GOD'S WORD IS FOR US!
- Key Verse
- For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Rules at the Hall House:
H: Have patience
A: Assume the best in others
L: Love the Lord with all your heart
L: Love others
HOW? By writing God's Word on your heart and spending time talking with Him.
WHY? Because this is what God tells us to do, and He has our best in mind!
Reflections
As a wife and mom, I have found that my biggest challenge is to love my family as Christ loves me. As I read this passage, I was challenged by the first four verses that focus on loving others. Verses 1-2 challenge the strong in faith to encourage the weak. To do this, they must have the mind of Christ (verse 3).How do I have the mind of Christ? This sin-seeking girl wants to know. And the answer is right there in verse 4: By understanding the Scriptures, those that were "WRITTEN BEFORE." I am so thankful that God has written me a love letter, His Word, which is my road map and compass to loving John and the three fun, crazy, balls of energy He gave me. My husband calls Scripture, God's Instruction Manual. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV)
In the Central Truth, I spelled out the main rules we have established for raising our children. Here is a quote from my youngest as we reiterated our family rules after he hauled off and clocked his brother, "There are so many RULES! I hate rules." In his mind, and often my own, rules are hard, confining, and go against what we want to do.
This can be my attitude toward God and His Word. However, really knowing God's Word brings two things to the believing heart:
1. PATIENCE, which involves endurance and perseverance and means to remain steadfast under the intensity of life (this was not George's first reaction to whatever his brother did to deserve a take down).
2. COMFORT or encouragement, which builds up and sustains us (Hebrews 12:1-2).
In George's mind, it's just rules; one day, I hope that the freeing love of God will guide him in all of life's ups and downs. Ultimately, though, knowing God's Word results in HOPE. "I write these things to you who believe in the Son of God so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13, NIV) (emphasis added).
Discussion Questions
1. What part does the Bible play in your life?2. Are you getting to know Your Savior by spending time in His Word?
3. At what times in your life has the Bible given you patience and comfort?
4 What gives you HOPE? (Refer to 1 John 5:13)
H: He
O: Offers
P: Peace
E: Everyday/Eternal
5. Is your HOPE in Christ, in someone else, or in the things of this world? Read John 20:31 and John 10:10.
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
Romans 13-1 Corinthians 1 (June 11-15)
Read Romans 13:8-10.
• What is a debt?
• What does verse 8 say we should do with our debts?
• Why do you think we have a debt to love others?
• Who paid our debt by dying on the cross?
We can show how thankful we are for what Jesus has done for us by following His command to love our neighbors.
• Who is your neighbor (not just your "neighbors" who live near you)?
• What does it mean to "love your neighbor as yourself?"
Activity: Make a list of the ways that you take care of yourself. Think about everything from eating healthy foods, to wanting to be listened to, to memorizing Scripture to combat the enemy. Be exhaustive. Pick five of your "neighbors" and choose something for each of them from your list of how you love yourself and love them specifically in that way this week.
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.
Shannon Miller
June 13, 2012 12:56 AM
Just what I needed! Thank you!
Debbie
June 13, 2012 06:32 AM
This is a great way to start my day! Thank you for the reminder to spend quality time with God every day, several times a day. What treasures are to be found in His Word!
Lamp
June 13, 2012 07:17 AM
2nd Timothy 3:16 one of my all time favorites! Thanks for the reminder today, great job!
Bobbie
June 13, 2012 08:30 AM
Thanks for this excellent devotional this morning! A great reminder for me. Love the "Hall Family Rules!"
Lee Danis
June 13, 2012 08:58 AM
Meredith, so nice to see your smiling face and to read this beautiful devotional taken from the pages of daily life. You brought back a lot of memories - I am one of seven with four boys only 6 years apart in total. You name it we did it, and we did it often. My mother often threatened to place us in a reform school (school for wayward boys). Living in the cold northeast she would kick us all outside for a couple of hours until we begged to come in. Next time you see Rebecca she could share some of my stories. Good news - we survived (so did my mother). Although we have lost one, the remaining three are very close and pray for each other regularly. My mother is smiling in heaven. Take courage - John is right, they are normal and so fortunate to have you and John as parents. You are planting seeds that will come to harvest. Regards to you John. Lee
Jennifer Hawkins
June 13, 2012 09:23 AM
Thanks Meredith today for sharing your journey. I loved seeing your families rules (and Gods love for us) written out in your last name. Great idea so the kids (and myself) can see what God does everyday for my family and wants us to do the same to others. Also, kids can see it in their name as well. Love it and I will be using that idea very soon. Especially great timing with summer! :) Thanks!
Sheri
June 13, 2012 10:53 AM
Great job Meredith! Love your creativity in teaching your children God's Word!
Elaine Word
June 13, 2012 10:54 AM
Meredith, your devotional was a blessing! You very nicely laced together your family experience with God's Word that allowed it to feel fresh and applicable. That is my idea of how I best receive God's Word and learn from it... so that is very helpful to me. I will copy your house rules if you don't mind... HALL. I believe your house rules are the same as God's House Rules... so they are ahead of the game to start so young. I love to see and hear young families centering their child-raising protocol based on Scripture... that is a joy to my heart, and it is the best grounding in this world (and the next). Many blessings to you. I pray one of them will be... LESS TRIPS TO THE ER.
Sue Bohlin
June 13, 2012 11:22 AM
I sure enjoyed the way you wove application of the scriptures into real life at your house, Meredith! Thank you! I sat and marinated in verse 13--"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." I have two responses to this; first, deep gratitude that by the grace of God this describes me, especially the overflowing part--He is so good to me! Second, sorrow for those who do not feel His joy or peace even though they believe in Him. This includes several of my nearest and dearest. As I think about the obstacles to experiencing joy, peace and hope, I think faulty perception is a big component. So are wrong beliefs, such is that joy and peace "are for others but not me," or that God is not good. And the blockage of unforgiveness, or the monster of depression. Lord, as Paul blessed his friends in Rome with this verse, I pray it for those for whom it is just words with no matching reality. Pour Your joy and peace and hope into their hearts and souls!
Scott Jones
June 13, 2012 01:30 PM
How clever to combine the two greatest commandments with two practical practices. Re: Rule 2, I recently came across an aphorism called Hanon's Razor: "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity." Ok, so it's not exactly Proverbs, but it's a good reminder not to assign motives to others! My only concern now is that if my daughter reads this deveo, my granddaughter will have to grow up with a set of rules based on an acrostic with McDonough! :-)