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!

Psalm 33:13-14 “13 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; 14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,”

WATCHFUL

One of the great advantages of a tree stand when you are hunting is the line of sight.  You can get up above most of the bushes and smaller trees and see a lot further.  You can spot that deer a lot sooner than they can spot you.  You also can get above the ground level winds that can take your scent a lot further than you think.  You don’t want that deer smelling you before they are in range.

I started thinking about that when I was reading these verses.  God is way above us (wherever heaven is) and can see without any distractions or disruptions.  He is ALWAYS watching us.  It doesn’t matter which side of the globe we are on or what time zone we are in.  He still “looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;…”

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children will accuse of us of having eyes in the back of our heads sometimes.  We have to be alert, don’t we?  We have to be very mindful of their movements, especially when they are young.  Remember those days?  When a child starts getting mobile your whole world changes.  Things that you thought were safe are now within their reach.

God has the same concern for us and is watching us.  Unlike me in that tree stand, God is not waiting for me to get close enough to shoot me.  He is watching to protect me.  He is watching to guide me.  He is watching to warn me.  We, as parents, have the same responsibility for our children.  It is our job to protect, guide and warn.

How are you doing with that parents?  Are you being watchful?  Are you aware of all the dangers your child faces?  Have you monitored their television viewing or their internet access or their text messages to friends?  Dangers come from all directions.

Be diligent!  Be watchful!  You have the perfect example in our Lord.

Psalm 92:6-7 “6 A senseless man has no knowledge, nor does a stupid man understand this: 7 That when the wicked sprouted up like grass and all who did iniquity flourished, it was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.”

FOOLISH THINKING

I know what you are thinking.  “We don’t use the word “stupid” in our house!”  Well, I agree, but here it is in God’s Word. The Hebrew word can be translated as fool or stupid man.  So, if God uses the word in His Word I guess it is a legitimate word.  Right?

But the point is not that word.  The point is what follows.  Verse seven says the fool or stupid man does not understand that although the wicked seem to be getting away with everything, they will be punished.  Have you ever felt that way?  It seems the wicked just keep getting richer while you struggle to make ends meet.

TEACHING MOMENT

I bet your kids come home sometimes complaining about a neighbor kid who is mean and gets all the cool toys.  They don’t ever get punished by their parents.  Your little Gertrude doesn’t understand that.  That is the time to pull out this verse.  Explain to her that one day those people will suffer a much harsher punishment.  But your child will grasp the importance of obedience and humility.

It’s hard for little boys and girls to see that, I agree.  It’s hard for teens to grasp it.  But as we continue to pour the Word of God into their hearts and minds, they will begin to get the bigger picture.  You see, the fools or stupid only see what’s in front of them.  The wise see the eternal, and that is the important thing.

How are you doing, Mom and Dad?  Are you so focused on now that you don’t see ahead?  Are you so worried about your children now that you are not preparing them for eternity?  Forget your worries of today.  Turn them over to the Lord.  Focus on the eternal value of everything and everyone you encounter.  Then the Lord will give you the wisdom and understanding you need.

Leviticus 20:26 “’Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.’”

ME?  HOLY?

Twice in chapters 19 and 20 of Leviticus God tells the people they must be holy.  Because He is holy, He demands holiness from His people. He is saying, “Be like me!  Be like your Heavenly Father.”  Come on now, doesn’t He know that isn’t possible?

How many of you have seen boys act just like their dads?  I mean the same mannerisms, the same behaviors and the same words used.  How does that happen?  Most of the time it’s because the boys have watched their dads and tried to emulate them.  Other times it is picked up without knowing and before they know it they are a “mini-dad.”  That only happens because of the time spent with them or because they share the same DNA.

TEACHING MOMENT

Did you know we share God’s DNA?  I don’t mean the actual chromosomes.  But I do mean His Spirit.  At salvation, He gives us His Holy Spirit to dwell within us.  We CAN be holy because His holiness lives in us.  We just have to let Him have complete control of us.

Our children need to know that they can be like God.  They have to believe His Spirit dwells in them, and each and every time they are tempted to be unholy they need to remember He is there.  His holiness can be lived out through them.  But they have to give up their desires and their wants.

Mom and Dad, have you done that?  Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to take control of your every action?  Be Holy because He is holy!

Leviticus 18:3 “You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes.”

NOT LIKE THE WORLD

Do you know how to catch a unique rabbit?  Unique up on it!  Sorry, just couldn’t help myself.  But seriously, we are called to be unique people in a fallen world.  The Hebrew children were told by God to not be like the Egyptians or the Canaanites.  He was basically telling them to be different.  Don’t adopt other people’s norms and customs.

What have we done in the world today?  We have invited the world’s culture into the church.  We have allowed our uniqueness as believers, as followers of Christ, to be blended into the cultural norms of America.  It’s hard to tell sometimes where the world ends and the church begins.

TEACHING MOMENT

I remember my children saying sometimes, “Dad, why do we have to do (so and so)?  Johnny’s family doesn’t do that.”  I would explain to them that as believers we had different guidelines to follow.  We have to obey the Word, not the world.

Your children will face that same challenge from the world.  They will be tempted to yield to the pressure to conform.  Don’t let them.  Encourage them to be different, to be unique.

How are you doing as a parent?  Are you setting a unique example for your children?  Can they tell the difference between you and their lost friend’s parents?  Better yet, can their lost friends tell that you are different?  Are those friends drawn to Jesus in you.  If not, examine your walk.

Get off the wide path that leads to destruction and choose the narrow one that leads to Jesus.  It may be a more difficult walk, but the final destination is worth it.