Practicing Honor, Day by Day 49

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen...
to provide the poor wanderer with shelter..." Isaiah 58:6a, 7b (NIV)

Today, we return to Isaiah 58 and our study of fasting (or religion) that honors God.

Are our homes OPEN FOR BUSINESS?

Do we have an OPEN DOOR POICY or a closed policy to keep out the riff-raff?

Do we welcome family and total strangers or do we make it clear to others that our lives are just too busy and we do not have time for the?

Do we allow messes or lack of a feast to keep us from welcoming others into our homes?

Heavenly Father, forgive us for being so selfish and prideful. Our self-centeredness keeps us from seeing the poor wanderer and inviting him in. Show us who we've been ignoring and grant us compassion to drop what we are doing to make him feel welcome in our lives and in our home. Remind us that everything we have belongs to You and how blessed You are when we share our provisions with others.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 48

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen...Is it not to share your food with the hungry" Isaiah 58:6a and 7a

Today, we continue to search Isaiah 58 to find the type of fasting that honors God and others. I will take several days to break down verse seven, it is packed with truth.

Do we share our food with the hungry?

Do we open our homes and out tables to loved ones, neighbors and church friends?

Do we see homeless people on the streets and invite them in?

Let's become deliberate about seeing this basic need filled for those God puts in our path.

We all need food to live, it is a basic need that most of us take for granted.

Perhaps God will ask us to deliver a bag of groceries to someone in need.

Maybe He will even ask us to sell something that we want to provide resources to fill a need for another.

Are we open to this possibility?

Are we clutching our wallets, balling up our fists and clinging to what is "rightfully ours?"

Or, are we willing to lay down our "rights' and be the answer to someone's prayer?

Heavenly Father, You have provided for every need we have. Most of us have never gone a day without food or water. Would you open our hearts to see the ones who need to be fed? We are willing to be used by You, lead us to the ones who need us the most.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 47

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?" Isaiah 58:6 (NIV)

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:1-(NIV)

Today, we return to Isaiah 58 and a verse that speaks deeply to my heart.

In the past several years, our media and other sources have brought us the truth about 27 million people who are trapped in slavery today. I remember the first time I invited one lady to attend an event about human trafficking. As I handed her the invitation to the docudrama we were hosting, she recoiled in horror, as though I were handing her an STI on paper. I was reminded that most people do not want to be bothered by this topic. However, slavery exists today, it is rampant and the word of God has much to say about the subject.

In Isaiah 58:6 God boldly declares the type of fasting that pleases Him. He's not as concerned about us "depriving" our bodies of food as He is about our concern for the lost and broken. We are called to loose the chains of those who are being held captive, to untie the cords that hold them back and to set them free. I believe this scripture is as much literal as it is spiritual and figurative. Three chapters later, we read about the One who is to come and who will proclaim freedom and release for prisoners.

Romans 8:11 reminds us "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 because of his Spirit who lives in you." John 14:12 is powerful as well, "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."

If we are Christians, defined as followers of Christ, we are called to the same work that Jesus was called to. Every person who is held captive is someone's son or daughter, someone's brother or sister. Can we put ourselves in the shoes of their loved ones and care enough to DO something? If my child was taken, I would stop at nothing to get him back. Do I have that same passion to fight for others?

Heavenly Father, You have called us to set prisoners free. You are asking us to loose chains of oppression. Open our eyes to see their needs, open our ears to hear their cries, open our hearts to move to action, open out wallets to give to those who are on the front lines rescuing and providing shelter to survivors. Remind us often of the millions who are in bondage. We can all DO something. We can all pray. We can all raise awareness. Most of us can give. Still others You will call to GO. Break our hearts for what breaks Yours, today and every day.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 46

"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24 (NIV)

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-23 (NIV)

Today, choose to honor God by worshipping in spirit and truth.

Don't just go through the motions of religion.

Invite Him to permeate every part of your being.

Give Him permission to search your heart, to know you and to reveal anything that is not pleasing to Him.

As He reveals those things, repent and go the opposite direction, with your sights set on Him.

Heavenly Father, I want to come before You and worship You in a way that pleases Your heart. I don't want to offer lip service to You while my heart is far away. Draw me near; soften my heart of stone so that I can see what is really inside. As You reveal my anxious and offensive ways, I know that You will give me the strength to turn from my wicked ways and walk the path of everlasting life.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 45

"Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord?" Isaiah 58:5

Today, we will look at Isaiah 58:5.

What pleases God?

Do religious rituals please Him?

Do pure hearts and clean hands please Him?

I was raised in a variety of churches.

During my early years, we attended a Nazarene church.

Most of my life was spend in Pentecostal to non-denominational churches.

I was educated at a Mennonite high school and attended a Baptist college.

I married a Brethren.

Some of my dearest friends are devout Catholics.

I consider myself to be a spiritual potpourri.

I have experienced emotional, expressive worship as well as gentle, peaceful worship.

Both are pleasing to God, as long as our hearts are right and our motives are pure.

Heavenly Father, I invite You to search me. Reveal to me the condition of my heart. Your Word is clear, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24) Have Your way in me today! I want to be a true worshipper!

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 44

“Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high." Isaiah 58:3 (NIV)

Do we come before God to fast, to pray or to attend a Sunday morning service while leaving behind a trail of people we've exploited or beat down?

Consider the absurdity of such actions.

God's word is so clear that when we hurt one of His beloved, we hurt Him.

How can we exploit, abuse and degrade others and expect Him to hear our prayers, accept our offerings or enjoy our worship?

Heavenly Father, we come today and ask You to reveal the ways we have hurt Your precious children. Show us who we have taken advantage of, who we have bullied, and who we have abused. Sometimes we walk by a hurting soul and blame You for out inaction, stating "God told me not to help you." Oh God, have mercy on our souls. Break our hearts for what breaks Yours. Open our eyes to see the souls of those around us, open our ears to hear their cries and open our hearts to move to make peace with those we hurt. This is the worship that You find pleasing! We want to please You, Father!

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 43

"For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions..." Isaiah 58:2

Today, let's examine our hearts again.

Are we all that we seem to be or are we putting on a show?

As individuals, are we pretending to know God while our private lives reflect something far different?

As a nation, are we trying to fool ourselves?

We have strayed from His commands and then we ask His to bless us

What is wrong with this picture?

Heavenly Father, we run to you today. 2 Chronicles 7:14 is so clear, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Teach us how to be humble. We choose to seek Your face today and we determine to turn from our selfish desires and wickedness. We trust You to hear us, to forgive us and to heal us!

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 42

“Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins." Isaiah 58:1 (NIV)

Today, let's examine our hearts and see if we have any rebellion within.

As we look at Isaiah 58, keep in mind that this was written to people who considered themselves to be God followers.

Obviously, we can have motives, thoughts and actions that are not pure, even while we think we are following Him.

Today, let's pray what the Psalmist prayed as an invitation to Him, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-23 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, I invited you to expose the deepest, darkest, most private places within my heart. You know me better than I know myself. I cannot hide from You. Forgive me for pretending with You and others. I choose to be real and to honor you in spirit and in truth.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 41

“Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come nea...r them.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord?
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the Lord’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the Lord,
and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken." Isaiah 58 (NIV)

Today, read this powerful chapter and ask God to reveal His heart to you.

Heavenly Father, I want to serve You and love others with a pure heart. So often, I operate out of a religious spirit and I completely miss the relationship with You and others. Purify my heart, reveal my true motives and help me to be a representation of You to the world around me.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 40

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,just as it is written: "“The righteous will live by faith.”" Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)

Today, examine your heart and ask this simple question, “Am I ashamed of my relationship with God?”

Most of us would not admit that we are ashamed, but are we living our lives in such a way that we boldly proclaim the wonders He has done in our lives?

Do we point others to God; do we speak of the gift of salvation that we have been given through Jesus Christ?

Do we rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit to get through each new day?

I don’t believe we need to beat people over the head with our Bibles.

Nor do I believe we should quote Bible verses at them before they are ready.

But, do we live our lives as a testimony of His grace?

No one can argue with our testimony, no one can refute the accounts of how good God has been in our lives.

Go ahead!

Tell someone today!

Tell a neighbor of how He pulled you out of depression and set your feet on steady ground.

Tell a co-worker about the time you didn’t have a dime to your name and He sent someone with groceries.

Remind a family member of His mercy and how He spared your life during an accident.

Your story is yours.

He has worked wonders in your life and He wants you to shout His fame to the world!

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for sustaining me, for walking with me, for providing for me and protecting me. I thank You that you are faithful and that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Grant me boldness to share my story with others. I will not fail if they reject me. I will fail if I do not give them something to reject!

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 39

Today is a review day!

How are you and your family doing with practicing honor in your home?

How are you doing with displaying honor in your church, your workplace, your neighborhood, your community and your extended family relationships?

Are you writing a blog together?

Is it time to write a new entry and show appreciation for the ways your family members bless... you?

Are you keeping a gratitude journal and recording the things you are thankful for?

Are you taking time to read God's word together?

Are you spending time LISTENING to your spouse and children, getting to know their hearts?

Are you planning ways to bless others and use the resources you have to "Live simply that others may simply live?

If you don't have a plan for 2013, make one! It's never too late to invite HONOR to be your houseguest!

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 38

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12 (NIV)

Today, let’s focus on one of the first commands in the Bible.

“Honor your father and mother.”

We all have different experiences in life when it comes to how we have been parented and how we parent.

No one is perfect.

We all make mistakes.

God knew that and still He commanded, “Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”

This is the only command that has a conditional promise that follows.

I believe God meant business!

As I look around me, I see very few children (adults, teens or younger children) who show honor to their parents.

I am not suggesting that we honor behaviors that are ungodly.

I am not suggesting that parents are perfect and never make mistakes.

I am certainly not suggesting that children should remain in abusive homes.

However, it is time to make a shift in our thinking.

Instead of being so quick to point out the faults in our parents (and others), let’s begin to look for the positive qualities they display.

Choose to honor that which is lovely, pure and praise worthy.

Speak a word of encouragement to your parent today.

Write a note of appreciation to your parent today.

Thank your mom or dad for something she/he did that made you feel safe, valued, cherished, or honored.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for my mother and father. I know they are not perfect, but I choose to focus on what is honorable in their lives. Thank you for the ways my mother _______________________________. Thank you for the ways my father __________________________. I choose to forgive ____________________________. As you have forgiven me, so I will forgive _______________. Show me how I can honor my parents today.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 37

"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.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" Matthew 25:34-40 (NIV)

Today, honor God by reminding yourself that all you have belongs to Him.

Ask Him to show you someone who needs a blessing today and move in obedience to share what you have with them.

What do you have in your hand today?

Some are able to release financial blessings.

Others can give the gift of their time.

Still others may have a skill or knowledge that can bless others.

If you are blessed with an abundance of finances, find someone who is struggling to feed their family and give them money for groceries.

Look through your own pantry and fridge and collect items to drop off at a friend’s house.

If you are blessed with being able to create budgets and help people manage their money, find someone who needs your expertise.

Offer to cut fire wood for a family who needs to heat their home.

If you love to cook or bake, find someone who is overwhelmed and offer to take a meal.

If you are able to repair vehicles or computers, look around for someone who needs those services and offer them for free.

If you know a mom who is exhausted from taking care of her little ones, offer to baby sit so she can rest or go out for a few hours.

What is in your hand today?

What is in your heart?

Are you willing to give what you have to bless another today?

Heavenly Father, I thank You for giving me all that I need. Today, I choose to look beyond myself to see the needs of others. Lead me to the ones you want me to care for. Use the gifts and talents You’ve placed within me to minister to someone who needs me today.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 36

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

Today, honor God by thanking Him for the His faithfulness to you and name the ways He has sustained and carried you.

If your family is keeping a journal of blessings, take time to write down what you remember.

We live in a world that is built on shifting sand—people, churches, governments, jobs and even our own wisdom will fail us.

God will not.

It is time to get to know the One who was, who is and who is to come, in a deeper way.

It is time to cling to Him, to put all of our trust in Him.

He alone will carry us in the days, months and years to come.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being faithful, constant, steady and sure. I know that You are the only One I can fully depend upon. I put all of my trust in You, for You have been and You will always be true. You are my rock and I plant my feet upon You today.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 35

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV)

Today, honor the rulers of our land by praying for them.

Regardless of your political party preference or opinions about who sits in the White House, the Word of God is clear that we are to pray!

Pray for wisdom and truth; pray for His kingdom to come, His will to be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Heavenly Father, it is so easy to complain and criticize those who are in authority. We must learn to rest in You, knowing that You alone know the hearts of man. You know what is secret and hidden and You will deal with the hearts of man. You ask us to pray, not just once but continually. Turn our complaining into intercession. Use our prayers to open up the floodgates of heaven. Come and heal our land.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 34

"Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”" Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

Today, honor your child by spending time one on one with him/her.

Ask questions that show you care about the things that are most important to him/her.

Play a game, take a walk, take a bike ride, cook a favorite meal together or just cuddle on the couch and watch a movie.

Turn off your cell, drag him/her away from their electronics and enjoy LIFE together.

If you are not a parent, look around and find a child in your family, church or neighborhood who needs a positive godly mentor.

Pour into a child today!

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving children. Thank You for taking time to care for the needs of little ones. Today, I want to represent Your love by pouring into the life of a child. Use me to be a godly example. I want to make a difference in the life of someone today.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 33

"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you." Luke 6:27-28 (NJKV)

Today, we are looking at a challenge that is not nearly as “fun” as the last one.

I want to challenge us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, to bless those who curse us and to pray for those who use us.

These are not my ideas; these are the very commands of Jesus Christ, found in Luke 6.

I know this isn’t an easy challenge, but if He has asked us to do this, He will grant us what we need to obey His words.

Choose to love rather than hate.

Determine a way to do good for someone who does not like you.

Bless them with your words; whisper a prayer for God to be with them today.

Notice this scripture does not say “Trust your enemies.”

Nor does it say, “You must have a big party for your enemies.”

Jesus Himself knew what it felt to be despised and rejected.

He endured hostility, hatred, false accusations, and physical torture and yet He never retaliated.

He never defended Himself.

Jesus was without sin and had enemies.

We are not sinless, so there is a high possibility that we will make some enemies in our lifetime.

Today, let’s follow our Master’s example and love those who despise us.

Heavenly Father, this challenge is a difficult one. I thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to this earth. He lived as an example to all. I want to follow in His footsteps. I choose to forgive __________________ for ______________________. Even if ____________ never asks for forgiveness, I choose to forgive as You have forgiven me.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 32

"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones." Luke 16:10 (NLT)

Today, look for a total stranger to bless. 

Choose someone and be deliberate about blessing him/her with your words and a kind gesture.

Keep a five or ten dollar bill tucked in your pocket and pass it on.

Purchase five or ten dollar gift cards from McDonald’s, Chick Fil A, 7-Eleven or other near by stores or fast food restaurants.

Pay for the order behind you in the drive through.

Hide one dollar bills in the toy section of the Dollar Tree, so a child will find them and get to buy a free toy.

See how far you can make $5-10 go to bless others today.

Heavenly Father, lead me to the person who needs to be blessed today. Show me who needs to know that they are not forgotten. Use my small gift to usher in big blessings in his/her life today. I want to be faithful in the little things, so that You can entrust me with more resources to give away!

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 31

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

Today, choose to trust Jesus with the big and small things.

A year ago, while reading Sarah Young’s “Jesus Calling,” I was challenged to use four words in any and every situation, “Jesus, I trust You.”

When I feel alone, when I feel scared, when I feel overwhelmed, when I feel depressed, when I don’t have any other words…these words bring peace and soothe my soul.

Try it. I pray that this will become a habit, one that helps us to put our eyes on the One who was, who is and who is to come.

He will never fail us, He alone is worthy of our trust!

Heavenly Father, You are worthy of my trust. You have never failed me and You never will. I trust You with the things that weigh upon me today. I trust You with the small things that may seem trivial to others. I trust You.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 30

"Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered..." Exodus 17:14 (NIV)

Today, consider starting a gratitude/blessings/thankful journal in your home.

Leave a journal lying on your coffee table or dining room table where most of your family will see it every day.

Encourage everyone to write in it daily or weekly.

Include ways that God provides for your every need, as well as the ways He blesses you with “extras.”

In the months and years ahead, it will be a great encouragement to look back and read what you wrote.

Heavenly Father, I have so much to be grateful for. Every day, You provide with food to eat, water to drink and clothes to wear. Everything above that is an added blessing and I want to become mindful of Your provision in my life. Thank You for pouring out good things for me and my family. I choose to become deliberate and write down my blessings each day. I pray that this exercise will fill my heart with a deeper level of gratitude to You. I know You will use these records to increase my faith (and the faith of others) in the future.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 29

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)

Today, honor God by having a grateful and content heart.

I was reminded of this beautiful passage this week.

I want to be godly, don’t you? If we do, then we must learn to be content.

If we have food and clothing, then we have all that we truly need.

Most of us have way too much clutter in our lives and most of the time, our stuff distracts us from a relationship with God and others.

May this year be one when we learn to be content and when we throw off the things that entangle us and pursue the One who matters most!

Heavenly Father, I thank You that I have food to eat and clothes to wear. That is all that I really need. And yet, I have so much more. Even then, I find myself wanting a bigger house, a newer vehicle, an upgraded gadget. Please forgive me for being greedy and chasing after things that do not matter. Today, I choose to be content for what I have. From the excess, show me who I can bless today!

Max Lucado Quote

I wrote today’s challenge before I left for my shift at our local pregnancy center. I tuned into a Christian radio station and these are the words that moved me to tears…

"God does big things with small deeds.

Moses had a staff.

David had a sling.

Sampson had a jawbone.

Aaron had a rod.

And all were used by God.

Small deeds can change the world.

Sow the mustard seed.

Bury the leaven lump.

Make the call.

Write the check.

Organize the committee.

Don't discount the smallness of your deeds."

--Quote by Max Lucado

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 28

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 (NIV)

Today, consider these words, “Live simply that others may simply live." (Ghandi)

What does that mean for you/your family?

Most of us live with excess. Excess amounts of food. Excess amounts of clothing. Excess amounts of toys, gadgets, games, and electronics.

Is there something you/your family can give up to help another person or family survive today?

Let’s learn what it means to be truly generous.

Do we give enough to ease a guilty conscience so that we don’t feel bad about having more, bigger and better?

Or, do we give from hearts that genuinely care about others?

Heavenly Father, I want to learn to live simply, that others may simply live. I want to be a generous soul and give from the depths of resources You have given me. I choose to give of my money, my time and my attention.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 27

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

Today, continue setting goals for the New Year.

Make adjustments to reach those goals.

Do you plan to read God’s word? Start a blog? Unplug gadgets? Eat dinner together as a family? Raise money to support a child in another county? Provide service, companionship or run errands for a shut in?

Today, take a few steps to get closer to your goal.

I promise, these are the things you will not regret!

Heavenly Father, I press toward the goal to win the prize of heaven! The only thing I can take with me to heaven are the lives I have touched for Your glory. As I step into this new year, keep this truth always before me. I choose to love you and love others. Today and every day.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 26

"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." Psalm 68:5-6 (NIV)

Today, make a plan for the New Year. Gather your family and sit down with a journal or paper and list your vision for 2013.

What is most important to you and your family? How will you reach the goals for yourself and your family? Do you want to study God’s Word together? Do you want to start an honor blog or journal to record your appreciation for each other? Do you want to turn off cell phones, computers, tablets, video games and TV’s and get to know each other more? Do you want to eat dinner together at least three times a week? Do you want to raise money together and sponsor a child in an impoverished country? Do you want to choose a local person in need and provide monthly or quarterly times of service for them? Do you want to learn a new language together? Do you want to camp together? Do you want to travel together?

Let’s make 2013 the year of putting first things first. Let's come back home.

Look around you. Who needs a family? There are lonely people all around us and if we open our eyes, our hearts and our homes, God will use us to bless others.

If you live alone, I pray that this will be the year that God places you in a family. Look around you, at church or at work. Is there a family that you see that exudes love for God and each other? If so, let them know that you’d be honored to share in some of their family times.

Heavenly Father, thank You for setting the lonely in families. Thank You for the people You have placed around me. My prayer is that we would draw closer to You and to each other this year. Help us to make time together a priority, and get back to making first things first.