Ruth 1:16-18 “16 But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.’ 18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.”

TRUE LOVE

How many of you have heard these verses quoted or read at a wedding?  Although they do reflect Ruth’s love for her mother-in-law (which is amazing in and of itself) they have nothing to do with marital love.  I don’t use these verses in any ceremonies I conduct due to that fact.  If a couple really wants them, I make sure I explain the context of these verses.

Now, that I have said that…  Ruth’s love is noteworthy.  We often hear how bad relationships are between a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law.  Face it, mother-in-laws get a bad rap, don’t they?  And even though Naomi was bitter and depressed, Ruth still loved her.  Ruth was selfless in her love for Naomi.  We could all learn from that.

TEACHING MOMENT

How do we apply this verse with our children?  Easy!  We should all love everyone this way.  We should love with abandon.  We should put others ahead of ourselves.  We should be unselfish in giving our love to others with no expectation of anything in return.

Teaching our little Gertrude to love this way is only done by modeling that love.  Be honest though, we don’t do that.  We pick and choose who we love.  We love only those who love us back.  Jesus loved EVERYONE.  He even loved Judas who betrayed Him.  So, be that example of selfless love.  Then your children will have someone to emulate.

You are the epitome of selfless love, Father.  You love with abandon.  Show me how to love that same way and teach others the same.

Judges 19:23 “Then the man, the owner of the house, went out to them and said to them, ‘No, my fellows, please do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not commit this act of folly.’” 

WICKED = FOLLY

 Chapters 19-21 of Judges contain probably one of the most confusing stories in Scripture. It involves concubines, homosexuality, rape, war, death and forgiveness.  It is apparent that wickedness has always been among us.  People, left to their own decisions, will wallow in wickedness.  Let’s face it, sin feels good for a season.  But there are always consequences for our sins.

Israel and the tribe of Benjamin are at war WITH EACH OTHER.  It’s brother against brother.  This is NOT what God intended.  They were doing what was good in their own eyes and not relying on the direction of the Lord.  This story is a perfect example of how NOT to live.

TEACHING MOMENT

 When Elrod or Gertrude hits their teen years and is determined to live how they want to live, read them this story.  Show them how totally chaotic and wrong things can go when we are not following the Lord.  Your child, even though they know the right way to live, can choose another path, resulting in wickedness. It’s important they understand that wickedness always brings consequences.

The Lord won’t let believers wallow in wickedness.  He will discipline them at some point.  God will not allow His holy name to be besmirched by us.  His name means something.  He won’t be partnered with evil.  So, just beware.

Is your life reflecting good choices or wickedness?  Can the world even tell you are a believer by the way you live?  Do your children feel drawn to Christ by the way you act around the house?  Turn to Him today and ask Him to guide your every step.

O Lord, I am prone to live just like the Benjamites in this story.  My flesh’s desires are strong.  Give me the strength to always choose right, not wickedness.

 Judges 18:31 “So they set up for themselves Micah’s graven image which he had made, all the time that the house of God was at Shiloh.”

SLIPPERY SLOPE

 What in the world is meant by this?  Surely, they knew better than to make an idol. They were worshippers of Jehovah Who demanded no idol worship.  But here we find them setting up a “graven image.”  It may have been an innocent gesture, but it led to disobedience.

Years later, Jeroboam set up the golden calves as a place of worship away from Jerusalem.  Some believe it was in the same place and because of the long standing graven images that were set up here.  If it was good enough for them, it would be even better later.  This seemed to be the thought.

TEACHING MOMENT

As parents, we have to hold our children to a strict standard as it relates to worshipping the Lord.  Anything does NOT go.  Our world seems to imply that we can worship the Lord in whatever way we choose.  The worlds shouts, “Be free in your beliefs.”  Straying from the Biblical commands, even a little bit, can take you far off course.

Remember, you are not raising children.  You are raising child raisers.  Whatever you teach your little Johnny or Susie will be taught or lived out to their children who in turn will do the same.  You have the opportunity to impact future generations.

Are you doing that?  Are you impacting your grandchildren today, before they are even born?  Yes, you are, whether you realize it or not.  Make a Jesus impression on them today.

Jehovah God, I will hold only You as my object of worship.  I do not need anything else to represent.  You are love and I know You are present always.

 Judges 14:4 “However, his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord, for He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. Now at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.”

HARD TO UNDERSTAND

The saying “God works in mysterious ways” does not appear anywhere in Scripture, but it does reflect several passages’ basic meaning.  What does it mean?  It means God doesn’t think like we think.  He doesn’t act like we act.  His ways are way beyond our ways. Sometimes the way He works makes absolutely no sense to us.

Samson’s parents were just like us in that they wanted their son to marry a good and godly young woman.  But who does he pick out?  A Philistine woman!  The enemy of Israel!  Why would God allow this?  To prepare Samson to defeat the Philistines.  Mom and Dad, God will use our children in ways we can’t imagine.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Our job, then, is to get our children ready for WHATEVER God chooses to do with them.  We can’t force our desires and wishes on our children, even if we think they are godly plans.  We have to love them enough to let God have them.  Wow!  I know!  That is hard, but it is the right thing to do.

God may ask your little Elrod to do something that makes no sense.  He may struggle with it.  Your task is to stand beside him as he follows the Lord.  When others, even in your own family, mock him and you, stand firm.  Trust God’s wisdom and direction.  Just look at how God used Samson to deliver Israel for 20 years.

Are you fighting against the Lord right now?  You may not even see it as fighting, but if you are not yielding, you are fighting.  We have only one right choice – to surrender daily.  Anything else is just…well…disobedience.  Do the mysterious thing with God.

God of mystery, surprise me today.  Liven up my life in a way I can’t even imagine.  But Lord, when You do, let me point only to You.

 Judges 10:15 “The sons of Israel said to the Lord, ‘We have sinned, do to us whatever seems good to You; only please deliver us this day.’”

 CONFESSION

When someone says, “I don’t care, just do whatever,” that usually implies they really just don’t care or they are just tired of arguing about the issue.  Right?  Well, this is NOT the case here.  In the pattern in which the Israelites had fallen, they had once again begun worshipping pagan gods, had been given into the hands of an enemy for judgment and now were crying out to God for deliverance.

But look at their words. “Do WHATEVER seems good to You.”  Those are dangerous words.  I have prayed those words before.  Desiring brokenness and humility, I have prayed, “Lord, do whatever You need to to do to bring me where You want me.”  I am not sure I understood those words.  I am sure I meant them, but did I understand them?

TEACHING MOMENT

Your child may throw those words at you.  Like the Israelites, they have done something wrong, and you have to discipline them.  They get mad, rather than sorrowful, and say, “I don’t care.  Just do whatever.”  That is the perfect time to pull out this verse.  Show them what those words could mean.  Asking someone to “do whatever” can be a good thing or it can be a bad thing.  But when they ask God to do that, He can literally turn their world upside down.  Is that what they want?

When we discipline our children it is not to break them.  But it should lead to brokenness and confession.  We should see repentance and a desire for deliverance.  As bad as we want it, however, we can’t force this on anyone.  That has to be desired and asked for by the person.  We just set the table.

I don’t know about you, but I truly desire for a contrite heart.  I want to be vunerable enough to be used by God and not be seen in the process.  I want others to just see Jesus.

O Lord my God, as dangerous as it sounds, break me.  Make me into Your perfect image.  Let others ONLY see You in me.

 Psalm 75:4-5 “‘4 I said to the boastful, “Do not boast,” and to the wicked, “Do not lift up the horn; 5 Do not lift up your horn on high, Do not speak with insolent pride.”’”

WATCH YOUR TONGUE

 This is my prayer most days.  “Lord, help me to not be arrogant or boastful this day.”  Honestly, I don’t try to be arrogant.  It just comes naturally.  I can get big-headed and proud.  But I know these words from the Psalms are true.  God is talking to me here.

There seems to be two extremes in the world today.  People are prideful, or they have no pride at all.  No in between, no middle ground.  But look at our Savior. He exuded pride without being prideful.  He showed humility without being slothful.  He commands us to be like Him, so it is possible.  But, of course, it starts with dying to ourselves daily.

TEACHING MOMENT

 As parents, we are to teach our kids to be proud of who they are.  We want them to stand up for themselves and carry their name with respect.  But we don’t want cocky kids who look with disdain on those they think they are better than.  No one wants kids like that.  God gives us pretty clear instructions here.  Look at it again.

The “horn” was a symbol of power, strength and glory.  God is telling us to not use our position to put down someone else.  If God has blessed us with the “horn” it is to be used to lead, not destroy.  Our children should learn that early.  If they are the champions in a sport, act like a champion – lead by example.

Are you “lifting your horn” over someone?  We can do it so easily.  We do it at work, in the home and even in church.  Examine your life and make sure you are not using your opportunities to lead as a chance to “raise your horn” over someone.

Father God, Your horn is the only horn that matters.  I bow in obedience to your strength, glory and power.  Remind me daily to lead as You lead.

 Judges 4:9 “She said, ‘I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the honor shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman.’ Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.”

GOD WILL USE US

 I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if Barak hadn’t asked Deborah to go with him to fight against Sisera.  I bet he thought she was referring to herself, and he was pretty sure he could outfight her.  Nope, Deborah was referring to another woman, Jael.

You really need to read the rest of the chapter.  Jael tricks Sisera, who had fled from the battle, and then killed him with a hammer and tent peg while he slept.  Pretty gruesome.  She must have been some woman.

TEACHING MOMENT

“Come on, Carl, how in the world do I apply this verse to my kids?”  Well, think about it.  Do you think for a second that Sisera ever considered Jael a threat to his safety?  God can use ANYONE He desires to accomplish His will.  He chose to use Jael to be the one to kill Israel’s chief enemy at the time.  Your sons and daughters might just be the one to accomplish His will in some way no one expects.

What are your desires and wishes for your children?  I am sure you have them.  Ask the Lord to expand those.  Ask the Lord to use them to accomplish incredible feats of faith to lead thousands to Christ.  Wouldn’t that be the best answered prayer ever?  Teach your children to submit and trust.

What does the Lord want to use you for?  Are you willing to pick up the hammer and tent peg to defeat His enemies?  Are you willing to lay down your life for your God?  He will lead you if you trust Him.

O God, I know you can use anyone if we will allow You to do so.  Help me to yield.  Help me to teach others to trust Your leading.

 Judges 2:10 “All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel.”

 ONE GENERATION

 Isn’t it sad?  One generation!  After all the struggles of the Israelites in Egypt and then the wilderness, one generation after entering the Promised Land, they forget God.  The verse actually says, “did not know the Lord.”

This is why I am always harping on the fact that we, as parents, have to be so diligent to teach our children and lead them to the saving knowledge of Christ.  If we don’t, it takes just one generation for the church to die.  Our calling as parents also involves advancing the kingdom of Christ here on earth.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Share this verse with your children today.  Explain to them that they have the same mandate from God as you.  They must teach their children about the Lord.  They must make sure their children don’t just know about God, but that they know God.  Knowledge without personal experience does not cut it.  They must truly know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Your little Gertrude and Elrod, once they believe in the Lord and are saved, become missionaries to the next generation.  They have the responsibility to share the gospel with their family and friends.  Nothing is more exciting than to see your own children follow the Lord.  A parent can rest in the joy of kingdom growth through their own children.  Rejoice!

Have you done that?  Does your life draw your children to Christ or repel them?  Everything we do as parents must model Jesus so our children will want to model, not us, but Christ is us.  Be His reflection and image today.

You are the generation builder, O Lord.  I know if I rely on You for my strength, You will give me the ability to reach my children and grandchildren for Christ.  Thank You, Lord.

Joshua 22:34 “The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad called the altar Witness; ‘For,’ they said, ‘it is a witness between us that the Lord is God.’”

 ED

 Isn’t it amazing how fast we can jump to conclusions?  For some people that is the only exercise they get.  In this chapter, the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half tribe of Manasseh have crossed the Jordan back to the land which was given to them.  They build an altar, not for use of sacrifices, but for a symbol to future generations that they are part of the Israelites.

But the other tribes hear about it and think they are setting up their own altar.  So, they take off to confront and wage war, if necessary.  The altar was called “Witness,” which in Hebrew is “ed.”  An altar called Ed.  Pardon me, but I just think that is funny.

TEACHING MOMENT

 I promise you that your children are going to be the cause of or the victim of misunderstandings.  There is just no way to avoid it.  People see and hear what they want to.  Teaching our children to deal with these is an important skill to master.  How should they react when they are falsely accused?

Peace and calm must reign.  They should ask themselves if they have indeed wronged someone.  If they are living to please the Lord, most of the time that is easily avoided.  But sometimes, no matter what they do, people will get upset.  Continue to love and obey the Lord.  Let Him fight the battles for you.  That’s the lesson they need to learn.

Are you dealing with false accusations?  I’ve dealt with that in the past.  Sometimes, though, I have actually wronged someone and didn’t know it until I was confronted.  I am thankful for accountability.

O Lord, thank You for showing me when I sin against others.  Protect me when I am doing good and am accused by those who would do me harm.  And thank You for letting me be an example to others.

 Joshua 21:45 “Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.”

 ONLY THE BEST FROM GOD

 I have written several times about the promises of God and Him being a promise keeper.  So, there is no need to do that again.  But look at the adjective which describes the promises.  It says, “good promises.”  I assume that is in contrast to a bad promise, but who wants that, right?

This word “good” is the Hebrew word “towb,” pronounced “tobe.”  But what is “good.”  Well, this is the same word used to describe creation.  God made the light and said it is good.  He made the trees and said it is good.  You get the picture.  Everything and anything God makes is good.  That includes His promises.

TEACHING MOMENT

We have to remind our children of that, don’t we?  Our teaching about God must include that He is all good, no matter what He allows to come our way.  His work in our lives is good.

Let me encourage you to do a word study on this word “tobe.”  It has so many more meanings that your child needs to know.  It can mean precious, beautiful, better and best.  All these words describe our God, too.  He is all those things.  AND since He made you and your children, they describe you, too.

Do you see yourself as “tobe” in God’s eyes?  If you don’t, you are calling God a liar.  Why?  Because everything that God creates is good, including you.  Live like it.

Creator of all good, remind me daily of Your goodness.  Whisper in my ear that I am good.  Remind me that I am commanded to do good and be good because of Your goodness, not mine.