Zechariah 4:6 “Then he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.”’”

WORK, WORK, WORK

How many times have you tried to accomplish something for God out of your own power or might? Come on! Be honest! We have all attempted it. And what happens? Well, sometimes we actually manage to get it done, but it seldom lasts. Other times it fails miserably. Why? Because we have left the Spirit of God out of the equation.

Don’t you know that God doesn’t NEED us to accomplish His will? He is, after all, omnipotent. He can accomplish anything He wants when He wants in whatever way He wants. But He chooses to use us as part of His plan, but only if we yield to His direction and guidance. Otherwise, we wind up doing it on our own, and He gets no glory from it.

TEACHING MOMENT

How do we teach our children to allow God to use them to accomplish His will in their lives? How do we show them the importance of letting His Spirit guide them in life’s pursuits? We do that by doing it ourselves. We do that by allowing our children, at a level that is appropriate for their age, know what we are wrestling with ourselves. We do that by showing our children what it looks like to submit to His Spirit.

Now, your children may not be old enough to understand everything involved in the situation. Write it down. Make some notes. My wife and I have shared stories with our kids that happened when they were small but had an important impact on our family. Sharing those stories later can help your children understand your own faith journey and can definitely aid them as they begin their own journey of dependence on God.

It is not YOUR might or YOUR power that will accomplish anything for eternity. It is only through His Spirit that we can see everlasting change in us and others.

Revelation 19:6 “Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.”

POINTING TOWARD HIM

This scene in Revelation occurs in heaven. So let me ask you something? Why should we let heaven have all the fun? I mean, seriously. Why can’t we shout “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns.”?

Too many times we restrain ourselves in our worship. I am not suggesting that we become completely out of control or all “loosey goosey.” But I am saying we need to be free to follow the Spirit as He leads. There are times in worship during the Praise and Worship time that I just want to shout these very words. But I don’t for fear of the response of those around me. Shame on me!

TEACHING MOMENT

How do we teach our children that It is okay to express yourself in worship? We do that by example. Our expression, however, should never be a distraction to others as they worship. It is one thing to raise your hands and cry out to God with others, but it is a whole different thing to do that at the expense of others’ worship experience.

Just recently during a guest performance in our Children’s Church I watched one of our 4 year olds quietly expressing her own worship. She was seated, but she was definitely dancing in her heart. Her arms and body swayed in motion with the music. She, however, was not a distraction to anyone else. In fact, most of those around her didn’t even seem to notice. She was freely worshipping the Lord. I am sure she was saying in her soul, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns.”

Lord, free us in our worship of You. Let our spirits join with Your Spirit in the exercise of worship.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Zephaniah 2:3 “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.”

HIDING OR SEEKING?

Who doesn’t like a good game of hide and seek? Tell me something. How many times did you play that game as a child? Heck, even as adults there is something thrilling about running and finding a good hiding place and then waiting for “it” to find you. I can still remember hiding with my heart pounding. And when you finally hear “it” call time you realize you are safe from being found that round.

This verse today isn’t about hiding, but it’s about seeking. You are “it” in this verse. The best thing though is that God is not trying to hide from you. He wants to be found by you. The word “seek” really means to find through worship. Get the picture? As you come to worship you will “find” the Lord. You will “find” righteousness. You will “find” humility. When you do that you are “safe” from His anger.

TEACHING MOMENT

This is a verse that is so easy to explain to our children as we play that simple childhood game with them. Children learn truths through activities like that. You can explain things so much easier by playing than by preaching. Look for opportunities to teach Biblical truths through playtime. Attach a verse or doctrinal truth to every activity.

You are probably saying, “Carl, give me a break. I don’t want to be preaching to my kids all the time.” Well, that’s the beauty of connecting Biblical truths in daily activities. It won’t come across as preaching. You are simply applying truths to things you do normally. After all, the Lord should be a part of every aspect of our lives, even playtime.

Won’t you today teach just one Biblical truth to your child or someone else? Won’t you point them to the Lord, to righteousness and humility? They will thank you in the end.

Revelation 18:4 “I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues;”

GET OUT OF THERE

God is a merciful God. Even in then end when He is about to pummel Babylon He calls out those who He desires to spare. What mercy! What grace!

Can you think of some times in your life when God spared you from the wrath you deserved? Without naming specifics, I could list a whole bunch of times when God could have legitimately struck me dead. I deserved nothing except punishment. But He, in His loving kindness, extended grace and mercy.

Now don’t get me wrong. I didn’t get away with anything. Many of those instances left me with scars, some of which I still bear. But those scars prove to remind me of just how great a God I have.

TEACHING MOMENT

Don’t we, as parents, do the same for our children if we see them headed into trouble? Don’t we call them out of that danger? At least we try to, right? We don’t want to see them go through the same struggles we did at their age. We have “been there, done that.” Unfortunately, sometimes our children will not heed our warnings and jump right into the fire.

So, what do you do when they are warned and deliberately remain in that “Babylon”? You love them anyway. You continually reach out to them to give godly advice, but you love them unconditionally. They have to learn on their own that there are consequences for sin. As hard as that is for us as parents, all we can do is love and guide them.

Will you today thank Him for sparing you when He could have “zapped” you? Will you look at your scars as reminders of grace?

Habakkuk 3:19 “The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places.”

BUILT FOR CLIMBING

It is amazing to me to watch mountain goats or other animals climb rocky hills or mountain slopes. They seem to walk effortlessly along paths they and others have blazed. You or I would most definitely slide down that hill. We aren’t built for that kind of climbing.

On my last trip to Kenya I walked to the edge of steep mountain valley with some friends. There was a clearly marked path down the mountain, across the valley floor and up the next mountain. I could actually see people on the other slope climbing up. I wanted to go down the path, but I was wearing the wrong shoes. My shoes had no traction. I would have had to literally slide down the hill and would have had no hope in climbing up the other side.

TEACHING MOMENT

When was the last time your child slipped and fell? Was it during a storm when the ground was wet or icy? Was it due to their footwear not being suited for the terrain? Maybe it was because they just tripped over something while trying to break in those new shoes you got them. This is a great verse to use with them as you tend to their scrape or cut.

You can remind them that in life we are going to face some difficult things, but God is our strength. He will give us the right stuff to get us through it, if we will just listen to Him. In fact, He will MAKE us walk on high places (difficult terrain) sometimes. Why? To be able to face the next hill or the next hill. He knows what is ahead. We don’t.

Aren’t you glad that the Lord has the right shoes for us to wear depending on the path He has chosen for us? He knows every bend and hill. He knows when we need to climb or just walk. He knows when we need to stop, rest and take in the view. But He knows also that our path is helping to blaze a trail for our children to follow.

So put on your walking shoes and trust the Lord to guide and direct you as you traverse those difficult paths He has chosen for you. Remember He is your strength.

Revelation 17:14 “’These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.’”

WIN, WIN, WIN

How do you separate out and pick one verse in this chapter. It is all about the Great Harlot and her defeat in the end times. The chapter is so descriptive that it is almost impossible for me to just pick one or two verses.

So what can we learn from this chapter. Simple – We Win!!! I believe the Word teaches that we believers will be out of here before the tribulation, but even if I’m wrong and we have to go through that horrible time, we win! There is no power on earth or heaven that can defeat our God.

TEACHING MOMENT

How many of you have children who play sports? Do they play soccer or basketball or (fill in the blank)? The next time you take them to the game why not use this verse as an encouragement to them? Do you think they would play harder if they knew they were going to win the game? How would they approach their teammates if they knew without a shadow of a doubt that they were going to win?

That is exactly what we need to be telling our children about the Christian life. We may face battles, but we know in the end we WIN!! There is nothing that can change the outcome of the “game” we are in with Christ. We may have setbacks or disappointments. We may feel at times that all hope is gone, but we have to remember this verse. We WIN! We are “the called and chosen and faithful.”

We have to trust and believe that WHATEVER comes our way is in His hands. Do you believe? Do you trust? Let Him have all your anxieties and stress. Let Him have complete control of your circumstances. He is more than able to handle it.   Just let go!

Best Verse: Micah 7:18 “Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love.”

FORGIVENESS

Micah mentions four things God does in this verse. He pardons iniquity. He passes over our rebellious acts. He does not retain His anger. He delights in unchanging love. Let’s look at each of these.

PARDONS

He pardons iniquity. The word “pardon” means He carries or lifts. He bears the burden for our sin. Iniquity – Oh, I just love this Hebrew word. It’s the word “avon.” Yep! Avon! I just think that’s hilarious. No offense to all you Avon ladies out there. The word “avon” means our guilt or our punishment for our sins. It’s the same word used in Psalm 51:2 “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”

PASSES OVER

Then Micah says God passes over our rebellious acts. The same word is used in Proverbs 19:11 “A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.” It does not mean God overlooks, as in ignores. It means He forgives. What are those “rebellious acts”? Our transgressions against a Holy God.

DOES NOT RETAIN

Micah goes on to say God does not retain His anger forever. Hallelujah! Aren’t you glad of that? He does not hold tight to His anger. That’s what that means. The word “retain” is the Hebrew word “chazaq” which is the same word used in Joshua when the Lord tells him to be “strong” and take courage. God does not hold on to His anger. He lets it go when He forgives us. What are you holding on to tightly? Who have you NOT forgiven? Why do you get “historical” every time you and your spouse have a “holy discussion”? Why do you keep bringing up your child’s past mistakes? Let it go! God has! Oh, and the word “anger” has the picture of nostrils flaring! I have seen people that mad.

DELIGHTS

And finally in this verse, Micah says, “He delights in unchanging love.”   Oh people, listen to this. God takes pleasure in unchanging love. Whose unchanging love? His, of course. His love never changes. He loves us always. He loves us fully. He loves us completely. Oh, and this “unchanging love” is His “checed.” It’s His loving-kindness. It’s His mercy shown to mankind. It’s His covenant keeping love.

TEACHING MOMENT

Now, if you can’t find a way to apply this to raising your children, I give up. Lol. We have the opportunity every day to pardon their sin, pass over their transgressions, not retain our anger over their disobedience and extend lovingkindness to them. When you find any of those four difficult, remember what God has done for you! Amen?

Revelation 16:15 “(‘Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.’)”

SUDDENLY

We have been reading a lot lately about the return of Christ. Of course, that topic has been a hot one for generations. It seems every generation thinks Christ will come during their lifetime. Hmmm, I guess no one really knows.

The point is not that He is coming. That fact is established in God’s Word. The question is “Are you ready for His coming?” This verse warns us that He will come like a thief. Not to rob or harm, but unexpectedly. He will just be there.

TEACHING MOMENT

Does your home have a security system? Many homes do. If you have one of those I am sure you have shown your children how it works. They need to know how to reset it if it goes off. And they need to know what it sounds like if it does. We set those systems to protect our family from thieves, robbers or someone who wants to do us harm.

This is a good verse to share with them the next time you are setting that alarm. Explain to them that just like we prepare for an intrusion in our house by setting the alarm system, we need to be preparing our hearts for Christ. He will come unexpectedly, suddenly, without warning. We won’t have time to get ready once that happens. We have to ready all the time.

But unlike someone who wants to harm us, He wants to come and take us home with Him to heaven. If we are believers, we have no fear of His return. In fact, it is welcomed. But, if we have not placed our trust in Jesus, then we will be caught totally unprepared and face eternal judgment.

Are you ready? Are you getting others ready? Are you preparing yourself and your family for that day? I am excited to see Him. Are you?

Jonah  3:5 “Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.”

STOP RUNNING

Can you just picture Jonah? He ran from God after being told to go to Nineveh. He got thrown overboard from a sinking ship (that miraculously survived afterwards), got swallowed by a large fish, spent three days in the belly of that fish, got vomited up on shore, went to Nineveh, preached one of the shortest repentance messages ever, the whole city repents, he gets mad, runs away to “die,” sits under a vine, it dies and then God speaks to him. Wow! He could have saved himself a whole of lot trouble if he had just gone the first time God told him to go.

But aren’t we just the same? How many times have we “run” from God? How many times has He told us to do something, and we decide to ignore it or do the exact opposite? How many of you would like to spend three days inside a fish?

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children are going to disobey us. They will outright rebel sometimes. What a perfect story to read to them when they are rebelling. Do you think Jonah ever thought he would repent inside a fish’s stomach? I bet not. Our children might not like what God uses to get their attention. But they have got to decide to obey. You can’t obey for them.

Jonah had no idea how God would one day use the Assyrians, which included Nineveh, to judge the nation of Israel. And Jonah had no idea at the time how their knowledge of a forgiving God would shape how they treated Israel. You see, our children need to know that God sees the WHOLE picture, not just the immediate. He sees years, decades, even centuries down the road.

What are you running from? What has God asked you to do for Him? Why are you running to Tarshish instead of Nineveh? Stop and turn around. It is so much easier doing it His way!

Best Verse: Revelation 15:3b “’Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!’”

BRAVE ONES

Do you know who is singing this in heaven? Take a look at verse 2. “Those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name” are the ones singing. It doesn’t say how many are singing. It only says what it says. So just who are these singers?

Well, could it include us? Will we be victorious over the beast and his image and the number? Will we face these temptations to succumb to his lures? Will we have to make the decision to compromise or die?

TEACHING MOMENT

I know we all pray that our children would never have to face such decisions. But listen to me Moms and Dads! We might possibly be living in the last days. We don’t know when Christ is going to come, but we do know that the world is getting darker and darker. Christianity is under attack. Are you preparing your children to defend their faith? Are you getting your children ready to take a stand for Christ?

Teaching our children to be faithful is one of those things that they will learn by watching us. Every time you are faced with a faith decision let them know what is going on. Now, I mean within reason. Children should NOT be privy to our every adult decision. But letting them in on our faith growing and faith trusting decisions prepares them for the day when they will be faced with similar challenges.

The problem many parents today have is trying to make EVERY decision for their child in order to shield them for getting hurt. Pain is not necessarily a bad thing. It’s life’s way of letting us know that something is wrong. Allow your child to experience those “growing pains” in a safe way, but let them experience them. Just read James 1, if you need further proof.

Take courage my brothers and sisters! God rewards the faithful. Won’t you stay true? Won’t you trust Him to see you through to the other side – no matter what? He will, you know. He will.