John 3:16 “‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.’” 

TOO FAMILIAR?

This is probably the first verse you memorized, right?  We learned this verse in Sunday School or Vacation Bible School, but we learned it early.  If you watch a NFL game, there is probably someone in the crowd holding a sign up that reads “John 3:16.”   We all quote it and know it, but do we live it?

The real question is “Do we REALLY believe it?”  Do you?  If you do, how many people have you told about Christ lately?  How many people have you gone out of your way to share the greatest news?  I often wonder about Nicodemus, to whom Christ was talking.  Once he heard this, how diligent was he to share it?

TEACHING MOMENT

Teach your children this verse.  Help them memorize it.  But more importantly, help them really believe it.  Help them see the importance of the “whoever” in this verse.  God desires that all men be saved, and He wants to use us, your children included, in sharing the good news.

Talk with them about the contrast in the verse – perishing or eternal life. Which one do you desire for your children?  What a dumb question.  Well, God has the same desire for EVERYONE.  We are ALL created in His image so He desires for us ALL to come back to Him.

Will you share this verse with someone today?  Will you tell them the story?  Will you lead them to eternal life rather than allow them to perish?  God wants to use you. Don’t be like Nicodemus who came in the night to avoid being seen by others.  He was fearful of the reprisal of others.  Be bold and courageous.

Father, You loved me enough to send Your only Son to die for me.  Help me today to love You enough to die to my pride and live boldly for You.  Help me to share Your love with anyone I meet.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 “Furthermore, in your bedchamber do not curse a king, and in your sleeping rooms do not curse a rich man, for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound and the winged creature will make the matter known.”

WATCH WHAT YOU SAY

I bet you didn’t know that saying “a little birdie told me” was based on the Bible.  I didn’t either.  I have heard and used that little saying all my life.  The spreading of news, gossip or rumors can be dangerous.  You just never know who is listening and what exactly they heard.

We think that what we say in secret (in our bedchamber or sleeping room) will stay there.  Not necessarily.  People talk. And some people just can’t keep a secret, no matter what.  The saddest part is some of the worse people are in the church.  Of course, they share all these things as “prayer requests.”  That makes it alright.  Right?  Nope!

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children must learn the importance of not talking about people and not sharing what has been entrusted with them.  You could easily test them with this by telling them a “secret” and asking them not to say anything to anyone.  What do you think will happen within days?  Yep, the story will slip out.  Especially if it is good news like a planned trip or a surprise party.

Holding the confidence of someone is hard, but they really need to learn to do that.  They also need to learn how to keep from talking about others at all.  They may trust that friend now, but the first time they have a falling out, those secrets will come pouring out.

What secret are you holding on to right now?  What secret have you divulged?  Can you get it back?  No, you can’t.  It’s been said that words are like toothpaste.  Once they are out you can’t put them back in.  Be careful what you say and to whom.  Know in whom you can place your trust.

Father, you are the only trustworthy One.  Thank You that I can trust You with anything.  You will always hold my confidence.

Ecclesiastes 9:17 “The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.” 

SILENCE CAN BE GOLDEN

Parents understand that phrase all too well.  It’s that time of the evening when the kids are finally all tucked into bed and the house is quiet.  You peek in their rooms and see them sleeping peacefully.  Silence is sweet.  It is those times of the day when you, as a busy parent, can hear God speak.

Solomon says here in this verse “The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.”  What does he mean?  It is an obvious statement to most of us.  Some people think the louder they yell the more they are heard.  While it really is just the opposite.  I’ve heard it said if you train a mule with shouts it won’t respond to a whisper.  So true.

TEACHING MOMENT

So, how do you correct your children?  Do you yell and scream?  Come on, be honest.  I am sure there have been times when you have lost it.  Tell me.  Did your little Johnny or Susie learn anything from your screaming?  I doubt it.  I bet you were telling them the same thing the next day.

When we take our children and talk to them calmly and peaceably they are more likely to comprehend what we are trying to say.  Be the wise person.  Speak quietly more than loudly.  You can ALWAYS get louder.

Let me encourage you today to keep the decibels down.  Let your energy be spent in playing with your kids, not yelling at them.  There may be a time when you need to yell to get them out of danger, but they are so use to you screaming at them they ignore it.  Kind of like the boy who cried wolf.  Remember that story?

Father, You are a gentle Father.  You only “scream” at me when I am facing immediate danger.  Help me be more like You.  Help me control my mouth and speak wisdom in quietness.

Ecclesiastes 5:4 “When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!” 

PAY UP TIME

How many times have you said to God, “If you will just get me out of this jam I am in I will….”?  Yep, we have all done it.  We get ourselves in a mess and then beg God for deliverance.  And as soon as we get through it, we forget about our vow to God.

Solomon reminds us here in this verse to keep our vow.  We need to “pay up” to God when He sees us through that storm of life.  We need to be true to our word to God.  We are even called fools in this verse, if we don’t.  That’s a little harsh, huh?

TEACHING MOMENT

You have probably heard your child make promises to get out of trouble.  “Mom, if you will let me go to the dance I promise to clean my room every day.”  “Dad, if you let me borrow the car I will wash it every week.”  Right!  Like that’s going to happen.  But they vow it, whether they are sincere or not.

The problem is we let them slide when they don’t keep the vow or we don’t correct them in the vow when they are making it.  Keeping our word to others is important.  They need to learn to do that.  If they can’t keep their word to others (whom they can see), they most certainly won’t keep a vow to God (Whom they can’t see).

What was the last vow you broke?  Was it to a person or to God?  Either way, breaking that vow was wrong and you need to make it right.  “But Carl, that is humiliating.”  Exactly.  Remember what Solomon called us for not keeping our vows – fools.

Father God, Keeper of all vows, show me how to keep my word.  Show me what vows to make and not make.  Keep my tongue from making foolish promises You know I can’t keep.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 “‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher, ‘Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.’”

EMPTY

There was a song back in the 70’s entitled “You’re So Vain” which was sung by Carly Simon.  Supposedly she sang it about someone she knew who was just so conceited and stuck up.  Not very nice, huh?  But that song became very popular on the pop charts and even made it into the Grammy Hall of Fame.  That says something about us, doesn’t it?

Vanity, according to King Solomon who wrote this, is everywhere.  He should have known.  He allowed his wealth and God given wisdom to make him vain.  His downfall was thinking he had done anything to achieve what was given to him. He started out so good, asking God for wisdom, but ended up chasing other gods and setting up his son, Rehoboam, for failure.

TEACHING MOMENT

We, as parents, must keep our children’s vanity in check.  We want them to be proud and accomplished.  But they need to make sure they give credit where credit is due.  No one achieves one thing in this world of themselves.  As believers, we know that God is the giver of blessings.  He gives us our abilities and successes.  He can just as easily humble us if we become too proud.

So, there is a delicate balance.  On the one hand, we praise and brag on our children.  On the other hand, we teach them to acknowledge anyone who played a part in their success, most of all the Lord.  If our children can learn this at an early age, they just may escape the dangers of vanity.

What are you proud of?  Do you struggle with a little too much pride?  Or perhaps you are just the opposite.  You suffer from no pride at all.  That is just as bad.  We serve a mighty God Who empowers us with His Spirit.  That Spirit can work through us to do incredible things if we get out of the way.  Will you let Him work today?

Thank You, Father, for the gift of Your Spirit in my life.  Help me today to allow Him to work in and through me to accomplish only what You want me to accomplish. And remind me to give You all the credit.  It is You, not me!

Malachi 3:10 “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.’” 

OVERFLOWING

Have you ever been trying to put something in a bucket and realize you need a bigger bucket?  I remember when I was growing up we would go out to my Grandma Carter’s farm and pick vegetables.  She would always plant a huge garden with black-eyed peas, butterbeans, squash, okra and a few other items.  I will never forget trying to get the little stool before my siblings did so I could sit and pick.

We would be told what to pick and where and then be given a bucket.  Before long, the bucket would be full and overflowing with the bounty of the garden.  So, we would have to carry our small, full bucket to the end of the row and dump it in a bushel basket.  I often wished I had had a bigger bucket so I could make fewer trips to the end of the row.  But then I would have not been able to drag that big bucket very far.

TEACHING MOMENT

In the same way, when God blesses us with His bounty, He doesn’t expect us to keep it all to ourselves.  We need to go the “end of the row” and pour it out for others.  God promises us blessings beyond what we can hold if we are faithful to Him.  But He wants us to share those blessings with all those around us.

Our children can learn this lesson ONLY by watching us do this.  They will model our behavior a lot quicker than follow our words.  Find a way to get them involved with giving to others out of their blessings.  They will grow up to teach their children the same thing.

Perhaps you know someone who could benefit from your blessings.  Maybe you have just what they need right now.  It might cost you something you really want to hold on to.  But God promises to bless you as you are faithful.

God, You are the Giver of all things.  I know that and believe that.  Help me today to let go of my blessings so I can be a blessing to others.

Malachi 1:8: “‘But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?’ says the LORD of hosts.”

GIVE HIM YOUR BEST

What do you give to the Lord?  Leftovers?  Damaged goods?  What you can spare?  Here in this verse the Lord is chastising the people for giving Him damaged goods.  He demands you give Him a worthy sacrifice.

Now, understand something.  God DOES NOT NEED our sacrifice.  He is complete and holy without us.  But He desires that we WANT to give to Him in a way that honors Him.  We should WANT to give Him our best, whatever our best is.

TEACHING MOMENT

Children tend to hold on what is precious to them.  I bet your little Gertrude has a favorite toy.  If you asked her to give it to someone she would probably not be very happy, right?  What a perfect way to explain this verse to her.  Ask her what her most prized possession is and then ask her to give it to the Lord.

Remind her that God gave us His very own Son to die for us.  He deserves our very best.  But also explain to her that “our very best” includes our time and talents.  God deserves our best at everything.  Even though God may give it right back to us, we should give it without that expectation.

What are you giving to God?  I know.  I have already asked you that question.  But I’m asking it again.  What are you holding on to with a death grip that you KNOW God has told you to give to Him?  Give it up!  Let Him have it!

Father of all, I give you my all.  I lay it all down at the altar without any thoughts of getting it back.  I owe you all.  You deserve my all.

Zechariah 13:9: “‘And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them; I will say, “They are My people,” and they will say, “The LORD is my God.”’”

A PURE REFLECTION

What does it take to refine silver?  Temperatures well over 1500 degrees are needed to refine the silver.  But did you know that the refining process does not destroy the dna of the silver?  It just makes it purer.  Hmmmm?  So, when the Lord says He will refine us, He doesn’t destroy our “dna.”  He just makes us purer.  That is only done through the blood of Christ and the testing with trials.

No one likes the fires of trials.  Right?  No one appreciates the refining process while they are in it.  But once you come out on the other side, reflecting the image of Christ, it is all worth it.  Why?  Because you have learned, once again, that He will bring you through any storm.  He will walk with you through the fire.  He will sustain you when you think all is gone.

TEACHING MOMENT

Here we are again. This is a character building experience that your children will best learn by observing you.  They will see you trust in the fire and see you come out better.  As you endure the fires of life, you have the chance to show them how to trust and grow in the midst of them.

Then, when they face their own fires, you can remind them of yours.  They will remember, if you are open and transparent as you go through them.  Too many parents try to shield their children from the unpleasant things in life.  God allows these things in our lives to build us up and make us more like Him.  He is the purest!  He wants us to be pure too.

I want you to remember that the hotter the fire the purer the silver.  The silver releases the impurities as the temperature is increased or sustained.  Hot, long fires will allow you to become purer.  Don’t you want that?

Father, I do not like the flames of trials.  But Lord I do want to be more like You.  I can’t believe I am praying this, but turn up the heat.  Let the impurities in my life be burned away so that all others see in me is You.

Zechariah 10:12: “‘And I will strengthen them in the LORD, and in His name they will walk,’ declares the LORD.”

IT IS NOT ABOUT US

When will we learn that it is really all about Him?  Now, I am not calling God a narcissist.  You know, that person who thinks the whole universe spins around them.  I have known a few in my lifetime.  They can make everyone around them miserable.  They want everyone to adjust their schedule and their activities to fit their desires.  That is NOT God.

But, as believers, when we yield (and that is the key word) everything to Him, life is so much easier.  You see, God is the exact opposite of narcissistic.  When we yield it all to Him, He in turn makes us the center of His attention.  He wants to make sure we are blessed and protected.  He wants to focus on us.

TEACHING MOMENT

So many parents I know hover over their kids and make them the center of everything.  We should make sure our kids are cared for and reared properly.  But when we make our children more important than our time with the Lord or time with our spouse, things start to break down.  There is an order to things.  God ordained the order for us to follow.

This teaching moment is more about you pouring yourself into God’s Word and into your spouse (if you are married) BEFORE you pour yourself out for your kids.  They need to see your priority is a healthy relationship with Jesus and a healthy marriage.  I promise if you do that, they will feel much safer than if you centered everything on them.

How are you doing with that?  Do you need to confess to the Lord that you have cheated Him out of His time?  Do you need to ask your spouse for forgiveness for putting little Johnny or Susie before them?  Do that today.  Make sure your children are third on your list, not one or two.

Father, You established order and rules for a reason.  You know what works best.  Help me to see that more clearly.

 Zechariah 7:11: “But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing.”

REBELLIOUS, STUBBORN AND DEAF

“Wow!  What audacity!  Such nerve!  How dare they turn their backs on God!  I can’t believe they would do such a thing.”  Have you ever said those words about someone?  Right now in America we have some professional athletes who are protesting America by refusing to stand for the national anthem and the flag.  Many, myself included, have been appalled at this.

But wait a minute!  I do the exact same thing to God.  I refuse to pay attention to Him at times.  I turn a stubborn shoulder when I think I have a better way.  I stop my ears from hearing Him because I do not want to hear what He has to say.  Who am I to judge anyone?

TEACHING MOMENT

Outright rebellion should not be tolerated from our children.  That deserves discipline.  We cannot let that go.  If we do, we will raise them to believe they can do that to anyone, including God.  Now, because little Gertrude and Elrod are flesh and blood, we can expect them to rebel.  It’s their sin nature.  But we cannot let them do it without consequences.  That would not be loving.

The next time (and believe me, there will be a next time) your child rebels against you, take them to this passage.  Show them God said the same thing about His children.  But God did not let them get away with it.  Why?  Because He loved them.  Discipline is necessary.  Correction is appropriate.  He (and we) disciplines those He loves.

Are you rebelling against God right now? Are you shirking some responsibility He has given you?  You had better expect Him to correct your actions.  If you are His child, He won’t let it go long.  He will bring correction into your life.  Expect it.  It is much better to repent now and turn to Him.

Father, I have sinned against You.  Take my rebellious spirit and mold it into something more like You.  Please forgive me today.