Friday, March 28, 2014

Prayer Encouragement & SkyMoms Retreat: "Your Example" by SkyMom, Terrie Chevaillier


Your Example


So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. (Matthew 23:3 NLT)
In Matthew, Jesus is telling his disciples to be careful and on guard against the Pharisees.  They were the religious teachers of the law in that day.  He told them to practice and obey what they were teaching, truth, but not to follow their example.  You see, their actions were not matching their teachings.

As moms, one of our responsibilities is to teach and train our children to know God's Word and then live it.   Much more is caught than taught.    Many opportunities for teaching arise as we go about our day with them along the way, in our homes, on the way to school, when they hear us having conversations with our friends on the phone, how we act toward those opposed to biblical truth.

My kids hear me often teach them to not forsake truth as the culture might tempt them to do, but handle truth with love and grace as they tell others about Christ and confront lies of culture with truth. Truth is love. 

One of mine kindly pointed out to me that I was not so loving in a recent reaction to some news in the Christian world that was in the media this week.  I felt some outrage.  Texted with friends about frustration.  It was all in response to a lack of upholding biblical truth that I was reading about, but were my actions loving and grace filled as I thought about it, texted about it, and dialogued with my friends about it? 

Do what she says, but don't follow her example.  That would be true about my actions over this particular stance that my kids got to see me process.

It made me thankful for grace.  Thankful that my heart was soft enough to be responsive to my child speaking truth to me.  I am just often one bad decision away from being a poor teacher of the truth myself.  A recent book I read called it being an accidental pharisee.  Let's be on guard in the classroom of home where we are the teacher.

Let's pray God's Word:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of teaching and training our children.  What a high calling.  One to be valued and cherished and held faithful to do.

We long for our children to practice what we teach them.   How often though that we get so busy and distracted that we aren't practicing what we teach.

Convict us in your grace and mercy and lead us to repentance.  Help us to be moms that go to our children and humbly ask for forgiveness when we have done the thing we have taught them not to do.

Give us the grace to be loving teachers of your truth.

Amen

~Terrie Chevaillier


Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Sky Ranch Family Devotional…Renew, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member


Family Fun Icebreaker: What experience has changed you for the better? How?

Question: How will trusting God help you? 

Topic 6: Trust—God is Good

Today’s Big Idea: Renew


Share with your family that God’s desire is for you to be a “new and improved you” and to strive for your ultimate best shows the trustworthiness of God.
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about the change that happens within you when you trust in Jesus. Every person who confesses the need for Jesus is confessing their own weaknesses, showing a desire for guidance from God. God tells you that you need to transform, or change, and stop any sinful lifestyle in order to be in a relationship with Him. God also tells you that He will help you and that this change is going to be a process. It won’t happen all at once, so be patient with yourself! Once you become a Christian, you will still occasionally sin, but God will continue to change you, cleaning your heart by the power of Christ in you. As time goes on, your heart will look more and more like God’s heart as He renews you, and you will choose to see goodness in yourself and others.


Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

Romans 12:2 (NIV): “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NET): “But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.”
Colossians 3:9-10 (NASB): “... since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him...”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: Just like you look similar to your parents, you can have a heart similar to God’s heart. God is good and wants you to be good, too. But it is hard to be good all the time. Do you ever make mistakes? We all do! But God is kind, forgiving, and wants to help you be good. Have you asked God to help you be good? What will help you change and have a heart like God’s heart?

Discuss with older kids: Scripture says you have weaknesses in your old self and God promises that if you trust Him, He will transform you, renewing your mind so that you will become a new you. Why is it good to need God and recognize your own weaknesses? How does God help you change?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to transform you. 


I will be praying for you!
Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 

© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Join us for Sky Ranch Mother Daughter Retreat!



Spend one-on-one time with your daughter this spring!

Moms and daughters, don't miss it! This is our last Mother Daughter Weekend until the fall and spaces are filling fast! 


Identity - girls and women of all ages must discover were theirs is found. Rather than finding it in performance, other's opinions, or in clubs and activities, our value comes from the unconditional love of God. This year's theme is "Rooted" and we'll enjoy a good time together as we discuss growing in the Lord's love. This weekend will be full of opportunities to communicate affirmation to your daughter... along with hilarious fun and life changing memories. For more information or to register, CLICK HERE!

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Don't miss this opportunity to spend some quality (and fun!) time with your kid, as you learn, laugh, and play at Sky Ranch Christian Camp in Van, Texas.  Just a short drive down I-20, east of Dallas, Sky Ranch offers awesome activities and an adventure-packed weekend for parents and kids.  

Cost:  $175 per person - includes meals, lodging, and most activities.
           Fully private accommodations available for an additional fee.
Ages:  All ages are welcome, but the programming is geared for kids aged 6-12.

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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Sky Ranch Family Devotional…God Wants Good for You, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member


Family Fun Icebreaker: What is a good accomplishment in your life so far?

Question: How will trusting God help you?

Topic 6: Trust—God is Good

Today’s Big Idea: God Wants Good for You

Share with your family that God is trustworthy because God is good and wants goodness for you, too.
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about the importance of seeing the goodness of God and to appreciate the good qualities found within themselves and others. God’s nature is good and recognizing His goodness helps you trust Him and His desire for you. Our culture really likes to focus on the negatives of mocking other people’s mistakes, just pick up any tabloid magazine or turn on the TV. Often, people mimic society and bring the mocking and negativity into the home. It is much easier to see all the mistakes of someone else. Why? By tearing others down, it can temporarily make you feel better about yourself by comparison. But, is that what God wants? God’s goodness is refreshing. God wants you to build others up, not tear them down. God desires for you to see His goodness and for you to desire to do good for others. 


Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

Psalm 34:8 (NIV): “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is

the man who takes refuge in Him.”
Proverb 16:20 (NIV): “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.”
Psalm 118:1 (NIV): “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: God wants you to see His goodness within your heart! Why? Because God is good and He shares His goodness with you if you will trust in Him. Do you choose to look for the good in others? In yourself? What helps you see the good in our world?

Discuss with older kids: It is human nature to focus on the negatives in the world. In school, many people point out and mock the minute someone does something wrong; however, they do not point out something someone does right. Why is that? Although “good” is a better way to live, many people really do focus on the negative situations in life. Don’t be fooled into thinking that making fun of others will bring true happiness. What helps you see the good in yourself and others? Why is it important to focus on the positives?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to show you His goodness. 


I will be praying for you!
Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 

© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.


photo credit

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Sky Ranch Family Devotional…God’s Salvation, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member



Family Fun Icebreaker: Do you have an important memento that you chose to save from childhood? Why is it important to you?

Question: What happens if you trust God? 

Topic 5: Trust—God’s Salvation

Today’s Big Idea: God’s Salvation


Share with your family that in order to accept God’s free gift to you, all you have to do is believe in your heart and mind, telling God about your new decision by confessing with your mouth. Then, you have accepted God’s salvation for yourself and made peace with God.
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about your eternal destination. Your decision to believe or not believe Jesus really does matter. According to scripture, your choices affect your eternal destination. Scripture teaches that to be welcome in God’s home, heaven, you must be at peace with Him. The way to be at peace with Him is to confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that Jesus was raised from the dead. Talk to your family about committing to trust Jesus in your heart and confessing that He is Lord of your life with your mouth. The commitment to trust Jesus means making a clear decision that you stay with continuously. It means that you will commit to seek God first in all that you do and listen to Him for answers. The result is peace with God and being welcomed into His heavenly home for eternity. What an awesome reward for obedience to Him! 


Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

Romans 5:1 (NASB): “Therefore having been justified by faith, we

have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...”
Romans 10:9-10 (NIV): “That if you confess with your mouth, ’Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV): “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: God loves you and wants you to choose to believe and follow Jesus. Your choice affects whether or not you can live in heaven with God as His friend. God’s enemies are not welcome to live with Him in heaven and if you don’t believe in Jesus, then you will stay His enemy. Do you want to be friends with God and allow Jesus to be Lord of your life? If so, ask Jesus aloud in prayer to be Lord of your life. If you have already trusted Jesus as Lord, what is your personal story of making that decision?

Discuss with older kids: You may already consider yourself a Christian, but do you consider Jesus Lord of your life? Do you seek to know Him and follow whatever He says? Scripture says that a real Christian has a personal relationship with Jesus. Do you want a true relationship or friendship with Jesus? If so, pray aloud Romans 10:9-10. If you have already trusted Jesus as Lord of your life, what is your personal story of making that decision?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for a real relationship with Jesus.


I will be praying for you!
Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 

© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.


photo credit

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Sky Ranch Family Devotional…Being on God’s Good Side, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member


Family Fun Icebreaker: If you could trade places in life with someone, who would it be and why?

Question: What happens if you trust God? 

Topic 5: Trust—God’s Salvation



Today’s Big Idea: Being on God’s Good Side


Share with your family that as long as you choose to rule your own life apart from God, you are considered God’s enemy according to scripture. If you choose to accept God’s free gift of salvation by believing in Jesus, then you will be made right with God, or reconciled, and now have peace with God.
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about the gift of peace. We all understand that the opposite of peace is a fight or turmoil. Enemies fight and friends live in peace. Believing Jesus’ selfless act of paying the price for your sins will bring peace to your relationship with God the Father. God accepts your belief as a real solution for your sin. When you trust Jesus, instead of seeing your sin, God sees Jesus’ act of kindness toward you. God places Jesus’ righteousness on you. You and God are now on the same side and agree on the right way to live. Once you choose to trust in Jesus, you will have peace with God!


Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

Romans 5:10 (NASB): “For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): “For our sake he (God) made him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: Have you ever been fighting with a brother, sister or friend, and the fight was finally resolved? Feels good, right? It is the same with God. As long as you insist on living life your way and are opposed to God’s way, there is a fight. Look into your own heart and see if you are holding onto control. Why would you desire to stay in control of your own life and not give control to God?

Discuss with older kids: It can be tough to decide to trust Jesus today. Often, Jesus’ way of life means going against the crowd or giving up being in the popular crowd. However, consider the trade out: if you trust Jesus and live life His way, you will stop the lying, the shame, and the wrong lifestyle. When you trust Jesus, you will desire to do the right thing; you will have peace with God. Often, the only thing holding someone back is control. Will you let God be in control? What would letting God be in control look like?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to help you trust Him. 


I will be praying for you!
Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 

© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.



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