Romans 12:1-2

The battlefield is your mind. There are jobs and sometimes people in your life that may be joy suckers ( My husband calls them joy vampires). These people and jobs cause your mind to turn from thinking on the positive and good around you to focusing on the negative. If it is your job stealing your joy, pray about your attitude. Look at it from the perspective of what God has to say. Col. 3:17 reminds us to do whatever we do in word or deed in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Look at your job by asking how could the way I respond further His kingdom. Maybe it is like the neighborhood children. I was seeing money and food, but God was seeing the lost and hurting. Ask God to change your mind and heart toward whatever it is that sucks your joy out.

If it is people who are robbing your joy ask God to reveal to you why. Is it that they are just negative by nature? Are they demanding and expect compliance from you? Be very careful because too much time spent with a joy sucker can affect your attitude. Rick Warren says, “What gets your mind gets you.” When you are tempted to get discouraged, angry, or you feel taken advantage of be very careful that you see the enemy attack for what it is. Pray and ask God to give you His perspective. Try to define what is stealing your joy. Ask God to reveal anything you aren’t seeing then remedy your situation by thinking on good. Study scripture and allow truth to permeate your thoughts. Focus on Jesus, and limit time with joy sucking people when possible. Make sure you do not become a joy sucker. Your mind really is the battle field, and where you allow your mind to rest will determine your heart attitude.

Ephesians 6:1-4

Di’s story, When Andrew was two and a half we began to have trouble with getting him to go to sleep at night. We would give him a whipping he would cry and scream then go to bed peacefully. It was an every night affair. We were exhausted just trying to get him to go to bed. One night while Danny’s grandmother was visiting with us and it was getting late. Grandmother noticed that Andrew was standing in front of me with Danny’s belt in his hand just staring at us. I didn’t tell her why he was doing this. The poor child was ready to go to bed and because the whippings had become a nightly thing he had come to be spanked. He thought he had to go through this in order for him to go to bed. That was the beginning of the end of that routine.

Discipline is important in the life of a child to teach them what is the safe and right thing to do. As a worn out mom I can assure you I have done it wrong many times, but here are some lessons I have learned:

· Never discipline in your anger. Take time to calm down.

· Make sure the child knows why they are being disciplined.

· Use the discipline technique that communicates to that child appropriate behavior. All children are different and some just need a verbal warning. Other children respond well to time out or restriction. Use only what is appropriate for a change of behavior.

· Reassure your child of your love and desire for their best.

Please pray today for those moms who are exasperated with their child and need an extra measure of grace.

Matthew 11:28-30

When I was a child my mom would come to the end of a busy day, put her feet up as she sat on our brown lumpy suede couch and declare, “I am given out.” In my youthful ignorance I assumed she was saying she was tired and in part she was. Once I had children I realized what she meant. She was saying, “I have been giving to someone since I woke up this morning, and now there is no longer any energy left in the tank to give to one more person.” There are five children in my family and mom made sure we had everything we needed and were at the right place on time. She prepared three home cooked meals daily complete with homemade biscuits, bread and desserts. She gave to people in the community and church. She kept our home clean and even vacuumed, swept and mopped almost daily. Just listing all she got done wearies me. Though she gave of herself generously all day she learned the secret of filling her tank again. She went to bed and slept on a regular schedule. She read her Bible daily and spent time with the Lord. Sunday was reserved for church and an afternoon nap. She fixed healthy meals for our family and tried to get exercise at least 3 or 4 times a week. She was generous with her time to others but her family was her top priority. She said yes to one or two service areas at church but said no with a smile when asked to overcommit. If you are feeling “given out” these days check your list. Are you spending time daily with the Lord? Are you getting adequate rest and eating properly? Are there things you need to let go of so you can say yes to the best things? Remember the passage you read today and come to God and allow Him to help you give you rest and direct you to the things that are best for you.

Pray for the “Given out” moms who are all around you.

Proverbs 31:10-31

Proverbs 31 is written by a mother looking for a wife for her son. As I look for a godly wife for my sons, I revised it a small bit to reflect these days.

Who can find a capable wife? Her value is greater than any gemstone. Her husband will trust her and she will lack nothing. She will be a blessing all the days of her life. She will be a wise consumer who purchases quality items at a low price. She will shop the sales at the local grocery and provide good meals for her family. She will work hard even if it means getting up early or staying up late to provide for her family’s needs. She will watch for opportunities to provide a little extra income when there is a need. She will be generous to those in need. She will make sure everyone has the clothing they need and maintain her home in a God honoring way. Her husband will be respected because his wife is a great helper to him. Strength and honor are her clothing and she will have peace and a joyful heart at the days to come. She will open her mouth with wisdom and loving instruction will be on her tongue. Her children will call her blessed and her husband will also praise her. Though her outward beauty may dim with the years, she will become more and more radiant as she grows in her relationship with the Lord. Others will see her good works and glorify the Father in Heaven. (I should add and she will love her mother in law.)

Ask God to help you be the Proverbs 31 woman your family needs you to be.

1 Corinthians 7:1-5

This week I had someone contact me and ask me to pray for a lady with two children whose husband deceived her and left her. He told the family that they were moving for his job. They sold their home, packed all of their belongings, moved in with her parents until their new home was ready. He left and called a few days later to tell her he was not coming back.

My heart fell when I heard their story. How could someone be so cruel and calculated to rip a mother and children from their home only to leave? Stories like this one are common these days. Everything from renewing old friendships on facebook to just growing apart dot not just our world but our churches as well. That is why I felt so compelled to choose this scripture. When you say, “I do,” to your spouse it is also “I do,” to God’s plan for your life and marriage. It is saying no to any physical or emotional relationship with anyone who is not your husband. Here are some guidelines that can affair proof your marriage if both spouses follow them.

*Do not text, call for social reasons, or chat on a computer with anyone who is not your spouse. If your business compels you to speak to someone of the opposite sex, keep it business and hang up when business is complete.

* Allow your spouse to have access to your phone and computer. Accountability is a good deterrent.

* Do not get into a vehicle alone with a person of the opposite sex.

*Do not go into a house or out to eat alone with someone who is not your spouse.

* Maintain a healthy physical relationship with your spouse.

Please share these easy steps with your mate. Talk about them and make a commitment to each other to stay pure in your marriage.

Mark 9:20-29
Do you ever get discouraged and overwhelmed by what you are facing and just cry out to God? Is there a part of you that believes God will answer but another part of you questions whether there really is a God and if He really cares?

I remember when my granny was coming to the end of her life. She had been a strong believer for many years. She never missed church, and as a guest in her home you didn’t either. She lived a life devoted to God, but as cancer ate away at her body I asked her, “Granny are you going to heaven?” She responded, “I hope so.” Her response baffled me. How could this woman of faith not respond with calm assurance, “I am”? I wondered if Granny felt much like the man in our Bible reading today, “I believe, help my unbelief.”

There may be situations you are facing right now that are causing you stress and anxiety. Cry out as this man did and ask the Father to help you to believe. He will. Then hold on to the truths you know from God’s word and walk in faith. The Bible says God cannot lie. (Hebrews 6:18) Jesus says of Himself, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (John 14:6) You can believe!
If you have never accepted Christ your Savior, confess right now that you are a sinner, you need Him to forgive you and come into your heart. This is where you begin. The study the Word for yourself and hold onto the promises you find there. This Father did not have all of the answers, but he turned to the One who did. Life him, turn to Jesus, believe Him and see Him do amazing things.