Jeremiah 12:5a “If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses?”

STAY ON THE PORCH

How soon we complain, right?  We fuss about the smallest stuff.  We scream how unfair life is, even over the smallest things.  This verse is telling us something profound, if we will just listen.  How can we expect the Lord to use us in great things if we can’t be trusted in the small?  How can the Lord prepare us for the biggest battles to come if we grow weary in the small ones?

What “challenge” have you complained about lately?  Come on now.  I know you have complained.  We all do, but to no avail.  The sad thing about a pity party is you are the only one who shows up.  Stop complaining.  Look at this trial as a means for God to prepare you for greater challenges.  “Thanks Carl, that’s not really encouraging!”  Oh, but it is.

TEACHING MOMENT

Do you challenge your kids to succeed?  Do you push them a little to achieve what you know they are capable of?  The next time you are working extra hard on those basketball drills with little Johnny or listening to Susie practice her piano, remember the Lord is also pushing you to do much more than you think.

We need to remind our children during those “challenging times” that the Lord is going to push them, too.  But reassure them that He will only “push them” as far as He knows they can go.  God will never ask us to do more than we are capable.

So, are you on the porch or running with the dogs?  Are you tired from just running with the footmen?  Or are you ready to take on the Kentucky Derby winner?  With the Lord on our side – no – with the Lord in us, we can accomplish impossible things.

Father, you are my strength!  I am nothing but a weakling, of myself.  But because of Your Holy Spirit living in me, You can ask me to do anything for You.

Jeremiah 7:4 “Do not trust in deceptive words, saying, ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.’” 

CHURCH WON’T SAVE YOU

The people Jeremiah was speaking to thought the temple would save them.  Well, not really, but that believed because they had the temple in Jerusalem, God’s house, that they were safe from destruction. They were sure God wouldn’t let His house be destroyed.  They didn’t understand.  That wasn’t God’s house. No building could contain Him.

Many people today believe the church is almost mystical.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I believe we should honor and protect our churches.  But if every church building in America was torn down, the church would continue to live.  It is not about a building!  It’s about His people.

TEACHING MOMENT

Your children need to understand this now.  Even as we holler, “Don’t run in the church” or “Don’t stand up in the pew”, we need to make sure they understand that the church is His people.  That can get confusing for kids.  They hear us talking about “going to church” all the time.  What we really ought to be saying is “The church is going to see the church.”

Now wouldn’t that blow their mind?  Talking about confusing them…  But we need to make sure they understand what the church is.  As believers, we make up the church universal.  Sure, we have local bodies of believers who come together to worship as a church.  But we are so much bigger than that.

Have you forgotten what church is?  Sometimes we get so busy that we fail to remember that wherever we are, we represent the body of Christ.  I look forward to taking my church (me) to see the rest of the church on Sunday.  I look forward to seeing our combined church worship.

Father, thank You for being the focus of our church.  Thank You that You cannot be contained or enclosed inside a building.  You dwell in us through Your Holy Spirit, making us Your Holy Temple.

Jeremiah 5:22 “‘Do you not fear Me?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, an eternal decree, so it cannot cross over it. Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail; though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it.’”

SAND FENCE

The first thing that hit me when I read this verse is all the talk about rising sea levels.  We may disagree about global warming.  I am certainly not going to argue about it.  I just believe EVERY word of God is true and infallible.  And here in Jeremiah, the Lord says the sea “cannot cross over it” – it being the sand.

I guess I am just simple minded (not comments from the peanut gallery please, lol).  If I believe all the other scriptures, I have to believe this one.  God has established boundaries and order to the universe.  That applies to the very waves of the oceans.  That is just mind boggling to me.

TEACHING MOMENT

“Okay Carl, what is the point?” you ask.  That’s fair.  The point is this.  Teach your children that God is in control.  Nothing surprises Him.  He knows exactly where each wave will break on the beach.  If that’s not detailed, I don’t know what it.  And if God cares about how far the waves break on the beach, He certainly cares about the details of our lives.

His children are important to Him.  There is not a detail of your kids’ lives that He is not concerned about.  The next time you go to the beach or see a beach scene, read this verse to them.  Remind your children that God is watching and can work in their lives, even as He controls the waters of the world.

Father, you are an amazing God.  Your attention to detail is incredible.  Father, help me to trust You when I feel the waves crash against my life, knowing that You will only allow them to come so far.

Jeremiah 2:22 “‘Although you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your iniquity is before Me,’ declares the Lord God.”

GREEN TOMATOES

When I was growing up in Southwest Georgia I would work in my uncle’s and cousin’s tobacco fields during the summer.  That was hard, hot work.  I can’t even begin to tell you how hot it was.  But one of the worse parts of working in the tobacco fields was how dirty you got.

Early in the morning, when the dew was still on the tobacco leaves, the tar from those leaves (which you couldn’t see) would stick to your hands, skin, hair and clothes.  I remember trying to wash my hands for lunch.  They were stained with that a brown, almost black, sticky tar.  Soap didn’t work.  The only thing we found to cut that tar was a green tomato.  Yep.  We would slice one open and rub our hands with it.  It would somehow cut through that tar.

TEACHING MOMENT

I bet it won’t be long before little Johnny or Gertrude comes in the door from playing and will need a good scrubbing.  Sometimes their play can get them real dirty.  Sometimes they can stain their clothes beyond getting them clean.  What a perfect time to talk about this verse.  Our sins have stained us. Our rebellion against a Holy God must be washed away.  But there is no amount of Clorox or Shout (or green tomatoes) that is going to do the job.  There is only one cleanser – the shed blood of Jesus.

We have the opportunity to explain how His blood has the cleansing power over sin.  His blood removes the stain of sin in our lives.  His blood never loses its power.  His blood never runs out.  It is the perfect (and I mean perfect) cleansing tool for our spirits.  Hallelujah!

Are you walking around with stains?  You may be a believer, but you haven’t confessed those sins yet.  The beauty of salvation is that your sins are already forgiven because of that powerful blood.  But you do have to confess them.  You do have to ask for forgiveness.  Sin happens.  We shouldn’t choose it, but it does.  But rest assured that when you do, you can have that stain removed quickly through the blood of Jesus.

Father, I do not deserve the grace and mercy You show me.  But I am thankful for the blood of Your Son, Jesus, Who cleansed me through His blood.  Forgive me today, Lord.

John 19:26-27 “26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’  27 Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.”

DON’T FORGET MOM

Even in death Jesus looked down and had compassion on His earthly mother.  She knew all about Him.  She knew about Him before He even came to earth.  The angel had told her.  Now she is looking at Him on the cross knowing the purpose of His death.  And out of all the people He could see from the cross, He looks at her.

He could feel her pain.  They had that special first born bond.  He had taken care of her after the death of His earthly father, Joseph.  They were close.  He didn’t want to leave her, but He knew she would be okay.  Why?  Because He had chosen John to take her in.  I have to believe He chose John as a disciple for this purpose too.

TEACHING MOMENT

You don’t have to teach your children to love mom.  They just do.  But you do have to remind them to care for her.  Dads, this is directed at you.  “Taking care of Mom” doesn’t start when you are no longer around.  This starts when they are young.  It begins with how they respect and treat their mom.

Little Johnny must be taught that Mom is, first of all, your wife, whom you will protect.  Susie must be taught that Mom is her friend, but not her secret keeper from Dad.  Jesus’ example of how He cared for His mom should be taught to your children.  Let them hear His words on this subject.

Was Jesus a momma’s boy?  Well, probably not.  But it is obvious He loved her and wanted her taken care of by someone He trusted.  If your Mom is still alive, call her today and thank her for all she has done for you.  Perhaps you are estranged from her.  Pray for guidance on how to make that right.  Live life with no regrets, especially when it comes to family.

Father, thank You for godly mothers who try to follow You.  I thank You for my mom.  Thank you for her love for me when I probably didn’t deserve it.

John 17:15-16 “‘15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.  16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.’”

NOT OF THIS WORLD

This world is not our home.  As believers, we know that.  It is a temporary place – a place we are just visiting.  Our real home is heaven.  But it is the only home we have right now, so we need to make the most of it.  Jesus knew that.  He said as much when he said, “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.”

Now understand something.  If God wanted, He could instantly take us to heaven when we are saved.  We could say, “I believe,” and instantly be there.  As cool as that may seem, He wants us to stay here and spread the good news.  And because He does, He protects us from the evil one, who wants nothing more than to tear us down.

TEACHING MOMENT

I love hearing children’s descriptions of heaven.  They are beautiful, simple and creative.  We should talk to our children about heaven.  But we need to spend more time teaching them how to live here on this earth.  They need to know that Jesus said these words about being here.  John 16 is a great chapter about that.

Take some time and read this to them.  And I mean, take some time.  There is so much in this chapter.  But it is so good.  It is so reassuring.  It can embolden your children to live for Jesus knowing He is cheering them on.

I want to live with the Word of God insulating me from the fiery darts of Satan.  There is NOTHING he can do to me, unless the Lord allows it.  The Word protects my mind and spirit.  It gives me the strength to carry on when I think I can’t make it another day.  The Word allows me to walk into any room equipped to share the good news.  It’s not because of me.  It’s all because of Him.

Father, You are my protector.  I know that and believe that.  I trust You to be my insulator.  Keep me from isolating myself from the lost who so desperately need to hear from You.

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’”

JUST ONE

I read about a Christian minister who actually said that Christianity was NOT the only way to heaven.  Well, I don’t know about you, but what do they do with this verse today?  I mean, it’s pretty clear to me.  Jesus said it.  I didn’t.

The world, including some “ministers,” want to diminish the importance of Jesus.  They say, “Surely a loving God would not send anyone to hell.”  Jesus matters.  He IS the only way.  He is the ONE way.  There is NO OTHER WAY!  Don’t let anyone tell you anything different.

TEACHING MOMENT

Listen to me, Moms and Dads, your children are going to be bombarded with these “don’t believe Jesus” statements.  They are going to hear from all sides how God either doesn’t matter or is unimportant.  They are going to be told that Jesus is cool and all, but….

Read them this verse.  Better yet, have them memorize it for their defense.  Jesus is the only way, the only truth and the only life.  Your children need believe this.  Nothing is more important than this.

Okay, so I seem to be on my soapbox.  But I get a little passionate when I hear my Savior’s relevance questioned.  I want everyone to know what a great and mighty Lord He is.  I want them to experience the joy of knowing Him before it’s too late.  I don’t want them to wait until the end.  I want them to live with Him and for Him.

O Father of life, You are the only reason I live.  You give me focus.  You give me purpose.  Give me the opportunities today to show someone this truth.

John 11:39b “Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, ‘Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.’”

HE STINKETH

My wife has a very sensitive nose.  If I walk outside for a second and walk back in the house, she will say, “You smell.  Have you been outside?”  I mean, come on, I was outside for like a minute.  I kid her that she should have worked at a perfume factory.  She has the best olfactory senses in the world.  Lol

But even I could have smelled Lazarus.  He had been dead four days inside a sealed tomb.  If you have ever smelled a dead body, well, let’s just say you won’t soon forget it.  But Jesus wanted to make sure that everyone knew Lazarus was dead.  Some Jews believed the spirit “hung around” for three days after death.  Jesus waited four on purpose.

TEACHING MOMENT

Have your children ever come in the house after a long day in the yard playing and smelled to high heaven? What a perfect time to talk about this story.  “Johnny, you smell like Lazarus!” “Who is that, Mom?”  Then you can tell him the story and how Jesus raised him from the dead.

Another cool thing about the story to tell them is that Jesus called Lazarus by name.  He didn’t want every stinking corpse in the cemetery to wake up.  Lol.  That would have been quite a sight.  No, He called the one He was seeking. He calls us by name too.  Even when we are stinking He calls us by name.  Pretty cool, huh?

I know I have more “stinking” days than “smell good” days.  I tend to let my flesh win more than it should.  I let my own desires control me when I know my spirit should.  I don’t know about you, but I had rather smell good than stink any day.

Father, will you take this old stinking corpse and raise it afresh today?  I praise You for saving me and giving me the power to walk with You.  Let my aroma be yours and not my flesh.

John 7:42 “‘Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?’”

MISINFORMED

I find it kind of funny that as the people were arguing about just who Jesus was, they actually recall the prophecy about Bethlehem.  They knew the prophecy, but didn’t know He had fulfilled it.      They seemed to know Him, but they didn’t.

Have you ever thought you knew someone only to find out later you really didn’t?  If the people had really known Jesus they would have been ecstatic.  They would have been dancing in the street.  They just thought they knew Him.  But let me ask you a question.  Do you really know Him?

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children begin asking questions about the Lord at an early age.  They have an inquisitive mind about spiritual things.  It is important that we feed that curiosity with the truth.  They need to know all we can give them.  We need to inform them as they are able to digest the truth.

But in order to do that we must have the knowledge.  You can’t impart something you don’t have.  So, I’ll ask you again.  Just how well do you know your Savior?  Do you really know Him?  Do you want to know Him more?  You can only know someone you spend time with.  How much time are you spending with Him?  Your children will see you doing that and want to know Him too.

I have some good friends whom I love to be with.  I have other friends that I had rather not spend a lot of time with.  But there is no one I had rather be with than my Savior.  Why?  Because He knows me like no one else and still loves me.

Father, thank You for sending Your Son to be my Savior, but also my friend.  Thank You for loving me despite my failures and when I am not very lovable.

John 5:6 “When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, ‘Do you wish to get well?’”

DO YOU WANT TO GET BETTER?

Have you ever known anyone who just liked to tell you about their ailments?  My paternal grandmother would wax eloquent about her body aches and illnesses.  You never wanted to call her and ask, “How are you doing, M’aam-maw?”  You were guaranteed a lengthy description if you did.

Some people like the attention that get from being sick.  They really have gotten used to being sick and are quite comfortable.  Although Jesus knew what this man was thinking, He still asked him that question, “Do you wish to get well?”  Jesus was prepared to heal, but only if the man wished it.

TEACHING MOMENT

Don’t let your children settle into a bad place.  We need to encourage them to step out of the “funk,” if they are in one.  We need to show them how to press forward and succeed.  But they will only do that if we show them the true source of their strength.  Jesus still wants us today to “pick up our pallet and walk.”  Whatever is holding us down needs to be laid aside.

It’s interesting in this story that although the healed man was questioned and even berated for carrying the pallet on a Sabbath, he kept walking.  He was going home, a new man, a walking man.  Our children will face ridicule for trusting in Jesus.  They need to be taught to continue and just ignore the criticism of those who want to keep them down (crippled).

What is holding you down?  Do you feel crippled and unable to reach the healing waters?  You don’t need to pursue a magical potion.  All you need is Him.  He can cleanse you and heal you of anything that is holding you down.  Trust Him.  Now, I must warn you.  He heals in various ways.  He just wants us to trust Him.  He will do the rest – His way.

Thank you Lord, for picking me up and showing me the way.  Thank you for telling me to pick up my pallet, the thing I have gotten used to, and start walking.