Jody's Devotionals

Faith Requirements

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from September 30, 2013]

Jesus said to his disciples:
There will always be something that causes people to sin. But anyone who causes them to sin is in for trouble. A person who causes even one of my little followers to sin 2 would be better off thrown into the ocean with a heavy stone tied around their neck. 3 So be careful what you do.
Correct any followers of mine who sin, and forgive the ones who say they are sorry.4 Even if one of them mistreats you seven times in one day and says, “I am sorry,” you should still forgive that person.
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Make our faith stronger!” Luke 17:1-5 (CEV)

Lectionary texts: Lamentations 1:1-6, Psalm 137, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10

The gospel passage of the lectionary texts this week begins with verse 5 but leaves out the context, the reason that the disciples asked for God to make their faith stronger. I’m sure there will be many sermons preached this week about how strong faith will move mulberry bushes and mountains but if we look at Acts and the pastoral letters we find that it wasn’t mountains but hearts for which the disciples needed great faith.

“Correct and forgive” without conditions is what Jesus said that caused the disciples to doubt the amount of their faith. And it is that unconditional love and forgiveness, grace and mercy, that trips me up also.

God does not lower His standard when it comes to what is sin and what is not and too often I see that part of the equation quite readily. I do not sin by accident. I know right from wrong. And as Jesus pointed out (Matthew 7:2-4), I see the speck of sinful sawdust in my friend’s eye quite easily compared to the 2 x 4 that is sticking out of my eye. Both are in need of correction but God always corrects with love and restoration. It is His desire that correction is followed by the encouragement that I have been forgiven and receive all that I need to move forward. That is a mountain that is moved off my shoulders! And as a disciple of Jesus, I am to go and do the same. Help my neighbor up and dust them off and point to the Father who forgives without hesitation and be the hands and feet that bring God’s love and mercy to them.

Psalm 137 could be a modern day country song: “By the streams of the Mississippi River we sit and weep as we remember how our country used to be.” (and then my husband left me and my dog died… I’m sorry I couldn’t resist singing the rest of the song!) I can certainly sing a sad song but then I remember the words of Jesus again: “All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed, Jody. No bigger than that period you typed in.” All things are possible with our LORD.

2 Timothy 1 reminds me *of the faith that I have seen in those who have gone before me. My mother who lived through the depression and dustbowl storms of the Midwest. My grandparents who fought in WWI, the “war to end all wars.” And my great-grandparents who came as frightened young children from Europe on a ship to find a new life with new possibilities. Faith that was certainly no bigger than a mustard seed gave them the strength to hold on and believe that God would bring them through fear, famine, and wars.

That tiny bit of faith that I have isn’t about moving Mt. McKinley. It’s about moving my heart into compassion, just like Jesus. It is about forgiving and loving when I cannot do it within myself but with that tiny faith in Jesus Christ, He can move my heart.

How Great is Our God written by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, & Ed Cash, sung by Darlene Zschech

Posted in Luke | Comments Off

The Battle Belongs to God

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

Jody note: Today I want to share a post from Pam Brown, who I know through her pastor husband, Kevin and daughter Katy, who are both authors with our publishing company, Energion Publications. Thanks, Pam, for sharing this word.

– Pam Brown

I have been reading in Genesis in my Bible lately. I recently read about Abraham and how he and Sarah could not have a child, even though God had promised one to him. Abraham decided to take matters into his own hands and have a child with Sarah’s maid, Hagar. I am sure you are familiar with the events. Sarah does end up having a child and the whole thing ends up a mess because Abraham got ahead of God and tried to manipulate circumstances, out of God’s will. I am sure he thought he was helping God out. God doesn’t need our help. I have to remind myself of that sometimes…a lot.
Because of Abraham “helping God out” and not trusting Him to work it out caused the “birth” of a heathen, Jew-hating nation and the bedrock of the Muslim faith. The result of Abraham’s actions were very catastrophic but he did not even live on this earth to see the complete unfolding of his bad decision. I wonder if we live to see the complete results of our bad decisions?
I would like to think that I am smarter than Abraham but I am not. I often want to put God aside and fight my own battles and manipulte my own circumstances and make everything “work out.” I am slowly learning that I must let God handle certain things that are out of my hands. There is a little “control freak” in all of us, I suppose.
I think of songs we sing in church like “I’m counting on God…” or “I believe, yes, I believe…” We sing, “Not for a moment, did you forsake me…” Here is another of my favorites, “I will walk with you, knowing you’ll see me through…”
I then turn around and say to myself, “Well, I had better handle this because God is not helping me here. Where are you God???” Do you think Abraham thought the same thing? I am sure he did.
We can certainly learn from his example there of what NOT to do. Usually, when we try to manipulate God’s plans and go ahead of Him the results are disastrous. Because of God’s grace, He can take our messes and restore us but the results, messes and scars are still there from our sin.
Abraham ended up with his son, Isaac, which God had promised him, but it did not change the fact that Ishmael had been born and there were consequences.
2 Chronicles 20:15 says, “And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah…Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed…, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
We can do what the Lord requires of us, like be obedient and serve Him but HE must take care of the “impossible” tasks in our lives. We cannot control God’s timing and His perfect will.
Proverbs 21:31 says, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord.”
Lastly, One of my favorite people in the Bible is Hezekiah. In 2 Kings we read of where the evil Assyrians come to Jerusalem to lay siege to the city. There are 185,000 of them and they are prepared to torture and murder everyone there. Hezekiah knows that his army is vastly outnumbered and there is NO WAY they can defeat the Assyrians. Hezekiah does not devise a clever battle plan but he prays all night while the Assyrians are camped outside the gates of Jerusalem. When the morning came all 185,000 of the Assyrians were dead in their tents. Hezekiah never raised a sword.
God took care of it! Always remember….The battle belongs to the Lord! He’s got your back. You don’t have to run ahead of him. He can handle it.
Blessings!

Posted in Genesis, Proverbs | Comments Off

The Woodshed

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

Then the Lord told me to say to the people of Judah and Jerusalem:

I, the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, want you to learn a lesson14 from the Rechabite clan. Their ancestor Jonadab told his descendants never to drink wine, and to this very day they have obeyed him. But I have spoken to you over and over, and you haven’t obeyed me!15 You refused to listen to my prophets, who kept telling you, “Stop doing evil and worshiping other gods! Start obeying the Lord, and he will let you live in this land he gave your ancestors.”

16 The Rechabites have obeyed the command of their ancestor Jonadab, but you have not obeyed me, 17 your God. I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I warned you about the terrible things that would happen to you if you did not listen to me. You have ignored me, so now disaster will strike you. I, the Lord, have spoken. Jeremiah 35:12-17 (CEV)

I was listening to a sermon yesterday with this text as the basis for the speaker. It was a good sermon but it “went over the river and through the woods” while I was stopped at the river to meditate on the initial point: obedience. Frankly, I would have rather just followed the speaker’s trail because then I would have been distracted and ignored what my Father really wanted me to learn. Sigh. He got me!

Why do I not obey God? Why do I continue to sin?

A child may be disobedient because of ignorance. The first 4-5 years of a child’s life is a time of learning about their world. The learn about the danger in streets, hot stoves and electrical plugs. A parent must be diligent and consistent in order to teach their child.

God laid out His commandments right there in the Bible in black and white so I can read it and learn it. Then He gave me Jesus as my example on how to live those commandments. My disobedience is not because of ignorance!

A child may be disobedient because they are stubborn. In some ways it is a good thing for a child to have strong sense of right and wrong. It can keep a child from being led astray by someone with a stronger personality. But those of us who do have strong personalities, we are reluctant to bend our wills and give in. One of the factors in my disobedience is willfulness!

A child may be obedient because they fear the consequences. Yes, a consequence could be a spanking. This isn’t a time or place to discuss the pros and cons of spanking. But as a child grows, the consequences for disobedience are more likely not getting to do what they want. God is speaking to me today about those consequences. He wants to open doors for me but I do have to learn His lessons and show I can be obedient to what He wants me to do. Do I truly understand who my Heavenly Father is? How powerful He is?

A child may be obedient because they love their parents and want their approval. My Father wants so much for our relationship to be so deep with love that I will obey because I love Him so much and want to please Him.

So when I ponder my sins I also remember I am God’s child. It may not be easy to accept that I am stubborn and prideful in wanting things my way. When I spend more time with God and learn more from Jesus and His ways, I become more trusting of God. I bend to His ways even when I cannot see the full picture of His plan for my life. I know His love and desire to please Him. Then I know His blessings on my life.

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus written by Louisa M R Stead & William J Kirkpatrick

The story behind the hymn :

The hymn sung by Casting Crowns:

Posted in Jeremiah | Comments Off

Heart Check

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from September 5, 2012]

The rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord made them both. Proverbs 22:2 (NLT)

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? James 2:1 (NLT)

Lectionary texts: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9. 22-23, Psalm 125, James 2:1-17, Mark 7:24-37

The topic of the lectionary texts this week is one that has me with the Holy Spirit and asking for His “scan” over my heart. What do I really think and feel about people? Is what comes out of my mouth what I am really thinking and feeling? I do not want to be a “closet bigot.”

My mother liked a clean and neat home. My bedroom did not always reflect that philosophy. My mother would frequently tell me on Saturday that I could not go out and play or go to events until my room was clean and neat. There were a few times when I succeeded in stuffing everything in my closet and quickly shutting the door. All looked neat when she checked the room. My closet was disgusting! That’s what I mean by a closet bigot. I can say all the right things, make nice with everyone, and yet in my heart, I am sarcastic and mean.

As I have moved among different fellowships I have learned a lot about the subtle ways I can send “welcome” signals by my facial expression and body language as well as shunning someone. When I walk into a classroom or sanctuary, do I gravitate toward the homeless person on the back row or sit with my friends or chose to sit by myself? What heart message am I sending?

Matthew 15:21-28 tells the same story as Mark 7 and expands a bit more. First, Jesus acts like maybe I would: “You aren’t like me. You don’t believe like I do. I will walk right past you and ignore your need.” Then He justifies His actions, like I do, by explaining His “holy mission” to take care of God’s children. And He is deciding who is and isn’t God’s child. Is that my job? Finally, Jesus shows me that it isn’t about a person’s pedigree but about their need and faith. It may be a weak, tiny bit of faith but Jesus will respond. Do I have eyes to see and ears to hear a cry for help?

I have a friend who wrote a wonderful book that stepped all over my toes. It’s called Soup Kitchen for the Soul. She shares her experience as she, begrudgingly, began volunteering at a soup kitchen as part of a class requirement. She asks What if through out the book and I was remembering that as I read these Scriptures. What if I opened myself to moving into places outside my comfort zone? What if I got to know people who were “different” than my friends and family? What if I said “Yes” to opportunities that Jesus opened to me? What if that is where I would meet my Savior, up close and personal?

Healing Rain written by Martin Smith and Michael W. Smith

Posted in James, Proverbs | Comments Off

What Are We Doing?

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

Now about the gifts of the Spirit,brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 1 Corinthians 12:1 (NIV)

I am sitting here tonight listening to four ordained men talk about preaching, how to prepare for it. It’s amazing to me how we have changed what the 1^st century church did. How did we get from identifying gifts among our fellowships and working together in ministry to accomplish the mission that God has given to a fellowship? Instead we have dumped all the “ministry” on to the “ordained” or licensed people, pay them like it is their job to share the Good News! My friends, Jesus told His disciples – that is you and me – to GO! And no one person has all the Spirit’s gifts! We are expecting one person to be a great teacher and a great pastor and a great organizer and be able to relate to children, teens and senior saints! I’ve never met such a person!

I want to be a part of a fellowship in which everyone has their “tent-making” jobs. Our offerings would go to the poor and needy, not to salaries. Those in the group with administrative gifts would handle the communication and finances etc. Those who teach would teach. Those who are good with visiting the sick would do that. If you are part of this fellowship there would be an expectation of service but it would be service you are gifted for and have a Godly passion about!

When I was a little girl, one of the first Golden Books I had was about Nurse Nancy. I always knew that caring for people who were sick and injured was something that I loved to do. And for over 30 years I worked at doing what I loved. As I am writing this, tears come to my eyes because I am so blessed to have been able to do that. I am in a different season now and I am still tearful because God has shown me how I also have gifts to do what I am doing in writing and publishing. Are we helping our children and young people identify what they are passionate about? Are we putting them into ministry as children or do they have to wait until they are 21 or married? (Lord, help us!) My granddaughters are part of a group of children who pray together and they are learning about discernment and listening to God and pray for others. That is awesome! Jesus pointed to children as our examples of faith, so why wouldn’t we use them in prayer groups? And I know some teens who truly do have the gift of teaching and others who are gifted musicians. Let’s put them into worship leadership!

We are in a world which continues to decline in its moral standards and ability to truly make a difference in people’s lives. It’s time to “fish or cut bait,” my friends. We need to make a decision on whether we are going to make God and His Kingdom our #1 priority in life and the life of our family or are we going to keep living the same world-driven life with some expectation that there will be a different outcome.

My dear friends, remember the warning you were given by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.18 They told you that near the end of time, selfish and godless people would start making fun of God. 19 And now these people are already making you turn against each other. They think only about this life, and they don’t have God’s Spirit.

20 Dear friends, keep building on the foundation of your most holy faith, as the Holy Spirit helps you to pray. 21 And keep in step with God’s love, as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to show how kind he is by giving you eternal life. 22 Be helpful to all who may have doubts.23 Rescue any who need to be saved, as you would rescue someone from a fire. Then with fear in your own hearts, have mercy on everyone who needs it. But hate even the clothes of those who have been made dirty by their filthy deeds.

24-25 Offer praise to God our Savior because of our Lord Jesus Christ! Only God can keep you from falling and make you pure and joyful in his glorious presence. Before time began and now and forevermore, God is worthy of glory, honor, power, and authority. Amen. Jude 17-25 (CEV)

Be Thou My Vision written by Dallán Forgaill and sung by Allison Krause

Posted in 1 Corinthians, Jude | Comments Off

My Fears … My Savior

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from December 15, 2009]

– Henry Neufeld

As evening was approaching that day, he said, “Let’s go to the other side.” So he left the crowd, and they joined Jesus in the boat where he was already sitting. There were other boats with him. And there was a violent wind storm and the waves were coming over the side of the boat, so that it was already filling with water. And he was in the prow sleeping on a pillow. So they roused him and said to him, “Teacher! Doesn’t it matter to you that we’re dying here? So he rose up, rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Be calm! Shut up!” And the wind stopped and there was perfect calm. Then he said to them, “Why were you afraid? Don’t you have faith yet?” Then they were very afraid, and the said to one another, “What kind of person is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:35-41 (HN)

What makes you afraid?

Consider a driver, recklessly speeding and driving erratically. He is in danger. Perhaps he is intoxicated. But generally he’s not afraid. Then the flashing lights come up behind. Now he’s afraid. Why? Because he’s going to be pulled over and suffer consequences for his actions.

He should have been afraid when he was weaving down the road. That was the greatest danger. The consequences for his actions will be considerably less than they would have been for an accident, in which he might have faced death or permanent physical disability.

But the strongest fear comes in the presence of authority, and authority that is going to save him from himself.

The disciples are not doing anything wrong, but they are in danger. They may be swept away by a storm and drown. They wake Jesus up. I’m not really sure what they expected. Clearly they hadn’t said to themselves, “Let’s wake Jesus up. He’ll stop the storm.” Perhaps they thought he would help bail out the boat.

Jesus commands the storm to be quiet. Authority. Action. Decisiveness. And because of who he is, the storm obeys Jesus.

While Jesus calls the disciples “fearful” of the storm, the result of them seeing Jesus in action is “great fear” or perhaps we could even say terror. Who is this? How is it that even wind and waves obey him?

This, I believe, is where the disciples were pointed in the direction of moving from faith to trust. They knew Jesus was powerful. They’d seen miracles. But this was something more. This was incredible power. Wouldn’t you be afraid of someone who could command a storm to stop? Can you trust someone with that sort of power?

Trust is the key. The disciples had to learn to trust Jesus. We have to learn to trust God. We can realize that God is powerful without trusting him to do what is best. As long as we do not get that trust, we will remain afraid of God. Not in awe of, or having an appropriate fear of God—being afraid of God and what he might do.

Like the reckless driver in the car, our own lives are the real danger. God may discipline us. He may allow discomfort, but he’s the solution. We need to learn to fear the right thing, and trust the right thing.

I Will Follow Him written by Franck Pourcel & Paul Mauriat and sung by the cast of Sister Act

Posted in Mark | 1 Comment

Ascension Day

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

In the beginning was the one who is called the Word.
The Word was with God and was truly God.
2 From the very beginning the Word was with God.
3 And with this Word, God created all things.
Nothing was made without the Word.
Everything that was created 4 received its life from him,
and his life gave light to everyone.
5 The light keeps shining in the dark,
and darkness has never put it out. John 1:1-5 (CEV)

These first five verses of John’s gospel is the beginning of, what to me is, the “beautiful gospel.” John sees and writes about the Christ, the Messiah. As I read through the gospel I feel the majesty and sovereignty of Jesus.

Jesus answered, “The light will be with you for only a little longer. Walk in the light while you can. Then you won’t be caught walking blindly in the dark. 36 Have faith in the light while it is with you, and you will be children of the light.” John 12:35-36 (CEV)

“Walk in the light while you can.” It’s always been an interesting phenomena to me that a child’s fever always spikes in the middle of the night, not at 2 p.m. when a physician is in his office. If there is something that concerns me, worry will increase at 2 a.m. and keep me awake.

Whether it is my email Inbox, Facebook, an online news site or something as old-fashioned as a telephone, there are so many needs, tragedies and pain in the Body of Christ. Life-threatening illnesses, marital discord with children broken in collateral damage, and more and more divisiveness, not just in in the political arena but in church fellowships.

People are looking for a place of refuge. They are looking for support and principles they can grab on to, understand and find stability. What are Jesus’ ambassadors doing?

Jesus completed His first mission and returned to the Father. He taught His disciples and they were obedient to His command to “go and make disciples.” And 2000 years later we are still doing that. Aren’t we?

It’s the beginning of a new week. It’s the beginning of a new month. It’s summer. Church attendance declines. Most people when they take their vacations do not “bother” to include Sabbath worship with their accommodation plans. While the youth and children have church activities (it is free baby-sitting after all!), the adults “suspend” their activities until after Labor Day. When will we realize how important our relationship with Jesus is? Are we counting on having some notification from God that will give us a last minute opportunity to “make everything right”?

Our LORD has such a great love for us, His children. Do we understand? The LORD, the Creator of all is our Father. He is the perfect parent, loving us before we loved Him and faithful even when we forget Him. Let us spend time this summer with our Father. Let us stay near the Light so that we do not stumble. And let us allow the Light in us to shine before a world which is desperate for a True Light.

Majesty and Glory written by Tom Fettke

Posted in John | Comments Off

The Gift from God

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

Fathers, [and mothers] do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 (NLT, my addition)

Today I am celebrating! Thirty-five years ago God gave me a gift that truly was more than I ever could have asked or imagine – two children!

Whether we are biological parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, grandparents, or mentors, we are the key component in God’s Plan A for teaching and raising children. About one week after giving birth to these twins, I was convinced I was not ready or able to be a parent. But there was no Plan B.

I wish I had been then where I am now in my relationship with God. Relying on God’s precepts and turning to Him when life with children throws a knuckle ball I could not possibly hit would have been better than “winging it” like I did. I have apologized to my now grown children for not being the parent I could have been. Earlier this week God was speaking to me about honoring parents. I believe children learn how to honor their parents from their parents. My children learned from my trials and failures.

Respect. Children should know that their parents will really listen to them and care what they are thinking. They should have their own space, however small. Their toys and clothes are their first “property” and they should be taught how to care for them.

And children watch us closely to see how we speak and treat our own parents and each other. Actions truly speak louder than our words. Telling our children to speak and act one way while we speak and act differently is a formula for failure.

Love. Do my children know I love them? Do I tell them? That is important. Do I also tell them by attending their activities and helping with homework? A good reason for family dinners around the table is to spend time listening to my children! When discipline is necessary, do I act, not in anger, but with wisdom? Do the consequences fit the situation and am I consistent no matter how tired I am? Here is where I really could have used prayer when my children were young. My language to them was too often cutting and humiliating. In this I failed them in both respect and love.

Example. Good and bad, we are the example for our children. Psalm 78 tells us how important it is for us to share the stories of God, His power and deeds, with the next generation so they won’t be stubborn and disobedient as we have been. This is not just the example we set for our children and grandchildren but how we teach and show respect and love to every child of God.

God is watching us closely to see how we care for our children, His children. If you are in a fellowship and you wonder why it isn’t growing, I believe if we are not making children and young people our #1 priority for outreach and care, but instead putting our own ‘comfort’ ahead for them – then the fellowship will die! Jesus was clear how important children are and Proverbs speaks about the importance of children and how God hates those who spill innocent blood (Proverbs 6).

Each of my children, in their own way, has taught me about faith and love and courage. I am grateful to God for raising them to be the extraordinary adults they are and how they are leaning on God to raise their own children. Thank You, LORD, for allowing me to be a part of their lives. It has truly been an extravagant gift that keeps on giving!

Watching You written & sung by Rodney Atkins

Posted in Ephesians | Comments Off

The LORD Gives – The LORD Takes

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

Soon Jesus and his disciples were on their way to the town of Nain, and a big crowd was going along with them. As they came near the gate of the town, they saw people carrying out the body of a widow’s only son. Many people from the town were walking along with her. Luke 7:11-12 (CEV)

Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said,

“I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” Job 1:19-21 (NLT)

A three-year-old boy died in a drowning accident this week. My heart is clenched in pain for his parents and grandparents. This kind of tragedy makes most of us reach out and hold our own children and grandchildren until they squirm away to play, not understanding the fear and gratitude that has swept over their adults. It also makes those of who believe in God wonder “WHY?!!”

Even though I am ten year member of the club no one wants to belong to (parents who have had a child die) I will not claim to know how these parents feel today. Nor will I attempt to espouse my personal 10-step-personal-program on how to make the pain less and how to move on. This is a time for me to pray for this family. The #1 principle I have learned in the last ten years is that God, and only God, can comfort and answer the questions, the rage, and the overwhelming pain that comes with the death of your child.

Jesus stopped a funeral procession because His heart wept with compassion for this widowed mother who was burying her son. God changed His mind and restored life to the widow’s son. WHY?

Job is a man of God, righteous. In one day all of his children are killed when the house they were in collapses in a storm. Job expresses his grief but then acknowledges what he does know – God is in control of the giving and the taking. God is in control of life and death. But Job doesn’t ask WHY? Scripture says he worshiped God.

Job is a troubling book to me. The Old Testament Scriptures to this point say if I am obedient to God, I will be blessed. If I am disobedient, I will be cursed (Example: Deuteronomy 28). Then I get to Job and that definitive cause and effect goes out the window!

Jesus speaks directly to the blessing and cursing rules in John 9 when the disciples ask if the sins of the parents or the sins of the man himself caused him to be blind. Jesus says the man’s blindness will allow God to be glorified when He heals the man, which Jesus did.

So why couldn’t God have healed my son and been glorified for it? Why didn’t God allow this 3-year-old to be miraculously saved? I don’t know. And that is why I believe that God is the only one who can answer these questions. The best thing I can do is be willing to listen to those who grieve and pray they have ears to hear God’s voice.

Ten years. My son died almost a decade ago and yet, I miss him in the most ordinary moments of life. Join me today in praying for this little boy’s family. May they know that God is right there in the ordinary moments of the days and the nights, to listen and comfort as only He can.

Yet I Will Praise You written by Andy Park & sung by Melissa Boraski

Posted in Job, Luke | Comments Off

Honor Your Father and Your Mother

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Jody Neufeld

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12 (HCSB)

I had a somewhat complicated relationship with my parents. I wasn’t an easy, compliant child. I asked a lot of questions. Leaving home and establishing my own home was very important to me. Ten years or so after I left home, my father was diagnosed with cancer. I am very grateful that God healed me and showed me many truths about my childhood and about my own parental shortcomings. As I freely received mercy from God so I found I was able to freely give mercy to others, including my parents. My father and I were able to ask forgiveness from each other. That is still a precious memory to me. Unfortunately my mother and I did not have the same opportunity.

I have many friends who are caring for their elderly parents. It can be a very difficult season.

Timing. Most children who find themselves with parents who can no longer stay in their own homes alone and/or require some medical care, may still have responsibilities to their own children. They are working full time; need to work full time. The parents and children may live in different cities which demands someone to move.

Relationships. Human relationships are ‘funny’ things. They require work and wise choices. Adult children may have memories which makes caring for their elderly parents a joy – or not. As I said, God is faithful and wants us to be healed from wounds to our hearts. God has enough love and forgiveness to give us if we ask for it.

Expense. Unfortunately, long-term care is very expensive and can last for years.

I say all of this to look again at God’s command to honor our parents. It is the only command that comes with a promise.

I believe the key to giving “honor” to our parents is our heart. Whether we care for our parents in their home, our home or we make sure they are cared for in a long-term care home, the decisions we make must be with wisdom and with unconditional love. And why should we do that? Sometimes “because God said so” maybe all we have to answer. But most can say it is because our parents gave us so much, unconditionally, as we were growing up. And now, in their weakening years, we have an opportunity to care for them unconditionally. It can be a precious season that brings healing and memories that will last.

Some biblical translations say “respect” instead of honor. Both words in God’s command imply to me that I give this to my parents by choice. Whatever our relationship with our parents, when God opens this door to allow us to honor and respect our parents, may we be found faithful just as our LORD is faithful. I believe whatever we do to bless our parents will come back to us as blessings, by God’s promise.

I chose this song to share today because it speaks about not always understanding God’s timing. But we can reach out and know God’s love. Hold on to that and peace, if not understanding, will come.

Sissy’s Song written & sung by Alan Jackson

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