Open Arms Christian Childcare

My husband had an opportunity to share the gospel with our five-year old son using an Evangel Cube on the afternoon of Easter. It’s like a rubix cube box that has different picture scenes of the gospel beginning with Man is a sinner separated from God. Carll went through each scene explaining it to Carll Jr. as they stood in the sunroom of our house. Carll Jr. was so excited about the message and the pictures on the cube that he exclaimed, “Wow, this is so cool! I have got to go show God!” Then he walked outside with the cube and climbed up on the tailgate of a truck as his father watched from the window. He went through each scene of the cube each time holding the cube up towards the sky as high as he could reach showing God.

As I was pondering on this precious moment between my husband and son, I was reminded of the Proverb: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” This world has many teachers that will teach our children something. It’s our responsibility to teach them the Truth, so that they will be able to discern right from wrong as they grow older

Cherish your opportunity as parents, grandparents, guardians or mentors and teach your children well. Teach them to know and love Jesus who gave his life for them.

Genesis 32:26 (NLT)

26Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Devotion:

The story of Jacob has been one of my favorites for years. Each time I read it I am re-energized by God’s provision.

Jacob was a mess! He took his brother’s birthright from him for some red stew, he tricked his father to get the firstborn blessing, worked seven years for Rachel (the woman he loved) and through deception was married to Leah (whom he was not attracted to). He got the girl he wanted, but she couldn’t get pregnant. The wives were constantly at odds with one another in a race to have his kids, which by the way he ended up also marrying Rachel and Leah’s servants. His father-in-law cheated him time after time. And this is just the beginning of his life. Later his great sorrow was in losing his son Joseph, but that’s another devotional.

My point today is to rejoice in the fact that God take’s us as we are, mess and all, and if we trust Him to, he can turn our circumstances into a blessing. Jacob wrestled with God and refused to let go of him until He blessed him. What is your life like right now? Could you use some wrestling time with God? Are you willing to hold on to Him and not let go?

God can do anything, including taking a mangled mess like me and putting my life together and aiming me in the right direction. I have often said in my personal prayer time, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” I’m still hanging on to my Father in Heaven and trusting in His great provision.

Challenge:

Abraham called God “Yahweh-Yireh” (which means the Lord will provide). This is where we get the saying, “Jehovah Jireh, My Provider”. What provision do you need in your life? Pray and trust God to provide. Read His word daily and be re-energized by what it says.

Heather Ashley

Childcare Director

This is a time of new beginnings and resolutions.  Often we start the New Year off with the best of intentions, but statistics are that only 46% of people in America continue their resolutions after 6 months.

I want to personally challenge you as Christians this year to make a resolution, to stick with all year long, to begin a new life. 2 Cor. 5:17 says, “What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!” NLT.  It is time to put off our old selves and live for Christ continually.

Daily we are faced with problems that challenge our walk with Christ.  It is imperative that we ask God for strength and endurance to be the example our children need us to be. When we wake up in the morning to the time we lay our heads down they are watching us and learning from our example.

Eph. 5:1 & 2 says, “Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.”

We at Open Arms Christian Childcare are committed to living this kind of example as your child’s caregivers, and will be praying for you all through this New Year.

Heather Ashley

Childcare Director

Many of you, like myself, probably have that secret wish list of items you would love to receive this Christmas. You know the thought…”What would I get if someone gave me a few thousand dollars and said go spend this on yourself?” Then the alarm clock goes off and you realize, “Wait I have kids, groceries, rent, insurance, and electricity to pay.” For many of us “gifts for yourself” are not priority on this year’s list.

I want to encourage you with the words of Jesus Himself, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” A family came to our center last week in great need of assistance. Unable to help financially, we gave them a grocery cart full of food. One of the children in the car grabbed up a can of pineapples and smelled it as if he hadn’t eaten in days. Now, as I think of that young man it’s easy to understand the words that Christ spoke.

It is more blessed to give than to receive. As you arrange your priorities this year think on the gift Jesus has already given you.

Have a Merry Christmas,

Heather Ashley

Childcare Director

John 19:1-3 (NLT)

1Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. 2The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. 3“Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face.

Devotion:

It should always be at the forefront of our mind what Christ did for us. We celebrate Thanksgiving with great feasts and family and friends. We give thanks for our food and for the things God has done for us over the past years. Let us not forget the most powerful event in human history that deserves our utmost gratitude.

The bible tells us that Jesus died for us even while we were still dead in our sin. He died for the very men that slapped him across the face and hung him on the cross. He died for me and He did it for you too.

He did this to bridge the gap between the Father and us, that we might have a personal relationship with our God – the God of all gods, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords.  He died, but the grave could not hold Him. He conquered death, and because of this we have an everlasting hope.

This year may have been a rough year for you. For me – I lost my Father-in-law, my son was diagnosed with a disease, my friends have lost jobs and loved ones of their own, the economy has taken it’s toll on people that I love, and I’m not sure what is going to happen next. But what I do know is that I am loved with an unfailing love that will not change, crumble or fade. In the middle of this storm I have joy and peace thanks to the Lord. I have a hope that is greater than my circumstance and I will place my trust in Him.

Challenge:

My challenge to you this week is to read John 19-21. Thank God this week with a deep appreciation for what He has done for you.

Your Friend,

Heather Ashley

Recently my five year-old son had surgery to lengthen the tendon in his hip. He was diagnosed with Perthes Disease earlier this year. For six weeks he will have to wear a petri cast, which literally sprawls his legs out across a four-foot span. We are now over the hump of week one and he is doing great.

I will continue to give updates on his well-being, but I wanted to thank everyone that has lifted our family up in prayer over the last several weeks. My heart has been warmed greatly by the gifts and encouragement we have received. May the Lord be with you and strengthen your walk with Him as you face life’s trials too.

Sincerely,

Heather Ashley

Romans 8:28-29 (NLT)

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Devotion:

Last week’s devotion/challenge focused on how we were created to bring glory to God. This week I would like to take a step further to discuss how we can be pleasing to God by being like Jesus Christ.

We believe in him, we pray in his name, we sing praises to him. Should we not also aspire to be like him? Now God knows we will not be perfect at this, but we are expected to press on with this as our goal. I have heard it said recently that we should be constantly growing. Take a look around you at the children we care for. They grow so quickly right before our eyes.

Have you ever had someone come up to you that you haven’t seen in a while and exclaim, “Wow you have really changed!” or “You look so different!” Well, of course they were speaking of your appearance, but what if they could see into your spirit. What would the question be then? Would they see Jesus?

Challenge:

Are you growing to be more like Jesus Christ? Are you reading the bible daily to find out what He was like? Evaluate your relationship with God this week and commit to read the bible daily.

God Bless Your Bible Time this week,

Heather Ashley

Romans 11:36 (NLT)

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Isaiah 43:7

Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.’”

2 Corinthians 5:9, 15

9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.

15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

Devotion:

Have you ever stopped to consider why you are here? What is your purpose on this earth? What difference could you possibly make in the whole scheme of things? Well, the answer is clearly stated in the bible. You are here for God, to bring Him glory, to be pleasing to Him.

By nature, we are selfish beings because of sin. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that we must throw off our old sinful nature and put on the new nature, which was created to be like God. Imagine if everyone living on our planet right now were to live to please God rather than themselves.

It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it?

Challenge:

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being the least pleasing and 10 being the most pleasing. How would you rate your life up to this moment for being pleasing to God? What could you change in your life to be more pleasing to the One who created you for His pleasure?

Jeremiah 32:27 (NLT)

“I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?”

Devotion:

Beginning in verse 32:17 Jeremiah prayed to the Lord: “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” However, Jeremiah ended his prayer not understanding why God wanted him to do something that did not make sense to him.

God was talking to Jeremiah about purchasing a piece of land. This didn’t make sense to Jeremiah because the land was under siege by the Babylonians. Can you visualize this conversation between the great prophet Jeremiah and the Lord…

Now Jeremiah you just told me how great and sovereign I am. Am I only great for the things I’ve done in the past? I have done everything that I said I would do. Will you trust me?

I can truly relate to the following statement: “This just doesn’t make sense!” It’s so easy to praise the Lord for what He has done in the past, but when it comes to the present and the unknown future, sometimes pressure clouds our faith. Let me encourage you to pray through it. God hasn’t changed! In my private worship this week the following song we use to sing in church has blessed my soul:

“Ah Lord God, Thou hast made the Heavens and the Earth by Thine great power.

Ah Lord God, Thou hast made the Heavens and the Earth by Thine outstretched arm.

Nothing is too difficult for Thee.  Nothing is too difficult for Thee.

Oh Great and Mighty God, Great in counsel and mighty in deed.

Nothing! Nothing! Absolutely Nothing! NOTHING is too difficult for Thee.”

Challenge:

Pray that the Lord will remove the clouds of uncertainty and increase your faith. Praise Him through the tough times. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Galatians 6:22,23 (NLT)

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Devotion:

How amazing is it that every person, that is alive now and ever walked the face of this earth, has his or her very own unique set of fingerprints? Think for a moment about how many people there have ever been. Can your mind wrap around that number? Do you think that when God looks on us to identify who we are, that he will look more at our fingerprints or our character, the very nature of our person?

Who are you? Who will remember you when you are gone? What impression do you leave on people’s lives? Do other’s enjoy being around you? And finally who is the person that God knows?

Challenge:

Reflect upon these questions in your quiet time this week. Write them in a journal and answer them. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be evident in your life.