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Encouragement for Today - August 1, 2005

 

August 1

Encouragement for Today

 

“Responsibilities - YUK!!”

Wendy Pope, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member

 

Key Verse: Philippians 2:14, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault.” (NIV)

 

Devotion:

 

Dear Mom,

 

I refuse to accept the fact that I have to do my responsibilities by myself.

 

Love, Blaire

 

Yes, that is for real. My daughter was 6 years old at the time she wrote this letter, in protest of doing her responsibilities. I have to admit when I read the letter I cracked up. There was a part of me that was proud of the articulate manner in which she pleaded her case. When I went to her room to discuss the letter, I let her know I appreciated her letter and how it was written, but that the letter had not changed my mind about her responsibilities.

 

Throughout her life we have tried to teach her that her attitude is almost as important as the task she is completing. Without fail, there is still complaining and arguing. How can we teach our children not to complain and argue about what they are responsible for doing? God gave me the answer. We teach by example. Therefore if we don’t complain, our children will not complain.

 

Children learn what they see. At this time in my life, the Lord was refining and pruning me in the area of having an attitude of service. I was miserable because my heart was corrupted by a negative attitude toward taking care of my responsibilities. I did not realize how my negativism was affecting my family. It made my heart sad when I saw the effect I was having on my children. I was determined to change my heart and, in the process, pass it on to my entire family.

 

I decided to:

 

It is imperative to start your day with a few minutes of uninterrupted prayer time.

 

Repent of the sin in my heart daily (Psalms 51:10).

 

Allow God to cleanse you of sin through repentance.  Don’t carry it from day to day. The load gets heavy.

 

Be willing to get rid of unhealthy habits in your life. Evaluate what you are putting in your heart and mind. What you put in comes out.

 

 

It is necessary for us to sleep. Don’t overwork yourself. Set a bedtime and do your best to stick to it. A rested heart is a happy heart.

 

Ask God to give you a happy heart today and to help you complete the day’s tasks without complaining.

 

My Prayer for Today:

 

Dear Father, give me a happy heart as I face the long list of things to accomplish.  Give me a happy heart when I am interrupted.  Give me a happy heart when the list doesn’t get completed.  Help me through Your power within to get rid of unhealthy and ungodly habits in my life.  Make my sleep restful and complete.  Thank You for loving me and always forgiving me of my sins. Quicken Your Spirit in me not to sin against You. 

 

Application Steps:

 

Make a list of 5 things you often complain about.  (Leave a space between each item in your list.)

 

In the blank space, list something positive you can focus on in that situation.

 

Make a covenant with God to be positive about your responsibilities.

 

Date this paper and keep it where you can see it.  It will serve as a reminder to you to think positive.

 

Reflection Points:

 

Are there any unhealthy or ungodly habits in your life?

 

Has the Lord asked you to rend any of these habits?

 

If yes, have you done it?  If no, why not?

 

What can you do to ensure a better night’s sleep?

 

Do I have any sin in my heart of which I have not repented?

 

Power Verses:

 

Psalm 86:11-12, “Teach me your ways, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (NIV)

 

Colossians 3:15, “Let the peace of heart which comes from Christ be always present in your heats and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful.” (TLB)

 

Matthew 16:24, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must take up his cross and follow me.’” (NIV)

 

Additional Resources:

 

Shaped with Purpose (workbook), by Renee Swope

http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_shapedPurpose.htm

 

A Woman’s Secret to a Balanced Life, by Lysa TerKeurst and Sharon Jaynes

http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_secretBalanced.htm

The Virtuous Woman, by Vicki Courtney

http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_virtuousWoman.htm