At our Family Devotions this morning we read how Daniel was praying and confessing his sin and the sin of the people of Israel before the LORD God. It then tells us that at the time of the evening offering the Angel Gabriel came and "touched" him and began to speak with him (Daniel 9:20, 21).
God delights to speak to us, but He had certain times when He specifically revealed himself to His people. It was at the time of the morning and evening sacrifice and burning of incense (as we note in this passage in Daniel).
It was at the time of the evening sacrifice that God came to Elijah on Mount Carmel and revealed Himself as the God in Israel and "the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God: the LORD, he is the God" (1 Kings 18:36-39).
It was at the time of burning the incense when the angel came to Zacharias to tell him that God would give them a son who would prepare the way for the Savior of the world (Luke 1:8-17). It doesn't say whether it was at the time of the morning or evening incense burning, but it was one or the other. As the priest sprinkled the incense on the burning coals from the altar and the fragrant sweet aroma rose up to God, all the people prayed outside. The altar of incense speaks of prayer, praise, and intercession.
Do you want God to touch you? Do you want Him to come and touch each one of your children? How important it is then for us to gather our family each morning and evening (according to the prototype God gave us) to offer praise and intercession to Him and hear His Word. We should give God every opportunity to come to us as a family.
Don't miss these opportunities for God to come and speak to you and your children.
God bless you today.
Nancy Campbell
Dear mother, You are in the most important career in the nation!
I was happy and sad to read all the comments to my post below, DOUBLE BLESSING. Sad because so many shared that they also received the same comment about having a baby or twins of "Double trouble." But I was also so happy to read how all these wonderful mothers rejected this comment and shared how their twins have been such a double blessing in their lives.
When talking to a friend recently she shared with me that she was delighted to meet a mother with 13 month old twins at the grocery store.
I read this morning in Deuteronomy 32:4 that "God is the Rock, his work is perfect." God's creation is glorious and perfect. The way He created male and female is perfect. Each one of us are awesomely, wonderfully, intricately, and marvelously created (Psalm 139:14, 15).
I read a beautiful Scripture this morning. In Psalm 68:9 (NET) David speaks about God's inheritance and He says: "When they are tired, you sustain them, for you live among them."
The Supreme court will not give a final decision regarding same sex marriage until about June. In the meantime, let's keep praying.
I love Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, "A Psalm of Life." One of the lines says: "Footprints 
Today, the Supreme Court begins debating the redefining of marriage in America. The God-ordained, God-divined, and God-planned institution of marriage between one man and one woman is on trial. Will same-sex marriage be regarded as the law of the land?
What is the most world-changing thing you can do as a family? Of course you know. It is to pray. And yet why do we put aside the most important family appointment of our day to the bottom of the list? It's because the enemy knows the power of prayer. It defeats his plans and moves the mighty hand of God against him. He will keep you from praying. He will even use good things to fill your day so you won't have time to pray.
THE HOLY BIBLE
Did you know that when you conceive a baby that you actually receive a visit from God?
Are you teaching your children to respond correctly when asked a question? Here are a few examples:
God makes His purposes very clear in His Word, doesn't He? Right from the very beginning He reveals His heart and plan for the way He wants us to live.
Psalm 127:4 says: "As arrows in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth."
Words and ideas are indivisible with God. It is the same with us. Our ideas and thoughts about any issue determine what we confess about it. What do you think about motherhood? That's what you will speak from your mouth. Do you complain about mothering? Do you relegate it to something inferior? Or is your confession, "I LOVE MOTHERHOOD"?
Do you sometimes feel that everything is just too much for you? You wonder how you can keep going. Here is some wonderful encouragement for you from 1 Chronicles 28:10, 20:
Who is your marriage all about? Is it all about you? Many couples live together, but are not bound together, or enjoy life together. They start off with great love, enjoyment, and enthusiasm but often their relationship grows boring and cold.
I heard the following words repeated often when I was young.
Can I let you in on a secret? You cannot build a successful marriage when your life is "all about me." Selfishness never works. Expecting to be served and pampered doesn't work. Even Jesus did not come to serve, but to serve and give his life (Matthew 20:28).