Numbers 2:34 “Thus the sons of Israel did; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so they camped by their standards, and so they set out, every one by his family according to his father’s household.”

ORDER

Do you remember the first time you went camping?  If you were like me, there was a little confusion.  I forgot to bring a lot of stuff I needed.  I learned a lot from that first trip.  I made an exhaustive list of “necessities” for next time.

Remember the people of Israel had not been “camping” in a while.  They had lived in Egypt a long time.  Can you imagine the chaos of millions of people traveling together with all their possessions, including livestock.  It must have been quite a sight.  But God had a plan, which He gave to Moses.  Order must be kept, even to the point of who camped where and who led the procession.

TEACHING MOMENT

Order is so important for our children to learn.  God gives us instructions through His Word for a reason.  If we submit to His leadership He can give us clear instructions for every situation we encounter.  We must teach our children to trust His instructions.  The sooner they learn that the better off they will be.

So how do you teach that?  How about in your daily schedule?  Wake up times, bedtimes, meal times and assigned chores are all ways we can teach our children order and discipline.  Living “loosey goosey” does not help our children to learn order.  Structure is important.

How structured is your life?  I don’t mean to imply you can’t be flexible and relax, but we must maintain order or things will erupt into chaos quickly.  Will you commit today to putting some structure in your home?  Will you allow God to give you your “camping instructions”?  He will show you the best place to camp, the best route to take and the best time to move.  Trust Him!

Romans 16 (yes, the whole chapter)

WHATS’S IN A NAME?

Paul mentions 35 people in this chapter, not counting Jesus.  Most of these names appear nowhere else in Scripture – only here in Romans 16.  I bet these people had no idea their names would be recorded for eternity.  But here they are in Romans, one of Paul’s many letters which the Holy Spirit inspired him to write.

Now this “name dropping” does not compare to those other incidents you may have encountered.  You know what I mean. Some people have to mention they know someone or have met someone to bring attention to themselves.  No, Paul is mentioning these names to give them honor in their service to Jesus.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children need to know their name is important to God.  He knows them by name.  He even knows their middle name, lol.  He knows everything about them.  And, although their name won’t be listed in a book of the Bible, if they are a believer, it is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  That is where it really matters.

Our children need to know that, although they may think their service to the King isn’t important, He is noticing.  He is pleased with their sacrifice.  He is blessed by their obedience.  It does not matter if anyone else on earth knows what they did, God does.  That is all that matters.

How about you?  Are you down in the dumps because no one has “patted you on the back” lately.  Why are you serving?  Why are you doing what you are doing?  It is NOT for men’s applause.  It is to please your Father in heaven.  Let Him be pleased.  That is all that matters.

Psalm 24:7-10 “7 Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! 8 Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.

TRIUMPHANT

I just love this Psalm.  Our choir sings a song based on this Psalm that just gets me all excited when I hear it.  I can just envision the Lord entering the gates of the city, triumphant in battle.

But do you know what the psalmist is referring to when he says, “Lift up your heads”?  He is not referring to our physical heads.  He is actually referring to a crossbar that was suspended above the gates that could be lowered or raised to either bar the gate or allow it to be opened.  In other words, open the gates people!  The conquering King has arrived.  Let’s celebrate!

TEACHING MOMENT

In the same way, we must teach our children to open their hearts to the King of Glory, Jesus.  We must show them that we have a choice to make.  We can either keep our hearts closed to His love and mercy or we can open wide our hearts to allow Him to come in and rule.

For some of us, that is hard.  Some of us want to keep our gates barred and our decisions to ourselves.  But we must allow the King to have complete control.  To open the gates is to surrender the city.  To open our hearts is to surrender our lives.

Have you surrendered?  Maybe you have in the past, but you have “reclaimed” part of the city.  Maybe you are hunkered down in some dark corner of the building and are refusing to allow Jesus to have complete control.  Allow Him to rule!  He is a gentle King and loves His children.  Open wide your gates!

Romans 11:29 “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

NO CHANGE

I am not sure how many times I have read this verse (at least 31 since I have read through the Bible that many times), but I have just never noticed it.  Look at the verse again – “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”  Do you get that?  That means there is no change of mind, no regrets.

Once God bestows His gifts, once God’s calling is on your life it is irrevocable – it cannot be changed.  You can’t escape it, no matter how hard you try.  Do you understand that?  God has you, if you have surrendered to Him, no matter what.  He has gifted you for a purpose, no matter what.  He has called you to a purpose, no matter what.  IRREVOCABLE!

TEACHING MOMENT

Have you ever made a decision about something your child has asked you about which required an irrevocable decision?  I am sure you have.  “Mom, can I light a fire around my brother?”  NO!!!!  “Dad, can I have the keys to the car?”  NEVER!!  You get my drift?  There are some decisions we make with our kids for their safety that cannot be changed.  What a perfect time to share this verse.

Our children need to know that we have the authority over some things that no amount of begging or pleading will change.  Other things are negotiable.  They need to know that the same applies to God.  Once they are His, they are His!  No ifs, ands or buts about it.  They are secure in that.  What peace that brings!

Are you secure in that?  Do you have “no regrets” in your relationship with Christ?  Do you have that irrevocable gift and calling on your life?  I pray you do.  If you don’t, will you give Him your life today?  Don’t wait another minute.

Romans 9:20-21 “20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?”

MOLDABLE

Don’t you just love playdough?  When I was little we had the playdough fun factory where you could make all kinds of cool things.  You would stuff the playdough into the machine and attach forms to the other end.  By pressing the playdough through it would come out in shapes.

The one key thing was you had to keep your playdough soft and pliable.  If you didn’t seal your container good, it would get hard and brittle.  Then it would not make shapes.  It was stuck in a shape that usually wasn’t very fun.

TEACHING MOMENT

I am sure your children have played with playdough.  This is a perfect passage to share with them while you are making stuff.  Just like they have the power to shape the playdough into whatever shape they want, God has the authority to do the same to us.  But unlike the lifeless playdough, we have a choice, a free will.  We can refuse to be molded.  We can get rigid and stiff and not useable for anything.

And what happens to hard playdough?  It has to be discarded, thrown away.  God wants to use us, but we have to be willing.  If we refuse His hands to mold us into the perfect shape He has in mind, He won’t and can’t use us.

Mom and Dad, are you moldable?  Are you willing to let God get ahold of you and shape you into whatever He wants.  You may think you are too old to be reshaped.  Hardly!  God can take anyone who is pliable and use them to complete His purpose in this world.  Let Him shape you!

Proverbs 4:25-26 “25 Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established.”

WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING

Have you ever been hiking in the woods?  My wife and I love to do that.  In fact, we need to do that more.  Just being outside enjoying the creation of God is refreshing.  But part of hiking is keeping your eyes on the trail, right?  I mean, you can get off the trail quickly if you are not careful, and then you’re lost.

Trails look different according to how much light you have, too.  Walking in the woods at night requires a well-defined path. You need to be extra mindful of each step you take or you can step in a hole or trip over something.

TEACHING MOMENT

Most children love to go into the woods to explore.  But we must teach them how to navigate the trails.  In the same way, we must teach them to navigate the trails of life.  The next time you are in the woods with your kids, use this verse.  Expound on the fact that we have to keep our eyes on the trail.  If you want to look around, stop and take it all in, but don’t walk and do that.

The Lord tells us here in this passage to look, let our gaze be fixed and to watch.  Three times in two verses he talks about how we should see.  He wants us to teach others the same skill.  We must stay focused on the path or we are subject to wander off.

How are you walking today?  Are you hopelessly lost in the woods with the trail nowhere in sight?  Have you forgotten how you got there?  Stop where you are!  Ask the Lord to direct you back to His path. He has blazed it!  He will guide you!  You just have to trust that His path is the best one for you.  Break out your compass and let Him lead you to “true North,” back to Him.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

FREE OR COSTLY

“Wages” and “free” don’t often occur in the same sentence, do they?  This is one of the most quoted verses in Scripture.  It’s part of the “Roman Road” which you use to share the gospel with someone.  But think about the words.  Wages are something you receive for work you have done.  We all, at some point in our lives, have probably complained about our wages.  But none of us who are still living have received death as our wages.

Now contrast that with the free gift of God.  Eternal life!  No wage on earth is eternal.  It is all fleeting.  The more you get the more you normally spend.  But this gift is eternal.  It never loses its value and never ceases to exist.  What a deal!  But this free gift does cost you.  It costs you everything!  You must surrender your all to Him.

TEACHING MOMENT

Do you give your children allowance for chores they do around the house?  I hope you don’t just give them allowance for breathing.  That doesn’t really teach them anything.  If you give them allowance for chores this verse is a great verse to use.  Just as their allowance is payment (wages) for chores, death is the payment for an unsurrendered life, a life not given over to Christ, a life full of unconfessed and unforgiven sin.

Contrast this with your child’s birthday gift (which I am sure you spoil them with, lol).  They get that gift simply for being born into your family.  Eternal life is our “birthday gift” for being born into God’s family.  But this gift, unlike the breakable toy you gave your child, never wears out.  That eternal life is waiting for us whether we live to be 20 or 120.  It’s value never diminishes and when we finally claim it at death, it is just beginning.  Wow!

Are you ready?  Have you claimed your free gift of God?  Do you know someone who hasn’t?  Why not share with them today.  Check out this app for your smartphone.  It is an easy way to guide someone to their eternal life in Christ.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/share-your-faith/id521137272?mt=8).

Romans 4:23-24 “23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,”

Abraham was declared righteous before he had the mark on his body (circumcision).  The physical came after the spiritual.  He was declared righteous because he believed God.  We, too, are declared righteous, not from anything that we do, but because of our belief.  Aren’t you glad?

So many people try and try and try to please God by works or service. As long as they are serving, they feel God loves them.  But when they “fall short” of their self-imposed service quota they feel unworthy and doubt God’s love for them.

TEACHING MOMENT

It is so important for our children to know that there is NOTHING they can do to earn God’s love.  There is nothing they can do to become righteous – that is, except believing Jesus died for their sins and confessing Him as Lord.  Our children must learn from us the simplicity of the Gospel.  The last thing we want our children to believe is that they can earn their salvation.

How can you teach them this?  How about modeling it in the way you love them?  Love them unconditionally.  Sure, we are always pleased when they obey, but their obedience doesn’t earn them our love.  Their obedience is a result of our love.  Tell them that.  Make sure they understand the difference.  We obey God because He first loved us (while we were still sinners).

Can you say that about your walk with Christ?  Are you so busy trying to please Him that you are not enjoying Him?  Stop it!  Rest in Him!  Let Him have His perfect way in your life.  Experience the joy of knowing His peace that comes from obedience to His Word.

Ah, the joy of obeying!

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

WISE MAN

I remember reading this verse when I was a Senior in High School and a brand, new Christian.  My brother was a freshman in college at the great University of Georgia (Go DAWGS!).  I wrote him a letter and quoted this verse.  This verse still holds a special place in my heart.

What was King Solomon saying here?  It’s pretty straightforward.  Only God can give you true wisdom and those who spurn that are fools.  This came from the wisest man to ever walk the planet, except for Jesus.  Solomon was known for his wisdom.  People came from far and wide just to listen to him give advice.  And he recognized that it all came from God.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children can be hardheaded, can’t they?  As they get older they begin to think they have all the answers.  They think they know it all.  You may have read this before: “Teenager, tired of being hassled by your stupid parents?  Act now, move out, get a job, pay your own bills…while you still know everything!”

That may sound funny, but so many of our kids think they do know it all.  Remind them of this verse.  True wisdom comes from God.  True wisdom submits to authority.  True wisdom seeks to serve others.  True wisdom teaches us to fear and honor God.

So, are you wise?  Do you recognize that any “smarts” you have are a direct result of what you have received from a Holy God?  Do you give Him credit for the things He has gifted you with?  Are you pointing to Him when others brag on your wisdom?

Give the Wise One the honor due Him!  He is the Only Wise God!

Leviticus 27:34 “These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the sons of Israel at Mount Sinai.”

SIMPLE WORDS

After all the instructions and commandments, Leviticus ends with these simple words.  That’s it!  Now obey.  These words remind me of James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves, do what it says.”

My dad was a man of few words when it came to giving directions to me and my brother about a chore.  When he told us to do something, he expected us to do it, without questioning.  Now, he had taken the time to show us how to do it, but then we were expected to do it.  For example, after mowing the yard with our riding mower, we were expected to blow off the grass, grease the fittings and get it ready for next time.  Simple directions.  Just do it.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children need to be shown how to follow the Lord.  We can read them the Word, but we must live it out for them also.  Jesus showed us how to do it.  We just need to follow His example.  “Right Carl!  Jesus never met my boss!”  Oh really?  He was tempted by Satan himself.

Our children need to learn obedience is simple. Just do it.  They need to experience reward for obedience.  That encourages obedience.  Now we don’t reward just to reward.  And we don’t reward when it is undeserved.  But we can bless them because of their obedience, just like the Father does for us.

Are you just reading the Word or are you obeying the Word?  We know what the Hebrew children did.  They went into the Promised Land with all these instructions and failed miserably.  Shoot, they failed before they even got there and ended up walking in the desert for 40 years.  Is that what you want?  I didn’t think so!

It’s simple, just do it!