Practicing Honor, Day by Day 72

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” Psalm 82:3 (NIV)

Today, look around you and ask God to give you an encounter with someone who is fatherless.

My guess is that you will not have to look far.

I have a heavy heart this morning for so many who are fatherless.

Perhaps the fathers are alive, but they are not present in their children’s lives.

My heart is bleeding for several young men who God has placed in our lives.

Recently, I watched as one young man wept in my husband’s arms, feeling the weight of worthlessness and shame.

Weekly, we encounter another young man who is so broken from the lack of having a father that he makes rotten choices and hurts the ones who do love and support him.

There are others.

We love them, but always wonder “Is it enough?”

So many of my friends are reaching out to rescue and redeem the fatherless through adoption.

We open our doors and our hearts to those who are in our communities.

What is He asking you to do to uphold the cause of the ones He calls precious?

Heavenly Father, raise us up to represent Your father’s heart to the weak, wounded, down-trodden and oppressed. You came to seek and save that which was lost. All around us, the lost are crying out. Abandoned and neglected, forsaken and set aside, they cry out for us to give them value and worth. We choose to open our eyes to see their needs. We choose to open our ears to hear their cries. We choose to open our hearts to let them in. We ask you to interrupt our lives and bring the ones who need us the most. We are Your willing vessels. Use us to pour out the healing love of Jesus in their lives.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 71

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11 (NKJV)

Today, examine your words and ask yourself, “Do my words bring life or death to myself and to others?”

When I read this proverb, I imagine apples of gold placed in an expensive silver bowl.

Rich, lush, extravagant, valuable, priceless.

Do my words impact others in this way?

Do my words offer value and extravagance to others?

Heavenly Father, I long to be one who speaks a timely word to others. I am Your vessel and I want to be poured out as an offering to You. I desire to use my words to bring life, richness, and meaning to others. Use me this day to speak life over those You’ve placed around me.

Books That Will Teach Us More About Honor

The Bible. Of course, this is where we must always begin! Dig deep! Ask God to bring revelation to your heart as you seek to honor Him and others. He will be faithful to give you all that you need and so much more!

“You’re Already Amazing” by Holley Gerth. I am leading a Facebook book study of this one, with many other dear sisters. I invite all ladies to join us. We’re going to grow in understanding the depths of God’s love, acceptance and favor over us.

http://www.dayspring.com/books_and_journals/christian_living_books/holley_gerth_you_re_already_amazing/

“Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectation” by Alex and Brett Harris. My husband and I are leading a book study of this book with a group of teens that God has placed in our lives. We live in a society that has given young people a pass to act immaturely, irresponsibly and immorally for ten or more years. Did you know the Bible doesn’t even have a word for “teenagers?” The concept of adolescence is less than 100 years old. In the Bible and in most other cultures, you are a child and then you are a man or a woman. It’s time to help our young people live up to their God given potential and teach them how to honor God and others!

http://www.therebelution.com/books/ 

“Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. I appreciate Francis so much! His heart’s desire is to love God and love others. He keeps it simple and always points us back to God’s word. His books and sermons (many can be found on youtube) challenge us to get back to the basics!

http://crazylovebook.com/

”The Cure” by Harry Lee Kraus. I had the privilege of attending church with Harry and his family many years ago. I even went on a missions trip to Albanian where his father, also a missionary doctor, was serving. This book is one of Harry’s non-fiction books and it cuts straight to the heart. If the body of Christ would learn to love, we’d see real results in church healing, growth, discipleship and fruit! This is a powerful read!

http://www.harrykraus.com/nonfiction.html 

“The God Pocket” by Bruce Wilkinson. “He owns it. You carry it. Suddenly, everything changes.” This little book has brought much joy to our family and many tears to our eyes. Discover a whole new way of giving! Everything belongs to God, it’s time to start giving like there’s no tomorrow.

http://www.amazon.com/God-Pocket-Suddenly-everything-changes/dp/1601421850

”Culture of Honor” by Danny Silk. I have not yet read this book, but I have Danny on Facebook and his daily quotes from this book and others minister deeply to my spirit. He has also written “Powerful and Free, Confronting the Glass Ceiling for Women in the Church.” Finally, I have heard great things about “Loving Our Kids on Purpose,” also my Danny Silk. I cannot wait to read these books! (I just ordered them!)

http://store.ibethel.org/p3214/culture-of-honor-book

http://store.ibethel.org/p6824/powerful-and-free-confronting-the-glass-ceiling-for-women-in-the-church

http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Kids-Purpose-Heart-Heart/dp/0768427398 

“Wrecked—When a Broken World Slams into your Comfortable Life” by Jeff Goins. This book challenges us to look past temporal and to that which is eternal. When we ask God to break our hearts for what breaks His, He will be faithful to do just that!

http://goinswriter.com/wrecked/

”Discovering the Mind of a Woman” by Ken Nair. My husband and I have been blessed to be mentored by Life Partners Christian Ministries which was founded by Ken. Husbands, this book will help you to learn to live with your wife in an understanding way, thus pleasing God.

http://www.christianbook.com/discovering-the-mind-of-a-woman/ken-nair/9780785278115/pd/78117

“Undaunted” by Christine Cain. I do not readily call anyone a hero/heroine. However, I do believe I now have a a modern day heroine. Christine has devoted her life to serving God and others. In recent years, she has been used mightily by God to bring awareness about human trafficking and to see many come to freedom and healing. This book shares her journey while calling us to join a battle for freedom for the captives!

http://www.christianbook.com/undaunted-daring-what-god-calls-you/christine-caine/9780310333876/pd/333876?en=google-pla&kw=christian-living-0-20&p=1167941&gclid=CI3q862eorUCFUZV4AodIE4AXg 

“Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young has become my favorite devotional. I was given a copy of this powerful book on January 1, 2012. Since then, I have given away more then thirty copies as gifts. If you do not have a copy yet, please honor yourself and get one!

http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Calling-Enjoying-Peace-Presence/dp/1591451884/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361880617&sr=1-1&keywords=jesus+calling 

What books inspire you to honor God and others? Share in the comments below!

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 70

“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.” I Peter 1:22 (NIV)

Today, choose to love deeply, from the heart.

Consider the relationships you have with others.

Begin with those who live under your own roof.

Extend this examination to your extended family, neighbors, co-workers and others.

Do you love at a surface level or do you love deeply?

Do you make sacrifices of your time and resources to bless others or do you give sparingly?

Invest in others and share a piece of your heart with them today.

As we share our hearts with others, they will begin to trust the deeper parts of their hearts to our care as well.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for hand picking the people in my life. My family members, neighbors and co-workers are precious to You. I choose to invest in the lives of those that You have placed in my life. I choose to love from my heart. You love me deeply and You have called me to be like You. This day, I lay down my own desires and wants to make sure that others have what they need.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 69

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

Today, ask yourself some tough questions.

Are you part of a church body?

If not, why?

Have you been wounded, betrayed or set aside by a church?

Are you willing to trust God to lead you to a body where you can experience healing, acceptance and be used for His glory?

If you attend a church, do you just slip in and slip out, unwilling to connect or relate to others?

If so, are you willing to trust God to give you relationships that honor Him and encourage you to grow in your walk with Him?

We all need to be encouraged and spurred on.

Ask God to show you a church that will minister to your heart and release you to the calling He’s placed on your life.

Heavenly Father, cleanse Your body, heal Your church. Help us to dig deep into Your word and understand what Your design is for a church. You call us to encourage each other and to spend time together so that we will have strength for the days ahead. I trust You to heal my heart from the wounds of the past and I choose to trust You to lead me to a body where I can grow in You.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 68

"...and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Romans 13:9b-10 (NIV)

Today, we will continue to explore the ways we can love our (literal) neighbors.

Do you have neighbors who recently had a baby or a surgery? Take them a meal!

Do you have neighbors who are elderly or unable to keep up with their yard work? Organize a yard work day!

Do you have neighbors who live alone? Organize a street block party or picnic and get to know them!

Do you have a neighbor who is a single dad or mom? Offer to help with after school care, rides or just give him/her a listening ear.

If you are a parent, draw your children into this outreach! Invite your children to babysit or cook with you. Teach them to care for others as you reach out.

Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing to place ___________ right next door to me. Thank you for placing ______________ right across the street. Show me the needs in my own neighborhood and give me boldness and compassion to move forward, to reach out and to bless those who live close by!

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 67

"...and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Romans 13:9b-10 (NIV)

Today, find a way to love your neighbor.

Of course, when Jesus spoke of loving our neighbors, He didn't limit it to the people who live near us.

He included all of mankind.

For today, let's be deliberate about loving the people who live in our community.

Years ago, the house beside ours was for sale.

We prayed for God to send someone whom we could love and share His love with.

He did just that.

Yesterday, our neighbor told us that she doesn't know what she would have done without us through the years.

While we feel that we haven't done that much to help, she is grateful for the times we've been willing and available to help her out.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the people that You have placed in my life, including the ones who live right outside my door. I want to be intentional about getting to know them and making myself accessible to them. Show me the ways that I can represent Your love to them today.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 66

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Today, choose to love, forgive and accept others.

Jesus was preparing for His heartbreaking betrayal and brutal murder when He spoke these words to His disciples.

Jesus knew what was coming.

And He commanded them to love one another.

He showed them what love looked like while He walked with them and talked with them.

He demonstrated love by laying down His life on the cross, the most painful of all deaths.

The world is desperate to see the followers of Jesus Christ walking in true love and forgiveness.

Heavenly Father, as You have forgiven me, so I will forgive others. I want to honor You with my life and this is one of the ways I will please You the most. Today, I choose to love ________________. I choose to forgive ___________________ for _______________. As You have loved me, so I choose to love ___________________.

Practicing Honor, Day by Day 65

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17

Today, live a life of faith by reaching out.

The words of a favorite Keith Green song ring in my mind today.

“Cause He brings people to your door,
And you turn them away
As you smile and say,
"God bless you, be at peace"
And all heaven just weeps
Cause Jesus came to your door
You've left him out on the streets”

("Asleep in the Light" Keith Green)

Every single day, God brings someone to us.

Are we willing to lay aside our agendas, our plans and our comforts to meet people right where they are?

Heavenly Father, I see the needs, I hear the cries. I trust You to give me exactly what I need this day to be Your heart, Your hands and Your feet to my own family and to others you send my way.