There are lots of reasons to feel ungrateful. Of course these reasons are all bad ones, but that never seems to matter when self-pity comes calling. In contrast, Thessalonians tells us that it is God’s will that we be thankful. So, Christian you have a choice to make – trust God or your own assessment of your circumstances. Gratitude is to identify you as a person. For this to occur, at least three truths must frame your understanding of gratitude: First truth: gratitude is based upon unchanging truth, not changing circumstances. God’s goodness to you is never in doubt. Ephesians 1:7-8 says God has lavished his riches upon you. This blessing is certain. Redemption belongs to you as God’s child […]
Sanctification
159 posts
Some 3,600 years ago, Moses delivered his final thoughts to the people of Israel. Among them were these words: “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Each day you have a choice, you can follow the path of death or follow the path of life. Sound dramatic? […]
There are times when our children’s sin really catches us by surprise. In our shock we ask how could he to do that; where did that come from? The hard truth is that your child began life as an enemy of God. He (or she) was an unregenerate, sinful, rebellious enemy of God. Do you believe this? If you do, you can have great hope and peace about your child and his relationship to God. If you don’t believe this, then you will have no reason to tell your child what he needs to know to become God’s friend. Paul teaches in Romans that all have sinned and come short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23) and that there […]
Contentment is being satisfied because God is working everything together for my good and for his glory. Prayer for contentment: Father, you give me everything that I need, and you have given me what I need most – forgiveness for my sin. Please help me to be content. Sometimes I struggle with being angry and feeling sorry for myself when I don’t get what I want. Please help me to be satisfied with your love and to rest in your perfect care. In Jesus name, Amen. Ruth Younts – from Get Wisdom! Parents this is a definition and a prayer that must be woven into your life before you can bring this truth to your children. No, none of us […]
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 […]
Suppose your child has developed a pattern of not coming when he is called. This can easily lead to frustration for both parent and child. Tension can mount until finally the parent decides enough is enough and a confrontation irrupts. This confrontation also may encourage the child to think that the eighth time he or she disobeyed is far worse than the first time. In reality each refusal to come is equally serious. The problem is the same each time – God is being disobeyed. The following scenario assumes that mom has been working with her daughter to change a pattern of being slow to obey. Five year old Jennifer has shown a pattern of not responding quickly […]
No, this post is not a warning against taking pictures. But if you understand the dynamics of still a photograph, a snapshot, you will learn a valuable life lesson. A snapshot records a moment in time. You don’t know what came before the photo and you don’t know what happened after the photo was taken. You also are not aware of what the photographer chose not to show you in the picture. With a snapshot all you have is a frozen moment in time that may appear to have a meaning that is radically different from the actual situation. What about the life lesson? Well, if you just met someone, you may be able to say a lot about that […]
Immediate gratification is one of Satan’s most effective weapons. This desire for the immediate is based on two lies. The first is that having what I want will be satisfying and the second is nothing bad will happen if I get what I want. This is one way sin works in the lives of your children. If your children believe the lie that getting instant relief from their discomfort or discontent is ultimate, then they are bound by the power of sin. This pattern, if not stopped, will result in a life dominated by the desire for immediate gratification. When you hear your child whine, you are hearing a child who has been deceived into thinking that life will be […]
Courage is doing what must be done, even when I am afraid and I think it is too hard. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 Prayer for Courage God, please help me to have courage. It is very hard to do what’s right when people might make fun of me or be angry at me. It’s also hard when I’m afraid I’ll fail. Thank you for Jesus, who had the courage to die on the cross for me. Help me to care about pleasing you more than anything else. In Jesus’ name, Amen. This prayer has rich application for our […]
Mercy is showing kindness to those who are weak, sinful, and needy, because Christ loved me first when I was his enemy. Prayer to be merciful: Father, thank you for being merciful to me all the time, when I never deserve it. I want to be merciful too, but I often care more about fairness than mercy. Help me to be quick to forgive or overlook an offense. Help me to have compassion for those in need. In Jesus name, Amen. From Get Wisdom! by Ruth Younts