What Can We Learn from Isaac and Rebekah's Parental Mistakes?

 

Isaiah 44:3

by Barbara Latta

 

As women who have passed the middle point of our lives and have probably already raised our children, can we still glean value from Isaac and Rebekah’s mistakes?

Jacob and Esau took sibling rivalry to another whole level. You can read their story in Genesis 25:22-34 and Genesis 27-33.

7 Ways to Receive Wisdom From God

 

7 Ways to Receive Wisdom From God

by Barbara Latta

Who doesn’t want wisdom? Life is full of hurdles and without spiritual guidance we can trip and fall into emotional holes. Hearing from God is essential to living a successful life.

When we are connected to the Supreme Ruler of the universe, the counsel needed to navigate circumstances is made available. But it is up to us to discover what God has given us.

4 Lessons I Learned From a Painful Mistake

4 Lessons I Learned From a Painful Mistake

by Barbara Latta

Antiques have a way of reminding us of our past. Whether good or bad, memories surface that take us back in time, create laughter or pain, and connect us to friends and family.

I saw this old washer on display and immediately the reminder of a childhood decision popped into my mind. Memories that taught me 4 lessons I learned from a painful mistake. 

Know the True Vine to Avoid Deception

 by Barbara Latta

Jesus used the analogy of vines and branches to teach believers about our relationship with the Father through the Son.

3 Ways to Wield the Sword of Redemption

by Barbara Latta

God's Sword strikes behind the enemy's lies.

In New Testament days, the Roman army was an institution to be feared. Everywhere they marched,
these soldiers conquered. To resist them meant certain death. They were heavily armed, trained, and disciplined. They had at their disposal an arsenal of weapons. Among these were various types of swords. 

A heavy double-edged sword, too large and heavy to use in actual fighting, was a training tool. This strengthened the soldier’s muscles so that when they wielded their swords in battle they did not become fatigued and weak.

The spatha was a long sword used in the Roman cavalry and gladiator games. A soldier could swing this instrument of death with a long reach while still on horseback. 

4 Ways to Live in an Intimate Relationship with God

by Barbara Latta

4 ways to live in an intimate relationship with God

Love is the foundation upon which all biblical doctrines rest. It is the cement that holds all other revelations together. How can we trust our heavenly Father to save us, provide for us, or heal us if we question the depth of His affection?

We can’t walk in power without knowing the heart of the Father. Jesus came to restore fellowship between God and man. But sometimes life pours doubt on the fire of God’s Word and we may question His motives toward us. We don’t feel connected because we have allowed something to distract us from knowing we are His beloved.

Here are 4 ways we can live in an intimate relationship with God:

1. Make scripture personal. Familiarity with passages of scripture threaten the absorption of the deeper meaning. Banners display John 3:16 in various places, but that doesn’t mean everyone who reads the sign believes the words. But if we will take the time to contemplate the intent of the verses and insert our name in the message, the scripture becomes personal. And that is what our heavenly Father desires. The Bible is His love letter to us. Individual and personal.
2. Don’t compare the Lord’s character to human emotions. He tells us to worship in spirit and in truth, not with emotions (John 4:24). Our human minds cannot comprehend the heart of the Master of the universe. We compare His devotion for us to human feelings because our minds reason that our value is based on what we do or how good we can be. We learn this because human acceptance and rewards are based on performance. We must perform well in careers and education to be rewarded with raises, good evaluations, and excellent grades. But God’s delight in us is based on who He is, not what we do.
3. Accept what He says by faith. Faith comes by hearing His Word (Romans 10:17). We may not feel His love at times, but that doesn’t change the truth. We should believe He is passionate toward us because He said so. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19 NKJV). We can’t love God first because there isn’t anything in us to love Him with until we live and dwell in the life He shows us. Under grace we accept His sacrifice. He is the One who did the work.
4. Make Him our Priority. Instead of seeking to have our needs met, we simply need to seek the Father and the overflow of that relationship will result in taking care of everything in our lives—physical, emotional, relational, financial, and spiritual needs. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33).Jesus reprimanded Martha because she was too concerned about earthly things. Her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His words and their Teacher said, “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).

When we accept the mercy and grace that has been given to us, we change.

• God’s love can keep us out of sin. If we are grounded in Him, then when temptation comes or when painful events happen, we won’t react in a sinful way or retaliate in defense. We will know God’s power supersedes all. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Genesis 39:9).
• God’s love frees us from the fear of man. The fear of people’s opinions will constrain us because we try to please them instead of the Lord (Galatians 1:10). The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trust in the Lord shall be safe (Proverbs 29:25).
• God’s love shows us how to relate to others. Until we know how much our Creator cherishes us, we can’t truly give to others in an unselfish way. Our relationship with Him will overflow to other relationships. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5).

The valentine of heaven wasn’t a card sent through an angelic mailbox. It was blood running down a wooden cross to soak into the cursed earth. One drop would have been enough, but he used it all to show us He goes over and beyond and does much more than we need.  He paid the highest cost, and we were given the freest gift.

Happy Valentine’s Day—from Jesus.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts.

4 ways to live in an intimate relationship with God (click to tweet)

De-clutter the House and Cleanse the Heart

by Barbara Latta 

Dreary winter days can create a mood-altering phenomenon and now we have health restrictions added to the struggle.

Why not use a time when we are forced to stay inside, maybe because of weather, but also because of social distancing restrictions, to de-clutter the house?

Re-organizing closets can give more accessibility to clothes and accessories when getting dressed each day.

All those new Christmas toys can replace the ones that have been cast aside with a trip to donation centers.

I am bad about keeping cash register receipts too long. When they finally pile up, I then must sort through to find the ones I really need and trash the rest.

There is an emotional tie to organization and cleaning up. Research has shown that clutter can mirror the emotional stress and weights in our lives.