Ezra 3:11b-13 “11b And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy, 13 so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard far away.”

DECIBELS

Have you ever heard a crowd noise that was so loud and confusing that you couldn’t tell if the cheers were in anger or in joy? I have. I remember coming into a city one time in another country. We were traveling by van, and we could hear the roar of the crowd before we saw it. We couldn’t tell if it was a riot or a parade. It was loud, chaotic and at the same time festive. Strange, I know. As we approached we could see it was actually a parade of people, perhaps hundreds, who were celebrating someone’s wedding. They were having a ball. But we could not tell until we got closer.

That is what was happening in our text. Some people were shouting and singing with joy over the temple being built. Others, the older ones who had seen the first temple, were saddened because it did not compare to the splendor of the first. They were crying and perhaps even wailing, as was common back then.

TEACHING MOMENT

Neither emotion was wrong, but together they were confusing. Our children will experience both of these emotions, joy and sadness. We cannot expect them to know how to express them appropriately unless we teach them. Pure joy must be celebrated. Sadness does too. Don’t be afraid to shed tears of joy or sadness in front of your children, but make sure they know which they are and why you are doing it.

As for me, I cry at Hallmark commercials. Can’t help it! I’m just wired that way. Won’t you join me in crying some? Tears of joy or tears of sadness! Both are needed.

Acts 16:29-31 “29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and after he brought them out, he said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ 31 They said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’”

ESCAPE

I have watched a lot of movies in which the prisoners escape from jail or prison. I love the old film “The Great Escape.” Those guys tunneled out of a German POW camp right under the noses of their captors. It took them months and a lot of digging to do that.

But here in Acts 16, Paul and Silas were not digging or trying to overcome the guards. Nope, they were just singing when an earthquake hit and all the doors opened and all the chains fell off of all the prisoners, not just Paul and Silas. The jailer, thinking that all had escaped, was going to kill himself, but was stopped by Paul. He was literally shaken to salvation.

TEACHING MOMENT

Now, I am not advocating shaking your children until they repent. That would not be very Christ like, would it? But how can we make sure our children know the importance of surrendering their life to Christ? I am sure there is not a parent reading this right now who wants to see their children face eternity without Christ. But sometimes we are too sensitive about telling them the enormous consequences of not coming to Christ.

The best and only way to point your children to Christ is to show them in Scripture. God’s Word is so clear on this subject. If you have been reading them the Word and teaching them the truths of God, then don’t shy away from those passages that clearly show the weight of their sins without Christ will drag them straight to eternal damnation.

This is probably one of the “heaviest” devotions I have written so far. But I am convinced that we need to be begging God for the salvation of our children. We need to be straightforward with them, once they are able to comprehend, about the consequences of spiritual inaction. There is no greater joy than seeing your child surrender their life to Christ. Let’s rejoice in that and covenant together to do our part in this ongoing battle against the Evil One.

II Chronicles 32:1 “After these acts of faithfulness Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and besieged the fortified cities, and thought to break into them for himself.”

HARD TIMES

This may seem a strange verse for a devotion, but it struck me hard. Hezekiah had been a good king. He had restored worship in the Temple, destroyed the idols in the land and was providing for the priests. He had done so many wonderful things, and God seemed to be blessing the nation. Everything was rosey!

But this verse says “After these acts of faithfulness.” You would expect it to continue “and God blessed Hezekiah and Judah with many wonderful things.” Nope! It goes on to say that Assyria invades. “What? All this good stuff we are doing and now God is abandoning us?” Those were probably the thoughts of the people and maybe even Hezekiah.

Why does God allow trials in our life just when things are going so well? There is no easy answer, but one thing is for sure – He only wants what is best for us. God never allows things to come into our lives to tear us down. He is always about making us more like Him – even if it means allowing a severe trial.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children need to learn from us that trials are expected. Trials are not bad, just difficult. God wants us to trust Him. Our children need to see us trusting Him even when things seem to be going all wrong. Even when we can’t see the solution, we know the problem solver. Even when all hope SEEMS lost, He is faithful.

Hezekiah was faced with an overwhelming enemy force, yet he trusted Jehovah. Hezekiah never had to lift a finger in defense of his country. God did the fighting for him. Won’t we let God fight for us? With one word He can wipe out the enemy. Trust Him to come to you when you cry out. Wait for Him to yield the sword of battle. Bow before Him so your children can learn to bow too. Let them see the mighty deliverance of their Father.

Acts 14:19-20 “19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.”

BEAT DOWN

Wouldn’t you have loved to be there at this scene? Paul had been revered as a god just days earlier when he healed someone, but how quickly the crowd turned. (That should be a warning to us all concerning the praise of men, by the way.) They drag Paul out of the city and stone him, trying to kill him. But Paul just gets up and walks back into the city.

What!!!! I would have run as fast as I could out of town and kept running. But Paul, full of the Holy Spirit, goes back to town like nothing has happened. His calling was more powerful than his falling. Yes, I just made that up, lol.

TEACHING MOMENT

We need to teach our kids that nothing the world can throw at us, even stones, can keep us down if we trust the Lord. Did those stones hurt that were thrown at Paul? I am sure! Words that are “thrown” at us hurt too. But our calling to follow Him is so much more powerful. Even sometimes the Lord will shield us from the hurts.

Boldness is something that is learned through experience. It is a gift of God given when we are called to be bold. He allows us to encounter people or circumstances that require boldness and courage, and then He equips us with exactly what we need. Is that cool or what?

Your kids will face challenging things in their life that are only handled through His strength. There is NOTHING you can do, mom and dad. They have to face these events with His boldness, not yours. Trust Him to give it. Trust them to ask for it.

II Chronicles 27:6 “So Jotham became mighty because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God.”

MIGHTY MOUSE OR MEN?

What makes a man mighty? This verse gives us the answer. It says Jotham was mighty “because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God.” Simple enough, right? Do you want to be mighty? Then get in line with God.

But what does it mean when it says “ordered his ways”? The word means to set firm or establish. Jotham was determined that everything he did as king would honor God. Because he honored God, God made him mighty in the eyes of men.

TEACHING MOMENT

Now, how do we bring this home and teach our children how to be mighty? Ask any kid if they want to be mighty and you will get an astounding “YES.” Who doesn’t want to be mighty? Your son or daughter may be thinking about Superman or Batman or another superhero who is mighty. I mean, come on, who wouldn’t want to be able to fly or stop speeding bullets or defeat all their enemies?

But how do we teach them the secret of being mighty in the eyes of God? We live it. I know you are probably tired of being the role model. “Why me?” you ask. “Why do I have to be the one to show them the example to follow?” Because the Lord has blessed you with these children for a purpose. It is your responsibility to teach your children. And teaching them to be mighty in the Lord is just one more lesson.

You must “establish, make firm, order” your ways according to God’s Word. That will make you mighty. Then your children will see your “might” and learn from you. You may not be as strong as Superman, but your children will think you are. They will follow you not because of you, but because of Who is in you. So, live mighty! Set your ways according to His ways!

Acts 12:16 “But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed.”

DID I PRAY THAT?

Do you know the story? Peter had been arrested and imprisoned. An angel sets him free and Peter shows up at the door where the believers are praying, probably for his freedom. So what do they do? They stand there amazed! They couldn’t believe that what they were praying for had happened! Aren’t we the same?

How many times have you prayed for something and then are amazed or surprised when it happens? Have you ever prayed for rain and then not carry an umbrella? Listen folks, if you are praying for something, expect it.

TEACHING MOMENT

We need our children to learn to believe their prayers are being heard and answered. Now sometimes the answer we get is not exactly what WE were hoping for but it is usually for our best. How can you as a parent teach your child to trust the Lord to answer prayers?

The best way I know is to pray with them and then let them know when you get an answer. Sometimes that prayer is answered quickly. Other times it takes a while. I have known families who have prayed for an adoptive child and it happened quickly. Others…well…it took a while. But they still celebrated the answered prayer in whatever form the answer took.

What are some things you as a family are praying for right now? Write them down on the frig and watch what God does. Pray with your children for their desires. Watch how God speaks to them through their prayers.

But let me challenge you in one thing. The next time you pray for something and it happens, don’t be surprised. Don’t be amazed! Praise the amazing God, but don’t be amazed that He answered.

II Chronicles 24:1-2 “1 Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Zibiah from Beersheba. 2 Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.”

FORGETFUL

Joash took the reign of Judah at 7 and was a good king until…. The last seven words of verse 2 says, “all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” Joash was a good king only while the man who raised him and advised him lived. He even went so far as to kill Jehoiada’s son when he confronted him. Sad!

Do your children only do good when you are watching? When they think you can’t hear them or see them they misbehave or are mean to their siblings. But the moment you enter the room their halo magically appears.

TEACHING MOMENT

Learning to do the right thing when no one is looking is a trait much needed today. We must teach our children that God is ALWAYS looking – not to punish them, but to guide them. They can always rely on Him to give them the wisdom to make the right decision.

I have seen too many children grow up in godly homes who always did the right thing. They never had any issues with their parents. They seemed to always have the right attitude. They were model children as far as behavior. But the moment they left home for college they became raving lunatics. Every kind of trouble you could imagine became part of their life. Why? Were their parents to blame? No, the choices they made were their own. But for some reason they thought the absence of the parental figure meant freedom to do anything they wanted.

God is our supreme parental figure. He not only loves us and cherishes us, but He also demands obedience. He wants to lead us and guide us through the difficult and pleasant times of life.

Mom and Dad, spend the time to teach your children that independence from parents does not mean independence from their Lord. He is always present and watching.

Acts 11:19a “So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch,”

PUSHED OUT

Why does a loving God allow persecution of believers around the world? Well, we have one answer right here in this verse. We read earlier about Stephen’s death because of his testimony and preaching. Obviously, that persecution continued. We know that Saul (later named Paul) was one of the chief antagonists. So the people fled the persecution, thus taking the Word of God with them.

God allowed persecution to push the believers out in order to spread the Word. There was no internet back then. There was no television or radio. People spread news by word of mouth. And what better news than the Good News of Jesus Christ?!

TEACHING MOMENT

But how in the world do you explain persecution to your children? How do you explain that it can be “allowed” by God to further His kingdom? The best way I know is to find some testimonies of believers who have suffered persecution. They are our modern day New Testament believers who, just like these mentioned in Acts 11, suffered persecution, which forced them to leave their homes and perhaps their homelands. But through their persecution God has given them a pulpit to share His love.

Here is one great article which you could share with your children – http://www.christiantoday.com/article/we.are.living.in.the.midst.of.the.greatest.turning.of.muslims.to.christ.in.history/56393.htm. Christianity Today published this last year. God is moving among Muslims who, due to ISIS, have fled through countries.

Sometimes God allows events in our lives to “push” us in another direction. I have experienced God’s shoves at times in my ministry. Sometimes that is a gentle nudge, and other times, well, let’s just say I knew I had been pushed. Don’t wait on that. Seek ways for God to use you right where you are. Let Him lead you in areas that you would NEVER go on your own. You can trust His hand to guide you.

II Chronicles 17:3-4 “3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David’s earlier days and did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did.”

ROLE MODELS

Jehoshapat had watched his father, Asa, follow the Lord, but in his latter days turn away. Jehoshapat, however, determined himself to follow “the example of his father David.” He obviously knew of David’s failures and triumphs. He had read of the blessings God bestowed on David and the other kings who chose to follow the Lord. He made the wise choice.

Teaching our children to obey is always a struggle. Recently, during our Children’s Church, I asked the children if they liked obeying. Shockingly, most of them raised their hand. I actually took a picture and posted it on the Children’s Ministry Face Book page for the parents to see. Lol.

What surprised me was I really expected most of them to NOT raise their hand. I don’t like to obey. My flesh likes to rebel. What I do like, however, is the benefits of obeying. Probably most of those kids did too. They liked obeying because it brought praise from mom or dad. It might even bring a treat. But usually obedience is rewarded, sooner or later.

TEACHING MOMENT

Why do you obey? Is it simply to please the Father? Or is it to get something from Him? Be honest! Do you obey to escape punishment? Do you obey out of love or fear?

We want our children to obey out of love, don’t we? Then we too should be obeying our Heavenly Father out of love for Him. Remember, modeling behavior is better than just talking about it. Why don’t you this week look for a way to obey the Father out of love? But make sure your kids see you obeying. They need to see you model the behavior you want from them. And then the next time they obey out of love, bless them.