Category Archives: Following

Advice, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Encouragement, Faith, Following, Inspirational, Mentoring, Modeling, Prayer

ANSWERED PRAYERS

ACTS 10:5

“’Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter;’”

Acts 10 is a great story about Cornelius and Peter. I just love how the Lord honored Cornelius’ faithfulness and sent an angel to give him direction. In fact, the angel said, “Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God.” I am pretty sure Cornelius didn’t expect an angel to appear. I am willing to bet he didn’t ask for that in his prayers either. But, as usual, God outdid himself.

Don’t lose sight of the fact that Cornelius was given very specific instructions by the angel. The rest of the chapter tells the story. Let me ask you a question. When you pray for direction or clarity from the Lord and He answers you, do you follow His instructions? Or do you keep praying for a different answer?

APPLICATION

Answered prayers! When are they answered? How are they answered? Children are always curious about that. The only right answer is God will always answer your prayers. He may not answer in the way you planned, but He will answer. He may not answer when you want Him to, but He will answer. That’s the way to explain it to your kids.

If you haven’t kept a record of answered prayers, start now. Make it a family affair. Write down when you started praying for a specific thing. And when God answers that prayer, write it down. Make sure your children know it’s been answered. You may have a financial need that the Lord meets. Celebrate it as a family. But whatever you do, listen to the Lord when He answers.

What have you been praying about? How long have you been praying this particular prayer? Has the Lord answered, and you are refusing to listen? When you get an answer, listen close. You may not like the instructions you get, or they may not make sense to you. Don’t question the answered prayers. God doesn’t waste words.

I am listening Lord as I pray. I long to hear Your answers. I will obey as You speak.

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Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Death, Encouragement, Evangelism, Following, Inspirational, Life, Mentoring, Parenting, Resurrection, Scripture, Surrender, Testimony, Witnessing

ARISE

ACTS 9:40

“But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.” 

Acts 9:36-43 tells the story of Peter raising Tabitha (Dorcas in the Greek language) from the dead. What a wonderful story. Isn’t it? There were many friends of Tabitha there when this happened, so the word spread quickly throughout Joppa. What do you think happened?

Verse 42 tells us. “It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.” This is the reason the Lord worked through Peter to raise Tabitha. It really wasn’t about her. It was about all those who would be led to the Lord. Bringing the spiritually dead to life is much more important than bringing the physically dead to life.

APPLICATIONS

Did you know your children are dead before they come to Christ? They are spiritually dead waiting to arise. As parents we pray for our children’s salvation and rejoice greatly when they surrender to the call of our Lord. You may be parents of unsaved children. Don’t stop praying. God is still raising dead people.

Once your children are saved and walking with the Lord, your job is to keep them “alive.” What do I mean by that? Walking in newness requires daily dying to self. Wnhe you die to self, you have to get up and walk with Christ through His life. You die and then arise. You surrender to Jesus daily and allow Him to direct your steps. Your children need to know this truth.

Are you dead or alive? Are you the dead Tabitha or the alive Tabitha? Your risen life in Christ can be used, like Tabitha’s, to draw many others to Jesus. Wouldn’t that be awesome? By your daily surrender to Him, others can see Jesus in you. Arise!

I want to walk in newness of life with You today. I lay my life before You to use however You desire. I want to draw others to You through my surrendered life. 

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Advice, Bible, Blessing, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Encouragement, Following, Godliness, Harmony, Holy Spirit, Inspirational, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Surrender

BLESSING OTHERS

1 PETER 3:9

“not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”

Peter completes the thought he began in verse 8 here in verse 9. And what a wonderful way to do that. We should not return evil for evil or insult for insult. That’s a never-ending cycle. Payback is not the answer. Peter tells us how to respond. We should bless others when they insult us.

How in the world do we do that? I mean, come one. Is that even possible? Not by yourself. This is only possible through Jesus. If we see and treat others as Jesus would, we would indeed bless rather than curse. Do you want to inherit a blessing? Then be a blessing.

APPLICATION

Oh boy! Our children need to learn this lesson. Our first response when insulted is to insult right back. Our children’s flesh is strong. We can’t expect them to conquer this temptation on their own. Until they come to a saving knowledge of Christ, we have to be the one to correct this behavior. We point them to Jesus each time we do that.

And once they come to Christ, the Spirit who indwells them directs them to follow Christ. Our job is one of discipling and modeling that behavior. That’s right! We must live out the behavior we want to see in our children. They will imitate us. Let’s help them imitate the right actions.

Do you lash out at those who insult you? Do you want a blessing? Then be a blessing. I know it’s hard. Actually, it’s impossible without yielding to Christ. Remember, Christ is the one blessing others through you. Let Him!

I want to bless rather than curse others. Help me hold my tongue when insulted. I trust You to speak blessings through me.

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MAKE YOUR BED

ACTS 9:32-35

“32 Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.” Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.”

When I read this passage my eye was drawn to that phrase, “make your bed.” I literally laughed out loud. Here’s a guy who has been in his bed for eight years, and the first thing he’s told to do when he gets healed and stands up is to make his bed. Wow! I know a lot of folks who are completely healthy and never make their bed, lol.

I wonder why Peter told him that. Do you think it was a symbolic move? That bed hadn’t been made in eight years. Aeneas lived in it. Making that bed symbolized a finish to the bedridden state. He no longer was confined to that bed. I bet Aeneas did not mind at all making that bed. In fact, I bet he enjoyed standing and seeing it made. He was out of it!

APPLICATION

When our kids come to Christ, they need to be taught that their former life is DONE. They have a new life in Christ. They are no longer paralyzed by sin. They are no longer bedridden by guilt and shame. They are free to walk and stand with Jesus. They can make that bed. Well, don’t tell them that, lol.

Seriously, making our bed sends a signal to the brain. We are no longer sleeping or slumbering. We are awake and about our Father’s business. Teach your kids to make their beds but tell them why they are doing it. It’s not just about making their room look neat. There’s a purpose behind it. It ends one thing and begins another.

Are you a bed maker? I like my bed made each day. Do I do that? Well…to be honest, there are days when my wife and I just pull up the sheet and go about our day. But when the bed is made it looks so nice. I want to begin each day afresh, ready to serve my Master. How about you? Then get up and make your bed.

I am ready to serve You, Lord. I want a fresh start today. I don’t want yesterday’s troubles to follow me into the new day.

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UNHINDERED PRAYERS

1 PETER 3:7

“You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.”

A lot of people will read this verse and think it is women bashing. Calling them weaker! That is NOT the purpose of this verse. God made men to lead and protect their wives. Their role is a protector, not a basher. And He warns the men in this verse. He says, “so that your prayers will not be hindered.”

In other words, God is telling the husbands if they mistreat their wives and don’t show them honor, their prayers will not reach Him. That’s what “hindered” means. It means blocked. Men, have you ever felt that your prayers weren’t getting past the ceiling? How are you treating your wives? Hmmm!

APPLICATION

This is another modeling verse. Husbands and dads, it’s your turn. How you treat your wife, the mother of your children, is so important. You are not just mistreating her. You are mistreating your children. Your daughters are endangered by believing that’s how women are meant to be treated. And your sons grow up believing that’s how they are supposed to treat their wives.

But…when you show honor to her, that gives your children a role model to follow. The word “show” is only used right here in this verse. It means to give what is due. God is telling you that your wife deserves honor, no matter what you think. And if you want an open line of communication with the Lord, this is required.

Are you guilty of not showing honor to someone? Let’s apply this verse to all of us, not just husbands, for a second. Is there someone you belittle and persecute? We should show honor to all of God’s people. God cannot look on sin and ignore it. And that kind of behavior is sin, dear friends.

Lord God, give me Your eyes for others. Let me show honor to all. And hear my prayers.

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Child Raising, Child Rearing, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Evangelism, Following, Holy Spirit, Inspirational, Mentoring, Parenting, Witnessing

SENT WITH A MISSION

ACTS 8:14-16

“14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” 

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had received the Gospel, they did not hesitate to send two of their own, Peter and John. They came down to pray over them so they may receive the Holy Spirit. This is a difficult passage, in that we know the Spirit is given to us at salvation. Many scholars believe the receiving of the Spirit involved the ability to speak in tongues and perform miracles.

I am not even going to delve into those topics. The mere fact that the apostles felt it necessary to send two of the prominent apostles to the hated Samaritans showed a complete openness to sharing the Gospel with whomever. They didn’t ignore the Samaritans because they were Samaritans. They were now fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

APPLICATION

Our children should know the importance of sharing Christ with anyone. In fact, there is no group of people that does not need a Savior. Sometimes, we believe certain people are lost causes. That is simply not true. I can speak from experience on that. God reached down and picked me up when I certainly didn’t deserve it.

Train your children to share their testimony. Practice on each other over dinner. Come up with different ways to share it. Make it a fun time. What could be more fun than leading someone to Christ, right? When your child experiences that for the first time, watch out. You may have unleashed another Billy Graham.

Do you avoid certain people groups? Are there people you avoid talking to? Those are probably the very people who need to hear the Gospel from you. Let me challenge you today to identify and then go to those groups in your life. Reach across those invisible barriers and be a Peter or John. Take the best story ever told to a lost and dying world.

Open my eyes to those around me in need of a Savior. Point me in the right direction today. Help me help others come to Jesus.

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Advice, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Encouragement, Faith, Following, God's Will, Husbands, Inspirational, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Wives

NO NEED TO FEAR

1 PETER 3:6

“just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.”

We all know the story of Abraham and Sarah. They longed for a child, but through their many years of marriage they had not been blessed with one. Throughout their marriage Sarah responded to Abraham as God instructed. She wasn’t perfect, but she was seeking to please her heavenly father and therefore, pleased Abraham.

This passage today, although directed towards women, can apply to all of us. We cannot be driven by pleasing mankind. You will never be able to do that consistently. Sure, you may make some people happy, but it won’t last. Listen, our allegiance is to God first. Wives, submit to your husbands, as God directs. Husbands, submit to God and die to your selfish desires in regards to your wives.

APPLICATION

This is a tough verse to apply to children. They don’t understand the whole idea of submission in marriage or even the biblical roles of marriage. The best way to teach this, parents, is to live it out. Give your children a biblical model of marriage. When they are older and read these verses they will say, “Hey, that’s the kind of marriage my parents have.”

Role modeling these verses will give them a visual example of biblical truths. That’s true for many of the verses in Scripture. Let me challenge you, parents, to live out the Word. Allow your kids to see that. Don’t just teach it with words.

Are you living in fear because you aren’t living according to God’s standards? If you are, go to Him today and confess that. Allow Him to show you in His Word what He expects from you. He will never ask you to do anything beyond your ability.

Father, I will live according to Your word and will not fear. I will teach my children by the way I live out Your Word.

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Advice, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Encouragement, Following, God's Will, Holiness, Husbands, Inspirational, Modeling, Parenting, Scripture, Submission, Surrender, Wives

MODELING BEHAVIOR

1 PETER 3:5

“For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;”

I wonder who Peter was thinking of when he wrote this verse? His mother? His wife? Old Testament saints? We don’t know, but surely he had someone in mind. These were women who were more concerned with pleasing their Lord than with their external adornment. I bet they were all beautiful women, because when you live like that the Lord shines through.

Do you know any women who live like this? In today’s culture submitting to your husband is seen as weakness by the feminist movement. Now, I am not trying to start a fight. I am just stating a fact. Thank the Lord we don’t have to live by today’s culture. We rely on the Word of God to direct our life choices. I am thankful for a submissive wife who honors God with her choices.

APPLICATION

How do you apply this verse to children? Well, we are to teach our little girls and our little boys what it means to submit. Our girls need to understand that they are not submitting to some man. They are submitting to the Lord. He is the one they are trying to honor.

And our boys need to understand what that submission means. It does NOT mean that their wives are their slaves. This is a partnership. They are to honor the Lord by protecting and nurturing their wives. In return, the Lord directs their wives to submit. Obedience to the Lord is the key.

If you know some godly woman who is living out this verse, praise her today. Tell her how much she inspires you with her walk. Encourage her today to continue to model for you and others. Perhaps you are that woman who struggles with submission. Seek the Lord’s direction today. Please Him. That’s all that matters.

Thank You for putting holy women in my life. I praise You for the example they give in surrender to You.

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PRECIOUS IN GOD’S EYES

1 PETER 3:4

“but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”

Have you ever wondered what God sees in us? He has created us in His image after all. Does He see Himself? Only if we are reflecting Him. Peter tells us that a gentle and quiet spirit is the key. But what does that mean?

The word “gentle” means exercising God’s strength under His control. And the word “quiet” means a divinely inspired inner calmness. Did you catch what’s included in both of those definitions? God! It’s His strength and His calmness. When we exhibit that gentle and quiet spirit, God can indeed see Himself in us.

APPLICATION

The only way to teach our children the importance of a gentle and quiet spirit is to exhibit it ourselves. If we are always yelling and screaming, they won’t see it. If we are pushy and demanding of others, they won’t see it. We have to die to ourselves and allow the Spirit of God live in and through us in order to show that kind of spirit.

As our children see us living that way, they will learn to surrender their little, selfish selves to the Master. They can experience the joy of a gentle and quiet spirit. They can be seen as precious in the sight of God. God loves them and wants them to live for Him. We must model it so they can learn.

Are you precious in His sight? You see what’s required. Are you willing to surrender to His will for your life? His divine strength and inner calmness is waiting for you. I don’t know about you, but I want to be seen as precious in His sight.

I know You are watching me and love me dearly. I desire Your gentle and quiet Spirit to live in and through me daily.

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JUDGE IF YOU HAVE TO

Acts 4:19

“But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;”

Obeying God can have consequences. Peter and John faced this dilemma when the Jewish authorities ordered them to stop preaching about Jesus. People were coming to Christ due to the miracles they were performing and their message about repentance. The Jewish leaders didn’t want that.

But Peter and John knew they had to answer to a higher authority. They weren’t trying to be ugly or hard to get along with. They just knew the Lord had told them to preach the Gospel, so they had to. They were willing to accept the consequences that could have come from the authorities.

APPLICATION

Years ago, I served as Chaplain at a Children’s Home. Occasionally, former residents of the home would want the Chaplain to marry them in the Chapel on campus. When I could, I was honored to do so. On one occasion, however, I was asked to marry two former residents who both had multiple former marriages. I couldn’t do that and remain true to my calling. I was questioned by the Superintendent why I refused. Fortunately, he understood and supported my decision. But I was prepared to leave my job if necessary.

Your children may face a decision between standing up for Christ and their beliefs or giving in to pressures from others. You have to prepare them now for those times. They have to know why they believe what they believe. They need to know that God will be with them to support them. Share with them how you have handled similar situations.

Are you willing to stand up for Christ? There may be a day when you are faced with that decision. Are you ready? He is. He will stand beside you. Then you can say as Peter said, “you be the judge.”

I am ready to follow You, Lord, wherever You lead me. If that means I am judged by others, so be it. I will be proud to be named as Your follower.

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