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

Family Fun Icebreaker: What are some of your favorite things that you have done as a family?

Question: How will trusting God help you?

Topic 6: Trust—God is Good

Today’s Big Idea: God’s Goodness in Trials

Share with your family that God seeks to find the good in you by allowing trials in your life.
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about another way that God transforms you through real life experiences. Experience really is the best teacher; God knows that you learn lessons best when you personally experience trials in life. God designed you and knows that sometimes you need a real life experience in order to see weaknesses in your own character. He knows you cannot change your character any other way. You can see your own faults more clearly as you go through a trial. Scripture says that God causes all of the events in your life to work together to renew you, changing you for the good. Even though the trials may be hard to undergo, God does have a purpose and a plan that gives you hope and a future. Share with your family how you have seen the trials in your life produce useful life lessons of changing you for the better.

Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

James 1:2-3 (NIV): “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
Romans 8:28 (NASB): “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: Trusting that God loves you and wants good for your life can be hard when you are going through a difficult time. Yet, were you able to learn a lesson from that difficult time? Do you think that you would have listened any other way? How do you know that God really does love you and wants to help you find the good in yourself?

Discuss with older kids: Each person has their own learning style. You can learn by just reading His Word or learn by experience. God has designed the best system for you, depending on how you learn. When have you seen the experience of trials in your life produce useful life lessons?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to cause all things to work for your good. 

I will be praying for you!

Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 

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

Guest Blogger Beth Bryson, brings SkyMoms some new recipes!

I am excited to introduce to you our guest Blogger, Beth Bryson!  She is a dear friend of mine who lives in Memphis Tennessee where her husband is on staff as a teaching pastor, she is also a super mom of 6 children who loves the Lord and providing a home filled with the Lord in all she does.  You will especially enjoy her yummy recipes that she will be sharing with SkyMoms!  Thank you Beth!

~Tori Miller

SkyRanch SkyMom Ministry Director

This salad is always a big HIT!   Men especially love it......it is hearty and delicious.  You can prep it the night before and, it is also YUMMY as leftovers.  

LAYERED SALAD 

1 large container mixed lettuce- I usually buy the spinach mix

12 thick slices of bacon, cooked / drain off grease and crumble

8 hard boiled eggs, chopped

1 bundle chives, sliced small

1 package frozen green peas

1/2 jar real mayonaise (Hellmans)

1 cup blue cheese salad dressing

salt and pepper

1/4-1/2 cup white wine  (per your taste) 

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Place salad mix in large bowl.  Layer bacon, eggs, chives and peas on top of lettuce.  Mix up mayonaise, blue cheese dressing, salt and pepper (1 t. each) and wine - wisk all together and spread over the peas.  Top with 2 cups grated cheddar cheese and more bacon to garnish (if you have enough).  Cover and chill for several hours or , can make it the night before.   * Original recipe calls for mayo. only on top of salad, so, you can always do this too.......very good!     Toss before serving.   * This is easily doubled for a larger group.    Note:  I cook bacon in oven.  Lay bacon side by side on a large baking sheet (jelly roll pan with sides)-  Place in a 400 degree oven for 20 mins. or until browned/crisp.   Drain off grease by placing bacon on a stack of paper towels.  NO MESS and, so good this way!  

Beth Bryson

elizabethbryson@gmail.com

www.flair-for-home.com

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

Family Fun Icebreaker: Who has been a trusted friend that has given you good advice?

Question: How will trusting God help you?

Topic 6: Trust—God is Good

Today’s Big Idea: The Wonderful Counselor

Share with your family that God’s trustworthiness is shown by His compassion in sending the Holy Spirit to help counsel your family.
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about another way that God transforms you through His Wonderful Counselor, the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells you that the Holy Spirit is sent by God to help you when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit resides in your heart and gives you understanding of scripture, bringing ideas and concepts to mind for you. He is God’s voice to you in your heart. He even helps you pray when you don’t know the words to say. You don’t see Him with physical eyes, but you sense His peaceful presence and can see the results of His goodness in your life. He loves you and is often referred to as “the Comforter.” He is God’s kind way of teaching you His ways or, if necessary, correcting your mistakes when you go your own way. Talk to your family about the importance of responding to God’s voice through His Holy Spirit when you hear it. 

Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

John 14:26 (NIV) (Jesus is speaking): “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) (prophecy about Jesus): “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor...”
John 15:7 (NET) (Jesus is speaking): “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: It can take time to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Can you think of a time that you knew God was reaching out to you in your heart? You don’t necessarily hear a “voice” instead, God often places a gentle nudging in your heart of the goodness of God. These nudges remind you of God’s Word. Can you think of a time when that has happened?

Discuss with older kids: Today there are many things pulling for your attention. The media has a voice, your friends have a voice, and God has a voice. But how well do you hear God’s voice? Have you ever known the right thing to do in your heart, but chose otherwise? Did you feel guilt? God’s voice will always match up with God’s Word; God doesn’t contradict Himself. What do you think will help you hear God’s voice through the Holy Spirit better? 

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to give you the ability to hear Him.    

I will be praying for you!

Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 

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

Happy Easter From Sky Ranch!

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.  

He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.  Come, see the place where He was lying.  

Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead.”  

Matthew 28: 5-7

Prayer Encouragement & SkyMoms Retreat: "A Question Jesus is Asking You" by SkyMom, Terrie Chevaillier

A Question Jesus is Asking You

Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked

Matthew 20:32

In this passage from Matthew chapter 20, two blind men were sitting beside the road and heard that Jesus was coming.  They started shouting and asking Him to have mercy on them.

The crowds told them to be quiet.  However, they continued shouting.   Jesus heard them, stopped, and asked them this question in verse 32.   What do you want me to do for you?

Of course, they said they wanted to see as they were blind.   And guess what, Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes and instantly they could see!  After he healed them, they followed Him.

Have you ever found yourself burdened in a way for your child but inside or outside voices, either real or imagined told you to be quiet, it will never change.   Stop asking.

Let’s put ourselves in the place of these two blind men from a mom perspective.  There are many things we would like Jesus to do for our child.

Guess what?  You can ask Him.

He asked the blind men when they were crying out what they wanted him to do for them.

Because of Easter, we have access to pray in the name of Jesus Christ and come before His throne of grace and mercy and ask Him to help our children.

It’s not wrong to request.  Jesus wants us to request to Him.

Then, we get to trust Him with the answer.

Let’s Pray God’s Word:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus.  Thank you that because of Jesus’ death, we can come boldly before you and cry for mercy on behalf of our children.

Thank you that you even ask us what we would like you to do for us.  There are areas that I would love to ask you to move in the lives of my children.  Some physical and some spiritual. 

Thank you that when you answer these requests, you not only take care of the problem, but it also allows them to follow You in a more intimate way.

Help me to be a bold mom of prayer and wait expectantly to see what You want to do in the life of my child.

Help me not to be prayer less so I can see You work.

Amen.

Terrie Chevaillier

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Lisa Life Lesson- "Dealing With My Past Today"

Were you a perfect child? Me too.  Ha.  Just kidding.  Were you a hot mess?  Me too.  Ha.  Just kidding. (obviously, I don’t know what I was!)

Whatever your past looks like, you have possibly fretted about how to tell your kids.  Or you dumped on them every sordid detail and wish you hadn’t.  Or you and your hubby have made a pact in blood not to tell anything…not one item.  Don’t ask.  Don’t tell.

This is the question I get most often from moms.  They are wondering, when the time comes, what do I say? How do I say it? And then the weeping ensues.

Mom, I am going to say this with all humility and boldness…The only person who cares about your past is Satan.  He cares.  Here’s why he cares.  If he can keep you in your past, then he has you right where he wants you.  If he can keep you in bondage, you have no influence and your parenting is in fear.  

Your kids don’t really care about your past.  They are much more consumed with their own existence.  Haven’t you figured that out by now?  It’s their world and you are just passing through.  I’m sorry.  But it’s true.  All your kids care about is who you are today.  If you are living your life in freedom, and in grace, you are much more approachable and you are an incredible woman of influence.

The victory is yours today.  You have overcome.  Leave your past in the past.  You have been forgiven in Jesus’ name.  He has forgotten your past.  Yes, you might still be suffering consequences from choices you made, because God is a just God.  But you can live in victory.  All your kids need to know is you are the woman you are TODAY because of the freedom and forgiveness you have in Jesus Christ.  Your testimony can be shared at appropriate times in your child’s life.  

Caroline is 24.  She still doesn’t know some of the details of my past.  She knows my life looked a lot different than hers, and she knows many things were the same.  But she does know that the person I am today is real, and authentic and the joy of the Lord is my strength.  What more does she need to know? We have raised her to love the Lord.  

So, pray today that God will walk with you through this battle of the past.  Who you are TODAY is forgiven.  Have you asked Jesus Christ to save you from your sins past, present and future? Have you called on the name of the Savior, Jesus Christ who died on the cross for the sins of the world? We have no hope without Him! Make Him Lord of your life today.  He paid it all.  He knows your past.  He came for your past to be forgotten and for you to live in victory.  Praise Him today! King of Glory! Lord of All!

“There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” Romans 8:2

Lisa Clark

Sky Ranch SkyMom Parenting Mentor

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

Family Fun Icebreaker: What is a piece of advice that has helped you in life?

Question: How will trusting God help you?

Topic 6: Trust—God is Good

Today’s Big Idea: God’s Straight Path

Share with your family that you can trust God because He cares to give you good direction for life and leads you down the right path.
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about the way that God transforms you. He uses His Word, the Holy Bible, to change your heart. The more that you read God’s message, the more His Words shape your heart and renew your mind by teaching you His ways. God’s Word defines right and wrong values, behaviors, and lifestyles. When you learn to tell the difference between right and wrong, and choose God’s way, you will find your life will have more meaning and direction. Talk about the importance of acting on the message. God’s teaching really comes alive when put into practice. Share ways that your family can help each other recognize God’s good teaching and look for opportunities to practice it in your daily lives.

Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

Proverb 3:5-6 (NASB): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Psalm 119: 105 (NASB): “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 119:11 (NIV): “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: Reading God’s Word, the Holy Bible, is the best way to get to know God. It can take time to get to know Him, but spend time in His Word and learn what He thinks. Your relationship with Him will grow in trust. It can be easy to put aside a little time each day to read something He has to say, just set a time and keep it. What would be the best time and way for you to commit to spend time getting to know God better?

Discuss with older kids: Can you imagine being friends with someone who talks non-stop and never listens to you at all? What if the person had no idea of your interests, but you knew all about his or her favorite activities? Is that a real friendship or a one-sided friendship? When you pray and rattle off your list of wants to God, but don’t take the time to read His message, then you are being a one-sided friend to God. Friendship is about give and take. What could you do to improve your relationship with God?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to show you His heart in His Word. 

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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