Your love to them.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 17

“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” James 3:8-10 (NKJV)

Today, ask God to help you use your tongue to speak blessings rather than curses.

This is something that requires diligence, humility and lots of practice.

Consider this: almost anything that you say and follow with “LOL” or “I’m just kidding” or “I was joking” was unkind or inappropriate.

If you need to follow with those words, you probably should not have said it in the first place.

What may seem funny to you could be very offensive to someone else.

Let’s use our words to build up rather than tear down.

Heavenly Father, too often I use my tongue to hurt others, rather than heal them. Today, I look to You to be my strength as I display self control and as I use my words to build up those around me. I want to bless and not curse. Thank You for sending Jesus to this earth to walk this road before me. I choose to follow His example today.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 16

“Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” ! Peter 2:17 (NIV)

Today, let’s invite others to join us on this journey of practicing honor.

I recently found myself in a social setting with young people who were being very disrespectful. I asked them to settle down and the request was ignored. I asked again. And again. Finally, I inquired, “Do you behave this way at school?” Their response saddened me, “Yes.”

I have asked others (parents, teachers, etc.) and was informed that in many settings, young people are running the show and there are little or no consequences for poor behavior. I came away from that event with a broken heart. How difficult life is going to be for these young people, if they do not learn to respect authority and honor others.

Let’s call others to a higher standard!

Adults, let’s live lives that are worthy of honor and respect, and model this behavior for the children and young adults around us.

Young people, even if you do not have a role model to follow, pick up your Bible and read about Jesus! He is the standard by which we are all called to live!

Heavenly Father, our culture has strayed far from Your commands. We must get back to the basics and learn to love, honor and respect You and the people around us. Start with me. Change my heart and make my life an example for others to follow. I choose to follow Your ways. Give me the courage to call others to join me in this radical way of living.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 15

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

Today, determine ways you can give to others by not spending a penny!

Make up coupons for Christmas gifts, birthday gifts of just “any old day” gifts” for an act of service you are willing to perform for someone you love. Think big!

Consider what would minister to the individual, even if it is something you do not enjoy! For a child, spend time playing their favorite sport with them or a round of a video game. For a parent, offer to do an extra chore. For a sibling, take over their chore for the entire day. For a neighbor, rake up the leaves in their yard.

Remember to have a cheerful attitude and a happy heart while you are serving!

Heavenly Father, I am excited about this challenge. I do not have to be rich to be generous! I can give of my time, my talents and my resources. Reveal to me who needs to be blessed today and show me the gift that will minister to his/her heart.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 14

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

Today, honor someone you do not know by expressing your thankfulness to them.

Find out the name of your postal carrier, your waitress, your cashier or some other person who serves you. Thank him/her for the ways he/she makes things run smoothly for you and others.

If God tugs at your heart, consider giving him/her a small (or a large) gift of appreciation.

Heavenly Father, I realize that I may be the only person who offers a smile or a kind word to someone today. I want to have a grateful heart. Show me who needs Your love. Show me who needs encouragement. Show me who needs to be reminded that their life matters and that they are not forgotten.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 13

"Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor." Romans 13:7 (NKJV)

Today, ponder the question, “Who has mentored, nurtured and poured into my life?”

For some, the most obvious answer is a parent, grandparent, or other relative. For others, it may be a teacher, coach, pastor or youth leader. For others, it may be harder to determine. If this is difficult, ask God to remind you of someone who represented His love to you.

Choose one such person, then take time to sit down and write a letter to that individual and express the appreciation you feel toward them. If you have not talked to the person in awhile, consider picking up the phone or arranging a face to face meeting. If that dear one has passed on from this life to the next, share your tribute with another person who knew him/her.

Give honor where honor is due, while it is still called “today.”

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the ones You have placed in my life who show me what Your love looks like. Thank You for the ways they sacrifice their time and resources to minister to me. I choose to honor them for their service to You and to others. As I take the hand of one who has gone before me on the path of life, I choose to reach back and grab the hand of another. As I have been loved, so I choose to love.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 12

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

Today, use your words to bless someone close to you. Choose a positive character trait and let them know that you appreciate that quality in them.

You may choose to speak these words or write them in a card or note. A sample sentence might be “I appreciate when you show courage by facing the things that you are most afraid of. When you tried out for the musical at school you displayed great courage and you made me feel proud.”

Remember this list? Use it!

POSITVIE CHARACTER TRAITS--accountable, accepting, adaptable, adventurous, affable, affectionate, agreeable, alert, ambitious, amiable, amicable, amusing, appropriate, articulate, aspiring, assertive, astute, attentive, authentic, aware, brave, bright, broad-minded, calm, candid, capable, careful, certain, charming, charismatic, cheerful, Christ-like, clear, collaborative, committed, communicative, compassionate, conscientious, considerate, connected, conscience, considerate, consistent, contributes, cooperative, convivial, courageous, courteous, creative, curious, decisive, dedicated, determined, devoted, diligent, diplomatic, direct, disciplined, discreet, dynamic, easygoing, effective, efficient, empathetic, emotional, empowering, encouraging, energetic, enthusiastic, ethical, excitable, expressive, extroverted, exuberant, facilitates, fair, fair-minded, faithful, fearless, flexible, focused, forceful, forgiving, frank, free, friendly, funny, generous, gentle, godly, good, grateful, gregarious, happy, hard-working, helpful, hilarious, holy, honest, honorable, humble, humorous, imaginative, immaculate, impartial, independent, innovative, inquiring, inquisitive, integrates, integrity, intellectual, intentional, intelligent, interested, intimate, intuitive, inventive, just, jovial, jolly, joyful, kind, knowledgeable, leading, listener, lively, logical, lovely, loving, loyal, manages time well, mature, modest, neat, networks, nice, nurturer, open-minded, optimistic, organized, passionate, patient, peaceful, peppy, persistent, pioneering, philosophical, placid, planner, poised, polite, powerful, playful, practical, presents self well, pro-active, problem solver, productive, punctual, quick-witted, quiet, rational, realistic, reliable, reserved, resourceful, respectful, responsible, self-confident, self-controlled, self-disciplined, sense of humor, selfless, sensible, sensitive, serious, servant, sincere, skillful, sociable, spiritual, spontaneous, stable, straightforward, strong, successful, supportive, sympathetic, tactful, tenacious, thoughtful, tidy, tough, trusting, trustworthy, truthful, unassuming, understanding, unpretentious, unselfish, versatile, vibrant, warm, warmhearted, willing, wise, witty, youthful, zealous

 
The sky is the limit, practice this on as many people as you can today. Be genuine and make sure that your actions and the way you treat others line up with your words!

Heavenly Father, today I thank You for ____________________________. Thank You for the way that he/she shows ______________ when he/she __________________________________. I see you at work in ________________’s life and today I choose to honor ______________________ by sharing my affirmation with him/her. Bless ___________________ and use my words to encourage ________________________.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 11

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19 (NIV)

Today, honor others by taking time to listen to them when they speak.

Don’t be planning your response or something that you think you must say.

Don’t interrupt.

Truly listen.

People are full of passion about the things that matter to them.

Today, show people that they matter to you. Listen.

Respond by rephrasing what they say, ask questions for greater clarity, and encourage them in the things that they are passionate about.

This skill is a forgotten one in so many settings.

Practice attentive listening with your spouse, your children, your co-workers, your friends and even with total strangers.

Heavenly Father, I want to learn to be a good listener. I choose to close my mouth and listen when others are speaking. You take time for me, help me to take time for others!

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 10

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:37-40 (NKJV)

Today, ask God to show you someone who is in need. If we open our eyes, we will see a world full of people who are going without basics—food, heat, clothing, etc.

We have so much excess; we should not sit back and ignore those who are in need.

If you do not personally know of someone in such a situation, message me and I will help you to connect with people who are hurting.

Heavenly Father, I invite you to open my eyes to the needs around me. I know that you place people in my life for a reason and I want to see them as You see them. I thank You for giving me what I need for this day and I want to share what I have with others. I unclench my fists, realizing that I all I have belongs to You. Show me who I can share those provisions with today.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 9

“For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 (NKJV)

Today, be deliberate about honoring God with your tongue. A favorite, yet convicting, verse is Luke 6:45, “For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

If your tongue is speaking words that do not honor Him, ask Him to search your heart, cleanse you and show repentance by changing the way you speak.

Heavenly Father, I ask You to purify my heart. I know that if my heart is pure, then my mouth will speak words that honor You and others. I need Your help in this area, moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day. I know You will help me when I ask and I trust You to walk with me through this day.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 8

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)

Today, I challenge you to honor yourself. This may be the most difficult challenge of all, but I encourage you to try it. Take time for you.

What blesses you? What brings peace and refreshment to your mind, body and soul?

Do you enjoy getting out in nature and enjoying the beauty of creation? If so, take a long walk or a hike. Do you get rejuvenated by a hot bubble bath? Take a bath! Do you find pleasure in reading a book or watching a movie? Read! Watch! Perhaps taking a nap is what you dream of every day. Today, make time and take a nap!

Care for yourself, so that you will be ready to care for others.

Heavenly Father, I know that I belong to You. Sometimes I do not care for this temple that You have given me. Today, I choose to find a way to care for myself. I do not need to feel guilty about resting, relaxing or engaging in an activity that I enjoy. Thank You for giving me freedom to care for myself.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 7

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)

Today, choose to make people more important than tasks. We all have plenty to get done in a day, but at the end of this day, may it be said that we put our loved ones first. Focus on what matters most…people. The only thing we get to take to heaven with us are the lives we have touched for His glory.

Take a moment to hug your spouse or child, sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate together, play a round of Mario Cart with your kids, spend a few minutes catching up with your spouse.

People trump projects any day!

Heavenly Father, today we choose to focus on what is eternal, rather than temporal. There will always be another job to perform, another task to complete, and another bill to pay. We choose to fix our eyes on You and on the ones You’ve placed in our lives. We begin with our own family members. Show us who needs our love today.