Psalm 55:12-14 “12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, then I could bear it; nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, then I could hide myself from him. 13 But it is you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend; 14 We who had sweet fellowship together walked in the house of God in the throng.”

NOW THAT HURTS

It’s one thing to be hurt by an enemy.  It’s a whole other matter when the hurt comes from someone close to you.  We don’t know who this person was in David’s life who betrayed him.  Many speculate it was Absalom, the son who tried to overthrow him as king.  Maybe, maybe not.  We do know whoever it was deeply hurt David.

Have you been hurt like that by someone you thought loved you?  Maybe they even attended church with you.  You thought they were your Christian brother or sister.  But then they turned on you, seemingly for no reason.  Flesh is flesh, and this side of eternity, people can do anything.

TEACHING MOMENT

Your children need to be prepared to handle hurts like this.  But, in reality, the only way to learn how is to go through it.  That sounds bad, doesn’t it.  We don’t want our little Johnny or Susie to hurt.  We would do anything to shield them from heartache.  But some things just can’t be taught.  They have to be caught.  This is one of them.

You can, however, teach them, as they are going through this hurt, to rely on Jesus.  He is the Author and Finisher of their faith.  He is the Healer of the brokenhearted.  He is the Balm of Gilead.  You get the picture.  Point them to Jesus.

Father, thank You for helping me through those times in my life when I was wounded.  You have been my support and my defense.  I can ALWAYS depend on You.

2 Peter 2:22 “It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘A dog returns to its own vomit,’ and, ‘A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.’”

BUT TRUE

I will never forget witnessing this first proverb when I was little boy.  Our dog was sick and vomited, but then he turned around and ate it.  Yuk!  Gross!  Sorry, for the graphic analogy.  And I also had an uncle (Uncle Hugh Lee) who was a pig farmer.  I saw his hogs, big and little, after getting all cleaned up for market, go and wallow in the mud again.  My uncle would get so mad!  Lol

The point is this – we, unless we are living for Christ daily, will return to those fleshly, nasty, dirty things we lived in before.  The draw of the flesh is strong.  I once had a kid tell me, “I’m tired of being good.  Being bad is so much easier.”  No truer words have been spoken.

TEACHING MOMENT

So how do we teach our kids to not return to their own vomit or wallow in the mire?  We have to be consistent with our discipline and live a lifestyle ourselves that points them constantly to Christ.  The first one is much easier.  It seems the second one is where we fail.  We had rather say, “Do as I say, not as I do.”  That just won’t work.

Invite your child to read the Word with you.  They will remember those moments.  Pray with your child.  They will model that behavior.  As appropriate, confess your sins to them.  They need to know you are NOT perfect.  Sometimes our kids see us that way and one small imperfection can throw them.  Be open and honest at all times with them.

Are you living your life that way?  Are you asking the Lord to reveal those things that veer you back to the mire and vomit?  He will show you exactly where you got off the path, if you ask.  He wants you to stay near to him where you can live and thrive, not strive.

Father of all, You are my only true guiding light.  Thank You for leading me in the path of righteousness instead of the path of destruction.  I praise You!

1 Peter 4:19 “So then, those who suffer according to God’s Will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator, and continue to do good.”

SIGN ME UP

Seriously?  Really God?  I mean, come on, who wants to suffer?  You never hear this preached, do you?  But do you understand that suffering for the name of Christ is an honor and a privilege?  Suffering for the believer is to be expected.  Christ Himself suffered horribly at the hands of the Jewish leaders and Romans.  His suffering was totally and completely undeserved.  So why should be complain?

So why is it when we face a little suffering we bellyache and complain?  Because we are flesh and blood and want our way.  We think not getting the parking spot close to the mall entrance is suffering.  We feel we are being punished when we can’t buy that new car or dress or gun we want.  Nope, not even close.

TEACHING MOMENT

The only way to teach our children the “gift” of suffering is to show them.  When we go through a tough time we model the attitude of Christ.  When others unfairly criticize you, model Christ’s forgiveness.  When someone wrongs you, remember they are a sinner, just like you.

Your children will learn more from you in the midst of your suffering than you could ever teach them through a lecture.  When they observe your reaction to suffering, they will learn how to respond to their own suffering later on.

But don’t miss the last part of that verse – “continue to do good.”  Not only are we to endure, we are to persevere with intention.  We are to look for ways to do good to others in the midst of our suffering.  Our suffering always has a purpose.  Look for it.

Thank You Lord that you count me worthy to suffer in Your name.  Thank You for giving me the strength to endure.  Thank You for the promise of the crown of life.

I Peter 2:9 “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

FOR A PURPOSE

So many of us can quote the first part of this verse.  We believe we are chosen, a priesthood, a holy nation and God’s possession.  But we stop before we read the rest.  All that is so that we “may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  So why aren’t we doing that?

We want to be special but not do what He says.  If we really are that special, shouldn’t we want to proclaim all day every day about Him?  I mean, come on!  Look what He has done for us.  We should be shouting from the rooftops.

TEACHING MOMENT

We parents spend way too much time telling our kids how special they are.  Don’t get me wrong.  Kids are special.  I love kids.  But sometimes we set them up for failure by lavishing nothing but praise.  Kids have a purpose.  They have a calling.  There is a reason God has blessed us with these little ones.  But it is so much more than just for them to be special.

How do you get your children to recognize their purpose?  Ask them.  They may surprise you.  But let them tell you how they want to proclaim Him.  Their words are prone to be much simpler than ours.  And they may just be the one to reach someone else.

So how do you feel?  Are you special?  But do you recognize that God has made us special for a purpose?  We are to proclaim Him to the world.  We have the responsibility to shout from the rooftop.  Let everyone know.  Don’t be bashful.  Claim your rightful place as a child of the king, but don’t rest in that.  Shout His name!

O Father, You are the one who deserves all our praise.  Thank You for seeing me first.  Help me be the first to express that to everyone.

Hosea 5:15 “I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”

DO YOU?

Wow!  Have you ever thought about the fact that God has ALL the time of eternity to wait for us to repent?  Just like He said through Hosea to Israel, He “will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face.  Isn’t that a scary thought?  It is to me.  I don’t want God to go away.  I want Him close.

But so many of us are just plain happy to have God “not in our business.”  We think we are better off that way.  But in our affliction we will earnestly seek Him – eventually.  I promise you.  It may be days, weeks, months or years, but we WILL repent one day.  We ALL will.  There is no doubt!

TEACHING MOMENT

How many times have you said to your child, “If you will just be honest with me, it will go easier on you”?  You want them to repent and make things right.  You just want them to “confess.”  You don’t want to “afflict” them, right?  Neither does the Lord.  He wants us to come to Him humbly and repentant.  He wants to hear those words, “I am guilty.  Please forgive me.”

It is so important for us to teach our children the importance of repentance.  God is NOT going to let things slide, unlike many parents do.  Yep, I said that. We let things slide sometimes because we just don’t want to deal with it.  But God will deal with it.  So our kids need to learn that – NOW.

Are you “dealing” with it?  Are you confessing?  Are you right with Him?  The Lord wants to restore the relationship with you.  But that takes a conversation which must begin with confession.  Do that and watch the Lord respond.

Father, You want to hear us confess.  So, forgive me.  Cleanse me.  Make me whole again.  I need Your cleansing power in my life afresh and new.  Thank You for restoring me to fellowship with You.

Hosea 3:5 “Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.”

THEY WILL RETURN

This verse reminds me of the prodigal son story.  I am sure he came trembling home to his father.  And his father welcomed him home.  You know the story, right?  But here in Hosea, the Lord is talking about Israel returning to Him after turning their backs on Him.  He still loves them.  He redeems them again, illustrated by Hosea buying back his WIFE from harlotry.  What a picture!

We read this and are amazed.  How could Hosea even want his wife back after she had left him and went back to prostituting?  I don’t know of a man who would.  Hosea probably didn’t want to, but God was using him as a living illustration to the nation.  Don’t be shocked!  We do the same thing.  We go after the world and leave God out.  We can always justify it, but we do it.

TEACHING MOMENT

I am not asking you to try to explain to little Johnnie and Susie what is meant by “harlotry.”  When they are old enough you can do that.  The point to make to them is how we all decide to go after the world and its pleasures.  We think we know what is best for us, but we don’t.  We think we want to be free from relationships that stifle us, but we don’t.

Your children are going to want to leave home one day.  They may go through a rebellious streak.  They may even seemingly abandon their faith.  You can’t give up on them.  Just like Hosea redeemed his wife, the Lord can redeem that child and bring them back home.  You have to believe that.

But how about you?  Are you pursuing “harlotry”?  Are you trying to shake off the shackles you think are on you?  Are you trying to be free of restrictions?  Stop it!  The only reason the Lord would ever restrict you is to protect you.  Trust Him!  He knows and will always know what is best for you.

Father, thank You for restricting my movements at times.  I know that is for my good.  I want to be “home” with You.  Thank You for redeeming me through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Revelation 21:23 “And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” 

WILL YOU TURN ON THAT LIGHT?

Have you ever entered a room that was dark and struggled to find the light switch?  We probably have all done that at some point.  Of course, in my house I know where all the light switches are and can find them in the pitch dark.  Can you imagine the new Jerusalem that will be lit by the glory of the Lord?  No light switch needed.

No more stumbling around in the dark.  No more dimly lit rooms.  Only the brilliance of God shining all around.  And we won’t be facing a glaring, eye piercing light.  This light will be radiating from God Himself which will beg us to behold it.  No need for sunglasses here.  Good thing because I can’t keep a pair.  Lol

TEACHING MOMENT

This could be a fun verse to read to your child and then illustrate.  Find the darkest room of your house.  That could be a closet or a bathroom without any windows.  Cover the door jamb with a towel.  Make sure it is pitch black.  Then strike a match and see how it lights the room.  Then keep adding light (flashlight, lantern, closet light, etc.) until the whole room is radiating with light.

Then explain that a “bright” as these lights seem, they are all extinguishable.  Start turning them off one by one until all is dark again.  Contrast that with the light from God’s glory that will NEVER go out.  What a great picture of God’s brilliance that we will get to experience one day.  I can’t wait.

Are you walking around in the darkness or in the light?  Are your eyes looking down so you won’t trip or looking up to behold the King of Glory?  Even now, God wants to shine His light on you. He wants to light your path so you don’t stumble or fall.  Let Him be the light in your life today.

Father of lights, I give You all the praise for Your brilliance and luster.  You are the One who lights my world.  You are the One who illuminates my soul.

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.’”

IT’S GOOD TO KNOW THE ENDING

How many times have you recorded a sports event only to find out the score before you get to watch it?  While it may be good to know you won beforehand, it kind of ruins the suspense of watching the game, doesn’t it?  That happened to me recently. Knowing the final score before you watch the game really takes the fun out of watching it.

In the book of Revelation we have the privilege of seeing the “final score” before the end.  We win!  Jesus will overcome!  The devil will be defeated once and for all.  Why?  “Because He is Lord of lords and King of kings.”  Enough said.

TEACHING MOMENT

Why don’t you try this with your kids?  Give them a game to play, but before they start playing tell them you have already decided who is going to win.  What do you think they will say?  I am sure little Johnny will be thrilled if he is the one picked to win.  But if you tell him he is losing to his little sister, that might be a different story.

Explain to them that the devil already knows he is going to lose.  He knows he can’t win. That’s why he is so mad all the time and determined to bring down as many of us as he can.  And we believers are already rejoicing because we know we are going to win and nothing can defeat us.

So are you a winner or loser?  Do you have your hope placed in Jesus, Who will overcome?  Or are you still anxious about the end result?  We have no reason to worry, if we are in Christ.  There is NO WAY Satan can win.  We have the victory in our pocket, but we must trust the Lord to fight for us.

My Savior and Lord, thank you for guaranteeing my victory in Christ.  Thank You for the assurance of Christ’s lordship.  He is my hope and peace.  He is my Strong Deliverer.

Revelation 10:10 “I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.”

BUT THAT DOESN’T AGREE WITH ME

This passage here in Revelation reminds us of Ezekiel 3:3 when he ate the scroll that tasted like honey.  The only difference is with John it turned bitter.  It didn’t agree with his stomach.  Let me ask you something.  When something doesn’t agree with your stomach, what usually happens?  That’s right, you throw up.  I know, I know.  That’s disgusting.  But I believe that is what John was supposed to do.  He was supposed to “throw up” the words of the book so others would hear them.

Think about it.  We read the Word of God today, and it is sweet to our hearts and ears.  We enjoy our quiet times and devotions.  But do you ever “throw up” those words on others?  Do you share the sweetness with others?  Maybe the Lord needs to make the Word bitter in YOUR stomach.  We need to warn the people today just as much as John needed to back then.

TEACHING MOMENT

Why don’t you give your children an assignment this week?  Give them a Bible verse to memorize and then have them keep record of how many times they share that verse with someone else.  Set a goal of 5 or 10 people.  If necessary, make a list of people they want to share it with.

Teaching our children to share the Word will embolden them to be a mouthpiece for the Lord.  The earlier we do that, the more “normal” it will seem.  Sure, we need to teach them to hide the Word in their hearts, but they also need to reveal it to others.

Are you hiding or revealing?  Who have you shared the Word with this week?  “Well Carl, I’ve been busy with all the holidays and stuff.”  Hogwash!  Get out there.  Share the truth of the Word with at least one person today.  I am sure you know someone who needs to be encouraged.

My Lord God, You are the Living Word.  Give me the boldness and power to share it with others.  Help me seek those who need to hear from You.

Revelation 5:12 “‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.’”

WORSHIP THE LAMB

Do you remember this scene in heaven?  If not, go back and read the whole chapter.  John is crying because no one is there to open and read from the book.  But the Lion of Judah steps forward.  The slain Lamb of God takes the book, and all begin to worship Him.  They ALL recognize Him as the ONLY one worthy to take and read from that book.

Our world today does not have that awe and fear of God anymore.  Most people laugh at the idea of a Holy God.  Most people today do not recognize His worthiness.  They scoff at God and mock His name.  But that does not change the fact that one day all will bow before Him.

TEACHING MOMENT

This passage today would be a great passage to act out with your kids.  Read it to them and then gather some costumes and make a set.  When kids can visual something it becomes more real to them.  Heaven is too abstract for most people to comprehend.  Putting something in front of them to represent it can help them to conceptualize what is going on in the Word.

I particularly like imagery of Jesus being called the Lion of Judah and then the Lamb steps forth.  That’s a pretty big contrast – a lion and a lamb.  Take some time to explain the strength of the lion and the gentleness of the lamb.  Lions are imposing creatures.  Lambs are not.  Lions are protectors of their tribe.  Lambs are the sacrifice.

Aren’t you glad Jesus is both?  Aren’t you glad Jesus stands firm and advocates on your behalf?  And aren’t you glad Jesus sacrificed Himself on God’s altar for you?  Only He is worthy, because of who He is, to take that holy book and open it in heaven.  No one, not even the highest archangel, has the right.  Only One – Jesus!

Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to be the Lion and the Lamb.  Thank You He has the power and the meekness required to fulfill Your demands.  I am forever grateful.