Anchoring your soul every day: Caring for Others Sacrificially

We know it can be so hard to find time each day to take care of your relationship with the Lord. We want to make it easier for you, if we can. We suggest taking one of these thoughts at a time, or even just do part of one, when you can. We hope this will help you experience the hope of your relationship with Jesus as your soul’s anchor every day.

❖ Read Mark 10:42-45. (If you have a little more time, start reading at verse 35.) What was the example of care Jesus set for His followers?

What typically hinders people from serving others? What gets in the way for you?

❖ Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8. How does what Paul communicates here about hisheart for the people of Thessalonica mirror Christ’s heart?

What would your children learn about Jesus by watching you caring for others in the church in some way?

❖ Read Romans 12:3-8. How does a proper understanding of our own value and the worth of others in the body help motivate our service?

What is the benefit to the church when everyone cares for each other?

What does a caring church communicate to the watching world who don’t yetknow Jesus?

Spend time in prayer, thanking God for the church. Thank Him for the people He has put into our lives who can encourage us to love Jesus more and put Him on display through our lives well. Ask Him to show you how you can care for others in the body. Ask Him to help you model care for others to your children so that they will grow to be men and women who love others because they love Jesus.

Anchoring your soul every day:Honoring Your Children’s Grandparents

We know it can be so hard to find time each day to take care of your relationship with the Lord. We want to make it easier for you, if we can. We suggest taking one of these thoughts at a time, or even just do part of one, when you can. We hope this will help you experience the hope of your relationship with Jesus as your soul’s anchor every day.

❖ Read Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:1-3. If you have a great relationship with your parents and your in-laws, what can you do to intentionally help your children honor them in ways that will last as they grow older?

If you do not have a great relationship with your parents and/or your in-laws, how can you help your children to honor them now? What can you do to begin to forgive your parents/in-laws?

❖ Read Matt. 18:21-35 and 1 John 1:5-10. Forgiveness is not always easy, but it is always necessary. What are the practical reasons we should be forgiving people? What are the spiritual reasons we should be quick to forgive?

How can other believers help you, if you are struggling to forgive a parent or in- law?

How can you model forgiveness now for your children so that they may be able to forgive you as they grow older for any potential hurts they experience?

❖ Read Philem. 1:4-7. Paul’s words of encouragement to his brother in Christ at thebeginning of a letter that may have been difficult for Philemon set a wonderful example of how to encourage others, even if there is some conflict between you.

Ask yourself if you have ever shared with your parents about the good things they taught you, something they did that was a positive influence, or kept you from going down a wrong path. What could you say to them today that would honor them and improve your relationship with them?

Spend time in prayer, thanking God that He is a perfect Father. Thank Him for your parents and your in-laws (if you have them). Ask Him to show you specific ways in which you can honor them and also how you can lead your children to honor them. Thank Him, also, that His forgiveness is always available to you; ask Him to help youextend forgiveness where it’s needed and to model this for your children.

Anchoring Your Soul Every Day: Practical Finances from a Biblical Perspective

We know it can be so hard to find time each day to take care of your relationship with the Lord. We want to make it easier for you, if we can. We suggest taking one of these thoughts at a time, or even just do part of one, when you can. We hope this will help you experience the hope of your relationship with Jesus as your soul’s anchor every day.

vRead Psalm 24:1 and James 1:16-17. Pastor Paul made the point that because God owns everything, we are only stewards of the things we have. How do these verses help you to see the biblical view of your bank accounts, your possessions, your/your husband’s job, etc.?

How do your current attitude and actions compare with the biblical concept of stewardship? What, if anything, could you change to be more in line with Scripture’s view in this area?

vRead Matthew 6:19-24 and Philippians 4:10-13. How do the ideas of not “serving” money as a kind of master and being content regardless of the size of your bank account go together?

Are you content with your circumstances? Take time to really evaluate this question; look at how you spend your money, time, energy.

vRead 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. This is a passage that has been badly misused by unscrupulous TV “preachers,” but there are very important principles here for us to take to heart.

• First, what is the attitude we are called to have when we give (see verse 7)?
• Second, what is the purpose for which God has given us what He has (see verses 8-11)?
• Third, what is the outcome when you give to others generously, especially in the context of the local church (see verses 12-15)?

 

Spend time in prayer, thanking God for all He has given you materially and spiritually. Ask Him to help you see your money, possessions, time, etc., as tools to help others and for sharing the Gospel. Ask Him to help you become even more generous, so that you can experience more of His grace and the joy that comes with obedience to Him.

Anchoring your soul every day:Christmas Traditions – David and Cherylyn Hegg

We know it can be so hard to find time each day to take care of your relationship with

the Lord. We want to make it easier for you, if we can. We suggest taking one of these

thoughts at a time, or even just do part of one, when you can. We hope this will help you

experience the hope of your relationship with Jesus as your soul’s anchor every day.

 Read Isaiah 8:20-9:7. How does Isaiah’s description of gloom turned to light

because of the coming of the promised Son help us understand the impact of

Jesus’ coming to earth? How has that impacted you, personally?

 Read Luke 2:1-21. What are some of the things said about Jesus in this text that

remind you of what Isaiah promised He would bring in the previous passage?

o This account includes descriptions of a poor couple, shepherds, angels and the

Lord of Glory. What aspect(s) of this is/are most encouraging to you?

 Read John 1:1-18. John doesn’t describe Jesus’ birth, though he does important

details about who Jesus is. What does he say about Jesus’ coming as a man that

can help you put the right focus on your Christmas season?

Spend time in prayer, thanking God for sending Jesus to live, die and be raised for our

sakes, so that we can have eternal life in Him. Thank Him that we can freely and openly

celebrate the birth of our Savior. Ask Him to help you see how you can share the

wonderful truth of Jesus with those around you who have not yet committed their lives

to Jesus in faith. Ask Him to increase your joy, hope and peace at this season and all

through the year, knowing you are loved by the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Anchoring your soul every day: Coffee and Conversations with Emily B.

We know it can be so hard to find time each day to take care of your relationship with

the Lord. We want to make it easier for you, if we can. We suggest taking one of these

thoughts at a time, or even just do part of one, when you can. We hope this will help you

experience the hope of your relationship with Jesus as your soul’s anchor every day.

Emily defined God’s goodness this way: “When we say that He is good, we mean He is

kind, gracious. His intentions for us are good.”

She defined God’s greatness this way: “To say He is great is to think on His majesty,

holiness, glory—the ways He is unlike us, beyond us and what our finite minds can

comprehend.”

❖ Read Romans 8:31-39. Take time to think about all this passage says about God

and what that means for those who are in His family by faith.

o What does this passage teach about God’s goodness?

o What does it teach about you, if you are a Christ-follower?

❖ Read Exodus 33:18-23 and 34:5-8. Take time to think of all that God says about

His glory and what that means.

o What does this passage say about God’s greatness?

o How does what Moses did after God revealed His glory to him serve

as a model for us?

❖ Read Psalm 3:1-8.

o What are the ways you see God’s goodness to David in this psalm?

o What are the ways you see God’s greatness in this psalm?

o You are not facing the same trial David faced, but you do have

challenges in your life. How are you seeing God’s goodness and

greatness in the midst of those hard time?

Spend time in prayer, thanking God that He has been good to you in many ways. Take

time to ponder all the ways you’ve experienced His goodness. Thank Him also for His

greatness – that He is above and beyond all we can imagine, in complete control over all

that happens, and powerful to be able to do all He wills. Ask Him to help you rely more

and more on His goodness and greatness every day, in every circumstance.

Anchoring Your Soul Every Day: The Call of Marriage

Anchoring your soul every day

The Call of Marriage

We know it can be so hard to find time each day to take care of your relationship with

the Lord. We want to make it easier for you, if we can. We suggest taking one of these

thoughts at a time, or even just do part of one, when you can. We hope this will help you

experience the hope of your relationship with Jesus as your soul’s anchor every day.

 Read 1 Peter 3:1-6. Peter addresses believing women who are married to

unbelieving men in this passage, to help the wives understand the best path

forward for sharing the gospel with their husbands.

 If you are married to a man who is not a Christ-follower, how would you

apply what Peter says here?

 If you are married to a believer, what principles from this text can you

apply to your marriage?

 If you are not married, how can you encourage a friend who struggles to be

submissive to her husband?

 Read 1 John 1:9. How does having a repentant heart and a desire to confess sins

to the Lord help strengthen marriage? How important is this in all relationships?

Do you have difficulty asking for forgiveness when you’ve wronged your husband

(or another loved one)? Is forgiveness hard for you to offer?

 Read Ephesians 5:22-33. What is the wife’s role to include in a marriage? How

would you define biblical “submission”? How well do you show respect to your

husband? What specific things can you do right away to show him respect?

Spend time in prayer, thanking God for marriage. Thank Him for creating a way for us

to experience intimate love and unity. If you are married, ask God to help you love and

respect your husband more. Ask Him to help you be quick to forgive and quick to ask for

forgiveness. Ask Him to work in the marriages of the people around you, to strengthen

the church so that we can show our community the greatness of God’s love.

Anchoring Your Soul Every Day: Loving the Special Needs Community

We know it can be so hard to find time each day to take care of your relationship with

the Lord. We want to make it easier for you, if we can. We suggest taking one of these

thoughts at a time, or even just do part of one, when you can. We hope this will help you

experience the hope of your relationship with Jesus as your soul’s anchor every day.

• Read Psalm 139:13-16 (or the whole psalm – it’s not very long, and it is VERY encouraging!). What does this passage imply about the way the Lord sees children and adults with special needs? How should that inform the way we see and interact with others who may have health issues (of any sort)?
• Read Matthew 14:13-14 and Luke 7:11-16. These are only two of many passages that say that Jesus acted based on His compassion for the needs of those He encountered. We aren’t God, of course, but what does this teach about the way we should see others in need? How can you apply this in your own life this week?
• Read Col. 3:12-17. In this passage, Paul is speaking to those who have committed their lives to Christ, and he is urging them, as a church, to live out their faith. Although he is not specifically addressing how we might love and care for those with special needs, how does what he teaches apply in that situation? What does that mean for you, individually?

Spend time in prayer, thanking God for His love and compassion for you. Ask Him to

help you develop the same sort of love for others. Ask Him to help you see how you can

love and show compassion to someone who has special needs or whose child does.

Anchoring Your Soul: Personality and Learning Styles of Your Child

 

Anchoring your soul every day

Personality and Learning Styles of Your Child

We know it can be so hard to find time each day to take care of your relationship with the Lord. We want to make it easier for you, if we can. We suggest taking one of these thoughts at a time, or even just do part of one, when you can. We hope this will help you experience the hope of your relationship with Jesus as your soul’s anchor every day.

• Read Proverbs 22:6. What hope or direction does this proverb offer to you, as a mother? What is it NOT promising?

 

 

 

 

• Read Colossians 1:9-14. What does Paul’s prayer for the Colossians imply about the “knowability” of God? Why is that important?

 

 

 

 

What is the most important thing for us to know, according to Paul?

 

 

 

 

How can you use this principle in the training of your children? What priorities will you set and how will you go about this, given your child’s/children’s learning style and personality?

 

 

 

 

Read the passage again, this time substituting your child’s/children’s names where Paul refers to the Colossians (the “you’s”), praying for each one this wonderful prayer.

 

 

 

• Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Based on this verse, what is the most important thing you can teach your children?

 

 

 

 

What is the principle here for when you teach your children?

 

 

 

 

Is there any prescription for how you teach your children?

 

 

 

 

Spend time thanking God for the way He has created your child(ren). Ask Him to give you strength, courage, and wisdom as you parent. Thank Him that you don’t do this alone – if you’re a Christ-follower, He is in you to lead, guide and comfort you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anchoring Your Soul: Lies Women Believe

 

Anchoring your soul every day

Lies Women Believe

We know it can be so hard to find time each day to take care of your relationship with the Lord. We want to make it easier for you, if we can. We suggest taking one of these thoughts at a time, or even just do part of one, when you can. We hope this will help you experience the hope of your relationship with Jesus as your soul’s anchor every day.

• Read Psalm 36. The first four verses talk about those who reject God as their Savior. How does what David writes in the following verses contrast with this?

 

What does this tell you about God’s love for you?

 

• Read Colossians 3:1-4. How does this passage help explain your true identity, if you are a Christ-follower?

 

How can you remind yourself of this important truth throughout the busyness and challenges of your day?

 

• Read Ephesians 3:14-21. How might the truth of God’s amazing love for you give you a solid purpose for your life?

 

How does knowing your ultimate future help you in your day-to-day, regardless of what you’re facing right now?

 

Do you have the sort of relationship with Jesus that brings you into this loving relationship with God, gives you great value and a purpose for all that you do? If you do, take time to thank God in prayer for who you are in Him and for all that means for you.

 

If not, consider what is holding you back from the Lord’s free offer of salvation and membership into His family for you. Is there someone you know who is a Christ-follower that you can talk to about this?

Anchoring Your Soul Every Day

We know it can be so hard to find time each day to take care of your relationship with the Lord. We want to make it easier for you, if we can. We suggest taking one of these thoughts at a time, or even just do part of one, when you can. We hope this will help you think of the Lord as your soul’s anchor every day.

• ❖  Read Hebrews 6:13-20. The writer makes it clear that our hope in the Lord is justified because of who God is. As you read this passage, think through all that is said about God’s character. If you have a little more time, write a list of all you see. How can you apply this in your life situation? Does God seem as real as the challenges you face? Can you rely on Him completely?
• ❖  It’s good to keep in mind that “hope” in the Bible is a confident expectation of something good. That means when we place our hope in God, we’re not just wishing He will help us. We can KNOW that He will! Even in the midst of long- term difficulties, God is always good. He is love. He knows. He cares. And He acts. Take a moment to thank God for His goodness and commit to putting your hope in Him.
• ❖  Read Psalm 62:5-8. The verses surrounding this one show us that the author, David, was experiencing a great deal of opposition from others, and it had been going on for a while. But in verses 5-8, he reminds himself that his hope is in the Lord. Then he uses some metaphors for God that describe the Lord’s character. What are those metaphors and what do they say about who God is and what He is like? What metaphors would you use for the Lord as you’ve seen Him working in your life?
• ❖  Take time each day to thank God for who He is. Ask Him to help you rely on Him, to put your hope fully in Him, and to see Him as the Anchor for your soul.