Dunford Family Ministries Daily Devo

One more reminder :)

2011-08-27T08:30:05Z

Good morning,

Just one more reminder of our new formatâ¦if you would need any help please let us know.Â Please also consider leaving us a comment!

L and J J

Hello everyone,
We are making some changes and updates on our website. If you are receiving this email, you are subscribed to our devo. The devo will now be posted in blog format. You can now read it on our home page, look up archives in certain subjects, email it to a friend, post it on your facebook, etc. Because of these changes, if you would like to continue to receive our devo, PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING:

1.    Go to http://www.dunfordfamilyministries.com/
2.    Subscribe by RSS feed (located at the right hand corner)
3.    OR, subscribe by email (located at the bottom of the green rectangle (you will receive a confirmation email that you have to click on to complete your subscription)

If you do not subscribe by one of these methods, we cannot transfer you current subscription due to anti-spam regulations.
We would love to continue updating you with our daily devo, along with some forthcoming products, such as e-booklets, a yearly devotional, and more blogging about our family. Please contact us by responding to this email if you have any questions.
Sincerely, Lorenzo and Jennifer J

SECOND REMINDER :)

2011-08-23T21:30:04Z

Hello all,

Just a reminder to RE-SUBSCRIBE to the devo through our new blog format. If you have any trouble, please let us know. And be sure to leave a comment when you can, we love to hear from you. J

L and J J

We are making some changes and updates on our website. If you are receiving this email, you are subscribed to our devo. The devo will now be posted in blog format. You can now read it on our home page, look up archives in certain subjects, email it to a friend, post it on your facebook, etc. Because of these changes, if you would like to continue to receive our devo, PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING:

1. Go to http://www.dunfordfamilyministries.com/

2. Subscribe by RSS feed (located at the right hand corner)

3. OR, subscribe by email (located at the bottom of the green rectangle

If you do not subscribe by one of these methods, we cannot transfer you current subscription due to anti-spam regulations.

We would love to continue updating you with our daily devo, along with some forthcoming products, such as e-booklets, a yearly devotional, and more blogging about our family.

IMPORTANT UPDATE, PLEASE READ :)

2011-08-16T22:30:06Z

Hello everyone,

1. Go to http://www.dunfordfamilyministries.com/

2. Subscribe by RSS feed (located at the right hand corner)

3. OR, subscribe by email (located at the bottom of the green rectangle

If you do not subscribe by one of these methods, we cannot transfer you current subscription due to anti-spam regulations.

We would love to continue updating you with our daily devo, along with some forthcoming products, such as e-booklets, a yearly devotional, and more blogging about our family. Please contact us by responding to this email if you have any questions.

Sincerely, Lorenzo and Jennifer J

Body Parts

For in fact, the body is not one member, but many.

I Corinthians 12:14 (context 12:12-30) NKJV

My finger and toes, my ears and my nose are all unique. And without either I am incomplete as a whole person. Even the smallest part of my body carries great significance in the grand scheme of functionality. One day I visited a dear lady in the hospital whose spleen malfunctioned in the middle of breakfast at a local restaurant. She doubled over in pain and her loved ones had to call an ambulance. Though this little member was hidden from sight, it had a place and a role. When it suffered, every other part of the lady’s body felt it.

So it is with you and me. In God, we have a place, we have a role. And only He knows where that spot is located. But until we find it, nothing in life will work quite right. Even after you are in your “place,” know that the daily grind will bring its own set of challenges. We are connected to a body, His Body. And when that body succeeds, we succeed. But when it hurts, it affects us too. If the tonsils take a pounding, if the ears start to ache, or the joints start to swell, every part will feel the pain.

Today, if you hear someone’s going through a tough time, pay attention. Ask the Lord what role you should play in the situation. The truth is, the outcome won’t be far from your neck of the woods. Stay prayerful. Be watchful. Occupy your place. We are in this Body together!

Lorenzo

One Plus One Equals Two - August 15

2011-08-14T21:30:05Z

One Plus One Equals Two

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints. Colossians 1:3-4

What is faith? Hebrews 11 tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In other words, faith is spiritual currency. God supplies everyone a measure of faith (Ephesians 4). It’s like a parent giving all of his children a portion of money to use for the week.

Often, we live as if we haven’t received faith. We go at life with all our energy and ability, failing to apply our faith. When we hope in something we cannot see with the naked eye, we are acting in faith, just as we did the day we hoped in Christ and became children of God. This way of living pleases God.

What is love? I Corinthians 13 tells us that love is patient and kind. Love serves God and others. Love always looks at ways to “leave people better than you found them.” Love desires to obey the Father at all times. This kind of love, consequently, never fails.

When you put the two together, you find that unless you have love, your faith will not work. And faith without love is selfishness “gone to seed.” Love is the barometer that keeps faith focused. When they are working in harmony, failure is never an option. You cannot lose with the faith and love you use!

Lorenzo

Rock Bottom - August 12

2011-08-11T21:30:04Z

Rock Bottom

It is like a person who builds a house on a strong foundation laid upon the underlying rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built. Luke 6:48 NLT

You don’t know what you are made of until you’ve seen the bottom. This doesn’t mean you have to be on the bottom to see it. But until the moment comes that you lose all fear of it, you will avoid it like the plague. Your mind will equate it with failure and a lack of measuring up. But God doesn’t see it that way.

He’s sees the “bottom” as foundational. If you want to know the greatness of a house, you must journey downward and view what it’s built upon. And what you will find in the strongest of dwellings is something dull and hard. Hidden rock. But it will be the difference in a house standing or crumbling through life’s storms.

Ask God to show you what you are made of. Ask him to give you a glimpse, today, of what you are built upon. Is it your own wit and wisdom? Is it your faith in friends and trends of the day? Or is it Him and His enduring promises? You need to know before the storms get any worse. Because when your foundation is the Rock (Christ), you won’t just “measure up,” you’ll stand strong through any trouble that comes.

Lorenzo

Inside Out - August 11

2011-08-10T22:30:05Z

Inside Out

Mark 7:20-22 He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.

I sometimes get to drive back and forth to a field or run an errand out here, for any number of reasons. Bringing food or moving a vehicle all qualify as an important “go-fer” job that I’m glad to do. On these little trips I occasionally listen to a few of my favorite talk shows on the radio. The last one I listened to gave me a nugget that I hope to never forget. Since the man speaking said that his grandma used to say it, I’m confident that this little piece of wisdom has been around a long while.

“Those who are convinced against their will are of the same opinion still.” Ponder that for a moment. Think of those people in your life that you wish would change their ways. Think about the mindsets we see that are clogging up all of the inner workings of our country at large. Think about yourself. The will is a very powerful thing. And it is driven by the moral compass of a sincere heart, or lack thereof. We cannot make someone do what we want them to do. What is the missing key to seeing ourselves and those we love live out a life of truth?

My granddaddy used to say, “You can’t legislate morality.” I think he summed up what Jesus was saying in Mark 7. This scripture brings a true focus to why Jesus had to come. He knew that unless the heart of a man changed, his will would never allow him to follow through with good choices. Jesus was all about the heart motive. This is where I think the key comes in, especially when it comes to loved ones in our lives, and even in the political realm. PRAY. Pray sincerely and consistently that those around you would see truth and be moved to live the truth, by their own sincere choice. Then after the choice is made, the grace and strength of God can hold them up when they hit a storm. Otherwise, commitments influenced by our persuasion will fall when the pressure comes. Don’t give up on the ones you see living in chaos, or throw up your hands at the state of the world. Let God and His Word change you from the inside out, and be confident He can do the same with anyone else.

Jennifer

Biblical Meditation: 1 John 3:18-20 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

Faith Trumps the Facts - August 10

2011-08-09T20:30:04Z

Today is Caleb Lorenzo’s ninth birthday. Our devo today truly exhibits the type of personality and grit our son was given, and we are so thankful for him. Praying you have a wonderful week. J

Faith Trumps the Facts

Numbers 14:23-24 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: but my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

God told Moses to pick twelve leaders from each of the tribes that made up the children of Israel, or Abraham’s descendants. The mission was simple: send them to look over the land He had promised to give them. Sure, there were people in the land that didn’t seem to know that they were going to be moving. Nevertheless, God had done a good job expressing His intentions throughout the “Escape from Egypt” campaign. But when these ordinary men saw the extraordinary blessings and blockades, they cratered! Here’s what they reported when they got home: "We went to the land to which you sent us and, oh! It does flow with milk and honey! Just look at this fruit! The only thing is that the people who live there are fierce, their cities are huge and well fortified. Worse yet, we saw descendants of the giant Anak. Amalekites are spread out in the Negev; Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites hold the hill country; and the Canaanites are established on the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan." (Numbers 13:26-29) For these men, the problems far outshined the promise in their eyes. Why? Because it is normal to weigh a matter based on what you can lift. These men were natural...just like you and me. But Caleb.

Caleb was one of group, but he saw something totally different than the majority. While they were giving the facts, he stepped up and spoke by faith. Caleb interrupted, called for silence before Moses and said, "Let's go up and take the land—now. We can do it." (Numbers 13:30) It wasn’t that Caleb was better than the others or more privileged. On the contrary, he saw the same obstacles. But Caleb was convinced of the ability of the One Who was giving the marching orders. His heart wholly trusted God! And as a result, he was willing to stand by himself and take a stoning from his closest comrades for his faith. As a result, God rewarded him forty years later with a “mountain top” view while the other men took their place of rest in the dirt.

In every life, there will come a moment when we will have to choose to go along or stand alone. For that moment, I encourage you to do what I long to do: lean on the example of Faithful Caleb. That’s why the good Lord saw fit for His story to be preserved all these years. Caleb is a part of the “Faith Hall Of Fame” that is witnessing our leg of the race from above (Hebrews 11-12). So stand your ground when you feel like backing down, for in time, what God said will come around!

Lorenzo

Biblical Meditation: Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Tend to Your Own Knittin' - August 8

2011-08-07T21:30:07Z

Tend to Your Own Knittin’

Luke 6:41-43 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

There’s a certain thing I say to our children when they don’t want to mind their own business. With so many different personalities, you can imagine how often one would like to be the boss of someone else! We often wear shirts that have our logo on them, and each child’s name is on their shirt. So, when someone is getting bossy or nosey with another one, I say, “Whose name on your shirt?” Of course, it’s their own.

It’s human nature to point the finger at our brother and not realize that three fingers are pointing back at us! I think Jesus knew the tendency we have and tried to get us back in line. Some people spend so much time trying to fix everyone else that they have no idea if their own bed is made! I often say to the kids, “Your hands are full with taking care of yourself.” I especially find this to be true in marriage. Most problems start out really little and could be walked through if each spouse works on the weaknesses they themselves need to bring into line.

Jesus did say that we can help others, eventually, with the “speck in their eye.” He is not negating that we should care for and support others. But, first things first. Let your life be an example of humility and meekness in front of those you love. Be willing to take correction from God and be willing to be personally responsible. My music teacher used to say, “If something goes wrong, first, look at yourself.” So, tend to your own knittin,’ and let God take care of the rest!

Jennifer

Biblical Meditation: Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Better, Not Bitter - August 4

2011-08-03T21:30:03Z

Better, Not Bitter

Colossians 4:6

Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

One Saturday morning, I was having breakfast with my daughter, Micah, when I overhead a disturbing conversation. Two men in the booth in front of us were about to part when the one seated asked the other if he was still playing his guitar. As the other man stood, he said “no.” When asked why, the man simply said, “I haven’t picked up my guitar since I quit playing with that church group.” The questioning man’s response caught me by surprise. “I hate to hear that. You are one of the best I’ve ever heard. It’s a shame you got so bitter over that deal. I sure hope you get past it.” The young man gave just a few pieces of explanation before he paid his tab and left. But the words of the older gentleman ran all over me. How many times have I chosen to be embittered by someone else’s shortcomings instead of taking the high road? When someone fails to follow the “do unto others handbook” and mistreats us, we owe it to God and ourselves to have a heart-recovery plan in place.

Like the young musician, every one of us have God-given tools and talents that make earth a really neat place to live. But in the process of exercising our gifts, we will encounter difficult times and unreasonable people. In those moments, we must remember whose we are. We don’t belong to ourselves, nor do we own our craft. It’s all God’s.

Take this young man’s story as a free lesson today and start reinforcing the walls of your soul with abundant grace. Remind yourself of all the times God’s watched you blow it and didn’t kick you to the curb. For those of us who are struggling right now with a bitter wound from the past, I pray God will meet you there. May He put the pieces of your heart together and remove the bitter and make you better.

Lorenzo

The Woman Who Sees, the God Who Hears - August 2

2011-08-01T23:30:07Z

The Woman Who Sees, the God Who Hears

Genesis 16:11 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.

Through providential happenings away from her home and people an Egyptian girl named Hagar came to the camp and custody of a man named Abram. She became the maid-servant to his wife Sarai and all seemed to go well until the day she is required to become the secondary wife (bedmate) to this man who is quickly approaching one hundred years of age. She had no say and her mistress had no children. But when the day came that she finally conceived, everything changed. She was no longer just another bond servant of master Abram and Sarai—she was the woman who carried his only offspring in the whole world. Not even his wife could say that. Though this was the fact of the matter, Sarai was sensitive to it and had no tolerance for any air of contempt. The moment she sensed Hagar’s attitude, the slave girl was reminded of who truly had the heart and hand of the father of her child. When she could stand the abuse and rejection no longer, she fled to God knows where... who wants a pregnant runaway slave?

That’s the state in which the Angel of the Lord found her on the road to a place called Shur. Interesting, she was a woman unsure of everything, looking for a “sure” place. The angel issues a command wrapped in a promise. “Go back where you came from. Serve your mistress and bear the child of your master. But don’t worry, I have heard your cry and I will make sure everything will go well for you and your son. Therefore, name the child Ishmael (“God hears”) so you never forget what I’ve promised this day (my paraphrase of Genesis 16:7-11).” God’s promises came to pass in her life. And through this “nobody” God brought forth a powerful nation. The Arabs of today are the descendants of Ishmael and the half brothers of the Israelites, whom they despise. But the fact remains, God spared the life of this servant girl and her son when all hope was gone. However unfair life seems to be, never forget there is a God who hears and sees what shall be! And He is good!

Lorenzo

Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

Killing Me Softly With His Song - August 1

2011-07-31T22:30:07Z

Killing Me Softly With His Song

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

“You can’t make it.” You don’t have what it takes!” “You’re too tall, too skinny, too fat.” “No one cares about you.” “GOD DOESN’T CARE ABOUT YOU!” Does this sound like the same song and second verse of your life these days? All you have to do to confirm these ideas is read the nearest bookstand best-sellers or the grocery checkout magazines. There’s always something to read that will finally help us lose that last ten pounds or finally make people “like” us. There’s plenty of self-help writings, gurus, checklists, and “documented” results to finally make us happy. Wait! The question I want to ask is, “Who’s singing this song?” Who’s whispering these words of defeat and demise and prompting us to run around the gerbil wheel to find the utopia of which we’ve always dreamed?

We love to play “name that tune” around our house. It’s amazing how many artists can resemble another one. The true singer of a song can be elusive. Well, let’s call out the author of all of this low-level lewdness. The devil is singing this song, softly, hoping we’ll listen to it long enough that we don’t ever realize it’s stealing away our very life.

If you have ever struggled with depressing thoughts floating through your head, start to ask yourself, “Who’s singing to me?” Decide right now to start listening more closely to what God is saying to you. It won’t be long before your heart begins to straighten out your head. You’ll begin to recognize the singer and his ugly song before he gets two notes out. And the Real Musician will take over; with the greatest song ever written…I love you, just the way you are.

Jennifer

Biblical Meditation: Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.