No Comparison

In front of you are three desserts to choose from, but one is your “absolute-crazy-over-the-top” favorite. You wouldn’t consider picking one of the other two choices even though each is beautiful, rich, sweet, and very popular. Why are you not tempted by the other choices? It is because your favorite dessert has preeminence.

Are you frustrated in your walk with the Lord because of your struggle with the pull of the world on your life? Do you have the head knowledge that Jesus is to be preeminent/first-place, but you are drawn to things of the world? Are they your “favorite,” rather than Jesus? (Sadly many more should be frustrated, but by repeatedly quenching the Spirit and lack of feeding on the Word, their consciences are seared, and there is no desire for more of Jesus.) 

My brothers, “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4). That verse doesn’t mean God will give us anything (the world) we want if we delight in the Lord. The reality is that when we delight in the Lord we don’t want the things of the world. Instead, this verse means that as the preeminent Lord Jesus is our joy and delight, He gives us more of Himself and what we need to obey Him. “And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.” (From hymn: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.)

What’s Your Bent?

Most have a tendency one way or another. These days I see men choosing self. The cry is “I’m free in Christ!” The example to their families (and others watching) is you can have Jesus in your pocket and live a selfish and fruitless life (translate fun). 

However, isn’t the better choice to serve one another in love—first our families and then those around us. Think about how that delights the Lord Jesus and our wives, and think of the example that is laid before our children.

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). 

Steve

Will You Be Happy?

What is it that you love? Morning time in the Word, worship time with believers, time with your wife, your children, your job, the news, sports, TV, movies, or other forms of entertainment? 

Have you ever thought about the fact that what most people love (even professing believers), won’t be in Heaven. There are no big screen TV’s, no social media, no news, no movies, and no sports.

Heaven will be heaven because Jesus is there and we will have eternity to worship and praise the Lamb that was slain, Who was and Who is. 

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. … To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever” (Revelation 5:12,13).

What Ya Sowing?

The white, Limited SUV pulls up in the home daycare’s driveway and parks. A professionally dressed woman steps out of the driver’s side, and two school-age girls pile out of the back seat. The girls race toward the front door. The winner grabs a short rope attached to a large antique “dinner bell” beside the door. Simultaneous to the loud clanging, the mother’s voice scolds,”I told you not to touch that bell.” The ringing continues along with childish laughter until the stronger, but slower girl successfully pushes the race winner aside. She now begins her turn ringing that bell loudly providing a tune accompanied to lyrics of: “Stop. I told you not to ring that bell. You are in trouble now.” Could this mom be harvesting the fruit in her children’s lives of others raising her children while she is otherwise occupied?

Raising children who love the Lord Jesus with all their heart, are well-behaved, and academically prepared for life is more than a full-time job. It takes Mom wisely using structured/scheduled time all day in teamwork with you (Dad). I am saddened as I learn of moms who aren’t disciplined and scheduled in managing their time. Your child’s future is at stake.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7-8).

Looking Down the Road to Prepare Your Children

Almost twenty years ago, Steve wrote Preparing Sons to Provide for a Single-Income Family. At that time, we had two sons who could provide for families, but they were not yet married while the other three were still young enough to be homeschooled. Now four of our five sons live that vision, providing for their wives and children and living in debt-free houses. The fifth can financially provide for a family and owns a debt-free house but is still single.

Spiritual Preparation

The message of preparing sons and daughters hasn’t changed. As parents, we want to be purposeful in preparing our children for mature adult life. That preparation comes in many areas. The most important is spiritually. Are you helping your children to have a relationship with Jesus that is based in the truth of His Word, that seeks His will in all aspects of their lives, is growing and dynamic, and follows Him obediently in glory and virtue? “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). 

Good and Bad Appetites

Are you thinking through what you allow and don’t allow in your children’s lives and the appetites that might set in their hearts—good or bad—in their adult years? We will either give our children appetites for the fun and entertainment of the world or for ministering, working, and being productive servants of Christ. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints)” (1 Corinthians 16:15).

Productive Teens

Are you encouraging your children to learn and work through their teen years? How many young people play and text their way through some of their most productive years when they could be learning skills and starting businesses? “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8).

Servant’s Heart

Are you growing a heart in your children for serving and loving others as opposed to serving and loving self? “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). 

Step by Step

All of these areas don’t turn on with a magic switch at age 18. They start with our three-year-olds hearing and learning God’s Word in family Bible time, helping Mommy set the table, and doing sister’s chores when she is hurt. They move into the nine-year-old who reads his own Bible every day looking for God’s truth, who can make lunch by himself, and who rakes the widow’s leaves with Daddy. As a teen, that child studies the Word because he loves it. He prays and seeks the Lord’s direction. He has joy in his walk with Christ because it is a real relationship. He pushes back from the world—its looks, loves, and activities—rather than embracing it. He already has the beginnings of marketable skills that he is developing and is eager to learn more. He invests his time helping and serving others rather than pursuing his own entertainment and fun.

When to Start?

It is never too early or too late to consider these things and your desires for your children. Solomon asked several times in Proverbs for his son to give him his heart because Solomon had instruction he wanted to share with his son toward a godly and fruitful life. He was looking down the road to his son’s adult years. 

If you could use some encouragement or practical ideas in these areas, Preparing Sons and Buying a House Debt-Free are those resources. We recently released the audiobook of Buying a House Debt-Free, which is on special for $9.99 through August 16th. Preparing Sons is also an audiobook. Audiobooks are super convenient to listen to while driving or doing other activities where one has their hands occupied but not their minds.