Monthly Archives: April 2018

Wise or Foolish?

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“Neither shall he (the king) multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: . . .” (Deuteronomy 17:17). Even with our little wisdom it is obvious, Solomon disobeyed the Lord. “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites” (1 Kings 11:4-5).

Yet, might we be like Solomon and have difficulty in seeing our own error? Will we heed the warning of Scripture? “Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing” (Deuteronomy 7:26).  Sadly, many Christian dads have brought what God would call an abomination into their homes.

Notice how these verses describe TV and most movies. “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).

“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15).

Part 2 coming soon, “What about the computer?”

Steve

Confirmed by Blood

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“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”   Jim Elliot

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” ( Luke 9:24).

Steve

Shortcut to Sadness

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Spring is planting time, and soon farmers will be hard at it. Once the conditions are right. they focus on getting seed in the ground. Then, there will be fertilizing and cultivating to ensure a good harvest in the fall. Given normal weather, the quality of the harvest is generally dependent on the effort expended during the growing season.  There are efficiencies farmers learn, but basically its the same routine, year-after-year. 

Raising children is very similar. Careful attention and great investment is needed in training and discipling children. Instead of six months, the “disciple-growing season” is twenty years or so. Full-time commitment is required, there are no shortcuts. 

I have yet to meet a farmer who wanted a poor harvest or a parent who wanted a child to love the world. Oh my Brothers, I beg you, be committed, invest yourselves in the children God has entrusted to your care and nurturing.

“And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:14-15).

Steve

Making God Real to Our Children

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Recently a mom asked me a question for a Mom’s Corner: ​

How do I practically teach kids about God outside Bible reading/family worship time and other formal situations to teach God’s Word? Sadly this does not come naturally to me. How do I show the little ones that God is real and loving, and they need Him a lot?

I believe moms have a powerful platform of spiritual influence in their children’s lives by being purposeful in this area. It is something I wish I had done more and better when my children were little. I encourage you to take the challenge.

“We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children whichshould be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments” (Psalm 78:4-7).

Praise and Thanksgiving

One thing we see in Scripture is the call to praise and thanksgiving. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

If you continually thank the Lord, out loud, at every opportunity, and praise Him often, you will be bringing Christ into your children’s little hearts and lives. They emulate you and develop grateful hearts.

Prayer

Teach yourself to stop and pray out loud with your children often. Pray together when you hear Daddy is having a rough day at work, when someone gets hurt, when you hear the sirens going down your street, or when you have a friend who is sick.

When your children struggle with each other, have bad attitudes toward you, or even difficulty with school, pray with them. Help them learn to cry out to the Lord with their needs. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Recognize answers to prayer with your children. Talk about those answers to prayer, thank the Lord for them, and praise Him for them.

Scripture

Memorize key verses that are applicable to your children’s lives to quote to them when it is appropriate. If you do that regularly, they will grow up with those Scriptures embedded in their minds available to pop up when it is helpful.

Singing

Memorize hymns, and sing them when you are working in the kitchen, folding laundry, or during other tasks where your mind isn’t very engaged. Singing reflects a joyful heart, and it puts your thoughts on the Lord Jesus. You will be drawing your children to the Lord, while giving them the sweet spirit of joyful song. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).

Through these suggestions, you bring your personal relationship with the Lord to the outside so that it is visible to your children, and you make them a part of it. You are discipling them in a real, personal walk with Jesus. This is the eternal investment you make in your children’s lives, and it is worth planning, purposing, and making real.

Trusting in Jesus,
Teri

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Posted in: Mom's Corner

Fake or Genuine?

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I recently purchased a beautiful ring at Walmart for ten dollars to be used as an object lesson. It is totally amazing. It looked like a diamond ring but it was fake. Frankly, it is difficult to believe something that looks so nice was only ten dollars. Still it was an imitation. Often, it can be difficult to recognize what is real versus what is fake for all sorts of things.

What about Christians? I expect when the idea of fake Christians is mentioned, a few names may cross your mind. We can easily fool even ourselves regarding our walk with the Lord. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). If only the Lord gave a “conformed to His image” rating like a purity rating on gold.

Are we going through the motions, or is there an intimate relationship with our Savior? Is the power of the Holy Spirit present in our lives? The Spirit is more than just the third name in the Trinity – He is needful for our lives.

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7).

Steve