Personal Time with Jesus - Day 12

Picturing Jesus

When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. -Luke 2:39-40

Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. -Luke 2:51-52

Even though I find myself often thinking of Christ in such high standards it is a good reminder when we read these words of how human and like us he really is. As Beth Moore puts it, "in today's terms, He was a man who could preach an anointed sermon, then change a flat tire on the way home from chruch."

Personal Time with Jesus - Day 11

What It's All About

His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant. -Luke 2:48-50

If you think about Mary's response and interaction with Jesus it tells us alot about our relationship with Him today. We are always free to ask Jesus questions and believe He is faithful to answer; however, we do not know when His answer will come or if we will understand the answer at the time it comes. What questions have you asked Him lately and what responses have you gotten?

Join me daily as I journey through Beth Moore's Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only.

Personal Time with Jesus - Day 10

Listening, Answering

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. -Luke 2:41-47

Imagine again that you were Mary and could not find your child for three days. I can only being to image the feelings of fear and worry that flooded through them. However, from this passage we learn a great deal about Jesus; he listens, asks questions, and answers. Even though this was what he did her on earth, and even at 12 years old, this is also the relationship Jesus wants us to have with him today. We need to remember each day that Jesus not only will listen, I find that too often I try to give him my laundry list of prayers, but he will also ask questions and answer us if we only take the time to listen to him.

Join me daily as I journey through Beth Moore's Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only.

Personal Time with Jesus - Day 9

Covenant and Redemption

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” -Luke 2:21-24

Again in this passage we are reminded how amazing our God is that he would have Jesus be born to "normal" people who would obey the Jew laws and follow the rituals that were done at that time even tough those rituals were ultimately be the events that would be done as representation of Jesus. Circumcision was done as a sign of the covenant between God and that person, the rite of redemption was done as a reminder that the Lord brought us out of Egypt, and the rite of purification was done to offer a sacrifice of a lamb or two doves to symbolize that the child is given up to the Lord to redeem him/her from all wickedness and purify him. When you think about exactly what Mary and Joseph did, it was really just all part of joining the Old Testament promises with the New Testament fulfillment.

Join me daily as I journey through Beth Moore's Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only.

Personal Time with Jesus - Day 8

A Night of Nights

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. -Luke 2:15-20

Try to imagine what this night was like for Mary. She has just given birth to her baby next to the man she is to marry, but really doesn't know. And now she must figure out how to take care of this child, who really is not her own, but God's. Today, remember that even though your children have earthly parents, they too are God's children. Are you training them up to be part of his family?

Join me daily as I journey through Beth Moore's Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only.

Personal Time with Jesus - Day 7

Heaven Came Down

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” -Luke 2:8-14

Beth Moore challenges us to picture what this moment looked like, how did the glory of the Lord look around the shepherds? It is such a blessing to think about how our God works by bring such an amazing announcement to such common people as shepherds. What message is God telling you today?

Join me daily as I journey through Beth Moore's Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only.

Personal Time with Jesus - Day 6

Perfect Timing

And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world. But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. -Galations 4:3-7

It's amazing when you think about how God has everything planned way before it ever happens. Thinking about Mary traveling to Bethlehem while she was "great with child" as the KJV puts it seems like the most unlikely time, yet God had it all planned out in just this way for many reasons. Today think about the plans God has had and continues to have for your life.

Personal Time with Jesus - Day 5

A Good Time to Celebrate

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. -Luke 2:1-7

Have you ever wondered why we celebrate this amazing even on December 25? Well, we don't actually know, but if you follow the Jewish calendar and match it up with the information we do know Jesus would have been born near the end of December. As we are approaching Easter, I think it is also important to think about and remember how it all started at Christmas. Too often in our current world I think Christmas and a little with Easter we forget why we are actually celebrating these days. As Christians we need to make sure we are teaching our children why we celebrate these special days.

Join me daily as I journey through Beth Moore's Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only.

Personal Time with Jesus - Day 4

Mary's Song

Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” -Luke 1:46-55

Wow! is Mary an amazing women or what. Moore explains in her study today how this passage gives us a glimpse of several facts about Mary; her excitement (her spirit rejoiced in God), her love of scripture (this passage reflects many Old Testament passages), her humility (she replies that all generations will call be blessed, but not out of pride, but shock), and her experience (she was just a plain, simple, ordinary girl chosen by God). She was a model of all these behaviors during a time when she probably felt so totally overwhelmed and scared. I pray today that you and I can think about these aspects of Mary's life and try to exemplify them in our lives.

Join me daily as I journey through Beth Moore's Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only.

Personal Time with Jesus - Day 3

Kindred Hearts

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. -Luke 1:39-44

How amazing God is when you think about how the Angel was sent to Mary to tell her that she was to give birth to Jesus, but God didn't leave it there, he gave her companionship with Elizabeth, someone who would understand what Mary was going through. God is great and he knows our every need, even before we know. Today try to be conscious of those people that God brings in to your life, to help meet your needs or even for you to help meet their needs. It can be amazing when you recognize God hand in the everyday events of you life.

Personal Time with Jesus - Day 2

How Can This Be?

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. -Luke 1:34-38

How would you respond if the Angel Gabriel had come to you while you were engaged to be married and had yet to be physically intimate with your spouse? Would you respond like Mary, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." I can guarantee my response would have been different. What does it take to have the faith of Mary?

Join me daily as I journy through Beth Moore's Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only.

Personal Time with Jesus - Day 1

Give Him the Name Jesus

The Birth of Jesus Foretold In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” -Luke 1:26-33

This is the first scripture that speaks of the name Jesus. It was just a common name of that region and time, but was chosen to be the name of our amazing savor who would come to save everyone, even the common people. What does the name Jesus mean to you?

Join me daily as I journy through Beth Moore's Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only.

Praying for your Adult Children - Day 31

We have made it through a month of learning how to pray for our children. Now, Omartian gives advise on how to pray for your adult children. She stresses that they never outgrow their need for your love and approval, your admiration and respect, and your emotional and spiritual support. Through the years your children will go through troubling and disappointing times, but we must continue to pray and pray they will come through this time stronger and wiser. I really like that Omartian said, "you can't tell them what to do, but you can tell the enemy what to do."

Starting tomorrow I will be reading Beth Moore's 90 Days with Jesus, join me as we deepen our relationship with Jesus and gain a greater understanding of His life.

Growing in Faith - Day 30

This is what it is all about. Praying that your children will have faith and grow within that faith to be mature Christians and have faith, hope, and love in their lives. Omartian explains that by having faith in their lives children have a purpose, calling, and bright future because they are children of God and they know Jesus died for them. One obstacle that many parents struggle with is a personal lack of faith and feel selfish asking for faith for their children when they are questioning. Omartian suggests if this is where you are called to pray first for your faith to grow and then pray for you children. God is powerful and can do miracles in our children if we just pray.

If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. -Matthew 17:20

Join me in my daily bible study as I read through The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartain

Starting April 1 we will be reading Beth Moore's 90 Days with Jesus, join me as we deepen our relationship with Jesus and gain a greater understanding of His life.

Seeking Wisdom and Discernment - Day 29

As parents we are allows worrying about our children's safety and well-being. However, often times the decisions that surround these events must be made by our children alone. So, as parents, we must pray for God to reveal wisdom, revelations, and discernment to them. It is our job to help them grow and learn how to be tuned into God's voice and know how to respond to Him. Many people call events in live coincidences, but Omartian says they are wisdom and discernment of God.

When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you, understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the ways of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things. -Proverbs 2:10-12

Join me in my daily bible study as I read through The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartain

Starting April 1 we will be reading Beth Moore's 90 Days with Jesus, join me as we deepen our relationship with Jesus and gain a greater understanding of His life.

Breaking Down Ungodly Strongholds - Day 28

Throughout our study Omartian talks about how when she would sense something not right with her children she prays for God to reveal what is going on to her. Today's study continues in this same area. She explains how we need to be suspicious not of our children's actions, but of the enemy actions that are lurking around to erect a stronghold on their lives. When she would feel something was going on she pray Psalm 69:5 "Lord, you know our foolishness and our sins are not hidden from you." After praying eventual God would revel to her what was happening, and she was able to stop them before the deception had taken a foothold in their life.

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and might things, which you do not know. -Jeremiah 33:3

Join me in my daily bible study as I read through The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartain

Beth Moore: Jesus

The month is coming to an end which means we are almost through our Power of a Praying Parent study and need to start another one. I have decided to go away from the topic of parenting and focus on my personal relationship with Jesus. I thought with Easter approaching what better time to deepen my relationship with Him. Beth Moore has written a study in her Personal Reflections Series that is a perfect fit.

Order your book today, so you can join me as I learn to Love Him more. Also, Beth Moore is an amazing teacher and I know she will take us to a new level by the end of this study. Each day she has a short scripture reading, some reflection questions, teaching from Beth, and a personal prayer. I am super excited about this new study and I think it will be a Beth Moore study that is manageable to do. I have done some of her other studies, which I have loved, but they are very time intensive and unfortunately I do not have that amount of time right now. I can't wait to hear from you as you join me in our 90 adventure to learn to love Jesus even more!

Walking in Repentance - Day 27

As Christian parents we must teach our children confession and repentance because we are all sin and to fully have God's love revealed to us we must not allow a wall of sin build between us. We need to pray that God will reveal, expose, or bring to light any hidden sin that has taken root into our children's heart to allow us to help confession and repentance to start from an early age. Confession is a way of clearing the slate of a sin and then repentance allows us to start over clean in God's eyes.

Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die? -Ezekiel 18:31

Join me in my daily bible study as I read through The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartain.

Living Free of Unforgiveness - Day 26

Praying that our children will learn to forgive and truly allow forgiveness to be a part of their life is so vital for them to have happy productive adult lives. Omartian explains how she teaches her children from a very young age to say, "I forgive you" when someone apologies to help them fully understand what forgiveness is. This is such a great idea, I have always just allowed kids to respond with, "that's ok" but by doing this they are not fully allowing forgiveness to happen and it will gradually build up. By forgiving someone you are not saying what they did was right, but it allows you to be free. We must teach our children that forgiveness is a choice and it will allow you to live a life of freedom because of the God of justice. What a powerful area of our children's lives to pray about.

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you ,with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you. -Ephesians 4:31-32

Join me in my daily bible study as I read through The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartain.

Finding the Perfect Mate - Day 25

Praying that your children will find the perfect mate and that a spirit of divorce will never have a place in their lives is so critical in todays world. It seems like divorce has been so ramped lately and becoming an everyday occurrence. I was just struggling with this at Starbucks when I saw that their new book titled, "It happens Every Day" is about a family that falls apart because of divorce. Ok, so I haven't read the book, just the book jacket and was frustrated by the fact that divorce is considered an every day occurrence. It is encouraging to know that I can pray for my children to have the spirit of God to plan their life and marriage even now, years before it will happen.

From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate. -Mark 10:6-9

Join me in my daily bible study as I read through The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartain.