daily devotional

You Can

Guest Post by Mrs. Traci Turner

I’ve seen a quote floating around the internet that states, “I wish I could raise my children in the world in which I grew up.” When this sentiment is posted, it always seems to get a lot of likes and comments. I always scratch my head as I do not quite agree with this statement. I want to say, “You can!”

The power is ours. The world can rage on outside of our homes, but we hold the power to raise our children how we see fit. No matter which political party is in the White House or what the media portrays as normal, we have the control. We create the world in which our children are raised.

It’s our choice to teach our children to serve others, to love Jesus, to obey God’s word, to worship, and to give selflessly. It’s our choice to love their other parent and show them a healthy relationship. It’s our choice to show them to respect their elders as we honor our parents. And in so doing, they will take those things into adulthood and pass that on to their children. Eph 6:1-4

We tend to look at the past with rose-colored glasses, as if in the 1950s -1990s the world was perfect and only in the past generation has it become godless. The reason we believe that is because our parents usually did a pretty good job of creating a world in which we felt safe and taught us those things we hold dear. The world was not perfect then, it was filled with sin. We just see it more now because of the constant media coverage and access to it at our fingertips. “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 1:9

Not everyone has had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home. If you fall into that category, you now have the opportunity to create it for your children. How? We have the perfect recipe laid out in God’s word and we have a generation of women to look to for advice. “Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,” – Titus 2:4.

Use your power!

Hustle & Bustle

I’m not finished with this verse, but man it’s got me fired up this morning. I had to share now.

I don’t know how many times this year that I’ve said or written that the world is spinning out of control – cause it is. However, look at this beautiful promise straight from God – “He will quiet you by His love.”

In this verse the word quiet means to still, absence of bustle, to calm. I don’t know about y’all but an absence of bustle seems glorious considering 2020 and all that it entails. Can I get an Amen?

Hebrews 7:25, a cross reference for this verse, says that He will save those who draw near to Him.

Guys, we play a big part in the craziness swirling all around us. We can keep spinning with it, or we can draw near to Him – stand firmly on His promises – and Let God create an absence of worldly bustle within our hearts and minds.

Love y’all. 💛

Eagerness

💛Guest Post by Miss Kylie King 💛

Eagerness.

We’re all looking forward to something. I believe eagerness is a part of our human nature. It’s healthy to be excited about life – eager to read the end of a book, attend an event you’ve waited a long time for, or catch up with an old friend. Anticipation makes life exciting. Who’s with me?

In Matthew 28:19 states, “Therefore go, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

How exciting! When I read that I’m reminded of

the many things so much greater than ourselves to be truly eager for. These words describe the eagerness our Father wants us to have. To be driven. To go into the world. To recognize the crucial fact he has given us a job.

I challenge you to be eager.

Eager to change.

Eager to grow in your relationship with Christ.

Eager to forgive.

Eager to learn more.

Eager to dig deeper.

Eager to teach.

Eager to love greater.

Eager to be an example of the greatest love.

Eager to impact.

Lastly, I challenge you to be EAGER TO GO. Wherever you are, you have the strength to help make disciples of all nations. He needs you to be the change. He needs you to be eager.

All the Time

I’m not sure what situation you’re stepping into today, but I do know this – God’s stepping with you. I know this because He promised.

Lately, I’ve been clinging to the promises that Lamentations 3:22-24 whispers to us.

God is good.

He loves us.

He is our portion.

He is our hope.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness, “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

Tuck your Toes In

It’s “Tuck your Toes in Tuesday” cause I’m stepping – on my own that is.

A few weeks ago I was out and about running errands. I was wearing a Rays of Sunshine Inc t-shirt and my Created Woman hat. Needless to say, my reppin game was strong.

Unfortunately, I found myself in an aggravating situation with a very sweet girl at the pharmacy. It wasn’t her fault. It wasn’t my fault. It was just life.

As I felt my irritation rising I had to tell myself, “Simmer down that sass, sister.” Remember who you’re representing.”

But honestly, who am I really representing? I’m representing Christ – all day err day. It shouldn’t matter if it’s written like a blazing banner on every article of clothing that I’m wearing or not. It shouldn’t matter if I’m in person or on the phone – or the keyboard.

I said what I said.

His fruit should be evident in my life regardless if I’m wearing my WWJD bracelet or not. And His fruit isn’t rotten – like the attitude I was fighting that day.

Y’all (points to self) today when you start stepping, remember whose you are. Remember who you’re representing. And remember that you just might be the only glimpse of Jesus that someone sees today.

Step boldly, but step with grace.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Ordinary

Guest Post by Mrs. Aimee Bartis

Do you feel ever ordinary? I often feel ordinary. My hair is medium brown, as are my eyes. In high school drill team I wasn’t the best nor the worst (I don’t think), the tallest nor the shortest. As an adult, I’m rarely the smartest in the room and, hopefully, not the most ignorant. My family is pretty firmly middle class. I love to speak to groups but I don’t require the spotlight at all times. I’m even politically moderate. Middle. Medium. Moderate. Ordinary,

Know who doesn’t think I’m ordinary? GOD!

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, GOD’S special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9

I am chosen. I am part of a royal priesthood and a holy nation. I am GOD’s special possession. I have a specific purpose. I’m made to declare GOD’s praise and live in His wonderful light. And GOD feels the same way about you! He sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins. It’s a free gift from Him to you. He has a place in His glorious light for you! You are never ordinary to GOD!

Get It Together

As far as momming goes, preparation for this new school year has got me like woah. I mean, essentially, I’ve had since March to get my ducks in a row. Yet, here I sit in the midst of school supply lists and mounting to-do’s that honestly may not get to-done.

At this point the only thing I’ve got going for me are the two boxes of Ticonderoga pencils that I randomly threw in my Walmart buggy last Sunday.

Normally all supplies and clothes are bought and neatly tucked away by mid July, but honestly – what does normal even mean in 2020?

Y’all, I do not have it together.

Let me repeat that. I do not have it together.

But you know what, God does. And He knew about Corona before Corona was a thing. He readies us, and He steadies us.

Take a deep breath, momma. It will all come together. This school year will start – with or without the perfect color pocket folders for your child.

And God – my God – will hold our hand each step of the way.

“Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.” Psalms 63:7

Growth

38 was hard, y’all. All the way around.

So much change. So much grief. So much uncertainty.

But with grief comes growth, and I’m thankful for that.

And with change comes new life, and I’m grateful for that.

And with uncertainty comes a promise of hope. I’ll keep clinging to that.

38 was hard, but 38 was still good. Even in the midst of the most difficult times, God lavishes His amazing love and unending grace down on His children.

Here’s to 39!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

I Don’t Know Why

Dear Educators,

It’s going to be hard. So hard. But it won’t last forever. This is not our new normal. This is merely a glitch – more like a total power outage – in this game we call life.

I’m not sure why God chose us to be the ones that muddle through this mess, but I do know without a doubt that He chose us for a reason. He knew we had the grit to dig deep and to do whatever it takes. He knew we wouldn’t give up.

Just like Esther, He placed us here at this time – for this time – for a purpose. That doesn’t make what we are about to do any easier, but it does give me hope.

Hope for our educators.

Hope for our students.

Hope for our future.

Although this “Back to School” is going to be hard, weird, unprecedented, and whatever other adjective you want to throw in there – two things remain the same – God is going to be with us, and God chose us to teach these kiddos.

It’s going to be hard, y’all.

But God.

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

Just Breathe

“Perfection”
💛Guest Post By Samantha Nungester💛

Perfect.
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This word has given me major anxiety most of my life. I would look at the perfectly cut crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwich lunches, to the ooey-gooey homemade chocolate chip cookie posts by other wives and moms and think, “When will my day come? I can’t even remember to switch the laundry out before it sours.”
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This is the thing about perfection though: it’s person specific. What would be the “perfect” outcome to one, may just cause pure irritation to another. So, that tells us this: Perfection isn’t the enemy. LET ME REPEAT: Perfection isn’t the enemy. It’s trying to achieve some level of perfection without Jesus that makes the task so daunting. It’s less about comparing our lives among others, and more about comparing it to the truest judge of perfection of all: The Word of God.
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Listen to what 2 Corinthians 10:12 says in the Message translation: 👇🏻
“We’re not, understand, putting ourselves in a league with those who boast that they’re our superiors. We wouldn’t dare do that. But in all this comparing and grading and competing, they quite miss the point.”
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When we compare our “less successful” season to another’s “more successful season”, we’ve missed the point. SUCCESS AND PERFECTION ARE PERSON SPECIFIC. God has not called us all to the same tasks in life, so there is no way our lives are going to look alike. A young, stay at home mom’s season of life is going to look quite different from that of an older, empty nester. So, quit comparing, love! Comparison is just a joy and peace robber.
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Listen to this: 👇🏻
“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” – 1 John‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)
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Do you get it yet? If we despise perfection and expect failure, it’s because we have not given proper recognition to the Love of God. You see, what you see as imperfection, God sees as untapped potential. He wants us to look TO Him, FULLY trust Him, and stop expecting perfection outside of relationship with Him. Cause at the end of the day, God wants availability more than He wants your acts of perfection. He wants availability to speak to your heart when you are troubled to give you words of rest. He wants the availability to laugh with you on those “Mondayest” Monday’s ever. Most importantly, though, He wants you to know He made you special, like no one else, and He cares deeply to just live life with you.
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So, my dear, JUST BREATHE. I promise, this season will pass and another will be sure to come. It will get better. It will get easier. And in the meantime, ENJOY LIFE. Continue looking to the Perfect One who is made strong in our weaknesses.
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“But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me.” ‭‭- 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭TPT‬‬