Genesis 23:2 “Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.”

IT’S OKAY TO CRY

Why do we men think we can’t cry?  Me?  I cry at commercials.  Remember the Folger’s coffee commercial when the young man comes home to surprise his family?  He sneaks in and makes a pot of coffee.  When his mom comes down and sees him, I am balling.  Lol.  It’s okay to shed tears.  There are times when it is so needed.

Abraham had just lost his wife.  She died at 127 years old.  They had been married a long time.  Did his tears mean he didn’t trust God anymore?  Of course not.  He was a man missing his wife.  He was faced with burying her in a foreign land among strangers.  He was hurting.  He was grieving.  He was crying.

TEACHING MOMENT

Do me a favor.  When your little Elrod or Gertrude is crying over something, don’t tell them to stop crying.  I know, I know.  Kids cry over nothing.  But when we tell them to “dry those tears” it can send the wrong message.  They may think they can’t cry about anything.

Take a moment and share this verse with them.  Explain how even grownups cry sometimes.  Even Jesus cried when a friend died.  Tears can be a healing thing too.  It can make them feel better if not “overdone.”  Hey, you can even cry with them.  What a great lesson.

Are you too hard-hearted to cry?  Or are you like me, a crybaby?  Let the tears flow.  Let them heal your heart.  Don’t be afraid to grieve or shed that tear.  The Lord will soothe your heart.

O Lord, don’t let me believe the lies of the world.  I don’t have to “get tough” and “dry the tears.”  Let me feel the freedom to cry when I need to.  I know You will dry every tear one day.

 Genesis 20:12 “‘Besides, she actually is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife;’”

JUSTIFICATION

 Isn’t it amazing how we can justify our lies?  We have a really good reason to lie, don’t we?  We even see Abraham, whom God declared righteous just 5 chapters earlier, lie about his wife, Sarah.  He was afraid for his life.  God had just told him in the previous chapters that He was going to give him a son and make him a great nation.  Why couldn’t he trust Him to protect him against a pagan king?  So, he tells a lie to save his hide.

Before we jump to judgment, we are just as bad.  We say we trust God to save us and take us to heaven, but we don’t trust Him with our power bill.  We believe He sent His son to die for us, but we don’t believe He can rescue us from a pagan boss.  Wow!  We will justify our actions and even lie to protect ourselves.

 TEACHING MOMENT

Children are prone to lie.  It’s just part of their sin nature.  You don’t have to teach them to lie. “Johnny, did you break that lamp?”  “No mom” as he hides a piece of it behind his back. “Susie, did you eat that cookie?” “No way” as she wipes the crumbs from her mouth.  But do you teach them to lie?

Have you ever told them when someone calls you don’t want to speak to, “Tell them I just can’t talk right now.”  Lie!  Or they hear you tell the sales clerk that the item YOU broke came that way.  Lie!  Just know they are watching you.   They are filing away those “lies” and will remember them when they need to justify their own lies.

Just tell the truth.  Just show them and the Lord that truth is what you want to live by.  The Word is called truth.  Use it to guide you.

God of Truth, remind me each time I am tempted to tell a little, white lie that I am still lying.  A half-truth is a whole lie.  Let me be very aware of the lessons I am teaching my children.

 Genesis 16:9 “Then the angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.’”

 SHE SAW THE LORD

 I truly believe each and every time “the angel of the Lord” appears in the Old Testament it is our Lord Jesus.  Why?  Because after His incarnation (coming in the flesh to earth) there is never another mention of Him.  I may be wrong, and there is no definitive way to prove it, but I believe it.

Just think, if I’m right!  Jesus appeared to Hagar, the mother of the Arab world.  That’s who Ishmael became.  Just think!  If Hagar and Ishmael would have continued to follow Jehovah God and relied on the words of Jesus when He appeared to her here, how the world might be different.

TEACHING MOMENT

Oh, but the same is true for us.  If we will just stop and listen to the Lord, our world could be so much different.  Our children have to be taught how to stop and listen.  All those times you grab the chubby little cheeks of your little one and say, “Listen to what I am saying” are teaching moments.  They need to learn to listen to those in authority.

If Hagar had been a submissive servant to Sarah (Sarai here), perhaps Ishmael would have been submissive also.  If your children learn to be submissive to your leadership, they will be better employees.  They will be better listeners.  They will be better followers of Christ.

Are you listening to those in authority over you?  Are you seeking to serve them?  Are you allowing your fleshly desires to get the better of you?  Your children are watching.  Other believers are watching.  We ALL need to be more submissive, especially me.

Lord, show me my faults of non-submission. Point out my arrogance and stubbornness.  Let me lead my children to be submissive servants to whomever they have in authority over them.

 Genesis 15:6 “Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” 

 I BELIEVE

 If you haven’t read the whole story of Abraham (Abram at this point) lately, you really need to.  It is quite an interesting story of God’s faithfulness and man’s faith.  I mean, just look at this verse.  Abram believed God, and God declared him righteous.  For something he had done?  No!  Because he believed Him.

God promised Abram a son, one which he wouldn’t see for many years.  It seemed impossible. Abram didn’t understand how God would do it.  He just believed He would do it.  Simple faith.  God said it, so that settles it.

TEACHING MOMENT

What a great lesson for our kids.  Mom and Dad, we need to show our kids how to trust.  They learn this by watching us.  If all they ever hear and see is us fretting and worrying, how will they learn to trust.  We take them to prayer with us and give it over to the Lord.  We let Him take our burdens and trust He will see us through.

It is a joy to pray with our children over things that they are concerned about.  Let me encourage you to get them a prayer journal.  When they pray for something write down the date and the request.  When God answers, and He will, mark down how He answered and the date.  This will be a treasure one day to read.

Are you trusting today?  Are you believing as Abram did?  He will declare you righteous also as you believe on the name of Jesus and trust Him with your life.  The Lord will work great things in your life as you trust Him to work.

O Lord, trusting is hard sometimes.  I want to see immediate results.  Help me rest in You and allow You to work in Your perfect time.  Let me be the example of faith for my children.

 Genesis 8:18 “So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him.” 

QUITE A BOAT RIDE

Can you even begin to imagine how happy Noah and his family were to get off that boat?  Depending on which source you use, Noah and his family were on the ark between 360 and 381 days.  They were on the ark for a year!!!  Talk about having sea legs – whew!

The interesting thing about the ark, though, is that Noah did not control where it went.  He relied on the Lord to guide that boat to its final resting place.  He had no idea where they would wind up.  No rudder, no sail, no outboard motor – nothing!  Just the wind and the waves to determine where they would disembark and begin their new life.

TEACHING MOMENT

Think of all the trips you have taken with your kids.  Have any lasted a year?  I doubt it.  The next time you are on the road and your kids ask the question, “Are we there yet?”, tell them this story.  Just as they trust you to get them to the destination, Noah trusted the Lord.  Our children need to learn to trust the Lord’s guiding hand as He directs their path.

Explain to Gertrude or Elrod that they, just like Noah, must stay in the boat to get there safely.  Noah could have gotten sick and tired of those animals and jumped overboard.  But he was only safe as long as he stayed put.  Encourage your kids to stay put with God.

How about you?  Are you too busy rowing your own boat to realize God has a better one for you?  Let Him guide you to the perfect destination He has planned for you.  You may not like the journey sometimes, but you can rest in His plan.

O God, it is so hard to not grab the rudder and steer my own ship.  Help me to let go and let You guide me.  Let me teach my children to trust Your direction in their lives as they watch me doing the same.

 Genesis 4:9 “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ And he said, ‘I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’”

WHERE’S YOUR BROTHER?

I grew up with an older brother.  Boy, did we have some fights.  I guess most of that is normal.  After all, it’s been going on since creation, right?  But do you know why?  Because of the fall of man.  If sin had not entered the world, Cain and Abel would have been fine.

It all came down to greed and jealousy.  Cain’s offering “of” his fruits was not received by the Lord while Abel’s offering from the “firstlings of his flock” was.  Cain obviously did not give God the first fruits.  Man, that sounds like my fights with my brother.  Most of them were over greed or jealously.  Nothing much has changed.

TEACHING MOMENT

If your kids don’t fight, count your blessings.  But it’s pretty safe to say that at some point they have disagreements.  This passage about Cain and Abel is the perfect story to read to them.  Now make sure you point out that the way Cain solved the problem was NOT the correct way.  We don’t want little Johnny or Susie taking a rock to their sibling’s head, do we?

Explain to them that their fighting is part of the old sin nature.  As believers, that old nature has been defeated by the blood of Christ.  They need to know that it has no more power over them, if they have given their life to Christ.  There is no need to yield to the temptation.

But how about your greed or jealousy or strife?  Do you still battle those hot-headed emotions?  We all do, unless we are surrendered to His Will and His Way. Show your children how to die to self and allow the love of Christ to be your guide.

Lord of Peace, let it reign through me.  Give me the peace that passes all understanding.  Let me be at peace with my brothers and sisters today.

 Genesis 2:2-3 “2 By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.”

SUNDAY AFTERNOONS

When I married my wife, Chris, and we would visit my family in South Georgia, she hated Sunday afternoons at my parents’ house.  Why?  Because after church and a typical big Sunday lunch, do you know what we did?  We took naps.  Chris didn’t grow up like that, and she hated that everyone was snoozing and she was left by herself in the land of the conscious.  Ha Ha.  But now, after over 30 years of marriage, where do I normally find her on Sunday afternoons?  You got it – taking a nap.

God rested! Did He need rest?  No!  He is God.  He doesn’t need to rest.  He was giving us an example.  We need to stop each week and recharge our batteries.  We need time to refresh our bodies and our souls.  Do we have to take a nap?  Of course not.  But rest somehow.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Nap time is not too hard to teach our kids.  Now when they get a little older they don’t want to take that nap.  But here is where we teach them the importance of rest.  Some kids go until they drop.  That’s not necessarily good.  One part of taking that nap is discipline.  Knowing your limits.  Taking care of yourself.  Hey, the good part is you can “model” this for them by napping yourself.  Now, if you will excuse me I think I am going to…zzzzzzz.

Have you taken the time to rest?  Make that your New Year’s resolution that you will begin to take some time each week on the Lord’s day to rest.  I promise it will be the best resolution you have ever made and kept.

Father, You have told us to rest on Your day.  We need to rest our bodies but also refresh our souls.  Help me to teach my children the importance of resting – resting in You.

 Isaiah 65:25 “‘The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain,’” says the Lord.

 A DIFFERENT APPETITE

How many times have you heard someone say, “That’s not on my diet” or “I can’t possibly eat that”?  Maybe you are the one saying it.  Lots of folks will be saying that next week as part of their new year’s resolution to lose weight.  But I don’t think the wolf or the lion were thinking that in this verse.

I don’t know what you know about wolves and lions, but they usually don’t eat grass and straw. They would have been eating the lamb and the ox.  But something is different here.  All evil and threat of harm are gone.  They are on the holy mountain of God, and He is the essence of peace.

TEACHING MOMENT

What a great verse to share with the kids.  We are naturally prone to evil.  Our flesh desires it.  We would rather chew someone’s head off when we are mad than talk calmly and peaceably.  This is something that is so important to teach our children. They need to learn to dwell in peace.  But in order to teach it, we must live it.

“Now, wait a minute Carl.  You don’t know how mad that person made me.”  Really.  They MADE you mad.  They have that much power over YOU?  Only if you give it to them.  We are going to always face “wolves” and “lions” who want to eat us.  We must rest in the peace of God to calm their souls.  Your children need to see that in you to learn it.

So, are you the wolf and lion or the lamb or ox?  If you are resting in Jesus, it doesn’t matter.  He has the power to calm you and give you a genuine love for others that only wants to see them live, not die.  Will you allow Him to do that in and through you?

Father of Peace, let me end this year in peace.  Let me begin next year looking for ways to make peace with those with whom I may be at odds.  But most importantly, let me live this out for my children.

Isaiah 63:1 “Who is this who comes from Edom, with garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, this One who is majestic in His apparel, marching in the greatness of His strength? ‘It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.’”

 MIGHTY TO SAVE

I am a visual person.  When I read a verse like this one, my mind starts picturing it.  I can just see the Lord, dressed majestically marching down the road.  I can just see the armies of heaven all around.  I can just see His might and strength being exhibited to all around.

Now, remember this – the Lord doesn’t NEED an army to defend Him.  He can speak just ONE word, and the enemy is defeated.  I truly believe He has the hosts of heaven for our benefit.  It is easier for us to believe in His strength and might when we read about that than to imagine a one God army.  That’s okay.  He understands.  But it doesn’t change the fact that He is the Mighty One.

TEACHING MOMENT

The next time you and your children watch a parade, talk about this verse.  You may see a drum major leading a band down the street.  Point out the drum major’s clothes, how they are different than the rest of the band.  Talk about how he or she is the one leading and in charge.  Point out how that shows their authority.

But then compare it to God’s authority and might.  Explain to them, the best you can, how God has the strength to just speak and defend us.  He is always majestic, but He will come down for us at the mere mention of His name.  He is always holy, but He is also the ruthless defender of the innocent, of His children.

Are you relying on your Great Defender today?  Look at Him.  Look at His regality.  Look at His majesty.  Be in awe of Him.  But know also that He is your God.  He wants to be called by you.  He stands at the ready to hear and show His power in your life.

O holy and majestic God, I stand in awe that You would love me.  I find it hard to believe that You know me personally and will come to me when I call.  I love You and will serve You.

Isaiah 58:9a “Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’”

 HERE I AM

I heard a joke once about an old married couple who were driving down the road in their old pickup.  She looked over at him as he was driving and said, “When we were dating we used to sit right up next to each other.”  Without even casting a glance in her direction, he said, “I haven’t moved.”

That’s how it is with us sometimes with the Lord.  We cry out, “O Lord, where are You?”  He answers back, “Right where I have always been.”  We tend to stray from the Lord.  He never strays from us. Don’t forget that.

TEACHING MOMENT

Have your kids ever started hollering at you, “Mom!  Dad!  Where are you?”  You’ve been in the same place for the past two hours, but they just realized they weren’t hearing you.  They assume you have left.  They can’t see you and panic.  But as soon as you say, “Right here Elrod” he calms down and starts playing again.

We need to teach them to trust God’s presence.  They need to stay close to Him.  They are going to be tempted as they get older to move away.  They will have friends who don’t know Him and may even put doubts in their minds.  But they need to keep talking to Him.  They need to keep listening.  He does not move.

Are you feeling alone right now?  Are you thinking God is nowhere to be found?  You are wrong.  He hasn’t moved.  You have.  Turn to Him today and ask Him to revive your spirit.  He is just waiting to respond to your call.  Listen as He say, “Here I am.”

God, I know You are there. I believe You are there.  Make me aware of Your presence in everything I do. And help me point You out to my children every time.