Tag: Seeking God’s Direction

‘Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.’ Hebrews 10:24-25(NLT)

‘The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.’ Proverbs 28:20(NLT)

Devotional Content:

David and Tracy share how God led them to be foster parents. God first placed it on David’s heart and then on Tracy’s. Then together they faithfully followed God’s leading and were obedient to His call on them to foster.

Throughout the whole process, God showed them how His hands were in it. He guided them step by step along the way and gave them wisdom throughout the process.

David and Tracy were later blessed with twin infant boys to foster. They never doubted. This was exactly what God wanted them to do. Amazingly, they are now, a few years later, going to be able to adopt the boys.

God’s hand is active in all of our lives. He is the sovereign God. He wants you to follow Him and to be faithful in what He has asked you to do.

Today’s Challenge:

What can you do to encourage your spouse to be faithful to God and to what God has called them to do?

Going Deeper:

1. How often do you take initiative when it comes to sex?

2. Wives, what do you need to do to make sure that your husband isn’t the only one initiating sex?

3. When was the last time you were intimate with your spouse and the environment was romantic?

4. Will you make a commitment to setting aside time to talk about your sexual intimacy with your spouse this week?

from Seeking God’s Direction by Dr. Kim Kimberling

‘How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!’ Psalms 133:1(NLT)

‘May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. ‘ Romans 15:5-7(NLT)

Devotional Content:

David and Tracy share openly and honestly about their unplanned pregnancy that happened outside of marriage. They decided that even though they had sinned, they were going to honor God moving forward and not run and hide from what they had done.

Dealing with this crisis was particularly difficult for David and Tracy because Tracy lost her job at her church due to the pregnancy. Tracy really struggled as she was cut off from much of her support community. She felt alone and afraid.

With every trial they faced, God’s sovereignty was apparent. God placed people in their lives to help them through this hard time. In the end, God blessed them immensely through the life of their sweet child Isabella.

Today’s Challenge:

Tracy and David chose to honor God even in the face of crisis. How can you honor God in your current situation?

Going Deeper:

1. Tracy shares about dealing with the crisis of an unplanned pregnancy and how God got her through that. Think about your life: What crisis have you walked through? How has God brought you through it?

2. David talks about the importance of community when crisis comes. Do you have strong community? If not, what can you do to build it?

3. Isabella is a great example of how God can bring great and glorious things out of any situation. How have you seen this ring true in your own life?

4. Pray and thank God that He is a forgiving God and a God of redemption.

from Seeking God’s Direction by Dr. Kim Kimberling

‘O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.’ Psalms 30:2(NLT)

‘Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. ‘ James 5:13-16(NLT)

‘“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ‘ John 15:5(NLT)

Devotional Content:

David and Tracy share about their dating relationship prior to marriage. David came into the relationship with baggage from his previous marriage, and Tracy came into the relationship with trust issues from a previous relationship.

They began working through their baggage successfully by being open and honest with each other. We all come into marriage with baggage. The important thing is that we recognize our baggage and confront it. It’s not good to avoid these important conversations, even if it seems scary to talk about.

God wants oneness and unity in your marriage, and that can only happen if you are both fully dedicated to honesty and supporting one another through your baggage. Talk about your baggage and invite God to heal you and bring you closer together through it.

Today’s Challenge:

Tracy and David share about their baggage and how it affected them. Take some time to think: What baggage do you have?

Going Deeper:

1. Have you dealt with your baggage? If so, how?

2. What can you do to support your spouse when it comes to their baggage or things they struggle with?

3. How do you want to be supported by your spouse when it comes to your baggage and the things you struggle with?

4. Pray and ask God for healing. We all have baggage and we all need healing.

from Seeking God’s Direction by Dr. Kim Kimberling

‘Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, ‘ Colossians 1:10-11(NLT)

‘“So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. ‘ Deuteronomy 8:6(NLT)

‘For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.’ Romans 8:14(NLT)

Devotional Content:

Tracy shares her story. Tracy was in a tragic car wreck and yet was not physically harmed. She was overwhelmed that God had protected her when she easily could have been killed.

After the accident, she felt God leading her into full-time ministry. She faithfully listened to God’s leading and took a full-time job at her church. Through working in the ministry and faithfully pursuing Jesus, she found contentment in her singleness. She recognized that she had all she needed in Christ. It was when she was wholeheartedly following Jesus that she found David and fell in love.

God wants you to seek Him above all else and be fully satisfied in Him.

Today’s Challenge:

Tracy shared how a tragic event changed her life and moved her closer to God. Have you ever experienced anything that moved you closer to God? What was that like?

Going Deeper:

1. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being very close, how close are you to God?

2. What things do you do to deepen your relationship with God?

3. How did you know that your spouse was the one God had for you?

from Seeking God’s Direction by Dr. Kim Kimberling

‘But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.’ 1 John 1:7(NLT)

‘No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.’ Micah 6:8(NLT)

‘Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? ‘ 2 Corinthians 6:14(NLT)

Devotional Content:

David shares his story. After his first marriage ended in divorce, God intervened and showed David the main reason why it was unhealthy – God wasn’t in it!

For David, that changed everything and he invited God into his life. David knew that when and if he married again, God had to be at the center.

As God was working in David’s life, he met a Godly woman and eventually remarried. Now David and Tracy have an awesome marriage and they do that by putting God first every day.

Marriage is hard and knowing God and having Him at the center is crucial to having an awesome marriage. God designed marriage and He designed us. With God, you can experience true joy. With God, His hope and eternal promises can get you through the darkest of times. With God, you can gain the wisdom and skill necessary to have a healthy marriage. God wants to help you become the spouse He intended you to be. God wants you to have a healthy and thriving marriage.

Today’s Challenge:

David shares about how God intervened in his life. How has God intervened in your life for the better?

Going Deeper:

1. In what ways have you seen God work in your relationship?

2. Can you think of a time where God brought you into a good situation because you faithfully followed him?

3. Pray and ask God to help you see His hand working in your life and in your marriage.

from Seeking God’s Direction by Dr. Kim Kimberling