When God want to use me I have to obey Exodus 3:10-12

Exodus 3:10-12 (New International Version)



10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" 12 And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you [a] will worship God on this mountain."

Moses had a heart for his people and showed that by his reaction when he saw them mistreated. God recognized Moses' heart and chose to use him to deliver the Israelites from the oppression from which they were suffering. Moses cared about his people but didn't see himself as a leader. When God approached him all Moses could think about was "who am I?" because he did not see himself in that role. He rejected the idea of speaking out for God because he felt he lacked the skills necessary. When Moses let God down, God had to use Aaron to complete His plan. Moses was willing but hwe lacked faith in himself and in God.
 
God called Moses to be His hands and feet here on earth. Moses had not prepared himself for that task and was concerned he did not have the skills to succeed. It was true, Moses didn't have the skills, but God was able to give him whatever he needed to guarantee success. God has used me to do many things for Him I could never do on my own. I have learned through experience that when God calls me to a task He will give me the skills I need to succeed for Him. Moses said no to God and He had to bring in Aaron to finish the job. I have said no to God only to see Him bring someone else along to do the job I thought was not possible. I have learned to trust God and obey Him when He calls. The more impossible the task, the bigger the opportunity for God to reveal Himself in the situation. I am nobody. I don't possess special skills or superpowers, but when God is working through me there is nothing I can't do. I need to remember this more and trust God enough to say "yes" whenever He calls.
 
Dear Lord,
I know You have a plan for Your people and I now I am a part of that plan. I have experienced Your work through me and have recognized when You have done things through me I could have never done on my own. Forgive me for doubting You as I have and rejecting opportunities to be Your hands and feet. I learn from my failures but You know what a slow learner I am. Give me a heart to say "yes" every time You call. Give me a boldness to reach out for You without fear of failure or concern for the results. I know You will succeed but I need to be reminded. I am weak in that area and need Your strength. Grow me from who I am into who I need to be. Use me to make a difference for Your kingdom. In Jesus' name.
 
Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

Freedom has a new meaning in Christ Galatians 5:13

Galatians 5:13 (New International Version)

 ¹³You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature^[a]; rather, serve one another in love.

 the Galatians were struggling with their new found relationship in Christ. They had received Christ and were growing in their relationship with Him when some believing Jews cam along and told them circumcision was necessary as well. They wanted the Galatians to follow Christ and still follow the old testament law as well. Paul took the time to explain that life in Christ frees us from the law. It does not free us up to sin but it frees us up from sin and allows us to live our lives like Christ and for Christ.

As a follower of Christ I am no longer "under the law". The law was a bunch of rules that were good to live by but were put in place to show me I could never meet God's standards without a relationship with Christ. The relationship I have with Christ frees me from the burden of the law. that does not mean I am free to ignore the law and sin all I want, it means I can now focus on Christ and pleasing Him. If I focus on all the rules I spend my time worrying about what not to do and trying to stay inside the lines. If I focus on Christ and pleasing Him, I am drawn to the center and don't have to worry about the boundaries. Both have the same goal, but only one way is attainable. I have tried it both way and the only way I have found success is in Christ. There is freedom in serving Christ in that I don't have to focus on doing a thousand things right, I only have to focus on one thing, pleasing God. When I use that as a guide, the path for my life is more defined and easier to identify. With a clear picture of a defined path I am free to move forward pleasing God as I go. That gives freedom a whole new meaning.

Dear Lord,
I thank You for the new found freedom I have in You. I thank You that You have freed me from a life of sin and given me a new life following You. Help me to grow in my appreciation and understanding of the freedom You give and all that it offers. help me to focus all my efforts on pleasing You and trusting the path You have laid out for me. I know that I will continue to sin. Let me see my sin for what it is and the bondage it brings. Expose my sin so that I can turn from it and back to You. Use me in the lives of others so that they might discover and enjoy the freedom that is found in You and You alone. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

I want to please God more than people Galatians 1:10

Galatians 1:10 (New International Version)

 ¹⁰Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

 Paul had lived a life impressing and pleasing people. He was a well known and well respected pharisee. Once Christ revealed Himself to him, Paul was no longer worried about making people happy. He lived only to please God. The way he lived and the things he preached alienated him form all his old friends and way of life. He was hated and hunted. He put his own life at risk numerous times. He did this because it was more important to him to please God than to please men. Paul showed the evidence of a changed life. he was willing to follow God and please Him no matter what the cost. Paul know all the sacrifices he made were worth it. He paid whatever price knowing it was worth the cost to follow Jesus. By living out that example, Paul convinced the people around him this was true and continues to convince people today.

I too was like Paul. I thought I had it all figured out. I was a "good guy". People around me liked me. It wasn't until Christ came into my life and changed my heart that I understood how misguided I was. I do my best now to live my life to please God. It is not an easy path bu tit is fulfilling in ways I never imagined. As Paul said, "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ". To serve Christ is to put Him first in all I do. It is not just a change or an adjustment I have made, it is a completely different way I live my life. This new paradigm has changed the way I do everything and this change has been good. Living for God requires sacrifice, but that sacrifice has proven to be worth it many times over. The new life I have in Christ has meant many changes but living to please God is much more fulfilling and much more satisfying than living to please myself and the people around me.

Dear Lord,
I thank You and praise You for the new life You have given me. I feel I have something to live for. Living to please You and do Your will has brought peas and fulfillment in my life that I have never known before. I no longer want to live to please myself or others, It is my goal to please You. I know there is sacrifice in that but You have shown me many times the sacrifice is more than worth the cost. Help me to grow in my desire to please You and make a difference for Your kingdom. Let all that I do your You be the evidence to people around me of a changed life in You. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

I want the vision Joseph had Genesis 50: 19-20

Genesis 50:19-20 (New International Version)

 ¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

 Joseph's brothers had treated hm poorly as he grew up. They plotted to kill him and sold him into slavery. Once their father, Jacob, died the brothers were at Joseph's mercy. They were afraid that Joseph would take advantage and exact revenge for all they had done. Joseph recognized there was more going on. He saw that while his brothers meant to harm him, God meant it for good. Joseph didn't hold a grudge. He had forgiven them long ago because he saw God at work even in his difficulties.

Joseph dealt with hardships and difficulties his entire life. Every time things started going well he was dealt another blow. When God revealed his plan in a dream, Joseph was sold into slavery. When he started to do well there, he was wrongly accused and sent to prison. Throughout the hardships and struggles, Joseph saw through his circumstances and kept his eyes on God. He know God had a plan for him and trusted God to see it through. No matter what his current circumstances were, he lived his life to please God. Nothing could dissuade him from it. That focus allowed him to excel during the good times and carried him through the bad. Even at his worst people around Joseph saw God through him. Joseph had the vision to see God in every circumstance and he responded appropriately. Joseph trusted God and was blessed for it.

I want to be like Joseph, but I struggle with that every day. I know God has a perfect plan for my life. He has been faithful time and time again. My problem is that I lose focus. I take my eyes off of the big picture and lose sight of God. I am so busy worrying about my problems or my situation that I fail to see God at work. I need the vision Joseph had. I need to see God at work during the bad times as well as the good. I also need better long term vision so I can see and stay focused on God's bigger plan for my life. I need the strength and the vision to keep looking up instead of just looking around. If I can keep focused on God and keep His vision in my sight I can more effectively live a life that pleases Him.

Dear Lord,
I know You have the perfect plan for my life. I know I can trust You to see it through. It is easy to remember that at times, but other times I struggle. Give me eyes to see You in every area of my life. Reveal Your plan to me in a way that I will respond. Surround me with people who will help me stay focused on You. Ly all I do and all I say work toward furthering You plan for my life. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

I want a servant's heart like Joseph Genesis 47:11-12

Genesis 47:11-12 (New International Version)

 ¹¹ So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. ¹² Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father's household with food, according to the number of their children.

 Joseph was the youngest in his family. God had big plans for him but his family did not recognize it. His brothers hated him and plotted to kill him. They sold him into slavery to get him out of their lives. Years later Joseph had wealth and power because of God's blessing. He ran across his brothers whom he had not seen since they sold him into slavery. he reconnected with them and brought the entire family down to Egypt. He gave them choice land and food to eat. What he did saved the lives of his family.

Joseph had every right to be angry with his brothers. He had every right to hold a grudge. I don't know that I could have forgiven what they did. When Joseph finally reconnected with his bothers he had the power and influence to get even for what they had done to him. He wasn't thinking about getting even. His desire was to serve them. He gave them all they asked for and more. Instead of even, he brought his entire family to him to serve them and make sure they were safe. Joseph had some hardships and disappointments but did not focus on them. He knew God had a perfect plan for his life and trusted that all the good and the bad would work out for God's glory. Even as a leader he was a servant. He served to please God and he did it well. He repaid evil with good and in doing so shared God's unconditional love with people who didn't deserve it. Joseph was modeling a Christ like attitude a couple of thousand years before anyone even knew what that was.

I want to be like Joseph. I want a true servant's heart. I want to see others through God's eyes and get past the hurts to repay evil with good. Joseph had it figured out and modeled it for me. I want to grow to become that type of person. I not only have Joseph, I have Christ as a perfect example of a true servant. I have the Holy Spirit to guide me in my journey. I have the tools, I just need to put the to good use. As I do, I hope to become more like Christ, living my life as a servant of God.

Dear Lord,
You loved me when I ignored You. You reached out to me when I hurt You. You have shown me how to love unconditionally and serve other out of that love. I've seen how You do it and I know what it is, but I still struggle to be the servant You have called me to be. There are times I can't imagine repaying evil with good even though that is exactly what You have called me to do. change my heart and make me more like You. Help me to see others as You do and serve them as You would. Give me the unconditional love for the people around me that You have for the people around me and mold me into an acceptable servant of the Living God. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

Live for God and let everything work itself out Genesis 41:39-30

Genesis 41:39-40 (New International Version)

 ³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. ⁴⁰ You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you."

 Joseph was wrongly accused and put in prison. While there he interpreted dreams for two men. The interpretations proved accurate. Later Pharaoh heard of Joseph and sent for him to interpret a dream he had. Joseph told Pharaoh there would be seven years of abundance and seven years of famine. He gave Pharaoh a plan for success. Pharaoh recognized this was from God and that God's hand was on Joseph. Pharaoh said he could find no one else like Joseph on whom was the hand of God. He put Joseph in charge of his entire kingdom.

Joseph lived his life to please God. He had opportunities to take shortcuts in life but always took the high road and trusted God. He did not chase pleasure or worldly desires, he only wanted to please God. It showed in his life and people around him saw that. He was recognized for that and rewarded by both Potiphar and Pharaoh. Pharaoh saw something in Joseph he didn't see in anyone else. He saw someone who live for the Lord no matter what. Pharaoh saw wisdom he saw in no one else because he saw God through Joseph. This could not have happened except that Joseph reflected God in all he did. God rewarded that and others enjoyed the blessing from Joseph's obedience to God.

I am faced with opportunities to take shortcuts and chase worldly desires everyday. I could have success on my terms if I choose. I don't want that, I want the success God has planned for me. I know I can trust God to do what is best for me and give me true success, whatever that looks like. I know this is true but I still struggle when faced with decisions. I want to trust Him when it really matters and let the results be left to God. I want others to see God at work in my life and recognize it's all Him in me. I want to be more like Joseph who was not focused on selfish success or worldly results, but focused instead on living to please God. As I do, I pray that God will give me His success and bless the people around me.

Dear Lord,
True success is found in You and You alone. I want the life You have laid out for me. I want the success in life that comes from You. I know I am very goal oriented. Let my goal above all be to live a life that is pleasing to You. I want that to be enough. Let all the success I have be from You and not from me. Let others around me see that success and praise You, recognizing You are the author of it. Give the people around me a hunger for You because they see the evidence of a changed life in me. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

I want people to recognize the success they see in me is acutually Christ in me Genesis 39:3-4

Genesis 39:3-4 (New International Version)

³ When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, ⁴ Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.

 Joseph was a Godly man who lived his life to please God. He was sold into slavery to Potiphar by his brothers. Even in the midst of that he did right by God and was blessed with success. Potiphar saw that Joseph prospered in all he did and recognized it was God's blessing that gave him success. Because of that, Potiphar put Joseph in charge of all he had. Later Joseph was wrongly accused and put in prison. Again he prospered in all he did. the warden saw this and recognized it was God's blessing that gave Joseph success. The warden put Joseph in charge of the entire prison.

When people saw Joseph and his success, they did not just see him, they saw Christ in him. I know where my life has been and where it is now in Christ. I have sen my successes and my failures both before and after. I have put God in charge of my life and trust Him to guide and direct me in my decisions. I know the success I have now is directly because of God's work in me and through me. I have seen the difference before and after and am confident that this life I have in Christ offers me much more than I had before. I know people around me see when I excel at something and they see when I have success. It is my prayer that my life would reflect Christ in me in all I do. There was something about Joseph and his success that others recognized God's hand at work in it. I want what Joseph had I want people to know the difference Christ has made in my life. I want it to be obvious in my accomplishments. If I live my life properly and give credit where it is due, everyone around em should see more of Christ and less of me.

Dear Lord,
I praise You and thank You for the difference You have made in my life. I know the success I have is a direct result of You at work in me. Help me to live a life that reflects that. Help others to see You through me. Let my life be a positive example of the difference You can make. Let that example lead other to You. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

Sometimes I need to refocus on God Genesis 35:2

Genesis 35:2 (New International Version)

 ² So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes.

 Jacob needed to move. God called him to go back to Bethel. Jacob gathered all the people and told them of his plan. He had them gather all their foreign gods, their idols, to him. They were then to purify themselves and put on clean clothes. Jacob buried the idols before getting a fresh start.

Somehow Jacob's family had taken their eyes off God. They brought idols in their homes in place of God. I don't see where their hearts were necessarily hardened, but there were definitely distractions in their lives. Jacob was ready for a change. He called everyone together to search their homes for idols and purify themselves. They needed to regroup and get focused on God.

There are times in my life when distractions and idols creep in. It is not a conscious decision I make nor can I point to a specific time when it happened. If is always a gradual process where I look around at some point and realize I need to do some spiritual housecleaning and get back on track with God. These are the times that I need to do like Jacob's family. I need to gather all the idols in my life and bury them. I need to purify myself and get re focused on God. When I wander away it is always a process that occurs over time. When I refocus on God it is a decision. It is a time I can point to when it happened. That is a reminder that no matter how far I stray form God it is always just one step to get back. God is faithful and longs to have that relationship with me. I need to be more faithful and keep form letting idols creep into my life in the first place. I am thankful that I can rely on God's grace and forgiveness to get me from where I am to where I need to be with Him.

Dear Lord,
You have given me the gift of eternal life and a relationship with You. I sometimes take ti for granted and take my eyes off of You. When I let idols into my life it harms my relationship with You. I pray You would convict me every time it happens. I pray I would hate those idols and the sin they bring just as much as You do. Give me the eyes to identify these idols early on and turn form them and back to You. Fill my mind and my heart with thought of You and a desire to follow You. Let this desire crowd out any others, leaving no room in my life for idols to dwell. Mold me into the person who wholeheartedly live for You. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

My children learn by watching me Genesis 26:7&30:3

Genesis 26:7 (New International Version)

 ⁷ When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he said, "She is my sister," because he was afraid to say, "She is my wife." He thought, "The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is beautiful."
 
Genesis 30:3 (New International Version)

 ³ Then she said, "Here is Bilhah, my maidservant. Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and that through her I too can build a family."

 Isaac went to live in a foreign land. He was afraid of the people there an feared they would kill to take his wife. He told everyone she was his sister to save his own skin. He was found out and the people couldn't understand how he could do such a thing. How could he do it? He learned it from his father, Abraham (Genesis 12:11-13). Rachel was unable to have children. Rather than trust God and wait on Him, she gave her servant to Jacob to give him children for her. How could she give another woman to her husband? How could Jacob agree to this? They learned it from Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 16:1-2).

Abraham was a man of God who led his family in God's ways, but he had a tendency to do things his own way rather than wait on the Lord. While I'm sure Abraham told his family about God, they were learning from his actions as well. It is said, "More is caught than taught" and I see it at work here. Abraham's children learned what to do by watching him as well as listening. The problem was the part they were watching should have never been followed. Abraham's sin effected not only his children but his grandchildren as well.

If my kids follow me around long enough they can learn how to live for God. The problem is there are some things they should emulate and some things they should ignore. Ho do they know the difference? They trust me. I tell them about god and how we should live for Him. When they watch my life they rightly assume that is how those words are lived out. If they choose the same path it is my fault when my children follow my example into sin. I need to live a life hat lines up with what I say. AS a husband and father I'm responsible for setting a Godly example for my family. If they have to go elsewhere to find a Godly model, I have failed them. If they follow my poor example, it's even worse. I need to live my life to please God not just but for all those who follow me as well.

Dear Lord,
You are the perfect example in my life. I can always look to "You as a model of how to live my life. My children cannot always say that of me. Forgive me when I fail them. Reveal those failures to me that I might work to make them right. Help me to be a Godly example my family can follow. Let the life I live not only be pleasing to You but be a righteous path for my family as well. Keep me from making foolish decisions and help me live a life that will make You proud to call me one of Your children. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

How much do I really appreciate God's gifts? Genesis 25:30-32

Genesis 25:30-32 (New International Version)

³⁰ He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!" (That is why he was also called Edom.)
 ³¹ Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright."
 ³² "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?"

 Esau was Isaac's firstborn and was in line for the birthright. This would have put him over the family as the spiritual head. he did not appreciate that gift and gave it away for a moment of worldly pleasure. Jacob deceived Esau and took the birthright. H did it by worldly means that were wrong but he did appreciate the birthright and the spiritual responsibility that came with it. His desire was good but his execution was wrong.

I see myself in both of these brothers. I have received gifts from God, incredible blessings from Him, only to set them aside. I often don't appreciate the gifts He has given me and have let some slip away because I did not appreciate them and did not care enough. I have also recognized opportunities and blessing from God in my life, only to pursue them my own way. Because of my impatience and strong will, I chose to chase after these things with my own strength and my own plan. I thank God for he blessing but ignore Him in the process. both of these areas are struggles for me. I need to appreciate God's gifts in my life more and put them all to good use. He has  given me these gifts for a reason. Whenever I set them aside I am saying, "No" to God. I also need to appreciate God's timing and His plan for me. He knows best what I need and how to put it in my life. I need to trust Him more from start to finish and not shove Him out of the way. My nature is to take over and get it done my way. That shows a lack of faith in God's plan. I need to trust God enough to allow Him to work out his will for me in His time and by His way. I know I am still very much a work in progress, but I pray God will work these things out in me sooner instead of later.

Dear Lord,
I thank You for Your gifts that You give. I pray that I will recognize these gifts and put them to good use for You. I know that all too often I squander Your gifts and blessings in my life. Help me to be a better steward of these things You give me and use them for Your glory. I do recognize some gifts and opportunities from You but in my own stubbornness and selfish nature I pursue them in my own strength. Help me to trust You enough to wait on You and Your perfect plan. Help me to better see Your path adn choose if over my own. As I do, guide my every step. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

What am I really willing to do for God? Genesis 22:1-2

Genesis 22:1-2 (New International Version)

¹ Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"
      "Here I am," he replied.  ² Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

 God promised Abraham a son and said he would give him countless descendants. Abraham had to wait until his old age to finally see the answer to his prayers. When Abraham finally received his blessing, a son, God called him to sacrifice that son. Abraham wanted to obey God more than anything else and was even willing to give up the most precious thing in his life to please God.When God saw Abraham's heart, he revealed it was only a test and provided the offering for the sacrifice.

The bible tells me this was only a test, but Abraham didn't know that. He went up the hill willing to do whatever it took to please God. Abraham didn't give up his son but was willing to. When God saw that He was pleased and provided another way. God may challenge me to do things I am not comfortable doing. Sometimes He wants me to do it and sometimes He just wants to see my willingness. God's motives shouldn't matter to me. I should always be willing to do whatever God calls me to do. I have seen Him work in my life enough to know I can trust Him in whatever he calls me to do. Still, there are too many times I have said no to God because of my fears and lack of faith. I have failed many tests over the years and am sure I will fail more. Through this process I hope to become more like Abraham, willing to do whatever God calls me to do adn more like Christ who took that extra step and actually did it.

Dear Lord,
Your are a God who can be trusted to always do what is best for me. I know that and know You would never call me to do anything to contradict that, but I still lack the faith to follow wherever You lead. Fill me with the desire and willingness to obey You in all I do and answer Your every call. Give me the faith to say yes to You no matter what the request may be. Help me to be like Abraham who trusted You at Your word and was willing to do whatever You called him to do. Let me show my willingness to follow You with my actions adn not just my words. As I do, use me more and more to do Your will. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

Raising a Godly family is my responsibility Genesis 18:19

Genesis 18:19 (New International Version)

¹⁹ For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."

 God promise Abraham a son by Sarah. god renewed His covenant with Abraham saying that his descendants would be rulers and kings. God told Abraham his people would become a powerful nation and nations would be blessed because of him. In verse 19 God said he would do this so that Abraham would direct his children and household to live for God and do what was right and just. Of all the people on the earth God chose Abraham. Abraham's obedience and love for God convinced God that Abraham could lead his family and his people in God's ways. God had laid challenges before Abraham and he had succeeded. Abraham had proven himself worthy of the blessing God had promised.

I love God an do my best to live for Him. Like Abraham, God has Given me a family He expects me to lead in His ways, I am humbled and honored to think that God sees something in me that would allow Him to entrust these people to me. They have given their lives to God. He in turn handed them to me and asked me to raise them up to know Him. He trusts me to protect them and instruct them in His ways. God has given me His most precious gift and trusts me to take care if it just as He would. this is a responsibility I don't take lightly and I pray that I can lead my family to know God better and live their lives to please Him. god will but decisions before them and they will have to make their own choices when the time comes, but if they are not prepared to make godly decision that is my fault. If they are not equipped to live  for God then I have failed them and failed the Lord. This is not a responsibility I take lightly. I pray everyday the God will equip me to leatd my family for Him because I know that without God I can't do it.

Dear Lord,

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I have a family who has given their live to You. You in turn handed them back to me and asked that I watch over them for You. I pray that You give me the wisdom and abilities I need to direct them to keep Your ways and grow to love You more each day. Let me live my life as an example of how to follow You. Give me the strength to do the right thing even when it is difficult so that I might be a living example in their lives. Give my family hearts to follow as I lead them toward You. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

I do believe, I just need a reminder Genesis 15:1-6

Genesis 15:1-6 (New International Version)

 ¹ After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:

       "Do not be afraid, Abram.
       I am your shield, ^[a]
       your very great reward. ^[b] "  ² But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit ^[c] my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" ³ And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir."
 ⁴ Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." ⁵ He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
 ⁶ Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

 God had given Abram success and blessed him in many ways, but he had not given Abram children and specifically an heir. God reminded Abram that He would protect him and reward him. Abram saw that as empty without children. god showed his that he would have countless descendants. Abram believed God an it was credited to him as righteousness. Abram already knew that. In Genesis 13:16 God made a covenant with Abram and promised him descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth. So, what Abram heard later was nothing new, he just needed to believe it. It appears he did because in verse 6 the bible says that he believed and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Like Abram, I believe some things are true but still have trouble believing they are true for me. I read the promises from God and believe them to be true. God shows me the blessings He wants to give me in His time and I know He can. I still become filled with doubt at times and need a reminder. It is oftentimes a process for me. God tells me and I believe it but it takes me a while to accept that it is true for me as well. It is a lack of faith on my part that I have to work through. There usually comes a time when I "get it" and finally believe as I should. I want to be like verse 6 Abram. I don't want to believe the face, I want to believe the Lord. I want to trust in Him enough that I'm not focused on the facts and how it will work out, but focused on putting my trust in Him, truly believing in my heart that God will make it true in the way He sees fit. I want to live by faith that God will provide and make His word true in my life and not just be the knowledge that these things are possible. That thinking is a big difference for me and becomes a stumbling block in my relationship with God. he knows that and continually reminds me of His promises and reassures me of our relationship. He knows what I need to get to the place where I truly trust Him by faith and he is patient enough to make sure I get my heart where it needs to be.  Each time I got through that process it makes it easier to trust God the next time. I just wish I wasn't such a slow learner.

Dear Lord, Your are trustworthy and You prove that to me on a daily basis. You have always been faithful to me. I know from experience that I can trust You but still need constant reminders. Forgive me for being so slow to learn. help me Lord to trust You the first time and not be filled with doubt. Give me the ability to live for You by faith with no hesitations, no fear, and no doubt. Build me up from the man I am to the man You've called me to be. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

Trust God enough to tell the truth Genesis 12:11-13

Genesis 12:11-13 (New International Version)

¹¹ As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, "I know what a beautiful woman you are. ¹² When the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife.' Then they will kill me but will let you live. ¹³ Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you."

 God told Abram to leave his comfortable surroundings and go wander around until God showed him he was in the right spot. Abram had enough faith the uproot his family and leave without knowing what would happen but trusting God to take care of him. God showed him the land He would give Abram and his descendants, showing Abram He was trustworthy. Abram went to Egypt looking for food. Rather than trust God, he took matters into his own hands. He told his wife to lie and say she was his sister so he would be safe and be treated well. He selfishly compromised his wife for his own safety and well being. When he trusted God he was safe and was treated well. Abram even built an alter to worship God for the blessings. For whatever reason Abram felt this was too big for God and had to handle this one himself. The result was Pharaoh took Abram's wife to be his own, thinking she was available. When Pharaoh found out what Abram had done, he was appalled. he gave Abram's wife back along with all the stuff he gave Abram as well. Abram did it his own way without trusting God and got the result he wanted. The problem is rather than trust God, Abram became a pimp and turned his wife into a prostitute to meet his own desires.

Over the years I have grown in my relationship with God and have learned to trust Him. God has proven himself trustworthy time and time again and has never let me down. Even still, there are times that I choose to take matters into my own hands and leave God out of the process. There are times the result is exactly what I want and I feel it is a success. I don't realize until later what a mistake it was. Had I trusted God it may have turned out different that I expected but it would have been better. Like Abram I often don't see the real cost of my decisions. The long term effects are not worth getting what I want. God always knows better than me and has proven it many times in my life. I just need to trust Him more and me less. When I do, God will provide and I won't have to mess up my life and hurt the people around me.

Dear Lord,
You are a trustworthy God. You are always faithful and provide for me in ways I could never see myself. I need to trust You more and lean on You to guide my life. Give me the faith I need to do that. Give me the desire to seek Your will more than my on. Protect those around me from being hurt by my foolish decisions and use them to keep me focus on You. I know You have the perfect plan for my life. Help me to live that plan out and not lean on my own understanding because You are always right and I want to do you will. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

What will people say about me? Genesis 6:9

Genesis 6:9 (New International Version)

 ⁹ This is the account of Noah.
      Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.

The Lord created the heavens and the earth and everything in it. God felt the things He created were good. When He created man, he felt that it was "very good". The we started eating forbidden fruit and murdering our brothers. Things continued their downhill slide until God looked around and saw "how great our wickedness had become" and that "every inclination of the thought of our heart were only evil all the time". we had completely abandoned our relationship with God and were chasing evil. God was grieved and heartbroken. He realized the only way to rectify the situation was to destroy everything and start over. In the middle of this He saw Noah. Noah was surrounded by all sorts of evil. He was living among a civilization so wicked they were about to be wiped off the face of the earth. God described Noah as "a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God". When God chose to wipe the slate clean He trusted Noah to start everything over and do it in a Godly way.

I know the person I was and I know who I am in Christ today. I have seen the change He has made in me. I sometimes wonder how others see me. I pray regularly that people would see past my faults and see Christ in me, but I wonder just how effective I am. I wonder if my epitaph would ever say "he walked with God". I would hope that my life reflects my relationship with God but I know me well enough that I don't instantly think of the words "righteous" or "blameless" when describing myself. It would be nice if people saw me that way but what really matters to me is how God sees me. I don't know what his friends thought, but god saw Noah as blameless. My prayer is that my life would be pleasing to God. I hope that when God sees something that needs to be done He could look at my life and trust me to toe the right thing for Him. I pray that at the end of my life God will be able to say, "Ron? Yes, he walked with God".

Dear Lord,
You have given me a life filled with opportunities to please You, to walk with You, and to serve You. I have wasted some of those opportunities and have done well with others. Continue to work in my life to make me more like You. Let others see You in my life and the change you have made in it. Mole me into the righteous and blameless man You have called me to be. Help me to run this race for You and give me the strength to finish well. Let the life I live reflect Christ in me so that others will be able to see I walked with God. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron

Sin is always crouching at the door Genesis 4:6-7

Genesis 4:6-7 (New International Version)

 ⁶ Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? ⁷ If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

 Cain and Abel both presented an offering to God. Abel presented a blood offering to God and it was pleasing to Him. Cain presented a grain offering but God did not look upon it favorably. Cain god upset because his offering was not acceptable. God told him if he gave the proper offering it would be accepted, but if he didn't do what God asked "sin is crouching at his door and desires to have him". It seems there was some previous instruction from God about offerings and how to present them. Abel obeyed and Cain did not. God reminded him and explained it again. God even explained that this was a sin issue that Cain had "to master". Rather than obey God, Cain took his anger and jealousy out on his brother, Abel, and killed him. Cain's disobedience to God fueled his sin and it grew. Cain had the proper instruction, he had a Godly example in his brother, he had a warning and a second chance from God, but ignored all that and chased his own sinful desires. He suffered the consequences for his sin and was removed from God's presence and from his family. His sin and rebellious selfish choices effected not just him but his kids, grand kids, and more.

I have all the same opportunities as Cain. I have God's instruction, I have good examples around me, I have multiple chances to get it right, and even have the Holy Spirit to guide me. Many times this is enough to keep me on God's path and I make good choices. However, there are times that just like Cain, I ignore all the proper instruction, all the examples, all the chances, even the guidance form the Holy Spirit, and choose to sin. I know God's way is better for me but I make sinful choices. I deserve the same punishment as Cain but by God's grace I still have a relationship with Him. Sin is constantly "crouching at my door" but my hope is to master it. I want to control my sin instead of having it control me. With God's help and the tools He has surrounded me with, I hope to get closer to the goal every day.

Dear Lord,
You are  a patient God and You prove it daily in my life. You give me chance after chance when I fail and You are always there to pick me up and get me back on the right path. You have surrounded me with the tools to do the right thing and live my life to please You. I know sin is always crouching at my door. Help me to turn form it and toward You. Thank You for never giving up on me. It is by Your grace I am able to make the good choices I do and avoid the sin in my life. continue the good work You have started in me and help me to master the sin in my life. In Jesus' name.

Keep the SON in your eyes,
Ron