A Daily Drink Of Living Water

Among the spiritual gifts mentioned in the sermon is the gift of helps—a vital yet often undervalued role within the church. Those with the gift of helps are individuals driven by a desire to assist without seeking recognition. They see what needs to be done and act accordingly. Their contributions may not be glamorous but are foundational to various church operations. Reflect on Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Serving behind the scenes is just as critical as more visible roles and reflects the servant heart of Christ. Examine ways you can utilize your abilities to support your church. Remember that every role, visible or not, is significant in God’s eyes and is a chance to serve Christ by serving His people. Celebrate the unsung heroes in your church and seek ways to encourage and assist them in their service.

Evangelists carry the unique gift of bringing the Good News to the world. As defined, it's not confined to large preaching events; it can be as simple as sharing hope in everyday conversations. Consider Philip the Evangelist, as portrayed in Acts, who exemplified evangelistic outreach simply by meeting people where they were—whether that was a chariot or a crowded city square. Evangelists are essentially messengers of God’s promise of salvation and hope. Have you been given opportunities to share the gospel with others. Are there colleagues, family members, or acquaintances who need encouragement or hope? Every Christian can be an evangelist by living out their faith and engaging others with the message of Christ’s love and redemption.

When we study the role of Pastors and shepherds, we take cues from scriptural passages like Psalm 23 and Jeremiah 3:15, which highlight the pastor’s responsibilities. Some of those are; providing spiritual nourishment, comfort, guidance, and protection to their congregations. Pastors are called to be reflections of Jesus, "the Good Shepherd." They are tasked with teaching and leading the flock, helping with spiritual and emotional needs, and sometimes physical needs. It's a role that requires dedication and constant reliance on God for wisdom and strength. Despite their significant duties, Pastors are not called to do everything themselves. Congregations should support their Pastors through prayer, practical support, and by taking up their own roles within the church. Reflect on how you can support your pastor and church leaders today. Is there a way you can lighten their load or offer words of encouragement? Your prayers, understanding, and support can profoundly impact their ability to lead effectively.

Here we are at the final devotion this week, which will be based out of Exodus 20:12. This verse and commandment is to honor one's father and mother. Honoring parents is not just a command for children but a relevant lesson for adults too. Your relationship with your parents models for your children how they should interact with theirs. Therefore, it's critical to maintain an attitude of honor even in adult relationships. Honor is about acknowledging the sacrifices made and cherishing the support received over the years. There is a blessing tied to honoring parents—a long and prosperous life. For adults, it means valuing advice, considering their wisdom, and keeping family bonds strong. For children, it means respect and obedience. We all can begin today by thinking about how we can better honor our parents if they are alive, and if not, still honoring their memory.

Here we are at the end of the work week, and again I'd like to speak of another important aspect of dealing with children....Discipline! Proverbs 13:24 and 29:15 highlight a fundamental principle regarding the balance of discipline in a child's upbringing. This balance involves guiding them with love while also implementing necessary boundaries. A home without discipline can lead to confusion and lack of guidance in children. But equally, a home without love creates resentment and possible bitterness. As the Apostle Paul says in Eph. 6:4 and Col. 3:21 discipline should never provoke anger but should be administered in love with the aim of teaching valuable life lessons. When God tasks us with disciplining children, He emphasizes the need for correction without harshness. Interpret discipline as a form of teaching, acting as an opportunity to sow wisdom rather than fear. Find moments to instruct them about responsibility, empathy, and humility. Protect and nurture them with love, always guiding, always loving. If you are a parent or grandparent, consider the way discipline is delivered in your homes. Is it aligning with God’s love? Aim to teach children under your care; understanding, respect, and nurturing, enriching the spirit of your children.

I pray everyone is having a great Thursday. In Deuteronomy 6:5-7, we are reminded that children learn from observing the very life we lead. Our faith should not be an act of speech alone but expressed through our daily actions. Children are quick to pick up cues and habits from those they look up to. Therefore, modeling faith through genuine acts of kindness, forgiveness, love, patience, and integrity becomes the most important things we can instill in a child. When you model consistent behavior that reflects your faith, children learn godly conduct, the importance of kindness, and a spirit of humility grounded in God’s love. Children will surely come back to these godly attributes when dealing with their challenges. Embrace this teaching opportunity: live your faith openly. Whether you find joy, trials, successes, or failures, model a life fully reliant and thankful to God. Let your life be a testament to your faith, reflecting God's glory in your interactions, and guiding your children towards the spiritual path through implicit example. Through your daily life, instill in your children a faithful legacy that will stand the test of time.

Well, here it is Wednesday, the middle of the week. I trust that you've been praying for the children in your life. Today I want to talk about the need of praying for our children's future. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 tell us about the importance of instilling godliness in the lives of the children around us, especially as parents. So, consider the depth of your prayers for not just your children or grandchildren but for their entire future, including their future marriages and life decisions. Our prayers should extend beyond temporal concerns into future promises, seeking divine guidance for their choices and protection over their lives. By praying with purpose, you're not just safeguarding the present but investing in their future. Remember, God has a plan for each child, and praying is like preparing the fertile soil in which they can grow into the men and women God desires them to be. Not only is fervent prayer necessary, but teaching them godly values must be a priority. Demonstrating Godly character in everyday situations is important. As you walk alongside them in their faith journey, illustrate the principles of faith not just with words but through your consistent living testimony.

Thanks Lord for another Tuesday. Today we want to look at the idea presented in Psalms 127:3 and Proverbs 17:6 that describe children as a heritage of the Lord and a crown of old men. This text symbolizes the achievement and enrichment that children bring into our lives. Children are described as gifts, symbols of glory, and cherished rewards that God provides. A 'heritage' embodies something incredibly valuable, meant to be treasured and carefully passed from generation to generation. Just like many other valuables in our possession, children must be protected and nurtured. The image of children as a 'crown' implies that they represent the family success and bring much honor. This understanding challenges us to deeply value the relationships and interactions we have with our children. They’re our legacy; the means through which our values, beliefs, and traditions will go on into future generations. As you contemplate the children in your life - whether they are your own or ones you love - embrace them as God’s heritage to you. Treat them with the value they scripturally hold. Today, and for the rest of this week, as God to help you pray, guide, and support these youthful lives, ensuring their paths are aligned with God’s Word.

A blessed Monday Morning to each of you. In Genesis 1:28, God said, "Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth." His command was not only a directive for numerical growth but a call to spiritually enrich the world with generations that know Him. Psalms 139 beautifully outlines God's view on creation, emphasizing that each child is known by God even before they are formed. They are intricately woven by divine hands, reflecting God's love and intentionality. This is how we ought to perceive children: not as burdens or mere successors, but as valued individuals crafted with purpose. Furthermore, Jeremiah 1:5 reiterates that children are known by God even before birth. It challenges parents and grandparents to remember that our responsibility is to guide them according to His purpose rather than impose our own. According to scripture, children are given to us, not to control but to nurture. Let's see children through God's eyes: as a heritage and reward according to Psalms 127:3,4. They are indeed the rewards bestowed upon us, our crowns, and we must value them at all times as precious gifts loving them as God does, for their uniqueness and individuality.

The final devotion for this week is about mothers. God has called mothers to model what it means to be Godly to their children. In 2nd Timothy 1:5, the Apostle Paul holds in high regard the mother and grandmother of Timothy, Paul's son in the faith. Paul believed that Timothy got his love for Christ and his zeal for the Word of God from them. What a high praise for these two mothers. God wants mothers and grandmothers to teach their children the ways of the Lord, always demonstrating to them what true faith in God is. What a powerful ministry that God gives to mothers. Today I encourage all mothers to step out in faith and get bold with teaching your children the things of God, as the world won't teach them. Continue to love and care for them, so they know how to do this for their families when they grow up. Titus 2:3-5 teaches the older women to teach the younger women how to be Godly. Whatever stage you are in, be doers of God's Word, and blessings will come out of it.

A great Friday to each of you! Today's devotion is on Ephesians 5:33, which says; "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverance her husband." I know that we touched on this verse ealier this week, but I wanted to take a deeper look at what this means for wives to "reverance, or respect" their husbands. In 1st Peter 3:6, the verse reads like this; "Even Sarah obeyed Abram, calling him lord;whose daughers you are, as long as you do well and are not afraid with an amazement." Now, if we really look at the stories of her husband Abram in Genesis chapters 12 and 20, we see that he made some pretty bad choices that affected her directly. Sarah could have chosen to be disrespectful to her husband because of these choices, but the Bible tells us in this verse, she respected him still calling him lord. This didn't mean that she was calling her husband God, but did mean that she recognized him as her headship under God. We see her name again in Hebrews chapter 11:11 being held in high regards as a woman of faith. This was most likely, because she recognized God's word and honored her husband, even though he lied several times in these instances. Wives, always remember that God will honor you when you honor his Word.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). "Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the Word, they also may without the Word be won by the conversation of the wives" ( 1st Peter3:1) What a way to start out today's devotion! Yes, this is God's word and responsibilities for wives that want to be Godly, however many times when the word submission is heard it creates a feeling that is less than desireable in us. Understanding this role will help with this feeling of being overrun by someone or being weak. This is not at all what God means by this. God is a God of order, and the Apostle Paul tells us this in 1st Timothy 2: 9-13, and in 1 Cor. 11: 8-12. In these verses, we see that God made the man first, then the woman. So the Order was God, man, then woman. The headship of man is God, and the headship of woman is man according to God's divine order. Man is called with the responsibility to Love his wife and be the one that leads her, and his family in the ways of God, in which he will give an account to God of how he did this. The wife is to submit to this authority, realizing that He must be submissive to God's authority. One qualifier though is this. Submission is not required if asked to participate in ungodly activities, or in an abusive relationship. When participating in God's divine order, there will always be blessing.

Today is another great day to talk about the plan that God has for the family. We've been talking this week about the wife's responsibilty the past few days and again we are going to look deeper at what it means to become one flesh as spelled out in Genesis 2:24. So often immediately after getting married, either the husband or the wife set out to change one another into who they want the other to be. This was never God's plan, as he created each of us to be just who we are. According to Psalm 139:14, the psalmist says that each one of us has been fearfully and wonderfully made, with unique personalities and traits. In a marriage, husbands and wives are to take those uniques traits and blend them into one beautiful relationship, without trying to make to other just like themselves. In this past weeks sermon, I read an article from Kendra Zickafoose, in which she shared how she thought "helping" her husband meant changing all of his ways to hers. She ended the article realizing that is wasn't the wives job to mold their husbands into what they wanted them to be, but to help them become the men that God wanted them to be. This was done through daily prayer for them, listening instead of talking and learning to love them more. This was good advice, and by applying God's word, produced much better results in her marriage.

it's a beautiful Tuesday, and we thank the Lord for another day to honor and serve Him. Today we want to focus on Genesis 2:18, where God said it was not good that man should be alone, and that He would make a help meet for Adam. Wives, this is the very first responsibility that you have in your marriage, to be a help meet. So what does this mean? The words mean that God has called wives to be helpers to their husbands, and they are suitable for them, or harmonize with them. It's important to know that God never intended for man and wife to be the same, they are to compliment each other, as God has given a part of Himself to man and the other part to woman. This is why Genesis 2:24 says that a man shall cleave to his wife and they two should become one flesh. To help your husband means to be his friend and trusted partner according to Proverbs 31:10-12. It also means be his prayer warrior and encourager, unlike what Proverbs 21:9 which tells us about a brawling woman in a home. Think about this quote from fruitfulvinewoman.com; "What a helpmate is not....not manipulating, not controlling or taking authority over your husband or tricking him into doing things my way." Food for thought in embracing the role of a wife according to God's Word.

A very good day to all of you. In today's society, our culture has become so busy, with family values being torn apart. It was God's plan to have the husband be the spiritual leader in the family, leading his family to God, to church and to loving one another. God's plan for the wife was to love God, reverence or respect her husband, love her family and teach them the ways of God through being a Godly example. The Apostle Pauls tells us in Ephesians 5:33 "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." Also in Proverbs 6:20, the writer tells his son to not forsake the law, or teachings of his mother. There are definite roles that each play in the family. If we want family unity, we must keep the roles that God has layed out for us to follow. As we go through our day today, lets examine ourselves to see if we are keeping our role as God has layed it out for us.

Acknowledging the biblical roles within a family aims to promote unity, reflecting the same harmony God desires for the Church. Just as every member of the Church is significant, so too are the roles within a family, each contributing to its unity and strength. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 warns against division, encouraging members to care for one another in love and harmony. Your family can only thrive when there is understanding and cooperation among its members, each respecting and fulfilling their divine roles. Reflect on whether your family dynamics promote unity or unintentionally foster division. Are you fostering an environment where every member feels valued and integral? Pray for the grace to strengthen family bonds, seeking reconciliation where necessary and promoting peace and understanding in everyday interactions. Encourage open communication and mutual respect among your family, emphasizing that unity makes your family stronger together, just as God intends for His Church.

In Ephesians 6:4 , the apostle Paul advises fathers not to provoke their children to wrath but to raise them with discipline and instruction in the Lord. This speaks to the balance between discipline and compassion in parenting. Correction is necessary but must be administered in a loving manner that doesn’t incite anger or resentment. Fathers should discipline not out of frustration but with the intent to guide their children towards righteousness and maturity. Reflect on your methods of correction. Are they in line with the compassionate approach God desires? Fathers, consider whether your actions might provoke rather than teach. Seek to discipline with compassion, combining firmness with love. Pray for your children, asking God to nurture their growth in faith and character. As you guide them, remember that your ultimate goal is to direct them towards Christ, fostering a lifelong relationship with Him through your example and teaching.

This past week's sermon emphasized the role of fathers in raising children, highlighting the significance of fatherhood in shaping future generations. Psalm 127:3-5 views children as a blessing, a heritage from the Lord, symbolizing the profound impact parents have on their lives. Fathers have a responsibility not just to provide but to nurture and instruct their children in the way of the Lord, fostering an environment where they can understand and experience God’s love and grace. This includes teaching integrity, compassion, and the importance of submitting to God’s authority. Reflect on your approach to parenting. Are you actively showing your children the love and compassion of Christ? Are you preparing them to engage the world with a firm foundation in faith? Seek God’s guidance on how to be a more effective father, setting an example of godliness and love for your children. Pray for patience and wisdom as you navigate the challenges of parenthood, ensuring that you lead your children by example and instill in them values that will guide them throughout their lives.

One of the most profound teachings regarding husbands is found in Ephesians 5:25-28, where Paul commands husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the Church. This love is sacrificial, unending, and transformative. Loving like Christ means prioritizing your spouse’s needs and well-being over your own desires, and even more importantly, nurturing her spiritual growth and maintaining her value. This form of love leads to a healthy relationship where both partners feel valued and cherished. Consider how you express love within your marriage. Reflect on whether your actions mirror the sacrificial love Christ expects of you. Are you quick to anger, or do you approach conflicts with grace and understanding? Pray for the capacity to love genuinely and selflessly, immitating Christ in every way. Let your words and deeds be manifestations of this love, showing your spouse that she is treasured not only by you but by God. By loving your spouse in this manner, you strengthen your marriage and display God’s love through your relationship.

Genesis 2:20-24 details God’s creation of male and female, setting in motion the divine order for relationships between husbands and wives. God is very clear in this passage, where the husband is male and the wife is female, contrary to what our current society is telling us. Biblical roles are not archaic rules but divine insights into how relationships should function effectively. God’s creation of Adam and Eve shows His intention for partnerships that complement and support one another. Husbands are to leave their parents and unite with their wives, forming a new, independent family unit. This unity requires Love and loyalty to the wife, and for the husband to lead his wife in the ways of righteousness. Husbands, seek to align your relationship with your wife with God’s word, finding areas where cultural norms might have blurred your understanding of God’s plan. Pray for clarity and wisdom to embrace God's divine order in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where you may need to adjust your attitudes or actions toward your role in the family. Let this understanding guide you in fostering a loving, balanced, and God-centered family.

In today's devotion, we focus on the call for husbands to be the spiritual leaders in their households, as outlined in Ephesians 5:23. The apostle Paul explains that husbands are to lead their families spiritually, similar to how Christ leads the Church. Leadership, in this context, is not about exerting power but about serving and guiding the family towards God. It involves loving, teaching, and setting a spiritual example for the household. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves the Church, which is a love characterized by sacrifice and selflessness. Husbands and Fathers, reflect upon your leadership role within your family. Are your actions and decisions leading your family closer to God? Are you creating a home environment where faith is nurtured and where each member feels valued and secure? Consider how you can grow as a spiritual leader. Perhaps it starts with prayer, seeking God's wisdom, and diligently studying His word so that you can effectively guide your family. Pray for the strength and patience to fulfill this role with grace and humility, keeping in mind that leading your family spiritually is an expression of love and not authority.

Today's sermon introduces us to a series on 'God's Plan for Family' with Part One focusing on the roles of husbands and fathers. This devotional will help us understand the importance God places on different roles within the family. Today, we'll explore the biblical foundation for family roles and why they are essential to God's plan. In 1 Corinthians 12:18-26, Paul talks about the body of Christ, emphasizing that each part is crucial and necessary. The same principle applies to families; each member plays a unique role that is vital for the family’s health and functionality. God designed these family roles to promote unity and prevent divisions that can lead to dysfunction. Understanding these roles is crucial because they provide guidance on how to relate to each other, honor God, and fulfill our responsibilities. Recognizing the role of a husband or father in a family doesn't elevate one gender over another, but it establishes a divine order that reflects God's intention for harmony and leadership. Take time today to reflect on how well you embrace your role within your family. Do you strive to honor the responsibilities God has set for you? Remember, these roles are not just obligations but are opportunities to serve, love, and grow together as a family in Christ.