Fresh Start Devotional Delay

The devotional will be delayed this week.  Please be in prayer for my community.  There was a shooting this morning at the high school.  One teen has died and four others are injured.

The Chief End of Me

The first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism* asks, “What is the chief end of man?”  The answer: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

My devotions yesterday morning, as well as a separate reading in Authentic Beauty, asked this question.  I just love ‘coincidence’, don’t you?  When I got to church and my father preached on the same exact thing I chucked any thoughts of coincidence out of my head and took it to be a calling out from the Lord.

Do you and I live out the chief purpose God has for us each and every day?  He has called us to glorify Him and enjoy Him in every single thing we do. 

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

It is so easy to get caught up in being good wives, moms, teachers, grandmas, leaders, employees, aunts and friends that we forget to do what the Lord has first and foremost called us to do – glorify Him.  If our houses are neat and clean, our work at the office is completed, or our ministries at church are taken care of that is wonderful.  However, if we are not doing it all for the express purpose of bringing glory to God we have missed the mark.

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen  Romans 11:36 

Let us commit to taking our first calling seriously.  Examining each of our daily pursuits in light of glorifying God is a vital step to take.  Asking ourselves if our actions and heart attitudes are in line with our call to glorify the Lord will help us determine where we stand.  Our various earthly roles will be much easier to do well and faithfully if we are doing them to glorify God and God alone. 

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20

Prayer:

Father, thank you that I have been bought with a price and thereby have the privilege of honoring and glorifying You in all I do.  As I do this and You bless me, let Your glory be shown to others around me.  May that example draw the lost and broken to You.  Amen.

Challenge:

Post the question “What is the chief end of ME?” on cards and hang one in each room of your home and work area.  As you are going about your daily work, ask and answer the question repeatedly.  Be honest with yourself about your true motives and attitudes.  If they do not truly glorify God, change them!

Jen G 2012

*The Westminster Shorter Catechism was written by English and Scottish Bible scholars in the 1600’s.  Its purpose was to help ‘regular’ people learn and understand doctrine and beliefs of the Church.  A series of 107 questions and answers make for some good reading and pretty easy memorizing.  As with any document or creed written by man, be mindful to check everything against God’s infallible Word.

From the Vault: Treasure the Time

In honor of my only son's 15th birthday, I am reposting this devotion from 2008.  

When all of my children were under the age of five, I used to live for nap time, bed time, date night, and mom's nights out. Church was a huge delight, not for the great sermons, but for the free babysitting! Well...my baby just turned five and I am sitting here wondering why I rushed all of those beautiful years.

I started this mommyhood journey almost 15 (now 18) years ago. I can still clearly hear the voices of older moms encouraging me to enjoy every moment, no matter how loud, smelly, messy, or maddening it was. For the most part I think I tried to do that, but I know for certain I could have worked harder at it. I find myself grasping for memories of chubby bodies and infant cries. Not one of my children draws an unidentifiable picture anymore or needs help pouring a glass of water. I would give a mom's night out for a dirty diaper in a heartbeat!

The Lord only gives us a certain number of years to be a mommy of littles. Those little ones who were so tiny and helpless grow much faster than we can ever imagine. It is not a bad thing to spend time with other moms or go out alone with your husband. In fact, I strongly believe that those times are very important and vital to maintaining accountability and a strong marriage. It is also incredibly important to gratefully treasure each moment with your little people.

The Word tells us to be thankful in all things. Be thankful for the children who still need their mommy to help them go potty - or clean up the floor when they don't make it in time. Be thankful for the little cry during the night calling for you and no one else. Be thankful for Play-Doh crumbs and spilled juice. Soon enough all of that will be over and done with and you will be wondering why you rushed it or complained about it. I can tell you that from experience. The Lord called you, like Queen Esther, for such a time as this. He also called you for such a family as the one you have.

If you are struggling with the seemingly never ending days or you are feeling resentful of your children and their needs, I encourage you to spend time daily in the Word and prayer. The Word is the foundation that you can rebuild your thankful heart on.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for the little people you have blessed me with. Thank you for what you are teaching me about myself through them. Thank you that I am able to have children to care for. Thank you for all the messes and memories. Please help me to focus on the treasure my children are and to let them know each day how precious they are to me.


Challenge:
This week, choose to be thankful for each mess, diaper, cry, etc. Go out of your way to speak blessing over your children each day and tell them how thankful you are for them.  If your little ones are now teens, treasure each late night talk and quick hug.  Maybe you are an empty-nester.  If so, be sure to encourage moms who are struggling with seeing the purpose in the 'endless' days.

Jen Gorton 2008

Are You Leaky?

For years there has been a growing leak around the steeple area on our church roof.  Whenever it rained, buckets had to be put out and the musical equipment on the platform had to be covered. Roofers galore have been up there plunking around, patching various areas, caulking around the flashing, and scratching their heads.  No matter what was done, the leaks just got worse.  The storage area started to be affected and even the baptismal turned into a glorified drip catcher. 

Finally, the steeple was removed and water was found inside.  The area left vacant was repaired and roofed over. Yeah!  Except that it did not solve the problem.  The next rain that came brought leaks again.  Once again, the roofer climbed up to find out what was going on.  He discovered that although the larger, more obvious issues under the steeple were no longer leaking, there was a teeny, tiny nail hole allowing water to get inside.

A nail hole.

Our lives can be just like that church roof; we deal with all sorts of circumstances that cause disruption, ruin, and irritating dripping noises in our hearts and minds.  We search for remedies and fixes to get back on track – books, seminars, heart to hearts with friends – to no avail.  The issues always seem to come back with a vengeance, leaving us to feel as if our hearts and minds will never be watertight against life’s storms.

When Cain was faced with his own sinful heart regarding his sacrifice and his jealously of his brother, the Lord gave him a warning. 

So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”  Genesis 4:6, 7

The Lord warned Cain that sin was waiting and desired to have his heart.  Some versions use the much more descriptive and terrifying word ‘crouching’. Sin’s desire was for him, but Cain had a choice.  He could rule over it or he could let the jealously and selfishness continue to drip in, spreading through his heart and mind until he did the unthinkable.  He murdered his brother.

What starts as a ‘small’ sin can turn into a full blown torrent over time, weakening the structure of your faith and causing all sorts of mischief.  Choose today to rule over sin that is crouching at your door or raining on your roof.  Fill the nail holes with the Word of God and allow His Spirit to have victory over the enemy and his schemes.

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.  Romans 6:11, 12   

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the conviction of your Holy Spirit.  Help me to listen and choose to follow Your perfect counsel.  Let me recognize those holes that I am allowing to go unfilled with Your Word.  Let there be no wicked way in me!  Amen.

Challenge:

Examine your life this week.  What are you allowing in your life that is not pleasing to God?  We try so hard to justify our sin, refusing to acknowledge it as rebellion against a Holy God.  As drips are evidence of a leaky roof, bad attitudes are evidences of sin in the heart.  Find your leaks!

Suggested reading: My Ugly Pet

Jen G

2012