Micah 4:5b “As for us, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.”

HIKING

I really like going for hikes in the woods.  There is just something rejuvenating about getting back to nature and enjoying the outdoors.  But I found out something a few years ago about hiking.  You have to prepare carefully where and when you go.

My son, Christopher, and I had planned this day hike for weeks to the Stone Door area about an hour outside of Chattanooga, TN, where we live.  The only problem was a cold front came in that week and the temperatures dropped into the teens in Chattanooga and into the single digits where we were going.  But being men (lol) we toughed it out.  Needless to say, it was an exhilarating, challenging and, at times, scary hike.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our walk with the Lord can be unpredictable, too.  We never know what is just around the next bend in the trail.  That is something we need to teach our children.  Life is challenging.  But if we are following the trail blazed by the Master Trailblazer, we are safe.  The trail may go up and then down, around bends and across roaring rivers.  But if we continue to walk with Him, we are just along for the hike.

Why not take your children on a hike this week?  Find a nature trail or a park and go for a walk.  Quote this verse to them as you walk and ask them what it means to walk with the Lord.  They may ask, “Do we walk on clouds?” or “What does God wear on a hike?”  Laugh a little, enjoy the walk.  Just like we should do with the Lord.

Walking with the Lord is great exercise for our soul just as walking a trail here is good for our bodies (unless you are doing it in subzero weather, lol).  Take the time today to thank the Lord for walking with you.

Father of all creation, help me to enjoy my walk with you.  Allow me to stop and “smell the roses” along the way.  That way, when I encounter the bridge that has been washed out, I will remember that sweet smell and know You are with me.

Micah 1:3 “For behold, the LORD is coming forth from His place.  He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth.”

LOOK UP

When the Lord returns (and He will) He will tread on the high places.  What does that mean?  He will be above ALL.  There won’t be anything or anyone over Him.  When He came the first time, He was lowly.  He came as a baby.  He was born in a manger. He was a little Jewish boy.  Not next time.

But for those who are watching for Him, there will be no worry.  We are expectantly waiting for Him.  I, for one, can’t wait.  Sure, there are friends and family I want to see come to Him before He returns.  But there is an anticipation of His return.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children need to know that His return is nothing to fear, if they are believers.  Christ comes for us to take us HOME.  Who doesn’t want to go home.  I truly believe He is as anxious to come as we are for Him to come.  He is just waiting on the Father to say, “Go!”

Now, this verse in Micah was referring to God’s judgment on a nation.  When Jesus returns He will bring judgment on the world.  His next appearance will be a final judgment.  He will take His bride, the church, home and leave the world in the hands of the evil one for a period of time.  Now, that is scary.

I am so thankful that I am going home with the first bunch, if I am around when He returns.  What a day that will be!

Father, I anticipate His coming.  Let me usher my children into His presence before He arrives, so they too will be carried to Glory with me.  Use me to bring as many as I can.

3 John 4 “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”

WALK THIS WAY

Our walk with Christ is so important.  How we walk influences a lot of people, many of whom we are not even aware.  But people are watching!  I can promise you that.

But what a joy when we can walk in a way that others are led to Christ.  Every day we need to be aware that our words and actions are under a microscope.  That may sound unfair, but if we are walking with Christ, there should be nothing to hide, nothing of which to be ashamed.

TEACHING MOMENT

But look again at the verse.  John is taking joy in seeing his “children” walk in truth.  Now these children weren’t his biological children, of course.  They were his spiritual children.  We, however, can take such joy when we see our biological children begin their own walk with Christ.  Our job, as parents, is to walk with them in their young journey and then let them go.

What!  Let them go!  Yes!  You can’t walk their walk for them.  You can’t live their faith for them. We prepare them for the steps beyond our grasp.  Letting go of them is hard, but necessary.  And then to watch them walk on their own – what joy!

Don’t give up on your own walk.  Little eyes are watching and learning.  They will model your steps in the same way they put your shoes on when they are little and walk down the hall.  Make sure your steps are on the right path.

Father, help me make sure my steps are on Your path.  Help me lead those around me to You.  Let my walk be true.

Hosea 7:2 “2 And they do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness.  Now their deeds are all around them; they are before My face.”

CONSTANT AWARENESS

Have you ever had one of those moments when you kind of zoned out?  You know what I mean.  You realize when you snap out of it that minutes have gone by and you were not aware of anything.  That’s okay if you are sitting down somewhere. It’s not okay if you are driving down the interstate.  HaHa.

God NEVER zones out.  He is always aware of everything everywhere.  Wow!  Nothing escapes His sight.  Ephraim thought they could hide their sins from God.  They thought He wasn’t watching anymore.  Or at least it appeared that way because they were sinning without any remorse.

TEACHING MOMENT

That’s a sure sign your child understands grace – when they are remorseful for sin.  Now, wait just a minute.  Don’t jump to conclusions.  I know a lot of parents who want to see their child INSTANTLY remorseful.  I didn’t say that.  Our flesh is strong if we are are not surrendered daily.  And sometimes it takes a while for our flesh to yield.  Your child is no different.

Children need to learn the importance of confession of sin.  But they also need to learn the necessity of making things right with whomever they have offended.  That’s so much easier with a friend.  It’s not so easy with a sibling.  Make it all about grace, not law. Help them understand that you too struggle with this.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to apologize.  Why?  Because that means I have to admit that I made a mistake.  Lol.  Who wants to do that?

Father God, I know I am not perfect.  I know I fall short everyday of Your plan for my life.  Help me to confess that and if need be, make things right with others whom I may have wronged.

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.