Steve Farrar with Jeff Scruggs – Interview
Watch interview here: Steve and Jeff
Go to Stevefarrar.com for more amazing interviews with men.
Boyd Baily – A Fruitful Family
A Fruitful Family
?Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.? Psalm 128:1?4
The fruit from a family who fears the Lord is tasty and delicious. However, this type of fruit does not happen immediately but is cultivated over time. A fruitful wife sets the tone for the home. By God?s grace she weeds out criticism and replaces it with creativity. The home is her ?pride and joy.? It is a reflection of her, as it is her nest.
A home to the wife is like an office to the husband. Things need to be just right, or she feels violated. Indeed, be grateful for a conscientious wife who wants to express herself through the home. The fruit of a clean, decorated, and ordered home is calming. It provides an environment of stability and frees family members to focus on each other and people. A husband is free[?]?
Excerpt From: Bailey, Boyd. ?Seeking Daily the Heart of God Volume II.? iBooks.
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Paul David Tripp – Invading Love from Wednesday’s Word
INVADING LOVE
Last week we studied Psalm 42 and reflected on what it means to be spiritually dehydrated: those times when your soul is cast down, exhausted, and seemingly separated from the presence of God. Over the next three weeks, we’ll revisit that passage and find instruction for our soul during these difficult seasons.
Instead of studying the entire Psalm, we’ll dissect the three elements found in verse 8: ?By day the Lord commands his steadfast love / and at night his song is with me / a prayer to the God of my life.? (Psalm 42:8)
One of the most important things to do in moments of dehydration is remember the quality of God?s love. Notice how the Psalmist describes it – ?The Lord commands his steadfast love.?
When you?re feeling spiritually depressed, it?s very tempting to think that God has changed. Maybe he?s not as intimate as he claims; perhaps his promises have varied; could it be that he doesn?t actually love me?
If we believe the Bible, we should remember that God is always near; Psalm 34:18 says, ?The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.? We should also recall that God?s promises never change – ?For I the Lord do not change? (Malachi 3:6) and “There is no variation or shadow due to change [with the Father].” (James 1:17)
Of course, don?t forget Psalm 118 when we consider his love: ?Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, ?His steadfast love endures forever.? Let the house of Aaron say, ?His steadfast love endures forever.? Let those who fear the LORD say, ?His steadfast love endures forever.?? (Psalm 118:1-4, emphasis mine)
All throughout Scripture, we have hundreds of reminders that God is always near; we have hundreds of reminders that God is unchanging; we have hundreds of reminders that his love is steadfast. Could it be that in times of spiritual dehydration, you have simply forgotten or neglected to remind yourself of the quality of God?s love?
The other thing to remember is the nature of God’s love. Notice the image that the Psalmist uses: ?The Lord commands His steadfast love.? It?s a military metaphor. Not only is the love of God constant and always near, but the God of love will invade your life by his grace.
Invasion doesn?t seem like a great term, considering all the negative results of human warfare. But in this case, it?s actually a beautiful description. You see, your loving Father is not content to sit back and let you work this thing called faith out on your own.
God has, and will continue, to invade your life with his love. He’s always marching towards you with his love, even when you?re spiritually dehydrated and exhausted. The great captain of love and the great general of mercy will fight for you, every step of the way.
So the next time you’re feeling cast down, exhausted and dehydrated, remember who loves you and how he loves you. His love is steadfast, intimate, and always fighting for the welfare of your soul.
By the way, if you haven’t yet picked up a copy of my latest book New Morning Mercies, I’m extending a discount until Friday. Learn how to get your copy of this 365-day devotional by clicking here…
God bless
Paul David Tripp
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
When was the last time you felt spiritually dehydrated?
How have you doubted the presence, promises, and love of God?
If there are hundreds of reminder verses in the Bible, why is it so easy to forget the presence, promises, and love of God?
How has God invaded your life, and how does God fight on your behalf today?
How can you use these truths to comfort others struggling with spiritual dehydration and depression?
