Today is traditionally a day of feasting and football, family and friends. As you worked in the kitchen preparing that feast or sat around the table sharing your meal with your loved ones, did you take that opportunity to teach your children? Did you show them the love that can go into preparing a meal for others? Did you teach them how to be thankful for the bounty of blessings we have?
Children are little sponges and they see a lot. What are they learning if they see you fussing over fixing the meal, snapping at your family as you stress to make everything perfect? Do you want them to learn that holidays are stressful and family gatherings are a time to gripe and complain? Or do you show them that God has blessed us with so much and we are forever thankful for these earthly blessings? Do they see you pray and give thanks every day, not just this one day a year. In this amazing country, even with its many problems, we are so blessed far above most people of the world.
Remember what the Lord told the children of Israel about teaching His precepts to their children? Deuteronomy 11:19 (ESV) "You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Structured Bible study is necessary and profitable, but you must take those opportunities of teachable moments throughout every day. When you are in the kitchen cooking your meal, talk to your children about the abundance of food we have today. Tell them about ways they can help others who are less fortunate. Show them the joy of sharing a meal with family and friends and how to cherish their loved ones.
Today's holiday is the beginning of the busiest season of the year. We will all be rushing around trying to get our houses decorated, our shopping done, our baking finished . . . We each have our own list. Don't let this season of stress take away the teachable moments you can have with your children. Talk to them about who you are buying gifts for, get them to see the joy of giving. Help them focus on sharing with others, not just what they want. Take them to buy gifts to give to the poor and needy. Have them help you bake cookies to take to the elderly and shut-ins from your congregation. These are all teachable moments, times when you can take the opportunity to teach your children how to be a servant, caring for others, not just themselves.
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Monday, 17 November 2014
One Chance - Special Thanks to Brent Moody
Yesterday, Brent Moody, one of our preachers, talked about our one change to influence our children. It was an AMAZING lesson. A great beginning to all the discussions that we need to have about raising godly children. Take a few minutes out of your busy day and listen to this wonderful lesson.
http://kleinwood.com/sermons/all-sermons/2014/11/16/one-chance
Then let's continue our discussions about ways we can influence our children. We have just one chance to raise the kind of children we want to leave to this world. The kind of people we want to see grow up, live their lives for God and spend eternity in heaven with.
Education is a good thing. Having children who are good at their schoolwork, who go to a good college and get a good job is a good thing. But . . . if your children grow up not knowing God, or not caring about the One who created them, the One who loves them and wants what is best for them . . . well, that is failure.
Don't fail your children. You have one chance, just a few years, to teach your children. But you have years and years to regret not teaching them. Now, speaking from experience, you can try your hardest to teach your children and still have regrets. None of us are perfect. But imagine the regrets if you don't do your best to teach and train your children.
Please listen to this lesson and then check back in a few days for more discussion about how to influence your children.
Thanks, Brent, for a wonderful lesson!!!
http://kleinwood.com/sermons/all-sermons/2014/11/16/one-chance
Then let's continue our discussions about ways we can influence our children. We have just one chance to raise the kind of children we want to leave to this world. The kind of people we want to see grow up, live their lives for God and spend eternity in heaven with.
Education is a good thing. Having children who are good at their schoolwork, who go to a good college and get a good job is a good thing. But . . . if your children grow up not knowing God, or not caring about the One who created them, the One who loves them and wants what is best for them . . . well, that is failure.
Don't fail your children. You have one chance, just a few years, to teach your children. But you have years and years to regret not teaching them. Now, speaking from experience, you can try your hardest to teach your children and still have regrets. None of us are perfect. But imagine the regrets if you don't do your best to teach and train your children.
Please listen to this lesson and then check back in a few days for more discussion about how to influence your children.
Thanks, Brent, for a wonderful lesson!!!
Friday, 24 October 2014
I Know What That Means . . . I think (Part 1)
Note: I've read this and read this. I apologize in advance if it sounds condescending. I absolutely did NOT mean it that way. But if it helps even one person, who didn't know what a word meant, then I'm happy I wrote this.
The English language is an amazing thing. Words have meanings and we use those words to express thoughts, emotions, ideas.
It can get kind of confusing, though, if you don't know what words mean. And some of the words in the Bible, especially in some of the older versions, are not words we use today. Its easy to read a verse and say, ok, I'm good there, never done that. But if we really don't know what the listed sins are, we may be sinning and not realize it.
I want to share some definitions with you. Some things you know, from scripture, are wrong. But maybe you don't know what these things actually are.
So, here goes.
Let's start with some of the sins listed in Galatians 5.
Adultery - this one may not be as misunderstood as some others. Adultery is voluntary sexual activity between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse. And the Bible calls it a sin.
Fornication is voluntary sexual activity between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse. In other words, fornication is any sexual activity outside of marriage. And that includes sexual activity between two people who are not married or who may be engaged. Engaged is not married. And the Bible calls it a sin.
Uncleanness means morally impure, evil or vile.
Lasciviousness. Now that's a word we use in everyday language, right? Not! But it is sinful so. . . lasciviousness means arousing sexual desire, or indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness. Examples? Pornography, suggestive jokes, stories or movies. Attire can be lascivious, as well. Clothing that is too tight, or that draws attention to certain body parts is lascivious. And the Bible calls it a sin.
That's enough for today. I'll be following up with more definitions in a later blog.
Now, I have a question for you all. If you don't mind, shoot me a quick email and let me know - was this helpful? Were these words you have heard a lot before but maybe didn't really understand? Or am I "preaching to the choir," so to speak?
The English language is an amazing thing. Words have meanings and we use those words to express thoughts, emotions, ideas.
It can get kind of confusing, though, if you don't know what words mean. And some of the words in the Bible, especially in some of the older versions, are not words we use today. Its easy to read a verse and say, ok, I'm good there, never done that. But if we really don't know what the listed sins are, we may be sinning and not realize it.
I want to share some definitions with you. Some things you know, from scripture, are wrong. But maybe you don't know what these things actually are.
So, here goes.
Let's start with some of the sins listed in Galatians 5.
Adultery - this one may not be as misunderstood as some others. Adultery is voluntary sexual activity between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse. And the Bible calls it a sin.
Fornication is voluntary sexual activity between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse. In other words, fornication is any sexual activity outside of marriage. And that includes sexual activity between two people who are not married or who may be engaged. Engaged is not married. And the Bible calls it a sin.
Uncleanness means morally impure, evil or vile.
Lasciviousness. Now that's a word we use in everyday language, right? Not! But it is sinful so. . . lasciviousness means arousing sexual desire, or indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness. Examples? Pornography, suggestive jokes, stories or movies. Attire can be lascivious, as well. Clothing that is too tight, or that draws attention to certain body parts is lascivious. And the Bible calls it a sin.
That's enough for today. I'll be following up with more definitions in a later blog.
Now, I have a question for you all. If you don't mind, shoot me a quick email and let me know - was this helpful? Were these words you have heard a lot before but maybe didn't really understand? Or am I "preaching to the choir," so to speak?
Tuesday, 14 October 2014
Who is watching you?
Proverbs 8:20 (ESV)
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,
Have you ever seen a child walking behind an adult, trying to match their footsteps to the adult's? Have you seen your daughter dressing up in your clothes, carrying an old purse and trying to act just like you? Have you watched your little boy trying to walk around in his daddy's shoes?
Children are little imitators. They watch our every move. They try to be like us. They want to be just like us when they grow up.
The problem is, they see the good and the bad that we do. Words or sayings that you don't think twice about using sound absolutely horrible when they come out of your child's mouth.
Even if you don't have children, there is someone watching you. Children at worship services, children in the grocery store, children at the mall - there are children everywhere. Those children are watching people everywhere. They see things that most adults miss.
Now remember that we are to be like little children and we are to be imitators of Christ and God. So imagine the wonderful influence you can have on children who watch you if you are imitating our Savior. Proverbs 8:20 is God saying that He walks in the way of righteousness and in paths of justice. He is our example and we are examples to others, children and adults.
Who is watching you? And what are you showing them? Are you being an example for good or for evil?
I'm praying for all of us, mothers or not, who are being examples to others, whether we realize it or not. I'm praying we will be imitators of our Father and by doing so, we can be a good example for others to follow.
Galatians 2:20 (NASB)
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,
Have you ever seen a child walking behind an adult, trying to match their footsteps to the adult's? Have you seen your daughter dressing up in your clothes, carrying an old purse and trying to act just like you? Have you watched your little boy trying to walk around in his daddy's shoes?
Children are little imitators. They watch our every move. They try to be like us. They want to be just like us when they grow up.
The problem is, they see the good and the bad that we do. Words or sayings that you don't think twice about using sound absolutely horrible when they come out of your child's mouth.
Even if you don't have children, there is someone watching you. Children at worship services, children in the grocery store, children at the mall - there are children everywhere. Those children are watching people everywhere. They see things that most adults miss.
Now remember that we are to be like little children and we are to be imitators of Christ and God. So imagine the wonderful influence you can have on children who watch you if you are imitating our Savior. Proverbs 8:20 is God saying that He walks in the way of righteousness and in paths of justice. He is our example and we are examples to others, children and adults.
Who is watching you? And what are you showing them? Are you being an example for good or for evil?
I'm praying for all of us, mothers or not, who are being examples to others, whether we realize it or not. I'm praying we will be imitators of our Father and by doing so, we can be a good example for others to follow.
Galatians 2:20 (NASB)
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Thursday, 9 October 2014
Bad News?
Psalm 112:7 (ESV)
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
We all, in our lifetimes, will receive bad news. Someone you love is ill. Your job is being downsized. A loved one has died. A friend has betrayed a confidence. You find out you are seriously ill.
We all face these things, they are common to man.
So how do you respond? Do you ask, "Why me?" Do you get angry? Do you give up hope?
If your heart is firm, trusting in the Lord, you won't fear those times of bad news. You will remember that He is in control of everything. He has us in His hand. Things may not turn out as we wish during this lifetime, but God is faithful and has promised us eternity with Him if we are faithful to Him.
Feel your faith wavering at times? Look back through the Old Testament. Think of all the promises that God made and then see how He fulfilled every one of them. Promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and so many others.
Then remember Matthew 10:30-31. The very hairs of your head are numbered, and you are worth far more than the sparrows and He knows every one of them.
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
We all, in our lifetimes, will receive bad news. Someone you love is ill. Your job is being downsized. A loved one has died. A friend has betrayed a confidence. You find out you are seriously ill.
We all face these things, they are common to man.
So how do you respond? Do you ask, "Why me?" Do you get angry? Do you give up hope?
If your heart is firm, trusting in the Lord, you won't fear those times of bad news. You will remember that He is in control of everything. He has us in His hand. Things may not turn out as we wish during this lifetime, but God is faithful and has promised us eternity with Him if we are faithful to Him.
Feel your faith wavering at times? Look back through the Old Testament. Think of all the promises that God made and then see how He fulfilled every one of them. Promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and so many others.
Then remember Matthew 10:30-31. The very hairs of your head are numbered, and you are worth far more than the sparrows and He knows every one of them.
Monday, 22 September 2014
Grabbing For Everything You Can Get
Ephesians 5:21 (ESV)
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
We often miss this verse, because it comes right before Paul telling wives to submit to their husbands. But we are supposed to submit to one another. All of us.
This is an interesting concept to me. My entire life, I have heard it stressed that wives are to submit to their own husbands. But a deeper study of scripture shows that we all submit to someone.
Wives are to submit to their husbands.
Husbands are to submit to Christ.
Christ even submitted to God.
We all submit to the laws of the land.
Children submit to their parents.
Members of a congregation submit to the Elders.
Every Christian is to submit to Christ.
We are all supposed to submit to one another. My desires are to take second place to what my brother or sister needs.
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV) Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
"But if I don't look out for my needs, who will?" I've heard this question before. And the answer is, "God will." If I am looking out for others' needs and they are looking out for my needs, then all needs will be met. Isn't His plan beautiful?? Remember Matthew 6:30 - 33 "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
The same goes in a marriage. I'm focused on meeting the needs of my husband. And he, loving me as his own body, is focused on meeting my needs. And ultimately, God has promised to provide for our needs. Not for every single thing we want but for our needs.
That is such a freeing thought to me. I can quit frantically scrabbling to grab hold of the things I think I need because God has already promised He is taking care of it. That means, in marriage, I can focus on what my husband's needs are, because I know God is taking care of me. I can devote my time and energy to caring for my husband and children, for fellow members of the body of Christ, because I can have complete confidence in the fact that God has promised to take care of my needs.
Now the interesting thing about all of this is that what I think my needs are and what God knows my needs are could be two completely different things. God created me, He knows what I need and my job is to let Him take care of it. My job is to do the work He has given me to do, caring for and looking out for my fellow brethren.
It seems so sad to me to see women of the world who are frantically grasping for everything they can, because they believe if they don't take care of themselves, no one will.
Isn't it a comforting thought to realize that God cares for you and, if we follow His plan of submitting to one another, everyone's needs will be met without all that grasping and struggling for what "I want."
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
We often miss this verse, because it comes right before Paul telling wives to submit to their husbands. But we are supposed to submit to one another. All of us.
This is an interesting concept to me. My entire life, I have heard it stressed that wives are to submit to their own husbands. But a deeper study of scripture shows that we all submit to someone.
Wives are to submit to their husbands.
Husbands are to submit to Christ.
Christ even submitted to God.
We all submit to the laws of the land.
Children submit to their parents.
Members of a congregation submit to the Elders.
Every Christian is to submit to Christ.
We are all supposed to submit to one another. My desires are to take second place to what my brother or sister needs.
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV) Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
"But if I don't look out for my needs, who will?" I've heard this question before. And the answer is, "God will." If I am looking out for others' needs and they are looking out for my needs, then all needs will be met. Isn't His plan beautiful?? Remember Matthew 6:30 - 33 "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
The same goes in a marriage. I'm focused on meeting the needs of my husband. And he, loving me as his own body, is focused on meeting my needs. And ultimately, God has promised to provide for our needs. Not for every single thing we want but for our needs.
That is such a freeing thought to me. I can quit frantically scrabbling to grab hold of the things I think I need because God has already promised He is taking care of it. That means, in marriage, I can focus on what my husband's needs are, because I know God is taking care of me. I can devote my time and energy to caring for my husband and children, for fellow members of the body of Christ, because I can have complete confidence in the fact that God has promised to take care of my needs.
Now the interesting thing about all of this is that what I think my needs are and what God knows my needs are could be two completely different things. God created me, He knows what I need and my job is to let Him take care of it. My job is to do the work He has given me to do, caring for and looking out for my fellow brethren.
It seems so sad to me to see women of the world who are frantically grasping for everything they can, because they believe if they don't take care of themselves, no one will.
Isn't it a comforting thought to realize that God cares for you and, if we follow His plan of submitting to one another, everyone's needs will be met without all that grasping and struggling for what "I want."
Thursday, 18 September 2014
Be Not Afraid!
Psalm 27:1 (ESV)
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
I heard recently (haven't confirmed for myself) that there are 365 instances in the Bible where God tells us to not be afraid. That's one verse for every day of the year. Maybe He's trying to tell us something??
Life on this earth is uncertain at best. We have no guarantees of tomorrow, of health, of good fortunes. We do have God's promise that He will never leave us or desert us.
In the United States today, I believe there is a mentality that says "I deserve this." We think we are entitled to good health, good fortunes, lost of stuff and the ability to do whatever we want. We are always concerned about our "rights."
As Christians, we give up our rights and we trust God to care for us. John 12:25 (ESV)
"Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Don't be afraid! God is your light and your salvation. He is the stronghold of your life. Give up the fear and let God handle it.
Easy to say but how do we do that? Prayer, constant reminders, more prayer. I think as women, as mothers, as wives, we tend to be more afraid, more concerned about all the people in our lives. And I think we need to be constantly reminded to turn it over to God, to give Him complete control.
God is the Creator. He made us. He knows what we need before we know ourselves. And He has provided for us. The things in this life that we think are so important will be burned up at the end of days. All things here rust and break down, even our own bodies. But God has given us a soul, a spirit, that longs to be with Him. We have been given the opportunity to spend eternity with our Creator. That should be our goal in this life.
So. . . when we are faced with the trials of this life, how do we handle them? Do we fret and stew about the things that "aren't right" or do we remember God's promises to us? Be not afraid!
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
I heard recently (haven't confirmed for myself) that there are 365 instances in the Bible where God tells us to not be afraid. That's one verse for every day of the year. Maybe He's trying to tell us something??
Life on this earth is uncertain at best. We have no guarantees of tomorrow, of health, of good fortunes. We do have God's promise that He will never leave us or desert us.
In the United States today, I believe there is a mentality that says "I deserve this." We think we are entitled to good health, good fortunes, lost of stuff and the ability to do whatever we want. We are always concerned about our "rights."
As Christians, we give up our rights and we trust God to care for us. John 12:25 (ESV)
"Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Don't be afraid! God is your light and your salvation. He is the stronghold of your life. Give up the fear and let God handle it.
Easy to say but how do we do that? Prayer, constant reminders, more prayer. I think as women, as mothers, as wives, we tend to be more afraid, more concerned about all the people in our lives. And I think we need to be constantly reminded to turn it over to God, to give Him complete control.
God is the Creator. He made us. He knows what we need before we know ourselves. And He has provided for us. The things in this life that we think are so important will be burned up at the end of days. All things here rust and break down, even our own bodies. But God has given us a soul, a spirit, that longs to be with Him. We have been given the opportunity to spend eternity with our Creator. That should be our goal in this life.
So. . . when we are faced with the trials of this life, how do we handle them? Do we fret and stew about the things that "aren't right" or do we remember God's promises to us? Be not afraid!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)