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The Bond of Love – Irene Brand
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God sets the lonely in families. Psalm 68:6a NIV

To prepare for this devotion, I turned to the dictionary for a definition of “family.” There were several definitions, but the one I preferred was: “Group with something in common.” Rather than concentrate on immediate relatives, I turned my thoughts to the extended family.

In 1982, my husband’s maternal relatives gathered in Broken Bow, Nebraska to observe the one-hundredth wedding anniversary of Perry and Ellen Beard Dady, the patriarch & matriarch of the family. Three of their children attended, with approximately eighty other family members. The gathering was so successful, the family decided to meet on a two-year basis.

Our relatives are scattered from coast-to-coast and to accommodate the various families, we meet in different locations. Except for the blood tie, there is a great diversity among us. Some have large families, some no children at all. Our occupations vary greatly. There isn’t any particular physical trait that sets the Dady family apart from other family groups. We differ in many ways, but during the few days of our reunion, the family bond is evident.

The early family members were dedicated Christians so, in addition to the blood tie, the common denominator that binds us is our Christian faith. We come from a wide group of denominations yet, during our time together, we are ONE in Christ Jesus.

From the beginning, God instituted the family group, providing the pattern of what a family should be—father, mother and children, gathered together under one roof to serve Him. Unfortunately, we’ve deviated from that original plan. Starting with Adam, Eve, and their children, the family was altered by sin and, still today, Satan attacks the sanctity of the home to accomplish his purposes. Although the foundation of the family has weakened, numerous Christians, like ours, still hold the banner high. Faith and family march hand-in-hand as a strong Christian witness.

What is the secret of a strong family faith? It really isn’t a secret, but is explained to us in Paul’s message to Timothy. When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee.

Families are built one generation at a time. Where are you with your family? Make Christ the center and let Him make it strong.

Irene Brand began writing inspirational novels in 1984. With forty-five books and over 2 million copies in print, Irene still holds to her grassroots of faith, family and friends.

Irene and her husband live in rural West Virginia. Her newest novel, Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska will be released next month with Summerside Press.
Read Irene’s devotions.

Of All I Possess – Irene Brand
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“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”…Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me…” Mark 10:17-27

During His earthly ministry, Jesus advised His followers how to consider their possessions. In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, the Pharisee boasted, “I give tithes of all that I possess.” I believe he was telling the truth because tithing was one of the most important tenets of the Hebrew faith.

In another translation the verse reads, “I give a tenth of all I get.” How many members of Christian churches can truthfully say that? From experience, I judge that it’s probably a small percentage. I’ve been treasurer of our local Baptist church for several years, and during that time I’ve learned more about the giving habits of some members of our congregation than I want to know. In some instances, those with the lowest income are more faithful in tithing than those who are financially well off.

Jesus was very definite in his instruction about the way Christians should consider their possessions. The incident with the rich young ruler illustrates that Jesus requires all that we have, not just a tenth.

When we read that Jesus told the young man to sell all of his possessions and give the money to the poor, most of us shrug our shoulders and say, “That doesn’t apply to me. I’m not rich!” Compared to most countries, we are rich—even if our bank account is lean. However, the temptation to accumulate greater wealth and possessions is always with us.

When Jesus asked the young man if he had kept the commandments, He looked into his heart and saw wealth as his god. The man’s possessions were more important than anything else. This doesn’t mean Jesus expects us to give away all of our possessions and become a burden, rather, He indicates anything that comes between us and God must go if we want a close relationship with Him.

Jesus doesn’t condemn wealth—it’s our attitude toward it that causes the problem. Do we consider our possessions mine, or do we believe that what we own is a trust from God? We can never be fully in the will of God until we consider ourselves stewards instead of owners of our material possessions. There is a cost to discipleship, but in the end, the cost is worth it.

Prayer: God, make our will, Your will as we consider what you’ve entrusted to us. Amen

Irene Brand began writing inspirational novels in 1984. Forty-five books and over 2 millions copies in print, Irene still holds to her grass roots, of faith, family and friends.
Irene and her husband live in rural West Virginia. Her newest novel, Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska will be released next month with Summerside Press.

One Minute Meditations for the culturally challenged and spiritually stuck. Daily devotions from the perspective of one man and one woman, delivered online and by email that inspire you to move beyond the “busy-ness” of life into an intimate relationship with God through an interactive friendship with the Father. Christian Devotions takes Christ from the heavens and places him in your heart.

Tithe On A Salary of $15 a Week? — Irene Brand
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“And of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” Genesis 18:22b NIV

I was fifteen years old, and I was euphoric. I had gotten my first job! Five days a week, $15.00 per week. As you would guess—this happened many years ago. My euphoria was soon to suffer a setback. My oldest brother came home for a visit. He was impressed that I’d joined the work force, but his thoughts, in my opinion, took a radical left turn when he asked, “Have you started tithing yet?”

TITHING? On a salary of $15.00? How much would $1.50 each week further the Lord’s work?

I’d been a Christian for a few years, but had never earned my own money. I was annoyed with my brother for bringing up the subject, and I sulked. Why did my brother think he had the right to tell me what to do? My brother and his wife went home, but he’d sown the seed.

I believe if an idea comes into our mind that, over time we absolutely cannot forget, then it’s doubtless God calling us to speak that word, do that good deed, or immerse ourselves more strongly into our worship.

Obedient to the wooing of the Holy Spirit, I started tithing on my small salary. Even several years ago, $1.50 a week wouldn’t have made much of a splash in the Christian ministry. The point was not what that meager offering did for the Church, but what the discipline of tithing did for me.

A few years later, I met the man who was to become my husband of over fifty years. Not only was he a Christian and a member of the same denomination I served, but he also tithed. During the years of our marriage, we have tithed on our income before taxes were deducted. And believing we don’t really give until we’ve exceeded the ten percent, we contribute a great deal more than a tithe to the Lord’s ministry through our local church.

We’ve also been faithful in other areas of service, and God has blessed us abundantly. It’s often said that a person can’t “out give” God. It’s been true in our lives. We have never lacked for anything. Our health has been good, and we’ve had many other blessings because we have heeded His call.

An unknown poet emphasized the importance of tithing.

“Bring in the tithes, prove God and see
The multiplied blessings He’ll pour out on thee,
But if you refuse, and the best you’ve got
He claims for His tenth, Oh, blame Him not!

Prayer: Our Father in Heaven, may we have the strength and wisdom to listen to the still, small voice that prompts us to do your will. Amen.

Irene Brand began writing inspirational novels in 1984. Forty-five books and over 2 millions copies in print, Irene still holds to her grass roots, of faith, family and friends. Irene and her husband
live in rural West Virginia. Her newest book,
Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska is available in bookstores now.

One Minute Meditations for the culturally challenged and spiritually stuck. Daily devotions from the perspective of one man and one woman, delivered online and by email that inspire you to move beyond the “busy-ness” of life into an intimate relationship with God through an interactive friendship with the Father. Christian Devotions takes Christ from the heavens and places him in your heart.

The Master Teacher — Irene Brand
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“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Luke 8:8b

Jesus has been called the Master Teacher, and we see an example of His teaching ability in the parable of the sower recorded by Luke. Much of what Jesus had to say in this parable encouraged me as I taught for twenty-three years in a public school, and many more years of teaching in our local church. Teaching is often discouraging because we don’t always see immediate results from our labor.

Discouragement is a major threat to all of us. Who among us hasn’t had failures? As a teacher I’ve often looked back and wondered if I should have taken a different approach to a problem. Teachers in the public school are told that unless the pupil learn, there hasn’t been any teaching, an assumption that sometimes made me feel like a failure. Jesus taught, however, that learning is a two-way street. Students must have a receptive mind for learning to occur.

Jesus mentioned four kinds of soil where the seed of the Word might have landed. Unyielding ground where the seed couldn’t take root. In shallow soil, it would sprout and soon wither and die because of lack of moisture. Palestine’s soil was also full of thistles and brambles. If the seed fell among those aggressive plants, the young plant would soon be crowded out. Only seed nurtured in good soil produced a noteworthy crop, and this principle also applies to teaching.

I often had students in public schools whose family background prevented their reception of my teaching. One mother sent an excuse saying that her son had been absent from school the previous day to stay home with his father who was leaving the next day to spend twenty years in prison. I remember another student, whose father was molesting the boy’s younger sisters, and the mother wouldn’t interfere. In situations like these, learning can seldom take place because the students’ family problems crowded out the seed I was sowing.

Christians have the opportunity to sow the seed of the Good News wherever we are. In reality, we are all teachers by example whether or not we’ve ever set foot in a classroom. We are responsible for teaching the Word, not for the response. But how wonderful to praise God when we’ve planted the seed and it has produced an abundant crop in the lives of those who listened!

Irene Brand began writing inspirational novels in 1984. Forty-five books and over 2 million copies in print, Irene still holds to her grass roots, of faith, family and friends.

Irene and her husband live in rural West Virginia. Her newest book,
Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska is available in bookstores now.

One Minute Meditations for the culturally challenged and spiritually stuck. Daily devotions from the perspective of one man and one woman, delivered online and by email that inspire you to move beyond the “busy-ness” of life into an intimate relationship with God through an interactive friendship with the Father. Christian Devotions takes Christ from the heavens and places him in your heart.

In the Right Place at the Right Time – Irene Brand
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“Who knows but that you have come to the royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:12b NIV

When my husband, Rod, and I planned a vacation to Ireland, September 2001, we didn’t know that we would be overseas on one of the blackest days in the history of the United States. Yet as God placed Esther in a Persian harem for a purpose, so He used us in the aftermath of 911.

We were eating lunch in an Irish village when we heard the tragic news. Occasionally, I have questioned the truth of Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” My doubts were never greater than they were that day.

Subsequent situations convinced me that God had a purpose for us to be in Ireland at that time. Several of our tour group turned to us in the crisis. That night at dinner, although it hadn’t been done at prior meals, the tour guide asked Rod to pray. Ireland declared a national day of mourning, emphasized by a minute of complete silence. When our group gathered for that tribute, the guide looked at us, and said, “Does anyone want to say anything?” My husband and I prayed audibly, as did a retired Methodist missionary who traveled with us. My husband started singing, “God Bless America,” and the others, through their tears, joined the singing.

During the remainder of our visit, we comforted those who were concerned about their families at home. Others sought us out to talk about things of the faith. And even the guide who was not a Christian questioned us concerning our beliefs. Without doubt God placed us in Ireland at that time so that we could encourage some of our fellow travelers, whose faith was weak or nonexistent. While we were helping others, our faith was also strengthened. Our experiences confirmed that God will use us as His chosen vessels when we’re obedient to His leading.

Whenever incidents come into your life causing you to question the wisdom of God, remember that He’s also called you to be His witnesses “to the uttermost part of the earth.”
(Acts 1:8b KJV)

Irene Brand began writing inspirational novels in 1984. Forty-five books and over 2 million copies in print, Irene still holds to her grass roots, of faith, family and friends.

Irene and her husband live in rural West Virginia. Her newest book,
Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska next month.

One Minute Meditations for the culturally challenged and spiritually stuck. Daily devotions from the perspective of one man and one woman, delivered online and by email that inspire you to move beyond the “busy-ness” of life into an intimate relationship with God through an interactive friendship with the Father. Christian Devotions takes Christ from the heavens and places him in your heart.