Daily Devotional for Wednesday January 18, 2017

The Challenges of Being a Single Mother

(Romans 8:35-37; 1 John 5:4)

***DAILY PERSONAL PRAYER FOR YOU: Dear Lord, help me to be a Godly citizen and honor the laws of this nation. Thank you for allowing me to live in a nation where we can have our voice heard through the democratic process that governs us. Help ALL people find peace, joy, and an abundant life wherever they may live in this world. We know that can only come through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Help me to do my part when opportunities present themselves to be part of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people throughout the world. Protect this nation from those who would seek to do it harm, and give those in authority the strength to enforce the laws that govern this great land. In the name of Jesus I pray...AMEN!

The challenges of being a single mother. Being a mom and raising children is a 24/7 job that never ends. Even in the perfect context of God's plan to marry a man who loves the Lord, have children, raise those children in the admonition of the Lord as the Bible teaches, it is a difficult job. That job gets exponentially more difficult when a woman is raising her children alone, having to be mom and dad, the provider, the spiritual head of the home, all rolled into one.

Sadly in today's culture, there is a large percentage of women who are raising their children alone for a myriad of reasons. Today, I want to give a word of encouragement to you single moms out there and make today a special one for you and your children.

I take a firm Biblical stand on issues like marriage, fornication, being equally yoked as the Bible commands, and what God's plan for the family is. First, because it is what God says and His way always works best for our life. His Word cannot be compromised. Secondly, because we see daily here at Liveprayer the destroyed lives of those who ignored God in these areas of their life by doing it their way.

That is why, especially for the young adults who read this Devotional each day, I do my best to warn them from falling into these traps that can literally destroy their lives. God has given me a responsibility for sharing the Truth of His Word. Much of the pain and heartache that we deal with in this life is because we ignored God, or rebelled against God in some way. I realize there are cases when the actions of others cause us great pain, but again, a good percentage of our problems come from OUR decision to ignore God's plan.

While the world at large says "Do it your way," "Whatever you think is right is okay," "If it feels good, do it" . . .

God says there is only ONE WAY that is right and that is found in the Bible. God gives us His way because He loves us! He knows that His way works and the other ways do not! His way brings us peace, joy, happiness, and blessings. Ignoring His way brings turmoil, pain, unhappiness, and tragic consequences that can last a lifetime.

For you single moms, God loves you and will help you see victory despite whatever has happened in the past. It would be great if we all lived life the way God planned for us to. It is my prayer daily that those young adults reading these words each day will take that challenge and do just that. But for those who have already made some mistakes along the way, who got off-track from doing it God's way, TODAY IS THE DAY that you can get back on track. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE!

The key however is doing it God's way from here on out. For whatever reason you may be raising your children alone, know that God will make you adequate each day and give you all that you need to be the best parent that you can be. Your greatest ministry will ALWAYS be to your children. The Lord will guide you, strengthen you, protect you, provide for you, and bless you and your children each step of the way as you follow Him!!!

I love you and care about you so much. The key today for you single mothers is to remember that the past is the past. There are no "do overs" in life. You can't go back and relive your life. So no matter what situation you may find yourself in today, know that if you make Christ the Lord of your life, keep Christ first at all times, do it God's way, you can know the peace, the joy, and the abundance that this life can offer. Our life is today and forward until God calls us home. Yesterday is over. Live for today and make it all that God intends it to be. I will be praying for you and your children as you go forward with God's blessings!!!

In His love and service,

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller