Musings from My Sun Porch

  Day 29: Pride Leads to Dishonor Read and Meditate on:                     Luke 13: 22 – 14: 14                                                                   Proverbs 11: 2                                                                   Proverbs 16: 18 ...

  Day 28: Glorify the Father Read and Meditate on:         Psalm 86: 12 – 13                                                       I Corinthians 10: 31                                                       Ephesians 1: 12 – 14       As we near the completion of our journey, one thing that I hope we have all learned is:   It’s not about us!”   We were put on this earth to honor and glorify God, a...

  Day 27: Trust God to Meet Your Needs Read and Meditate on:   Matthew 6: 25 – 34; 14: 13 - 36 II Corinthians 9: 8 Ephesians 3:20 Philippians 4:19             The world places value on “things”. We are bombarded by commercials and advertisements for things that are designed to make our lives happy, comfortable, and easy.   The problem is that God did not promise that our lives would be happy, comfortable, or easy. Christ even told us that we will have trouble in this world. That’s the bad news!             The “good news” is that Christ has overcome the world, and we can rely on Him to meet our needs.   Notice that I didn’t say anything about our “wants”.   Like Paul, we must learn to be content with what we have, acknowledging that every good and perfect gift is from God.    He is faithful.   We can trust Him to provide all th...

  Day 26: Show Kindness to Others Read and Meditate on:   Luke 10: 30 – 37                                           Ephesians 4: 32                                           Colossians 3: 12 – 17 Begin by reflecting on yesterday.   Did you speak to your spouse with gentleness and patience?   Were your interactions filled with compassion and humility?   Did your children see you as one of God’s children filled with the peace of Christ?   Did you forgive others just as Christ forgives you?   Did you show kindness through a cup of water or simply a smile...

  Day 25: Produce Fruit- Gentleness and Self-Control   Read and Meditate on:            Proverbs 13: 3                                                       Micah 6: 8                                                       James 3: 1 - 17                               ...

  Interlude You are nearing the finish line.   Keep your eyes focused on Him.   Persevere.   It is at this point that Satan will pull out all the stops.   He does not want you to complete this commitment.   Make sure that you and your accountability partner pray for each other and encourage each other.   “Two are better than one…”       “… let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us… (Hebrews 12: 1).

  Day 24:   Produce Fruit – Faithfulness Read and Meditate on:            I Corinthians 15: 58                                                       Galatians 6: 9                                                       Philippians 1: 27                              ...

  Day 23: Produce Fruit – Kindness and Goodness Read and Meditate on:         Matthew 25: 31 - 40                                                       Ephesians 4: 32                                                       II Peter 1: 5 – 9       Christ requires us to produce fruit.   It’s not enough to say that we “love” the poor or the afflicted or even our enemies.   He requires us to show them kin...

  Day 22: Produce Fruit – Patience Read and Meditate on:         Psalm 37: 7 - 24                                                       James 5: 7 – 11       I will be the first to admit:   patience is not my virtue.   In a world that emphasizes “express” everything, it is difficult to cultivate a mindset of “wait”.   We have learned to want everything NOW.   Yet, the Scripture tells us to “wait patiently” for the Lord.   What does it mean to be “patient” and to “wait” on Him?       Patience includes endurance.   It requires us to stay in a particular place or circumstance until the timing is right.  ...

  Day 21: Produce Fruit – Peace   Read and Meditate on:           Isaiah 11: 1 - 9                                                       John 14: 27                                                       Philippians 4: 6 – 9       Several years ago, there was a popular song that included this line: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” [1] That’s a notable sentiment but ...

  Day 20: Produce Fruit – Joy Read and Meditate on:         Psalm 89: 16                                                       John 15: 11                                                       Acts 8: 5 – 8                                      ...

  Day 19: Produce Fruit - Love Read and Meditate on:         John 15: 16 - 17                                                       Galatians 5: 22, 23                                                       I Corinthians 13: 1 – 13       Knowing and trusting God is the beginning of our journey, but to truly be His disciples, we must reflect the life of the Master.   Jesus called us to bear fruit!   ...

  Interlude   You are more than halfway through your journey.   This may be the time for you and your accountability partner to set aside some time together to reflect on what God has been doing in each of your lives.   It may not only help you to keep your feet to the fire but also encourage you in your journey. If you haven’t already begun a journal, this may be the time.   As you spend time with Him, record your thoughts: ·          What is He teaching you through this process? ·          What insights have you had from the Scripture? ·          How is He working in your accountability partner’s life? ·          Has He answered your prayers?   Remember, He doesn’t always answer “yes”.   It could be “no” or “wait awhile.”  

  Day 18: Renew   Read and Meditate on:         Psalm 51: 1 – 17                                                       Romans 12: 2                                                       Philippians 3: 12 – 14       You and I are sinners!   God requires absolute moral perfection, and no matter how hard we try, we can never achieve that by ourselves.   Fortunately, for us, we have one who is the “…at...

  Day 17: Hide God’s Teachings in Your Heart   Read and Meditate on:         Deuteronomy 11: 18 – 21                                                       Isaiah 55: 11                                                       Matthew 13: 18 – 43       For several years now, I’ve been part of a Scripture Memorization group that meets weekly.   Together, we have studied and memorized numerous verses and even...

  Day 16: Reflect Read and Meditate on:         Psalm 139: 23, 24                                                       I Corinthians 11: 27, 28                                                       II Corinthians 13: 5       Today is a day for reflection.   You might want to take some extra time and just get away to a quiet spot with God.   Spend this time getting to know yourself in light of G...