Sky Ranch Family Devotional Better Together…The Forgiven Son, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Fun Icebreaker: What is forgiveness to you? 

Topic 2 Question: Who is in God’s Community? 

Today’s Big Idea: The Forgiven Son 

God’s community is full of forgiven people. There is much celebration in heaven as each person is forgiven and joins the family. A common connection within God’s community is that everyone knows they have sinned against God and asked for His forgiveness. Spend time reading Luke 15:11-24. This is the passage often called “the Prodigal’s Son.” This is a story of a broken family relationship and family forgiveness. A father had two children: an obedient son and a disobedient son. One son told his dad that he didn’t want to be a part of his family any more. He wanted his dad’s money so he could leave and go live his own life. He would possibly never see any of them again, which hurt his dad and family. His father gave him the money without a struggle, and the son left. When he had spent all of his money, he returned to his dad not knowing how his dad would respond. The son apologized and asked for forgiveness. The dad quickly forgave, rejoiced with a happy heart, welcomed his lost son home, and threw a big party! 

Talk with God: Read the scriptures aloud. 

Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no 

longer worthy to be called your son. Luke 15:21 (NISB) 

(The father is speaking) But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for 

this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost 

and has been found. Luke 15:32 (NISB) 

Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss. 

All people have tried to live life their own way  and wandered away from God, at some point; every person has lived a sinful lifestyle; and their relationship with God has been broken. But every true Christian realizes his or her need for God and humbly apologies to God and is forgiven. 

Forgiveness is giving up the right to punish. When God forgives you, He gives up His right to punish you. According to the Bible, God’s form of punishment is death, or separation, from Him. This forgiveness heals you, makes you right with God, and allows you to be part of God’s world. Therefore, your relationship with God is healed. God welcomes you to share in His goodness while you live on earth and later in heaven. Jesus says there is much joy in heaven over one person who repents (Luke15:7). When you repent, you are making a choice to make a change in your lifestyle to live a godly life instead of a self-centered life and heaven celebrates you! Once forgiven and thankful, it is easier to forgive others. With God’s help, you will be able to forgive yourself and others. Healing your relationship with God leads to more and more healing. 

Discuss with your family: Is your relationship with God broken? Do you want your relationship with God to be healed? What do you need to do to heal your relationship? If your relationship has been healed, how has this healed relationship with God been helpful to you? 

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to heal your relationship with Him. 

I will be praying for you!

Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author

Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 

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

New Opportunity for SkyDADS!!

SkyMoms tell your MEN about our 
 first complimentary SkyDads Breakfast!

Friday, January 30 at 7a.m.

Check-in will start at 6:30 in the morning

Located at Bent Tree Country Club

5201 Westgrove Dr

Dallas, TX 75248

Don't miss out on this great opportunity!

Merry Christmas from President and CEO Linda S. Paulk!

Merry Christmas SkyMoms! 

This morning as I awoke I did so to the song "Mary Did You Know?". Are you familiar with it? I love the song as it causes me to reflect on the fact that Mary did know that someone would be chosen to carry and give birth to The Savior, but there was no way for her to know it would be her.  Imagine for just a moment how she must have felt... the incredible barrage of emotions in her mind and heart... fear, excitement, amazement, joy...OMG!!! 

      Can you imagine learning that you would be giving birth to the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Son of Man, and Savior of the world.  What a Wow factor! How did Mary respond once she got over the initial shock of it all? She responded in obedience saying "I am the Lord's servant! May everything you have said come true." Luke 1:26-38

       As we reflect on our own lives today, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, do we respond with the same kind of obedience to the Father? To be what God has called us to be... as a mom, a wife, a steward, a servant? Do you respond hearing the Father... Linda, did you know that I love you more than you could possibly think or imagine?  Did you know I chose you to be a vessel to carry my message into the world... just as Mary was the chosen vessel for God's highest purpose?  Did you know that I chose you to be a mother to your children?  Sometimes as Mom's we go through circumstances that cause us to question God.  

Be encouraged in knowing that God will equip you for the journey of motherhood all the way and that the word tells us that with God all things are possible. Be reminded that you are chosen and you are special!  

I Am The Lord's Servant: A Prayer Encouragement!

I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her.Luke 1:38

As we approach the birth of our savior, I want to encourage you to read all of the first chapter of Luke. In this chapter we see the Angel Gabriel appearing to Zechariah, the husband of Elizabeth and father of John the Baptist, and to Mary, the mother of Jesus. The angle is foretelling the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus.

There are two responses to the Angel Gabriel and the word he delivered to them.  When he told Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son and his name would be John, Zechariah inquired of the angel as to how this could be because he and his wife were old in age.  Luke 1:18, Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary in Luke 1:28-34, he says, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.   He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ^and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”  “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

Zechariah responds with the concern that he and his wife are old.  Mary responds with the concern that she is a virgin.  Both seem like impossible situations for a birth.

Zechariah asks the angel how he could be sure of this word.  Mary asks the angel how it would be. Because Zechariah did not believe the angel’s words, he would not be able to speak until the birth came to pass.  The angel goes on to tell Mary that no word from God would ever fail. Mary’s response was, I am the Lord's servant, may your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her.

What about you?  When you read God’s Word and see His promises for yourself or for your children, what is your response? Let’s pray that we would have a servant’s heart as we seek God’s plan for our children and dedicate them to the Lord for His kingdom.

Let’s pray God’s Word:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the birth of your son, Jesus.  As we reflect on His birth and share in the joys of this event with our children, guide our hearts as mothers to be like Mary.

Help us to know deep down that you have a plan for our child.  A plan that cannot be thwarted and will come to pass.  Help us relinquish our dreams and desires for them and seek what it is that you have for them and the ways you have naturally gifted them.

As we celebrate the Christmas season with our family, let them see you in us as we lay down our best laid plans for a perfect occasion, and be filled with Your peace and presence!  Amen.

Prayer Encouragement from Terrie Chevaillier

Sky Ranch Family Devotional Better Together… Mary’s Devoted Heart with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Fun Icebreaker: What is love to you? 

Topic 2 Question: Who is in God’s Community? 

Today’s Big Idea: Mary’s Devoted Heart 

God’s community is full of people who give of themselves and serve others lovingly. One of the main distinctions of being a member of God’s community is having a heart devoted to God. Each person loves the Lord and enjoys spending time alone with Him. Spend time reading John 12:1

7. This is the story of Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, whose devoted heart caused her to do an amazing act of kindness and service to Jesus. She anointed His feet with a valuable perfume and wiped His feet with her hair; this was an act of devotion. Some people were annoyed with Mary’s kindness to Jesus, but Jesus defended her. His point was that there is plenty to do to serve others, and it can dominate your time and resources, but the time that you spend with Him is precious. Value that time. 

Talk with God: Read the scripture aloud. 

Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and 

anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and 

the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 

John 12:3 (NISB) 

Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss. 

The first command is to love the Lord with all your heart (Matthew 22:37); this means your whole heart is devoted to Him. He is to be more honored and cherished in your world than anything else. When your heart is devoted to a person, you think of him or her, and you want to spend your time with him or her. When you love the Lord with all of your heart, you think positively about Him and enjoy spending time with Him. If you don’t feel that you know God very well, spend time in His Word. The Bible is written for you to learn about Him, His character, and His ways. The words are inspired by Him and reflect His heart (2 Timothy 3:16). Spend time talking with Him in prayer, too. Life with God is an ongoing conversation. Your love for Him will grow. God shares that you are able to love at all because He first loved you (1 John 4:19). Interesting circle, isn’t it? 

Discuss with your family: What are some of the things that you have enjoyed learning about God? Do you feel that you know God well enough to love Him with all your heart? Like Mary, do you think that you would give up something of value to you if it benefited Jesus? What would help your heart feel more devotion to Him? 

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to help your heart be devoted to Him.

I will be praying for you!

Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author

Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 

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

Parenting As I See It: What I've Learning in Parenting from Lisa Clark

I taught my last parenting teens class a few weeks ago.  Bittersweet for sure.  I have LOVED teaching the class.  And I’m ready to move on to the next chapter.  But it is definitely bittersweet.

I was asked by a mom the other day if I ever felt inadequate as a mom of a teen.  “Oh yes!” I replied.  Parenting brings out ALL of our inadequacies for sure.  We are reminded in our parenting how much we MUST rely on Jesus.  It’s a must.

Here’s what I've learned in parenting:

I can’t rely on myself for answers.  I need Jesus.  I must pray.  I must pray for myself.  My children.  My husband.  I must pray I try not to fix everything.  So my prayer is to relinquish control to Him and trust His ways are higher, better, right.

I need to see the big picture.  Don’t get too high with the highs or too low with the lows.  There’s a big picture here.  Who am I raising? What does her future look like? What are her big dreams? Aspirations? How can I help? Seeing the big picture enables me to see my child as a child of the King of Kings not my “mini me.”

Releasing my child back to God each day helps me not hold on too tight.  When I hold on too tight to something it becomes an idol in my life.  I begin to focus on the idol and not my purpose.  My purpose is to have a relationship with Jesus Christ and reflect Him to my world.  How is my job as mom fitting into my purpose?

I must make choices in my own life that show/prove/model to my children that holiness is attainable through the power of the Holy Spirit in my life.  Living a life that glorifies the Father is possible through His Spirit.  Striving for this in my own life shows my kiddos it’s possible.  When I mess up, allowing them to see restoration at work.

I want to BE the person I want them to BE. 

As I have moved into a different parenting role, having children married and in their 20’s, my objectives have not changed.  Parenting models the Christian walk in so many ways.  There’s always someone in our lives who needs us to show them the way.  Always.  

Life lessons from SkyMoms Parenting Mentor Lisa Clark

SkyMoms Retreat: You just have to come and experience it... it's LIFECHANGING!

Testimonials for 2014 Retreat:

"I loved the comfortable setting"

"The quality of the speakers were excellent, honest and I was blown away with the speakers"

"I was spiritually encouraged"

"Time to rest with the Lord"

"I left feeling refreshed and renewed"

"The opportunity to bond with other ladies was enjoyable"

Register for the Retreat!

Sky Ranch Family Devotional Better Together…Jesus, the Ultimate Healer, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Fun Icebreaker: Is your heart happy? Why? 

Topic 2 Question: Who is in God’s Community? 

Today’s Big Idea: Jesus, the Ultimate Healer 

Jesus continuously provides healing in God’s community. Physically and emotionally, God’s people are hurting; you are to call out to Jesus for healing. Jesus is there to heal the sick and broken-hearted. In the same way, if your sin is keeping you separate from God, you can call out to Jesus and ask for forgiveness. He will heal you from your sins, which lead to death, and He will give you eternal life. 

Talk with God: Read the scriptures aloud. 

For everyone has sinned, we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 (NLT) 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV) 

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NASB) 

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NLT) 

Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss. 

The most common way to know if you believe in Jesus and are saved is by answering these questions: “If you were to die right now, are you 100% sure that you would go to heaven?” and “Why should God let you in heaven?” How do you respond? The passages in Romans will help you understand if you are going to heaven. To summarize the passages, you accept the belief that you are a sinner and deserve the death that Jesus died for you. You also accept that God, in His kindness, gave you the free gift of eternal life. Then, you choose to receive this eternal life by repenting and believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. Next, you confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord. “Believing” means making a firm commitment so strong that there is action. If you really believe in Jesus, then your lifestyle will change and you will follow Him. Through this life change, you will know the answers to the questions above and there will be no doubt in your mind that you will go to heaven. God will let you into heaven because of your trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior; if your trust is real, there will be evidence of your belief and changed heart in your lifestyle. 

Discuss with your family: Have you prayed the prayer for salvation in Jesus? If not, do you want to pray it now? 

Pray, “Lord, please forgive me. I confess that I am a sinner and I am sorry for my wrong behavior. I believe You that trusting in Jesus, whom You raised from the dead, as my Lord and Savior will save me. I confess Jesus is my Savior and is Lord of my life. Amen” 

If you have already prayed, confessing Jesus as your Lord, when did you pray it? Have you seen a change in your heart and your lifestyle? How? 

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God’s help to believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. 

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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Beth Bryson brings SkyMoms a Yummy Breakfast... Caramel French Toast!

This is one of my favorite things to fix for a special occasion breakfast. This recipe has been a tradition in my home since I was a newlywed. You will usually always have these ingredients on hand and, this dish presents in a “fancy” way….fun to serve to your guests.

Author: FLAIR FOR HOME- Beth Bryson

Recipe type: Breakfast

Prep time:  15 mins

Cook time:  45 mins

Total time:  1 hour

Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 1½ cups firmly packed brown sugar
• ¾ cup butter, unsalted
• ¼ cup corn syrup (Karo)
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup half-n-half
• 1½ cups whole milk
• ¼ t. salt
• 10 (1½ inches thick) slices French bread (soft bread, not hard)
• 4 T. sugar
• 1½ t. cinnamon
• ¼ cup butter, unsalted

Instructions

1. Combine sugar, butter and corn syrup in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes or until mixture is bubbly. Pour syrup evenly into a lightly greased 9 x 13 glass baking dish. Arrange bread slices over syrup. Combine eggs, milks, vanilla and salt; stir well. Gradually pour over bread slices. Cover and chill at least 8 hours (or overnight). When ready to bake, combine the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over the soaked bread. Drizzle with the remaining butter. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Serve right away.

This recipe is perfect for a weekend breakfast.  Thrill your family this weekend and serve up this divine dish.  I truly hope you will add this recipe to your celebrations.

With Love and Flair,
Beth 

Building Your Resume: A Prayer Encouragement!

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

Psalm 127:1

Maybe you are in the season of raising junior high or high school children.  Perhaps your season is preschool or elementary school.  Have you heard about the resume? 

If you have ever had a resume, this one is similar.  However, yours might have listed your education or past job experience.  It started its formation sometime around taking your first job, completing high school, or college.

In our culture, the child’s resume seems to start taking formation very early.  Building the resume seems to take precedence in deciding how time is spent.  Time on the field and time off the field.  AP classes or on level classes.  Working hours for our children is not only in school from 8-3pm; that’s their first job.  Then they rush off to their second and third and fourth jobs to build their resume.  The chatter around you causes you to fret and consume your thoughts about how have you done or are doing the right thing?  Will your child get into college?

Perhaps this is an exaggeration and perhaps it is not.

In the rush to build the resume, I want to encourage you to take a look at Psalm 127.   The Lord is the builder in this passage! 

Let’s Pray God’s Word:

Heavenly Father, thank You that I can look to You and to You alone to build our home.  I am often distracted to start building on a foundation that the world is telling me and I get busy building and forget the eternal builder!

I desire to raise Godly children.  I want a marriage that points them to Christ and glorifies You on this earth.  I long to give my children a safe place or refuge where our home is filled with joy, praise and thanksgiving and eternal value.  However, often we miss this time to spend with You in our homes as we are off rushing around and become weary and fretful and anxious to attain that which the world tells us we must do, be or have.

Would you watch over our home today?  Show me where I am spending moments of time that I cannot get back and someday might look back and think that my labor was in vain as I long to teach and train my children in godliness.

Thank You that I can look to You to watch over all that I cannot see and thank You that you are raising my awareness as I look to you to build that which I cannot!

Amen

We also want to encourage you to attend the Sky Moms Retreat in Van, TX on January 24^th and 25^th.  Scott and Kristen Kedersha from Watermark Community Church in Dallas will encourage us as they teach on Psalm 127 and what it means to build a home and marriage on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ!  Sign up today!

Encouragement from SkyMoms Retreat Chair Terrie Chevaillier!

PURE JOY SKYMOMS RETREAT 2015 : Speaker Line Up...

PURE JOY

SKYMOMS RETREAT 2015

Speaker Line Up:

Chrissie Dunham from Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano will encourage us on how to keep our joy amidst the ups and downs of being a mom.  If you haven’t heard of “The Snap Dance”, come learn it for 2015!

Author and speaker Karol Ladd will share with us how there is no greater joy than to know that our children are walking in the truth and how to be a mom of positive influence in our homes.

Marriage leader Scott Kedersha from Watermark Community Church in Dallas and his wife Kristen will teach on how to build a home and marriage on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ.

Sky Moms Parenting mentor Lisa Clark will share with us personal testimony and encouragement on how to lead and encourage your family to be about The Great Commission!

Not only can you look forward to another year of an AMAZING speaker line up, but also lots of free time to enjoy all that Sky Ranch has to offer with a cozy coffee bar, fire side chats, and more!

Sign Up Today!

Sky Ranch Family Devotional Better Together… Joshua’s Courage, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Fun Icebreaker: How do you think courage is shown?

Topic 2 Question: Who is in God’s Community?

Today’s Big Idea: Joshua’s Courage 

In God’s community, people have the courage to stand for God and serve Him by living the right lifestyle. These people trust in God, even in an impossible situation. Spend time reading Joshua 1:1-3, 5:13-6:5, and 6:15

20. This is the story of Joshua and the city of Jericho. Joshua was just a person, like you or any other person, but God asked him to do a seemingly impossible thing. He asked Joshua to trust Him and conquer a city without attacking it. Joshua had a choice; he could have ignored God. God asked Joshua to follow His instructions, and God would fight the good fight for Him. When Joshua trusted God to fight his battle for him, he succeeded.

Talk with God: Read the scriptures aloud. 

(God is speaking) No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave or forsake you. Joshua 1: 5 (ESV) 

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. Joshua 1:7 (ESV) 

Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss. 

Every day you make choices. Most choices are easy, and it is often easy to do the right thing. One day, however, you may feel that to make the right choice and to do the right thing, you have to make a stand, and others may not agree with you. God’s Word tells you that if you know the right thing to do and do not do it, it is the same as sin (James 4:17). This truth may put you in a difficult situation. What if you know someone is lying and you need to confront that person? God tells you to fight the good fight, to fight for good. Fighting for good takes courage. God says that you can do anything by the strength of Christ (Philippians 4:13). God is encouraging you to put your trust in Him as your source of strength and courage. He will guide you through the situation!

Discuss with your family: Have you ever had to show courage and stand for something that is right? Or, have you needed courage to defend yourself when falsely accused? What happened? 

Sometimes, when there is no peaceful way to solve a problem, courage may be found in restraining yourself and asking God to fight for you. Have you ever asked God to fight for you? What happened? 

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God’s help to show courage and turn to Him for help.

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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