Today’s Devotional: Learning and Doing
One of the wonderful things about the internet is how it’s made accessing information trivially easy. With a few google and wikipedia searches we can have a working understanding of a concept in minutes. But while this access to information is a blessing, it’s also a curse. Since information is so readily available it’s easy to accumulate a surface level knowledge about lots of things without actually doing anything with that knowledge.
We must be extremely careful that we don’t take the same approach to our faith. When Jesus calls us to discipleship it means not just learning about him, but putting his teaching into practice. Marvin Williams of Our Daily Bread shows us that when Jesus called his disciples he started by modeling behavior for them, but then he sent them out to do as he did:
When Jesus called those men to follow Him, He wanted them to be with Him and to teach the good news of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14,39; 6:12). The first job would require being under the immediate super-vision of Jesus—learning His words and interpretation of the Scriptures and watching His behavior. For the second task, Jesus sent them out to preach (Mark 3:14-15)—saying what He said and doing what He did. As they carried out these tasks, they were to be dependent on Jesus.
please please praying for me to be feed by God from the work of Satan and to do what I learn.
I’ve tried for years helping family with a place to stay and live. I’ve been clean and sober for 16 years now. I’m still providing for family and sometimes it seems they run over me thinking that everything is okay. My daughter and her boyfriend had a baby in April 2010, which she still lives at home. My youngest sister also lives with me, my son just moved back home and some where in this time of struggle there needs to be some me time. I’ve been waiting patiently for them to get their lives together and be responsible members os society. Stand on their own feet and pay bills and rent some where that they can call they own.
Sometimes things seem like it is never going to get better. Please give words of wisdom.
Thanks and have a blessed day.
Betty Houston
You sound like a remarkable woman. I don’t have a lot of wisdom to give you, but I can offer my support for your love and kindness. I believe it will get better, you will look back on this and know that this is what God planned for you. Something good will come out of all your goodness.
Have a blessed day..
Marcia Calabro
Well Betty, God gave us wisdom, understanding and knowledge, we are good shephards when we are following His commands; but He also said for us to not be fools (read Proverbs). i HAVE HELPED folks for a long time and they can never get their life together; but do we give up on them or do we keep baby sitting them; God saids He will never put more on us then we can bare; seek Him 1st and His righteousness and ask Him what u should do. Myself I cut back on helping this family because they want do anything to keep themself affloat nor do they have anything they can call their own.
They may not see it but God knows your heart!! Give them a time limit because God does give us wisdom and were not supposed to let people walk over us either. God will bless you in many ways.. Be strong and remember things don’t always stay the same…
Betty,
I once heard these words and never forgot them.
The best help you can give someone is showing them how to help themselves. The bible has several scriptures that back this up. Starting in the book or Proverbs chapters 18-26 talks about the slothful (lazy) man. I believe once you read and study this for yourself; you will do just as Jesus did, show them how to use their faith and trust God in everything. We often spend a lot of time praying, but unfortunately we don’t do anything in the natural to give God something to work with. We sit back and expect God to do it all. Remember faith without works are dead.
As long as your enabling your children or interfering with the learning process God is trying to teach them. Your children will always run back to the comfort zone. Now since that has happened. It’s time for you to be the Godly example; just like Jesus and teach them how to walk out their own salvation, use their faith and seek God for help.
There’s nothing wrong with helping family and friends. However when it becomes a crutch or stumble block for them and you. No one is winning.
I could go on and on. But I’m sure you probably know this already, I believe God has dealt with you about it many times before. My prayer is that you will have enough strength and courage to do what is needful.
May God Bless you
first i have to thank you for this humanitarian work which you have embarked upon may the good LORD strengthen you.In the means of solving other people’s problem God will be ordering your steps and meet you at every point of your need.Remember Mother Teresa lived an exemplary life it was counted for as righteousness so my brother do not complain cos my Heavenly Father has seen your works but do not live a life of the Pharisee or the Sadducee, but let your life reflect. Live a Christ like Life. GOD bless you.
Sister Houston, I will share with you a lesson that I learned the hard way. I, too, was a mother who gave all that I could to and for my children, both growing up as well as since becoming grown adults. But it seemed that the more that I gave freely, the more that they began to think that I owed them. It became so over whelming that I began to feel as if I was the visitor in my own home. The daughter with the child felt that it was my job to care for her daughter for free when ever she felt the need to go out or simply lay around and do nothing.The more that I gave to my son, the more he felt that I was “suppose to do”. Make no mistake about it, our children love us. But unless we cut the apron strings, they are not above using us. It is a tough pill to swallow but it is the honest truth. We as parents, can become enablers. It is time for you to stand up for yourself and insist that your children get out and make a life for themselves. If you continue to provide a roof and all of the fixings for them, why on earth would they ever venture out into the world and hit it for themselves. You have done your part as a parent. You have raised each of them to be adults. It is now time for you to live your life. Time for you ro come home to a quiet and clean house…minus the extra baggage. But it is up to you to instigate the initial move. Give them a time line to get their affairs in order. While there, they must contribute to your household. If you establish rules and assign responsibility for the bills you incur, they will eventually move. How you handle the next move will determine how soon they will vacate your home. Thereby giving you back your space and your sanity and/or peace of mind. Good luck and God Bless You~