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Psalm 139:1-3 (138:1-3 LXX)

Ephesians 6:4

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Personal Challenge…

As a parent of adult children, especially children that are spread across the country and around the world, I often ask myself, “How did I do as a father?” Did I love my children in a way that showed them the love of God? Did I demonstrate to them a godly and righteous life so that they would desire to love that way themselves? Do I have any outstanding apologies that I owe them for the wrongs that I did in their lives? I love my children deeply. I miss them because of the miles. And I am extremely proud of each one of them and whom they have become as adults. May my God and my Savior be a blessing in their lives as He has been in mine.

Ephesians 5:14-16

Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Luke 6:45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Personal Challenge…

How is my heart? Is it truly focused on God and reflecting on Him or is it focused on the world? If I observe my actions, my thoughts, the words that come out of my mouth, I will have a good indicator of the state of my heart. And my response is…Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Ephesians 4:26-27

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.

Personal Challenge…

The Bible does not tell us that we cannot be angry, but it does tell us to not let anger rule us. We are given anger in order to respond to injustices, to the wrongs generated by the enemy of God, so that others can be turned to Him. However, we cannot allow this anger to take us over and therefore lead us to sin.

Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the hungry, and sorrow to those who do not grieve. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the elect shall be without strength. But those who wait on God shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not hunger.

Encouraging Words…

Today I will be doing my sixth Iron Butt ride with two of my friends. A basic Iron Butt ride is 1,000 miles in 24 hours on a motorcycle. Some people think I am absolutely crazy for doing this, but to be honest for me it is really refreshing and a reminder of just what I am able to do. Also, I find time on my motorcycle presents a great opportunity to be alone with my God, aka meditation time. We would appreciate your thoughts and prayers along the way. I will try to post some updates on Facebook as we progress.

Wisdom of Solomon 6:1-3

Listen therefore, O kings, and understand;
Learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.
Give ear, you that rule over multitudes,
And take pride in yourself over a multitude of nations.
For power was given to you from the Lord,
And your lordship from the Most High,
Who will make a careful search of your works
And examine closely your plans.

Personal Challenge…

My initial thoughts on this passage was to call out the leaders of our country and remind them that they will be accountable for their actions, especially in this political season. This is still true, but this passage is also aimed at me. I am the leader of my household; how am I treating my wife? I am a leader in different aspects at my church: how am I being as a leader there? I am in a leadership position in my workplace; how am I glorifying God there? He is watching, He will examine my actions, and I will be accountable for how I represented Him here on earth in my lifetime.

Psalm 119:2 (118:2 LXX)

Blessed are those who search out His testimonies;
They shall search for Him with their whole heart.

Personal Challenge…

Sometimes I wonder where God’s blessings are in my life. And then I am led to a verse like this one and reminded that those blessings come from my pursuit of God. He will not pour out His blessing when I just sit around waiting for Him to heap them on. He wants me to search for Him; in His Word, in the teachings and traditions of the church, in fellowship with my brothers and sisters in His family. Christianity is an active faith that is always outward focused.

1 John 4:4

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them (the false spirits and teachers of the world), because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (Italics added)

Encouraging Words…

By the grace of God who dwells within us by the work of Jesus Christ we have the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us. Through this mystery we can overcome the world.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Personal Challenge…

Have you ever had that feeling that you are out there all alone? Working. Doing what you think is what God wants you to do. All the while feeling like no one else is in the mix to help. But I must remember that it is not up to me to determine what work I am supposed to be doing. It is up to my Lord and my job is to listen to His leading and doing what He wants me to do. And the results of living this way? Rest! A lightened burden! Why do I keep trying to do it my way on my own>