Joy is triumphant elation in the face of great loss. Joy is not getting what you want, it’s appreciating what you already have. You are God’s workmanship! Preached at National Community Church. Used by permission.

King Solomon penned Psalm 127. He was not the model father. God dubbed made the flamboyant monarch the wisest man on earth. When you read Psalm 127, you’ll notice that it’s a paradox. Solomon blends his sagely gift and his stint as the ultimate dysfunctional father. In a way, Solomon lived every man’s dream … he married seven hundred trophy wives and kept three hundred sexy concubines on the side. That much estrogen in one place must have driven him to distraction! We know the super-king was, at best, savvy and street-smart. At his worst, Solomon was jaded and cynical. Regardless of your opinion of King Solomon, he had definitely been around the block, and he had learned a thing or two. BUILD YOUR LIFE ON GOD “Unless the Lord builds the house” Psalm 127a.” How would you like to have the Creator of the Universe as your architect? This house represents a life designed by God. Every room, every hallway is custom-made by the Creator. “Unless the Lord builds” is a conditional clause in the Hebrew language. If God doesn’t lay the foundation, your home will collapse. My father was a contractor. When he retired, he built a modest home in a new suburban development. Hotel-like mansions popped up around them shortly after they moved. Each showplace was replete with Porsches, country-club wives and 2.5 preppy children. Two years later, every elegant edifice had cracked foundations. You see, those wealthy buyers looked inside the homes but not underneath them. My father, on the other hand, knew the soil in his neighborhood was sandy. Before he laid his home’s foundation, he poured concrete piers 150 feet beneath the surface. Jaded Solomon said everything in life is vanity and vapor. Only the godly man or woman has deep roots. Solomon’s Dad David wrote, “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season. And its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1:3). When you cease to control your life, to stop renovating your relationships according your own specifications, the life you miraculously receive will be more gorgeous and grandiose than you imagined. Give God, the Master-Contractor, the blueprints. Your house will stand. LIVE PROTECTED Psalm 127:1b says, “Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” Watchmen were always stationed on the walls of Jerusalem to detect the stealthy approach of all enemies, but even vigilant watchmen couldn’t protect Israel. Only God could. One of my daughters died of heart failure. One was shot on the playground in a drive-by shooting (she lived). One was raped when she was a foreign exchange student in high school. God’s watchful protection over my family was my only hope of peace and security. Fretting, fearing and stewing over your little problems is just vanity or “mist”. Rest and relinquish control of your family. Trust God’s guardianship. FOCUS YOUR PRIORITIES “It is vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil, for He give to His beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:2 Do you feel you have stepped on the hamster wheel of life and can’t get off? This verse describes the dilemma of the early bird and the night owl whose high-energy workaholism snuffs them out or burns them to a crisp in a few years. Some of us are driven because we falsely believe that our identity lies in productivity. We race around at a frenetic pace because we don’t want to process pain or loss, so we mask it, causing empty lives and shallow relationships. Remember Jesus’ promise about the lilies of the field and the birds of the air in Matthew 6:28? If God feeds and clothes them, how much more will He feed and clothe you! I started graduate school the day after my baby daughter died in my arms from heart failure and suffocation. After she died, I busied myself to mask my broken heart. But God longed for me to stay still long enough to receive His comfort, to process my grief and to discover His direction for my life. Let’s talk about the “bread of anxious toil.” Is Solomon depicting the poor guy who mans the night shift at Taco Bell? Working for food? If I have to work more than fifteen minutes to prepare a meal, I feel violated. But in biblical times, an average person’s day revolved around gathering and preparing food for the family. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 31:15 “She (the righteous woman) gets up while it is still dark and provides food for her family.” That’s still a good idea. It’s the only time Walmart is not packed with people. Live to work; don’t work to live. That’s unnecessary, anxious toil. REST AND LISTEN “It is vain to rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil, for He gives to His beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:2 Have you ever thought of sleep as a gift? Symbolically, it means God the Father wants to teach you the rest you can experience by trusting in Him. Hebrews 4:9 “There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from His own work just as God did from His.” The verse that follows is surprising —“The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” When we rest and listen to God, His Word helps us to understand who we are in Him. When you are in the throes of a big decision—and the car salesman or stockbroker demands an answer, the wise person will often say, “I’ll sleep on it.” Sleep gives us clarity and perspective. Sleep restores and rejuvenates us. Sleep is a gift. Neurologists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducted a study on sleep deprivation where several graduate students were kept awake for two consecutive weeks. At the end of the insomnia fest, all of the subjects were showing schizophrenic symptoms. Sleep is essential for our well-being. Stop squirming and start resting. ENJOY YOUR FAMILY “Sons are a heritage from the Lord: the fruit of the womb is a reward.” Psalm 127:3. Solomon teaches that children are a gift from Him. Sarah, Rachel and Hannah all prayed to have sons. Childless widows in the Bible were pictured as helpless and destitute. A man’s sons were his social security. They tilled the land and carried on the family name. They nursed Mom and Dad in their twilight years. The heritage of the family was entrusted to them. Heritage implies an identity, a culture, a set of values, and a lifestyle. A close family is a precious treasure. Make memories. Teach values. “Like arrows in the hands of warriors are the sons of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.” Psalm 127:4 Solomon teaches in verse 4 that children are like a warrior’s arrows. Everyone used arrows in ancient times. Warriors drew their bows to stop aggressors. Hunters wielded bows and arrows to kill prey and feed their families. Arrows were carefully designed to hit the target. A hunter’s crooked arrow could cost him his life. Today, a person who lives a lifestyle of uncompromising integrity is a “straight arrow.” Adult children who lead lives that are focused and effective bring joy to their parents. Parents who have carefully invested in the lives of their children will be happy and fulfilled when they “shoot their arrows” into society and watch them soar successfully. LAUNCH THEM TO LEAD They will not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the gate. “Sitting at the town gate was an ancient custom first mentioned in Genesis. Judges sat at the city gate to solve domestic disputes, forge contracts and make treaties. Lot, the lukewarm judge, tried cases at the city gate. Obviously, Lot didn’t stem the tide of decadence and immorality in his hometown. God had to fry the city to a crisp and turn Lot’s wife into a saltine because of the depravity of the Sodomites and “Gomorrahites!” Conversely, Moses became a great judge. Moses’ father-in-law Jethro advised him to delegate some of his governance to trusted leaders of each tribe. Moses heeded Jethro and appointed judges to help lead the wandering Jews. Deft negotiators kept the peace by practicing diplomacy among warring tribes and nations. If the judges were savvy arbitrators, if they were honest, then the people enjoyed peace. If the ambassadors were corrupt or capricious, the community’s safety and prosperity were compromised. Launch your children to lead wisely and faithfully. Heed Solomon’s words. Build your family on a firm foundation. Find and follow God’s plan. Rest and enjoy the precious time you have together. Lead and launch your children to navigate the seas of life successfully.

he grandparent/grandchild relationship is a special one (and it should be)! It’s sweet and wonderful and like-nothing-we’ve-ever-known-before, but we must take care not to mishandle God’s design for it. “Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, 2 that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates (Deuteronomy 6:1-9). Did you see it? In verse two of this very familiar “grandparent” passage? Those words, “you and your son and your son’s son?” God’s command is multi-generational . We are to make disciples of our children AND our grandchildren. But we can’t do this if we are giving all our time and attention to our grandchildren while ignoring our children. So, if we’ve been guilty, where do we begin? Be available . Sit down with your adult children and let them know they are a priority in your life. Tell them face-to-face that you are available for them. Then follow through. Often the request will be related to a need – run the children to practice, baby-sit, help when a car or appliance breaks down. Whatever it is, invite the interruption and go, help, listen. Be askable. First, set the stage. Invite your adult children to ask for help. Welcome their calls. You want to be one of the first people your child contacts when they have a question or a need. Secondly, when your adult child does ASK, be sure to listen. You are their consultant not their commander. Offer advice only when asked—without judgment. Ask . Asking shows that you care. Develop the art of asking great questions – not as an interrogator but as one who is truly interested. And ask, regularly, how you can pray for your adult children. Initiate. Phone, Skype, or message your adult child, regularly – no strings attached, no hidden agenda. Simply talk. If your adult child is not able to engage in a lengthy conversation, don’t despair, be thankful for what they can give. And refrain from keeping score on who is initiating the calls and messages. Walk with your adult children. Learn how to walk alongside their daily lives. Show interest. Be there. Our work with our children is never done. It simply changes, and it goes hand-in-hand with our work with our grandchildren. www.deborahhaddix.com . Used by permission.

What happens when you close your eyes in death? The questions you have about life after death can leave you wondering, but they don’t mean you have to live in fear. Bring your questions and find out what happens One Minute After You Die.

Children can learn to pray as they observe God in nature. Here are three examples of ways you can teach your child to speak to God as they enjoy His creation. 1. Tree Prayer. “All the trees of the field clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:1. Things you need: a real tree outside, a small tree indoors or a picture of a tree. Use the different parts of a tree to help you pray. For example, Roots: “Help me to be rooted in you.” Trunk: “Help me to grow strong and tall in Your love, always pointing toward heaven.” Branches: “Help me to stay connected with You as I reach out to others. Leaves: “Please help me to bring comfort, healing, and protection to those around me who are vulnerable. Fruit: “May the fruit of Your Spirit be produced in my life, to be shared with others.” 2. Animal Prayer. “Praise the Lord…wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds.” Psalm 148:7, 10. Create a prayer using the characteristics of different animals. Use pictures of animals to stimulate ideas. Perhaps a child might like to act out the different animals used in the prayer. Choose animals that your child likes. For example, “Father God, You are such a wonderful Creator. I would love to sing Your praises like a canary. I want to follow you as a duckling follows the mother duck. I want to search for you as a squirrel searches for nuts. But sometimes I make mistakes. Forgive me for the times when I want to play like a kitten instead of helping Mom and Dad. Forgive me when I copy others like a parrot and don’t think for myself. Please make me clean and white again like a newborn lamb.” 3. Weather Prayer. “Praise the Lord…lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do His bidding.” Psalm 148:7,8. Make cards showing the different weather symbols. You may also be able to print these out using your computer. Let each symbol remind you of a prayer idea. For example: Sun: “Father, may Your love shine in my life, warming my heart. May I spread the warmth of your love to others.” Snow: “Thank You Father, for taking my messy sins, and making them whiter than snow.” Fog: “Right now I see You only faintly, as if through a thick fog. Please help the fog to clear, so that I can understand more about You.” Wind: “Father God, send Your Spirit to blow through my life, clearing away the dust and bringing fresh air. Rain: “Thank You, God for Your rain, washing me clean, refreshing me, quenching my thirst. Thank You that You are the Water of Life. Help me to drink deeply.” These are a few simple ways to use God’s handiwork to teach your little ones to talk to their Heavenly Father. Make prayer a constant conversation in their day. From 100 Creative Prayer Ideas for Kids by Karen Holford.

The sordid story of Ham is an enigma. Did God condone slavery? Why was Ham’s son cursed? What made the sin of Ham so heinous? Today I came across an interesting interpretation of scripture in Bible Study Magazine from Michael S. Heiser that brought to mind the importance of understanding the culture and times in which the Bible was written. There are some things in the scripture that we understand at a surface level. However, there are many things in the Bible that require an understanding of the culture or practices of the time in which the Bible was written if we want to truly understand what the Lord would have us learn. One of those passages is in Genesis 9 about Noah cursing his grandson for something that his own son did. Here’s the passage. “Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, he said, ‘Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.’” (Genesis 9:20-25). Now the traditional interpretation for many is that Noah’s son, Ham, saw his father naked and based upon the phrase that Noah, “Knew what his youngest son had done to him,” that Ham had some kind of homosexual encounter with his father while his father was passed out or drunk. Other commentators have said that Ham’s descendants, because of this, became the black Africans and thus their color was a curse to them. However, looking further into the scripture we can see that these interpretations have serious faults. A Matter Of Idioms Why would Noah curse his grandson (Canaan) for something that his son (Ham) did? The answer lies in the phrase that Ham, “Saw the nakedness of his father.” At our first modern reading we assume that saying has a plain meaning: Ham saw his dad naked. But there is evidence from the scripture to suggest that this is not what was meant at all. Consider these passages in Leviticus, also written by Moses. “You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is your father’s nakedness” (Leviticus 18:7-8). “If a man lies with his father’s wife, he has uncovered his father’s nakedness; both of them shall surely be put to death” (Leviticus 20:11). Notice the usage of, “Uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother.” Moses uses the idiom, then he explains it right away so the meaning is not lost. In both cases Moses was using an idiom to basically say, “Don’t have sex with your mother,” or “Don’t have sex with your father’s wife.” Being that the passages in Genesis and Leviticus were written by the same author (Moses), it may be said that in Genesis 9 Moses was using this idiom to say that Ham had a sexual encounter with his mother (or Noah’s wife, assuming that the woman in question was not Ham’s natural mother). Either way, this was an incestuous relationship. Interestingly, these idioms are never used in scripture to describe a homosexual relationship, thus, this can only mean sleeping with one’s mother, or sleeping with a father’s wife, voluntary or not. So, taking this idiom into account let’s look at Genesis 9 again, with a little interpretation. ““Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father [slept with his mother] and told his two brothers outside. Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father [mother]. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness [mother]. When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him [slept with his wife], he said, ‘Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.’” (Genesis 9:20-25). Notice that Ham went and told his brothers, Shem and Japheth, what he did to his mother. IE, he was telling them that she was “available.” Instead of taking advantage of her they covered her up. So why the curse on Canaan? Because in this situation, if we are interpreting correctly, meant that Canaan was the illegitimate son of Ham and his mother. He therefore could not have a place of leadership in the family of Noah since we would have been an illegitimate son. Why Is This Important? When reading the book of Genesis we tend to look at the book as a series of stories about beginnings: the beginning of the world, the beginning of man, the beginning of sin, the beginning of the Jews, etc. But in actuality, the book of Genesis is more than just an account of beginnings. It is a book written to ancient Israelites in defense of Moses’ leadership for the nation. Secondly, it begins to tell us the story of the coming of Jesus. Consider that in scripture, Canaan is a type for sin. God gives the descendants of Canaan the land for a while, but ultimately the land is to go to the Israelites as a fulfillment of a promise made to Abraham. The picture here is one of Jesus coming to deal with sin. As the land was promised to Abraham’s offspring, it is actually promised to Jesus because he is the promised offspring (Romans 4:13, Galatians 3:19). Thus, Moses is showing two things in Genesis 9. First, the Israelites are the promised people who will take possession of the land from the Canaanite tribes, who are cursed from spiritual leadership. Second, the coming savior would also come and deal with sin, by wiping it out in the same way that Israel wiped out the Canaanites from the land. If Genesis 9 is interpreted as a homosexual act by Ham against his father, then the curse upon Canaan would be an injustice, being meted out for something his father had done. The scripture already says that, “Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin” (Deuteronomy 24:16). Additionally, if the sin against Noah is a homosexual one, the story would tell us nothing of importance in terms of the types being illustrated about the promises of God for Israel and the coming Messiah. Remember that Genesis unfolds the story of a people needing a savior and finally a savior comes (Joseph), who is a type for Christ. Then Moses carries the story further into his own day as his own life becomes an illustration for the coming life of Christ. Now, is this interpretation correct? I’m not saying I buy into this interpretation, but I do find it somewhat compelling. I confess that it is a hard one to accept because in our day we don’t use the idiom presented here. The issue is whether or not the Israelites would have understood the story in this way, being familiar with the idiom and its use elsewhere in the Pentateuch. Ultimately, it all gets down to the story of Jesus, since these early writings were given to us not only as ancient Israelite history, but as a precursor to the coming of Christ. Just as the Israelites destroyed the Canaanites from the land, so too, Jesus has dealt with the sin in our lives through his death on the cross. Just as Canaan was illegitimate and was given no family influence, so too, our sin is an illegitimate part of our lives and we must give it no influence in our lives for Christ. guywithabible.com Used by permission.

What is it in my own life that I need to change or should change?    Change starts by first taking 100 percent responsibility for our thoughts, actions and attitudes. It requires changing our thinking, our attitudes, and our behaviors. This theme of the failure that many of us have – and let’s face it – many of us do – is we fail to take personal responsibilities for our lives. When you think about it, we grew up in a time where it’s hard for us to take personal responsibility. In fact, our culture does anything but take responsibility. Every group in our culture points to another, saying it’s their fault. We need to have the courage to change, and until we accept the reality of this law of personal responsibility, we cannot fully mature into a spiritual and relational point of being an adult. Christianity is not a passive religion; it’s an act of faith. The Bible uses words like c hoose, defend, fight, forgive, love, plant, seek, teach, train, visit, worn, work, and worship. The Bible is full of verbs that demonstrate a very active faith. God’s design for us is to be intentional in taking these verbs and living them out: · When we’re obedient to know what the scripture teaches about how we’re to treat our spouses, there’s a payoff for that. · When we’re obedient to be intentional, to take the verb, and we use the verb, and we act on that verb in our lives, when it comes to how we live, with our finances or with our faith or our health, there’s going to be a payoff for that. · There’s always a positive return on investment for being intentional. Accepting personal responsibility should cause us to have the courage to change by facing the reality as it is today, resulting in actions that will glorify God and bring benefit to ourselves. Do you know the condition of the things that are most valuable in your life? Two verses, Proverbs 27:23 and 24, which are two steps and a warning that we see in these two verses when it comes to change in our lives. Proverbs 27:23-24 says, “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks and attend to your herds for riches are not forever nor does a crown endure to all generations.” There is a profound truth in these two little Proverbs worth considering. If we dissect it for a moment, the first part says to be diligent and know the state of your flocks . In other words, the wisdom is to know the condition of what is most valuable in your life. Change is not going to occur until we stop and assess what needs to be changed, and the wisdom here is to know the condition of your flocks. Many people are careless with what is most valuable in their lives. For example: · Someone who knows being involved with pornography will destroy their marriage yet becomes involved in pornography. · Someone realizes being abusive to another destroys relationships (at a minimum), and yet, they are abusive. · Or a person who knows wasting time leads to ultimate failure but still chooses to waste time. · How many of us, when it comes to our health, know what we should do, but we don’t do it anyway. Why? We become careless. We are not diligent to know the state of our flocks. As you read this, take a self-assessment for your own benefit of ten vital areas of your life and determine if you are weaker or stronger than you were a year ago. There are really more than ten, but these are the ones I’d like to focus on. If you answer the questions honestly, you’ll see the area of your life that is weaker or stronger than it was because, as I mentioned in Part 1 of this two-part series: the law of change is nothing stays the same. 1. Is your family life weaker or stronger today than it was a year ago? 2. What about the state of your marriage? If you’re not married, consider the close relationships that you have. 3. Where are you today as you look at your view of God, your relationship with Christ, your relationship with God. Is it something that is stronger than it was a year ago, or is it weaker? 4. How about your thinking and your attitude? Is your attitude in life either up or down, or your thinking about the things in your life weaker or stronger than a year ago? 5. How you view your work? Do you see yourself being stronger or weaker as an employee carrying out what God has given you to do? 6. What about your personal life? When you look inside your own life, would you say your personal life is stronger or weaker? 7. How about friendships? 8. Now consider your health. There is the ongoing tendency to grow weaker with years, especially if you don’t evaluate it. Do you think your health is weaker today or is it stronger than a year ago? 9. Are your finances in better shape? It doesn’t necessarily mean you have more, but do you have a better handle on it than you did a year ago? 10. What is the condition of your property, the stuff that you own? Do you take care of the things the Lord has given you? Now, these ten things are all tied together, and it’s important to stop from time-to-time and ask the question, how am I doing in these important areas of my life? And then from an Intentional Living perspective, ask the question of what one thing could I do in the next 30 days that would make the biggest difference in this area of my life? Will you do that today? www.intentionalliving.com. Used by permission.

A lot can happen in a year. In Genesis 18, God visits Abraham. While sitting at the entrance of his tent, Abraham notices three men standing before him by the oaks of Mamre. Abraham runs to them, bows down, and compels them to stay, referring to them as “Lord.” After providing a lavish meal for his visitors, a question arose, “Where is Sarah, your wife?” “She’s inside the tent,” Abraham replied. Then one of them said, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent (see Genesis 18:9–10 NLT). Sarah listens from the darkened confines of a tent, close enough to hear but separated from their conversation. She is careful not to make a sound, but Scripture reveals her thoughts: Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children. So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?” (Genesis 18:11–12 NLT) Was this the first time Sarah heard this? She is obviously caught off guard. Sometimes a promise is drawing closer when it has never seemed more impossible. What I love about this discourse was that the Lord is determined that Sarah is part of the conversation. Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh.” But the Lord said, “No, you did laugh.” (Genesis 18:13–15 NLT) Sarah not only laughed . . . she lied! She was scared because it was one of those “You’ve got to be kidding!” laughs. God spoke to the deep desire of Sarah’s heart, which shook her to the core. Her heart was shaken like a gold minor drilling the hard earth searching for the promise concealed in her heart. Perhaps she had died to these dreams but these dreams had not died–they were only buried alive deep within her. Strength comes when God visits your life with promise. It turned out to be a year like no other for Sarah. The truth is that there is no substitute for hearing God speak directly to you. You need to jump in on conversations with God that concern your destiny. We need what you carry on your life. This is not the time to hide. It is time for you to come out of confinement and call to the Lord, “I’m here! Speak, for Your servant listens.” If you want to live the life God has planned for you, hiding must no longer be an option. Like Sarah, this year could be a marker year for you—the year you both receive promise and have promise fulfilled. Don’t lie and say that you do not long for more. Don’t deny your dreams. When you do, there is first a laugh and then a lie as the door of your heart shuts. Bravely throw open your heart and embrace all the miraculous wonder you’ve been invited into. So, what are you hiding from? What is the dream that you now mock? Beloved, maybe this year has begun in the shadows with a laugh . . . but can end with embracing a promise! www.messengerinternational.org . Used by permission.

Have you ever come across a word that seems to jump out at you consistently? A word that causes you to sit up and take notice each time you hear it? This is one of those words for me. In fact, I believe I began taking particular notice of the word right around the time I realized I was a long-distance grandmother. Intentional: done with intention or on purpose; intended. (Dictionary.com) I have to chuckle at that definition because being a former Language Arts teacher and English major, I always stressed to my students never to use the word itself in a definition because if you don’t know what the word means in the first place using it in the definition certainly won’t help clarify things. So, let’s take a look at the definition of the root word. Intention: an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result. (Dictionary.com) Perhaps INTENTION has become a word for me because in my current season of life I am learning that the things that are truly important in my life require me to be INTENTIONAL about them. When I was a child, life just happened. There was no need for INTENTION because I had parents and other adults in my life to care for me. As a young mom, others were my responsibility, and I often found myself so busy trying to juggle everyone and everything that there was no time to be INTENTIONAL–about anything. Now as an empty nester, the word is giving some shape to the second half of my life. From here, I can look back and see how time flies. My babies are grown and are parents of their own. My grandchildren are growing up so quickly. From here, I can also look back at all the times I had “good INTENTIONS” with no follow through because…. (Fill in the blank–time got away from me, I needed to drive someone somewhere, homework needed to be done, meals needed to be cooked, there was some type of event going on at church, I forgot. If you are in that season or have lived through that season, you get the idea.) As God continues to bring this word to me now, one thing I notice in looking at the definition is that INTENTION is an act of determination. I must be deliberate. Putting my grandchildren on a calendar may seem cold or impersonal, but it makes sure that I don’t forget! The other thing I notice as I look at the definition of INTENTIONAL is that the act is done. I must follow through. “Good INTENTIONS” don’t show others the love of God if they remain just thoughts! As a daughter of the King, my desire is to live a life of INTENTION. INTENTION in my relationship with God, in my marriage, with my family, my friends, and in every area of my life including grandparenting. What does it look like to be INTENTIONAL about grandparenting? For me, during the first few years of grandparenting all of my grandchildren lived far enough away that I wasn’t able to interact with them face-to-face on a daily basis. Being INTENTIONAL at that time, meant looking for ways to make connections and build relationships with them across the miles. Later on, INTENTION meant keeping a calendar with my grandchildren’s names on it to remind me to make some type of contact with them: mailing each a small item that was personal to them, sending notecards, or writing a story with them. INTENTION also became weekly Skype calls on the calendar so that we could “see” each other and talk about our week. There are so many ways to be INTENTIONAL about our relationships with our grandchildren. Not only do we need to be INTENTIONAL about getting to know them and building relationships with them, but in modeling Godly marriages and passing along our love for God. We also need to become INTENTIONAL about praying for our grandchildren. If our desire for them is that Satan’s schemes and powers toward them be stopped and God’s power and provision for them flow fully, we must pray. Not just INTEND to, but pray. 1. Form a group or at least grab a friend. Follow through is so much more likely if an accountability system is in place. By oneself, it’s so easy to put things off until they are nothing more than “good INTENTIONS.” 2. Put it on the calendar. Whether the calendar event is a weekly meeting with your Grandparenting Prayer Group, a check in with your internet prayer circle, or each grandchild’s name on a different day reminding you to lift him/her up purposely that day. 3. Pray specifically. Pray for physical, spiritual, and emotional protection. Pray that your grandchild would recognize evil in this world. Pray that they would be strong in their faith resisting the enemy. Pray that each grandchild would come to see themself as God sees them and be aware of His presence with them. Iwww.deborahhaddix.com . Used by permission.

The Book of Revelation recounts the events of the End Times, weaving God’s plan at the creation to the wrath of God, the final judgment, and the eternal reign of Christ in the New Heaven and the New Earth. But how does the history of the world close? What does John write at the end of his book? We must know! Preached at Denton Bible Church. Used by permission.

Desire is a very powerful force in our lives, and I am convinced it’s the root of why it’s so difficult for us to live intentionally. The reason we get into trouble is because our desires are not aligned with what God has for us. James 1:14-15 says, “Each one is tempted when, by this own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death.” There are four things James notes about the word, desire, that can help us be more intentional in our lives. 1. James says desire is personal. We are drawn away are tempted by our own evil desires. Satan is a deceiver and a liar, but ultimately, his biggest trick is to build desires within you that will draw you the wrong direction. But ultimately you choose to follow your own desires. 2. Desire is powerful. James describes it like you are being dragged away. Have you ever experienced a desire for something, and it felt like someone grabbed you by the collar and pulled you into it? Let’s just get real for a minute. In psychology, we talk about food filling a hole of some unmet need in your life, which is true. We could analyze these things, but the fact is food can develop as a desire center. How about the desire for power? We see power in politics, and how it corrupts. People go through great loss when they lose power. How about the desire for sex, which is God-given? As Christians, in marriage, should have the best sex lives. 1 Corinthians 7 is pretty clear about that, but we take things that should be normal desires that God has placed in a box, and they become distorted. The desire for control for some people is a big issue. I wrestle with that one. You’ve always got to know where the boundaries are in having that sense of control. Intellectually I don’t control much, but I have this desire to make sure there are things I can control. 3. Desire is progressive after it is conceived. It is like a seed is put into the ground, growing and developing into whatever that seed is. Desire demands more to be satisfied, but it is never satisfied. Some of us have family with an addiction – it’s a very powerful force. There’s draw that pulls people into needing more and more, even though intellectually they know the desire for that ultimately will kill them, it overtakes their life. 4. Desire is perilous. Ultimately, according to our verses in James, left unchecked, it will lead to sin and death. God’s intention for us to be led by His desires. His desires drive us to live. How do you know when you are driven by your desires? Our biggest enemy is ourselves. I’m the one that gets in my own way. Have you ever noticed that you get up and you realize that our greatest enemy isn’t our spouse, our neighbors or our culture? Some days it’s not even Satan, it’s you! For example, we: · Procrastinate on important things. · Eat what’s unhealthy for us. · Say things that are unkind. · Buy what is unaffordable. · Trust those who are unreliable. · Support rules that are unjust · Think what is untrue. · That is how many of us live our lives. In fact, we even have a vocabulary to identify this thing of the problem of self. We use phrases like, “I’m my own worst enemy,” or “I’m going to shoot myself in the foot.” We set ourselves up for failure. The problems we face in life have roots that go into yesterday’s desires and into yesterday’s actions. We become a product of the things that we desire in our lives. The desires of our heart get us into trouble. Even the Apostle Paul had this challenge in Romans 7. He said, “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I can’t carry it out.” He admits that of all the things that he knew in his relationship with Christ, and all that he went through, the biggest problem he had was himself. He got in his own way. We live in a world of good intentions. Living intentionally in Christ is hard because the desires we have can be the problem. If you change your desires, that changes your actions, and ultimately changes your life. What is desire? From a biblical perspective, the word desire means something I long for. It’s a deep, abiding thing that grabs hold of me, and I desire it. The world tells us we should desire – a new car, a new way of living, or a new experience. The world constantly places things in front of us to distract us. If we pick those things up, they become the desires of our heart, and unfortunately create problems. God’s intention for us to be led by His desires. His desires drive us to live. Think about your desires. Where did they come from? How did your desires from yesterday impact your life today? What one thing can you do during these next 30 days that will help you align your desires to God’s desires to bring Him glory? The Psalmist in Psalm 37:4 says: Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. In the Hebrew, the word delight means total dependence upon, and pleasure in. When you have total dependence, and pleasure in God, then he will give you the desires of your heart. Take a challenge for the next 30 days. Every day, get up and say, Lord, give me the right desires in my heart that are in alignment with your intentions for my life. Whatever the desire I have may it be in accordance with your will because I am totally dependent upon you. www.theintentionallife.com . Used by permission of the author.

1. Position yourself in prayer by reading Scripture first. “In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years” (v. 2). 2. Follow Scripture’s lead toward what you should pray for. (If prayer’s the train, make Scripture the rails.) “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition…” (v. 3) 3. Pray humbly, recognizing your utter unworthiness before an all-holy God. “…prayer and petition in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.” (v. 3) 4. Begin by praising God for His attributes, His greatness and faithfulness. Let God’s character provide the context for prayer, so He’s the center of gravity, not you. “I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands…’“ (v. 4) 5. Confess your sins, taking full responsibility, without rationalization, spin or self-exemption. “We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.” (v. 5-6) 6. Permeate prayer with affirmations of God’s amazing grace and your profound gratitude—never asking for what you deserve, but thanking Him that He’s given you infinitely better than you deserve. “Lord, you are righteous but we are covered with shame…you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you…we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled; we have not obeyed…All Israel has transgressed your Law and turned away, refusing to obey you.” (v. 7-11a) 7. Before bringing your requests, repeatedly affirm God’s worthiness and your unworthiness—never forget who you are, and Who you’re talking to. “Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the law of Moses…have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you! You have fulfilled the words spoken…by bringing upon us great disaster…just as it is written in the law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us.” (v. 11b-12a) 8. Never blame God for sin, its consequences or for life’s hardships. “Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD is righteous in everything; yet we have not obeyed him.” (v. 12b-14) 9. Make requests in light of God’s past acts of faithfulness. Rehearse those acts to God, as demonstrated in Scripture, history, and your own personal and family life. “Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned and done wrong. O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem…” (v. 15-16) 10. Pray for God’s sake, His glory, and His reputation, reminding yourself it’s all about Him, not you. “Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. …O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” (v. 17-19) 11. Pray with a heartfelt recognition of God’s undeserved grace on behalf of you and others. “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.” (v.18) 12. God hears our prayers and starts responding to them (when we pray with Daniel’s attitude and perspective) before we can see results, and even when we can’t see results at all. “While I was still in prayer Gabriel the man came to me in swift flight. “I have come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given…which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.” (v. 21-23) 13. God deploys angels on missions in response to humble, biblically-based, God-centered prayers. “I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks…I looked and there was a man…”I have been sent to you”…Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.’“ (10:12) 14. Prayer mobilizes righteous angels, who engage in intense turf warfare against fallen angels, with kingdom claims at stake. Answers to prayer may be hastened or delayed as a result of this warfare. “But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come [in response to prayer, having been immediately dispatched, but delayed three weeks in warfare]…Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the King of Persia…Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come…No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince…” (10:13-14, 20-21) www.epm.org . Used by permission.