A Frim Foundation

Good Morning!! For those around us, that want and need to know they are loved, our acts of love, speak more vividly to their hearts than our words. The impact our lives have on others, is most often made from our day to day activities,...the way we handle and respond to everyday situations,...and our children are no exception.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.—Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

It is these seemingly small, everyday actions and reactions, that have the greatest impact in how their opinions and character gets formed. The bible teaches that when children have a firm foundation in the ways and Word of God, they will not be easily uprooted and the storms of life will not consume them. Give them the ability to stand strong in Christ.

If we will continue to seek Christ as our example, He will enable us to be good examples to our children,...and anyone else that comes into our lives.

Our Father in Heaven, allow our lives to be a blessing and example to our children and to all those who know us. Re-create us in Your image and enable us to live the example of Your Word, so that our actions will speak Your love and truth. Amen.

"If the Lord truly directs our steps, why would we need to understand every little thing along the walk."

Is Heaven For You?

Good Morning!! Learning about life after death is almost useless,...if we're not getting ready to stand before the judgment seat of God. Those who haven't received Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord, are like the prodigal son,...who was lost and dead in sin. When we give our lives to Jesus, we are found! But as wonderful as heaven will be,...our ticket to heaven must be punched on this side of death. We don't know when our lives will end, or when Christ will return,...so we should not miss the urgency of the moment.

But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.—Luke 15:32 (NIV)

If you are reading this devotional as a once lost son or daughter who has come to life and has been found by the grace of God, then let the love of Christ and the anticipation of heaven motivate you to reach out to those who are still lost. Sadly, we often act like the older brother, thinking that we have earned the father’s love and failing to give others a second chance. Churches can become inward focused rather than life-saving stations for those who desperately need Jesus.

Heaven is for believers.

Loving Father, thank You for making heaven possible for us all! Amen.

"If the Lord truly directs our steps, why would we need to understand every little thing along the walk."

Already, And Not Yet

Good Morning!! We're living in an "already/not yet " period of human history. The already/not yet principle explains both the hope and heartaches of life. We already know that Jesus is victorious. We already receive salvation through his atoning work, and we experience many joys and gifts from God. But we are not yet with him. We experience the pain of separation, and must wait to see Jesus face to face.

Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"—John 20:17 (NIV)

Now, Jesus has died, risen, and ascended,...yet, we're still awaiting his second coming, and our own resurrection. He described this time to Mary while they talked outside of the empty tomb. Our calling, in this moment, is not to sit back idly,...but to make the most of each opportunity. We can share the good news,...be a blessing in the lives of others,...serve the Lord in the church and world,...impact the kingdom,...live as faithful stewards,...and experience abundant life. We can also look forward to the glory that awaits.

"My knowledge of that life is small, the eye of faith is dim, but it’s enough that Christ knows all, and I shall be with him."
(Richard Baxter)

Savior, give us patience as we celebrate the already,...and await the not yet. Amen.

"If the Lord truly directs our steps, why would we need to understand every little thing along the walk."

Call It What It Is

Good Morning!! There are so many ways to describe our human frailties, and failures. The Bible often uses words like transgressions or iniquities. Sometimes when we are trying to water down what we’ve done, we might use the words slip-up or fall, or my favorite an error in judgment. "Mistakes were made,"...as politicians like to say,...without admitting to anything. But what we're really talking about here is; sin,...plain and simple.

And the LORD asked me, "What do you see, Amos?" "A plumb line," I replied. Then the Lord said, "Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer".—Amos 7:8 (NIV)

Amos describes sin in terms of a "plumb line", so the people could better understand it. A plumb line was the way of determining if a building was built straight, or whether it was leaning,...so being "out of line" is another way to describe sinful behavior. God gives us many guides today to tell if we are "out of line". From the time of Moses, to the time of Jesus, the Ten Commandments has always been best guide for living "straight".

Follow Jesus' example,...it's the only way for us to measure up.

Lord, forgive us for the times we are out of line. We pray Your Holy Spirit, to make us upright, straight,and true. Amen.

"If the Lord truly directs our steps, why would we need to understand every little thing along the walk."

We'll See Each Again, But Better

Good Morning!! Often, Christians who've lost loved ones, talk about seeing them again in heaven. But is this just wishful thinking,...or is it a true longing, that's biblically supported? When people ask me whether we will be able to recognize one another in heaven, I share why I believe we will. First, Jesus was recognizable after His death. Once they accepted the reality that He was alive, Mary, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus,...and eventually all the other disciples saw and recognized Him. Second, others were recognizable, including Moses and Elijah at the transfiguration. How did Peter recognize two men he had never met, yet call them by name (v. 4)?

And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.—Matthew 17:3 (NIV)

And finally, our God is a relational God,...one who longs to have a relationship with us,...and who created us to have relationships with others. If God created us this way, would He really redeem and restore us, without a sense of recognition in heaven?

Someday, we will see and know our Savior face to face.
By God’s grace, the same will be true when we are reunited with those that we love!

O' Lord, we long to see You, and our loved ones in heaven,...and to be in the company of other believers in glory.

"If the Lord truly directs our steps, why would we need to understand every little thing along the walk."

Learning To Give Our Best,...Not Just What's Left

Good Morning!! Think of all we do to prepare for guests in your home, especially before holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving. We clean the house more thoroughly than usual. We may even rush to finish that decorating project we've been putting off. And you know how we throw down in the kitchen,...preparing the best meals we know how to make. All because we really want your guests to feel special.

The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God.—Exodus 23:19a (KJV)

In most cultures it is important to provide the best for guests,...and for most of us, doing so seems so natural. Then, why does it not seem natural to give our best, " the choicest of the first fruits", to God? Perhaps it's because we sometimes see God more as a tax collector than an honored guest.

Let's try thinking of God as a guest in our home, heart and life, and see if it becomes any easier to offer Him our best.

Father, we give back to You the choicest of our first fruits this Holiday Season,...as we try to remember that You deserve our finest all year long, as well. Amen.

"Walking with God means love,....because God Is Love."

Selfless, Rather Than Selfish

Good Morning!! We want our relationships to work, we want to feel peace and contentment in our lives. But we won't find it in seeking to be served, or seeking more pleasure for ourselves, or seeking to find ourselves. The peace and contentment we so desperately seek, can be found only in seeking to please and serve God first, and in giving and serving others above ourselves. A philosophy that contradicts modern day thinking,...but a true one none the less.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.—Mark 10:45 (NIV)

Self-help,..Self-improvement,..Self-serving. Seeking to serve self is like an infection that spreads,...it infects, and affects every aspect of our lives,...relationships, marriages, families, and even our business dealings. Our self-interest or self-centered-ness may seem harmless enough at first,...and is often presented in a manner that sounds almost needed. But ultimately it's damaging,...it negatively effects our relationship with God,...and with others, as we become more and more self-absorbed.

It's never just about us.
We are love that we may love.
We are blessed that we may become a blessing.
We are healed and comforted, so that we may provide healing and comforting.

It's only in the center of God's will, and in His service that Christians find their heart's desire.

"Walking with God means love,....because God Is Love."