I was thinking about sanctification today. That whole process that Jesus works in our lives to help us become more like Him. Do we really understand how important it is for us to cooperate with Him in this?
Some believe that Jesus came to die for our sins that we might be saved and one day go to heaven and live there happily ever after. Surprise! That's not the whole story. Jesus came to die for us that we might be saved and from that day forward begin to live more like Him each day.
Remember the Great Commission in Matthew 28? What did Jesus say? To make disciples (help lead others to Christ and salvation) and to teach them all that Jesus commanded. Why teach them? So that they might grow in sanctification and live according to the principles and commands that He set forth. We are to be saints, set apart, His special children. We are to be different from the world. He teaches us how to be more like Him and He expects our cooperation and growth.
Its like when a child is born into your family, is that the end of the story? No, its just the beginning. You set out on the path of training and educating your children. Teaching them first and foremost how to respond to God's call in their life and how to live obediently to the commands of God. You are to live out the Great Commission towards each child God blesses you with!! He gave them to you, not to anyone else. Don't delegate this duty and privilege.
Anyway, its the same way with God. When we are born into His family, He begins to teach us and train us up to live obediently towards Him. He personally works in our lives. He leads us in sanctification that we might reflect the awesomeness of who He is in our lives and that He might be glorified.
So how about you? Are you all washed up?
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
Silence
R.L. Dabney was a great preacher and soldier during the Civil War. He served on the staff of Stonewall Jackson during this time. Dabney was a great man and had astute and prophetical insights into what was to come in the history of our country. I came across one of his quotes on education the other day. It said:
"The education of children for God is the most important business done on earth. It is the one business for which the earth exists. To it all politics, all war, all literature, all money-making, ought to be subordinated; and every parent especially ought to feel every hour of the day, that, next to making his own calling and election sure, this is the end for which he is kept alive by God - this is his task on earth."
Dabney was a man of insight and here speaks the essence of the words of Deuteronomy 6:6-9. Dabney also wrote that the failure of parents to live up to this standard would result in the disintegration of families and our society. In this regard he was a prophet.
Christian parents have the duty, under God, to educate their children. It is their duty, not the church's duty and certainly not the state's duty. Unfortunately 85% of Christian families have not realized this and most of them don't even know it. How can this be? Where are our preachers and leaders in the church? Why are they silent on this?
Does the Bible speak to everything we need for life and godliness? 2 Peter 1:3
Does the Bible speak about how we are to educate our children? Deuteronomy 6, Proverbs, Ephesians 6, and many other places.
Do we believe that we are to be obedient to God in every area of our life?
Are you?
"The education of children for God is the most important business done on earth. It is the one business for which the earth exists. To it all politics, all war, all literature, all money-making, ought to be subordinated; and every parent especially ought to feel every hour of the day, that, next to making his own calling and election sure, this is the end for which he is kept alive by God - this is his task on earth."
Dabney was a man of insight and here speaks the essence of the words of Deuteronomy 6:6-9. Dabney also wrote that the failure of parents to live up to this standard would result in the disintegration of families and our society. In this regard he was a prophet.
Christian parents have the duty, under God, to educate their children. It is their duty, not the church's duty and certainly not the state's duty. Unfortunately 85% of Christian families have not realized this and most of them don't even know it. How can this be? Where are our preachers and leaders in the church? Why are they silent on this?
Does the Bible speak to everything we need for life and godliness? 2 Peter 1:3
Does the Bible speak about how we are to educate our children? Deuteronomy 6, Proverbs, Ephesians 6, and many other places.
Do we believe that we are to be obedient to God in every area of our life?
Are you?
Monday, February 21, 2005
Relationships
What is the relationship between a husband and a wife?
What is the relationship between a parent and a child?
What is the relationship between an employer and an employee?
What is the relationship between a member of the church and an elder?
What is the relationship between a citizen and their government?
What is the relationship between two individuals?
How you define those relationships tells a lot about your biblical worldview. Any attempt to define relationships apart from God's Bible revealed law is a form of rebellion. In His word He defines each of those relationships and tells us how they are to be lived. Can you give the biblical definition of each of them? If not, you are likely functioning in one or more of them in an unbiblical fashion, in rebellion against God. You might not even know it!
Take the time today to make sure you can give the biblical answer to each of those questions. If you live in each of those relationships biblically, the way God intended for you to, you will be blessed. Choose man's way and you'll get ... well just look around, what you see is what you'll get.
What is the relationship between a parent and a child?
What is the relationship between an employer and an employee?
What is the relationship between a member of the church and an elder?
What is the relationship between a citizen and their government?
What is the relationship between two individuals?
How you define those relationships tells a lot about your biblical worldview. Any attempt to define relationships apart from God's Bible revealed law is a form of rebellion. In His word He defines each of those relationships and tells us how they are to be lived. Can you give the biblical definition of each of them? If not, you are likely functioning in one or more of them in an unbiblical fashion, in rebellion against God. You might not even know it!
Take the time today to make sure you can give the biblical answer to each of those questions. If you live in each of those relationships biblically, the way God intended for you to, you will be blessed. Choose man's way and you'll get ... well just look around, what you see is what you'll get.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Bad Stuff - Good Answer
Is there any problem in our society with children being out of control, disobedient and rebellious? It sure looks that way, but let's not just place that on the children's shoulders. All of society is like that, adults and children. Its not unexpected though, Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3 about what things would look like in the future. He said to expect that people would become "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good ..." and so forth.
Isn't that what we see in our world today? Why do you suppose that is? Could it be that our culture and our schools are teaching everyone that truth, right and wrong, are relative? They are whatever you want them to be. Its all about you. Look at the harvest of that kind of thinking.
Paul went on in 2 Timothy 3:15-17 to tell us that the Bible has the answer. Truth is absolute. There are absolute rights and wrongs and God's word tells how to discern them. God's word, especially when we learn it from infancy, is able to make us wise, equipping us for every good work. The answer is there if we will just study it and apply it to our lives. Sounds simple enough, but the world is warring against us in this.
Even though God's word gives clear answers and direction for life, our culture, our schools and our government don't want you to go there. Sound foolish? Consider the 1980 Supreme Court decision in Stone v. Graham. I quote "If the posted copies of the Ten Commandments are to have any effect at all, it will be to induce the schoolchildren to read, meditate upon, perhaps to venerate and obey, the Commandments."
Horrible, wouldn't it be? What if children were taught not to take the Lord's name in vain, not to kill, not to steal, not to lie, not to commit adultery, not to want other peoples stuff. What if children were taught to honor their father and mother, to honor marriage, and to respect authority?
Let's see, society doesn't want it taught, the schools won't allow it to be taught nor will the government and the courts tolerate it, so who's left?? Could it be you? You can study, learn, and apply God's word to your life! Then you can teach your children God's commands for their lives! You can make the commitment and change your children's lives.
As Moses said in Deuteronomy, choose this day, life or death, blessings or curses. The balls in your court, what will you do?
Isn't that what we see in our world today? Why do you suppose that is? Could it be that our culture and our schools are teaching everyone that truth, right and wrong, are relative? They are whatever you want them to be. Its all about you. Look at the harvest of that kind of thinking.
Paul went on in 2 Timothy 3:15-17 to tell us that the Bible has the answer. Truth is absolute. There are absolute rights and wrongs and God's word tells how to discern them. God's word, especially when we learn it from infancy, is able to make us wise, equipping us for every good work. The answer is there if we will just study it and apply it to our lives. Sounds simple enough, but the world is warring against us in this.
Even though God's word gives clear answers and direction for life, our culture, our schools and our government don't want you to go there. Sound foolish? Consider the 1980 Supreme Court decision in Stone v. Graham. I quote "If the posted copies of the Ten Commandments are to have any effect at all, it will be to induce the schoolchildren to read, meditate upon, perhaps to venerate and obey, the Commandments."
Horrible, wouldn't it be? What if children were taught not to take the Lord's name in vain, not to kill, not to steal, not to lie, not to commit adultery, not to want other peoples stuff. What if children were taught to honor their father and mother, to honor marriage, and to respect authority?
Let's see, society doesn't want it taught, the schools won't allow it to be taught nor will the government and the courts tolerate it, so who's left?? Could it be you? You can study, learn, and apply God's word to your life! Then you can teach your children God's commands for their lives! You can make the commitment and change your children's lives.
As Moses said in Deuteronomy, choose this day, life or death, blessings or curses. The balls in your court, what will you do?
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Chicken Coops
A workman approved, that's what Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:15. We are to be a workman approved who does not need to be ashamed. One who can correctly handle the word of God. Just what does that mean?
Ever ask a group "how did people get saved during the Old Testament period?" Its interesting to hear the common responses. "Well, they were saved by keeping the law." You remind them that no one has ever perfectly kept the law, except for Jesus. Guess that means everyone went to hell, right? "No" they say, "the system of sacrifices paid for their sins so they could be saved." Nope, that's not it. No where in the Old Testament does it say that it was through this system of works that they were saved.
What then? You remind them about the great faith chapter. Hebrews 11 tells us that those people from Old Testament times were saved by faith, just like you and me. The writer of Hebrews tells us that those who were truly men and women of faith were the ones saved. Jesus died for you and for me, and for all of them who repented of their sins and were saved by grace through faith. Then your group says "oh yes, I knew that, how could I have forgotten?"
When I think of a workman approved, I think of a carpenter. Some carpenters would be lucky to know how to build a decent looking chicken coop. They can grab a board here and there and pound some nails and when they get done it might even look like a chicken coop or possibly something else. Others can build a beautiful mansion. They can take that same wood and craft it into a wonderfully made home.
What kind of Christian are you? Do you pickup a stray verse here or there, a thought from this person or that, or something from last week's sermon (you do remember last weeks sermon, right?) Then when its time to defend the faith or make choices in your life you struggle to understand what God's will and direction are for you. Like the chicken coop builder, you're not quite sure how to put it all together.
Or are you the Christian who diligently studies the word. One who pulls together the teaching of the Bible. One who finds those timeless principles the Bible teaches so that we will know how to live and choose. This is the one who is a workman approved and whose faith is like a beautiful home built by a skilled carpenter.
If you struggle with being a workman approved, choose to change. Ask God to help you. Seek help from another Christian who is a workman approved. Seek help from your minister or Bible teacher. Don't let another day go by building chicken coops when you can build mansions. Study the word of God with a purpose. Your purpose is to be a workman approved knowing how to correctly handle the truth and applying it to every part of your life!
Ever ask a group "how did people get saved during the Old Testament period?" Its interesting to hear the common responses. "Well, they were saved by keeping the law." You remind them that no one has ever perfectly kept the law, except for Jesus. Guess that means everyone went to hell, right? "No" they say, "the system of sacrifices paid for their sins so they could be saved." Nope, that's not it. No where in the Old Testament does it say that it was through this system of works that they were saved.
What then? You remind them about the great faith chapter. Hebrews 11 tells us that those people from Old Testament times were saved by faith, just like you and me. The writer of Hebrews tells us that those who were truly men and women of faith were the ones saved. Jesus died for you and for me, and for all of them who repented of their sins and were saved by grace through faith. Then your group says "oh yes, I knew that, how could I have forgotten?"
When I think of a workman approved, I think of a carpenter. Some carpenters would be lucky to know how to build a decent looking chicken coop. They can grab a board here and there and pound some nails and when they get done it might even look like a chicken coop or possibly something else. Others can build a beautiful mansion. They can take that same wood and craft it into a wonderfully made home.
What kind of Christian are you? Do you pickup a stray verse here or there, a thought from this person or that, or something from last week's sermon (you do remember last weeks sermon, right?) Then when its time to defend the faith or make choices in your life you struggle to understand what God's will and direction are for you. Like the chicken coop builder, you're not quite sure how to put it all together.
Or are you the Christian who diligently studies the word. One who pulls together the teaching of the Bible. One who finds those timeless principles the Bible teaches so that we will know how to live and choose. This is the one who is a workman approved and whose faith is like a beautiful home built by a skilled carpenter.
If you struggle with being a workman approved, choose to change. Ask God to help you. Seek help from another Christian who is a workman approved. Seek help from your minister or Bible teacher. Don't let another day go by building chicken coops when you can build mansions. Study the word of God with a purpose. Your purpose is to be a workman approved knowing how to correctly handle the truth and applying it to every part of your life!
Monday, February 14, 2005
When Does Life Begin?
We have all listened to the abortion debate for years and see that it still rages on. Let me be clear ... abortion is wrong, it is the taking of an innocent life. For those who don't think so, the question should be, "what right do you have to say that?" I'm glad you asked.
God is the Creator and giver of life. He gives us His word so that we know how to live and how to make right choices about everything, including abortion. So what does the Bible say? Take the Sixth Commandment, remember, it says that we are not to take the life of another. What does the abortionist say? "The unborn child is not a person yet." Then the debate heats up as to when life begins. My read of Scripture is that God has ordained our lives from before time even began, but let me give you a simple analysis:
Exodus 21:22-25 says that if a pregnant woman was even accidently injured and the baby died, the one causing the injury commited murder and was subject to the death penalty.
No talk here about when life begins. No lengthy debates. No millions and millions of unborn babies being murdered. According to biblical law, if an unborn baby dies, so does the person who caused its death. Is abortion wrong according to the Bible? Without a doubt.
The Bible is clear. God's command is clear. The only way to "justify" the killing of these innocent children is to try and rationalize your way around this clear teaching and then act in total rebellion toward your Creator. Even if our civil authorities won't punish those who murder, God will. There will be an accounting before Him.
If you've ever considered abortion stop and think and read what God says about those precious children He has blessed us with.
God is the Creator and giver of life. He gives us His word so that we know how to live and how to make right choices about everything, including abortion. So what does the Bible say? Take the Sixth Commandment, remember, it says that we are not to take the life of another. What does the abortionist say? "The unborn child is not a person yet." Then the debate heats up as to when life begins. My read of Scripture is that God has ordained our lives from before time even began, but let me give you a simple analysis:
Exodus 21:22-25 says that if a pregnant woman was even accidently injured and the baby died, the one causing the injury commited murder and was subject to the death penalty.
No talk here about when life begins. No lengthy debates. No millions and millions of unborn babies being murdered. According to biblical law, if an unborn baby dies, so does the person who caused its death. Is abortion wrong according to the Bible? Without a doubt.
The Bible is clear. God's command is clear. The only way to "justify" the killing of these innocent children is to try and rationalize your way around this clear teaching and then act in total rebellion toward your Creator. Even if our civil authorities won't punish those who murder, God will. There will be an accounting before Him.
If you've ever considered abortion stop and think and read what God says about those precious children He has blessed us with.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Divided and Conquered
Unity. Not something found very often in life today. Not found in marriages, families or churches for that matter. In Ephesians 4, Paul talks a lot about unity. It is a Biblical principle that we are to apply to our marriages, families and churches. So what keeps us from it?
Most would likely say the problems stems from a me centeredness. And in part I would agree with that, but for a different reason. The problem comes from a failure to understand the Creator creature principle. God is the Creator and we are His created creatures. Yet we live our lives like we are in charge of the universe. Not you though. Right?
How often do you decide what to do or not to do completely without reference to what your Creator has commanded? How many daily decisions do you seek His guidance on? The big ones only? You don't want to bother Him with the little ones? Oh right, He is infinite, but I'll just handle this one. Which leads us to "just handle" the slightly bigger ones, and eventually "just handle" the big ones too.
Take the education of our children as an example. Does the Bible speak to this issue or has God remained silent on such an important matter? How we educate and train our children up is one of the most important decisions we will ever make, (no "do overs" you know.) So how do we decide? Do we study God's word and look for His clear direction, or just blindly follow the rest of the herd? It seems at least 85% of Christians just follow the herd according to Barna's research. We turn our children over to an unbelieving institution to be trained, surprise, unbiblically, both as to content and as to methodology.
Gary DeMar recently said in Biblical Worldview magazine "Saying prayers at sporting events, reciting 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance, praying around a flag pole once a year, and having the right to 'a moment of silence' do not constitute a Christian education. The entire curriculum must be Christ-centered."
The worldview of children from Christian families who are not trained up by either their parents or by one of the 5% of Christian schools who do teach a biblical worldview, has continued to plummet to the point that most have adopted a fully formed humanistic understanding of life rather than a biblical one. Is that what you want for your children or grandchildren?
The sad part is, not only are families missing it, the church is too. When churches divide up their Sunday schools and send the teachers and children off to different corners of the church rather than keeping everyone together, what are they doing? They are telling the families that the principle of fathers and mothers training up their children under God is not the norm, certainly not the norm for the church.
Let's divide them up and let them each go their own way. This way the church will not be united under God. Rather it will be divided and ultimately ineffective at changing the children's lives. Who likes this plan? God or Satan? It certainly doesn't reflect a biblical methodology.
The vast majority of all children graduating from school never return to the church. Is the current system so successful that we can ignore God's principles for our lives? Read your Bible. Obey God. He will bless your obedience. He says so.
Most would likely say the problems stems from a me centeredness. And in part I would agree with that, but for a different reason. The problem comes from a failure to understand the Creator creature principle. God is the Creator and we are His created creatures. Yet we live our lives like we are in charge of the universe. Not you though. Right?
How often do you decide what to do or not to do completely without reference to what your Creator has commanded? How many daily decisions do you seek His guidance on? The big ones only? You don't want to bother Him with the little ones? Oh right, He is infinite, but I'll just handle this one. Which leads us to "just handle" the slightly bigger ones, and eventually "just handle" the big ones too.
Take the education of our children as an example. Does the Bible speak to this issue or has God remained silent on such an important matter? How we educate and train our children up is one of the most important decisions we will ever make, (no "do overs" you know.) So how do we decide? Do we study God's word and look for His clear direction, or just blindly follow the rest of the herd? It seems at least 85% of Christians just follow the herd according to Barna's research. We turn our children over to an unbelieving institution to be trained, surprise, unbiblically, both as to content and as to methodology.
Gary DeMar recently said in Biblical Worldview magazine "Saying prayers at sporting events, reciting 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance, praying around a flag pole once a year, and having the right to 'a moment of silence' do not constitute a Christian education. The entire curriculum must be Christ-centered."
The worldview of children from Christian families who are not trained up by either their parents or by one of the 5% of Christian schools who do teach a biblical worldview, has continued to plummet to the point that most have adopted a fully formed humanistic understanding of life rather than a biblical one. Is that what you want for your children or grandchildren?
The sad part is, not only are families missing it, the church is too. When churches divide up their Sunday schools and send the teachers and children off to different corners of the church rather than keeping everyone together, what are they doing? They are telling the families that the principle of fathers and mothers training up their children under God is not the norm, certainly not the norm for the church.
Let's divide them up and let them each go their own way. This way the church will not be united under God. Rather it will be divided and ultimately ineffective at changing the children's lives. Who likes this plan? God or Satan? It certainly doesn't reflect a biblical methodology.
The vast majority of all children graduating from school never return to the church. Is the current system so successful that we can ignore God's principles for our lives? Read your Bible. Obey God. He will bless your obedience. He says so.
Eighth Commandment?
I just spent 4 weeks teaching the Eighth Commandment. There was so much there, so much that applied to our lives today. Many look at the Eighth Commandment and think "I don't steal so that one's not a problem for me." However, just as Jesus explained to the people at the Sermon on the Mount, I'll remind you that there is so much more there. Why is stealing even an issue? Why aren't we free to take whatever we want? Did God authorize the private ownership of property? If so, what did He want us to do with it? Did He give us principles and commands as to how we were to manage that property under our control? The Eighth Commandment bears on that all. Do you know the answers?
Many Christians will say they believe the Bible has answers for every area of life (well maybe "many" is a little much, but a few still do.) If the Bible does have the answers for every area of life, why is it that when I ask someone what the Bible says about an issue they respond with "well, I think ...." The question wasn't whether "you" have all the answers but whether the Bible does. Most Christians are ill equipped to answer the question "what does the Bible have to say about how we are to manage our assets and resources." Or how about this popular one, "does the Bible teach us anything about how our children are to be educated?" Does the Bible speak to every area of life, or did God leave us in the dark?
Certainly God can't hold us accountable for what He didn't give us guidance on. But as we have learned from the clear teaching of the Bible, He did speak to every area of life. So what is your answer? How are we to manage our assets? How are we to educate our children? If you can't answer these questions, you are in rebellion against God's clear teaching. If you can answer the questions but aren't being obedient to that clear teaching, you are in rebellion against God's clear teaching. If you can't find the time, the energy, the desire, or the mental effort to seek out and find the answer to the questions, you are in rebellion against God's clear teaching (see a pattern developing here?)
If you know the answers and are obediently following His clear teaching, congratulations!!! You are part of the minority holding onto a biblical worldview. You know God's blessing for obedience. You know what it is to grow in maturity and wisdom. For the rest, don't despair. Today is a new day with new opportunities to choose His path. Study God's word. Seek His principles for life. If you don't know how to get started, email me and I'll help you. God stands ready and waiting to walk with you minute by minute of every day. Won't you choose to walk with Him?
Many Christians will say they believe the Bible has answers for every area of life (well maybe "many" is a little much, but a few still do.) If the Bible does have the answers for every area of life, why is it that when I ask someone what the Bible says about an issue they respond with "well, I think ...." The question wasn't whether "you" have all the answers but whether the Bible does. Most Christians are ill equipped to answer the question "what does the Bible have to say about how we are to manage our assets and resources." Or how about this popular one, "does the Bible teach us anything about how our children are to be educated?" Does the Bible speak to every area of life, or did God leave us in the dark?
Certainly God can't hold us accountable for what He didn't give us guidance on. But as we have learned from the clear teaching of the Bible, He did speak to every area of life. So what is your answer? How are we to manage our assets? How are we to educate our children? If you can't answer these questions, you are in rebellion against God's clear teaching. If you can answer the questions but aren't being obedient to that clear teaching, you are in rebellion against God's clear teaching. If you can't find the time, the energy, the desire, or the mental effort to seek out and find the answer to the questions, you are in rebellion against God's clear teaching (see a pattern developing here?)
If you know the answers and are obediently following His clear teaching, congratulations!!! You are part of the minority holding onto a biblical worldview. You know God's blessing for obedience. You know what it is to grow in maturity and wisdom. For the rest, don't despair. Today is a new day with new opportunities to choose His path. Study God's word. Seek His principles for life. If you don't know how to get started, email me and I'll help you. God stands ready and waiting to walk with you minute by minute of every day. Won't you choose to walk with Him?
Thursday, February 10, 2005
A Vision for Life
Proverbs 29:18 says "Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." (KJV). Think about how true that is. Think about how we see that in our day.
The proverb is telling us that by not keeping the laws, precepts or principles through which God teaches us how to live and how to make decisions in our life, we will perish or be cursed. On the other hand, if we have that vision or picture of what God has for us, the wonderful principles that our Creator has given us so that we will know how to live under Him, we will be blessed more than we can ever imagine!
The problem is that many people think they will be free if they can do what they want, when they want, where they want and how they want; all without consequence. That is, of course, the foolishness of man. If we all did that it would be anarchy. We would be living selfishly, for ourselves, and stomping all over each other.
If I wanted to be free to drive 90 miles an hour through town without regard for others, because its what pleases me, and if you want to cross streets against the stop light, and we just happen to meet ... well, it wouldn't be pretty. But we would each be doing what we wanted, we would each be free, right? No, we would pay the consequences for our foolishness.
We can only truly be free if we have standards and principles by which to live. Our Creator, the only one who can truly know, set those principles in place before time began, and He tells us what they are in His word. Let's not loose the vision and perish, living cursed lives. Let's have the vision and keep His law which He gave us because He loves us. Let's study His word and be obedient to it. Then we will truly be free.
The proverb is telling us that by not keeping the laws, precepts or principles through which God teaches us how to live and how to make decisions in our life, we will perish or be cursed. On the other hand, if we have that vision or picture of what God has for us, the wonderful principles that our Creator has given us so that we will know how to live under Him, we will be blessed more than we can ever imagine!
The problem is that many people think they will be free if they can do what they want, when they want, where they want and how they want; all without consequence. That is, of course, the foolishness of man. If we all did that it would be anarchy. We would be living selfishly, for ourselves, and stomping all over each other.
If I wanted to be free to drive 90 miles an hour through town without regard for others, because its what pleases me, and if you want to cross streets against the stop light, and we just happen to meet ... well, it wouldn't be pretty. But we would each be doing what we wanted, we would each be free, right? No, we would pay the consequences for our foolishness.
We can only truly be free if we have standards and principles by which to live. Our Creator, the only one who can truly know, set those principles in place before time began, and He tells us what they are in His word. Let's not loose the vision and perish, living cursed lives. Let's have the vision and keep His law which He gave us because He loves us. Let's study His word and be obedient to it. Then we will truly be free.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Reminders, Reminders
Ever need a reminder? Peter tells us that we do. In 2 Peter 1:12-15 he says that its alright to remind us even of things we already know. I recall a situation where two Christians whom we'll call John and Bill get into a conversation. Bill feels he has been called of God to stay home with his children while his wife works, after all she makes more than he does. John warns Bill that God never calls you to do something contrary to what the Bible says. He reminds Bill that he is instructed in the Bible to be the provider for his family and his wife is to be his helper in all of life, not the other way around. Maybe Bill gets it, maybe he doesn't.
The sad part is, 6 months later John and his wife Mary decide that they really want to get that lake home they have always dreamed about. They want to get it now, before the prices get much higher and while the children are still young enough to want to use it with them. Problem is they can't afford it on John's wages so they decide to put the children in daycare and have Mary take a job. They rationalize that God is calling them to take this action so they can spend more time with their children enjoying each other's company at the lake.
John forgets that God never calls us to do anything contrary to what He has already revealed to us in the Bible. God tells us in His word that our wife is to be under our authority and protection and not out working under another man's authority. God calls our wife to be our helper in accomplishing our dominion mandate under God, not helping another man to complete his.
John missed the boat. Why? Why do so many Christians miss the boat? Because they are not reminded, as Peter said, reminded constantly of what God's word teaches. It's easy to rationalize and stray from the path and loose the blessing God has for you.
Two things you can do to avoid this. First, spend time studying your Bible, searching out the principles that God gives you for direction in your life. Second, put yourself under consistent godly teaching. Teaching that helps you learn and apply those principles that God has graciously given you so that you would know what to do in each situation you encounter in life. Then you will be able to stay on that narrow path, walking with our Lord, day by day.
The sad part is, 6 months later John and his wife Mary decide that they really want to get that lake home they have always dreamed about. They want to get it now, before the prices get much higher and while the children are still young enough to want to use it with them. Problem is they can't afford it on John's wages so they decide to put the children in daycare and have Mary take a job. They rationalize that God is calling them to take this action so they can spend more time with their children enjoying each other's company at the lake.
John forgets that God never calls us to do anything contrary to what He has already revealed to us in the Bible. God tells us in His word that our wife is to be under our authority and protection and not out working under another man's authority. God calls our wife to be our helper in accomplishing our dominion mandate under God, not helping another man to complete his.
John missed the boat. Why? Why do so many Christians miss the boat? Because they are not reminded, as Peter said, reminded constantly of what God's word teaches. It's easy to rationalize and stray from the path and loose the blessing God has for you.
Two things you can do to avoid this. First, spend time studying your Bible, searching out the principles that God gives you for direction in your life. Second, put yourself under consistent godly teaching. Teaching that helps you learn and apply those principles that God has graciously given you so that you would know what to do in each situation you encounter in life. Then you will be able to stay on that narrow path, walking with our Lord, day by day.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Solving Problems
Problems. Life sometimes seems to deal us problem after problem. Where do problems come from? If we lived in a perfect world and if we (big if) were perfect too, there wouldn't be any problems. So where do problems come from?
Obviously they come from sin. That terrible 3 letter word we are all so good at. I've defined sin from time to time as a "disease of the attitude," and it really is. Jesus spoke about attitudes when at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 He gave us the eight attitudes or Beatitudes every Christian should have.
I challenge you to review and study this passage. Next time you run into a problem or see a problem developing with your children, look to the Beatitudes and discover which attitude is missing. Then choose to live that attitude yourself and train the attitude up in your children's lives. Watch the results. You'll see Christian character being manifested and true blessing coming to your life.
Jesus taught us these Christ-like attitudes that are vital to our lives. Let's learn them, keep them ever present, and live them out that our lives might be a testimony, that our children might be a witness, and that our family might honor our Creator in all that it does.
Obviously they come from sin. That terrible 3 letter word we are all so good at. I've defined sin from time to time as a "disease of the attitude," and it really is. Jesus spoke about attitudes when at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 He gave us the eight attitudes or Beatitudes every Christian should have.
I challenge you to review and study this passage. Next time you run into a problem or see a problem developing with your children, look to the Beatitudes and discover which attitude is missing. Then choose to live that attitude yourself and train the attitude up in your children's lives. Watch the results. You'll see Christian character being manifested and true blessing coming to your life.
Jesus taught us these Christ-like attitudes that are vital to our lives. Let's learn them, keep them ever present, and live them out that our lives might be a testimony, that our children might be a witness, and that our family might honor our Creator in all that it does.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
In the Image of God
Remember the creation account in Genesis 1:26-28? God started right at the beginning and tells us something of our nature men. God said He was going to create us in His image. Think about what that means. In the image of God Himself! God has dominion over all things, over all of creation. When He created us, He created us in His image and so we have an inborn desire to take dominion in our lives. That shows itself in our desire to be leaders, providers and protectors for our families. To create and build, to accomplish great things. That is built into us since we are created in His image.
But think about what that means ... in His image. The only way we can truly be effective leaders, providers, protectors, builders, and ones who accomplish great things, is to do it His way, under Him. We were created in His image. To try and live apart from Him in any of those areas destines us to failure. To try and live and function under Him and in obedience to His commands and principles frees us to do great things and to the wonderful blessings He promises if we obey. Outstanding! Dig into God's word daily to learn how and then realize the great joy that comes from walking with Him daily.
But think about what that means ... in His image. The only way we can truly be effective leaders, providers, protectors, builders, and ones who accomplish great things, is to do it His way, under Him. We were created in His image. To try and live apart from Him in any of those areas destines us to failure. To try and live and function under Him and in obedience to His commands and principles frees us to do great things and to the wonderful blessings He promises if we obey. Outstanding! Dig into God's word daily to learn how and then realize the great joy that comes from walking with Him daily.
Friday, February 04, 2005
Consequences?
Remember the account of Eli in 1 Samuel 2? Remember his two sons? The Bible says that the two sons were rebellious and wicked. It also says that Eli had failed as a father in that he honored (or cared more about) his own sons than God. He failed to rebuke and take action against them for their rebellion. God takes sin seriously. Do we?
We must train up our children and discipline them according to godly standards if we want life and blessing for them. Eli didn't and his family paid a big price. Families in our nation don't either and they are paying a big price. What will you do? Study God's word, learn the principles for life that He teaches us, and then apply them to your life and pass them on to your children.
We must train up our children and discipline them according to godly standards if we want life and blessing for them. Eli didn't and his family paid a big price. Families in our nation don't either and they are paying a big price. What will you do? Study God's word, learn the principles for life that He teaches us, and then apply them to your life and pass them on to your children.
Preparing for Life
Age segregated, peer based, classrooms. Are they biblical? We are to apply the Bible to all of our life. 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us that it is the knowledge of God's word that gives us all the answers we need for life and for godly living.
Dig through the Bible, see how many instances you can find of God commanding parents to send their children off to age segregated peer based classrooms to learn from others. I can find none. But I can find plenty of passages directing parents to train up their children daily in the setting of the family. We parents have a personal responsibility before God to do this.
Sadly, 85 percent of all Christians don't do this. The results of this failure are obvious. Talk to someone who has rebellious teenage kids. Do they believe that the influence (training) they received from their peers was beneficial? Not at all. The socialization they received trained them for rebellion and disobedience, not for life as God desired. Children trained up by their parents, under God, learn how to be obedient and how to interact with others.
Watch a 17 year old young man who was trained up in a godly home. Watch how he is at ease interacting with a 3 year old or a 75 year old, and everything in between. Who has the better socialization skills? Who is better prepared for life? Do you find your life as an adult to be age segregatted? I sure don't. Seems we should be training our children for life, under God. God blesses us when we are obedient to Him. Study your Bible, apply its principles for living to your life and receive that blessing.
Dig through the Bible, see how many instances you can find of God commanding parents to send their children off to age segregated peer based classrooms to learn from others. I can find none. But I can find plenty of passages directing parents to train up their children daily in the setting of the family. We parents have a personal responsibility before God to do this.
Sadly, 85 percent of all Christians don't do this. The results of this failure are obvious. Talk to someone who has rebellious teenage kids. Do they believe that the influence (training) they received from their peers was beneficial? Not at all. The socialization they received trained them for rebellion and disobedience, not for life as God desired. Children trained up by their parents, under God, learn how to be obedient and how to interact with others.
Watch a 17 year old young man who was trained up in a godly home. Watch how he is at ease interacting with a 3 year old or a 75 year old, and everything in between. Who has the better socialization skills? Who is better prepared for life? Do you find your life as an adult to be age segregatted? I sure don't. Seems we should be training our children for life, under God. God blesses us when we are obedient to Him. Study your Bible, apply its principles for living to your life and receive that blessing.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Be a Recabite
Standing alone. There is a great example in Jeremiah 35. The people are called the Recabites, a family that was singled out by God as an example to Israel, an example of a family that was obedient. While the people of Israel were busy rebelling against God in every way this family was being fully obedient to their patriarch and family leaders.
In our time we live in a culture when disobedience and disrespect are the watchwords. Children grow up to be disobedient and disrespectful because we teach them how by our own lives. We don't bother to teach them obedience and respect for others. Perhaps we don't even know what it looks like anymore because its so rare.
God says in John 14:15 "if you love me you will obey me." Will we? Will we teach our children to? Do you have a good handle on God's commands and principles for life so that you can be obedient? Do you study His Word looking for them? Time is short. Give yourself a blessing and your children blessings for generations. Learn how He calls you to live from His Word and be obedient to it. Grow in maturity and sanctification. Read the account of the Recabites and see how God honored them by using them as an example in a rebellious world. Perhaps you can be a Recabite too.
In our time we live in a culture when disobedience and disrespect are the watchwords. Children grow up to be disobedient and disrespectful because we teach them how by our own lives. We don't bother to teach them obedience and respect for others. Perhaps we don't even know what it looks like anymore because its so rare.
God says in John 14:15 "if you love me you will obey me." Will we? Will we teach our children to? Do you have a good handle on God's commands and principles for life so that you can be obedient? Do you study His Word looking for them? Time is short. Give yourself a blessing and your children blessings for generations. Learn how He calls you to live from His Word and be obedient to it. Grow in maturity and sanctification. Read the account of the Recabites and see how God honored them by using them as an example in a rebellious world. Perhaps you can be a Recabite too.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Say Goodbye to the Children
Throughout the book of Deuteronomy, Moses tells parents that they have personal responsibility to teach their children and their grandchildren all that God has commanded. It would be their life and prosperity if they would. Any failure to pass on the teachings of God's Word from generation to generation would result in a falling away and ultimately in a destruction of their society. We have seen this in our society especially in the last couple of generations as they know less and less of the God of the Bible.
One of the key reasons is that 85% of so called Christian children are being trained up by government run public schools. These schools have, by and large, eliminated any vestige of God or the Bible from education. There is no neutrality in education. They do not provide a Christian education. They provide a humanistic education. Remember what Jesus said in the New Testament, "You cannot serve two masters" and "he who does not gather with me scatters." Christian parents have quit listening to what Moses said when he called them to train up and teach the children. The children are being rapidly lost to the humanist philosophy of our time.
The Christians might not get it but the humanists sure do. Humanist Charles Potter said in 1930: "Education is thus a most powerful ally of humanism, and every public school is a school of humanism. What can theistic Sunday school, meeting for an hour once a week, and teaching only a fraction of the children, do to stem the tide of a five day program of humanistic teaching?"
Or consider humanist Paul Blanchard "Our schools may not teach Johnny to read properly, but the fact that Johnny is in school until he is 16 tends toward the elimination of religious superstition."
I appeal to the 85% of Christian families that are in effect sending their children off to humanistic seminaries each day to reconsider what the Bible teaches about training our children. Read Deuteronomy 6 and Ephesians 6:4 for starters. Listen to this lesson on training our children at http://www.paradoxmountain.com/media/29Howtodiscipline1.mp3
Your children's future depends on it. Learn what God's Word says. Be obedient to it. Pass it on to your children.
One of the key reasons is that 85% of so called Christian children are being trained up by government run public schools. These schools have, by and large, eliminated any vestige of God or the Bible from education. There is no neutrality in education. They do not provide a Christian education. They provide a humanistic education. Remember what Jesus said in the New Testament, "You cannot serve two masters" and "he who does not gather with me scatters." Christian parents have quit listening to what Moses said when he called them to train up and teach the children. The children are being rapidly lost to the humanist philosophy of our time.
The Christians might not get it but the humanists sure do. Humanist Charles Potter said in 1930: "Education is thus a most powerful ally of humanism, and every public school is a school of humanism. What can theistic Sunday school, meeting for an hour once a week, and teaching only a fraction of the children, do to stem the tide of a five day program of humanistic teaching?"
Or consider humanist Paul Blanchard "Our schools may not teach Johnny to read properly, but the fact that Johnny is in school until he is 16 tends toward the elimination of religious superstition."
I appeal to the 85% of Christian families that are in effect sending their children off to humanistic seminaries each day to reconsider what the Bible teaches about training our children. Read Deuteronomy 6 and Ephesians 6:4 for starters. Listen to this lesson on training our children at http://www.paradoxmountain.com/media/29Howtodiscipline1.mp3
Your children's future depends on it. Learn what God's Word says. Be obedient to it. Pass it on to your children.
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