A Wife is a Blessing - Proverbs 5

S - Proverbs 5:18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
O - A man's wife is to be a fountain of blessings for him and he is to rejoice in his wife.
A - Christa is and should always be a blessing to me. This doesn't mean that she is here to serve me and to be a servant for me but instead this means that in loving her with an agape love, she will resiprocate back an agape love and when this happens, there is blessings for both of us. I also think that the second part of this verse talks about how I should be talking about Christa. I should be proclaiming my joy, love and admiration that I have for Christa instead of focusing on what she may be doing wrong.
P - God, You are truly amazing and wonderful to have placed Christa in my life. Outside of you, she is the joy of my life and a woman full of strength and a determination to follow you and live a life pleasing to you. Help me to speak life into her and our children and to let her know, in a way that she needs and wants, that she is loved by me and appreciated. I ask for your peace and power to come on her today and give her strength to overcome these difficult decisions and times that we are going through. Help her to know that she has you continually with her and that you will guide and protect her. Thank you so much for blessing my life with Christa and help me to be a blessing back to her.

God's Path For My Life - Proverbs 4

S - Proverbs 4: 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
27 Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.
O - Wise Solomon is telling us to guard ourselves from evil by staying on the path.
A - I believe that this is more than just a safe and heavenly path. This path is a path of His desires and want for our life. Our destined path. I need to keep God in the forfront of my life so that I can always see and hear the path that He has for my life. Without Him, I will be lost as to where I should be going and the true call on my life. I need to constantly keep this path in front of me and not to lose sight of where He wants me to be heading in and with my life. It is not always the evil things that I need to stay away from but also those things that are good but not great, like the path that He has for me.
P - God, Help me to always focus on you and the path that you have laid out for me. I know that you have great plans for me and you desire me to do great things and to be a great person for you. Gently remind me when I stray from this excellent path so that I keep it focused in my mind. Lord, bless my family and me today and give me wisdom to lead them in the Godly way that I should so as to show them who you are and to make their journey through life that much more clear. I love you!

Reverent and Worshipful Fear of the Lord - Proverbs 1

S - Proverbs 1:7 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
O - The Amplified version says "7The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline." The reverent and worshipul fear of the Lord is the foundation to true knowledge. True knowledge is not the world's definition of knowledge but Godly knowledge that surpasses all other knowledge.
A - Reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord...Reverent means to me a hallowed respect and almost idolized attitude toward something or someone. This along with woshiping of the Lord do I need to keep front and center in my life, not just because this bring true knolwedge, but because of the sacrifice that Jesus gave for me. This fear of the Lord should be something very evident to others around me and will be infectious to those that are searching for the true answer in life.
P - God, I stand in awe before you today and I am speachless of the wonders of who you are and what you have done for me and my family. Help me be a shining light for your kingdom and give me the strength to live a life full of reverence and worship to you and to pass this along to my children. Bless my family and me today and everyday and give us all peace and patience in what you have for us.

Protect My Thoughts and Words - Psalm 19

S - Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
O - David desired to have his words and thoughts be pleasing to God.
A - God is my rock and my redeemer. Keeping this in mind without Him I would not have a firm foundation to build my life on nor would I have the hope and peace in knowing where I am going when I die and that I have been blessed and given healing power while on this earth. Because of the fact that God is why I can be successful and why I am saved every word and thought of mine should be pleasing to Him; that's the least I can do to show Him my thanks. God is good, all the time!
P - God, You are amazing and worthy of praise continually! Thank you for the sacrifice that your son Jesus Christ gave with His life so that I could be saved and given the same power that He possessed. I desire to give you honor and glory with my thoughts, words, and actions; to be a living billboard for your kingdom. I ask that you remove temptations that come into my life and that you continue to give me strength to face these attacks from the devil. Bless my family and me today.

God is the Source of Blessings - Psalm 18

S - Psalm 18:30 God’s way is perfect.
All the LORD’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
O - David is singing about the way the Lord protected him and helped him to defeat his enemies. He is acknowledging God as the source of his strength and the reason why he was victorious.
A - God's way is perfect! He has a plan for me and when I follow his path, even though there will still be troubles because of sin in this world and in myself, I will be protected and also be blessed. Every single promise that He has made will be proven to be true. I can count on His promises and find Peace and joy in them as He is unable to break these promises. God is truly awesome! With Him in my life I, like David, can have confidence and power in knowing that my ways will be blessed. I need to also remember to thank God and give Him the credit for these blessings in my life and for success that I have as without Him I wouldn't be able to accomplish this all.
P - God, I come to you today and give you the credit for all of the blessings and success that I have in my life. I know that I am nothing without you and I continue to look to you for guidence in my life. I stand in your promise today that you will protect me and my family and that your path is perfect. Give me wisdom to know your path for my life and for the decisions that I face today. Bless my family and me today and everyday.

He is Always With Me - Psalm 16

S - Psalm 16:8 I know the LORD is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
O - David is very confident that God is always with him and because of this he cannot be shaken.
A - God has promised to be with me to the very end of the age. God has said that He is the same today as He was yesterday and will be in the future. Because of this, I can have this same level of confidence that God is with me today and will be in the future as well. This knowledge and promise brings me a lot of hope and security since He can and will protect and guide me.
P - Heavenly Father, thank you for always being with me. You are so amazing to be with me and to have sacrificed everything for me and my household. I stand in awe before you today and worship you. I pray that you give this same sense of peace to my entire family so that they too may have this same level of security as I do today. Bless my family and me today and guide us.

My True Place of Refuge - Psalm 5

S - Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
12 For you bless the godly, O LORD;
you surround them with your shield of love.
O - Those who seek God's protection will be able to rejoice and sing praises forever as God will protect them and give them joy. God will bless the godly people and will protect them.
A - David is talking about those that love God and seek his protection. These are the people that will be protected and blessed. I need to deligently and authentically be one of these people that loves Him always and looks to Him for protection. I can't be the man that protects, serves, and loves his family without God there to help me as there is too much to handle. However, God has promised to protect me and give me refuge. In taking this protection and refuge, I will have the strength to keep on and to provide and protect my family as my basic needs are met and I can take my eyes off myself and serve my family.
P - God, I thank you today for being this place of refuge and for protecting me. I praise you and worship you for all that you have done and continue to do for me. Help me to be the man, husband, and father that you have called me to be and to show this same place of refuge and protection to my young children so that they can see you through me. Bless my family and me today and give your healing power over Sam.

Stand Fast in God's Promises - Genesis 32

S - Genesis 32:9 And you promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’ 10 I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant.. 11 O LORD, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. 12 But you promised me, ‘I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore—too many to count.
O - Jacob was afraid that Esau was going to bring him harm so he prayed to God. He started with stating the promise that God gave to him that He would treat him kindly. Then he stated that he wasn't worthy of this promise and love and followed that with him abmittance that he was scared of what he faced. Finally, he again stated the promise that God would bless him.
A - Just as Jacob trusted and believed the promises of God, I too need to do this even when I am facing fears. Even though fear may be present, I should acknowledge this fear to Him but instead of focusing on it I should place it on Him and restate the promises that He has given to me.
P - Heavenly Father, I thank you for your promise that you will never leave me and that you will protect and bless me. I come today to ask for your help and comfort with this adoption. Even though we have fears of the unknown and face potential problems I will look to you for guidence in everything that we do. You are so great and have told me to cast my cares and anxieties on you and that is what I do today. Thank you for taking these and guiding me through this journey. Bless my family and me today.

Be Careful What I Say - Genesis 31

S - Genesis 31:32 But as for your gods, see if you can find them, and let the person who has taken them die!
O - Jacob had fled from Laban and taken all his possessions and his wives and children and set out for Canaan. When Laban found out he chased after him and when he caught up with him he searched for the idols that Rachel had taken from his house. Jacob said whoever took them would die. He didn't realize that Rachel had indeed taken them and even though Laban wasn't able to find them, Jacob's statement had been a very dangerous statement and could have caused him great pain as he would have had to choose between killing the wife that he loved most or making his word not true. Either would have been bad for him.
A - I too need to be very careful with my words and not to be flippant with the words that I choose or to exaggerate things. I desire to be a man of integrity and accountability so by controlling my tough and only saying things that I know I will be able to do will greatly aid me becoming that person. I need to rely on God for His guidance and follow His lead with what I say as He will be able to help me keep those words.
P - Heavenly Father, I ask for your help in being a man of integrity and accountability. You are truly amazing and have never lied so I need your help and your guidance every single day. Bless our words and actions today and I give you any cares and worries that I have around this adoption. If this is the child that you have for us, I pray that you pave the way for us and I give you all my anxieties. However, if this is not the child for us please make it that we do not get chosen and give us understanding of why this child was not for us and comfort us. I love you Lord and desire to be near you. Bless my family and me today.

Family is Important - Genesis 29

S - Genesis 29:13 As soon as Laban heard that his nephew Jacob had arrived, he ran out to meet him. He embraced and kissed him and brought him home.
O - Jacob had just met Rachel and told her that he was her cousin and then she went and told her father, Laban, and the result was that Laban ran out to meet him and he embraced and kissed him and immediately brought him home. I find that very interesting in the fact that Laban didn't know Jacob at all and yet because of his blood relationship with him he didn't restrain himself one bit from showing affection and a welcoming embrace.
A - This is a great example as to how I should be treating my family, even those that I may not know very well. I should be willing to bend over backward for my family to show them how I feel towards them being a part of my family no matter how close they may be. Take this a step further and I should also be doing this to those that are my "family" in Christ.
P - God, Give me a heart for others to not with-hold love and affection to my family and to give generously to them. I ask that you guide me through relationships in my life and help me to value them and give time and attention to these people in my life. And beyond that I pray that you give this same desire and let me be an example to my children that they too may have very meaningful relationships with others, especially family. Bless my family and me today and give us health.

Saved By Grace - Genesis 28

S - Genesis 28:15 What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”...20 Then Jacob made this vow: “If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, 21 and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the LORD will certainly be my God.
O - God showed himself to Jacob through a dream and then promised him that He would be with him, protect him, and bless him. However, based on Jacob's response, he still wasn't even calling God his God but made a vow that God would be his Lord IF these things came to pass.
A - I am no different than Jacob in that Jesus laid down everything for me BEFORE I knew Him and loved Him. Jesus sacrificed everything for me and everything else and I yet wasn't even born nor had I come into a relationship with Him yet in that He was getting anything in return from me. I need to always remember that it is by grace I have been saved and not by works lest I should boast. Jesus didn't need to die for me because of what I had already done for Him and that is what true agape love is all about. I need to cherish this gift and make sure that I give this gift away in sharing Jesus with people and by also giving agape love to those in my family.
P - God, Thank you so very much for sacrificing your son Jesus for my sake, even though I am unworthy of this great gift. I ask for your forgiveness in how I act towards you and those around me by not showing love. Use me to be a vessel for your kingdom and to raise a family that is completely committed to you, not because of what I tell them they need to, but because they too have a relationship with you that is strong and they understand that you have saved them and that they did nothing to be rewarded with this gift. Bless my family and me today.

Speak Blessings Over My Children - Genesis 27

S - Genesis 27:38 Esau pleaded, “But do you have only one blessing? Oh my father, bless me, too!” Then Esau broke down and wept.
O - This is part of the story of Jacob stealing the blessing from Isaac. Esau just returned to his father and was upset that Jacob had come and stolen the blessing from his father and is here pleading that his father also bless him to as he knew how important these words of blessing were to his life.
A - Although we don't have this same level of "blessings" in our lives today the concept is still the same and just as necessary and needed for our children. It is essential that I speak blessings over my children as there is a spiritual law that takes affect when these blessings are spoken over someone that brings these things to life. I desperately need to seek God's will for my children's lives and speak blessings and direction over them so that they too can live a life that pleases Him and also is full of joy and peace.
P - Father, help me to know your plan for my children and to understand how you want to use them for your kingdom. Help me to speak words over them that uplift them and bless them and guide them down this path as well. I pray that your hand be on them daily and that they are open to your spirit to guide them throughout their days. Bless each one of them and protect them. I love you God! You are amazing! I desire to be with you and to have my children and wife near you.

Be a Man of Faith - Genesis 15

S - Genesis 15:6 And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.
7 Then the LORD told him, “I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as your possession.”
8 But Abram replied, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?”
O - Reading through verse 8 is very interesting that the Lord looked at Abram as righteous because of his faith. However, the verses immediately following this declaration of righteousness, Abram then questions whether or not the Lord will really give him the land that He promised. Quite a flip from one verse to the next.
A - This shows me that even men of extreme faith like Abraham had moments where there was some doubt or fear. Clearly God thought that Abraham had a great amount of faith to consider him righteous, but still needed further proof that what God said would really take place. I need to be that same man of faith that Abraham was but also need to realize that there may be times still that I have fear or doubt, since I too like Abrahm am not perfect, but also like Abraham I need to press God for further clarification as to His plans for me. Hearing from Him makes the faith process much easier.
P - God, I open my heart and life to you today and ask that you speak into my life. I desire to have a huge amount of faith in everything that you have said and have promised my family and me. Help me during those times that I may be wavering or questioning the plans that you have for me and help me to understand that there are periods in my life that I may need to have more faith until everything comes to pass as you desire. Bless my family and me today.

Be Selfless - Gensis 13

S - Genesis 13:9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.
O - Abram is talking to Lot in this scripture and is giving him the option of which land to occupy since they were getting too large to live together.
A - Abram shows a great example of selflessness here is offering Lot the first choice of land even though Abram was his uncle and his authority. I need to have this same level of selflessness and give to my family and those around me even though something may rightfully be mine. Just like Abram was rewarded with what turned out to be the better portion of land because of Sodom being near Lot's choice, I too will be blessed in giving to others around me as God will always provide richly for me.
P - God, help me to be selfless in everything that I do and to be a servant leader. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you and to bless those around me, especially my wife and children. Help me put to death that selfish part of me and to give me the strength and courage to do what is most beneficial to those around me. Bless my family and me today.

My Helper - Genesis 2

S - Genesis 2:20b But still there was no helper just right for him. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. 23 “At last!” the man exclaimed.
O - This is the account of God creating Eve as a helper and companion for Adam. Adam was unable to find a helper suitable for him from all of the animals so God created a women from Adam's rib. The outcome was that Adam was very glad.
A - I too need to reminded daily of the extremely wonderful blessing that I have in my wife. She has truly become my greatest friend, helper and lover. I need to treat her in a way ALWAYS that shows her this and not just tell her this. I also need to thank God daily for her and what she does for me and our family. God is truly amazing and wonderful to have created this bond between man and woman and it is something that should be highly regarded, just under Him, in priorities.
P - Heavenly Father, thank you so very much for blessing me with Christa and letting her be such an amazing helper, friend and lover to me. In your infinite wisdom you created this bond and I ask for your help daily to treasure this relationship and to give to her everything that I have so that she feels this loves and is secure in every area in life. Help me to also be a model to my boys in how to treat their wife and to have a family to loves and honors you with everything we do. Bless my family and me today Lord.

Distance Yourself From Some - Romans 16

S - Romans 16:17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.
O - Paul is warning the Romans to watch out for people that want to cause division among the believers and those that would teach things contrary to what Paul was preaching, the good news.
A - This is a very good warning still to this day. There are and will continue to be some individuals that have a mission to cause division and teach things that may benefit themselves meanwhile hurting others. Paul's command is very clear "Stay away from them". We are to be a light to the world and should try to influence people for His kingdom but when there is an individual that will not listen and is intend in doing and teaching things contrary to the word of God, it is best to stay at a distance from them in love. I don't need to judge them or berate them but instead need to stay away to protect myself and those around me from this destructive teaching and division.
P - Heavenly Father, give me the gift of discernment to be able to look and hear what people are saying and doing to see if this message lines up with your word. Help me to be an example to my family and those around me to love those that may be causing division and confusion but to also protect myself and my family from them. Bless my family and me today.