“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
~Hebrews 11:1-4 NIV
This week I have started participating in an early morning accountability group. The goal is to try and rise early enough to get some exercise, prayer, planning, and Bible study in BEFORE the rest of the house stirs. So, with morning breath and massive “bed head”, I prayed for my children’s faith this morning.
This is the “Inspired To Action Prayer Calendar for Mothers” that I use. Copyright Bob Hostetler
While praying, I was led to Hebrews chapter 11. What a list of “ancients” it contains! A partial list includes: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and the prophets. These men and women were commended for their faith alone.
“…the world was not worthy of them…These were all commended for their faith yet none of them received what had been promised…”
~Hebrews 11:38a-39 NIV
Confession:
I have read the bios of those mentioned in Hebrews 11. I tend to compare my faith to theirs by thinking: “I could never be as obedient as Abraham, or have as much integrity as Joseph, or if I had a burning bush visit me like Moses did, I would know what to do too!” Perhaps you can relate…(smile)
If so, please note that the faith of Moses’ parents and the faith of Rahab the prostitute was also commended in Hebrews 11:23, 31. These are the people I can relate to. I am discovering that parenting is hard. I have also prostituted my affections and emotions by worshipping the idols of this world.
Yet, this morning my heart was reminded that it doesn’t matter if my life is hard or if my decisions have left scars~
God’s grace extends to all,
God’s forgiveness covers all,
and God commends the faith of all who love Him.
So while I continue to pray for my children’s faith, I will pray for mine and yours as well. May our names be found among the “ancients” listed above!
I assure you that they had morning breath and massive “bed head” too.
You are leaps and bounds ahead of me on the getting up early for exercise and quiet time with God. I have set my alarm an hour early every day this week for the exact same purpose and not gotten up when the alarm went off. I feel so terribly lazy… I so wish I could tackle this area of discipline once and for all!
Nicole- be encouraged, I don’t know about leaps and bounds ahead of you! I am going for baby steps right now. And if tomorrow if “life” happens, I will try again the next day, amen? If I can get my feet onto the cold floor 3 or 5 minutes earlier than the day before, or if I read my Bible for 2 minutes longer, or actually make it through my prayer list awake and before the first toddler says “hi mommy!” than I celebrate it! God is patient as I try. He is patient with you too. Look for me on twitter in the AM if you want someone to check in with! 🙂 Praying for you sister. You can do this!!!
A bible verse pops up every mornining on my phone (technology) today’s fit perfect! Isaiah 41-10 fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)
I was very encouraged and I hope you are too!
Shannon-thank you for sharing that verse with us. It does fit perfectly. Isaiah 41:10 happens to be my mother’s life verse. As she continues to battle her cancer-she has clung to this verse…God has strengthened, helped, and upheld our entire family with this precious promise-praise Him! Thank you for reminding me of this verse today. Have a blessed weekend Shannon 🙂
I’ve committed myself to doing a small devotion with the kids before school which I regrettably have not practiced til now. What I’ve found is that while reading and hoping the word penetrates their little innocent hearts is that God is asking me to listen. These devotions only include a verse and a few paragraphs and at least twice I had to compose myself while reading because my eyes were blurry from the tears that were accumulating. Thankful to be also a student and a recipient of His word as I share it with my babes. God is Good. So glad you found a group to be involved in!!!
Melinda: thank you for sharing about your devotion time with the kiddos. I love it, and I even have tears in my eyes reading about it! God is indeed good. I love how you wrote “thankful to be a student and a recipient”-amen! Have a blessed weekend Melinda:)
Tracy, I want to give all you young moms a word of encouragement…God loves your hearts for their desire! My babies are 30 and 27. I have an easy time rising early and spending time with the Lord. It has always been easy for me to awaken early. Sadly, I was not walking with Jesus when my boys were little. Don’t get me wrong, God has and will continue to be faithful, this I know. But for every one of you mammas who love Jesus, and love your children, any time you spend with the Lord, and with them and the Lord, will be time spent in the most rewarding way possible! Thank you all for raising a future generation of God fearing, Jesus loving children!!!
Thank you Adele! Your words bring such encouragement, especially during the tiring toddler season….Have a blessed weekend my friend:)
You’re inspirational dear woman. Keeping rising, so your soul can be awakened! We all need time with our Father… unwinding before bed now, off to read some Philippians I think. Night from Maine, Amy 🙂
Thank you Amy. Philippians is one of my favorites, especially chapter 4 verse 13…Have a blessed evening sister!
I’m doing a Hello Mornings group too! For me it has been such a challenge to get up and going before I have to be up to get ready for work, but God is faithful and we’ve already had some very sweet times together. I’ll look forward to hearing more about how your 13 weeks goes! 🙂
Awesome Ashleigh! We can also keep up with each other via Twitter too:) It is a challenge, but I know it will help us to draw closer to Him. Praying for you sister!