REMEMBER THIS FAMOUS NIKE SLOGAN?
I have spent time over the past few weeks enjoying dvds that I just randomly chose from our church library. They were movies about men that I knew little about, so I decided to watch them and learn. As I began to watch these movies one by one, God began to show me that the movies that I had chosen were not just random choices at all. Every movie that I had chosen gave thorough detail of men who had devoted their life to making a difference in the world. Not just part time or on holidays, but literally full time commitment to reaching a lost and hurting world with the truth and hope for a better life.
In the past week as I was talking with my most confident friend, I shared my inner most feelings about the things I had seen and how it made me feel. I have to say openly that I felt as though I had done so little for others in comparison. My life has been mostly devoted to the building of my own security and gain up to about two years ago. God got a hold of my heart and allowed me to see how uncaring the world and the church in general could be to those in desperate need. God showed me this by allowing me to experience what life felt like on the other side of the fence where the grass doesn't even grow and the rivers are dried up. Through the valley of disappointing experiences where I shared my need with others and received only a pat on the back or a promise to pray, I began to see what God wanted to reveal to me. Every one of the people who didn't respond to help with my or my families need for food, shelter, medicine, comfort and compassion reminded me of myself! That's right! That is exactly how I acted for many years when anybody else shared their needs with me. When it finally sunk in that what I was experiencing was the same way I had treated others for so long, I got down on my knees and cried out to God for forgiveness.
From that moment forward, whenever I saw other people turn and walk away from a person in need of help or encouragement, my God would emphatically remind me, "DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT!", "DON'T LET THAT PERSON CRY OUT TO ME WHEN I HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO GIVE, ENCOURAGE OR PRAY WITH THEM!".
Since then, I have had the blessing of helping and encouraging others who are going through a crisis or spiritual battle in their personal life, but my actions haven't even scratched the surface of what God can do when I, like those men who surrendered themselves totally to His service in this world, do just that!
God wants me to give all I have to His service on this earth and for His glory on earth as it is in heaven. Our reward is promised in heaven if we don't make our treasure on earth.
God has his own way of showing us the way we should go and the things we should do, but we all have a commission by Jesus to spread the word and care for the hurting. Some will be able to buy the seed, some will plant it, others will water it and a few will go out and harvest it. Jesus knew that the word was already out there when he told his disciples that the fields were ready for harvest. That's why he also said that the world will know his disciples by their love for each other.
What can I say today that would cause my brothers in Christ to show love, except to check your hearts and see if there really is love enough to make a difference. I would exhort you to really seek God to be used to make a difference and God will reveal His will to you. When He does, as Nike urged the world for years, "JUST DO IT!" Here is a short video of a man who has done just that. His movie is available at Redbox called "Machine Gun Preacher". You may not with all of his ways , but God said, "your ways are not my ways". What will You do?
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
"Like Father, Like Son"
"My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For who the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father corrects the son that brings him delight." Proverbs3:11-12
This passage was treasured and preserved of the writings of King Solomon. I wondered as I read these words if, indeed Solomon was writing this for his son. Such a message of guidance would have been long remembered, especially if it was delivered following a time of fatherly correction in his son's life. What was it that was most important though for his son to remember?
The chastening of the LORD will come and His never failing correction will happen in a man's life as he is maturing and learning to be the man God had intended. It was the attitude that Solomon was addressing in this record of his writings. "Don't get angry and hate or despise the LORD's correction and chastening", but "Why not?" his son may have asked. "My son, if the LORD corrects you it's because He loves you just like I love you and am proud when you choose to do what is right!"
How powerful a message is that to our sons and daughters! But in this day that we live in the counselors, advisers and specialists are afraid to use this wisdom because it is all too rooted in the principals and teachings of the Bible. Instead the child is left to figure it out for themselves without any kind of role model or correction in the home. Modern psychology says to leave them alone so they can have their space or else they may become rebels or even run away. My response to this teaching would be, "How is that working out for you?". I admit, even I followed some of those professional words of wisdom found through counseling and school. And yes, I experienced the results first hand of this world view in my personal life with one of my children. If you have been there yourself to see the anger and hurt in the eyes of your child after following this advice, you know how little delight there is in this kind of relationship. I'm sharing this with parents now because it literally took years to find the truth and wisdom from God's word that gave me the answer to having a delightful child.
But first and foremost, the LORD chastised and corrected me, His son. He helped me to change my attitude of anger and despising correction when it was necessary. As I remember going through this process, it was knowing that He loved me and gave Himself for me that kept me coming back for more of His wisdom. Our children will do the same as we teach them and correct them when they need it, teaching them about the patience and love of our LORD through our own actions. Actions speak louder than words!
There is only one verse in the entire Bible where you will find the words "son" and "delight" mentioned together, but in this one and only verse containing these two words there is another of critical importance; the word "correct". Receive these wise words and lay aside the influence of our modern day thinking; as the media has been calling it lately, "the new norm". Beware my brothers and sisters, even Jesus warns us of the "new" world views that water down the words of Jesus found in the original scriptures.
"Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
yes, he will give delight to your soul." Proverbs29:17
Shalom
Thursday, February 10, 2011
FRUITFUL PARENTING
Posted on February 6, 2011 @ focusontheheart.org ("heart for the home" page)
How in the world can we be fruitful in a barren world?
Fruitful parenting comes with consistently loving, teaching and living according to the core values that we know in our heart to be true and right before God. As we find in the first few verses written by David in the book of Psalms, where he describes a tree that is planted by the rivers of water; he begins to tell us all about the man or woman that is blessed. Then David tells us in the second verse about the thing that makes this person happy and how he never ceases to meditate on this all through the day. He even says that it's on their minds all night! Let's look at David's message to us all in the first chapter of Psalms;
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth(abiding) in the way(course of life) of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat(spend time abiding with) of the scornful(one who mocks or scoffs). 2 But his delight(valuable thing) is in the law(precepts) of the LORD; and in his law(in His precepts) doth he meditate(they ponder) day and night." ~ Psalms 1:1-2
David was talking about the core values of a man or woman who was blessed by God. This blessed man or woman that he spoke of here wouldn't entertain the idea of receiving counsel from an ungodly person about anything that had to do with his heart, mind or soul. Neither would they find themselves following after or abiding in the sinful course of life. This describes the people we meet or maybe even some of our friends who would tempt us to join with them in fulfilling the desires of the flesh for a short season. Beware my brothers and sisters where you find yourself abiding, not only in the day, but in the nighttime too! This is exactly why it's so important; as the great Psalmist begins this awesome book of songs with divine guidance from his God Almighty to meditate day and night on the Word of God. Then David tells us that this blessed man or woman doesn't spend their time abiding with those assemblies, populations or in the dwellings of those who have become scorners or mockers of who? Mockers of the man who's core values are found in the LORD.
Oh no, the blessed man or woman will not find themselves in any of those places, but rather in the precepts of the LORD! I don't know for sure about you, but I have felt that some of the laws that we have been forced to live by in the U.S. have been unacceptable. Yet we are made to follow them, even though they may violate our core values as holy children of Christ. For example, the liquor laws, the abortion laws, the laws about open pornography and nudity on TV as well as the internet. What about the laws protecting the rights of the criminal who repeatedly chooses to abuse the minds of other adults and helpless children? Then there's the laws that affect what can and cannot be mentioned in the schools, government facilities and clinics of OUR LAND! All of these are precepts made by and for our country to follow and if you don't respect and abide by them, you'll be punished under the law. Are these laws productive or are they destructive? Does the LORD GOD Almighty look upon our land with joy or are His eyes filled with tears today?
THANK GOD that His precepts will never bring a parent or child harm. God's laws will never bring shame and reproach to the population of the blessed! I have a leader and LORD who gives me laws(precepts) that bring value to my home, my life and the lives of my children!
Now that we have taken time to ponder this vital introduction to the book of Psalms; we see David's inspiration to write concerning the importance of where we place our core values and learn how to welcome God's blessings into our dwellings as parents. Couples, single moms and dads, separated parents and widows, we can all learn from David's message today; pondering the precepts of God; receiving the blessed life and every parent has the equal opportunity to pass this lesson and blessing on to our children too! Our fruitfulness as a mom or dad must begin in our hearts and in our home as we hold to our core values and see our children doing the same!
"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it (His desires) to pass." ~Psalms 37:4-5
*Literal translations from Strong's Hebrew & Greek Dictionary in parenthesis (*)
How in the world can we be fruitful in a barren world?
Fruitful parenting comes with consistently loving, teaching and living according to the core values that we know in our heart to be true and right before God. As we find in the first few verses written by David in the book of Psalms, where he describes a tree that is planted by the rivers of water; he begins to tell us all about the man or woman that is blessed. Then David tells us in the second verse about the thing that makes this person happy and how he never ceases to meditate on this all through the day. He even says that it's on their minds all night! Let's look at David's message to us all in the first chapter of Psalms;
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth(abiding) in the way(course of life) of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat(spend time abiding with) of the scornful(one who mocks or scoffs). 2 But his delight(valuable thing) is in the law(precepts) of the LORD; and in his law(in His precepts) doth he meditate(they ponder) day and night." ~ Psalms 1:1-2
David was talking about the core values of a man or woman who was blessed by God. This blessed man or woman that he spoke of here wouldn't entertain the idea of receiving counsel from an ungodly person about anything that had to do with his heart, mind or soul. Neither would they find themselves following after or abiding in the sinful course of life. This describes the people we meet or maybe even some of our friends who would tempt us to join with them in fulfilling the desires of the flesh for a short season. Beware my brothers and sisters where you find yourself abiding, not only in the day, but in the nighttime too! This is exactly why it's so important; as the great Psalmist begins this awesome book of songs with divine guidance from his God Almighty to meditate day and night on the Word of God. Then David tells us that this blessed man or woman doesn't spend their time abiding with those assemblies, populations or in the dwellings of those who have become scorners or mockers of who? Mockers of the man who's core values are found in the LORD.
Oh no, the blessed man or woman will not find themselves in any of those places, but rather in the precepts of the LORD! I don't know for sure about you, but I have felt that some of the laws that we have been forced to live by in the U.S. have been unacceptable. Yet we are made to follow them, even though they may violate our core values as holy children of Christ. For example, the liquor laws, the abortion laws, the laws about open pornography and nudity on TV as well as the internet. What about the laws protecting the rights of the criminal who repeatedly chooses to abuse the minds of other adults and helpless children? Then there's the laws that affect what can and cannot be mentioned in the schools, government facilities and clinics of OUR LAND! All of these are precepts made by and for our country to follow and if you don't respect and abide by them, you'll be punished under the law. Are these laws productive or are they destructive? Does the LORD GOD Almighty look upon our land with joy or are His eyes filled with tears today?
THANK GOD that His precepts will never bring a parent or child harm. God's laws will never bring shame and reproach to the population of the blessed! I have a leader and LORD who gives me laws(precepts) that bring value to my home, my life and the lives of my children!
Now that we have taken time to ponder this vital introduction to the book of Psalms; we see David's inspiration to write concerning the importance of where we place our core values and learn how to welcome God's blessings into our dwellings as parents. Couples, single moms and dads, separated parents and widows, we can all learn from David's message today; pondering the precepts of God; receiving the blessed life and every parent has the equal opportunity to pass this lesson and blessing on to our children too! Our fruitfulness as a mom or dad must begin in our hearts and in our home as we hold to our core values and see our children doing the same!
"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it (His desires) to pass." ~Psalms 37:4-5
*Literal translations from Strong's Hebrew & Greek Dictionary in parenthesis (*)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
AWAKE - Be Strong Cont.
Doing the right thing requires strength!
It is so easy to agree with the scriptures concerning relationship and then go right on with our life as usual. That is not only a sign that we are asleep but also that we may be doing the things we do for our mates with the wrong attitude. Let's take a look, while continuing in the third chapter of Colossians, at the attitude that we are to have when we do things for each other.
Colossians 3:22,23 - Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;
You're probably saying to yourself by now, wait a minute, I'm not a servant! But think about this for a minute; didn't Jesus teach us to serve others? Why wouldn't that apply to our relationships at home too? I bet that was one of the first things that God taught Adam and Eve while they were out walking together in the mornings of that very first week in the Garden of Eden. I bet the temperature was perfect and the sun was just the right distance away that they didn't even break a sweat. They probably enjoyed every minute of every day!
You know what else! I'm not a betting man, but I would be willing to bet that Eve was so pleased with Adam as he served her like he was suppose to as her husband. I would also bet that Adam was just as happy because Eve served him with the right heart attitude also as his wife? This was not only the first marriage on earth, but it was the perfect marriage designed and created by the God of all our universe!
Why then, when men and women attempt to live like that, does something happen that creates friction between us? Well, we have to examine our motives and ask ourselves ,"Am I attempting to serve as unto the Lord or am I serving as unto people?". This can apply to parent/child as well. As a servant in my home I must become humble and bring peace to my family. How? By reminding myself of the most important part of this passage. Take notice, it starts out with a command and then we learn how to live it out in our relationships successfully.
We are instructed that a servant is to obey their master. From a man's perspective I was thinking, "How would that apply to our relationship with our wife or children?". But then it kind of sunk in slowly as I finished reading the rest of the passage. Who is my Master, I thought to myself? Who is your Master? Who do you serve in life? Then it hit me! Jesus talks all through the scriptures about how we can only serve one master, right? If you think that I am going to tell you to start calling each other "Master", I'm not. But, just imagine for a minute what a difference it would make if we treated each other as if they were the master and we were their servant?
So it got a little more confusing as I thought about the passage that says, Don't be a person pleaser using the eyes to give favor; BUT in singleness of heart fearing God. I am to do the best I can with sincerity; but fearing God alone because He alone is our only Master and we are to do it as unto Him. Wow! What kind of difference would it make if we would remember that it is God, our only Master, that we are serving every time we stop to do something for our mates, our family and our friends?
I imagine Adam and Eve before the fall of sin, feeling the perfect joy of serving God when they reached out to serve and care for each other. Try it! Serve God as you reach out to care for family and friends, I guarantee that you will experience that perfect joy as well.
One last point from passage that will strengthen our relationships is concerning the heart.
Some people can act so awesome whenever anyone is around to notice, but at home they may exibit a proud and self-centered attitude. That is what we are told not to be like when this passage tells us not to be eyepleasers. Be careful, men and women, husbands and wives, when you take notice of another man or woman that's always serving people in the eye of the public. Not that it is wrong to behave this way, but we should be focused on our own mates and what we can do to serve that special person that God has put into our lives. It is easy to put on an act in public, but your mate will know if you are doing things heartily (with your whole heart) by the way that you act in private! So, beware of this deceitful temptation to become men pleasers as this way of living doesn't follow the teachings of our Lord, our only true Master. We must do ALL that we do for the Lord and our mates will know without a doubt that they are truly appreciated and loved!
Luke 16:13 - No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.(wealth)
It is so easy to agree with the scriptures concerning relationship and then go right on with our life as usual. That is not only a sign that we are asleep but also that we may be doing the things we do for our mates with the wrong attitude. Let's take a look, while continuing in the third chapter of Colossians, at the attitude that we are to have when we do things for each other.
Colossians 3:22,23 - Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;
You're probably saying to yourself by now, wait a minute, I'm not a servant! But think about this for a minute; didn't Jesus teach us to serve others? Why wouldn't that apply to our relationships at home too? I bet that was one of the first things that God taught Adam and Eve while they were out walking together in the mornings of that very first week in the Garden of Eden. I bet the temperature was perfect and the sun was just the right distance away that they didn't even break a sweat. They probably enjoyed every minute of every day!
You know what else! I'm not a betting man, but I would be willing to bet that Eve was so pleased with Adam as he served her like he was suppose to as her husband. I would also bet that Adam was just as happy because Eve served him with the right heart attitude also as his wife? This was not only the first marriage on earth, but it was the perfect marriage designed and created by the God of all our universe!
Why then, when men and women attempt to live like that, does something happen that creates friction between us? Well, we have to examine our motives and ask ourselves ,"Am I attempting to serve as unto the Lord or am I serving as unto people?". This can apply to parent/child as well. As a servant in my home I must become humble and bring peace to my family. How? By reminding myself of the most important part of this passage. Take notice, it starts out with a command and then we learn how to live it out in our relationships successfully.
We are instructed that a servant is to obey their master. From a man's perspective I was thinking, "How would that apply to our relationship with our wife or children?". But then it kind of sunk in slowly as I finished reading the rest of the passage. Who is my Master, I thought to myself? Who is your Master? Who do you serve in life? Then it hit me! Jesus talks all through the scriptures about how we can only serve one master, right? If you think that I am going to tell you to start calling each other "Master", I'm not. But, just imagine for a minute what a difference it would make if we treated each other as if they were the master and we were their servant?
So it got a little more confusing as I thought about the passage that says, Don't be a person pleaser using the eyes to give favor; BUT in singleness of heart fearing God. I am to do the best I can with sincerity; but fearing God alone because He alone is our only Master and we are to do it as unto Him. Wow! What kind of difference would it make if we would remember that it is God, our only Master, that we are serving every time we stop to do something for our mates, our family and our friends?
I imagine Adam and Eve before the fall of sin, feeling the perfect joy of serving God when they reached out to serve and care for each other. Try it! Serve God as you reach out to care for family and friends, I guarantee that you will experience that perfect joy as well.
One last point from passage that will strengthen our relationships is concerning the heart.
Some people can act so awesome whenever anyone is around to notice, but at home they may exibit a proud and self-centered attitude. That is what we are told not to be like when this passage tells us not to be eyepleasers. Be careful, men and women, husbands and wives, when you take notice of another man or woman that's always serving people in the eye of the public. Not that it is wrong to behave this way, but we should be focused on our own mates and what we can do to serve that special person that God has put into our lives. It is easy to put on an act in public, but your mate will know if you are doing things heartily (with your whole heart) by the way that you act in private! So, beware of this deceitful temptation to become men pleasers as this way of living doesn't follow the teachings of our Lord, our only true Master. We must do ALL that we do for the Lord and our mates will know without a doubt that they are truly appreciated and loved!
Luke 16:13 - No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.(wealth)
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