InstaEncouragements Blog

Come and Gather: Family Time with God

6/14/2019

Why Have a Family Time with God?

I once thought we didn’t have time for family devotions. But one day I read a report that said the average family watches over 20 hours of television a week! I wondered if TV time was eating up hours my family could be using to become more like Christ. So, I did a quick check of our TV habits and realized we were watching at least 15 hours of television a week. I was shocked!

I led the way for better family time. I quit watching one of my favorite shows. That gave us time to relax at dinner and talk about how our day went. As we began sharing our joys and concerns, we were soon praying together and reading the Bible together. Now, that family time has become one of the most important things we do together.

Changing habits is difficult, it takes time, but it can be done. Here’s how we did it in our home:

We talked it over thoroughly before making changes. As we discovered with diet and exercise, gradual changes were the longest lasting. So, we concentrated on small baby steps.
I discovered that sitting in front of the tube was often a response to boredom. So, we started looking for activities the whole family could enjoy. Following a minor league ball team in our town has been fun. A family in my church plays table games one night a week, and the kids love it.
We moved the TV to a less prominent place in our home, and found by doing so, it takes more effort to watch television—this is a good thing.
Changing the family time from the glowing screen to God’s Word was one of the most important things we ever did as a family!

God has really blessed that time of sharing, praying, and Bible reading. Our family devotions have become the foundation of our relationships with each other and with God.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11

Reprinted with permission | Pastor Jeremy Sweatt | Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, West Hartford, CT

Come and Gather: Family Time with God

Introducing Come and Gather: Family Time with God, or what we lovingly refer to as Gather.

Gather is a lovely, 35-page, daily devotional centered around families enjoying time together with God and each other.

This 27-day devotional is divided into 3 parts:
Part One: Days 1-5, is written specifically with husbands and wives in mind. In this part of Gather, husbands and wives will explore 5 Signs of a Functional Family.
5 Signs of a Functional Family includes:

An Attitude of Service
Intimacy Between the Husband and Wife
Husbands Who are Loving Leaders
Parents Who Teach and Train
Children Who Honor and Obey

Part Two: Days 6-20, is written with the whole family in mind. It's A Walk Through God’s Word. From Genesis to Revelation we will discuss subjects like God's mercy and protection, being humble, dealing with difficulties, having a teachable spirit, dependence on God, and much more.

Part Three: Days 21-27, is a Men of God Character Study. We'll learn character traits that every Christin should strive to demonstrate in their life straight from characters in God's Word.

At the end of Gather you'll find a place for your family to record specific prayer requests. I love being specific with my prayer request and seeing God answer in specific ways. Recording the answers, as well as the requests, is a great way to help your children see God working in your lives.

Join the movement today and download Gather for free toady!

How are you intentional about family time with God in your home?

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The Heroes of Faith from Hebrews 11

5/28/2019

12 Comments

The Heroes of Faith from Hebrews 11: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, David... Hebrew 11 is filled with men and women whose moral and spiritual failings, depravity, sin, and faith give us great hope that only through Christ, in Christ and because of Christ are we accepted into the Kingdom of God.

When I was in the third grade, I memorized Hebrews 11. The whole third-grade class memorized it. All 40 verses! I can still recite much of that passage today. It made a huge impact on my life!

Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah... Hebrew 11 is filled with men and women whose moral and spiritual failings, depravity, sin, and faith give us great hope that only through Christ, in Christ and because of Christ are we accepted into the Kingdom of God.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

For by it the people of old received their commendation.

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised." Hebrews 11:1-11

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The chapter goes on to tell us of Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets of the Old Testament and their acts of faith, courage and heroism.

I love in verse 4 where it speaks of Able's life, "And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks." Isn't that what we all want to be said of our own lives? And through her faith, though she died, she still speaks. That's my prayer today. Lord, let my faith continue to speak, even after I am gone!

Another favorite part of this passage for me personally is found in verse 8 where it says that Abraham "went out, not knowing where he was going." How many times have I felt God leading me somewhere, but I have no idea where we are going? Maybe you feel this same way today. My prayer with you today my friend is Lord, let me trust you when I have no idea where we are going.

So, two thoughts from Hebrews 11 today:

Lord, let my faith continue to speak, even after I am gone!
Lord, let me trust you when I have no idea where we are going.

We would love to hear your story of faith! Please share it in the comments below.

Join the movement and download your FREE Heroes of Faith printable today!

Join us for a Summer Book Club-Style Bible Study!

The same God who led you in will lead you out.

“God doesn’t waste suffering. If He leads us into impossible spots, He will deliver us in His own time, in His own way, and for His name’s sake.” ―Robert Morgan, The Red Sea Rules

I want to personally invite you to join us here each Tuesday morning at 9:00, beginning June 4 through August 6, for a Summer Book Club-Style Bible Study!

It's going to be so encouraging! We are going to study 10 God-given strategies for difficult times. We'll work our way through all 10 of The Red Sea Rules, 1 per week. The comment section will be used as discussion.

If you haven't read this book WOW are you in for a treat. If you've already read it, you know! But let's read it again, together, starting June 4.

Invite a friend to join us! Click here to order or download your copy today (less than $10 for the hardcover and less than $2 for the Kindle version) so you'll be ready on June 4.

How would you like to WIN A HARDBACK COPY OF The Red Sea Rules? Head on over to our Instagram where we're giving away a copy. Enter to win by Sunday, June 2, 2019, 11:59 p.m. Want an extra entry? Join the movement and we'll let you in on a little secret in our monthly newsletter on Saturday!

The Red Sea Rules: 10 God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times

"Just as Moses and the Israelites found themselves caught between "the devil and the deep Red Sea," so are we sometimes overwhelmed by life's problems. But God delivered the Israelites, and He will deliver us too.

The Red Sea Rules reveals, even in the midst of seemingly impossible situations, God's promise to make a way for us. His loving guidance will protect us through danger, illness, marital strife, financial problems—whatever challenges Satan places in our path.

Using the Israelites' story as an example, Robert Morgan offers ten sound strategies for moving from fear to faith. Among them: Realize that God means for you to be where you are. Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord. Pray.

Life is hard, especially for Christians. It is certain that we will face difficulties, and that God will allow them, as He allowed the Israelites to become trapped between Pharaoh's rushing armies and the uncrossable Red Sea. But just as certain is the fact that the same God who led us in will lead us out. As The Red Sea Rules makes comfortingly clear, He is in control." --goodreads

Which character in Hebrews 11 is your favorite faith story?

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The Ultimate Guide to Praying Proverbs Over Your Child

5/21/2019

20 Comments

The Ultimate Guide to Praying Proverbs Over Your Child: It's our responsibility as parents to teach our children to be more like Christ. We need help with this daunting task. Proverbs is God’s textbook for that task. Let me introduce you to the best child-rearing book ever written--the book of Proverbs. Read it, study it, meditate on it, teach it to your children, and PRAY IT OVER THEM! This is a great resource for character building!

It's our responsibility as parents to teach our children to be more like Christ.
We need help with this daunting task. Proverbs is God’s textbook for that task.

"The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.... Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart." Proverbs 29:15, 17

Let me introduce you to the best child-rearing book ever written—the book of Proverbs. Read it, study it, meditate on it, teach it to your children, and PRAY IT OVER THEM! This is a great resource for character building!

There are so many ways to use the book of Proverbs to raise godly children. Besides the list here, there's also the chapter-a-day way. There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. Each chapter is packed with wisdom from God! Read a chapter a day to your children for a whole month. You can start today. Whatever day of the month it is, start with that chapter. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

There is no greater calling, no greater obligation given to us as parents than that of raising godly children. I believe you will find the book of Proverbs covers most every situation or decision that could arise in your child’s life. The list here will help you find many of the answers quickly. Download the free printable today and keep it on hand so you have it when you need it.

With this list, you can easily identify areas your child struggles in. Consider having them find the verse that deals with the particular situation they are struggling with and write that verse out or memorize specific passages where they struggle.

Join the Movement and download The Ultimate Guide to Praying Proverbs Over Your Child printable today!

AFRAID OF THE DARK Proverbs 3:24-26
ANGER Proverbs 14:17 & 29; 15:18; 16:32; 25:28; 29:22
ANIMAL CARE Proverbs 12:10
APOLOGIZING Proverbs 28:13
ATTENTION Proverbs 17:28

BRAGGING Proverbs 20:6

CHEATING Proverbs 20:10 & 17
CONFIDENCE Proverbs 3:26; 30:5
CORRECTION Proverbs 3:11 & 12; 13:24; 15:5; 19:18; 22:6 & 15; 23:13 & 14; 29:1, 15 & 17

DECISIONS Proverbs 3:5 & 6
DISCIPLINE Proverbs 3:11 & 12
DRINKING Proverbs 20:1; 23:19-21 & 29-35

EATING Proverbs 13:35; 27:7
EDUCATION Proverbs 1:1-9; 2:1-15; 8:11, 18 & 19
ENEMIES Proverbs 16:7
ERRANDS Proverbs 26:6
EXCUSE Proverbs 1:24-26
EXERCISE Proverbs 20:29

FEAR Proverbs 1:7; 3:7; 10:27
FIGHTING Proverbs 20:22
FOOLISHNESS Proverbs 22:15
FRIENDS Proverbs 1:10-19; 4:14-17; 13:20; 14:7; 18:24; 19:27; 22:24 & 25; 24:1 & 2; 27:17

GIVING Proverbs 3:9, 10, 27 & 28
GOOD GIRLS Proverbs 11:16; 12:4; 14:1; 21:9 & 19; 31:10-31
GOSSIP Proverbs 16:28; 17:9
GETTING ALONG WITH SIBLINGS Proverbs 11:29

HAPPINESS Proverbs 17:22
HELPING OTHERS Proverbs 21:13
HONESTY Proverbs 11:1; 22:11
HUMILITY Proverbs 11:2; 15:33; 26:12

INTEGRITY Proverbs 16:20; 25:19

JUDGMENT Proverbs 1:20-31

KINDNESS Proverbs 3:27 & 28

LAZINESS Proverbs 20:4; 21:25
LOVE Proverbs 10:12; 13:24; 17:17
LYING Proverbs 6:16-19; 10:18-21, 31 & 32; 11:9; 12:13, 17, 19 & 22; 13:5; 14:5; 16:13; 17:4 & 7; 19:5, 9 & 22; 21:6

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MAKE-UP Proverbs 11:22; 31:30
MEANNESS Proverbs 10:1-3; 17:13
MINDING PARENTS Proverbs 1:8 & 9
MISCHIEF Proverbs 10:23
MONEY MANAGEMENT Proverbs 6:1-8

NEIGHBORS Proverbs 3:29
NOSEY Proverbs 26:17

OBEDIENCE Proverbs 5:12 & 13
OUT OF BED Proverbs 20:13

PLEASED WITH YOUR CHILD Proverbs 23:22-25
POPULARITY Proverbs 22:1, 2 & 4
PRAYER TIME Proverbs 15:8; 28:9
PRIDE Proverbs 16:5; 22:4; 29:23
PRIORITIES Proverbs 23:5
PUNISHMENT Proverbs 11:21; 30:17 (see CORRECTION)

QUIETNESS Proverbs 10:19; 12:23; 13:3; 15:2; 17:28; 21:23; 29:11 & 20

REBELLION Proverbs 29:1
RESPECT FOR PARENTS Proverbs 20:20

SCHOOL WORK Proverbs 1:7; 3:13-19; 8; 9:10; 16:16
SEX EDUCATION Proverbs 2:16-22; 5:1-23; 6:20-35; 7:1-27; 9:13-18; 23:26-28
Specifically Girls Proverbs 2:6-19
Specifically Boys Proverbs 5:8-13; 6:23-29
SHARING Proverbs 11:24-26; 22:9; 28:27
SNEAKY Proverbs 5:21; 15:3 & 11
STEALING Proverbs 15:16; 21:7; 22:22 & 23; 29:24

TATTLING Proverbs 11:13; 18:8; 20:19
TEACHING YOUR CHILD Proverbs 4:1-27; 22:6
TEASING Proverbs 11:12; 14:31; 15:1; 17:5
THOUGHTS Proverbs 16:3
TRAINING Proverbs 22:6
TROUBLEMAKERS Proverbs 24:19 & 20

UNDERSTANDING Proverbs 2:1-11; 3:3-6; 4:1, 5 & 7; 9:4-6 & 10; 10:13 & 23

VALUES Proverbs 8:1-36; 11:4
VANDALISM Proverbs 22:28; 23:10