As parents we rightly focus on teaching our children to obey God. But, we must be more focused on teaching our children to love God first. This is where it is easy to turn away from the gospel in parenting. Whether you read Deuteronomy, Matthew or Colossians, the first thing that God desires is that he is to be loved. Too often, when it comes to raising children, loving God is tacked on as an after thought to obedience. The thought process may run like this: “I can’t force my children to love God, so I will teach them to obey, because I can require that.” Teaching obedience appears to be a more doable task than teaching the love of […]
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Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 that regardless of whether one is rich or poor, wise or unwise, prepared or unprepared, young or old, the storms will come. Still, when they do come we are often surprised. “Why is this happening?” Comfort comes when you and your children grasp that the storms are not random. Life’s storms move at the command of Jesus Christ. He is the only source of protection and safety. With Christ your view, your emotional response to life’s storms can be one of hope, confidence, and comfort in God’s care. Even in the midst of hurt, God’s peace can prevail. We forget that we live in a sin-cursed world. We are told we can be safe. […]
A lot can be known about about people by finding out who they turn to for help. California faces a severe lack of water. Attempts at regulation and conservation have not helped. The one thing that would make a difference, more rain, is acknowledged, but the one who provides the rain is ignored. In the book of James, the author talks about the power of faith. He mentions Elijah and how God had withheld rain from a faithless Israel for three and a half years because of his prayers. Elijah understood how things work – God is in control of the rain and everything else that matters on planet earth. It is an antiquated notion that dependence upon God is […]
Your view of obedience controls how you give directions. Strange as it may seem, the way your garbage is taken out can reveal your functional understanding of obedience. The goal is to learn how to give holy, everyday directions that please God and bless your children. Let me begin by asking you two questions: Do you want your children to obey your directions and take out the garbage? You might be thinking, “That’s a strange question; of course I want my children to obey me.” That leads me to the second question. Assuming you want your children to obey you, do you act as if you expect them to take out the garbage? Now you are sure I am asking […]
Who is your king? Jesus says that you can only have one. No man can serve two masters. About mid-day on the first Good Friday, Pilate pled with the Jews for the life of Jesus. In John 19:15 we read this interchange: But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. Blinded by rage and anger at Jesus, the Jewish leaders spoke from their hearts. Jesus was not their king! What about you? Who is the king of your heart? Before you answer, remember that your heart has already revealed the answer to your children, your spouse, to those who are […]
Who controls time? By an act of Congress our clocks are adjusted by an hour twice a year. By the will of the Lord of the Universe all time proceeds just as he has planned. Your God is never perplexed about time, never worries about being late, everything always happens at the exact second he has planned. Your God tells you not to worry. Time belongs to him, he created it. One day time will be no more! How cool is that? Take comfort that your God rules time. You can trust what he controls. Hear what the Holy Spirit says about how intimately God is involved in the time of your life. A thousand years in your sight are […]
Talking About Wisdom & Foolishness by Tedd Tripp Imagine that your young son has been influenced to participate in some act of vandalism or disrespect toward others. You could have a conversation like this. “You know that what you have done is wrong, don’t you?” “Yeah, I guess.” “We will have to talk about what you have done and how you can make restitution, but I want you to think about this first. There are two kinds of people in the world. Do you remember who they are?” “The wise man and the fool.” “You’re right; I knew you’d get it. How does the wise man get so wise?” “The fear of the Lord?” “You’re right, the fear of the […]
There are times in life when God graciously causes me to realize there are things beyond my ability to reason or prepare for. Being placed under anesthesia is one of those times for me. So I get to either believe that God will do exactly as he pleases and rest in that alone, or believe I might feel better if I knew what God was going to do. Silly choice really! Thankful that God has no need to consult me about how he will work in my life. Daniel has good words here! 34 “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one […]
Roman emperors ruled with unquestioned authority. Their word was enough to upend the lives of people all around the ancient Mediterranean world. Like most leaders in history, Caesar Augustus gave no thought that his orders would serve the purposes of the living God. Caesar wanted to record the vastness of his empire. So he decreed a census be taken. He had no clue his orders would bring about the fulfillment of biblical prophecy; that his decree would serve the eternal decree of the true King. God’s ways are not our ways. Things are not as we think. 2,000 years ago it was not evident that Caesar’s order would result in the first Christmas. As Nebuchadnezzar realized no one can hold […]
It’s Election Day. All 435 seats of the U.S. House of Representatives are at stake, along with approximately one third of the Senate seats and numerous governorships. The national media is doing its part to add to the drama and anxiety of the moment. Some would even have us think that the fate of our country hangs on the outcome of this election. But this is not accurate. The fate of our country is in the hands of the God of the Bible. No, you will not hear or read any stories that reflect this reality. There will be not exit polls that probe for this factor. But what the news media reports does not change what is true. Don’t […]