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Love, Discipline, and a Healthy Lifestyle–Hebrews 12:6

December 20, 2011 in Discipleship, Giving Our Best to God, Hebrews, Parenting, The 2011 Prayer Journey with 0 Comments

What’s your first thought when you hear the word discipline?

  • Pain
  • A spanking as a kid
  • Self-control or the  lack thereof

How about extreme love?

Today’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-12:29

Love = discipline

Discipline = love

…that’s what the Bible says.

God’s discipline proves His love for us.

For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one

he accepts as his child.  –Hebrews 12:6

So if…

  • God doesn’t give us everything we want, exactly when we want it, and allows hard things to come into our lives to make us strong
  • Parents hold their children accountable to daily chores, respect for adults, and keeping their word
  • Employers expect an honest day’s work for a day’s pay, which includes completing tasks on time with a high degree of excellence
  • Humans push away from fleshly addictions (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, food, caffeine, T.V., Computers, etc) and implement healthy habits such as exercise, life-long learning, and helping others

…we are somehow loved by God, others, and ourselves?

Hummmm…

What are your thoughts on the connection between love, discipline and a healthy, productive life?

Heavenly Father, the average person in today’s world doesn’t want to discipline themselves or others and they certainly don’t want to be disciplined by anyone, including You.  Holy Spirit, show us the importance of loving and being loved through discipline. Help us to hold out for the greater good rather than settling for a mediocre life.  Help us to follow your example Jesus. Lord, help us to accept Your discipline.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

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©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 13:1-25, 1 Peter 1:1-2:3

Who Are You Motivating? Hebrews 10:24

December 19, 2011 in Christian Living, Christmas, Encouragement, Hebrews, Living a Life that reflects the Son, The 2011 Prayer Journey, The Journey to Knowing Him More with 1 Comment

We all enjoy being around inspiring people.  I have loved attending motivational classes and workshops, since my first experience at a Mary Kay meeting, twenty-six years ago.  In today’s reading, the Lord tells us that we’re to think of ways to motivate one another.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 8:1-10:39

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

–Hebrews 10:24

Does this surprise you?

Christians are supposed to think of ways to motivate other Christians to acts of love and good works. Isn’t that the preacher’s job?

When I look around the average church in America, most people walk through the doors like a cement statue, daring the pastor to “move” them. Today’s Christian looks to the church and the pastors to meet their needs and if they don’t, they quickly look for a place that does. It’s quite different from what the writer of Hebrews instructed.

How do we motivate another person?

By inspiring them to take action.

I think there are two ways to do this:

  1. Give inspirational and instructional messages
  2. Live a life that inspires

The greatest leadership principle I’ve ever learned is the importance of leading by example.  Most of us aren’t gifted to inspire with words, but everyone can inspire by example.

If all the world were just like you, would there be acts of love and good works taking place?

Heavenly Father, help us to realize our purpose on this earth is bigger than just having a comfortable life.  Help us to realize other people need us; other people need our example.  Use us for Your Kingdom today.  Fill us so that we can motivate others to acts of love and good works.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

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©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-12:29

Are You Giving Your Children The Gift of Obedience? Hebrews 5:8

December 18, 2011 in Family, Hebrews, leadership, Parenting, The 2011 Prayer Journey, The Journey to Knowing Him More with 1 Comment

I watched my granddaughter Ayla huff and puff as she got sent to her room this past week for refusing to obey her mother.  While it makes my heart hurt to see Ayla sad, I know my daughter is doing the right thing when she punishes her disobedience.  Teaching our children obedience is the gift that keeps on giving.  It’s a gift our Heavenly Father gave His Son.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:14-7:28

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. 

–Hebrews 5:8

In today’s culture, we seem to have gotten things a bit mixed up. During this Christmas season, parents everywhere are running around looking for the latest and greatest toys, when the things their children need most are boundaries, safety nets and safeguards. These things can  only come through the gift of obedience.

Jesus Christ learned obedience from the things he suffered and we do too. It’s a tough world out there and having our children “suffer” when they willfully disobey will teach them obedience. Allowing them to experience the consequences of their disobedience causes them to think twice the next time they are tempted to disobey.

Teaching children to obey their parents has multiple benefits.

    • It teaches them to respect authority
    • It teaches them to be good parents
    • It develops their code of ethics
    • It develops a healthy work ethic
    • It teaches them to be obedient to their Heavenly Father and His Word

As you prepare your children’s gifts this Christmas, make plans to give them the gift of obedience. If it was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for us.

Heavenly Father, fill us with Your Spirit.  Teach us how to be the parents you would have us to be.  Help us to be parents whose yes is yes and no is no.  Help us to follow Your example and teach obedience through love. Thank You for the gift of obedience.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

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©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 8:1-10:39

Does God Really See Everything? Hebrews 4:13 (NLT)

December 17, 2011 in God's Merciful Ways, Hebrews, righteous living, The 2011 Prayer Journey with 0 Comments

Naked and Exposed, no thanks!  I’ll keep myself covered and hidden!”  We do have a choice right?

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Timothy 4:19-22, Hebrews 1:1-4:13

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4:13

We humans love to think we have a choice about EVERYTHING, but when it comes to God’s  watchful eye, which the writer of Hebrews tells us about in today’s reading, there are no multiple choices–everything about you and me is naked and exposed to God.

We can hide our physical, emotional, and spiritual flaws from people but we cannot hide them from God.

When my husband Harry was four or five years old he thought he was hiding a late night visit to his sister’s room from his parents.

To keep his parents from seeing him walk across the top of the stairs, he hid behind a small pillow that covered his face.  Harry thought his parents couldn’t see him because he couldn’t see them. They saw the pillow with legs walking across the upstairs landing and immediately knew who it was and where he was going!

Aren’t we the same way with God,  we try to use all kinds of “pillows” to hide our disobedience and sin.  We think that if we can’t see God, He can’t see us…it’s just as crazy as Harry thinking his parents didn’t know he was behind the pillow.

What are you hiding behind the pillow today?

Blessings in Jesus!

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©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:14-7:28


It’s the Most “Difficult” Time of the Year –2 Timothy 3:1-5

December 16, 2011 in 2 Timothy, Christian Living, Christmas, Depression, The 2011 Prayer Journey, The Hurting World with 0 Comments

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” How many times have you heard this song in the last month?

I love it, but as I talk to people this Christmas season and look into their eyes their song sounds more like “it’s the most difficult time of the year!”

What do difficult times look like in 2011?

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Timothy 2:1-4:18

…people out of work and more expected to be laid off next year, rising costs of food and health care, foreclosures every where we look, life-threatening health issues, stress, exhaustion, addictions, rage, suicide…the list could go on and on.

In today’s reading Paul warns Timothy of difficult times in the last days.

In the last days there will be very difficult times.

People will…

  • love only themselves and their money
  • be boastful, proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents and ungrateful
  • consider nothing sacred
  • unloving and unforgiving
  • slander others and have no self-control
  • be cruel and hate what is good
  • betray their friends, be reckless, puffed up with pride and love pleasure  rather than God
  • act religious but reject the power that could make them godly

Friends, Paul was talking to Timothy, a young leader of the church of Jesus Christ.  These were problems with religious people, not atheists.

Do any of these “signs of the times” look familiar in those around you?

Do you see any of these signs in your heart?

Heavenly Father, help us to be on the lookout for “heart changes” in these difficult times. This is our finest hour to reach out to the lost and hurting; if Paul’s description is a description of us, we will be no value to Your Kingdom. Help us to see ourselves as you see us.  Jesus, break our heart for the things that break yours.  Send us into the hurting world this Christmas season to show your love in these difficult times.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

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©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Timothy 4:19-22, Hebrews 1:1-4:13

Are You Too Afraid Open Your Gifts?–2 Timothy 1:6-7

December 15, 2011 in 2 Timothy, Christmas, Giving Our Best to God, The 2011 Prayer Journey with 0 Comments


I’m afraid, actually I have a phobia, of frogs and lizards.  The unfortunate thing is my grandchildren know it.  When I see them bringing me a “gift” that’s wrapped a little funny and they’re laughing with a devious laugh I get a little scared.

During this season of gift-giving do you have gifts you are afraid to open?

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1Timothy 6:11-21, Titus 1:1-3:15, 2 Timothy 1:1-18

This time of year Christians and some non-Christians reflect on the gift of the Christ-child.  All believers know that God sending His Son to earth to die on the cross for our sins is the greatest gift we will ever receive.  But in today’s reading Paul reminds Timothy (and us) about some other “gifts” God gave us.

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. –1 Timothy 1:6-7

What are spiritual gifts?

Here are several scriptures that talk about spiritual gifts:

Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12

What spiritual gifts have you left in the package because of fear or shyness?

I wonder how the Holy Spirit feels about us not opening our gifts?

Years ago when I was a little girl we would go to my grandparents every Christmas morning.  My Mom would rack her brain to think of something to get my Granddaddy for Christmas.  After finding something she thought he would like and wrapping it in beautiful Christmas paper, my brother and I would rush into the house excited to see him open his gift.

EVERY YEAR he did the same thing…

He received the gift and then set it aside to open it at a more convenient  time.

Friends what gifts has God-given you that you’ve left unopened because of fear, shyness, or just thinking you don’t have the time or skills?

As we approach this new year let’s take to some time to sit down and open our spiritual gifts and make plans to use them in 2012.  If God has given you a gift, He will equip you to use it for His Glory!

Heavenly Father, show us the gifts You’ve given us.  Help us to step out in faith and use them to bless others in 2012.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

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©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Timothy 2:1-4:18

How Much Money is Standing Between you and a Merry Christmas? 1 Timothy 6:10

December 14, 2011 in 1 Timothy, Christmas, Family, The 2011 Prayer Journey with 0 Comments

Have you finished your Christmas shopping?

Are you thinking, “If I just had a little  more money, then we would really have a good Christmas?

How much money is  standing between you and a Merry Christmas?

$25

$50

$100

$500

$1000

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Timothy 3:1-6:10

I wonder if Mary and Joseph felt that way on the very first Christmas?

“The birth of our Savior isn’t going to be that great since…”

  • We don’t have a nice, warm, clean place for his birth
  • None of our family can be here
  • We don’t have any gifts to give him

Have you ever said…

IF

we only had…

  • A beautiful home
  • All of our family with us
  • Gifts to give to all our loved ones

IF… we only had $_______

Then…we’ve have a great Christmas.

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people,

craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves

with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10

Paul probably wasn’t talking about Christmas when he wrote this verse to young Timothy, but we could almost paraphrase and say “the LOVE of money is the only thing standing between us and our best Christmas ever.”

Mary and Joseph made a choice that first Christmas–they focused on what they had…

The Son of God in their midst, rather than the material things they didn’t have.

They had a Christmas that all the world has talked about ever since.

If

we have Jesus Christ is our life, if He our Savior and Lord

Then

a great Christmas is what we should expecting, not because of decorations or money but because of the gift we were given 2,000 years ago in a dreary, cold, and dirty stable.

Jesus, in the busyness of the next couple of weeks help us to remember…

You are the reason for the season!  Amen and Amen!

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©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  1 Timothy 6:11-21, Titus 1:1-3:15,

2 Timothy 1:1-18

What Causes Quarrels and Fights?–James 4:1-3

December 13, 2011 in James, Living a Life that reflects the Son, The 2011 Prayer Journey with 0 Comments

When was the last time you had an argument or fight?

When was the last time you got mad with someone and either quarreled or did the passive-aggressive thing and gave them the silent treatment?

Was it before you became a Christian, last year, last month, last week, yesterday, or five minutes ago?

Today’s Scripture Reading:  James 4:1-5:20, 1 Timothy 1:1-2:15

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you?

  • Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?
  • You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it.
  • You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them.

Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:1-3

Wow!  That’s tough to hear, especially when we throw in the fact that James was talking to Christians.  But if you’ve been a Christian more than 30 minutes you know that Jesus saved us because we can’t save ourselves.

The sooner we come to terms with the fact that there’s a war going on inside us, the sooner we’ll be able to recognize jealousy, envy and wrong motives as the “evil desires” James was talking about.

To have those pure motives mentioned in James 4:3, we must learn to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), determine who’s talking–The Holy Spirit, Satan, or your own fleshly desires, and then make a conscious decision to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit rather than our evil desires.

Will we still have quarrels and fights?

Most likely, but if we are open to the teaching and correction of the Holy Spirit within us we will learn from our mistakes and those quarrels and fights will become the exception rather than the norm.

Heavenly Father, help us to have the pure motives you talked about in today’s scripture. Help us to recognize our evil desires and intentionally choose NOT to act on them.  Make us like you Lord.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

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©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  1 Timothy 3:1-6:10

Have You Had Your Christmas Meltdown? James 2:13

December 12, 2011 in Christian Living, Christmas, Family, James, Living a Life that reflects the Son, The 2011 Prayer Journey, The Journey to Knowing Him More with 1 Comment

Everywhere you go people are stressed.  Too much to do, not enough time, not enough money.  Unfortunately, it’s a great set up for a meltdown.

During this stressful time, what is the thing you need most from family, friends, and checkout people at the grocery story?

Understanding?

Empathy?

Kindness?

Compassion?

Forgiveness?

Guess what if we want to receive it we have to give it.

Today’s Scripture Reading: James 1:1-3:18

There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.  –James 2:13

You may be one of the fortunate ones who receives mercy from people you have not given it to, but that won’t be the case with God. He clearly tells us that we won’t be receiving mercy from Him unless we first give it to others.

Guess what?  This applies to our unthankful spouses, complaining-hard-to-please parents, jealous siblings, unappreciative children, lazy coworkers, and the tele-marketer that calls you at 9 p.m. on a Sunday night.

We all need mercy.

We all have people in our lives who make it challenging to give mercy.

If we want mercy from God, we all have to give mercy before we can receive it.

The question is: Are we going to be obedient to the God of the universe?

Heavenly Father, there have been so many times when I have wanted and expected mercy from others but haven’t given them any mercy. Holy Spirit, help me to understand that people have a lot more going on that what I see.  Help me to give them mercy.  Lord, fill me with compassion so that I can give it away.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen

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©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: James 4:1-5:20

I Found a Filter For My Mouth–Philippians 4:8

December 11, 2011 in Philippians, righteous living, speaking God's Words, The 2011 Prayer Journey, The Journey to Knowing Him More with 0 Comments

As a young mom, one of my favorite things to do during Sunday morning church services was to stop by the nursery, check on my baby, and visit with all the other moms.  We would sat in creaky rockers, feed our babies, and solve the problems of our little world.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:12-4:23

While it was great to have some much-needed adult conversation, I often went home feeling guilty.

No matter where the conversation started it always seemed to end up sounding more like gossip or husband-bashing but the guilt wasn’t enough to keep me from participating in these weekly “problem-solving sessions.” Until one day I had a God moment.  I can’t remember if the preacher preached about this particular scripture verse or it just came to mind; all I know is this verse began to churn inside of me.  Since my brain loves check lists I began to see this verse broken down with check boxes beside each phrase:

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is…

  • True 
  • Honorable
  • Right 
  • Pure
  • Lovely 
  • Admirable

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  –Philippians 4:8

This verse became a filter for my mouth.  If I couldn’t answer yes to the questions is it true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable, then I should be quiet or leave the conversation.  Too many times the only way I could resist was to leave.

But,

As the years moved forward  I kept using my mouth filter and I began to get better. It became easier to be in a group and only contribute positive, uplifting comments to the conversation.

Believe me I still make mistakes, but as soon as I do the Holy Spirit brings my filter to mind and says, “Dianne, was that true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable? Immediately I will feel the need to ask God and the person(s) I was talking with for forgiveness.

Maybe you don’t need a filter for your mouth, but if you do take a minute and commit this verse to memory, it will make all the difference if you struggle with gossip or negativity.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word.  It truly is life-changing.  Holy Spirit, fill me to overflowing with your Spirit. Continuing to mold me into the person You planned for me to be.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

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©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: James 1:1-3:18

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