Monthly Archives: February 2020

Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Direction, Encouragement, Faith, Following, Inspirational, Mentoring, Obedience, Parenting, Scripture

YOUR GUIDE

1 PETER 1:24-25

24 “For, ‘ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, 25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.’ And this is the word which was preached to you.”

Peter reaches back to the book of Isaiah and quotes 40:6-8.

“6 A voice says, ‘Call out.’ Then he answered, ‘What shall I call out?’ All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”

Peter knew that the only enduring word is God’s word. Everything else is subject to the seasons. They may return, but they are not constant. God’s Word is always here. It is always present. It is true. You can always rely on it.

APPLICATION

Your children need something they can depend on. You are not always around. They are going to leave home one day (at least you hope so, lol). God’s Word will be the same whether they are living with you or on their own. Your job is to teach them to turn to it for guidance.

The Bible is not a roadmap. A roadmap can show you multiple routes to a destination. The Bible is a guide. A guide knows the best and safest route to follow. That’s what your children need, not a map.

Are you depending on the Word to guide you or are you winging it? If you are trying it your way, it won’t be long before you are seeking some answers. It is so easy to get off track. One small step off the path and you can end up in a mess. Stay in the Word. Let it guide you home.

Lord, thank You for Your Word. Thank You that I can depend on it to always be true. I will follow You.

Advertisement
Standard
Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Contentment, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Following, Mentoring, Obedience, Parenting, Redemption, Repentance, Salvation, Surrender, Worthy

UNWORTHY

LUKE 5:8

“But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, ‘Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!’” 

You should really read verses 1-11 to get the full context of this verse. Luke is the only Gospel that shows Peter this way. He was truly humbled in the presence of Jesus. He saw how he did not rise to the level he thought Jesus wanted. But Jesus saw Peter not as he was but as he would be.

Isn’t that true for us? Unfortunately, many of us think we have arrived. We compare ourselves to other Christians and say Well, I’m better than them. Our only place of comparison should be Jesus. Jesus chose us and drew us to Himself because He saw what we would be in Him. We are, in fact, just like Peter on that boat – unworthy but chosen.

APPLICATION

One of the toughest things to help our children work through is that feeling of unworthiness. That’s why it is so important for us to do all we can to build them up. But we all feel unworthy when we are faced with the reality of our sins. When we come to Christ our sins are exposed. However, Christ doesn’t focus on our sins. He focuses on our salvation.

The next time your child comes to you feeling low and unworthy, read them this story. Let them see how Jesus turned Peter’s feelings of unworthiness into a calling to follow Him. That’s the message your children need to hear. God is calling them and has a plan for their lives.

Are you feeling unworthy of your salvation? Satan loves for you to feel that way. Don’t give him that victory. Your victory is in Christ. Jesus makes you worthy. It doesn’t matter how you feel or what Satan says. YOU ARE WORTHY!!!

I praise You, Lord, for declaring me worthy. I will not allow Satan to bring me down. I will rest in You.

Standard
Advice, Bible, Child Bearing, Child Raising, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faith, Following, God's Will, Heaven, Inspirational, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Redemption, Salvation, Scripture, Testimony

GOOD SEED, BAD SEED

1 PETER 1:23

“for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.”

When I was growing up, I worked for a few years at a Feed-N-Seed store. We sold all kinds of seed to the local farmers and to small garden folks. The important thing was to sell them good seed. There is nothing much worse than to spend money on seed, plant them and nothing happens. We had to make sure the seed was imperishable.

Peter is telling us here that we have been born again with seed that is imperishable. And what is that seed? He tells us. It is the living and enduring word of God. God’s Word will never perish. He will always produce fruit.

APPLICATION

How about teaching this verse to your kids in their own little garden? Make it fun. Get some various seeds from your local nursery. Get some pots and fill them with potting soil. Now, plant those seed, but save one. In that pot plant a jellybean. Explain that you have to wait a while for the seed to sprout.

Boy, when you see that first sprout your kids are going to be so excited. But wait! Is the jellybean pot sprouting? Of course not. Jellybeans don’t sprout. Explain to your children the difference. You have to have the right seed. Only the Lord has the right seed that can make us imperishable. We are destined for heaven.

Have you stopped to thank the Lord today for your salvation which you received through that imperishable word? He planned it all for you. He cared enough about your salvation that He made a perfect way.

Thank You, Lord, for the imperishable Word. Thank You that it is the source of my growth and knowledge.

Standard
Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Confession, Denial, Direction, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Following, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Service, Shame, Trust, Witnessing

PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

MARK 16:7

“’But go, tell His disciples and Peter, “He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.”’” 

Oh boy, do I remember those days. I was quite the class clown and got sent to see the principal on numerous occasions. I wasn’t mean. I just loved making people laugh. Let’s just say the principal knew me well. His paddle did too.

I don’t know what the disciples were thinking when they heard these words from the women. But I bet Peter was thinking Oh no! What will I say? I just denied Him three times just as He said. Will He tell the others? Peter probably felt embarrassed and a little scared.

APPLICATION

Your child will probably do something that cause them to feel like I did. They, hopefully, won’t deny Jesus like Peter. But being ashamed is hard. When you have to deal with them, use this passage. Ask them how they think Peter felt. Ask them what they think happened when Jesus finally saw Peter.

Skip ahead and read that passage in John 21. Your children need to see how Jesus restored Peter to his leadership role. If hadn’t done that, Peter may have spent the rest of his life in deep grief and sorry. Jesus restored him because had just spent three years preparing him to accomplish his mission to a lost world.

What has Jesus been preparing you for? Will you let him use you? You may have unconfessed sins that are holding you back from being fully utilized by Him. Confess them today. Let Jesus use you to accomplish His mission. He still uses us. Let Him have you.

Take my life and use it, Lord. I ask You to forgive me and cleanse me now so there is nothing in me that could thwart Your mission.

Standard
Advice, Bible, Child Rearing, Christ's Return, Commands, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Friends, Inspirational, Love, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Passion, Scripture

FERVENT LOVE

1 PETER 1:22

“Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,”

Have you ever loved someone so much that it hurt? The Greek word for fervent comes across like that. It’s only used twice in the New Testament. The other time is in Acts 12:5 when Peter was in jail and the church was fervently praying for his release.

Peter had experienced that kind of love and now he is telling us to love each other that way.

Now, I realize there are some people who are hard to love. I bet you can name a few. But that doesn’t excuse us from loving them. Do you know why? Because we aren’t doing this from our own love. No!!! This is the fervent love of Christ. We are just the vessel He uses to express His love.

APPLICATION

Ask your children what they think fervent means. Once they are done explain the word to them. Now, ask them to show you how they would express fervent love. Depending on the kid, this could be interesting. Most kids, however, don’t have a problem loving. We adults tend to shy away from fervent love.

I love standing at the door to the church I serve on Sunday mornings. Some of the kids will begin running down the sidewalk leading into the church the moment they see me. I’ve been out for several weeks with serious medical issue. I will probably get mowed down on my first Sunday back. I can’t wait. lol

Fervent love is proceeded by “purified your souls.” That’s important. Fervent love comes out of a pure heart. There is nothing hidden in that fervent love. It comes straight from above. Fervent love is an encouraging love. Go out today and fervently love someone. I’ll bet they will be surprised.

I fervently love You, Lord. Help me love others with as much passion. Love through me today.

Standard
Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christ's Return, Comfort, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Inspirational, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Scripture

PRIVATE TIME

MARK 13:3

“As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately,”

Can you imagine having a private, sit down meeting with Jesus? These two sets of brothers probably did this often. They had been the first 4 disciples chosen by Jesus. He often took three of the four out with Him. So, sitting with Jesus wasn’t an unusual thing for them.

Jesus had just told them the temple would be destroyed. They wanted to know when. Jesus gives them lots of warnings but doesn’t give the exact time. Those warnings still hold true today. Jesus is returning one day. He told us that. We can bank on that.

APPLICATION

Private time with Jesus is available to each of us. Teach your children that. They can take His word, find a quiet place and read and pray. Jesus loves meeting us there. Children need to develop that habit of quiet time. This is one thing they can carry all through their life.

You may have to do it with them to begin with. Quiet times have to be developed. The Word is a big part of that. Jesus speaks to us through His word. It is amazing how many times the verse(s) I read are exactly what I need that day. And then our prayer time allows us to talk to the Lord and share our desires and needs.

Do you have your quiet times daily? If you don’t, you are missing out. We may not can physically sit down with Jesus, but we sure can talk to Him. He will be there, waiting to talk. He will not be too busy. He won’t get distracted while you are talking. Just go to Him and enjoy it.

I am thankful that You are all ears anytime I come to You. Help me be more disciplined. I look forward to our next conversation.

Standard
Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Faith, Hope, Parenting, Salvation

SECURE

1 PETER 1:21

“who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

The same God who raised Jesus from the dead gives you your faith and hope. The God of the universe cares enough about you to bestow what is necessary – faith and hope. Through our faith we learn to trust God. Our hope is built on the assurance of God’s past works. We can trust Him because He has shown us through generations.

Let me ask you a question. Why do you believe? What experience moved you from unbelief to belief? We all have a moment we can look back to and say that was the point of surrender. Do you realize the God of the universe cares enough about you to draw you to Himself? He loves you.

APPLICATION

This is a great verse to discuss faith and hope with your children. Ask them what faith is. There’s an acrostic for faith which says “Forsaking All I Trust Him.” That might help your child understand it. We for forsake or give up everything when we come to Christ. He is all that matters.

And hope is defined as an expectation of what is sure. You see when we hope in God it’s a sure thing. It’s not the same as hoping for a toy or bike. Hoping in God according to His will is a sure thing. It may be quick or slow. But place your hope in Him.

Is your faith and hope in God? If not, why not? Why would you place that in any other person or thing? Today, yield it all to Him. He is waiting to answer you. He wants to prove His faithfulness. Let Him.

My faith and hope is in You, Lord. I trust You to work in my life to make me more like Christ. I love You.

Standard
Advice, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Contentment, Direction, Encouragement, Faith, Parenting, Trust

THE INSIDE SCOOP

MARK 13:3-4

“3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, 4 ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?’” 

Jesus was preparing them for what was ahead. This discourse had immediately followed Jesus’ statement that the temple would be destroyed. So, Peter and the others wanted more details. They wanted to know when. Will there be any warnings?

We’re the same way. We want to prepare. We want to get ready. However, sometimes there is no warning. Lightning strikes without warning. It’s that way with life. We think if we get all the information we will be okay. That may work some of the time, but not always.

APPLICATION

Have you ever planned a secret family trip? Only you knew the details. How many times per day did your kids pester you about it? They wanted to know where, when, how and what. The questions were never ending. They wanted the inside scoop. But when the day arrived they were blown away.

We will never know all the plans God has for us. We simply have to trust that He will reveal them when its time. He only discloses to us what we can handle. That could be a lot or a little.

Is the Lord doing a work in you right now but you are not sure exactly what He’s doing? Ask Him. He may tell you. Or He may not. He may be holding off for the great reveal. Just be patient and trust His handiwork.

I trust your work in my life. I get a little anxious sometimes. Forgive me. I will wait on Your completed work

Standard
Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Contentment, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Eternity, Foreknowledge, Inspirational, Mentoring, Obedience, Parenting, Scripture

BEFORE

1 PETER 1:20

“For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you”

I remember playing football on Friday nights in South Georgia. I loved that. But the game could not have taken place without all the preparation before the game. We spent hours Monday through Thursday practicing, running plays, getting in shape and fixing our mistakes. All that “before” work prepared us for Friday night.

Jesus “was foreknown before.” He, in fact, has always existed. His knowledge of the world, which He created, is unsurpassed. Don’t you trust people who know what’s going on? Of course, you do. There is no one who knows what’s going on more than Jesus. He came to reveal Himself so we would trust Him.

APPLICATION

Can you ride a bike? How did you learn? Someone who knew how taught you. Foreknowledge in that case was greatly beneficial to you. Without that knowledge you would have been in trouble trying to learn how to ride that bike. You will pass that knowledge on to your child when they want to ride. You have been there and done that.

In the same way, Jesus has been there and done that. Name it, and He knows it. This is one principle your children need to learn to rely on. There is nothing they can’t take to Jesus. He is waiting to answer. He will always give them the right answer. When they are facing those difficult decisions, they need to go to Him first. They may come to you too. Make sure you go to Him. Don’t base your response on your knowledge. Make sure it comes from Him.

What do you want to know today? Are you facing a tough decision today? Let the one who has always existed and has all knowledge be your source for advice. Jesus loves to come to His children and tell them how to handle things. But He won’t barge in without being asked. Ask Him. Trust Him.

Lord, I know You are the only reliable source of knowledge. Show me how to hear You clearly through Your Word and prayer. I want to trust You.

Standard
Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Confession, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faith, Forgiveness, Friends, Holy Spirit, Inspirational, Love, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Prayer, Repentance, Scripture, Testimony

TREE KILLING FAITH

MARK 11:21

“Being reminded, Peter said to Him, ‘Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.’” 

Do you remember this story? Jesus had walked by this fig tree earlier and, when He found it had no figs, cursed it. Now, as they walk by it on the return trip, Peter notices it has withered. He is amazed, but Jesus tells him (and us) that he has the same power through our prayers. We can even move mountains. He goes on to say, “Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.”

Real faith can do anything. We can even kill trees, not that I would want to. I don’t even want to move a mountain. The key to praying and believing, though, is to pray with a pure heart. Jesus told His disciples they must pray with a forgiving heart. You can’t pray while holding a grudge or resentment towards someone. Confess that and the floodgates of heaven are opened to you.

APPLICATION

As you teach your children to pray, make sure you teach this principle. They need to be all confessed up. They need to forgive their brother or sister. They need to forgive that friend who has hurt their feelings. Teach them that unforgiveness drives a wedge, not only between them and the person, but also between them and God. Christ won’t allow our unforgiving spirit to continue.

When our children learn this lesson early in life, it will free them for powerful prayer lives. We adults wonder sometimes why God isn’t listening. We need to examine our forgiving attitudes. It is easy to hold resentments. Sometimes we even forget we are doing that until we see that person again.

Are you depriving yourself of tree killing faith? Are you refusing to forgive someone who has hurt you? Let it go. Let Christ in you give you the desire and ability to forgive them, no matter how deep the hurt. Only Christ can. You can’t. Our flesh demands justice. Christ has already paid the price. Forgive.

I will forgive as You forgive, Lord. It is not easy, practically impossible. But in You all things are possible.

Standard