I Chronicles 17:10b “’ Moreover, I tell you that the Lord will build a house for you.’”

MY HOUSE

I had never really noticed this part of the story. David has just brought the Ark of the Covenant from the home of Obed-edom to Jerusalem and placed it in the place he had set up for it. Then he tells Nathan, the prophet (the same Nathan who had confronted him about Bathsheba), that he wants to build the Lord a house. Nathan says, “Sounds good, go ahead.” But then the Lord gives Nathan a message to tell David that he should not build it, but that his son would build it. Got the picture? But then God says in the verse above that He is going to build a house for David. What? I thought David already had a house. No, God is saying to David, “I am going to establish your household forever.”

Have you ever wanted to do something for someone, but before you got around to it they did something for you instead? How would that make you feel? Humbled? Embarrassed? Guilty? We see David’s humble response later in this passage. He was humbled. He didn’t feel he deserved any of that.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be more like David here. I want to recognize that I don’t deserve the blessings of my God. I should be doing more to honor Him, but instead He continually honors me. That is humbling!

TEACHING MOMENT

Humility is hard to teach our children. It is really a trait that is caught rather than taught. Parents, once again you have to model humility. When your children see you respond to life with humility they learn from that. Sometimes humility comes easy. Other times we have to just die to ourselves and let Jesus be Jesus in us. We have to give up our rights and what we THINK we deserve and humble ourselves. Let your children see that.

I had much rather have a humble child than a proud one. Why? Because I know the Lord says he will exalt the humble and humble the exalted. Let humility reign in your life today.

John 20:30 “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;”

TOO MUCH TO TELL

This verse has always intrigued me. Not because of the words but in what it implies. The stories we have of Jesus that are told in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are only a fraction of the full story of Jesus. This verse implies only of the “many other signs” He “performed in the presence of the disciples.” This verse does not even mention what could have happened in those “missing “ years from age 2-12 and then again from age 12-30. How much more could have been written?

Parents, think about all the little things your own children have said or done since they were born. I tell parents all the time to write down those little “funnies” they experience. Fortunately, social media and technology allow us to capture many of those events, for say their wedding day so we can embarrass them beyond belief. Haha.

Similarly, our children forget many the things the Lord has done for them through the years. We are ALL so soon to forget His blessings in our lives. But our children get so busy with their lives that they have to be reminded sometimes of the Lord’s interactions in their days. Can you remember all of them? Probably not!

TEACHING MOMENT

Take a moment as you see the Lord work to make a note (not just a mental note). Take a picture with your smart phone so the moment is recorded. Help you child write a journal, if they are old enough, to put down their own thoughts in that moment. Why not start a Family Journal to record all the events in which the Lord moved?

And then, once you have that record, occasionally pull that journal out and read it to your kids as a way to give thanks to the Lord for His protection and provision. Praise the Lord for His loving care in your family! This brings joy to our Father!

I Chronicles 12:40b “There was joy indeed in Israel.”

After a long reign by Saul, the first king of Israel, David is now king. He had been anointed years earlier by Samuel, who was now dead, but had to wait until the Lord allowed Saul to be removed. Saul and his sons were dead. Long live the king (David)!

A NEW KING

Then the last part of verse 40 says, “There was joy indeed in Israel.” Why? Because they had a new king whom the people loved. They had total confidence in David, well at least those whom supported him. It took a few years for all the kingdom to come up under David.

Aren’t you glad your joy doesn’t depend on a new king? Every Presidential race raises the hopes of each candidate’s supporters. They get out and campaign for their “man” or “woman” telling everyone who will listen why their candidate is the ONLY choice for the nation. But in the end, only one will win. Those supporters will be happy, but the loser’s supporters will be sad. No joy!

TEACHING MOMENT

How can we show our children the futility of circumstantial joy? Why is it important to point them to the true source of joy? When we teach our children that Jesus is the only source of joy they need, then that joy will stay with them through WHATEVER they go through in life. When they have all the friends they need or when they have no friends, their joy rests in Jesus. When that boyfriend or girlfriend dumps them, their joy rests in Jesus. When they have to move to a new school and start all over, their joy rests in Jesus.

How do you, Mom and Dad, reflect the joy of Jesus to your children? Do they see you living joyously in your life circumstances? When you don’t get that job you wanted, do they see joy? When someone cuts you off in traffic, do they see joy? When hard times come (and they will) do they see joy in your response?

Live joyously, not for yourselves alone, but for the sake of your children and for the sake of others who are watching you. In everything you face, point others to Jesus through joy.

John 18:5b, “He said to them, ‘I am He.’” 17b “He said, ‘I am not.’”

Have you ever noticed this? In the same passage about Jesus’ betrayal we read that Jesus readily admitted Who He was with the statement “I AM.” But Peter, when he was confronted by the crowd about being one of Jesus’ followers, quickly said, “I am not.” Literally it could read, “NOT ME!”

I AM…..

How about you? Do you admit to being a follower of Christ? When someone confronts you about your beliefs do you respond like Jesus or Peter? One answer takes boldness. The other…well…it takes nothing!

How do we teach our children to stand up for Christ? How do we show them that it is better to take a stand for truth than shrink away and hide our faith? One may lead to ridicule or even death in some places. The other may give temporary safety but eternal consequences.

TEACHING MOMENT

Once again, the best method to teach our children is by modeling it ourselves. When confronted about taking a stand for Christ, take it! The problem with most of us Christians is that we are never in a place of confrontation. We tend to hide out in the safe places (Church, Bible Studies, Christian’s homes). Our kids never see us having to “stand up” for Jesus.

I don’t mean we should put ourselves in harm’s way. But we shouldn’t shy away from rubbing elbows with unbelievers so that we can be light and truth to them. Our kids can then see us saying, “I am” when asked if we are a believer.

Take the stand! Be bold! Let Jesus be your strength and shield.

I Chronicles 4:9-10 “9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, ‘Because I bore him with pain.’ 10 Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!’ And God granted him what he requested.”

NAMES

What a horrible name! Jabez! His mother named him Jabez! That means grieving or sorrowful. How would you like to be named Grief or Sorrow? All your life you would carry that name, and people would wonder why your parents named you that.

But look what happened. Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. He prayed for the Lord to bless him with land, provision and protection, and He did! The Lord must have seen something in Jabez worthy of blessing. He MUST have been an honorable man.

We spend weeks if not months picking out our children’s names. Most of the time we use a family name, but not always. Sometimes we just pick names we like. I have known children who were named after a food their mom craved while she was pregnant. Seriously!

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children, however, must make a name for themselves in the way they live. The most honorable and respected name means nothing if they live in such a way to bring shame on it. My Dad would say a man’s word is his bond. In other words, keep your word. If you say you will do something, do it and do it well.

But the most important name our children can carry with them is Jesus. Being named after Him (Christian) is the most respected name. Being known as His child is the honor. Even though the world may curse and spit at the name of Jesus and for what He stands for, we will wear that name proudly and try our best to “rename” as many as we can while we are here on this earth. We can share that name over and over, and it never loses its value. So, today share that name with someone. Help them to be seen as honorable in the site of God.

John 16:24 “’Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.’”

How many times as Parents do our children ask us for something? Within reason we are happy to do it. Dads, we are especially vulnerable to that little girl who has us wrapped around her little finger, right? And Moms, son or daughter gets you, right?

PERMISSION TO ASK

Is Jesus saying here to ask for ANYTHING? Do you think He meant to give us permission to ask for anything we want and He would be obligated to give it? I don’t think so. You always have to look at Scripture, not only in context to the verse you are reading but to the Bible as a whole. Jesus said in the previous verse if we ask the Father for something in His name, He would give it to us. So just what do you ask your Father for?

We only ask the Father for things that we know will please Him. He wants to bless us, but only with things that are going to make us more like His Son. If we ask for things in the name of Jesus (which means we know Jesus would approve of it) then the Father will gladly give it to us. That’s what the verse says. It doesn’t say He will make us rich or powerful. Don’t read into the verse.

TEACHING MOMENT

So when you teach your children to pray always pray in agreement with Jesus. If Jesus would be pleased with your request I promise you the Father will be too. When you have a loved one who is in need of a physical touch, guide your children to pray believing God can heal but also accepting God’s Will in the situation. When you have a financial need in your family, guide your children to pray believing He is your provision and accepting the fact that He may use others to meet that need.

Pray is powerful and we often underestimate the power of the “ask.” Ask Him. He is always listening. After all, don’t you want your joy to be complete?

II Kings 25:9 “He burned the house of the LORD, the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; even every great house he burned with fire.”

This is a sad part of Israel’s history. Babylon has defeated the nation and now they come to Jerusalem and burn the Temple. Can you imagine seeing that incredible structure in flames and knocked down? I am sure the people who watched this cried and wailed.   Their place of worship had been destroyed.

THE PLACE

What a perfect passage to teach our kids, though, about the true church. The church is not walls and roofs. The church is we, the believers, who are bound together through God’s blessings and redemption. I have preached in elaborate structures, rooftop dining halls, schools and alleyways. I have preached in brick, wooden and metal buildings. Where a body of believers meets does not make up the church. The people do.

The church I serve has been in a building program for over 10 years. Our sanctuary has not been completed in all that time. It will probably be the last part of the building that we finish. What! Not finish the sanctuary until last! That room does not make up our church. Sure it would be nice to have it so we could all worship together. But right now the church is meeting in three services (seven if you count Children’s Church, Latino service, Pilipino service and Arabic service). Our church is not the building – it’s the people.

TEACHING MOMENT

So, how can you teach your children this truth? By being involved in your church! Let them see that your family makes up part of the church locally and globally. Being a church means loving each other (as I talked about yesterday). Being a church means supporting each other. Being a church means giving to help advance the kingdom. Being a church is all about obeying the Lord along with others who are on the same journey. Be the church!

John 15:12,17 “’12 This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another.’”

Twice in this chapter of John’s Gospel Jesus gives us a command to love one another. Why did He command this? Was it because He knew we would not choose to love each other? Well, let me ask you this. Is it hard to love others? Don’t answer that.

I think we can learn a lot from our children on this subject. They know when someone loves them. They can just tell. They feel safe. They want to be with that person. They are drawn to them. I think that is exactly why children ran to Jesus and why He used them as illustrations of faith.

FOLLOWING ORDERS

Back to the verse. Twice He commands “that you love one another.” I hate being commanded to do anything. I don’t mind being asked. But commanded, well that’s a whole different thing. Why is that? We are all stubborn about wanting to control our own actions. We need to understand what Jesus was expecting from us.

The words “commandment” and “command” really stress the end result of the action. So the purpose of Jesus “commanding” us is not to control us, but instead to produce love in us and through us. He wants to use us to love others for Him. He, in fact, will love them through us. So as we follow His orders to love one another we are in fact just being His vessels through which He loves us.

TEACHING MOMENT

Now back to your kids. How can you teach them to love one another. Just like Jesus. We can love others through them. Love their friends. By doing this we are teaching them how to love one another. Won’t you let Jesus command you to love one another so you can show your children how to love one another? Just be obedient.

II Kings 22:11 “When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.”

Have you ever heard that saying, “Ignorance is no excuse”? Have you ever wondered what it meant? Well, many people try to use the excuse that they just didn’t know. If I had only known… Right!

Here in this passage Josiah discovers from the hearing of the Word of God that the nation had not been keeping the Lord’s commands. He literally had not heard the words before. But he instantly repents and tears his clothes as a sign of remorse and repentance. He then begins a country wide cleansing of all the pagan places of worship. He became totally sold out to God.

TEACH THE WORD

Our children also cannot use ignorance of something as an excuse. They will be held accountable to a holy God, just like everyone else. It is our job to show them the Word and teach them how to walk in righteousness. Will they slip? Sure. Don’t you? But we have to teach them how to live the Christ life and to honor Him in all they do.

Recently someone I know made the remark that there is just too much to understand in the Bible. Well, I agree to an extent. The Bible is exhaustive (and sometimes exhausting, lol). The Lord does not expect us to memorize it all. He doesn’t expect us to know every verse in Scripture. What He does expect, however, is to spend time in it striving to follow the truths it contains.

READ THE WORD

Take one verse a day and meditate on it. There are 31,102 verses in the Bible. It will take you over 85 years to do that. Or you could read one chapter a day. That would take less than 5 years to read through the Bible. Whatever you choose to do, not reading is not an option. Ignorance of God’s Word when it comes to living is NOT an excuse. Read it! Live it!

John 13:35 “’By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.’”

What a simple yet powerful statement from the lips of our Lord. Have you ever stopped to think about what He is saying here? He is saying that others (all men) will know (know through experience – ginosko) that you follow and believe in Him (disciples) by loving (agape) each other.

I think it’s curious that Jesus didn’t say, “other believers will know.” He said all men, lost or saved. How does a lost person know you are a disciple? By the love you show. We are not told to just love those who love us. We are told to love everyone. Why? Because He did, so much so that He laid down His life for them.

Do your children know how to show love? I don’t mean just to you or their family. I mean to everyone. How do we teach them to love everyone without putting themselves at risk or in danger? How can a child express Christ’s love to a stranger? Just watch them. Children can surprise you. They can love people we would not even look at. They can accept a stranger when we turn our backs.

We are facing so many threats in our world today to the Christian way of life. We are challenged on our standards and deeply held beliefs. Even in that, we must love. I heard recently of a refugee from Iraq who said she was thankful for ISIS. What! How? She said if ISIS had not come to her country and forced her to leave, she would have never heard about Jesus. She is now burdened for ISIS that they too could find Christ.

Will you encourage your children to love others so the world will know they are Christ’s followers? Will you love that way yourself? Will you pray for the Lord to put someone who is very unlovable in your path today so you can love them?