The Power Within Me

Dear God,

It is almost hard to believe, but I asked You for one simple request, and You gave me far than I ever expected. My quiet time verse for today tells me clearly that You do this because of the power working within me.

You are indeed the power that works in me; Your Spirit is a part of me, and that same great Spirit guides my thoughts and actions. Thank you so much for that. I do not know what I would ever do if I had to live my life on my own.

Not only does Your inner power affect me. I can see it at work in both my children too as they grow in You, God. Your Spirit residing inside us is a life-changing power that will always be available to us wherever we are. Thank You for this indescribable gift.

Now to him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power
that is at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20

Being Happy Through Perseverance

Dear God,

Whining all day. That's all I ever seem to do. I'm pretty sure You get tired of me never being satisfied on so many things. When things are going well, I complain about not getting the right amount of spiritual growth in my life. Or worse, about not getting more of the good fortune. And when things are going wrong, I complain about the trial. Oftentimes I think about how You can still love me when I am so weak and impatient to be more like You each day.

Today, I was cranky and unpleasant to DS and DD. Both of them were sort of whining because they wanted their own way on something. I clearly saw myself reflected in both of them. Then I remembered Your prophets and soon realized how my very own troubles are nothing compared to others.

Please make my complaining heart still, Lord. Fill me instead with rejoicing. You are refining me each day, I know, and I want to teach my children patience by my own example. Give me the strength I need for this task, God.

As you know, we consider blessed
those who have persevered.
You have heard of Job's perseverance
and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
James 5:11

Teaching DS And DD Obedience

Dear God,

I personally think that my quiet time for today is every parent's favorite pasage in the Bible. As parents we all want these to become our kids' life verses. The thing is, we seem to just expect it to happen right on... We fail or most of the time forget to realize that we, too, as parents, need to have an active part in this obedience.

I want DS and DD to know what DH and I expect from both of them and then obey (especially without delay!). Lord, please guide and support us to build and establish the right reward and discipline system. For me, I guess the most difficult virtue of this education is our own consistency. DH and I really need strength in that area, Lord.

I also need to show DS and DD how important obedience is by being obedient myself - to You and to others in authority over me. Thank You for helping me in this effort.

Children,
obey your parents in the Lord,
for this is right.
“Honor your father and mother” —
which is the first commandment with a promise —
“that it may go well with you
and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
Ephesians 6:1-3

That Kind Of Family Faith

Dear God,

Reading about Timothy in the Bible makes me admire him a lot. Timothy was a man full of deep faith, and that very faith came from his grandmother, who passed it on to his mother, who in turn, also passed it on to Timothy! And because of that unwavering faith, Timothy was able to accomplish great things for You.

When DS and DD all grown up, I also want them to serve you, Lord. But I know that they can only do that if they have true faith in You alone. Please guide me so that I can be an example to them, like Eunice was to Timothy. And when that time comes into my life too, let me be an example to my grandchildren as well!

What greater task could I have than to make sure DS and DD are introduced to You, especially during their growing up years? Help me live so that they will want this kind of faith in You.

I am reminded of your sincere faith,
which first lived in your grandmother Lois
and in your mother Eunice and,
I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
2 Timothy 1:5