Today's reading: Micah 1, 2, 3, 4; Hebrews 6
S) " 6 “In that day,” declares the LORD,
“I will assemble the (P)lame
And (Q)gather the outcasts,
Even those whom I have afflicted." - Micah 4:6 (NASB)
O) God loves to use humble people. This is for two reasons, primarily. First is personal, because if He's using some one who is humble (either by their own choice, or because they have been humbled by Him), they they will not become haughty and think of themselves greater than they are. This means they will continue to seek a relationship with God, instead of thinking they can leave Him. The second reason God uses the humble is for His own glory. By using the low to do lofty things, God shows Himself strong. This shows the world the power and grace of God. Now, to go a little further with the concept of God using humbled people, keep in mind that in this passage, He includes "those whom I have afflicted."
A) I want to be used by God. This is for several reasons; I want my children to see me serve Him, being used will help me pursue righteousness, serving others carries its own rewards on earth and in heaven, etc. So, if I'm asking God to use me, I need to realize that I have to be humble - one way or the other. I can choose to humble myself, or I can tell God to humble me. Ultimately, I have to be willing to let God humble me, if that's what it takes. That's still better than being ignored by God (see Hebrews 12:6).
P) Father, do whatever it takes to continue using me. I know that the surest path to my salvation is to be used by You, so do whatever it takes. Humble me however You see fit. I'm subjecting myself to You, Lord. Holy Spirit continue to shape me according to Your purposes. Embolden me to be obedient whenever and however You ask, even when I don't understand why. Gather me to Yourself, to glorify Your name and so that I may be called a part of Your people. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
SOAP 07/08/2011; Psalm 101:2
Today's reading: Hosea 13, 14; Psalm 100, 101, 102; Hebrews 5
S) "2 I will give heed to the blameless way.
When will You come to me?
I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart." - Psalm 101:2 (NASB)
O) King David was such a great foreshadow of what it means to be a Christian. Since he was several hundred years before Jesus came to atone for sins once and for all, he was still living under the very difficult laws of the Old Testament. While David certainly made mistakes, what set him apart from so many other figures in the Old Testament was the condition of his heart. He is described by God as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 12:14) and this is really because King David was repentant. When he made mistakes, he would turn his heart, full of remorse, back to God and plead for God's mercy. This was truly a rarity in God's people for this time. This Psalm comes during one of those times. David was shown mercy and he has made a drastic commitment to "clean house" and he has determined to start with himself.
A) As the father, I set the culture in my home. If I make integrity a priority in myself, in my home, that will trickle down through Kristin and to my children. Truly, anyone visiting my home will be affected by my pursuit of righteousness, on one level or another. Like David said in v.6, I need to surround myself with like-minded people who are also striving to live a blameless life and I need to avoid people who are practicing deceit. I need to be a careful gatekeeper in my home, being careful to guard my family from wickedness. Because I'm not a politcal king, and because of forgiveness through Jesus, I don't have to banish or destroy any people (thankfully), but I do have a duty to eliminate anything that jeopardizes the standard to which God has called me and my family.
P) Father, like king Soloman, I confess that I do not have the wisdom it takes to lead your people. I have a kingdom of 4 people I'm leading and I need your wisdom to know how to lead them. I thank you for your mercy in my life, so that I can give mercy to my wife, children, and others in Jesus' name. In doing so, I pray that you give me a discernment to know what is acceptable in my home. Everything from behavior to entertainment, Holy Spirit guide me in leading my family by example and setting Your standard of living for my family. Help me to act like a merciful and loving king in my pursuit of Godly living. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
S) "2 I will give heed to the blameless way.
When will You come to me?
I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart." - Psalm 101:2 (NASB)
O) King David was such a great foreshadow of what it means to be a Christian. Since he was several hundred years before Jesus came to atone for sins once and for all, he was still living under the very difficult laws of the Old Testament. While David certainly made mistakes, what set him apart from so many other figures in the Old Testament was the condition of his heart. He is described by God as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 12:14) and this is really because King David was repentant. When he made mistakes, he would turn his heart, full of remorse, back to God and plead for God's mercy. This was truly a rarity in God's people for this time. This Psalm comes during one of those times. David was shown mercy and he has made a drastic commitment to "clean house" and he has determined to start with himself.
A) As the father, I set the culture in my home. If I make integrity a priority in myself, in my home, that will trickle down through Kristin and to my children. Truly, anyone visiting my home will be affected by my pursuit of righteousness, on one level or another. Like David said in v.6, I need to surround myself with like-minded people who are also striving to live a blameless life and I need to avoid people who are practicing deceit. I need to be a careful gatekeeper in my home, being careful to guard my family from wickedness. Because I'm not a politcal king, and because of forgiveness through Jesus, I don't have to banish or destroy any people (thankfully), but I do have a duty to eliminate anything that jeopardizes the standard to which God has called me and my family.
P) Father, like king Soloman, I confess that I do not have the wisdom it takes to lead your people. I have a kingdom of 4 people I'm leading and I need your wisdom to know how to lead them. I thank you for your mercy in my life, so that I can give mercy to my wife, children, and others in Jesus' name. In doing so, I pray that you give me a discernment to know what is acceptable in my home. Everything from behavior to entertainment, Holy Spirit guide me in leading my family by example and setting Your standard of living for my family. Help me to act like a merciful and loving king in my pursuit of Godly living. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
SOAP 07/07/2011; Psalm 73:1-3
I just finished reading, but my journaling may be delayed. We have our trip home today (from WA), and I'm not sure when I'll be able to get the writing done. At the very least, whenever we arrive home.
update 11:55 pm:
(the time I'm starting, not the time I'm finishing/posting)
Today's reading: Hosea 10, 11, 12; Psalm 73; Hebrews 4
S) " 1 Surely God is (A)good to Israel,
To those who are (B)pure in heart!
2 But as for me, (C)my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps [a]had almost slipped.
3 For I was (D)envious of the [b]arrogant
As I saw the (E)prosperity of the wicked." - Psalm 73:1-3 (NASB)
O) I've been there. This is passage describes most of my teenage years, as I first started to really strive toward righteousness, and the sanctity to which God was calling me. My live as a teenager was full of chaos and tumult and God was a refuge for me. As I got older, and I neglected God's call to holiness, and it had a lot to do with this passage. Serving God is hard, and as I came into adulthood, I looked around my world and saw people all over who were living out their lives without any apparent need of God. When I graduated high school and got a solid job, I certainly didn't feel the same need for a refuge. I went a little further than Asaph (the writer of this Psalm) and my feet went right on past stumbling! As I got into my marriage and had my first child, I realized just how futile was "the prosperity of the wicked." Granted, not all prosperity outside of God deserves such a harsh title as "wicked" but certainly I started to realize that outside of Him, I was doomed to a tragic end, not completely unlike what is described through the rest of the Psalm.
A) It is imperative that I do not forget the futility of any amount of prosperity that is found outside of God. The rest of this Psalm serves as a warning, but I included the first verse because of the ultimate truth it holds. I need to keep my mind on the fact that God is good to Israel (His children), to those who are pure of heart!
(Isreal, and all Christians by extension, as we have been adopted in, as God's own children. See 1 John 3:1).
P) Father, thank You for adopting me, through the redemptive work of Jesus. Please help me keep my mind on You and the goodness you have in store for those that are upright in heart. Help me to walk in repentence, so that your mercy is new in me continually. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to keep the righteousness, that was gifted to me, pure as I walk out each day. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
update 11:55 pm:
(the time I'm starting, not the time I'm finishing/posting)
Today's reading: Hosea 10, 11, 12; Psalm 73; Hebrews 4
S) " 1 Surely God is (A)good to Israel,
To those who are (B)pure in heart!
2 But as for me, (C)my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps [a]had almost slipped.
3 For I was (D)envious of the [b]arrogant
As I saw the (E)prosperity of the wicked." - Psalm 73:1-3 (NASB)
O) I've been there. This is passage describes most of my teenage years, as I first started to really strive toward righteousness, and the sanctity to which God was calling me. My live as a teenager was full of chaos and tumult and God was a refuge for me. As I got older, and I neglected God's call to holiness, and it had a lot to do with this passage. Serving God is hard, and as I came into adulthood, I looked around my world and saw people all over who were living out their lives without any apparent need of God. When I graduated high school and got a solid job, I certainly didn't feel the same need for a refuge. I went a little further than Asaph (the writer of this Psalm) and my feet went right on past stumbling! As I got into my marriage and had my first child, I realized just how futile was "the prosperity of the wicked." Granted, not all prosperity outside of God deserves such a harsh title as "wicked" but certainly I started to realize that outside of Him, I was doomed to a tragic end, not completely unlike what is described through the rest of the Psalm.
A) It is imperative that I do not forget the futility of any amount of prosperity that is found outside of God. The rest of this Psalm serves as a warning, but I included the first verse because of the ultimate truth it holds. I need to keep my mind on the fact that God is good to Israel (His children), to those who are pure of heart!
(Isreal, and all Christians by extension, as we have been adopted in, as God's own children. See 1 John 3:1).
P) Father, thank You for adopting me, through the redemptive work of Jesus. Please help me keep my mind on You and the goodness you have in store for those that are upright in heart. Help me to walk in repentence, so that your mercy is new in me continually. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to keep the righteousness, that was gifted to me, pure as I walk out each day. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
SOAP 07/06/2011; Hosea 6:6
Today's reading: Hosea 6, 7, 8, 9; Hebrews 3
S) "6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice,
And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings" - Hosea 6:6 (NASB)
O) God is a relational being. Even in the beginning of time, He existed in 3, as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Trinity). From the start, He had relationship with Adam, walking and talking with him. He had a divine, yet personal, interest in Adam, and his needs and desires. He created Eve, because He saw Adam needed help. Adam needed human relationship, as well as divine relationship. Then God told Adam and Eve they could have anything they wanted, except the forbidden fruit. God asked for their loyalty before ever asking for their sacrifice. From there, all the way through to the appearance of Jesus, and beyond, we see that God wants people to acknowledge Him. If people will humble themselves to acknowledge Him, then the sacrifices and burnt offerings take a less prominent role in the relationship people have with God. Certainly this is true once Jesus came, since He was the final sacrifice to pay for all sins.
A) Now, since sacrifice and burnt offerings were done away with Jesus' they've never been a part of my life in the sense that God would require them from me. Having said that, as Christians, and humans, often times our response to God is one of appeasement. We try to satisfy Him by attending church on Sundays, or giving to a mission or some cause. All of that is fruitless, though. What God really wants is our loyalty and for us to acknowledge Him as God, but also as the Lord of our life. The term "lord" isn't used much in our culture. Some people have landlords. I have an apartment manager. Maybe that's a more contemporarily accurate term. God wants to be the Manager of our lives. He wants us to be loyal to Him and allow Him to make all of our decisions. He wants us to acknowledge that we don't have it all together and we need help.
P) Father, I confess that I need help. I don't have it together. I don't know how to be a good husband and father. I don't know how to be successful at work. I don't know how to minister to others. In all ways, I need You to guide me. I commit to being loyal to you in all things and seeking to know Your will, and placing it above mine. Holy Spirit, lead me in this submission to put my life in Your hands. God, continue to shape me into the man you're calling and preparing me to be. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
S) "6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice,
And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings" - Hosea 6:6 (NASB)
O) God is a relational being. Even in the beginning of time, He existed in 3, as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Trinity). From the start, He had relationship with Adam, walking and talking with him. He had a divine, yet personal, interest in Adam, and his needs and desires. He created Eve, because He saw Adam needed help. Adam needed human relationship, as well as divine relationship. Then God told Adam and Eve they could have anything they wanted, except the forbidden fruit. God asked for their loyalty before ever asking for their sacrifice. From there, all the way through to the appearance of Jesus, and beyond, we see that God wants people to acknowledge Him. If people will humble themselves to acknowledge Him, then the sacrifices and burnt offerings take a less prominent role in the relationship people have with God. Certainly this is true once Jesus came, since He was the final sacrifice to pay for all sins.
A) Now, since sacrifice and burnt offerings were done away with Jesus' they've never been a part of my life in the sense that God would require them from me. Having said that, as Christians, and humans, often times our response to God is one of appeasement. We try to satisfy Him by attending church on Sundays, or giving to a mission or some cause. All of that is fruitless, though. What God really wants is our loyalty and for us to acknowledge Him as God, but also as the Lord of our life. The term "lord" isn't used much in our culture. Some people have landlords. I have an apartment manager. Maybe that's a more contemporarily accurate term. God wants to be the Manager of our lives. He wants us to be loyal to Him and allow Him to make all of our decisions. He wants us to acknowledge that we don't have it all together and we need help.
P) Father, I confess that I need help. I don't have it together. I don't know how to be a good husband and father. I don't know how to be successful at work. I don't know how to minister to others. In all ways, I need You to guide me. I commit to being loyal to you in all things and seeking to know Your will, and placing it above mine. Holy Spirit, lead me in this submission to put my life in Your hands. God, continue to shape me into the man you're calling and preparing me to be. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
SOAP 07/05/2011; Hebrews 2:18
Today's reading: Hosea 2, 3, 4, 5; Hebrews 2
S) "18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." - Hebrews 2:18 (NASB)
O) There are several verses that refer to Jesus being tempted. I think it's a common mistake, though, that people assume it was easy for Jesus. I don't think that's possible, though. Can you be brave without fear? Can you love without sacrifice? Can you be tempted if it's easy to abstain? I don't think so. This verse confirms it by pointing out that in His temptation, there was suffering! It is because of this common struggle that we have (ourselves and Jesus), that we can be assured He is able to help us through our temptations. He understands what it means to struggle with temptations, both in spirit and in body.
A) My first response to temptations should be to pray. Specifically, to pray for Jesus to help me directly. I mean, this is, in fact, what it means to have a personal savior. That God would have a personal interest in me, to help me, and deliver me. Jesus understands temptation on a very real, literal, exact level. Who better to have compassion than some one who has been through it? Furthermore, who better to have compassion than some ome who can actually help me? Step one: talk to Jesus. Step two: ask for help. Step three: let him deliver me!
P) Father, please forgive me, in Jesus' name, for the times I've given in to temptation. I thank you for the forgiveness that is assured to me, because of the sacrifice of Your son. Holy Spirit, remind me of the source of my help. Remind me of where to turn when temptation grips me. My help is in the Lord Jesus Christ. God, I thankful that I'm not alone in this world, struggling on my own to live a right life. I don't want to waste any of your gifts. Help me in that. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
S) "18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." - Hebrews 2:18 (NASB)
O) There are several verses that refer to Jesus being tempted. I think it's a common mistake, though, that people assume it was easy for Jesus. I don't think that's possible, though. Can you be brave without fear? Can you love without sacrifice? Can you be tempted if it's easy to abstain? I don't think so. This verse confirms it by pointing out that in His temptation, there was suffering! It is because of this common struggle that we have (ourselves and Jesus), that we can be assured He is able to help us through our temptations. He understands what it means to struggle with temptations, both in spirit and in body.
A) My first response to temptations should be to pray. Specifically, to pray for Jesus to help me directly. I mean, this is, in fact, what it means to have a personal savior. That God would have a personal interest in me, to help me, and deliver me. Jesus understands temptation on a very real, literal, exact level. Who better to have compassion than some one who has been through it? Furthermore, who better to have compassion than some ome who can actually help me? Step one: talk to Jesus. Step two: ask for help. Step three: let him deliver me!
P) Father, please forgive me, in Jesus' name, for the times I've given in to temptation. I thank you for the forgiveness that is assured to me, because of the sacrifice of Your son. Holy Spirit, remind me of the source of my help. Remind me of where to turn when temptation grips me. My help is in the Lord Jesus Christ. God, I thankful that I'm not alone in this world, struggling on my own to live a right life. I don't want to waste any of your gifts. Help me in that. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Monday, July 4, 2011
SOAP 07/04/2011; Hebrews 1:9
Today's reading: 2 Kings 15, 16; Hosea 1; Hebrews 1
S) "9 “YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS;
THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU
WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS." - Hebrews 1:9 (NASB)
O) In the NASB translation, when some one quotes the Old Testament, they write it in all-caps. In this passage, the writer is using Scripture to show that Jesus was, in fact, the very son of God, and not simply another kind of angel. This particular verse, however, also contains a promise. God has a lot of "if-then" promises in the Bible, which apply to everyone. This is one is pretty simple, but it's one of my favorites. If you want an unsupressable joy, one that does not depend on circumstance, one that prevails in every hardship, then love righteousness and hate lawlessness. It reminds me of Psalm 119, which goes on and on about loving God's statutes, laws, principles, and disciplines. Over and over again, in that Psalm, the author speaks with evident joy. Seeking His righteousness and averting lawlessness is one of the most basic forms of pursuing God, and nothing brings joy like genuinely seeking to please Him.
A) This verse (and Psalm 45:7, which it quotes) are such an encouragement to me! It reinforces the fact that it is worthwhile serving God. It is not easy to live life by rules. It is not easy to actively avoid sin. It takes a striving to uphold the righteousness God has given to us as a gift. Thankfully we have forgiveness and mercy when we fail, and so we do not have to look for justification through the laws from the Bible. We know, however, that He still wants us to pursue holiness. This verse above is a promise that if I really chase God's goodness I will be given great joy!
P) Father, please continue to change my heart. Give me a renewed passion to seek your righteousness and leave lawlessness behind. Trying to live a holy life has myriad blessings in it. You don't give us rules just for the sake of making us jump through hoops. You have a better life in mind for us and You know there are particular ways to have that life; most importantly, being able to continue our relationship with You. I thank You for forgiveness and faith, and for the sacrifice of Jesus, through which You first called me justified, righteous and holy. I thank you that these are for all people. As I pursue a life that honors those gifts, let the joy that You give me be evident to others, so I can share Your goodness with them. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
S) "9 “YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS;
THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU
WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS." - Hebrews 1:9 (NASB)
O) In the NASB translation, when some one quotes the Old Testament, they write it in all-caps. In this passage, the writer is using Scripture to show that Jesus was, in fact, the very son of God, and not simply another kind of angel. This particular verse, however, also contains a promise. God has a lot of "if-then" promises in the Bible, which apply to everyone. This is one is pretty simple, but it's one of my favorites. If you want an unsupressable joy, one that does not depend on circumstance, one that prevails in every hardship, then love righteousness and hate lawlessness. It reminds me of Psalm 119, which goes on and on about loving God's statutes, laws, principles, and disciplines. Over and over again, in that Psalm, the author speaks with evident joy. Seeking His righteousness and averting lawlessness is one of the most basic forms of pursuing God, and nothing brings joy like genuinely seeking to please Him.
A) This verse (and Psalm 45:7, which it quotes) are such an encouragement to me! It reinforces the fact that it is worthwhile serving God. It is not easy to live life by rules. It is not easy to actively avoid sin. It takes a striving to uphold the righteousness God has given to us as a gift. Thankfully we have forgiveness and mercy when we fail, and so we do not have to look for justification through the laws from the Bible. We know, however, that He still wants us to pursue holiness. This verse above is a promise that if I really chase God's goodness I will be given great joy!
P) Father, please continue to change my heart. Give me a renewed passion to seek your righteousness and leave lawlessness behind. Trying to live a holy life has myriad blessings in it. You don't give us rules just for the sake of making us jump through hoops. You have a better life in mind for us and You know there are particular ways to have that life; most importantly, being able to continue our relationship with You. I thank You for forgiveness and faith, and for the sacrifice of Jesus, through which You first called me justified, righteous and holy. I thank you that these are for all people. As I pursue a life that honors those gifts, let the joy that You give me be evident to others, so I can share Your goodness with them. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
SOAP 07/03/2011; 2 Chronicles 27:2
Today's reading: Isaiah 6, 7; 2 Chronicles 26, 27; Philemon
S) " 2 He did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done; however he did not enter the temple of the LORD. But the people continued acting corruptly." - 2 Chronicles 27:2 (NASB)
O) If you read through First and Second Chronicles, you see all of the highs and lows for these successive kings. One king does well, the next does poorly, the next does well - it's a roller-coaster through the history of God's people. Over and over, we see models of kings who fail to raise their princes well, and so the son fails. Or, less often, we see kings who do raise their sons well and the kingdom does well. Here was have an in-between example. Uzziah had done a great job with the kingdom, up until his prideful demise (entering the temple). Apparently here, he taught his son (Jotham) well, even teaching him to avoid his terminal error. But as the final sentence tells us, the father still created grief for the son. Despite the fact that he taught his son well, Uzziah's mistake had begun leading his people astray, so Jotham had to deal with a corrupt people under him.
A) My goal as a parent is to raise my children in such a way that they grow up and serve God. They need to grow up knowing that He is real, and there is a relationship to be had with Him on a personal level. They need to know that there is grace and mercy from an ever-loving God, who desires them. A huge part of that, is teaching them the ways of the Lord. Another crucial element in that is the ability to humble myself before my kids, so that if I'm ever sinning in their presence I can admit that to them, and teach them the errors of my ways. But that's not enough. I need to remind myself daily, that my actions today will directly affect the issues they'll have tomorrow. Spiritually and emotionally, as their father and the king of the little kingdom God has given me, I have the ability to bless their future, or curse it. I have mercy and forgiveness through Jesus, but there are still natural and spiritual consequences for my actions, that will affect my children. I need to be sure that I'm not leaving my children to deal with a corrupt people under them.
P) Father, please forgive me for my sins. Thank you, for your mercy and forgiveness. Some one had to pay for my sins, and I thank you that in Jesus' sacrifice, there was a blood-purchase for my innocence. Thank you, Lord, for that grace. Holy Spirit, remind me daily that my actions affect more than just me. They affect my wife and marriage. They affect my children and family. Please give my wife and children grace in the bad seeds I may have sewn into their futures. Thank you for blessing my family thus far. Please keep your hand over my people, Lord. Please bless my "kingdom" in Jesus' name. Amen.
S) " 2 He did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done; however he did not enter the temple of the LORD. But the people continued acting corruptly." - 2 Chronicles 27:2 (NASB)
O) If you read through First and Second Chronicles, you see all of the highs and lows for these successive kings. One king does well, the next does poorly, the next does well - it's a roller-coaster through the history of God's people. Over and over, we see models of kings who fail to raise their princes well, and so the son fails. Or, less often, we see kings who do raise their sons well and the kingdom does well. Here was have an in-between example. Uzziah had done a great job with the kingdom, up until his prideful demise (entering the temple). Apparently here, he taught his son (Jotham) well, even teaching him to avoid his terminal error. But as the final sentence tells us, the father still created grief for the son. Despite the fact that he taught his son well, Uzziah's mistake had begun leading his people astray, so Jotham had to deal with a corrupt people under him.
A) My goal as a parent is to raise my children in such a way that they grow up and serve God. They need to grow up knowing that He is real, and there is a relationship to be had with Him on a personal level. They need to know that there is grace and mercy from an ever-loving God, who desires them. A huge part of that, is teaching them the ways of the Lord. Another crucial element in that is the ability to humble myself before my kids, so that if I'm ever sinning in their presence I can admit that to them, and teach them the errors of my ways. But that's not enough. I need to remind myself daily, that my actions today will directly affect the issues they'll have tomorrow. Spiritually and emotionally, as their father and the king of the little kingdom God has given me, I have the ability to bless their future, or curse it. I have mercy and forgiveness through Jesus, but there are still natural and spiritual consequences for my actions, that will affect my children. I need to be sure that I'm not leaving my children to deal with a corrupt people under them.
P) Father, please forgive me for my sins. Thank you, for your mercy and forgiveness. Some one had to pay for my sins, and I thank you that in Jesus' sacrifice, there was a blood-purchase for my innocence. Thank you, Lord, for that grace. Holy Spirit, remind me daily that my actions affect more than just me. They affect my wife and marriage. They affect my children and family. Please give my wife and children grace in the bad seeds I may have sewn into their futures. Thank you for blessing my family thus far. Please keep your hand over my people, Lord. Please bless my "kingdom" in Jesus' name. Amen.
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