Denying myself

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.'" Matthew 16:24,25

This is what I struggle with. Denying myself for Jesus. Willingly taking up my cross to follow Him without complaining or saying I don't feel like it today. I make up excuses. I find reasons to put off taking my quiet time with Him during the day. The time and effort to fully focus on praying and reading His Word has been put to the wayside too often lately. I try to avoid time with God some days for fear of what He will ask me to do. I am a sinner that has been saved but still struggling with giving up the things of this world! How do you manage it? What has helped you to get through those times that being comfortable and not challenged sounds so much better than sacrificing, obeying and following?! 

Lord, please help me to stop giving into the pleasures and comforts of this world. I need help to focus on Your purpose and plan for my life. Convict me when I have strayed from you or gotten too comfortable. May the Holy Spirit be my Counselor and keep me on track and into Your Word so that I can stand up against all the things that take me away from fellowship with you. Help me. Your daughter, Laurel

Husbands. Fathers.

A man or husband also have a big role in the family, he is the leader. He makes sure that his family is heading in the right direction and following God’s rules. I strongly belief that husband has all the authority to be the head or leader of his family. The Bible clearly states in 1 Corinthian 11:13 that "But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head

of a woman, and God is the head of Christ,” The husband is the head of the wife in the entire family and he has the responsibility of guiding his family to a closer relationship with the Lord. God will require it of him on the day when all our deeds are judged by God. Hey men, my brother in Christ! As you continue leading and your family I want to encourage you that you do your best to honor God in your leadership. Lead in a way that you show grace to your family. Lead in a such a way that it brings unity but not separation in your family. Lead in such away that you are open to correction and criticism. Lead in such a away that you are flexible and adaptable to anything. Lead in such a way that your family would free come to you when need help. Lead in such a way that your family feels safe or security when you are around. Lead in such away that your family members are able to grow physically, emotionally and spiritually. Lead in such a way that you set a good example to your family though your good work. Lead in such a way that show that you are not perfect man but willing to try and pick yourself up when you fall or fail. Lead in a such a way that it will inspire other men where they can see Jesus in you. Lead in such a way that it shows gentleness and humility to your family and people around your family. Lead in such a way that you show patient to your family. Lead in such a way that you STAND UP for your family. Lead in such a way that you are willing to sacrifice for your family, even when it comes to facing death for the sake of your family. And lastly, lead in such away that you show unconditional loves to your wife and children. Do not forget that it is written: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church … (Eph. 5:25-27).

Hey brother in Christ, I am with you good luck in your leadership role. I am with you, let has hang in there and try our best to serve our families. I know it is hard but I think we can do it my brother. I am still young in this leadership but since I started and I have found out that the best way to lead is to “depend on God” and be willing to seek help where needed.

Prayer of the day: Jesus, I am a leader in my family. I want to lead in such a way that shows you in my leadership role. I want to lead my family in such a way that meet your Will for my family. Help me to trust in you and help me with your wisdom to lead my family for your glory” Amen

Mother's Day

Today is 12/12/12, it is Mothers’ Day here at my facebook! (David writes an encouraging/thought provoking message just about everyday on his facebook)
Mothers are very special. I learned a lot from my mother, she has impacted my life in many ways. I don’t know how my life could be without my mother. Can you say that too about your mother today? Mother’s spend more time with their children more than anyone in this world. A mother knows her child as early as in her womb. Mother has a gre

at impact to her child in many ways. Mothers please teach your children to trust in the lord and follow His Will for their life. We live in a crazy and scary world nowadays. We live in the world that teaches our children to fear for tomorrow and has not respect for our children. We live in the world that abuses our children instead of loving them. We live in the world that takes advantage of our innocent children. The world teaches them that they can be whoever they want and they don’t need to listen to their parent. The world shows our children how to be sexually active at their youngest age. Mothers! Its time to Say “NO” stand up for your child!Cant your imagine how our children will be in 20 years from now without the Lord?

Mothers teach your child to obey God. As a mother, God has given you a big role of helping a child to develop skills and discover his/her strengths (Proverbs 22:6) and spiritual gifts (Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Corinthians 12). Do not let the world tell your child this or that. Mother! Your child is very special he/she can make it in this world, belief in your child and help her/him the belief you want the best for her/him in this crazy world. Mother! Provide your child with an environment of constant verbal support, freedom to fail, acceptance, affection, unconditional love (Titus 2:4; 2 Timothy 1:7) Mother! Your child needs you and trust in you, please be there for her/him through everything even your child seems to fail. Stand up for your child and states to the world that your child will make it because God has good plans for him/her and you have done your part in living what you say, being a model from which a child can learn by “catching” the essence of godly living (Proverbs 10:9; 11:3; Psalm 37:18, 37).

Have a blessed day. Mother! I pray that you step up your role as a mother and do your special role for your child in this crazy world. Your child will never forget about you and you will never worry about your child. I am so proud to have a mother who has constantly encouraged me to let God lead my life. I am so proud that I have mother who believes in me and knows that this world can’t touch me because I am protected by the blood of Jesus Christ. My mother may not be the perfect mother but I am so glad that she loves the Lord and I can see her love shinning on her face when I see her and also how she lives to honor God in her life. You might be or might not be like my mother today. But I do encourage you to say this prayer below like you mean it ……

Prayer of the day “God, your Word has never stated that every woman should be a mother. However, it does say that those whom the Lord blesses to be mothers should take the responsibility seriously. I am so blessed to be a mother. God I know that mothers have a unique and crucial role in the lives of their children. God help me to be one of the mothers who play a big role in their children’s for your glory. 

I need you, help me to reach out to my child for your glory” Amen and Amen

Little hands

Our little lady is thoughtful and quick to help someone who is hurt.

Today our little man hurt himself by climbing too far and being too daring for being so young. But I guess that is how boys are. So Mama was holding him and trying to comfort him in the rocking chair when little lady runs to the freezer to get his teething ring. She knows what he likes and when she saw that the teething ring did not help much... she ran to his crib and got his blanket. What a sweet big sister this little man is blessed with! I am amazed by the sibling bond I see forming already and can't wait to see the adventures that they have together.

Thank you big sister for the way you take care of your little brother!