"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Deut. 6:7
Although this is a devotion based for kids... if you don't have a personal daily devotion, you can use this for yourself! :D
The Background:
Back in January, I began reading through my Bible for the third year in a row. I have a daily reading schedule I follow, a prayer journal that I regularly update and pray through, and simply strive to get closer to my Saviour. But I began to realize that my children need to start a daily habit of spending moments with their Saviour.
Starting a daily devotion with two toddlers was NOT easy, in fact, many times I wanted to quit and give up!
WHY:
I want my children to develop spiritual habits that are as familiar to them as learning to walk, eat, speak and do their "ABCs". I want them to learn about creation and this world from the Biblical perspective. I want them memorize scripture and sing Bible songs... not just "Let it GO!" or Disney classics. See, the world will teach them alot...... but it will not teach them the BIBLE and its truths. I pray daily as I strive to discipline us to have a daily devotion.
HOW-TO:
I found out that you could read the entire New Testament in one year, if you read a chapter a day during just the work week! :) For a little child, one chapter is more than enough. So that's what we do. :) One chapter a day. (Currently we are in the book of Mark.)
We do our devotions after breakfast when they are happy and content. We start by getting the Bible and journal book. I give them pens and highlighters to hold as they sit on either side of me on the couch.
1. We pray and ask God to help us listen and not talk or to just sit still.
2. We sing and act out Bible songs. We review the Bible memory verses. (Alena now knows two. Kenni is learning one.)
3. We read one chapter of the New Testament.
4. After we are done, I write in our journal book with the date and a small paragraph of where I read and the content.
5. I then draw one picture of a story we read about. (The girls love this part!)
6. I write out one prayer request.
7. Lastly, I have them sign their names("draw a picture"). :D
This system took a while for me to figure out.. with lots of errors and mistakes but with persistence, it has become easier and more fun! I'm continually adding new songs and more Bible verses to memorize.
CREATING HABITS:
Each habit that we try to create takes time and discipline. You, too, can create your own daily devotion and do one with your kids. Take small steps. With time and understanding, it will develop and mature. Be patient and pray alot. God wants to help you. Don't give up. Realize Satan is your enemy. Keep your eyes focused on Christ and seek His Help and His Strength!
"You will never change your life until you change something you do daily"
John Maxwell
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
A Woman's Hands
"...and worketh willingly with her hands." Proverbs 31:13 KJV
Working with Your Hands:
Do you want to be the "Proverbs 31 virtuous woman"? Do you seek to be blessed, praised, and have favor with God and men? Well, it's not an easy task and simple quick solution.... but rather it's obtainable by hard work.
I was reading through this Biblical account and noticed something very interesting. "Hands" is mentioned seven times here. Seven is the number of completeness and perfection.
Here are the verses:
"13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands..." She is a hardworker. She labors and works willingly. She is industrious.
"16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard..." She is a careful worker. She invests and has a business. She is a self-starter and enterprising.
"19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff..." She does boring time-consuming housework. (Here hands is mentioned twice!) Makes me wonder if God considers... housework... to be very important. :)
"20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy... " She cares for others and wants to help them. (Here hand(s) mentioned twice again!) She has not only a compassionate heart but a willing spirit that follows through and does something about it! :D
"31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." This is the last verse of the virtuous woman account. "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalm 127:3 These two verses encourage me to raise my children right for the Lord. If I do so, they will be the fruit of my hands. They will praise me at the gates. If you are single or without children investing in others is laboring with your hands. They will become your fruit and will praise you.
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Go to Work, my Friend:
Laundry piling up? Dishes need to be clean? Vacuuming? Meals need to be made? Just remember God wants you to do housework and labor in love. Make dinner for another, write a card of encouragement, or give a gift or present that will bring another joy!
Remember working with your hands is the best thing you can do to please the Lord.
Working with Your Hands:
Do you want to be the "Proverbs 31 virtuous woman"? Do you seek to be blessed, praised, and have favor with God and men? Well, it's not an easy task and simple quick solution.... but rather it's obtainable by hard work.
I was reading through this Biblical account and noticed something very interesting. "Hands" is mentioned seven times here. Seven is the number of completeness and perfection.
Here are the verses:
"13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands..." She is a hardworker. She labors and works willingly. She is industrious.
"16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard..." She is a careful worker. She invests and has a business. She is a self-starter and enterprising.
"19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff..." She does boring time-consuming housework. (Here hands is mentioned twice!) Makes me wonder if God considers... housework... to be very important. :)
"20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy... " She cares for others and wants to help them. (Here hand(s) mentioned twice again!) She has not only a compassionate heart but a willing spirit that follows through and does something about it! :D
"31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." This is the last verse of the virtuous woman account. "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalm 127:3 These two verses encourage me to raise my children right for the Lord. If I do so, they will be the fruit of my hands. They will praise me at the gates. If you are single or without children investing in others is laboring with your hands. They will become your fruit and will praise you.
Go to Work, my Friend:
Laundry piling up? Dishes need to be clean? Vacuuming? Meals need to be made? Just remember God wants you to do housework and labor in love. Make dinner for another, write a card of encouragement, or give a gift or present that will bring another joy!
Remember working with your hands is the best thing you can do to please the Lord.
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