One Anothering

Our most recent lesson in Sunday school has got me thinking: how am I doing in regards to treating others the way scripture tells me to do? How well am I "one-anothering"? Here's what the Word tells us we should be doing...

• Accept one another (Romans 15:7)
• Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)
• Bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2)
• Bear with one another (Ephesians 4:2)
• Build up one another (Romans 14:19)
• Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)
• Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
• Confess faults to one another (James 5:16)
• Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10a)
• Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
• Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32)
• Greet one another (Romans 16:16)
• Be honest with one another (Colossians 3:9)
• Honor one another (Romans 12:10b)
• Be hospitable to one another (1 Peter 4:9)
• Be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
• Love one another (Romans 13:8)
• Members one of another (Romans 12:5)
• Pray for one another (James 5:16)
• Be of the same mind with one another (Romans 15:5)
• Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
• Spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24)
• Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)

Wow. I could do a whole post on every one of those! (Hmm... not a bad idea; I'll have to ponder that possibility further.)

So, how are you doing on the "one anothers"?

Navigating Life

"You reveal the path of life to me;
in Your presence is abundant joy;
in Your right hand are eternal pleasures."
Psalm 16:11

God shows me what to do, which way to turn, how to prioritize my days; He teaches me everything I need to know to navigate this life. Real joy, the kind that is not dependent upon circumstances, comes from spending time alone with God, knowing Him, and having a relationship with Him. He is the source of all true treasures. We tend to worry so much about temporary pleasures that we forget that eternity begins now, not when we arrive in heaven.

I'm asking the Lord to reveal the path of life for me in all things, specifically right now as I'm planning our upcoming homeschool year. I want Him to guide me as I choose exactly which books to purchase, what outside activities to participate in, what our budget should be, how to best organize our school room, as well as showing me the particular bent of each child, and how best to parent and teach them. We've made the decision that our house serves the Lord, and that includes our homeschool. I never want us to get so caught up in busyness, buying into the illusion that more (activities, etc,) is always better. Keeping our priorities in order, most especially putting a relationship with the with Lord above all, is key to maintaining joy in our home.

Essential

Recently, having been completely blown out of my comfort zone with a brand new 14-year-old daughter in the home (through adoption), I have been having some fears and insecurities to deal with. This passage spoke to me today:

"Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go... recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do... Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:7-9

Staying in God's word is absolutely essential for me to be able to do what He's called me to do. Not just in adopting a teenager, but in all things. Spending time with Him daily and knowing the truth of what the Bible says is the only way to succeed in doing hard things.