Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

— Psalm 59:16

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So many things in our lives can be stolen away by natural disasters, aging, and death. Satan could be appropriately called “The Thief of Always.” But God is immovable and unstealable! We can invest ourselves in him and know our spirits are secure in his care. He is a fortress and a refuge.

My Prayer…

O Great Rock of my salvation, thank you for being unchangeable and faithful. Thank you for being the source of security and future in a day of chaos and change. Thank you for being God. You are my God and in you I place my life, my hopes, and my future. May you be glorified in me today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

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Too Much Honesty

“Let your conversation be always full of grace.” Colossians 4:6 Most marriage counselors emphasize communication as a foundation for a healthy relationship: Nothing should be withheld from the marital partner. There is wisdom in that advice, provided it’s applied with common sense. It may be honest for a man to tell his wife that he hates her fat legs, her varicose veins, or the way she cooks. It’s honest for a woman to dump her anger on her husband and constantly berate him for his shortcomings and failures. But honesty that does not have the best interest of the other person at heart is really a cruel form of selfishness. Some couples, in their determination to share every thought and opinion, systematically destroy the sweet spark of romance that once drew them together. They’ve lost any sense of mystique in the relationship. So how does one express intimate feelings while avoiding too much honesty? Paul’s advice to all Christians works especially well for married partners: “Let your conversation be always full of grace.” Just between us… Am I sometimes so honest with you that my words are hurtful? Do you think there should be exceptions to telling “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” in marriage? We know that God honors truthfulness, so how do we apply this to marital communication? In what areas could we use more honesty and in what areas, more grace? Heavenly Father, we know that truthfulness is Your will for our lives—but please give us the wisdom to know when to speak the truth and when to keep it to ourselves. Amen. From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hold on Tight

Those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 A mother at a church where I (JCD) was a guest speaker told me tearfully that her husband had recently divorced her, devastating her two sons. “They miss their daddy every day,” she said. “They don’t understand why he doesn’t come to see them. The older boy, especially, wants a father so badly that he reaches for every man who comes into our lives.” The next morning I spoke again at their church. The same mother and her boys greeted me after the service, and I shook the older boy’s hand. Then something happened that I was not fully aware of at the time—the boy did not let go of my hand! He gripped it tightly, preventing me from welcoming others around us. To my regret, I unconsciously grasped his arm with my other hand and pulled myself free. Only later did I remember and realize how desperately this lad needed a man in his life. Dad, your sons and daughters will often reach for your hand in the years ahead. When they do, I urge you to hold on tight! This is doubly true if you are divorced or separated. Now more than ever, your children need assurance of a love that “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”…and “never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:7–8). Before you say good night… In what ways do your kids “reach” for you? What are the biggest challenges of being a single dad? What is toughest about being the child of a single dad? What specific things can you do to reassure your kids that you’ll always be there for them? Dear God, no matter what our family circumstances, let us never waver from our charge as parents! Please forgive us for so often failing our children and You. Help us to be worthy of Your trust in us to lead and love our kids. Amen. From Night Light For Parents, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.