Isaiah 4:5 “then the Lord will create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy.”

CLOUD BY DAY AND A FIRE BY NIGHT

When I read this verse my mind flashed back to the Exodus of the Hebrew people from Egypt.  Do you remember?  God led them in the wilderness by a cloud and a pillar of fire.  He protected them from Pharaoh by that pillar of fire all night.  You see, the cloud and fire mentioned here in Isaiah is simply (well not simply) referring to God’s presence.  Don’t you want that?

We may not see a cloud or pillar of fire, but we can rest assure that God is present with us.  How do I know?  Because He lives within me through the presence of the Holy Spirit.  How do I know that?  Because He promised.  How do I know that’s true?  Because He has NEVER broken a promise.

TEACHING MOMENT

Teaching children about the presence of God is no easy task. They want to see something.  Try this.  Have them stay in one room of the house and you go to another so they cannot see you.  Then have them call out to you.  Answer them, “Can you see me?”  When they say no then ask them, “Then how do you know I am still here?”  They will probably laugh and say, “Cause I hear you Daddy.”  Then say, “How do you know it’s Daddy?”  They will undoubtedly say, “Cause I know your voice.”

Then come back into the room and tell them that’s exactly how I know God is here.  He speaks to me and I know His voice because of the Holy Spirit in my life.  I don’t have to see Him to know He’s there.

Do you want to know God is there?  Then talk to Him.  Hear His voice.  Feel His presence through the Spirit of God in you.  If you are not a believer, I just lost you.  You can’t relate.  But I promise if you know Jesus as Your personal Savior, you can hear God if you listen closely.

Father, remind me today of Your presence in my life.  Let me hear Your voice as You direct me today.

Isaiah 2:4b “And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.”

PEACE AT LAST

Can you imagine?  No more war!  It seems the United States has been at war forever.  This latest war against terrorism has stretched into two decades and soon to be three, unless the Lord returns.  But what else can you expect as long as men are living for themselves or THEIR ideologies.

There will come a day, according to Isaiah, when weapons of war will be no more.  I cannot comprehend that.  That seems too good to be true.  But it will happen.  God says so.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children who are under 16 years of age have never known a time when we were NOT at war.  Do you realize that?  Their world has been in chaos since September 11, 2001.  We need to reassure them that God is in control.  He is not caught unaware. He knows exactly what is going on and has a plan which has been in place since the foundation of the world.

Can we explain all the chaos?  Sure, we can.  It’s called sin!  Sin gives mankind the rationale to do as he pleases.  Sin deceives mankind into thinking he is in charge.  Sin leads mankind down a slippery slope.  That’s why we must teach our children to flee from it and run to Jesus.  Only then will they understand.

I don’t know about you, but I get weary of all the bad news.  I am ready for some good news.  Do you want to hear some?  He is coming back soon.  Jesus, our Redeemer, is on His way.  He is sitting on ready.  The moment His Father, Our Father in heaven, says, “Go get Your bride” He is here.  Hallelujah!

God, I eagerly await Your return.  I look forward to that day when there will be no more war.  Thank You that in the meantime You are watching over us and leading us where You want us to go.

Psalm 93:1 “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord has clothed and girded Himself with strength; indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.”

MAJESTIC

They say the right clothes make a man.  When I was in high school I bought my first three-piece suit.  Don’t judge, they were in style back then.  I remember going to the B.C. Moore store several times to spy out this suit.  Of course, I didn’t have a credit card, so I had to save up to buy it.  I loved that suit.  I eventually got it, and I must say, I looked awesome.  Lol.

But I did not look majestic.  Nothing I could wear could make me majestic.  Only God is majestic.  This verse goes on to say He is also clothed and girded with strength.  Now that is some fancy stitching.  Can you imagine one day being able to actually look at God?  What a sight that will be.

TEACHING MOMENT

The next time you are dressing little Johnny or Susie, read this verse to them.  As you put on their pants and shirt or their socks and shoes, talk about how they think God is dressed.  I am sure they will think about a robe or sandals or something like that.  Have them draw it.  But then have them draw this verse.  I wonder what they could draw.

We want to clothe our children in strength, don’t we.  We want the majesty of the Lord to envelope them.  We want God to be just all over them.  Well, we can help “stitch” that.  We have to be diligent about surrounding them with things of the Lord.  We have to teach them about the Lord and read them His Word.

How are you clothed today?  Most days I “dress” pretty good.  But other days I am dressed kind of shabby.  Some days I am not decent to be seen by anyone.  But the God Who is clothed in majesty and strength stands ready to give me His clothes, to present me as His child.

O Majestic King of Glory, clothe me today with Your power.  Put Your strength on me so that all who see me will be in awe of You.  Praise You!

Micah 4:5b “As for us, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.”

HIKING

I really like going for hikes in the woods.  There is just something rejuvenating about getting back to nature and enjoying the outdoors.  But I found out something a few years ago about hiking.  You have to prepare carefully where and when you go.

My son, Christopher, and I had planned this day hike for weeks to the Stone Door area about an hour outside of Chattanooga, TN, where we live.  The only problem was a cold front came in that week and the temperatures dropped into the teens in Chattanooga and into the single digits where we were going.  But being men (lol) we toughed it out.  Needless to say, it was an exhilarating, challenging and, at times, scary hike.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our walk with the Lord can be unpredictable, too.  We never know what is just around the next bend in the trail.  That is something we need to teach our children.  Life is challenging.  But if we are following the trail blazed by the Master Trailblazer, we are safe.  The trail may go up and then down, around bends and across roaring rivers.  But if we continue to walk with Him, we are just along for the hike.

Why not take your children on a hike this week?  Find a nature trail or a park and go for a walk.  Quote this verse to them as you walk and ask them what it means to walk with the Lord.  They may ask, “Do we walk on clouds?” or “What does God wear on a hike?”  Laugh a little, enjoy the walk.  Just like we should do with the Lord.

Walking with the Lord is great exercise for our soul just as walking a trail here is good for our bodies (unless you are doing it in subzero weather, lol).  Take the time today to thank the Lord for walking with you.

Father of all creation, help me to enjoy my walk with you.  Allow me to stop and “smell the roses” along the way.  That way, when I encounter the bridge that has been washed out, I will remember that sweet smell and know You are with me.

Micah 1:3 “For behold, the LORD is coming forth from His place.  He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth.”

LOOK UP

When the Lord returns (and He will) He will tread on the high places.  What does that mean?  He will be above ALL.  There won’t be anything or anyone over Him.  When He came the first time, He was lowly.  He came as a baby.  He was born in a manger. He was a little Jewish boy.  Not next time.

But for those who are watching for Him, there will be no worry.  We are expectantly waiting for Him.  I, for one, can’t wait.  Sure, there are friends and family I want to see come to Him before He returns.  But there is an anticipation of His return.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children need to know that His return is nothing to fear, if they are believers.  Christ comes for us to take us HOME.  Who doesn’t want to go home.  I truly believe He is as anxious to come as we are for Him to come.  He is just waiting on the Father to say, “Go!”

Now, this verse in Micah was referring to God’s judgment on a nation.  When Jesus returns He will bring judgment on the world.  His next appearance will be a final judgment.  He will take His bride, the church, home and leave the world in the hands of the evil one for a period of time.  Now, that is scary.

I am so thankful that I am going home with the first bunch, if I am around when He returns.  What a day that will be!

Father, I anticipate His coming.  Let me usher my children into His presence before He arrives, so they too will be carried to Glory with me.  Use me to bring as many as I can.

3 John 4 “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”

WALK THIS WAY

Our walk with Christ is so important.  How we walk influences a lot of people, many of whom we are not even aware.  But people are watching!  I can promise you that.

But what a joy when we can walk in a way that others are led to Christ.  Every day we need to be aware that our words and actions are under a microscope.  That may sound unfair, but if we are walking with Christ, there should be nothing to hide, nothing of which to be ashamed.

TEACHING MOMENT

But look again at the verse.  John is taking joy in seeing his “children” walk in truth.  Now these children weren’t his biological children, of course.  They were his spiritual children.  We, however, can take such joy when we see our biological children begin their own walk with Christ.  Our job, as parents, is to walk with them in their young journey and then let them go.

What!  Let them go!  Yes!  You can’t walk their walk for them.  You can’t live their faith for them. We prepare them for the steps beyond our grasp.  Letting go of them is hard, but necessary.  And then to watch them walk on their own – what joy!

Don’t give up on your own walk.  Little eyes are watching and learning.  They will model your steps in the same way they put your shoes on when they are little and walk down the hall.  Make sure your steps are on the right path.

Father, help me make sure my steps are on Your path.  Help me lead those around me to You.  Let my walk be true.

Hosea 7:2 “2 And they do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness.  Now their deeds are all around them; they are before My face.”

CONSTANT AWARENESS

Have you ever had one of those moments when you kind of zoned out?  You know what I mean.  You realize when you snap out of it that minutes have gone by and you were not aware of anything.  That’s okay if you are sitting down somewhere. It’s not okay if you are driving down the interstate.  HaHa.

God NEVER zones out.  He is always aware of everything everywhere.  Wow!  Nothing escapes His sight.  Ephraim thought they could hide their sins from God.  They thought He wasn’t watching anymore.  Or at least it appeared that way because they were sinning without any remorse.

TEACHING MOMENT

That’s a sure sign your child understands grace – when they are remorseful for sin.  Now, wait just a minute.  Don’t jump to conclusions.  I know a lot of parents who want to see their child INSTANTLY remorseful.  I didn’t say that.  Our flesh is strong if we are are not surrendered daily.  And sometimes it takes a while for our flesh to yield.  Your child is no different.

Children need to learn the importance of confession of sin.  But they also need to learn the necessity of making things right with whomever they have offended.  That’s so much easier with a friend.  It’s not so easy with a sibling.  Make it all about grace, not law. Help them understand that you too struggle with this.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to apologize.  Why?  Because that means I have to admit that I made a mistake.  Lol.  Who wants to do that?

Father God, I know I am not perfect.  I know I fall short everyday of Your plan for my life.  Help me to confess that and if need be, make things right with others whom I may have wronged.

Psalm 55:12-14 “12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, then I could bear it; nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, then I could hide myself from him. 13 But it is you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend; 14 We who had sweet fellowship together walked in the house of God in the throng.”

NOW THAT HURTS

It’s one thing to be hurt by an enemy.  It’s a whole other matter when the hurt comes from someone close to you.  We don’t know who this person was in David’s life who betrayed him.  Many speculate it was Absalom, the son who tried to overthrow him as king.  Maybe, maybe not.  We do know whoever it was deeply hurt David.

Have you been hurt like that by someone you thought loved you?  Maybe they even attended church with you.  You thought they were your Christian brother or sister.  But then they turned on you, seemingly for no reason.  Flesh is flesh, and this side of eternity, people can do anything.

TEACHING MOMENT

Your children need to be prepared to handle hurts like this.  But, in reality, the only way to learn how is to go through it.  That sounds bad, doesn’t it.  We don’t want our little Johnny or Susie to hurt.  We would do anything to shield them from heartache.  But some things just can’t be taught.  They have to be caught.  This is one of them.

You can, however, teach them, as they are going through this hurt, to rely on Jesus.  He is the Author and Finisher of their faith.  He is the Healer of the brokenhearted.  He is the Balm of Gilead.  You get the picture.  Point them to Jesus.

Father, thank You for helping me through those times in my life when I was wounded.  You have been my support and my defense.  I can ALWAYS depend on You.

2 Peter 2:22 “It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘A dog returns to its own vomit,’ and, ‘A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.’”

BUT TRUE

I will never forget witnessing this first proverb when I was little boy.  Our dog was sick and vomited, but then he turned around and ate it.  Yuk!  Gross!  Sorry, for the graphic analogy.  And I also had an uncle (Uncle Hugh Lee) who was a pig farmer.  I saw his hogs, big and little, after getting all cleaned up for market, go and wallow in the mud again.  My uncle would get so mad!  Lol

The point is this – we, unless we are living for Christ daily, will return to those fleshly, nasty, dirty things we lived in before.  The draw of the flesh is strong.  I once had a kid tell me, “I’m tired of being good.  Being bad is so much easier.”  No truer words have been spoken.

TEACHING MOMENT

So how do we teach our kids to not return to their own vomit or wallow in the mire?  We have to be consistent with our discipline and live a lifestyle ourselves that points them constantly to Christ.  The first one is much easier.  It seems the second one is where we fail.  We had rather say, “Do as I say, not as I do.”  That just won’t work.

Invite your child to read the Word with you.  They will remember those moments.  Pray with your child.  They will model that behavior.  As appropriate, confess your sins to them.  They need to know you are NOT perfect.  Sometimes our kids see us that way and one small imperfection can throw them.  Be open and honest at all times with them.

Are you living your life that way?  Are you asking the Lord to reveal those things that veer you back to the mire and vomit?  He will show you exactly where you got off the path, if you ask.  He wants you to stay near to him where you can live and thrive, not strive.

Father of all, You are my only true guiding light.  Thank You for leading me in the path of righteousness instead of the path of destruction.  I praise You!

1 Peter 4:19 “So then, those who suffer according to God’s Will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator, and continue to do good.”

SIGN ME UP

Seriously?  Really God?  I mean, come on, who wants to suffer?  You never hear this preached, do you?  But do you understand that suffering for the name of Christ is an honor and a privilege?  Suffering for the believer is to be expected.  Christ Himself suffered horribly at the hands of the Jewish leaders and Romans.  His suffering was totally and completely undeserved.  So why should be complain?

So why is it when we face a little suffering we bellyache and complain?  Because we are flesh and blood and want our way.  We think not getting the parking spot close to the mall entrance is suffering.  We feel we are being punished when we can’t buy that new car or dress or gun we want.  Nope, not even close.

TEACHING MOMENT

The only way to teach our children the “gift” of suffering is to show them.  When we go through a tough time we model the attitude of Christ.  When others unfairly criticize you, model Christ’s forgiveness.  When someone wrongs you, remember they are a sinner, just like you.

Your children will learn more from you in the midst of your suffering than you could ever teach them through a lecture.  When they observe your reaction to suffering, they will learn how to respond to their own suffering later on.

But don’t miss the last part of that verse – “continue to do good.”  Not only are we to endure, we are to persevere with intention.  We are to look for ways to do good to others in the midst of our suffering.  Our suffering always has a purpose.  Look for it.

Thank You Lord that you count me worthy to suffer in Your name.  Thank You for giving me the strength to endure.  Thank You for the promise of the crown of life.