The Grave is Overcome

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…

1 Corinthians 15:54-55“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’

Listened to some good stuff from Robert Morris, and wanted to share. First and foremost, whether we like to admit it or not, the number one fear humans have is death. He had some good examples where people say things like “that’s not true, I am afraid of snakes”…no, you are afraid of snakes because if a snake bites you, you might die…”thats not true, I am afraid of heights”…no, you are afraid of heights because if you fall from there, you might die. Either way, humans fear the after life. 

But, as Christians, we are not to fear the after life. In fact, the bible is very clear on our eventual outcome, and that is eternity with the Father. The reason? Because, a savior was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, bore our sins on the cross taking our punishment, died on the cross for us, and rose again defeating death. 

This should be what Christmas is all about!! We need to be thankful that the Lord sent His only begotten Son!

with love,

dlp

M.I.T.T.

Joseph

Matthew 1:18-25 ESV

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

I feel like every year around Christmas time I am reminded of the great and honarable man that Jesus earthly (stand in) father, Joseph was. Here is a list, if I leave anything out add them in your mind. 

1. Like I said, Honarable
2. Loyal
3. Obedient
4. Quiet
5. Loving
6. Teacher
7. Fearless
8. Confident
9. Godly
10. Manly

Think about what it took for Joseph to be obedient to God during this crazy time. All the steps he took to make sure Jesus is born, then protecting Mary and Jesus. What an incredible example of a man.

with love, dlp

M.I.T.T.

Generosity

Deuteronomy 24:19 NIV

¹⁹ When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

I want to really challenge you this Xmas season to be extremely generous to those in need. We all know this can be a holiday that loses its meaning, that Christ was born, and can become a major source of selfish consumption. But, what if this holiday you found people who you could truly bless? 

Hopefully you will take this challenge to heart!

with love, dlp

M.I.T.T.

Thankful Instead of Jealous

Galatians 5:19-21New International Version

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

When I tuck the girls in at night we read a little daily devotional book, and last night it discussed jealousy. I am not sure about you, but there are definitely times that I start wanting what other people have. It might be a job, a house, a vehicle, or just a toy they get to play with. Look at the list in the bible verse out of Galatians. These are called fruits of the flesh, which are obviously opposite of fruits of the spirit. Jealousy is one of them.

So, how did the kids devotion say to counter your jealous feelings? With gratitude. Simply saying “Lord, I am thankful for all the things I do have, that I know you have given me. Please, help me to understand my own needs vs my own wants, help me to fight the temptation to become jealous of others for any reason at all, and give me the ability through the Holy Spirit to show others the fruit of the spirit.”

with love, dlp

M.I.T.T.

Teamwork

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 

I understand there are ever-changing seasons in life. But in the Pfeifer house, winter is called Basketball season. I am serious, when you are a coach, your wife is helping coach one of your daughter’s teams, and all 5 of your kids play….it is a season.

One thing that I have observed over the years as a coach is our youth becoming more and more entitled and selfish. Of course, when you listen to what the world tells you, I could see where the kids would become confused. Which, is exactly what the enemy loves…Confusion.

But, we have to continue to stress the importance of teamwork, and being committed to the betterment of all, not just yourself. Teamwork isn’t only correlated to sports, it also involves your family, your work, your Church, your study groups, and many things we are involved in everyday in our communities.

Continue to work together, play your role well, be an encouragement to people around you! That’s how Jesus would do it!

with love, dlp

M.I.T.T.

Challenge Yourself

 Ezra 10:4 “Rise up…take courage and do it.”

Good morning men. One thing we have been focusing on in our home, and a matter I have been trying to do more in my life is, doing hard things. What I mean is, challenging myself to do the difficult things in life. For example, waking up early in the morning to go the fitness center, carrying my ladder further distances at work, making and having the tension filled or difficult conversations immediately instead of waiting and letting the situation become worse. Hopefully, you get the point.

Some of these situations could be small that you challenge yourself on, some of them could be big. But, either way, every time you make the decision to do something difficult you are challenging yourself to grow. you will become better.

Jesus, was always doing the difficult. From daily time spent with the Father, to flipping tables in the temple he always challenged himself to do hard things.

with love, dlp

M.I.T.T.

Hebrews 12: 1-7

1¶Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

(Prov. 3:11, 12 )

3¶Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.

6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”

7¶It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

This is a devotion summarized from Matthew 7:

A wolf dressed in sheeps clothing

A wolf in sheep’s clothing is symbolic for someone who outwardly looks harmless and kind with good intentions but inwardly is full of hate, evil and deceit. A wolf knows the power of words and emotions to manipulate people. They use guilt, shame, and fear to keep others under their power. A wolf knows when to speak sweet words of compliments and when to use cutting words to fuel insecurity.
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Let us not be deceived by their crying and heightened emotions when they get corrected, rather, let us have the wisdom to do the right thing when we encounter such a situation.

with love, dlp

M.I.T.T.

Practice

Philippians 4:8-9

⁸ Finally, ^[a]believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. ⁹ The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is just a few lines before this in verse 6, encouraging us to not, and how not to be anxious. I should also spend more time implementing verses 8-9. So much goodness in these verses. It says to practice these things, other translations direct us to “focus on” or “center our minds on” these things.

Either way, today is Friday, and I am not sure what type of week you had, but I hope you can implement this verse in your life today (and everyday). Focus on these things, implement them, practice them.

with love, dlp

M.I.T.T.