Wednesday Devotion and Prayer – April 5, 2023
By: Bishop Dr. Etta Mhoon-Walker, Ph.D., D. Div. Wednesday Devotion and Prayer. April 5, 2023 …
Month: April 2023
Tuesday Devotion and Prayer – April 4, 2023
By: Bishop Dr. Etta Mhoon-Walker, Ph.D., D. Div. Wednesday Devotion and Prayer. April 5, 2023 …
Monday Devotion and Prayer – April 3, 2023
By: Bishop Dr. Etta Mhoon-Walker, Ph.D., D. Div.
Tuesday Devotion and Prayer. April 4, 2023.
“Loving, Raising, and Disciplining a Child(ren)”“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5
In some families, children are seen as liabilities rather than assets. But the Bible calls children “a gift from the LORD,” a reward. Not only do they bring pleasure and joy, but we can learn valuable lessons from their inquisitive minds and trusting spirits. Those who view children as a distraction or nuisance should instead see in them an opportunity to shape the future. We dare not treat children as an inconvenience when God values them so highly.
This psalm is a reminder for all parents and grandparents that they should fully participate in loving, raising, and disciplining the children in their care to follow God. Don’t leave the job to your spouse, the school, or the church alone. When children are raised to follow after Jesus, they will be like well-aimed arrows and not launched into the world randomly.
To this, I offer two truths in hopes of comforting you in this season of stewarding tiny image-bearers. The first speaks to parents in the infant stage. Remember, this is only a season, and it will eventually change. I am not suggesting it will get easier, but each stage will present unique challenges and benefits. Change offers a reprieve and a second wind in your parenting.
Secondly, your children will never satisfy you as God does, children are poor substitutes for God’s love. I don’t offer this nugget to condemn you, but to give you permission and space to feel less than super joyful in all the hard moments of fussiness, sleepless nights, or constant diaper duty. True joy is found in Christ alone, so it makes sense that every moment with your children isn’t pure bliss.
We can be kind to ourselves when we feel restless in the little years. Our struggles don’t negate God’s Word. Our conflicting emotions in parenting our littles only serve to illuminate the truth. This is one way our children are a blessing because they push us to depend on God more and more. Our children will both make us rejoice in the highest of highs, and worship through tears in the hard moments. Because of this, we can thank God for the heritage He has given us in our children.
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for the gift of children. They are a miracle from you, and we acknowledge and praise you for that! Lord, we thank You for entrusting us with the great honor of raising a new generation of people who will love and serve You. But Lord, you know how hard these little years are. You see us drowning in the to-do list and you know when we feel guilty for not being more thankful for all our many blessings. But you still love us, and you love our children.
Thank you for how our love for these children or child gives us a tiny, though imperfect, glimpse of your love toward us. And thank you that our disappointment, discontentment, and lack of fulfillment in parenting drive us back to you, our true source of joy! Lord, thank You that You use our brokenness and imperfections in parenting for our good and Your glory! You use it all, and we praise you for that. Thank you for both the seen and unseen ways our children are a blessing and heritage from you! In Your son Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Sunday Devotion and Prayer – April 2, 2023
By: Bishop Dr. Etta Mhoon-Walker, Ph.D., D. Div. Sunday Devotion and Prayer. April 2, 2023 “Remember the Power of the Resurrection” “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In …
Saturday Devotion and Prayer – April 1, 2023
By: Bishop Dr. Etta Mhoon-Walker, Ph.D., D. Div.
Saturday Devotion and Prayer. April 1, 2023
“When Grief Affects Our Friendships”
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
The truth is, friends will naturally come in and out of our lives, and while some will be able to withstand and see us through the most difficult seasons in our lives, others will drift away. The death of a loved one has a way of rearranging our lives and oftentimes upsetting some of our friendships. While this can truly be disheartening, we must know when we are in a state of grief, and friends appear distant or silent, God is always drawing near. When we feel alone, disappointed, or even avoided, there are promises and Truths we need to remember and etch in our hearts.
God’s Promises to Remember:
God will strengthen you. (Isaiah 41:10)
God will grant you peace. (Isaiah 26:3)
God will instruct you. (Psalms 32:8)
God will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
God’s Truth to Etch in Your Heart:
God is trustworthy. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
God is our safe refuge. (Psalm 46:1)
God offers hope in all circumstances. (Hebrews 12:2)
God’s love for us will never fail. (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Thankfully, our God is a Healer and can bring peace and restore wounds acquired in our relationships during a time of grief. Will you hand over the hurt and pain to the Father, and allow Him to cover you in His mercy and grace today?
Heavenly Father,
You are a loving Father, and I am ever so grateful for Your kindness and compassion. I come to You today with my heavy heart, in need of Your grace and tender loving care. Grief has taken on a shape that honestly concerns me and is now affecting relationships, and friendships. Some are emotionally exhausted and want to connect with friends, but many days they are striving to put one foot in front of the other. They feel like they’re disappointing family and friends with their lack of response, and they are hurting themselves with their silence and distance.
Deep down, they know friends aren’t necessarily avoiding them because they don’t care, but rather because they possibly believe you need space. They may not even recognize you are hurting or unsure of how to help.
So, Lord, I seek Your guidance, wisdom, and direction. Please help these suffering to let go of the expectations We are placing on ourselves and others, as they are only causing disappointment and mixed-up emotions. Will You please come alongside us Jose who need your guidance and help them see the blind spots they have acquired, so others can extend grace and forgiveness to the friendships that are bringing about confusion? If needed, show them where they need to create space and healthy boundaries in order to heal.
Lord, I am learning grief is a process and comes in waves. I ask You to provide a community around those suffering during their difficult time so they can be reminded of Your promises and Truth when the lies are loud. Provide safe friendships that will be present, offer love and support, and lead those suffering back to You. Help me to also be that friend in return.
Thank You for the gift of friendship and connection, as I know You designed us to do life together. Most importantly, thank You, Lord, for being my best friend and loving me through my painful grief. I am so thankful that I can come to You in my mess, hurt, and selfish nature. I hand over all my wounds, knowing I am fully accepted, known, and loved. I am forever grateful to be Your humble servant. In Your son Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
The truth is, friends will naturally come in and out of our lives, and while some will be able to withstand and see us through the most difficult seasons in our lives, others will drift away. The death of a loved one has a way of rearranging our lives and oftentimes upsetting some of our friendships. While this can truly be disheartening, we must know when we are in a state of grief, and friends appear distant or silent, God is always drawing near. When we feel alone, disappointed, or even avoided, there are promises and Truths we need to remember and etch in our hearts.
God’s Promises to Remember:
God will strengthen you. (Isaiah 41:10)
God will grant you peace. (Isaiah 26:3)
God will instruct you. (Psalms 32:8)
God will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
God’s Truth to Etch in Your Heart:
God is trustworthy. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
God is our safe refuge. (Psalm 46:1)
God offers hope in all circumstances. (Hebrews 12:2)
God’s love for us will never fail. (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Thankfully, our God is a Healer and can bring peace and restore wounds acquired in our relationships during a time of grief. Will you hand over the hurt and pain to the Father, and allow Him to cover you in His mercy and grace today?
Heavenly Father,
You are a loving Father, and I am ever so grateful for Your kindness and compassion. I come to You today with my heavy heart, in need of Your grace and tender loving care. Grief has taken on a shape that honestly concerns me and is now affecting relationships, and friendships. Some are emotionally exhausted and want to connect with friends, but many days they are striving to put one foot in front of the other. They feel like they’re disappointing family and friends with their lack of response, and they are hurting themselves with their silence and distance.
Deep down, they know friends aren’t necessarily avoiding them because they don’t care, but rather because they possibly believe you need space. They may not even recognize you are hurting or unsure of how to help.
So, Lord, I seek Your guidance, wisdom, and direction. Please help these suffering to let go of the expectations We are placing on ourselves and others, as they are only causing disappointment and mixed-up emotions. Will You please come alongside us Jose who need your guidance and help them see the blind spots they have acquired, so others can extend grace and forgiveness to the friendships that are bringing about confusion? If needed, show them where they need to create space and healthy boundaries in order to heal.
Lord, I am learning grief is a process and comes in waves. I ask You to provide a community around those suffering during their difficult time so they can be reminded of Your promises and Truth when the lies are loud. Provide safe friendships that will be present, offer love and support, and lead those suffering back to You. Help me to also be that friend in return.
Thank You for the gift of friendship and connection, as I know You designed us to do life together. Most importantly, thank You, Lord, for being my best friend and loving me through my painful grief. I am so thankful that I can come to You in my mess, hurt, and selfish nature. I hand over all my wounds, knowing I am fully accepted, known, and loved. I am forever grateful to be Your humble servant. In Your son Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
