Unfired Arrows

By Art Fulks –

This year we experienced our oldest flying from the nest. After graduating he left for a one-year missionary tour. He graduated on Thursday, then left to meet his new team on Friday. His three siblings turned his bedroom into a TV room almost before he was out of the driveway. But with the deluge of activities, I’m not sure that my wife and I really felt the impact until sometime later.

Friends of ours watched both their twins graduate high school this year as well. This fall, they left for college in separate directions, one to the north and the other south. Although we still have three kids at home, their sudden “empty nest” status helped me realize that our time will not be that far away.

We have certainly been blessed with four great kids. The Bible is true when it says, “Children are a gift of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3a, NASB). But with our first leaving, I was reminded that our job and calling is not to raise children, but rather to raise adults who know God personally and passionately pursue His purpose for their lives.

Psalm 127 continues by saying, “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them” (v. 4-5a, NASB). But the purpose of an arrow is not to hold it. Some need to be shot a far distance, while others close by. But the purpose of an arrow is never to stay in the quiver—unfired.

In thinking about unfired arrows, I realized that they have a few potential outcomes:
1) they rust and become useless; 2) the person holding them too tightly is injured by his own arrow; or 3) the person holding them becomes useless or gets shot by the enemy because of their unwillingness to engage in the battle. In contrast, a well-prepared and strategically shot arrow is a blessing as the invisible (but so very real) hand of the Almighty guides what our imperfect efforts have launched. And this wonderful child we have been allowed to mold and carry in our quiver becomes a beautiful and effective tool in the hands of our God.

PRAYER: Dear Father, Who molds my life, would You help me to effectively and lovingly shape the life of my children as long as they are entrusted to my stewardship? Give me the faith and courage to launch them into Your worthy service for the glory of the One whom You sent to die for us, Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Today’s devotional is by Art Fulks, a church planter / pastor at Connection Fellowship in Greenville, South Carolina. Married for 22 years and father of four, Art is a graduate of The Ohio State Univeristy and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a passionate Bible teacher, speaker, musician, worship leader, and life coach. Read more at http://www.connectionfellowship.org or http://artfulks.blogspot.com

Ankles and Feet

By Robin J. Steinweg –

Work boots, maybe with a steel-reinforced toe; that’s the fellow two doors down. Black suit  hem, polished black shoes; the man across the street and down one. Tennis shoes, jeans; that’s the young mother next door. Nice slacks, sturdy shoes; next door on the other side.

This is my neighborhood in the winter. My neighbors are a variety of footwear, trouser-bottoms, and an occasional glimpse of sock. How can I obey God’s command to love them as myself if I never see them? And what keeps these folks isolated? Garage Door Closers—I think they’ve conspired together. In the mornings, a car with tinted glass backs out of its nightly cell and turns left or right. The Garage Door closes as the car disappears around the corner. It admits no one till evening. If I bent down quickly as it closes the gap between itself and the pavement, I might witness evidence of a real human presence. I might see enough of my neighbors’ shoes to guess whether it’s male or female, white collar or blue, adult or small child.

What can quell this wintertime technological conspiracy? The only thing I can think of is a significant fall of snow. Then the air comes alive with the surrendering groan of Garage Doors opening to release boots: tall, rubber, zippered, buckled, black, blue, pink, heeled or flat. Snow suits and heavy wool socks fill them, jeans or slacks tucked in. Shovels push the snow ahead of them, or snow blowers roar to pave a path. The Garage Doors are forced to stay up.

An elderly neighbor, someone with health issues, or an unfortunate whose snow blower is on the fritz could proclaim: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good news.”

“Here, let us clear that for you.”

This is my view of the neighborhood in the winter. My neighbors are more than a variety of footwear after all, and I guess the Garage Door Closers haven’t taken us hostage!

AUTHOR QUOTE: The best way to overcome closed garage doors is to invest in a pair of beautiful feet.

“…Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39b NET).

Today’s devotional is by Robin J. Steinweg. Robin’s life might be described using the game Twister: the colored dots are all occupied, limbs intertwine (hopefully not to the point of tangling), and you never know which dot the arrow will point to next, but it sure is fun getting there!

Loving Feeling

By Elaine James –

Did you wake up tired? You look around the house and perhaps there are clothes on the floor from your loved ones. Maybe something is lying around that you asked someone to put away. Maybe dishes and wrappers are lying out on the counter, because someone did not put them away. Frustrating, huh? If relationships with those in your home are strained already this kind of stuff adds fuel to the fire.

You may be thinking, I’ll tell her or him this or that. You’re ready to fight. Your argument is rolling around in your head.

This person is driving me crazy. How can I love them the way the Father loves?

Remember it is a command to love one another. It is not a choice. I have heard some say “I don’t feel like being in the relationship any longer.” Or this one: “I don’t want to be nice to him or her because they were not nice to me.”

Here is what God tells me. Love is not always a loving feeling. So take some time to speak to God about the lack of love in your house. If relationships are strained the last thing we should be doing is ordering people around and be controlling.

Maybe the advice to “fake it to you feel it” has some merit, since feelings can be so fickle. Combat the lack of feelings with prayer. Prayer is the way to stay. Wait on God.

What happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard. Things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Make a list and pray the positive things about that person who is difficult to love. I had a relationship that was strained. Things weren’t changing until I changed.

So if you have an ugly relationship put aside: “Well, if they put their stuff away and do as I say, then I will love them.” Say instead, “I will serve and love this relationship (with God’s help) back to life.” The power is in our actions and tongue.

Keep the peace. Stop looking for that loving feeling. Look instead to the Father and ask for help.

PRAYER:  Dear Father, I don’t feel like loving _________ today. I have been struggling with their lack of love and help. I just can’t go on this way God. Help me! Give me the love to love them. Help me to see them the way You do. Give me the feelings to love them. I want to honor and obey You Father, but sometimes I just struggle. Forgive me Father if I have hurt this other person in any way. Help us to get back to joy and our commitment toward each other.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Elaine James, author of the tract JOURNEY, certified personality trainer and graduate of Christian Leaders Authors and Speakers Seminars. She is a prayer ministry counselor, accomplished actress, and certified Christian storyteller. Her dramatic performances have made many aware of their problem with Major Mind Overload, and their need to take every thought captive in obedience to Christ. Elaine is a recycler—nothing God teaches her is wasted. www.elainejames.com

God’s Love Game

By Cheri Cowell –

“I love you more than vanilla ice cream with hot fudge,” my friend will say to his daughter, to that she will reply, “and I love you more than kisses from a puppy.” Instead of sharing the usual I love you they share in this lighthearted game. Each time trying to top what the other person has named. Not in a competitive way, but as a playful expression of the depth of love they share. God plays this game with us, too. He gives us a breathtaking sunrise and then whispers in our ear, “See this? I love you more than that.” He sends someone into your life with an unexpected blessing and then whispers again, “I love you more than that.” God’s love is so great there is no way we could have ever comprehended unless He sent Jesus to die so there would be no doubt. Still have a few doubts?

The word used in the Greek for “inner being” means in the secret depths of one’s soul. God longs for us to know Him deeply, intimately, and from the place within our souls we allow very few people to go. To love from this place requires a depth of vulnerability and trust that are difficult for us to give. God knows this so He demonstrated His love and vulnerability to us first in the life and death of Jesus. Everyday He sends us reminders of His love and His desire for communion with us. May we have eyes today to see His call, and hear His whispers, “I love you more than this…”

PRAYER: Thank You God for Your great love expressed in the life and sacrifice of Jesus. Thank You for the work of the Holy Spirit in my life that continually woos me and seeks to draw me closer to You. Help me notice the blessings You put before me today, and to return the favor by responding with my own, “I see that God, and I love You more than ___________.”

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV).

Today’s devotion is by Cheri Cowell, who writes and speaks on topics of Christian discipleship. In addition to her books and articles, you can learn about her speaking ministry and sign up to receive her daily devotional at www.CheriCowell.com

As White As—Eew!

By Robin J. Steinweg –

Here in Wisconsin, the snow comes in fat, determined flakes. When it’s covered our world, the sun shines on it, and its brightness dazzles away even the memory of bare trees, brown, patchy lawns and spent rose bushes. Everything glistens with purity.

By afternoon the plows come through and it is business as usual. The traffic sprays salt, sand and grime that spreads somehow even to the far sides of the cornfield. If there’s no more snow overnight, the next day it starts to look gray, pocked, and—eew—disgusting.

That’s like we who follow Jesus. When we first experience His forgiveness, He washes us as white as snow. His blood, most powerful cleanser, removes our sin as far as the east is from the west.  We glisten with purity.  But over the course of a day, sin splatters our souls with grime and dirt. If there’s not a spiritual cleansing, it’ll get worse.

How can we remove that sin stain? We can only apply the cleanser: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. …and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:8, 9, 7b).

I don’t remember who it was that gave me this advice, but it stuck like wet snow on a sign: “Keep short accounts in spiritual as in other things.” If someone loans me something or blesses me with a good turn, I should pay it back quickly. If I sin, I do well to confess it right away.  I shouldn’t go to bed with a debt of money, deed or sin on my conscience.

PRAYER: My Lord, show me every sin splatter so I can confess it to You. Thank You for making me as clean as fresh-fallen snow, no matter how deep the stain of my sins.

“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Romans 4:7 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Robin J. Steinweg. Robin’s life might be described using the game Twister: the colored dots are all occupied, limbs intertwine (hopefully not to the point of tangling), and you never know which dot the arrow will point to next, but it sure is fun getting there!

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