The Crack in the Floor

Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

Put away from you a deceitful mouth,

And put perverse lips far from you.

Let your eyes look straight ahead,

And your eyelids look right before you.

Ponder the path of your feet,

And let all your ways be established.

Do not turn to the right or the left;

Remove your foot from evil.

Proverbs 4:23-27

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When our children became mobile tots we set up boundaries for them in regards to off-limit areas in our home. A certain boundary was between the kitchen and dining room, a crack in the parquet floor making a convenient marker. One of our children would toddle up to that crack and line her toes up perfectly – going right to the edge. Occasionally she would pop the tip of a big toe over, giving us a “whatcha gonna do about that?” look. Well, every time we did do something and eventually she learned that sticking her piggy even a little bit over the line really did matter.
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Just as the crack in our floor served as a safety boundary for our children, the Lord has cracks in the floor for His children. In Deuteronomy 30 the Lord gives the Israelites two choices: serve Him and receive blessing or turn away and receive death. His direction was straightforward and to the point. “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off…” (vs. 11) …” But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.” (vs. 14) Translation: “You have My Word. You have My instructions. Do it."
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True Christ followers need to take note of the crack in the floor. The Lord has given us very clear directions on how to live – relationships, modesty, speech, parenting, church, thought life, sexual intimacy, gossip, leadership, government, education, marriage, even books, magazines, movies, TV and music, etc. in His Word. Everything is covered.

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There is no excuse for crossing over the crack into dangerous territory. In regards to obeying the Lord - there is no need to pray about it or seek the Lord on it because He has already given us the Word with detailed instructions. Deuteronomy 30:12-14: “It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.”

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I encourage you to respect the crack in the floor.

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Prayer:
Father, thank You for the Word that is very near to me. Thank You that the Word gives me everything pertaining to life and godliness and there is no reason for me to be confused or conflicted about doing the right thing. Please help me to choose to serve You and do the right thing even when my flesh wants to turn aside and cross the line. Amen

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Challenge:

Respecting the crack in the floor is a freeing thing! Clear your mind of the notion that following the guidelines in Scripture is somehow constraining. Find the freedom that comes from a pure heart that listens closely and follows the instruction of the Lord. Be watchful also of times when you are tempted to bend the instructions of God to fit your desires. (Think movies, language, thoughts, dress…)

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Jen 2010

Take Two: Do You Shed?

Due a tremendously busy weekend, I am reposting a Fresh Starts from about this time last year.  I think I need to read it over a few times.  I remembered, while in the shower this morning, that I never wrote this week's devotional!  Jen

I asked my husband what I should write about this week as I was feeling quite dull. He got a very thoughtful look on his face and then told me that I should write about dogs and how they shed fur. I thought the same thing you are mostly likely thinking right now. What on earth does a dog shedding have to do with a bunch of moms?

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At the beginning of each autumn our dogs, especially the goldendoodle, begin to grow extra fur for the coming winter months. This comes in quite handy in our cold and snowy northeast Ohio climate. Come spring I am not as intrigued by this God designed winter coat as it all falls on my wood floors. However aggravating the shedding might be, it is a good thing. Can you imagine wearing your winter coat all summer in the heat? The dog's shedding allows for them to sleep better, play better, move around better - it's a good thing.

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The same is true for moms who shed their busy coats. Unlike my dogs, my shedding time comes in September of each year. After a fun, full summer I need to look at my calendar and begin to slow down. I home school my five children and I simply can not keep the same activity list as I do in the warm and carefree months. If I did, my home would be in a constant state of disarray and my children would be uneducated ruffians. It is much easier and more enjoyable to teach my children when I am not trying to fulfill a myriad of obligations outside of my home. My family needs to be my priority. When I am walking purposefully in my current season of life (summer, holidays, schooling, etc.) I find that the walk is more enjoyable and successful. I encourage you to begin to shed your fur for this coming season and enjoy the time at home.

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Let your eyes look straight ahead and your eyelids look right before you.  Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.

Proverbs 4:25,26

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Prayer:

Father, thank you for this coming school year. What an honor to be home with my children, teaching them and training them in the ways You desire. Please help me to be focused on this season and what you would have me be involved in. Amen.

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Challenge:

If you have not yet looked at scaling back for this school year do so this week. Make sure that you leave time for date nights and fun stuff, but determine to have tunnel vision in regards to your home school. It is easy to get off track simply anticipating a coming event. Ask your husband to help you make wise choices with your time.
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Jen 2009

Are You a Foolish Woman?

Proverbs 31 is the Holy Grail of most Christian moms I know. Who wouldn’t want to be a creative, frugal, early rising, business-minded, sewing and cooking dynamo? Depending on the day, looking at this truly amazing lady can make one feel either incredibly inspired or deeply depressed.
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There is another woman featured in Proverbs who deserves our notice. She is the Foolish Woman. Proverbs 9:13-18 says: A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing. For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city, To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, “Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell.
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Let's break this woman's life down a bit. First off, she is clamorous. (v 13) Clamorous means to speak and repeat loud words; noisy; vociferous; loud; turbulent. (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary) Not only is this woman obnoxious, she is also stupid. (v 13) Why? Because she sits at the door of her house, or in a well populated area, wasting time being a nosey distraction. (v14)
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Could it get worse? Oh yeah! This foolish woman is also misleading. She is not content to be simple herself, she leads others into untruths as well. (v 16) Her method of creating other simple people is to give them really awful counsel. (v 17) She then leads them astray with her bad ideas and chatter. (v 18) By this point, her acquaintances (and probably her children) have become like her and are walking a very slippery road that does not lead to godliness or blessing. (v 18)
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Wow. Can you imagine anyone really being like this? Unfortunately, if we each take a good, honest look at our hearts, we will most likely see some similarities with this miserable woman. Here are some questions that might bring insight to our own heart condition:

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~Am I loud and obnoxious? Do I talk too much, drawing attention to myself? Do I cause discord with turbulent words and attitudes?
~Do I fill my mind with useless information gleaned from soap operas, romance novels, or tabloids?
~Do I waste time chatting on Facebook, email, the phone? Do I spend more time running from place to place than I do in my own home? Do I encourage others to leave their homes for activities that might not be right for their families? Do I stick my nose in other people’s business for my own curiosity's sake?
~Do I give advice based on my own personal feelings and not the wisdom that comes from above?
~Do I cause others to want to be more like Jesus or more like themselves?
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If you see foolish woman tendencies in your life, do not lose heart! The Lord promises us in James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” And earlier in Proverbs 9, Wisdom herself calls out to us and says, “Forsake foolishness and live, go in the way of understanding!” I encourage you today to leave behind any foolishness and rise to your calling as a wise woman!
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Prayer:
Father, thank You that I am a new creation in You. I do not need to live foolishly because You have promised me wisdom when I seek it and ask. Amen.
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Challenge:
Read Proverbs 9 from beginning to end. Notice the contrast of Wisdom’s offerings in verses 1-6 to the foolish woman’s in verses 12-18.
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Jen 2010

These Last Days...

Have you ever had the vague feeling of having had a conversation with someone, only to be unsure if it was in real life or in a dream? This week's devotional falls into that category. It was originally written in July 2009 and titled "The Sower". It was saved in my draft file under that title with the words "needs work" next to it. I have rewritten it (moving away from the original Matthew 13 focus), but feel as if I have shared it before. And yet... I am compelled to post it anyway. Suffice it to say, the message is burning in my heart and must be shared! With that in mind, please let this speak to you for the first time or remind you of what you have already read here on Fresh Starts.

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For the last 100 years Christians have been preaching the message of "we are in the Last Days!" We get excited, and rightfully so, looking for the return of Jesus and a visual of the victory that is already His. As exciting as the Last Days are, they are also spiritually dangerous. The Word says that in these days the love of many will grow cold. (Matthew 24) People will become caught up in teachings that sound good, yet have little or no Truth in them; they will begin to focus on riches and worldly concerns, which will cause them to become unfruitful. (Matthew 13) As if all that were not bad enough - people will also become easily offended and will betray one another. Where is the hope?!
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The answer can be found in Hebrews 10:19-25: "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
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This passage tells us that we are to draw near with a true heart - a heart seeking and longing for God and God alone. We are to hold on tightly to our confession of faith, preaching to ourselves the Gospel each and every day, reminding ourselves of the great and marvelous gift we accepted and confessed. We are to think of others and purposefully encourage them to do what is good and right. We are to choose to gather together, fellowship, and exhort one another. There are a whole lot of action verbs in this passage! Keeping ourselves from being choked by cares of the world and false doctrines takes effort on our part.
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During these times, it is vital that we stay close to the Lord and to other believers. Second Timothy 4 tells us to be very careful what we listen to and to be ready in all circumstances to give the Truth of God's Word. Some will choose to turn away, even those who were our mentors or best examples. Our job is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith! Everything else can fail. He can not.
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Prayer:
Father, thank You that You are the One who can cause the seed of my faith to take root and grow. Please help me to guard my walk with You and nourish it with time in the Word and in fellowship with others. Keep my heart safe and focused on You in these dangerous Last Days. Amen
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Challenge:
Is your heart fully turned to the Lord? Examine yourself and see if you are still walking closely with Him. If you are not, pinpoint what is taking the place of a vibrant walk with the Lord. Is it worth it? Be aware that we are all human and susceptible to the lies of the enemy. Commit Hebrews 10:19-25 to memory to keep you on track!

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Jen 2010