Strength for All Seasons, A Mom's Devotional

 by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

I need to tell you about another book that was just released. This one, by Julie Lavender, is a devotional for moms of all ages. Moms of toddlers to adult kids will be able to identify with these devotions.

Reading these short stories has resonated with me. Julie has the ability to connect with us on a personal level because as the mother of four children, she knows what our days can be like.

There are 52 devotions, one for each week of the year. They are short enough to read in a few minutes but they pack a punch and can help anyone, whether a mom or not, with the daily challenges we face.

As parents, we can be attacked with the plague of regret over mistakes we make while raising our children. One chapter of Strength for All Seasons focuses on encouraging us to look forward instead of living in regret. We have all been there. We can gain encouragement from biblical characters who made mistakes. God always redeemed those failures for His glory.

Julie tells us, “Instead of dwelling on our past mistakes, God wants us to look ahead at what great things are to come. Paul the former persecutor of new Christians, said, in Philippians 3:13 (NIV), ‘But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.’ God has good things planned for us. Let’s leave regrets in the past where they belong.”

We sometimes look at other moms and dads and think they are perfect, at least more perfect than we are. I experienced this when my boys were growing up. When I homeschooled them, in my mind the other kids fared better than mine and their parents were better teachers. When my sons attended public school, my thoughts played other games with me for different reasons.

God doesn’t want us to compare ourselves to others whether in parenting or other issues of life. We need to look to Christ for our identity and only use Him as the standard for our lives.

We can be successful parents when we look to Christ and live according to His character.

I know you will enjoy reading this book which is available on Amazon. Don’t forget Christmas is coming and this would make a wonderful gift for a mom.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts.

Strength for All Seasons, A Mom’s Devotional (click to tweet)

https://www.amazon.com/Strength-All-Seasons-Devotional-Powerful/dp/0593690230/ref

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay 

5 Ways We Can Pray for Israel

 

5 ways to pray for Israel

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

The latest atrocity in Israel is beyond description. As the post from last week encouraged us to make hearts strong to withstand the last days, this war shows us another fulfillment of Bible prophecy (Matthew 24).

Some may ask, “Why should we care? Why does it matter to us what happens over there?”

3 Ways to Prepare for the End of This Age

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Recent natural disasters bring to mind the signs of the times Jesus talked about. Hurricanes carve paths of destruction across miles of land. Volcanoes erupt and decimate all in their paths. Drought and floods kill people and animals.

Each year the earth suffers violent weather patterns. We prepare as much as possible for power outages, scarcity, and damage because we want to protect property and lives.

But the most important part of our lives to protect is our spiritual condition. With Halloween right around the corner, we are reminded of how evil is glorified in the world today. Images of devils, ghosts, and vampires cover lawns and store windows.

The signs of the times can indicate the return of Christ is near. And even if His second appearance is years away, we don't know when we will be leaving this earth in death. 

Here are 3 ways we can prepare for meeting the Lord.