James 6:10 Gina

There is so much that comes our way that God calls us to and many times NO ONE else knows the time and energy you've poured into or given up for a cause or a person and that's when this verse carries us.  It doesn't matter who knows what you do because God knows and that's all that matters.  It's really ALL that matters, is that he is happy with what you do.  Pleasing God.  Honoring God .  If we do that - all is well.....  

Proverbs 13:20 Livia

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

Proverbs 13:20 NIV

http://bible.com/111/pro.13.20.niv

So! The people you hang out with you will become like.  Wise is good.  Fools = bad!   Lol. Sounds easy but it's also so easy to get tangled into a friendship with someone who takes you down a wrong road.  

When you hang with a fool for too long you will be hurt.  Either physically, mentally , spiritually or all of the above!

Let's be wise and choose our company carefully!!

Psalm 51 :10-12

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:10-12 NIV

http://bible.com/111/psa.51.10-12.niv

Why is it important to say this prayer if we've already received Jesus into our hearts and he's forgiven is and died for our sins ?

I think that because we are given a free will over what we do, what we say and how we act that we could easily feel like we've got this. We can slide into old habits and ways and not honor God.   If we study God's word and seek His will we will feel the tension of His holiness and his righteousness compared to how we live. 

Being restored, being renewed , being purified and sustained are all amazing benefits of a submitted life to Christ. 

 

Psalm 18:30 Tim

“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 18:30 NIV

http://bible.com/111/psa.18.30.niv

This life is in no way perfect.  God has mapped out our life and will be with us through all of this worlds imperfections.  It's best if we expect to find trouble in this day because Jesus said "in this world you will have trouble... But take heart I have overcome this world".  We must stay concieous of his presence and that he never leaves us. He will protect us from unnecessary trials and equip you to get through whatever must be endured.  

His peace and joy circumstance can't touch.  

Psalm139:23-24. Gina

Not a lot to be said after a scripture like this.... Let it be our prayer today.  

We have to invite God in to do this work in our lives - so that we refocus on everlasting , eternal stuff!!!

A new song we've fallen in love with at our house:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=djrY_eFDOwE&autoplay=1

Colossians 1:29 - Livia

“To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”

Colossians 1:29 NIV

http://bible.com/111/col.1.29.niv

The human body is wonderfully crafted but gravity and the inevitable effects of aging weigh it down. Lasting abundant life is found in Christ alone.  Let's not be anxious about our body becoming weak and old but rather let God strengthen you from the inside out so that you live this life with enthusiasm and grace!!

Devin - Psalm 103:2-5

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Psalm 103:2-5 NIV

http://bible.com/111/psa.103.2-5.niv

Devin shared a song this morning ....

From the Day!  It was a great kick off for a Monday.  "From the day you saved my soul till the day that I go home...I will sing!!  I will dance!!!..."

Let us go into our day with the faith that carries us, the love that sustains us and the grace that keeps us going. 

Listen to it here:

http://youtu.be/TUjuRFwwvaw

Luke 11 : 9-10 - Gina (momma)

““So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Luke 11:9-10 NIV

http://bible.com/111/luk.11.9-10.niv

Ask

Seek

Knock

Seems pretty simple.... And yet why do we do not do it? 

Kids answers this morning -

Too Busy

Too caught up in stuff

Can't stop and think

We think we can do it ourselves

Stop feeling the need 

Lose faith 

Discouraged 

What we do to keep this practice real in our lives?

It takes a simple prayer.  Faith of a mustard seed to carry through. Don't give up.  When crisis comes (and it will) we have 2 choices 1. Run to God or 2. Run away from Him.  

My prayer this morning for my kids is that they will always run TO their Heavenly Father where grace and love abounds. 

Keeping it real....

1 Thess 5:8

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

1 Thessalonians 5:8 NIV

http://bible.com/111/1th.5.8.niv

Faith, love and hope is the defensive armor that guards the soul.  A man whose heart and head is covered will walk unharmed by this world. He will breathe fresh air above all the chaos. 

It is only as we trust God and fix our eyes on him that we are able to activate self control and be governed by the Holy Spirit living in us.  

These 3 together (faith, hope and love)  bring true spiritual life to our souls.  

Phil 3:8 Tim

“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ”

Philippians 3:8 NIV

http://bible.com/111/php.3.8.niv

I cannot know Jesus through someone else's relationship with him.  I must know his nature, his attributes, his works, his love and his word through my own heart knowledge as I study who his is with my mind.   Let it not be to just know "of" him. 

To know him!!

Many types of knowledge for us- 

Personal

Intelligent 

Affectionate

Satisfying

Exciting

Happy

The more I know him the more I want to know him more!!!!  Lol

Let us sit at his feet today and learn of Him!!! 

Devin - Luke 12 :6-7

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Luke 12:6-7 NIV

http://bible.com/111/luk.12.6-7.niv

God is always with us and knows us intimately.  We don't have to work hard at   Helping God to know us - he made us!  He knows every hair on our head.  Seriously!?? 

Often we can feel lonely that no one understands us or cares, but knowing that God is always near no matter what is so comforting. 

Thank you lord for being that close to us!!!

Isaiah 55 - Gina

““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

http://bible.com/111/isa.55.8-9.niv

O man! I just can't figure it out ....

I want answers!  I want to know the plan. I want, I want , I want!!!

I forget often that God is sovereign and that His ways and thoughts are so much bigger than I can ever imagine or dream! I'm afraid I try so hard to scheme what life should be that I miss what God really has for me. 

I'm too busy in ministry action , driven by service and plans that I forget to rest in him.  Then, I secretly resent the work, the church even God for my weariness .

God please forgive me!!!

Let us hold on to who He is in our lives and rest  in Him  because he holds our future in His hands. 

Psalm 23- Livia

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 23:1-6 NIV

http://bible.com/111/psa.23.1-6.niv

Livia memorized this scripture so she shared it with us this morning ....it was so moving to hear my daughter quote scripture so confidently.  

What a good word ...God takes care of us and we don't need anything only what he deems we should have.  We can rest in him and trust him with our lives , there is no need for worry.   

He chooses us to be a light and he cares for us and loves us and wants us to share that light and love with everyone. 

Isaiah 40. - Gina

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”

Isaiah 40:28 NIV

http://bible.com/111/isa.40.28.niv

Having hope is a promise we have from God.  When junk and more junk is piled on and trial after trial - it does make you feel like you have no hope.  Our hope is in God and in that it doesn't matter what we have or don't have or what is going on in our lives because 

God's hope is not about my happiness .  The question for us is "Is His grace enough? " no matter what???

 hum.....

Kadin - Matt 6:34

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:34 NIV

http://bible.com/111/mat.6.34.niv

Live this day abundantly !!!

See all there is to see.  Do all there is to do.  Don't be distracted by future plans. Don't live worrying about tomorrow.  Live in today!!

 God is always with us!!!!   This is the most important fact of our  existence -  that God is with us!!!

Luke 12:15

"Be on your guard against every form of greed."  Luke 12:15

We need more and more stuff these days.  We are obsessed with the next thing and the next thing.  We spend 110% of what we make and we are still not satisfied.  

This is a serious issue.  

We sense it in our everyday life with simple things like going into stores and needing to walk out with a drink or a candy bar.  Just never satisfied.  It's an ongoing hunger that never lets up.  

It's exhausting!!

How can we change?  Pray!

Ask God to show us how to fight greed. 

This is a great reminder - 

http://youtu.be/PtUUuVtURrc

We are making a list of everything we can cut back on and change in our lives.  We heard at church on Sunday that kids in Panama are getting one meal a week !  We want to be able to contribute to feeding them more often!   We eat whenever we want even when we don't need it!  

God forgive us for our greed. 

Devins 16th bday Devotion!

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

John 15:13 NIV

http://bible.com/111/jhn.15.13.niv

It's tradition to get breakfast in bed and to go around the 5 person circle on our birthdays and tell the birthday person what we love about them here at the WESSEL home!  

So ... Devin is celebrating 16....

Kadin loves that he's willing to play anything with him and that he plays basketball with him.  He loves how kind he is and how he knows his big brother loves him.

Livia loves how Christ centered he is.  Very kind and nice.  Love that he is a good big brother and that he's there for her  when She needs him. 

Daddy loves everything about him. Mature for 16!  Good head on his shoulders.  Work ethic and hard working. That makes him very proud. It's hard to come by these days in teens. He believes he is so kind because he doesn't allow the world to make him who he is even when it's not the cool thing to do.  He's teachable and grows quickly from that quality .  Love that he's responsible and checks himself on what is most important. 

Love that hunting and fishing is in his blood. Family first with Dev - love that.

Momma - His quiet approach to life that displays such confidence in who he is in Christ and to us , his family. I love how he gets back up again when he's been knocked down.  I love the music in him ..that I get to do music with him and the way he whips and nay nays!!!  Music lives in him - love to watch it come out.

We love you Devin!!!!

  

Matthew 17:20 Kadin

“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.””

Matthew 17:20 NIV

http://bible.com/111/mat.17.20.niv

Do we have faith that God can move mountains??? While we know he could move a real mountain I believe we are referring to the mountains in our lives figuratively.   It's easy to have that faith for others but not so much for ourselves.  

It's about trusting God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above what we can ask or imagine.  That's our God!!

God chooses people who will give him honor when He moves the mountains.  

How about you? 

James 4:4 - Livia

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

James 4:4 NIV

http://bible.com/111/jas.4.4.niv

Worldly pressures and desires get in the way of our relationship with God.  The Bible says we are the salt and light of this world....we should not be hidden.  Brian Summer , http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/brian-sumner/,  our guest speaker last night at youth group encouraged us to be strong in our faith.  To seek God not the world.  We should shine bright for our God. We are IN this world but NOT of it.