No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

What temptation are you struggling to overcome?

Last Saturday (Nov 30), Julia and I benefitted again by yet another outstanding message at City On A Hill Church. GW Dameron’s message titled “Breaking Free” came from Week 4 of the six week Fireproof Your Marriage series. Today’s message comes from that.

Day #23 of The Love Dare book states, “Watch out for parasites. A parasite is anything that latches on to you or your partner and sucks the life out of your marriage. They’re usually in the form of addictions, like gambling, drugs, or pornography. They promise pleasure but grow like a disease and consume more and more of your thoughts, time, and money. They steal away your loyalty and heart from those you love. Marriages rarely survive if parasites are present. If you love your spouse, you must destroy any addiction that has your heart. If you don’t, it will destroy you.”

Three facts about temptation
1) Every temptation you face has been faced by others
2) You’ve never been tempted by something you didn’t have the power to resist
3) God promises a way out of every temptation (1 Cor 10:13)

There are only 3 kinds of temptation (1 John 2:16, Matt 4:1-11)
1) The cravings of our body
2) The lust of our eyes
3) The pride of our hearts

There are differences in the ways that temptations reveal themselves to men and women. For men, temptations usually revolve around achievement (power) and sensuality (sex). For women, temptations usually revolve around relationships. 95% of us are battling some sort of parasite that’s dominating our lives.

There are ways out of every temptation
1) Divert your thoughts (e.g. pray, worship) – 2 Cor 10:5, Rom 12:2, Phil 4:8
2) Hide God’s Word in your heart – To do this you must read or listen to the Bible.
3) Walk in the Spirit and bear fruit of the Spirit – Gal 5:16-25
4) Remove yourself from the situation (i.e. Flee) – 2 Tim 2:22

After we fail, then what?
1) Evaluate how it happened. Learn from your mistakes. Get an accountability partner.
2) Confess and repent (1 John 1:9)
3) Experience an intimate relationship with Jesus (Jude 1:24)

By the way, Julia’s identical twin sister (Issi) and two daughters were staying with us for the Thanksgiving weekend and they chose to come to hear GW’s message. On the drive back home, Issi’s 11 year old daughter shared opened her eyes to see that some of the music she listens to and TV shows she watches are parasites in her life.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, I suspect that many of the people who read this message are really struggling with temptation. Please set them free from parasites as they reflect upon and apply the principles above. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
The View –  Thank you GW for doing such a great job being consist at posting short and powerful messages to your blog. All of us can learn from the good example you are setting. Not only is your blog a good way to keep up with what’s happening in Culpeper, but people who live elsewhere can receive godly inspiration and ideas that can impact their own communities. CONTINUE the good work God has begun through you. You’re changing my life and lives of many others.

Blessings to be set free!

Dr. Randy Peck
“Blessed to be a blessing”
The Connector – connecting people, ideas, and resources in Christ through the Holy Spirit

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

How will the LORD respond if you ask him to show you to love your spouse each day this week?

On November 7, I shared a devotional titled “Fireproof Your Marriage” and mentioned that my wife and I are participating in a six week series by that name at City On A Hill Church. On Saturday November 15 we went to Week #2 of that series. The message titled was “He First Loved Us.”

Fireproof Your Marriage is such a blessing. I believe everyone (married and single) who participates with a teachable heart and mind will benefit greatly.

Pastor GW Dameron told us, “You cannot give what you do not have! Besides needing to give love, all of us need to be loved.” GW shared his personal testimony of surrendering his life to Jesus at age 26 in 1995. A verse that convicted him was John 14:15 – “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

After showing us an outstanding video clip from the movie “Fireproof,” GW shared these five principles of relationships:

1) When people have profound experiences, they want to share them.

2) An encounter with God’s love is a profound experience.

3) Those who live close to God find that their love for others is always increasing. Greatness is contagious. When you’re around greatness, it begins to rub off on you. The key to all relationships is love. According to Revelations 3:20, Jesus is a gentleman. He’s not going to force himself on anybody. Get close and stay close to Jesus.

4) Love eliminates fear.

5) We love because He first loved us. Jesus showed us what loves looks like. He modeled love, Irma Bombeck said, “If I lived my whole life over, I would listen more and talk less.”

Finally, GW gave each of us these two “Love Dare” challenges:
1) Receive God’s love
2) Each day this week, ask the LORD to show you one way to love your spouse and then do it.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity to participate with my wife in the Fireproof Your Marriage teaching. Thank You for using GW to bring that to Culpeper. Bless him, his family, and City On A Hill Church. Thank You for all the churches across the nation that are benefiting from this series. Jesus, we ask You to Fireproof millions of marriages that are in trouble. Thank You. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Pastor GW Dameron’s blog – currently GW is doing a 40 day series of posts for “The Love Dare” 

Blessings to ask the LORD each day to show you how to love your spouse and then do it!

Announcement: Kelsey’s Concert on Sat Nov 22
As many of you know, Saturday August 30 was the saddest day of the year when I learned that Pastor Randy Orndorff’s daughter (Kelsey) was killed in a head-on car collision the evening before on her way to a Chris Sligh concert in Fredericksburg VA. Kelsey was Randy’s only daughter.

Well God is a master at turning around things meant for evil back to good. Now, by the grace of God, Christ Sligh will be performing at the Culpeper High School auditorium at 7 pm on Saturday November 22 to honor Kelsey and her family.

Tickets for adults cost $15 and for students $10. Proceeds will benefit “Kelsey’s Big Give” and “Teens Opposing Poverty’s Kelsey Kares Fund.” For tickets contact the Culpeper United Methodist Church office at 540-825-0764.

Please help spread the word through Facebook and other social media. If you have teens, ask them for their help. You don’t have to come to help support this great cause. Thank you.

submitting to one another in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:21)

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your submission to your spouse?
How would your spouse rate your submission?

In my devotional on November 7 titled “Fireproof Your Marriage,” I mentioned that City On A Hill Church is hosting a 6 week marriage series by that name on Saturdays at 6:00 pm EST, starting November 8.

Julia and I watched the outstanding movie “FIREPROOF” on November 6 at our local theater and then went to Week 1 of “Fireproof Your Marriage” on Nov 8. The title for that week was “He Said – She Said.”

GW Dameron’s message and the short DVD that we watched were wonderful. GW began by defining “fireproof” – capable of withstanding or preventing damage by fire. Then he listed these three Fireproof principles:

Fireproof Principle #1
Submit to one another. Marriage works best when both husband and wife give up their rights for the sake of the other.

Fireproof Principle #2
Marriage works best when we understand there are differences and treat each other accordingly. Ephesians 5:33 says, “Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

Fireproof Principle #3
Marriage works best when we remember that something more than marriage is taking place – we are living out a preview of our relationships with Jesus in heaven.

There is a neat resource mentioned in the movie called “The Love Dare.” You can learn more about this at today’s Link of the Day.

If you live in Culpeper and are available at 6 pm on Saturday November 15, consider coming to Week 2 of Fireproof Your Marriage at City On A Hill Church [http://cityonahillculpeper.org], located in the same building as the AT&T cellular business on Route 522, adjacent to Yowell Meadow Park.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating the institution of marriage. Help each of us who is married to understand and apply the 3 principles above. Thank You for bringing “Fireproof My Marriage” to Culpeper. May several of my readers choose to come to that on Saturday nights. May some of my readers choose to take The Love Dare. Thank You Jesus. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
The Love Dare, Chapter 1 – great resource to break through in your marriage

Blessings to apply the 3 principles above to Fireproof your marriage if you are married!

Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)

How do you “fireproof” your marriage?
When will you fireproof your marriage?

God truly works in mysterious ways. Today’s story is an amazing tangle of circumstances with God reaching out to bless marriages right here in Culpeper, but also in Virginia, America, and beyond.

On Tuesday evening November 4 (Election Day), Julia (my wife) and I went to hear Rick Heeren speak at City On A Hill Church in Culpeper, Virginia. Pastor GW Dameron was the gracious host. This was the first time I had ever been to the new location for City On A Hill Church, now located in the same building as AT&T (formerly Cingular), on Route 522 adjacent to Yowell Meadow Park.

What Rick shared was fantastic to fan the flames for community transformation. As Julia and I were getting ready to leave the building, the Holy Spirit prompted Julia to pick up a gorgeous handout on the table at the back of the sanctuary titled “Fireproof Your Marriage: Never Leave Your Partner Behind.” The back of that handout said:

“Learn the secrets to a lasting marriage. Financial pressures, the stress of parenting, differences between men and women, boredom, temptations – they can all scorch a relationship. The fires will come – will your marriage last? Come to City On A Hill Church this week as we start a series called Fireproof Your Marriage. The God who designed marriage intended for it to be a loving, lifelong partnership. Join us as we discuss His plans for indestructible relationships. You’ll find practical insights for building an enduring red-hot marriage.”

The Fireproof Your Marriage handout opened a discussion with GW and us about the 6 week marriage series he is hosting at City On A Hill Church on Saturdays at 6:00 pm EST, starting November 8. Julia and I learned that “FIREPROOF” (the movie) was playing at our local theaters and we talked about watching that movie on Sat Nov 8.

Early yesterday afternoon, my wife asked if I wanted to go with her a few hours later to watch the matinee showing of “The Secret Life of Bees.” Normally I’m not a big movie buff, especially during the work day. But I agreed. When we got to the theater, I asked how much longer “FIREPROOF” would be playing at the theater and found out that was the last day.

So Julia and I watched 2 movies back-to-back – “The Secret Life of Bees” and “FIREPROOF.” For someone who only goes to a movie once every 2-3 months, and never to back-to-back movies, this was peculiar. Both movies were fantastic – extremely wholesome stories. Fireproof starred Kirk Cameron and was made by the creators of “Facing The Giants,” one of my favorite movies of all time.

As a result of the Nov 4 discussion with GW and the FIREPROOF movie yesterday, Julia and I now plan to participate in the “Fireproof Your Marriage” series that starts Saturday November 8 at City On A Hill Church in Culpeper. If you live nearby and are available, we invite you to join us.

Who is FIREPROOF for? According to a blog post titled “Singles loving FIREPROOF,” “it’s for everybody. Kids, parents, older couples, singles. Everybody. Each viewer learns about forgiveness. The movie speaks to all relationships and has application for us all as we accept and serve each other unconditionally.”

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for these two fantastic movies. Thank You for leading Julia and me to watch them together yesterday. Thank You for the “Fireproof Your Marriage” series that starts in Culpeper on Saturday November 8. May everyone who participates be richly blessed. Bless all those who were involved in the making of these two movies. Thank You Jesus. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
www.fireproofmymarriage.com

Blessings to fireproof your marriage!

But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:17-21)

Who is Tim Gill?
How is he impacting you, your government, and America?

Today is Independence Day and marks the 232nd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Americans enjoy more freedom than the people of any other nation. However, our basic freedoms in America are progressively being eroded as our government grows and politicians intrude on the rights of individuals and families.

As mentioned in my devotional on June 30, Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, is a hero to me. For more than 30 years, he has defended the traditional family. It’s been said that “As the family goes, so goes the nation.” My journey to spiritual rebirth actually tracks through Focus on the Family.

Since the purpose of this devotional is to bless families, I sometimes share important news alerts that relate to preserving the traditional family. On June 26, I received a bulk email from Tom Minnery, Senior Vice President for Focus on the Family Action. Here is part of what Tom shared:

“Dear Friend,

This month, I need to share with you a true story. It’s stunning and highly motivating and shows in stark terms what you and I are up against.

Are you familiar with a man by the name of Tim Gill? For most Americans – even those who are well informed – the answer is no. You see, Tim Gill operates in virtual anonymity, yet he is transforming the politics of state after state with unrivaled success. He does it all to advance the cause to which he has dedicated his life – the homosexual agenda.

So, will you join me for a few moments as I pull back the curtain on Tim Gill?” [See today's Link of the Day to learn more]

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, our nation has gone so astray from your Word. As a result many people and many families are suffering greatly. Only You can save our nation. Only You can turn hearts back to You. The battle is yours, LORD. Have mercy on America. Have mercy on my readers and their families. Bless them LORD! In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

Link of the Day
CBN News Report on Wealthy Gay Activist Tim Gill

Blessings for godly wisdom to discern the truth!

Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes. (Song 1:15)

What ingredients are necessary for intimacy in marriage?

This morning, my spirit is jumping for joy. I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God. He has used the daily e-prayer messages of my web clients to sow life into me, my family, and my ministry, as well as many others. Through the daily efforts and seed casting of other people, God has multiplied my efforts to bless thousands of families now on a daily basis. I am so thankful.

On March 24, Jerry Graham sent a Daily Gram titled “The Big Mo” talking about momentum. Because that so inspired me, I did a devotional on April 3 titled, “Momentum – a Leader’s Best Friend.” While visiting GodTube for that Link of the Day, I came across an outstanding video message by Darcy & Tim Kimmel titled “Godly Advice to Get the Romance Back in Your Marriage.” Tim is President of Family Matters [www.familymatters.net].

Here are some notes from the GodTube video with Darcy and Tim:

Love is like anything. It has to maintained. It will deteriorate if you don’t pay attention to it.

Here are four basic ingredients in the recipe for romance:

1) Time: Spend quality time with one another. Heart connection takes time. Make sure you are spending quality time with one another – talking, doing things you enjoy, investing in one another.

2) Tenderness: This is the way to say “I Love You” dozens of times each day without even saying a word. Be kind to one another. Respect one another. Compliment one another. Show appreciation to another.

3) Tenacity: Married life is not always fun. You’ve got to hang in there through tough times. This is about resolving conflict, setting united goals for the future, being on the same page with the kids and grand-kids. This has to be a priority of your married life. Sex and intimacy is why people get married.

4) Temperature: You have to have a way of turning up the heat in your relationship. Reclaim your bedroom for sex. Keep dating each other. Get rid of distractions (e.g. TV, computer). Plan better – passion takes planning. You might have to plan to get away with one another.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for all the people You use as vessels to sow into our lives. Thank You for Darcy and Tim Kimmel and their powerful message about romance. Bless them and Family Matters. Help those of us who are married to use the four ingredients necessary in the recipe for romance. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

Link of the Day
Godly Advice to Get the Romance Back in Your Marriage  [see GodTube video below]

Blessings to grow in intimacy in your marriage!
 

Please Turn on Javascript

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; (1 Corinthians 1:27)

How am I doing in the major areas of my LIFE, MARRIAGE, FAMILY, WORK and CHURCH?

On December 28, 2007 I received this seemingly crazy instruction from the Holy Spirit, “Start 2008 by listening to all of The Bible Experience (entire Bible) in one month.” I say “crazy” because I already had my own plans on how to start 2008 off well and my plans didn’t leave room to read and listen to the Bible for 3 or more hours daily.

On the first day of this new year, I attempted to listen to all 50 chapters of the book of Genesis using The Bible Experience CD set while reading along in my Maxwell Leadership Bible. In the evening, while half-way through this gargantuan task, my wife came running into my office thrilled to tell and show me something. While cleaning our basement, she found a blank leather-bound journal from Wisdom Hunters and now wants to start journaling.

That was such an unexpected blessing. But the blessing didn’t stop there. Inside the Wisdom Hunters journal, I found a Wisdom Hunters business card from Richard Shupert. I remembered meeting Richard just one time in August 2006 at the Founder’s Inn in Virginia Beach during the International Coalition of Workplace Ministries conference. The business card prompted me to check out the Wisdom Hunters website. There I found a link to a blog with some of the best questions I have ever seen for an “annual life audit.” See today’s Link of the Day for those questions.

Here is how John & Debbie Woodall begin their outstanding article titled “Reflection and Preparation:”

The habit or practice of reflection has increased and become very important to me over time. I have noticed people are running so fast and not taking the time to sit, think, review, remember and readjust their lifestyles and schedules. With some regular times of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reflection, it can lead to peace, stability and very purposeful living.

The following questions are to get us thinking about this past year and prepare us for “The Best Year Ever.” How am I doing in the major areas of my LIFE, MARRIAGE, FAMILY, WORK and CHURCH?

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, I praise You as the God who works in very mysterious ways. I acknowledge that as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are Your ways higher than my ways, and Your thoughts than my thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). I gladly submit to Your authority and ask You to use me as one of Your vessels to put to shame the wisdom of this world. In Jesus name, I pray and give You glory, now and forever. Amen and hallelujah!

Link of the Day
Reflection and Preparation by John & Debbie Woodall – “annual life audit” – choose category = Life lessons

Blessings to have your best year ever by completing this annual life audit!

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Do you intentionally and faithfully pray on a weekly basis with other couples?
How might this bless you, your family, and your impact?

For more than a year, I’ve wanted to resume weekly get togethers for couples in my home to minister with my wife to bless marriages and families. On November 23, we finally got this off the ground. Then on November 29, I received a spiritual warning from Jeff Williams through his daily devotional in a message titled “Teams of Two.” My message today is an excerpt from that.

We want to use our marriage to help other couples! Really? Great. Giving to others from what you have received is a beautiful, meaningful and worthwhile way to live, but be careful.
 
When a husband and wife decide to serve God as a “team of two” the fury of hell will be unleashed at them in both direct and subtle ways. Satan knows that a synergistically united couple, dedicated to God’s purpose for their marriage, is a very potent vessel through which He can pour His power and grace to evangelize, disciple, teach and heal other couples. It is in the Enemy’s interest to knock you down before you get started. If you don’t mind having the strength and health of your marriage tested, announce that you are going to minister to other couples out of what you yourselves have experienced in marriage; then minister from the grace, instruction and healing received from God.
 
Jill and I have experienced this and have seen it happen to couple after couple in relationship ministry. Satan’s tactics are numerous; frontal assaults on the couple, attacks through children, and withdrawal of support from previously trusted friends.

To read the rest of Jeff’s message, visit today’s Link of the Day.

Prayer Power
Lord, thank You for the gift of prayer and all the good that happens in us when we pray. Thank You for committed friends to which we can give, and from whom we can receive. Thank You for showing us the importance of bathing our lives and all activities done in Your name in prayer; petitions to You on behalf of others, confessions of sin and shortcomings in our lives, and praise of You as God Almighty, King of Creation, Ruler of Heaven and Earth, Prince of Peace, and on go Your names to infinity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Link of the Day
Teams of Two – entire message by Jeff Williams, including “Prayer Document” – see below

Blessings to intentionally and faithfully pray with other couples on a weekly basis!

How? In person, by phone, phone conference, chat or messenger online, emailed prayers, etc. However the Lord prompts you into a meeting of two or more where you gather in His name and for His purposes. Get creative. Just do it.

When? See above. Whenever. 

[2] Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: What Happens When God’s Spirit Invades the Hearts of His People, Jim Cymbala, Pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle.  Zondervan, 1997, p.27
[3] ‘It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow.’  I Corinthians 3:7, The Message, Eugene Peterson.
[4] Ibid, p

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:5)

Where does servant leadership start?

The 14 week Life Focus course I have been taking to further develop leadership coaching skills has been quite enlightening. A Life Focus coach helps a client pull together gleanings (insights) from the past, recognize major convergence experiences, uncover hidden dreams, and flesh out important goals to fulfill those dreams. The end result is greater focus in one’s life to fulfill one’s God-given destiny. In a way this is taking a time-out in life to evaluate where one is, how God got him there, and where God is leading him.

In the process of pulling together my own past, I reviewed each of my family Christmas letters posted online for the past 8 years. Each of those letters includes family highlights and top life lessons for the previous year. Much can be gleaned from that. The first paragraph of my 2006 Christmas letter states, “The key message for me was ‘On my knees, I find refuge’ – lyrics from a song I heard sung twice by Miriam Halsey.”

In yesterday’s devotional, I shared how the Holy Spirit told me on November 15, “You will fulfill your mission by serving your wife!” I then went on to talk about servant leadership.

But where does servant leadership start? I believe it starts on our knees before Almighty God in reverence to Him. Something special happens when I kneel down, bow my head, and pray – I humble myself before God. It’s submitting my will and my life to God that has brought me into a deeper relationship with Him. When I’m on my knees I’m expressing my total dependance on God. Humbling myself before God and experiencing His grace and mercy makes it much easier to humble myself before people.

While Jesus told us he is our “friend,” He is also Lord of lords and King of kings. To be a servant leader, I must be ever mindful that God is God and I’m not. New Age philosophy teaches that we are all gods, which is completely unbiblical. While the Bible teaches that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, it also teaches that Jesus is my Vine and apart from Him I can do nothing. Without a fresh daily infilling of the Holy Spirit, I begin to quickly wither like a branch cut from a tree.

Far too often when I get to know a prominent Christian leader, my heart is broken to see that person suffering the consequences of a busy lifestyle as a result of service to God, rather than reaping abundant fruit that comes from a deep abiding relationship with God. Our culture in America constantly tugs at us to join others in the tyranny of the urgent. Yet God never intends for our ministry to people to supercede our relationship with Him. The Greatest Commandment and the first of the Ten Commandments confirm this.

What appointment, what meeting, what TV show, who in your day is more important than  meeting with God the Father? Which newspaper, what book will you choose to read that is more inspiring, more life changing than the Bible? When you pray, do you really believe God wants to bless you and will answer those prayers? How big are your prayers? How big is your God? What excuses will you permit in your life to keep you from seeking God with all your heart?

O let the Holy Spirit speak to you right now Spirit to spirit. He wants to speak life into your life and your family right now. Receive it. Die to yourself and surrender to Him. The heavenly Father I know is far more loving and generous than any early father could ever be. He’s my all in all. Let Him be for You too.

Prayer Power
Jesus, I believe that You are coming back soon. You are preparing a beautiful bride to prepare the way for Your return. Show me how to step it up several notches for You and guide me to do that. May I seek to ever deepen by my relationship with You. Call people to join “Team Destiny” to save the lives of more than one billion souls soon. Bring in the spiritual tsunami. Praise be to God! Amen and hallelujah.

Link of the Day
On My knees (Dueth With Abel Orta*) – stirring Youtube video

Blessings to get on your knees to find the power in His love!

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

What does it mean to serve my wife?

While Diana Gonzalez was speaking during the very first hour of the two day Life Focus workshop in Virginia Beach on November 15, the Holy Spirit gave me one of the most powerful revelations of my life. He told me, “You will fulfill your mission by serving your wife!”

I realized right away that God was calling me to serve my wife at a much deeper level – to listen to her with Holy Spirit ears and with the same passion and compassion as when we first met – to put her interests ahead of my own.

While we know that Jesus modeled servant leadership, the highest level of leadership possible, it’s often easier to spend our time and energy serving people other than our own spouses. 

The best role models I’ve had in my life for servant leadership have been my own parents. I’ll never forget the day my father retired at the Pentagon from a very distinguished career. To my surprise, the very first thing he did in front of family and high-ranking generals and government officials was acknowledge my mother as his best friend and to thank her for the key role she played in his success and the success of our family. He followed that by sharing a simple example – he asked her just once to ensure that all their children and grandchildren were present at his retirement celebration and there we all were.

Yesterday, Jeff Williams, cofounder of Grace and Truth, sent a daily devotional titled “Dying to Self.” He said, “Selfless focus on the needs of others is imperative for authentic love. True love – the kind of love that never fails, the kind that not only transforms but beautifies relationships, is selfless. Selfless love, the only real love, isn’t our nature. Rather, it is supernatural, born from Christ’s life in us because selflessness is His nature. To really love, we need more of Him; not more of ourselves.”

An authentic Christian walk is marked by a moment of surrender, followed by a daily surrender – a daily dying to self.

Prayer Power
Father God, I am so humbled at this moment by your grace and mercy in blessing me with such wonderful parents and such a loving wife. Help me to do a much better job serving them. Keep me from putting my agenda ahead of my selfless service to them. Make my family a testimony of Your goodness and greatness when a family truly puts You first in all areas of our lives. May the way we love each other be our best witness for You. Thank You Jesus. I love You so much. Amen.

Link of the Day
Career accomplishments of Darrell L. Peck – my father  [http://randypeck.com/meet-the-family/darrell-l.-peck.html]

Blessing to serve your spouse and parents with the heart of Jesus!