Family Quarrels

By Carin LeRoy –

Family quarrels are nothing new. They’ve happened for centuries. Unfortunately, conflict among siblings, parents, and relatives are a part of life. How we handle them can either build or break down the relationship. In Genesis 13, we read about Abram (Abraham) and his nephew, Lot. Both men were wealthy with large families, servants and flocks. As they traveled together through the Negev, arguments soon broke out among their herdsmen. Disputes arose between their workers because the land was not able to sustain both of their herds.

As the leader of the family, Abram made a decision.

“So Abram said to Lot, ‘Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left’” (Genesis 13:8-9 NIV).

He decided to let Lot choose first which land he preferred—land to the left or right. Lot took a long look at the land. He saw the fertile well-watered land of the Jordan Valley to the east and chose the best for himself. As leader of the family, Abram had every “right” to choose first, but instead he gave the decision to his nephew. Relationship was more important to him than his position to choose, and resolving the conflict between them was of greater importance. Peace within his family went before his personal rights and desires. He was willing to sacrifice the best of the land for the sake of harmony with his nephew.

Giving up our rights and desires must happen sometimes in order to create peace within the family. Roman 14:19 says, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (NIV). We can trust God with the outcome when our “rights” are given away to resolve conflict. Christ gave up his position in heaven to be born as a man to suffer the humiliation of the cross and provide a solution for man’s conflict with God. In our families, sacrifice may be required of us for the sake of harmony. Lot’s selfish decision came back to hurt him later, but God blessed Abram with an incredible promise afterward. We are never the loser when we choose God’s way of peace.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for my family. When conflict arises, give me a discerning heart to choose how to resolve it—even if that means a sacrifice on my part. Help me to be a leader in creating peace and harmony with those I love the most.

“The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, ‘Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you” (Genesis 13:14-17 NIV).

Snowstorm in the South

By Judy Davis – 

The beauty of the snow surrounding our home was an unusual sight for those of us who live in the deep south. There were many people who enjoyed taking pictures of the pretty scenery. They put the photos on their Facebook pages to show the lovely wintry weather.

Only God could create something so magnificent. It was nice looking out my window at this beautiful creation. It brought to my mind how our sins were red as scarlet but now white as snow. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18 NIV).

It was not so nice for those who were caught out in the midst of this storm. It stopped area commuters in their tracks forcing many to hunker down in cars overnight or seek other shelter. Helicopters were being used to spot stranded drivers so rescuers could get food and water to them. Abandoned cars were piled up on the interstate near Atlanta.

My friend was stuck right in the middle of all the traffic, and was keeping us informed of her storm adventure on Facebook. She wrote “Looking at the brighter side of things…I got a free night at a hotel hallway as the hotels were packed.” She shared how thankful she was for the nice people who handed out snacks and water and mentioned the importance of continued prayer for those who were still braving the elements. She was thrilled when she finally arrived home 24 hours later never to forget her adventure in the snowstorm stating, “I’m not going nowhere for a few days.”

PRAYER: Father, thank You for being with us when we face the many storms in our lives. Even during times of winter when all is cold and getting outside is difficult and challenging, the utter warmth of your love is such a comfort and blessing. May we be quick to respond with the right attitude and give thanks with a grateful heart. For no matter what we go through, You are always with us.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV).

What Happens when we Sleep?

By Gillis Killam –

God wants us to have a good sleep, but we need to lie down!

“Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?” (Psalm 127:2 MSG).

God does wonderful things in our minds and bodies when we get the proper sleep. What may be problems on our minds, when going to sleep, take on a new perspective when we wake up, and our bodies are rejuvenated.

According to The National Sleep Foundation there are four stages of sleep, and in the third and fourth stages the following things happen: This is the deepest and most restorative sleep, blood pressure drops, breathing becomes slower, muscles are relaxed, blood supply to muscles increases, tissue growth and repair occurs, energy is restored, and hormones are released: such as growth hormone, essential for growth and development, including muscle development.

God works miracles while we sleep! He neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4) but He is silently planning in love for those who trust Him.

God created Eve while Adam was sleeping (Genesis 2:21).

While Jacob was running away from the wrath of his brother Esau, he fell asleep on a stone, and while he slept God gave him a vision that showed him God was present with him, and that He had given him and his descendants the land on which he was lying (Genesis 28:10-22).

David felt abandonment when he said “weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NIV).

When Herod was seeking to kill the baby Jesus, God directed Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13).

An Angel spoke to the Apostle Paul in the night and told him what to do when the ship was sinking (Acts 27:23-26).

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord, for worrying about things and losing sleep. Help me to leave these troubles in your hands. Thank you for the gift of sleep! AMEN

He Too Was Despised

By Anne C. Johnson –  

Through tears, my girlfriend shared her pain about her eldest son who was being labeled at school as being gay. “I’m glad he is following God’s calling to be a light, but this is too much,” she sobbed.

Having been home-schooled since kindergarten, it was a shock when her oldest son came to his parents with the request of attending public school for high school. He felt God calling him to step out of his comfort zone and share the light of God’s love with others.

Secretly I had my reservations. This young man has such a soft heart for the Lord, and a wisdom about him that can only come from a genuine faith and relationship with God and His Word.
As a home-school parent, I wanted to scream, “Don’t send him into that dark place, they will ruin him.”

But, it wasn’t my decision. And as a friend I felt the need to be supportive. I wrapped my arms around her as we knelt at the altar, secretly begging God to change His mind and calling on this young man’s heart.

One week later at the altar again, my friend shared with me, “They are calling him gay. All the kids are ganging up on him because he doesn’t do the ‘dating thing’ and isn’t girl-crazy.”

She questioned her decision of letting him go to public school. I knew she wanted to do everything in her power to help him and make this horrible situation go away. To erase his pain and soothe his troubled heart.

I found myself asking God, “Why this persecution? Why this torment?”

The answer came strong and clear. “This young man belongs to Me, and he is taking a stand in My name.”

Scripture says that Jesus was often called demon possessed or accused of witchcraft (John 8:48). In Jesus’ day this was the worst thing to be called. Today, the taboo word is gay.

In my daily devotional reading of A.J. Russell’s, God Calling, I came across the most fitting statement for my friend and her son’s current struggle, “Life with God is not immunity from problems, but peace in the problem.”

God’s word said we would be hated and despised. (John 15:20) Though it doesn’t always erase the pain we feel when the world seems turned against us, we know that God is for us, and that Jesus completely understands our hurts and pain. Running to Him during these moments is the Band-aid our spirit needs.

I pray through this lesson my friend and her son, as well as myself, will be strengthened by the knowledge that we are as much of a threat to the darkness around us as our Lord and Savior was during His sojourn on this earth. I pray God will give us all the strength and the patience to continue to love and the endurance to shine His love and light into this hurting and darkened world.

Lions and Lambs

By Hally Franz –

By all accounts this winter has been a rough one, so it’s nice to finally make it to March. Though spring has not arrived yet, if the old saying holds true, this month will go out like a lamb after coming in like a lion.

Those two creatures, lions and lambs, provide perfect pictures to represent fierce, ferociously cold winter days and the gentle, sweet warmth of spring. With regard to weather and animals, both visuals signal with utter clarity an attitude or mood, and very real behavior and actions that accompany it. Both are appreciated and necessary at times, together providing balance and complementing one another.

In our faith, we typically strive to exhibit the softer spirit of the lamb. We want to be Christ-like in our interactions with others, because we hope our behavior will honor Him and draw others to Him. It seems unnatural to take on the lion’s personality. However, there are times for lion behavior as well.

When defending our Christian beliefs, standing up for Biblical truths, fighting forces of evil – none are better than the lion to be the champion of faith. Jesus behaved like the lion when he drove the merchants and money-changers from the temple. He knew what was needed in that moment, just as He did in all His lamb moments as well.

Both the lamb and the lion demonstrate love, but they do so in different ways. Whether we are talking about faith, parenting or weather, there is a place for both. They may seem like polar opposites, but neither is as special without the other.

PRAYER: Gracious and Giving Father, help me to identify those times when the spirit of the lamb will serve You best, and help me to recognize when only the strength of the lion will do.
“And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise” (John 2:15-16 KJV).

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