God's Word & Our Family

Our church is currently going through "Fresh Encounter", a study into God's pattern for revival. This past Sunday evening we began going through "A Plumb Line for God's People" with messages from Henry Blackaby. "God's Standard for the Family" was 1st on the agenda.

As Henry read through Deuteronomy 6:5-9 it became apparent to me how far many of us have strayed from God's Plumb Line. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Let's break this verse down and look at areas where we may have departed from the Lord.

#1 - How often do we sit with our children and discuss scripture together? When was the last time that we took the time to impress upon them the importance of God's Word?

#2 - Walked with your children lately and told them about the good things of God? In today's society we have far too many things that compete with our time with our children: sports, TV, video games, and our busy schedules. Will we MAKE time to be with our kids?

#3 - Do you post scripture in your home? God said that His people should write His commands upon the doorposts. I have known many people to write scripture on studded walls, and basement floors before they were finished. If you bought a home that was already finished you can hang pictures with scripture for all to see or buy some of the cool decals that place Scripture on your walls. Let people know that when they come into your home that you hold scripture very valuable and that these are the words that you and your children constantly see.

When we understand that God's purpose for the family is that we be involved with Him in His redemptive plan for the world, we come to a greater understanding of the family emphasis. God wants us to produce godly offspring that will follow Him with all their hearts, soul, and strength. We cannot allow the world to have a greater influence in our family than we do.

These are just some of the areas where we need to work. Doesn't it sadden you to think how far the family has fallen? Doesn't it bother you that the divorce rate in the church is just as high as it is in the world? Let us not forget the continuing problem of drug use, teen pregnancy, suicide, etc. Because we haven't held the standard of God's Word we have adopted the world's. It's time to fight! It's time for believers to reclaim their families. It's time to reclaim our marriages and our children and say that they belong to God. If we are His people then we will fight this fight and be victorious.

Blackaby says, "The key to a nation rests on the strength of its family life, and that is particularly true of God's people."

I Know My Redeemer Lives

Long before the New Testament was written, and long before Jesus came to the earth, Job spoke these words: "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God." Job 19:25-26

Most scholars consider that the book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible. Many of us know the story of Job's loss and pain but how often are we reminded that these words were spoken by him? These are not the words of Peter, John, James, or Paul. These are the words of a man of faith whose religious system rested in the shadows of things to come in Christ.

That should encourage you because you live after the resurrection of Christ, not before. If Job was able to find strength in difficult times before Jesus came into the world - you should be able to find strength after He has conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave. The psalmist encourages us to not be downcast in our souls but to put our hope in God. If an Old Testament psalmist could say it then why can't we?

The point that I want to bring across to each of us is that we live a life of faith. None of us have seen Christ, none of us have touched the pierced hands of the Savior, and most of us have never visited the empty tomb. Yet we believe that these things took place and we believe it to the point that our entire eternity is based upon these facts of faith. If we can believe unto salvation can we not also believe unto security, unto peace, unto hope? Job lost almost everything he held dear: his children, his possessions, and his health were all destroyed in the blink of an eye. On top of it all his wife encouraged him to curse God so that he could die. But we know better...Job stuck with his faith and it's in these words that we gain insight into the hope he possessed.

Whatever you may be facing today...
Whatever "hell" you could be going through...
Regardless of what the doctor says...
In spite of our nation's economy...
Against all odds...

Your Redeemer lives! And in the end you will see God.

May the Lord bring encouragement to your spirit and hope to your soul. May you find quietness and peace as you meditate upon these things. And may the Lord bless you with the joy of His countenance as He looks upon your life. In Jesus' Name - Amen.

Oh, How the Mighty Fall

During my morning devotions I have been reading through 1 Samuel. This is a record of one of the most interesting times in Israel's history.

I am always moved as I read about the life of Saul - Israel's 1st king. You may know that the children of Israel asked for a king so that they could be like other nations. But not long after Saul was chosen...he was rejected and God sought for a man after His own heart.

In the Old Testament this is nothing new. We find that God anoints people for certain tasks and then chooses someone else to finish the job. It's not because God cannot make up His mind, but rather because these men fail to follow through with the calling God has given them. Saul rebelled against God and therefore lost His anointing. But he wasn't the first: Moses was unable to enter into the promised land, Samson did not know that the Lord had departed from him, David lost a child do to his disobedience...the list goes on and on.

Just the other night my son and I were watching Star Wars III. He is always troubled with Anakin becoming Darth Vader. I always have to explain why and how it happened, but it gives me a great opportunity to talk to him about the choices we make. It's easy to see in the movies that Anakin's soul struggles within him. Often he cries over the choices he has made but is so bent on becoming powerful. Sound familiar? How often have we struggled within ourselves but chose what was wrong because in the end it is what we wanted?

It matters not if we have been placed in the role of King, Prophet, Jedi knight, Sunday School Teacher, Father, or average everyday Christian. We cannot allow ourselves to become consumed with the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are the passions that consume our world but should not consume us. We must be careful to watch over the things that could lead us to the "dark side."

I'm always saddened to read about Saul, Samson, etc. However, I'm also burdened with the thought: this could be me. I don't care who you are...it can be you as well. We must remember that obedience to the Lord does matter. Humility does make a difference. And regardless of how anointed we are, we have seen in our day as well, the mighty can fall.

Truth or Dare?

My wife and I just started the love dare book together and I want to recommend it to all couples. In reality this isn't a "truth or dare" game but rather a dare for anyone who is willing to face the truth.

If you look at the statistics about marriage you will find that you have (according to the world's standards) a 50% chance to get it right. And the 50% that do get it right usually just "get by".

Why?

If you ask me it's because too many people have been led by their heart. That's right...they were in love but because love is simply an emotion when they don't "feel" it anymore they just co-exist. In the intro of the book you will find that the "Love Dare" is a choice to take the lead with your heart rather than being led by it.

With all the resolutions out there for the New Year can we not take the time to work on something more important than our weight? How about our marriage? Wouldn't it be wonderful for the marriages that are surviving to begin thriving? Wouldn't it be great for husbands and wives to rediscover the joy and love of marriage? It can happen and as far as me and Jenn are concerned it will.

Just to be fair let me point out that I have a good marriage. My wife and I are committed to one another, to our family, and to the Kingdom of God. We do not have the baggage of the past to carry around, no hurts from improper relationships outside of marriage, and there is no abuse. We simply want to see a good marriage become a great one.

How about you? Ready to join others who have been willing to tell truth and take the dare or just let your marriage stay where it is? Come on...I dare you.

Happy New Year

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year.

May this be the year that you truly discover the joy of the Lord.