His love cannot be eaten, will not wilt, cannot be bought, cannot be lost or stolen. It is yours to give as it has been given to you. There is no better gift! Give this gift to your spouse and then to your children. When others ask why you love this way, tell them that Someone loved you first. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not boast. Love is not proud. Love is not rude. Love is not self-seeking. Love is not easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects. Love always trusts. Love always hopes. Love always perseveres. […]
Monthly Archives: October 2013
21 posts
Christianity is about heart change. Truth must come from the outside to the inside. But for truth to be effective it must then work its way back to the outside. Too much emphasis can be placed on bringing truth to children. What really matters is if the truth takes root, grows and produces fruit that forces itself once again to the outside. Proverbs 6:20-22 explains this outside-inside-outside process. 20 My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. Proverbs 6:20-22 […]
Job apparently had some questions for God. But first God had some questions for Job. Here are just a few of those questions: Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Does the eagle soar at your command? Job had encountered pain, real pain on this earth. In the early chapters of the book of the book that bears his name he represents God well. But in his suffering he wanted some answers from God. In a stunning confrontation with God in chapters 38-42, Job is asked repeatedly about things that only God could do. The purpose of the questions, among other things, […]
Part of teaching our children to be wise is to teach them to see the value of a rebuke. It is not enough just to correct wrong behavior. Rather, a wise son will eagerly embrace his father’s direction. This is not a natural response. Children are not born wise; wisdom must be taught. One vital way to teach your children to welcome a rebuke is to model this for them. How well do you respond when you are rebuked? Fathers, are you approachable? Are you thankful for others who offer you feedback on your life and habits? If you struggle with receiving a rebuke don’t be surprised if your children do not eagerly embrace your words of rebuke.
Deborah was a Judge in Israel over 3,000 years ago. God has things for us to learn from her story. She has the distinction of being the only Judge of whom nothing negative is said by the Holy Spirit. Here are some of the qualities that all of us can learn from the narrative concerning Deborah. Trust in God’s Word Deborah did not need to have her trust in God confirmed by the responses of others. Her faith was strong, even when Barak wavered and said that she had to go with him into battle or he would not go. However, Deborah did challenge Barak with his lack of faith. This is something that women should not fear […]
Once again God’s direction for the family has been tossed aside by “enlightened” state legislators. The Los Angeles Times internet edition on October 4th, ran a story about a bill signed by Governor Brown to allow for children to have more than two or more legal parents. Here is the headline and sub-headline as it appeared online: “Brown signs bill to allow children more than two legal parents The bill — similar to one the governor vetoed last year — had been opposed as an attack on traditional family; proponents argued that the changing family structure needs to be addressed.” The Times article goes on to say: “The law will allow the courts to […]
Questions are opportunities to offer praise and worship to God. Anytime a “why” question is asked we know that God has something to do with the answer. This means that you will have many opportunities to tell your children about the wonders of God as they grow up in your family. For example, your child asks, “Why do leaves change color in the fall?” Even giving a technical answer can lead to good things. You can explain as the green chlorophyll is reduced in the leaves by the coming of cooler weather, the underlying color of the leaves is then on display. In other cases the brown leaves may simply be waste that is left as the leaves […]
In Proverbs wisdom is highly commended. But familiarity too often breeds neglect—if not contempt. Take a moment to consider with me what the pursuit of wisdom looks like in your life. To set the stage, here are some basics about wisdom: No one is born wise. Therefore, the first prerequisite for being wise is to come to saving relationship with Christ. If one is to be wise, it must come from a diligent and relentless pursuit of wisdom. Therefore, the pursuit of wisdom is not natural or easy. Wisdom cannot be learned apart from the fear of God. Biblical wisdom is unlike anything that can be achieved by human effort. Your children will […]
Leaders come and go. Governments also come and go. And sometimes, even when a government is still in place, it may decide to shut down for a time. Be thankful that the Lord of heaven and earth never sleeps, never shuts down, never ceases to care for his people. While our elected officials struggle to govern and appear to search for a way forward, God still maintains his sovereign control over not only our country, but the far reaches of the Universe as well. God’s commitments are sure and are not influenced by public opinion or elections. Truly this is something to be thankful for as Washington tries to find its way. This is something you can share with […]
No child is born wise. Wisdom is a skill that must be acquired. If you are waiting for your child to grow up and begin to make wise choices, you will be waiting a long time. Ruth Younts says that Christian “wisdom is knowing and understanding the truth, obeying the truth, and making wise decisions based on the truth.” This is why Proverbs is adamant that we must get wisdom. Imparting God’s wisdom is far more than information transfer. Providing God’s wisdom to your children begins with the gospel. Apart from embracing the gospel, no one will even desire to be biblically wise. Wisdom is living a life that is oriented toward God, toward honoring God in each decision that […]