Monday, July 18, 2011

July- Love For God's Word

Parents

I hope everyone is still hanging in there and enjoying the blog. This week's verses and prayers are surrounded by obeying and having a respect for God's Word and laws. Over the last month or so I don't think I have sat in a church service Youth and "big church" alike that obedience has not come up. Just this past Wednesday Pastor Adam talked about obedience as God's mode of transportation to get us where He is taking us. How many of us and our children have hopped off the train of obedience? How many times have we as adults have been delayed in a receiving answer to prayer? Could be because of disobedience? Just yesterday Pastor Dave reminded us that there are many commands throughout the Bible, like "Love your neighbour as yourself", "be kind to one another," and "take care of the widows and the orphans" There are many many more commands throughout the Bible and we are responsible for obeying. May all of our senses be made alert to each and every command as we read His Word.

I hope you you are able to unlock some delayed blessings/treasures this week with just simply returning to the basics of obedience.


July 15th Proverbs 14:27
Respect for the Lord is like a fountain that gives life. It turns you away from the jaws of death. (NIRV)

“Father God, I pray that my child/ren would be turned away from death and that he/she would be in the midst of the fountain of life as he/she respects you.”

July 16th Psalm 119:2
Blessed are those who obey his covenant laws. They trust in him with all their hearts.(NIRV)

"Heavenly Father, I pray blessings over my children as they trust in Your plan for their live. Fill them with a deep yearning to be obedient."

July 17th Psalm 63:8
I hold on to you. Your powerful right hand takes good care of me. (NIRV)

“Wonderful God, I pray that my child/ren would hold onto you everyday of his/her life. Thank you for taking good care of him/her.”

July 18th Psalm 34:9
You people of God, have respect for the Lord. Those who respect him have everything they need. (NIRV)

“Dear God, I pray that my child/ren have everything he/she needs as he/she shows respect for you.”

July 19th Psalm 19:9
The law that brings respect for the Lord is pure. It lasts forever. The directions the Lord gives are true. All of them are completely right. (NIRV)

“Dear Lord, I pray that my child/ren would follow your directions.

July 20th Psalm 19:7
The law of the Lord is perfect. It gives us new strength. The laws of the Lord can be trusted. They make childish people wise. (NIRV)

“Dear God, I pray that my child/ren find strength in your perfect Law. I pray that your word will make my child/ren wise.”

July 21th Exodus 20:20
Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid. God has come to put you to the test. He wants you to have respect for him. That will keep you from sinning." (NIRV)

“Heavenly Father, I pray that my chld/ren would not be afraid. I pray that he/she pass the test as he/she show respect for you.”

Wow theses verses this week all touch on respecting and obeying God's word/laws. If all of us could unlock that power and the treasures God has intended for us to have just by simply obeying-what would be different in our lives today? When my girls were little we had a saying "obedience was to do what you are told when you are told to do it and with a good attitude." I can honestly say the "good attitude" or motive of the heart may just be the one keys to unlock those treasures and blessings.

My prayer this week is that not just our children but us parents too would be able to return to the basics and simply obey. Is there something God has been asking you to do and you have put it off thinking you couldn't do it? Allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart and see if there is any sin of omission or just plan forgetfulness. Maybe we could share with our children times of obedience or even disobedience to God our consequences. I often wonder if our children think that "obeying" is only for them while they are in "our homes." They need to know that being obedient is a life style.

Blessings to each of you this week.
A Parent's Heart- Shannon

Sunday, July 10, 2011

July- Love for God's Word

Good Morning Parents,

I hope everyone is having a great summer and enjoying the heat. I'm personally have neven been a huge outside girl and have to admit I like the cooler weather myself.

I wanted to share with another favorite verse of my this week. Have you ever been spanked by God when you read His Word? Has the Holy Spirit ever lead you to a specific passage in the Bible and you felt like you needed to go to time out? Well I did.

I am a physical therapist assistant and I take great "pride" in my job and I love what I do. There was a time in my live years ago that I became very prideful of how good I was compared to co-workers. Patients and families would praise me and always would be so thankful for my help. Well, there came a time that I became too prideful in my job and what I thought of myself. There was usual work drama, at home drama with small children, juggling sporting activities of two children, financial issues, busy with church activities, ect you get the picture...normal life.

I can't remember the exact issue or concern I was having at the time (I'm sure it had something to do with not being good enough or having enough recongition for being such a good employee, wife, mother, church memember, sports mom) but God lead me to this passage in 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
"Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers...."

Ooch! I was most definitely put in my place. It was then that I realized that what ever good I did in what ever role I was in all came from God. With out God working inside of me there is no good. It is Him who makes me sufficent in all that I do. I can't be a good employee, wife, mother, church memember w/o God's Grace and mercy working in, throught, and over me. I desire now more than ever to know my place and to be lead by God in all that I do. And I now trust more than ever that it is God that makes me good enough at what ever He calls me to do.

A Parent's heart - Shannon


July 9th
Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me. Psalm 119:105 (NIRV)

“Thank you Lord, for your Word, it is a light that guides us everyday. I pray that my child/ren would always know the path he/she should take.”

July 10th
The word of God is living and active. It is sharper than any sword that has two edges. It cuts deep enough to separate soul from spirit. It can separate joints from bones. It judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12(NIRV)

“Dear Lord, I pray that your Word would be living and active within my child/ren’s life. May Your Word seperate anything from their souls that is not of You. I pr ay that their thoughts and purposes of their hearts be pure and pleasing to you.”

July 11
But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:25 (NLT)

“Dear Lord, I pray that my child/ren would look carefully into your Word and that he/she would be set free. I pray for your blessing to cover him/her as he/she obeys your Word.”

July 12
Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. Proverbs 16:20 (NLT)

“Dear God, I pray that my child/ren would prosper as he/she listens to your instruction. Give my child/ren a deep desire to listen to Your instruction and may they alway know your voice.”

July 13
But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. 1 John 2:5 (NLT)

“Father God, I pray that my child/ren would obey you completely and know that you are living inside of him/her.”

July 14
Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. Proverbs 10:27(NLT)

“Heavenly Father, I pray that my child/ren would live a long life as he/she fears you.”

July 15
Respect for the Lord is like a fountain that gives life. It turns you away from the jaws of death. Proverbs 14:27 (NIRV)

“Father God, I pray that my child/ren would be turned away from death and that he/she would be in the midst of the fountain of life as he/she respects you.”

July 16
Blessed are those who obey his covenant laws. They trust in him with all their hearts. Psalm 119:2 (NIRV)

"Heavenly Father, I pray that my child/ren would learn to trust you deeply in their hearts in all situations. I pray blessings over them as they obey your laws. "


Parents, I pray blessings over each one of you reading my blog as you desire to pray over your children. I pray strength over you as Godly parents and I pray that through God's blessings, talents, provisions that we all are suffient as parents as we equip our treasures from Heaven.

A Parent's Heart- Shannon

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

July- Love For God's Word

Dear Parents,
This month we look at many promises that that the Bible gives us. The Bible is truely our road map and encyclepida for our Christian walks. It tells us how we are to treat others, it tells us how to speak, it tells us who we should be in relationships with. It has the answers for everything that we may ever need to know. I have to admit that I have not been a Bible reader over the years as I should. I do know that with every problem or situation that I or my family face I'm drawn back to a scripture that gives me understanding, wisdom, or direction.

My most favorite Bible Verse is Psalms 32:8. "I will instruct you in which way you should go. I will teach you with my own eye." I was lead to this verse while in high school wanting to go to college and not sure what to do or even how to get there. Being raised in a single parent family didn't offer too many fincial perks but mostly worry and doing without. But I knew that God was calling me into being a physcial therapist assistant. I stood on this promise that He would lead me and watch over me. And I can honestly say 22 years later I'm in the right career for me. My college was not only paid for but I had a gaureented job waiting me when I graduated.

I desire for God to give my girls the same promises and assurances that He'll open doors for them in order for their calling to be completed.

Lets jump into the Word!

July – Love For God and His Word

July 1st Psalm 119:133
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. (NIV)
“Dear Lord I pray that you would direct the footsteps of my child/ren. I pray that he/she would keep you Word in his/her heart so that sin won’t rule over him/her.”

July 2nd Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (NIV)

“Dear God I pray that your Laws would never depart my child/ren. I pray that he/she meditate on it daily. I pray that he/she would be successful in all he/she does.”

July 3rd Psalm 119:33
Lord, teach me to follow your orders. Then I will obey them to the very end. (NIRV)

“Dear Lord, I pray that my child/ren would learn your ways. I pray that he/she would obey your Word all the days of his/her life.”

July 4th Psalm 19:8
The rules of the Lord are right. They give joy to our hearts. The commands of the Lord shine brightly. They give light to our minds. (NIRV)

“Heavenly Father, I pray that your Word would give light to my child/ren’s mind. I pray that he/she would have joy.”

July 5th Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing the message. And the message that is heard is the word of Christ. (NIRV)

July 6th John 8:31-32
Jesus spoke to the Jews who had believed him. "If you obey my teaching," he said, "you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth. And the truth will set you free." (NIRV)

“Dear Lord, I pray that my child/ren would always know the truth. I pray that he/she would obey your teachings.”

July 7th Psalm 119:165
Those who love your law enjoy great peace. Nothing can make them trip and fall. (NIRV)

“Dear God, I pray that my child/ren would love your Word. I praise you that there is nothing that can make him/her fall when he/she obeys your Word.”

July 8th Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart so that I won't sin against you. (NIRV)

“Dear Lord, I pray that my child/ren would allow your Word to penetrate his/her heart so that he/she won’t sin against you.”

Saturday, June 25, 2011

June - Serving

Good Morning Parents,

We are finishing up the month of June on having a servant heart. Serving is a vital part of being apart of the bigger picture. I just love the TV commerical..I think it is about an insurance company...where one person observes another person doing a kind act (example holding open a door, or picking up something a person dropped, or stopping someone from stepping out in on coming traffic when that person is txt and not paying attention). Well the person who observed the act of kindness then does something for someone else and so on for 3 or 4 more people.

My Mother also was told me "you never know who is watching so you better watch what you do." I am trying to pass that on to my girls. I have put a mommy lecture in three little letters.

"RRP"
R- Reflect God's Character in your actions and attitude
R- Represent your parents, God, your pastors, and your church with your words, action, attitude,the places you go, and on the road DRIVING ATTITUDE -I'm still working on that one myself sometimes - shew Lord help me! LOL
P- Protect your destiny with the choices you make. There are several examples in my and my husband's family of how choices have a life long impact.

We were created to do good work and to serve others - to be God's hand extended or to be God with skin on - to quote a few old phrases. I desire that my children to have a strong desire to see the needs of others and to be sucessful enough in life to be able to walk out what God has put infront of them to do.

Let's look at God's Word...

June 25th Joshua 24:14
"So have respect for the Lord. Serve him. Be completely faithful to him. Throw away the gods your people worshiped east of the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord. (NIRV)

“Dear Lord, I pray for my child/ren today. I pray that he/she would be completely faithful to the one and only God. I pray that he/she would have a life of service to you.”

June 26th 2 Corinthians 6:4
Instead, we make it clear that we serve God in every way. We serve him by holding steady. We stand firm in all kinds of trouble, hard times and suffering.(NIRV)

“Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that my child/ren would serve you everyday of his/her life no matter the situation good or bad.”

June 27th Deuteronomy 10:20
Have respect for the Lord your God. Serve him. Remain true to him. When you make promises, take your oaths in his name. (NIRV)

“Dear God, I pray that my child/ren would keep all of his/her promises and remain true to you.”

June 28th Deuteronomy 11:13 So be faithful. Obey the commands the Lord your God is giving you today. Love him. Serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. (NIRV)

“Father God, I pray that my child/ren would obey your commands. I pray that he/she would serve you with all of his/her heart and soul.”

June 29th 1 Peter 4:10
God's gifts of grace come in many forms. Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others. You should use it faithfully. (NIRV)

“Thank you Lord for the gifts you have given my child/ren. I pray that he/she would use them to serve others. I pray that he/she would always be faithful to you ways.”

June 30th 1 Peter 4:11
If you speak, you should do it like one speaking God's very words. If you serve, you should do it with the strength God provides. Then in all things God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Give him the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (NIRV)

“Dear Lord, I pray that my child/ren would give you the honor and glory due you by the way he/she lives his/her live. I pray that he/she would serve with all his/her strength that you have provided.”


July – Love For God and His Word

July 1st
Psalm 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. (NIV)

“Dear Lord I pray that you would direct the footsteps of my child/ren. I pray that he/she would keep you Word in his/her heart so that sin won’t rule over him/her.”


Parents I hope you have a great week as we enter a new month. Be blessed as you pray over your treasures from Heaven above. May God let you see the fruit of your prayers.

A Parent's Heart- Shannon

Saturday, June 18, 2011

June- Serving

Parents,

I hope you are enjoying the scriptures on our monthly topics. Some verses have shaken me over the last 6 months. They have challenged me in my own personal life. I trust you too have been touched by God's Word.

June 18th Hebrews 6:10
God is fair. He will not forget what you have done. He will remember the love you have shown him. You showed it when you helped his people. And you show it when you keep on helping them. (NIRV)

“Thank you God for your fairness. I pray that my child/ren would show love to everyone you place in his/her path and by doing this he/she will show his/her love towards you.”

June 19th Luke 22:26
But you must not be like that. Instead, the most important among you should be like the youngest. The one who rules should be like the one who serves. (NIRV)

“Dear Lord, your word is clear that we should have a servant heart. I pray that my child/ren would be like the one who serves.”

June 20th Luke 22:27
Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. (NLT)

“Awesome Lord, I pray that my child/ren would always know that it is more important to serve others than to be the one sitting at the table.”

June 21st Galatians 5:13
My brothers and sisters, you were chosen to be free. But don't use your freedom as an excuse to live in sin. Instead, serve one another in love. (NIRV)

“Dear God, I pray that my child/ren would always remember the cost of his/her freedom. I pray that he/she would choose to serve others in love.”

June 22nd Malachi 3:18
Then once again you will see the difference between godly people and sinful people. And you will see the difference between those who serve me and those who do not. (NIRV)

“Precious Lord, I pray that others will see the difference in my child/ren as he/she chooses to serve others.”

June 23rd Matthew 20:28
"Be like the Son of Man. He did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others. He came to give his life as the price for setting many people free." (NIRV)

“Thank you Jesus for your ultimate act of service. I pray that my child/ren would have boldness to serve even when it is hard.”

June 24th Psalm 2:11
Serve the Lord and have respect for him. Serve him with joy and trembling. (NIRV)

“Dear God, I pray that my child/ren have respect for you and that he/she would serve with joy and with respect for who you are.”

I don't know about you but I desire to be a better servant. I desire a pure heart and mind when it comes to serving. God blessess a servant heart. I desire so much for my children. I pray that God will give each one of us parents a servant heart and wisdom how to instill a servant heart into our children so that their lives too will be blessed even more so than ours.

A Parent's Heart- Shannon

Monday, June 13, 2011

June- Servant heart

Parents,

It is hard to believe that school is out and summer has hit full blast. I hope everyone is finding time to spend with your families this summer. Our family's vaction wont be until the end of July. It seems so far away. But we are looking forward to going out of town and are having fun trying to finalize our plans.

I hope everyone is having a good time praying the Scriptures over your children. It is awesome at the verses that God lead me to and how it has changed my perspective on things - being a parent.

June 4th Colossians 3:23
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (NLT)

“Dear God, I pray that my child/ren would have a willing heart to work hard and serve you in all things.”

June 5th Matthew 25:34-45
… “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ (NLT)

“Lord, I pray that you open the eyes of my child/ren to see those in need. I pray that he/she will never refuse to help someone in need.”

June 6th Matthew 7:16a
You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. (NLT)

“Father God, I pray that my child/ren would bare good fruit and that it would be known to all that he/she belongs to you.”

June 7th Galatians 6:10
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (NLT)

“Dear Lord, I pray that my child/ren would see the opportunities that you provide for him/her to do good to everyone.”

June 8th Proverbs 3:28
If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” (NLT)

“Dear God, I pray that my child/ren never turns anyone away that has a need. I pray that you would bless my child/ren so that he/she can help those in need.”

June 9th Galatians 6:3
If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. (NLT)

“Lord, I pray that my child/ren would never think more highly of him/herself than he/she should. I pray that he/she would find his/her identity in you and never put anyone beneath him/her.”

June 10th John 13:15
I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. (NLT)

“Thank you Jesus for the example you have given us. I pray that my child/ren would follow your example and serve others.”


God's Word is so clear on how we are to treat others and that we are to be helpful to others in need. I truely believe that we are being God's hand extended to others when we are willing to help others. I truely desire for my children to have a pure heart full of God's love that aches for others and aches if they are not serving others. I speak life into the spirit and hearts of my children that they would be God's servants.

Blessings on you parents as you diligently pray over your children. It's a process. May God give each of you wisdom and courage to be the Mom and Dad that your children need so that they will grow up and be the man and woman that God created them to be.

A Parent's Heart- Shannon

Sunday, June 5, 2011

June- Servant Heart

Parents,
I hope everyone is enjoying the beginnings of summer and having the kids out of school.
I love this subject of serving. I truely hope my children have pure servant heart and I love the scriptures that God has led me to.
I pray that each one of you are seeking out opportunities to serve yourself and to be the example of serving in front of your children. Serving is such an important part of the life of a believer. It is the very back bone of how God uses the church to be His hand extended to those in need.

June 4th Colossians 3:23
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (NLT)

“Dear God, I pray that my child/ren would have a willing heart to serve you in all things.”

June 5th Matthew 25:34-45
… “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ (NLT)

“Lord, I pray that you open the eyes of my child/ren to see those in need. I pray that he/she will never refuse to help someone in need.”

June 6th Matthew 7:16a
You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. (NLT)

“Father God, I pray that my child/ren would bare good fruit and that it would be known to all that he/she belongs to you.”

June 7th Galatians 6:10
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (NLT)

“Dear Lord, I pray that my child/ren would see the opportunities that you provide for him/her to do good to everyone.”

June 8th Proverbs 3:28
If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” (NLT)

“Dear God, I pray that my child/ren never turns anyone away that has a need. I pray that you would bless my child/ren so that he/she can help those in need.”

June 9th Galatians 6:3
If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. (NLT)

“Lord, I pray that my child/ren would never think more highly of him/herself than he/she should. I pray that he/she would find his/her identity in you and never put anyone beneath him/her.”

June 10th John 13:15
I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. (NLT)

“Thank you Jesus for the example you have given us. I pray that my child/ren would follow your example and serve others.”



I hope you enjoy these verses. Please share how you are doing on this journey in praying over your children. I'd love to hear it.

Have a great week!

A Parent's Heart - Shannon