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Hi, Kids!
Would you like to read your own devotional talking about all different things about Mom and Dad having marriage problems? God can help you through some of your worst days. We want to write devotionals for your age, so you can understand what is happening and how God can help you.
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Recent entries May 17, 2013
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You are invited to experience Rejoice Marriage Ministries through Charlyne's teachings, prayer, testimonies, and fellowship with other standers.
Dallas, TX Cincinnati, OH
May 31 - June 1, 2013 July 5 - 6, 2013
Being Pruned
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more….Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” John 15:1-2, 4 (NLT)
The tree service truck was parked in front of the house when Jake got home from school. He remembered Mom talking about needing to prune the fruit trees but didn’t think they would be here this soon. In fact he was wondering my Mom had them pruned at all. They had had lots of plums, pears and apples last season. Seemed to him that cutting off some of the branches would destroy the fruit.
The late afternoon sun was high in the sky as Jake stepped out the back door. The tree service guys had been busy! The backyard was littered with branches from the trees that lined the fence in the back. Jake couldn’t believe how many branches there were. Were any left on the trees?
Jake stepped around the branch piles to look at the trees. There were large gaping holes where branches had once hung. In fact, even though he had grown several inches this year, Jake could no longer reach up to even touch one of the branches, let alone pluck some ripe fruit toward summer’s end. It seemed like the trees would never be the same.
Jake spoke with the tree service guys who told him that pruning the trees would produce more fruit, not less. They explained that when there were too many branches all together, hanging low to the ground, the fruit couldn’t get sunshine or have room to grow. They also explained how the trees had to be pruned at just the right time, using sharp tools made specifically for the job. Sometimes they used the larger saw to take down big branches. Sometimes a handsaw was used for the smaller pieces. And for those pieces that required a gentle touch, a long pair of nippers was used.
The men went on to explain that the some of the trees had diseased or insect-infested branches that had to come off. Sometimes pruning came about from circumstances, like the heavy winds they had experienced last month. Branches had broken off because of the wind and those branches had to be removed. Removing the broken branches made the tree stronger.
Jake thought about the pruning and remembered how Mom had spoken about the Lord pruning her during the time Dad was away. He remembered how she had spoken about the Lord removing the things in her life that were dead or not right so that the good parts could grow. He remembered how she had said the Lord knew just the right tools to use and just the right time to use them.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Romans 5:6 (NLT)
Jake knew that, like the fruit trees along the fence line, his family, too, was being pruned. Circumstances had come into their lives that had broken off some of the branches. But he also knew that once these broken branches had been taken off, the family would have a chance to heal and grow stronger. He knew that it was necessary to prune their family tree so that it would produce greater fruit and be able to withstand any storm. It gave Jake great comfort to know that he and his family were connected with God, just as each branch of a tree is connected to the trunk. And it gave him hope that all this pruning would turn out for good.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing….But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” John 15:5, 7 (NLT)
God bless,
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
May 10, 2013
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Early registration and discounted hotel room rate ends tonight.
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Unconditional Love
Long ago the Lordsaid to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel. You will again be happy and dance merrily with your tambourines.” Jeremiah 31:3-4 (NLT)
Nate and his little brother, Chris, could hardly wait for Bus 17 to arrive. Nate usually didn’t like hanging around with his little brother but today they were sharing the same excitement. They had lobbied Mom long and hard for a dog and today they were going to the Humane Society to pick one out.
“I want a black and white one with long hair and pointy ears,” Chris told Nate. “Or maybe a little white one with a curly tail. Or how about a big Golden Retriever that we can take for walks.” Nate smiled at his little brother. It was good to see him so excited about something.
And Nate was excited, too. He really didn’t care what kind of dog they got. He just wanted one he could pet and hug and talk to. A dog who would play fetch with him and sit with him at his fishing spot and be his best buddy. A dog that loved him as much as he loved it.
Although both boys had promised to be responsible for the dog. Nate knew most of the work would fall to him. And that was OK, too. Since Dad had left, he had stepped up to help both Mom and his little brother in any way he could. It was extra work for him but he did it out of love.
When Mom got home from work, they headed for the Humane Society. When they got there, Chris ran excitedly up and down the aisles between the cages, pointing to first this dog and then that dog and then the one over there in the corner with the curly tail.
Nate looked in each kennel and, although there were lots of dogs, all pawing at their cages and barking for attention, he didn’t find the “right” one, the one that he knew would be his special dog. Just then one of the walkers came in with a brown long-haired dog who had the saddest eyes Nate had ever seen. The dog hid behind the walker as Nate approached and even began to shake.
“Is this dog sick?” Nate asked the walker.
She replied, “No, not sick. Just very scared of people. He’s had some bad experiences in his life and he just won’t let anybody get close to him anymore. He’s been here a long time because he doesn’t make friends with people.”
Somehow Nate KNEW that this was his dog. He bent down so that his eyes were level with the dog’s. “So sad!” Nate thought to himself. “But this dog needs somebody to love him, to teach him and guide him, to be his friend no matter what. He just needs a chance.”
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8
As Nate continued to reach out, the dog began to tentatively sniff his hand. Nate continued to talk soothingly and quietly to the dog. Soon the dog took a step forward. Then another and another until Nate could finally reach him. As Nate’s hand smoothed the brown fur, he thought he could see something change in the dog’s eyes. As if he had made a step toward faith and trust once again.
The brown long-haired dog with the sad eyes came home with Nate’s family that night. And as Nate continued to show him unconditional love, the dog began to show trust once again in people. He finally knew that it didn’t matter what had happened in his past. There were people who would love him no matter what.
By the end of the summer, the dog was playing fetch and going for walks and sitting by Nate at his favorite fishing spot. His eyes were no longer sad. Because someone had shown him unconditional love, he was whole once again.
Showing unconditional love had paid off for Nate’s family in other ways, too. Nate’s dad had returned to their family to work on rebuilding. Nate knew it was going to be hard work, but he also knew that his dad deserved a chance. As they continued to show him unconditional love, he, too, made a step toward faith and trust once again. And the brown long-haired dog with the no-longer-sad eyes, was there by his side.
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
God bless,
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
Weekly Scripture Memorization:
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
May 3, 2013
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Persevere
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLT)
Zach couldn’t believe his eyes. Another track meet and another cold and windy day. Seems like they just couldn’t catch a break this track season. Most of the meets had been run in this kind of weather and several had even been canceled because of rain and snow. The weatherman last night had said it would be an overcast but pleasant day. This was anything but pleasant.
Zach ran hurdles and any sort of wind or moisture made each race that much more difficult. This was his last year at this school and he had been inching toward the record with each meet. He really wanted to see his name up there on the board. It would be one good thing in a year that had had a lot of bad things in it.
Zach’s dad had moved out of the house last summer, right before school started. He and his dad had always been very close and Zach couldn’t understand why he would want to move away from his family. He just didn’t seem to be the same dad as before. He said and did a lot of things that were not like him at all.
Mom had talked to Zach about how sometimes the enemy can blind and deceive people, so much so that sometimes they don’t even seem like the same person. She had also told Zach that she was praying for Dad’s salvation, for his repentance and for him to return to his family.
Zach had spent most of the year pretty angry with his dad. He never came to one of his football games and only made it to one basketball game all season. When he complained to mom, she asked Zach to remember the good things about his dad and to continue to pray that the Lord would take his heart of stone and turn it to a heart of flesh. She told him he needed to forgive his dad for things and to continue to love him unconditionally. It had taken some time, but Zach could now say he really did love his dad, in spite of the things he was doing.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26
In fact, despite the bad weather this track season, Zach’s dad had been at every in-town meet that he ran in. He was here today, too. Zach could see him sitting in the bleachers with the other parents, next to his mom, his windbreaker hood pulled tight on his head. Zach’s mom was leaning into him for warmth, and he could see that they were talking. Come to think of it, they had been talking a lot lately. Zach couldn’t help but think that this was a good thing, that Mom’s perseverance was paying off.
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. Hebrews 10:35 (NLT)
Now it was Zach’s turn to persevere. In the cold and the wind, the hurdles in front of him looked bigger than usual. And the damp track seemed to stretch on forever. The guy running on the inside lane looked like he was pretty fast. But as Mom had told him, these were just circumstances; things to get through in order to have the victory. When the starter’s pistol went off, Zach was ready. He flew over those hurdles like he had wings on his feet and pushed through the gusty winds during the run time. Before he knew it, his race was over. Not only had he won, but he had set the new track record.
Zach looked up to see both his parents standing and applauding. And somehow he knew that things would be alright once again, if they could just persevere.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus… Hebrews 12:1-2a (NLT)
God bless,
Weekly Scripture Memorization:
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
April 26, 2013
You are invited to experience Rejoice Marriage Ministries through Charlyne's teachings, prayer, testimonies, and fellowship with other standers.
Dallas, TX Cincinnati, OH
May 31 - June 1, 2013 July 5 - 6, 2013
We are pleased to announce that Luz & Fabian will be joining us in Dallas to share more on their testimomy of marriage restoration. This will be a great time of refreshment and recommitment to your stand. We hope you make plans to join us.
Is it Here Yet?
This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. Habakkuk 2:3 (NLT)
Rachael sat at the breakfast table, head on her hand, dejectedly stirring her cereal. It was yet another day of ice and wind and snow. That meant it was yet another day of long pants, long sleeves and her tired looking winter coat. Her grandma had sent her a really cool new dress with leggings for her birthday that she desperately wanted to wear. But it had been too cold or too snowy or too windy or too rainy to wear it. When was spring really going to get here?
Her teacher had told her that spring had started the third week of March – more than a month ago. And for a couple of days, the weather did warm up and she had left the special outfit hanging on her door, waiting for the perfect day to wear it. But then came the rain and eventually more snow. Seems they would just get done with one round of snow and another was piled on top. Even the grown-ups were getting a little tired of it. Eventually, the special outfit went back into Rachael’s closet.
Rachael’s mom knew why she was so disappointed. The prolonged winter season had been wearing on her, too. She knew what it was like to weather a long season of disappointment. She had been standing and praying for the restoration of her marriage and the salvation of Rachael’s dad for a long season. But just the other day, during her daily devotional time, she had received a promise from the Lord in His Word.
“What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.” Isaiah 46:11b
Rachael’s mom had been praying for a new rhema word, a renewed promise, that she was on the right road and doing God’s will. This, she felt, was her word. After she thanked the Lord and closed her Bible, she had gone outside to start the car. There, right in the middle of a big mound of snow, a delicate crocus was peeking through. She had smiled to see its bright yellow head standing proudly amid the snowy background. It was confirmation for her that spring was on its way, both here on Earth and in her heart.
Remembering that promise, she wanted to share it with Rachael. When Rachael was finally ready for school, once again in her long pants, long sleeves and tired winter coat, Mom took her by the hand and led her outside. She showed Rachael the crocus that had braved the circumstances of the cold weather and snow to pop its head out and confirm the promise of spring on the way. To both their delights, this lonely crocus had been joined by several others, a patch of bright yellow promise in the middle of a long season.
That afternoon when Rachael got home from school, she went to her closet and pulled out the special dress with the leggings that Grandma had sent. The yellow and white stripes reminded her of the yellow crocuses in the patch of white snow that Mom had shown her that morning. The words her mom had shared about the promises from God for their family had given her hope once again. Hope for spring, hope for new things, hope for restoration of her family. With this hope and God’s Word in her heart, Rachael once again hung the special outfit on her door, ready to step out on the promise.
Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. Romans 4:20-21 (NLT)
God bless,
Kim, a stander in Nebraska
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
Post Office Box 10548
Pompano Beach, FL 33061
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Weekly Scripture Memorization:
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
April 19, 2013
You are invited to experience Rejoice Marriage Ministries through Charlyne's teachings, prayer, testimonies, and fellowship with other standers.
Dallas, TX Cincinnati, OH
May 31 - June 1, 2013 July 5 - 6, 2013
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Psalm 23
Grace felt the cool air hit her bare feet as mom pulled the covers off and shook her awake. She had hit the snooze one too many times again this morning. Now she was really going to have to book it to look halfway decent and still get to school on time. “If I could only get some rest,” Grace thought to herself as she quickly dressed and grabbed a piece of cold toast from her sister’s plate.
Grace had been having trouble sleeping lately – a lot. There was always a sort of knot in her stomach and just when she would feel herself floating off to sleep, some new worry or concern or question would come to mind. It had been that way since Dad had moved out. First it was all the questions about why and when and where. Then it was all the worry about how were they going to pay the bills and would they have to move to a different house or even a different town. And lately it had been the anxiousness about what her friends were thinking about her now and did everyone at school know.
Grace knew that Mom had to be worrying about a lot of things, too. She had overheard anxious words whispered on the phone and seen the brief concern in her mother’s eyes when something unexpected came in the mail. But for the most part, Mom somehow always seemed to have it together. She didn’t seem to be sad or anxious or running behind all the time like Grace.
Grace knew her mom was a Christian and that she was praying and believing that the Lord would bring her dad home. She had often found Mom at the kitchen table, a cup of tea in one hand and her Bible in the other, and had teased her about wearing that book out. Mom had just smiled and given Grace a hug.
Grace wondered, “What is it about that book that gives Mom such a sense of peace? It seems like just a bunch of nice sounding words to me.” Still, later that night when Grace was once again having a tough time sleeping, she slipped out of her bed and tip-toed to the kitchen table. In the dim light from above the sink, Grace could just make out the outlines of Mom’s bible. She picked it up and thought about what she might read. She remembered people talking about Psalm 23 and how it always brought them peace. So Grace began to read.
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:1-3 (NLT)
Grace closed her eyes and thought about the words she had just read. She could see the peaceful stream and the green meadows. And she could see Jesus reaching out His hand to her to guide her along. It was a wonderful vision, and her heart began to unclutch just a little.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (NLT)
Now Grace could see Jesus close beside her, holding her hand, helping her over the rocks and around the holes as she walked on a path. Even though she didn’t know where she was going and couldn’t see the end from the beginning, she still felt safe.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Psalm 23:5 (NLT)
Once again Grace could see Jesus, standing by a bush overflowing with beautiful flowers. Behind the bush was a table on which were many of the things that she was grateful for in her life. Her family, her friends, her church, her school, the lady who had helped her just today gather up the papers that had scattered when her bookbag broke and came open. Grace saw rainbows and stars and sunshine. She saw snowflakes and raindrops and smelled the pine that grew just outside her window. Grace realized just how much she had to be thankful for.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 (NLT)
Grace closed her mom’s Bible and held it close to her chest. The words she had read warmed her both inside and out. She felt peaceful for the first time in a long time. As she headed back to her room, Grace knew that she would have restful sleep that night. For God’s goodness and unfailing love was with her.
God bless,
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
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