Ephesians 5:13 “But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.”

IN PLAIN VIEW

Have you ever walked into a room and flipped on the light only to see roaches scurrying to hide?  Not only is that gross, it is also unhealthy.  Those little critters carry germs that can spread.  You have to spray and spray to get rid of them, right?  Isn’t it interesting that you seldom see them during the day or when the light is on?  Hmmm.

You know, sin is kind of like that.  Most sins we commit are done in private, in the dark.  We don’t want others to see us sinning.  We don’t want to admit that we are sinners.  We try to hide from the exposure of our sins, especially from God.  But those sins, left “unsprayed” will spread “germs” just like those roaches.  Only a through cleansing will rid us of the spread of more and more sin in our lives.

TEACHING MOMENT     

I bet your children have seen a roach before.  If not, they will.  You just can’t keep them out of your house.  After little Susie stops screaming (lol), talk to her about how these little roaches are like our sins.  I bet she will never look at a roach again in the same way.

Our children need to know that they should keep their life clear of sin.  Just like we need to have regular cleaning and spraying to prevent roaches, we need to have regular confession to God to keep our spiritual life free of hidden sins.  Help them learn how to ask for that from the Father.

Where are the “roaches” in your life?  Are they still scurrying about, hidden from the light?  You need to confess those sins.  You need to shine the light of God’s forgiveness on them.  Ignoring them won’t make them go away.  That only allows more to come.

Father, forgive me of those hidden things in my life.  Shine the light of Your Truth on my life so all those “scurrying” things will be exposed and dealt with.

Judges 7:7 “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midianites into your hands; so let all the other people go, each man to his home.’”

CRUDE COMPARISON

Don’t you just love this story of Gideon and how the Lord chose the men who would fight with him?  He starts out with 22,000 men and ends up with 300.  300!  Now that’s a huge RIF (Reduction in Force).  There would be no mistaking the fact that it would be God who delivered Israel and not their huge army.

But God uses how they drank to pick them.  Those who knelt at the water (9,700) were sent home. Only those who lapped the water with their tongue, like a dog, (300) were chosen.  So, being looked at like a dog was a good thing here.  I just find that strange.

TEACHING MOMENT

Of course, the lesson for our children in this verse is obvious.  Drink like a dog.  No, just kidding.  The lesson is to allow the Lord to decide how you fight your battles.  God has a bigger plan than yours.  He can see the end result – we can’t.  He can see the outcome. In fact, He can see the outcome, however we chose to obey.  But He wants to direct us in His way.

This is a fun verse to act out with your kids.  They will probably think you are silly and maybe a little crazy as you show them how these 300 lapped their water.  But they will remember the verse.  Just make sure you make the application that goes with it.

So, are you lapping or kneeling?  Are you allowing the Lord to direct you and chose you?  Are you alert for the enemies around you or are you looking down and unaware?  These are great questions to get you thinking about your circumstance.

Do you think Gideon was concerned about the Lord’s tactics?  Perhaps, but the Lord gave him specific instructions for the battle.  He basically said to Gideon, “Do it my way and you will be victorious.”  He is still saying that today.

Will you follow the Lord, no matter how illogical it sounds?  Will you trust Him in the battle?

Judges 5:31c “And the land was undisturbed for forty years.”

NO WAR

This probably seems like a strange verse to use today.  It is the last part of the last verse in Judges 5 which is the “Song of Deborah” after they had defeated the army of Jabin, king of Hazor in Canaan.  You really should read Judges 4-5 to get the full picture.  But the story ends with this short phrase, “And the land was undisturbed for forty years.”

I was thinking about my country, America.  We have been at war with terrorism since 2001 – 16 years.  How sweet would it be if we could have forty years of peace?  Doesn’t that sound great?  No young men or women would be sent into harm’s way.  No deaths due to battle.  Billions of dollars could be used for other purposes.

Don’t hear me wrong.  I am not against the war on terror.  We have to defend ourselves, and we have to fight against evil.  I guess I am just a little jealous of the forty years of peace Israel experienced here.

TEACHING MOMENT

This might be a little challenging to teach to your kids.  But hey, how about this?  The next time your children get into one of those knock down-drag out fights that only siblings can get into, pull this verse out.  Tell them, “I wish I could have forty minutes of peace in this house!”  lol

Seriously, our children do need to learn to experience peace.  That only comes from obedience to God and resting in Him.  The Israelites’ peace came after obeying God and listening to Deborah, the judge at the time.  That is definitely a lesson worth learning.

Are you at peace today?  Or are you reaping the turmoil of disobedience like the Israelites were under Jabin?  Aren’t you tired of fighting?  Won’t you allow the Lord to direct your steps toward peace?

He wants to give you rest.  He desires that for you.  He wants to lead you beside still waters.  Take His hand.  He will lead!

Ephesians 2:8-9 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 

YOU CAN’T CLAIM THIS

Did you really read the verses today?  Read them again.  Salvation is a gift.  There is NOTHING you can do to earn it.  No amount of works or good deeds will get you there.  You can’t say, “Look what I did.”  Every other religion in the world demands that you “do” for your god.  Not Christ.  He DID it all for you!

So, the question is, “Why don’t people want this gift?”  I mean, think about it.  How many people turn down a gift.  It is expressly given to them.  This gift is always the right size, color and usefulness.  But people reject it every day.

TEACHING MOMENT

When is your child(ren)’s birthday?  How do you celebrate it?  I bet that day involves gifts, right?  Of course, it does.  You want to bless your child for being born into your family.  On that special day, why not share this passage with them?  As you give them their birthday gift, remind them of the gift of salvation that the Lord Jesus died to give them.

I have never met a child yet who doesn’t want a free gift.  They love to open gifts.  This gift of salvation requires some explanation, but make sure they understand that they can never earn it.  It has to be received freely.

Have you received this gift?  “Sure I have Carl.  I’m reading this devotion, aren’t I?”  Reading the Bible or a devotional doesn’t save you. You have to deliberately say to the Father, “I am a sinner and I need your gift of salvation.”  Then and only then can the Father give you this gift.  Don’t you want it?

Father, thank you for the gift of salvation.  Thank you that your storehouse of salvation never gets low.  You have enough “gifts” for everyone on this planet.  Help me be more deliberate about sharing these gifts with others.

Will you share the gift with someone today?

Judges 1:19 “Now the Lord was with Judah, and they took possession of the hill country; but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley because they had iron chariots.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

I want to you to take a look at this verse today and then look at the following verses also (21, 27, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35).  What do they have in common?  The sons of Israel failed to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan, which is EXACTLY what the Lord told them to do.  The task got a little hard, and they quit.

God had clearly told them to clear the land of the current inhabitants.  He knew what would happen if they didn’t.  As you read Judges, you see how they were influenced by these pagans to compromise and incorporate their gods into their lives.  Hmmmm, sounds familiar.

TEACHING MOMENT     

If there is one warning we need to give our children, it is this – DON’T COMPROMISE YOUR FAITH.  The church has been doing that too long.  Our children are pressured to accept all kinds of “faith” as valid.  It’s not.  Only Jesus can save them.  Only Jesus can give them life.  Only Jesus can lead them to the Father.

When your little Gertrude or Elrod comes home from school stating how they learned that all religions are equal, correct that quickly.  When they tell you that their teacher or friend says there is more than just one way to heaven, correct that on the spot.  Don’t let these “false teachings” gain a foothold in your child’s life.

What have you allowed to water down your faith?  What have you compromised on in your spiritual walk with Christ?  “Well Carl, it’s just too hard to being so dogmatic.”  Well yes!  Of course it is!  What did you expect when you surrendered to Him?  He demands obedience. He expects us to follow ONLY Him.

I want to challenge you today to take a look at what you believe and why.  Do all your beliefs and convictions hold up to Scripture.  There is only one absolute truth – His Word!

Joshua 23:3 “And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the Lord your God is He who has been fighting for you.”

IT’S HIM, NOT US

I don’t know why, but I have this picture in my head of a heavyweight boxer when I read this verse.  I know, dumb, right?  I can just see our Father punching out the devil and all his minions who attack us.  This verse reminds me that God is the one fighting my battles, not me.

Sure, I try to fight back.  I get all mad and puffed up and think I have the moral superiority to fight.  But, of myself, I won’t last one round with the puniest demon.  Thanks be to God that I don’t have to go fifteen rounds with my attackers.  I just have to tag out and let my loving Father take over.  He is always there to defend me.  He is always there to fight for me, just like He did for the children of Israel.

TEACHING MOMENT

Has your little Johnny or Susie gotten into a fight with someone yet?  Chances are they will.  Sometimes those fights are more than just a misunderstanding. Sometimes those are true life lessons.  How your child responds to adversity is so important.  Read this verse, better yet the entire 23^rd chapter of Joshua, to them.  Let them see and understand that the God who led the children of Israel is the same God who will lead them.

Now, I am not saying that your children should stand there and “take it” when someone physically attacks them.  We should always teach our children to defend themselves and the defenseless.  But I am saying that many “battles” we take on are better left to the Father.  He knows how to respond.  He can calm our spirit.  He can direct us how to respond to others, even those who are against us.

Who are you having trouble with today?  Who is “pushing your buttons” right now?  Lay it down.  Talk to the Lord.  You may have to examine yourself.  In fact, you should examine yourself first to make sure you are not the problem.  When you are confessed up and are sure that you are not the problem, how about this?  Pray for your enemy.  Yep, I said that.  Give them over to God.  He can handle them.

Today, put down your fleshly attitude and allow the Lord to take over.  He can handle anything you give to Him.

2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 

CONFUSING

This statement by Paul is really confusing.  He says here that the Lord told him that His “power is perfected in weakness.”  That really makes no sense to us.  How can something that is weak have power?  How can the Lord exhibit His power through weakness?

Only He can!  He takes our emptied vessel, our surrendered will, and fills it with His Spirit which empowers us to do amazing things in His name.  Our strength gets in the way.  Our abilities can get in the way.  He needs to show others that it has NOTHING to do with us.  It has everything to do with Him.

TEACHING MOMENT

Has your little Susie ever said, “I just can’t do it!”?  What a perfect time to share this verse.  Perhaps they are trying to do something for the first time and are struggling.  You step in and help them.  Explain to them how the Lord does the same for us when we turn to Him for the help that only He can give.  He wants to work through us, but we have to let Him.

In the same way you can’t help your Elrod unless he allows you to, God will not intervene in our lives unless we allow Him.  He wants to help, and He is watching us struggle, but He won’t step in unless we yield to His authority.  Our children need to learn that at an early age.  They can’t blame God for their failures.  He is always there to assist and guide, if they will let Him.

How about you, Mom or Dad?  What are you struggling right now to achieve in your lives on your own?  What are you refusing to turn over to the Lord?  Stop it!  Give it up to Him!  He wants to come alongside you through His Spirit.  He gets joy out of being with us.  He gets joy in seeing us surrender to His Will.

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of trying all this stuff on my own.  I have learned that it is much easier to relinquish control of things to Him to begin with.  That way He can make it what He wants to make it.  I can just step back and watch Him work.  He will expect me to do my part (what He tells me to do), but He is the one who decides how and when.  What a relief!

Let Him use your weakness today!  Let Him burst through your strength and give you real power.

Joshua 19:49 “When they finished apportioning the land for inheritance by its borders, the sons of Israel gave an inheritance in their midst to Joshua the son of Nun.”

IT PAYS TO BE FAITHFUL

Over forty years has passed since Joshua walked the land of Canaan with the other spies.  He is finally getting his reward.  Notice what the verse says – “the sons of Israel gave an inheritance in their midst to Joshua the son of Nun.” They recognized Joshua as their leader and wanted to bless him.

Don’t you think Joshua thought this day would never come?  He had been waiting and waiting.  He was probably tired of waiting.  The day has come.  He has been faithful to the Lord as Moses’ servant and now as the leader of the children of Israel.  God said, “Rest.”

TEACHING MOMENT

One thing our children today don’t seem to understand is sometimes you have to wait to get what you truly want or deserve.  Our society today seems to expect instant gratification.  They want it now.  They want it immediately.  We have to teach our children to wait.  You’ve heard the expression “Good things come to those who wait.”  Well, it’s true. And we have the most to wait for – eternal life.

The next time your child(ren) can’t wait for something, use this story about Joshua to teach them about patience.  This is not an easy task, but it is one that is so needed.  What you teach them now about patience will help them later.

Now – how about you?  Are you patient?  Are you willing to wait?  Do you believe God has a blessing for you, if you are faithful?  He wants to bless you, but sometimes that blessing is delayed.  You may not see that blessing this side of eternity, but it’s coming.

Remember, Joshua waited over forty years for what God had promised him.  All during that time he was faithful.  We never see him complain.  He just did what God asked him.  Will you?

Joshua 18:1-2 “1 Then the whole congregation of the sons of Israel assembled themselves at Shiloh, and set up the tent of meeting there; and the land was subdued before them. 2 There remained among the sons of Israel seven tribes who had not divided their inheritance.”

DON’T STOP UNTIL YOU’RE DONE

It’s hard to understand why the sons of Israel hesitated taking the land that had been given to them. God had done so many miracles in their midst, and yet, they were still slow about claiming what was theirs.  Only Judah and Joseph had claimed their land in the Promised Land.  The rest of the people were just hanging out, I guess.  They had not completed their tasks.

I will never forget a dear friend of mine who passed away in his eighties.  He was in church the night he died. It was a Wednesday night, and they were giving testimonies.  He had stood up to give his when he collapsed.  When the person next to him knelt down to him he heard him say these last words, “But I’m not done yet!”  I have thought of that often.  This friend of mine had much more living to do for Jesus, he thought, but the Lord called him home.

TEACHING MOMENT

Children have to be taught how to complete chores, don’t they?  You can’t just tell them to do something and expect it to get done.  You take the time to show them how to do it and how it should look when they are finished.  A half-mowed lawn does not look good.  A half-loaded dishwasher won’t get the dishes clean.  They must learn to follow through to the end. Complete the task.  Finish the job.

We are preparing them for their future.  This applies not only to their jobs, school work or hobbies, but it also applies to the task they will receive from the Lord.  Finishing well pleases Him.  Notice I didn’t say it has to be perfect.  Only God is perfect.  But He does want us to do our very best and complete the tasks He gives us.

Are you putting off something the Lord has asked you to do?  What have you started and not finished?  Commit today to finish that task.  Let the Lord show you exactly how and what He wants you to do for Him.  He is a great teacher.

Finish the job!  Complete the work!  Then rest in knowing you have pleased the Master.

2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 

IT’S HIS ANYWAY

I have often said if I ever won the lottery I would have so much fun giving it away.  The only trouble is I don’t play the lottery, thus I never win. Lol  But if I did…

I can, however, give that way anyway.  The Lord tells us here to give with a cheerful heart.  I have so many missionary friends whom I would love to support.  I know, first hand, the work they are doing, and it blesses my heart.  I would love to be able to give to all of them beyond what I could imagine.  That would be so much fun.  So, I do what I can when I can, knowing God can take my little bit and make it large.

TEACHING MOMENT

There probably isn’t a bigger lesson to teach our kids than that of giving.  Most people aren’t givers.  We like to hold on tight to what we have or spend our money on things WE want.  Teaching little Susie to give to the Lord is a lesson she will carry with her into adulthood and her marriage.  We must teach our sons, especially, to be a giver.  When they marry they need to be the one to set the tone for giving.

How much should we give?  You have to decide that.  We aren’t limited to the tithe (10%).  We can give as much as we want, but we should always consult the Lord on that.  He will give you a peace about giving if you ask Him.  Let your children know that.  Teach them to pray for direction in giving.  Then let them give as the Lord directs.

Are you giddy to give or do you dread writing that check?  Do you put off giving to the Lord until everything is paid?  Trust the Lord to direct your giving and to bless what you have left.  He can do that.

And, when you are faithful to give, He will give you the joy.  He will bless your faithfulness.  Will He give you more?  Perhaps, or maybe He will just give you the peace to live with less.  Either way, He blesses you.

You may have heard the saying, “Give til it hurts.”  I say, “Give til it feels good.”