Morning Musings with the boys at breakfast...
The apostle Paul continues to be concerned about 'his children' as we read in 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 and 3:1-13. He wanted then to continue to endure through all the persecution they were going through. He prayed that they would endure and not be tempted to turn aside, away from following Jesus, due to their very dangerous times they were living in. He was encouraged therefore that when he had sent Timothy to see them on his and Silas' behalf, Timothy found them "standing firm in the Lord". They rejoiced and thanked God for their "enduring" the onslaughts.
Despite this, Paul does give them an exhortation (vs13) to be blameless and holy in God the Father's presence; praying they're endurance would endure til the Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.
I pray this for you, too, my sons. I ask our heavenly Father, God, that your faith in Jesus Christ and God the Father will endure til Jesus calls us to be with Him in Heaven. I ask...
1. That you will not have to endure much persecution
2. That you will not be lured by the world nor
3. The pleasures of sin nor
4. Give in to peer pressure due to wanting to "fit in" so diluting your faith and/or turning away from following after Jesus and His will and ways for your life. I ask that the Holy Spirit and God's Word will ever hold you all true and steady for your, Father, God.
5. True and steady through thick and thin; through those trials and tribulations; that they will steer a firm course toward God so that you too will be blameless and holy and steadfast from now til Jesus comes. That you will live in the fear of God.
6. May you, my sons, store up treasures in Heaven for God. Let your love for Jesus radiate out to others and so bring "many sons to glory" through your acts of love and mercy. May many turn to Christ and salvation through Jesus because of you; because of your "fitness to be used" by God.
All of these, I hope and pray that anyone reading this will also be kept "fit for the Master's use" and serve Him with your whole heart, soul, strength and mind. Endure, endure, endure. May one and all "stand firm in the Lord".
I ask all of the above in Jesus's Name.
"May your anchor hold in the storms of life..." as the song by Priscilla Jane Owns goes. Anchor your soul in Jesus.
~ERC 2016~
Morning Musings with the boys at breakfast...
Both letters to the Thessalonians were written not only by Paul but by Silas and Timothy as well.
This could establish that criteria of "let every word be established by two or three witnesses" seen in old Old Testament law (Deuteronomy 19:15-21) and that also found its way into honorable mention in the New Testament, by Jesus Himself (Matthew 18:16). Paul also quotes it in 2 Corinthians 13:1. So you will see in most of Paul's epistles that he is not the sole writer/sender and if not, then he claims Jesus as his authority for so writing.
Paul was a good mentor and role model for these young men in their training of righteousness and devotion and service to God. They often had traveled with Paul on his journeyings and had benefited greatly from hearing all his preaching and teaching along the way; definitely hands-on experience.
In this first epistle written to the Thessalonians we see that Paul commends them for their work that came from their faith; for their labor which was out of love and for their endurance produced by their hope in Jesus Christ. They had learned well from Paul and his example in spite of the great suffering they were having to endure. It was a pleasure for him to see their work and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. They had become a model even for others to emulate...whose faith we too can follow.
It would be good for us too, to be like this: grow in our spiritual life and relationship with God the Father; serving Him as a direct result of that growth, realizing His love and care for us; and serving Him by faith, love and hope with endurance.
The Thessalonians had turned from idols to serve the living and true God. We know in ourselves what are our real priorities: what/whom we actually serve. When we search our hearts and minds, inviting even God to search with us, we can be open and honest with Him and so repent and confess to God Who is ever willing and waiting to forgive in the name of Jesus Christ.
Then that 'hope' we expect--Jesus' return for us to rescue us from coming wrath; to be with Him forever. This is a wonderful goal on which to focus. But we must wait (1 Thess 1:10) for this thus the endurance and patience needed.
As we wait and hope and trust, let us learn from others' good examples of following Christ and of their faith in Him. We, in turn, can then be role models for our peers and for the next generation; taking up that baton, as Paul did, mentoring and training others in God's will and ways and service, til Jesus comes.
~ERC 2016~
Morning Musings with the boys at breakfast...
Read the book of Colossians.
Endurance and steadfastness are needed for the storms and earthquakes that come into our lives. Maybe life is pretty good for you at present but these things will come. Knowing they will come is a help but when they do come they can still be devastating. For instance, the sickness and/or death of a child or even of a good friend. How will you react? Cling onto Jesus firmly, especially His Word and ever more closely in your relationship with Him.
Grow in the Christian life in relationship with God in persistent priority.
Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts...be thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly...give thanks unto Him.
Christ dwells in us through the Holy Spirit of God. Let Him help you understand God's Word as you read it and obey it. These Words and the Holy Spirit can and will give you the strength needed to weather those storms of life; those trials and tribulations that will come. Let Him be your help, guide and anchor. Anchor your soul in Jesus.
When teaching the Word of God, the teacher must let God's Word dwell in him or her first and allow His Word sustained dwelling. Don't just read but memorize and meditate upon it.
Over all, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior. This will help you endure for the long run of life.
~ERC 2016~
Morning Musings with the boys at breakfast...
Read Philippians 3:12-21 and Philippians 4
Paul realizes he's not complete, not perfect yet, but he is pressing on to attain that maturity all of us followers of Jesus Christ can have in Him. That maturity meaning, for us to become more like Jesus. This is the purpose for which Christ "took hold" of us.
This is the encouragement, the admonishment Paul urges on the Philippians as well. Even if we think differently on some points than the next brother or sister, God will eventually make all clear to us in our own minds if we have willing hearts. They and we, despite the differences, are called on to continue to press on to live up to what we have already attained in our maturity markers.
Come aside a bit and join Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey the time they took the younger chap named John Mark. John Mark, as it turned out, wasn't quite ready for that. His maturity wasn't quite there. You can read about this in the book of Acts and then on the next journey Paul didn't want to take him along. (Acts 15:36-38). However much later, in another letter, Paul makes kindly mention of John Mark, that he was useful. So he'd had time to mature. Whatever the issue, John Mark overcame, pressed on, and matured into usefulness for the sake of the gospel; that message of Jesus. (Colossians 4:10)
Hold fast to the point of maturity we have reached without digressing. Then move along in our growth. As we know more of Christ and obey His word we slowly but surely transform to be more like Jesus and for His glory. Our goal, and focus, being that maturity and to see our Lord Jesus Christ face to face in Heaven where our true 'in-Christ' citizenship resides.
Paul elaborates further on maturing and standing firm in Christ. Stand firm by living up to what one has already attained in maturity and perfection in Christ. We press on by continuing that process, that sanctification transformation of being ever more "like Christ"--aiming for that holiness and blamelessness--to be holy as He, our God and Father, is holy. Doing all this with joy and rejoicing; "rejoice in the Lord always".
We stand firm by: rejoicing in the Lord always; by prayer; speaking to God, communing with God in prayer and by petition and with thanksgiving. In so doing the peace of God will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Our thoughts, as they dwell on the noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy things and put them into practice, will, again, stay our hearts and minds and give courage to stand firm in the face of trials, tribulations and persecutions with the joy and peace of God on our hearts and faces. I thank God for all His wonderful blessings we have in His Son Jesus Christ.
May you all stand firm and press on....
~ERC 2016~
Morning Musings with the boys at breakfast...
All those certificates, all those trophies of top merit, Paul considered loss and rubbish in comparison with what he had in Christ. (Philippians 3:1-11) Paul had a magnificent pedigree, so to speak, but he preferred to focus on
"the faith and righteousness he had in Christ and through Christ; to know Christ and the power of His resurrection; fellowship in sharing in His sufferings."
Paul was in prison when he was writing these words. He told the Philippians to "rejoice in the Lord". That was his, and to be their, focus over and above and despite the sufferings.
This can tell us, too, to put no confidence in our achievements and merits but in Jesus Christ, first and foremost. Paul actually had reasons to boast, his being an exemplary Hebrew, zealous in all their laws. He had an impeccable education; but he considered all as rubbish. The benefits and accolades he'd earned from fellow men must have been, and could have continued to be, prestigious. No doubt his education did help him in his Christian life to get a grasp of the "new testament" and what impact of life in Jesus Christ brought so that he could then be that "apostle born out of time" to preach and teach and write as he did.
Our accumulated upbringing: all we've learned, experienced and accomplished over the years is that molding and forming to be that person whom God wants us to be. To be able to use our life to praise God and extend His love, grace and forgiveness to others in our own God-given unique way. Use what we know. Use what we have. Use for His glory and honor even in face of trials brought upon us by others. Overall, rejoice and ponder on what Jesus Christ has done for you as Paul did. Otherwise consider it all rubbish. To God be the glory.
~ERC 2016~
Morning Musings with the boys at breakfast...
In conjunction with reading Philippians 2:12-18, here are some of my thoughts.
All the efforts of our teachers (those who teach/taught us God's Word): parents, Sunday School teachers, Youth Fellowship leaders, brothers-in-Christ in the pulpit, sisters at morning coffee--let them not be in vain. They work hard for Jesus. Learn from them and obey God's Word; let it and the Holy Spirit lead and guide your life as you continue from whatever age you are at presently, until the day God calls you Home to be with Him.
Continue to be "perfected"; sanctified and useful for God's service too. Grow to be ever more a "blameless and pure child of God". In so doing you'll give joy to all your spiritual teachers and most importantly, glory to God our Father, Himself.
For example, I'm thankful for all those who taught me God's Word along the years of my life. One must start with naming my parents. All those years and years of faithful teaching from God's Word, and obeying it themselves. I may not have appreciated it all back then but I sure do now and I'm very grateful and thankful for them.
Then a Mrs. Gorgas, who is with the Lord but who remained faithful to Him into her old age, was my very first Sunday School teacher ever. I remember her kindness and she gave me my first New Testament which I still have to this day. She not only taught God's Word but she lived it.
Another notable Sunday School teacher, was Miss Nickerson, who has also gone to her reward "with Christ". These two really made things interesting and fun, yet also made you think and be convicted.
A Mr. N. Berry and all the many speakers and preachers that came yearly to the Gospel Tent I went to every summer of my early life all gave so much input. There was a Mr. Kaiser who once set things on fire; blackened my face with soot in front of everyone (can't exactly recall the message in that object lesson he was making and in which it took me years to forgive him); and who once gave me a fireman's hat as a birthday present (something I also still have), all faithfully allowed the Lord to use them for telling forth the message of Jesus. All were good examples to me throughout the years of my life and most of them remained faithful to the Lord until He took them Home to Heaven to be with Him. (Some are still with us on earth at this writing and still following in Jesus' steps.)
Others, a Mr. J. Burke and a Mr. J. Dods....God's very faithful servants doing His bidding. I praise and thank the Lord for them all. They shine like stars...may I too ever be found to follow their examples of faith and service and continue to be willing to act according to God's good purpose. All glory be to God.
Two examples from Scripture, in Philippians 2:19-29, are Timothy and Epaphroditus . These two faithfully and sacrificially taught and served others with genuine interest even in the face of personal risk. John 13:34, 35 shows that we are to love one another even as Jesus did. These two brothers certainly followed Jesus' example proving that they were definitely Jesus' disciples. Praise the Lord for them!
~ERC 2016~
Morning Musings with the boys at breakfast...
Read Philippians 2:1-11
Previous verses to these talk about having courage and of being "in one spirit, contending as one man" to stand firm in their faith despite the persecution they were enduring. With this unity in Christ, (2:1-4), Paul asks if any of them are encouraged by this and if they have tenderness and compassion. Paul continues on to ask them to give him further joy by not being selfish, instead, to consider others better than themselves, and, besides their own interests, to look out for the interests of others.
To what degree should they do this? Verses 5-8 give the ultimate standard; the example of Jesus Christ Himself. The attitude that Jesus took was that of a servant: humble, lowly, obedient even in the direst situation--death on the cross. Persecution was no excuse to run fearfully away to hide. It was opportunity to stand firm courageously, together in unity, and to look out for each other. This was their chance to confess Jesus as Lord and to confess His name on their tongue so as to give God their Heavenly Father the glory due to His Name.
Naturally this doesn't sound like an easy thing for us. Neither was it for them. How would we act in a similar situation? Not sure, but I hope I would stand firm, together with other brothers and sisters in Christ, by God's grace. Amen!
~ERC 2016~
This posting has been adapted from a talk given to primary/elementary school-aged children.
Every country has their own flag, national flower, national anthem and more. Each country has people who act and behave somewhat differently compared to those in the next country. They have their respective languages, for the most part; foods, traditional clothing, and again, etc; different strokes for different folks.
When a student represents his or her school in badminton or basketball or in any other way, they will behave according to their school rules when they go to competitions elsewhere. They have their own school badge and/or uniform. So they must look and act in a certain way to show the pride and dignity of that particular school and not do anything to bring disrepute to their school.
This is a similar idea per country.
So now I ask, how does this relate to Christians? Where do they come from?
Simple answer. They come from Jesus Christ. They belong to Him and God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the acceptance of the salvation He offers to each and every human being.
Where does Jesus live now?
Heaven.
Does Heaven have any flags?
Yes.
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are a "flag" for Jesus.
A follower of Jesus Christ is called a Christian. A Christian has many little 'flags' they must acquire and together transform into a very big flag for Jesus.
How can that be?
Christians come from so many different countries around the world. Just as the various people in different countries act/speak/dress accordingly, a person who is a Christian, should also be characterized by Heaven's culture. We should all look alike! What do you think of that?! Each and every Christian should look alike.
By what should we be characterized? For starters, we should all be characterized by the fruit of the Holy Spirit; when we are, as individuals, we are a 'flag' for Jesus. Collectively, when each Christian is characterized thus, then, wow, we can be a united force for Christ, and wave our 'flag' for Him. That would be known as being 'one in Christ'.
There's a song that goes something like: "We are one in the bond of love...we join our spirit with the Spirit of God...we are one in the bond of love". This brings me to the first 'flag' of the fruit of the Spirit I want to talk about and that should be a distinguishing mark of a Christian. That is the 'flag' of God's LOVE.
When we exercise His love through the Holy Spirit's enabling, we will be able to pray for: help to forgive another who mistreats us; we will be able to befriend people no matter what they look like or where they are from. With God's love we will be able to go the extra mile for someone in need. When we do for others out of love for God what others may not do, we show the love of God; especially when we do it for our brothers and sisters-in-Christ. By this all men will know that we are Jesus' disciples (John 13:34, 35)
God's JOY. Joy on our faces...not a sour face. Joy not from getting a new gadget or toy but because we have Jesus in our hearts. Exams or other troubles might give us stress and worry but we can pray and leave these things in God's hands, asking Him to take away the worry. Focus on Jesus and let the joy of Jesus still be on our countenances.
Is joy the flag flown high from the castle of your heart? Through God's Holy Spirit it can be.
God's PEACE. Don't pick fights. Do turn the other cheek. When bad things happen to us, pray and tell Jesus. Ask for His peace in our hearts. When we have the peace of God then the joy of God will glow on our faces and in our lives as well.
If a student has studied well for an examination or a test, and then he or she asks God for help in writing it, the peace of God can fill his or her heart. He or she can sing, "I've got peace like a river in my soul..."
God's PATIENCE. Jesus has been very patient with people...He's waited all these many years, about 2016 (the year I'm typing this), for people to become His followers. He waits sooooooo long because He doesn't want anyone to go to hell. He is coming soon though so we need to tell people about Jesus and all this fruit of the Holy Spirit they can have too.
If Jesus can be patient for sooooooo long, then we, His followers, should learn to be more patient too. After all, we are supposed to follow His example.
God's KINDNESS. Jesus was very kind to children, in fact He said,
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them..." (Mark 10:14)
What can we do to be kind to others?
If a classmate looks sad...say a kind word; give them a sweet or a hug if they'll let ya. Try to find out why they're sad but don't make a pest for yourself. If you see that a person regularly doesn't have lunch at school or in the office and it's not because they are on a diet, maybe you could share yours?
There will be times when other children or adults won't be kind to you. Try to find ways to be kind to them anyway. This can show the others you belong to Jesus. They might ask, "Why are you being so kind to me? I'm not kind to you." You can reply, "Because I belong to Jesus. I love Him and want to make Him happy." This will be showing your "kindness flag".
Proverbs 16:24 says,
"KIND WORDS are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."
God's GOODNESS. The goodness flag is almost like the kindness flag...we can do good deeds for others but also must behave ourselves well.
There are people who are very poor and so we can help them in many ways. Giving of food, clothing, shelter and telling the message of Jesus. Maybe can give free glasses or hair shampoo. Be alert and aware of peoples' needs and try to provide for them when they are truly in need.
Jesus wants us to do good to all people in His Name. That is showing your "goodness flag" and obedience to Him. Giving our tithes and offerings on Sundays can also be used to help others.
We can be kind and good to greet newcomers into our fellowship groups. To go out of our comfort zones to be a welcoming friend.
God's FAITHFULNESS. Keep following Jesus no matter what from young til old age. Don't give up worshiping and serving God. When you make a promise to someone you must be sure to keep that promise. Coming to church and/or Sunday school every week is being faithful.
If your parents or a boss ask you to do a job at home or in the office, you must do it and do it and do it until the job is done. That is being faithful.
There are a number of examples of people who have been faithful for God. One is my very good friend named Hope. She was a nurse who served God for many years in SEA. She later became a linguist and translated God's Word into one of the tribal languages of SEA. That took years and years and years.
It was a big, long process of having to learn the language of those people. Their legends and culture and traditions. Their idioms and all those things. That took ages, years, to master. Then the actual task of translating could begin. Many of the people had to be consulted and then language consultants and my oh my, it was slow but sure work and after about 20 years, practically a lifetime, then a finished result.
There were many difficulties throughout all those years but she held in there out of her love for God and for the people. In all this my friend cultivated God's faithfulness in her life. She was a beautiful person. She is with God now and I sincerely believe He said to her upon her arrival in Heaven, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
There have been other such people who stuck it out for God such as Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael and Lottie Moon among others. Many missionaries are away from their family, friends, and culture for years and years and years. Sunday school teachers, too...some for many years from the time before they were married and had children until the time their children have grown up and moved away from home and yet they continue on for Jesus. This is great faithfulness. Will this also characterize you, my fellow believer?
What can you do now? Look around and see. Write to a missionary to encourage them to remain faithful to the Lord. You can pray for them every day. You can pray and ask God if He wants YOU to go out as a missionary or preacher or Sunday school teacher, or whatever, in service to Him. Start by being faithful at home, in school, at work, with your parents, with your family and with your church family.
God's GENTLENESS. Learn to speak softly. Learn to act softly even with people who aren't. Give soft answers to people who speak loudly and angrily to you.
Proverbs 15:1 states,
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Question.
If you are at school and you accidentally knock your classmate's water bottle off his desk and the water spills all over the floor and he shouts at you, "You stupid, clumsy fellow, why did you do that?!?" What should you answer? "Oh shut up?!" And then knock his stack of books off onto the floor into the puddle of spilled water? OR "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that. Here, let me help you clean it up." Of course the second one would be the best answer and action. That would show God's gentleness.
Linked to that would also be....
God's SELF-CONTROL. Gotten, of course, through the Holy Spirit's convicting and help.
Keep yourself from getting angry. Don't hit/hurt. Don't say unkind words. Pray. "God I feel angry. Please help me NOT to sin, not to hit back or shout." "Help me not to take that excessive amount of food even though I'm hungry and looooooooooooove to eat, and could eat." "Help me not to be greedy for $$ but to use $$ wisely. To not let it master me...." We have God's Holy Spirit, one of the characteristics of His fruit is self-control. Exercise it with His help.
So all these nine flags...this is what we Christians should 'look' like. All followers of Jesus Christ have these 'flags' because we have the Holy Spirit in us. We each have the responsibility to exercise these in our lives; to be strong and stable in them. The more we use them the more they will be evident in us and radiate out to others. Jesus died and rose again and went back to Heaven. He sent the Holy Spirit to live in the followers of Jesus. He helps us to be more like Jesus.
Remembering these 'flags' will help to build your life and God's church by bringing others to Jesus. If you are good, kind, and gentle to others they may want to belong to Jesus too; that builds the Church and helps keep the unity of the Spirit.
Tell friends and other family members about these 'flags'; they can have them too.
Jesus is a friend to all, the big ones and the small, so goes a song. We need to build our life on Jesus Christ and the Word of God, the Bible. Let us bring dignity to us as people of God and glory to God Himself. Make a good report. Start today. Wave your true 'flag' colors.
~ERC 2016~
Some time ago I read straight through a block of the New Testament from Romans 1 to Titus 3. It took about one week of intense daily reading. Phew!
Reading like that was really great as it gave me a great overall view. Only reading a bit here and there in spurts you lose context, so the systematic reading was good. My enthusiasm was maintained as I was searching for specific answers to a particular topic.
However when reading like that one finds many other gems as well. So you see this is all beneficial, not just knowledge-wise, but it can reset your mind and set you thinking about those gems, and of greater import, can help build up your relationship with God, your Heavenly Father.
How do we get to know Him better-to have that closer, intimate bond with God? By reading, reading, reading His words. Understanding His Words. Knowing them well. Knowledge of His Words.
Knowledge puffs up (oh yes, can make us proud). That, in turn, can then become ritual and legal. Instead of walking by the Spirit; we can become "lawyers"--making sure we and everyone else "follow the rules".
So it's not just a matter of knowing God's Word so well we can play Bible Quizzes and come out the champions. NO! It is so the Holy Spirit can then use God's Word in our lives; to build our character and to commune with God. God's Word speaks to us. We speak to God in prayer.
To commune with God implies intimate relationship with a very good friend. In the Garden of Eden, God came down to commune with Adam and Eve. God also communed with Abraham...a special relationship. We can have that too. Be careful though, sin can disturb that but we can confess, repent and renounce our sins and get God's forgiveness and purification (1 John 1:9).
Growing up, I knew my Bible very well, and so did most of the brothers and sisters-in-Christ in the fellowship my family attended. We tended to become self-righteous and unbearably critical of each other. Are you following the rules? That's why I said, "knowledge puffs up".
So, I do encourage all of us to yes, KNOW the Scriptures but as 2 Timothy 3:16 says, know what the Scriptures are useful for. They are useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (starting on ourselves first). This is so the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work that God has for him to do.
This ties in with a sermon we heard not so long ago about the Water Gate (one of the 12 Jerusalem city gates) which symbolized, we were told, God's Word. When we know God's Word well, we have sound doctrine (let's hope).
Examine yourselves against God's Word in His presence. This can be a real time of Holy Communion with God: just you and HIM.
So I'd like to emphasize the relationship with our Father, God. Seek time to commune with Him NOT in ritualistic, obligatory "thou shalt; thou must do so" ways but because you actually want to; you are eager to; you are hungry for God.
That hunger and eagerness, for example, in the same way some people get excited over watching the World Cup &/or Commonwealth games, getting up before the crack of dawn to watch (in SEA)! That is what we can pray for: for that appetite; desire to want God's Word and to want God, Himself in our world. Time to spend communing with Him. Having a relationship with Him.
Now is the time.
When we know God's Word and spend that time communing with Him we will pray according to His will. (1 John 5:14-15). More of our prayers will be answered in the way we want, because it is what He wants.
Eg. Our children know us quite well after a while. They will know what requests will be answered the way they wish and which will not. So too when we know God and His will well from knowing His Word well and having spent time communing with Him, our requests will be given as we have asked in Jesus' name.
When we are well-versed in Scripture, when we are on a "communing" level relationship with our Father, God, we will be better able to "correctly handle the Word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). That is, to be able to use God's Word rightly and to avoid senseless and useless talk; to avoid controversies and the asking of questions that a person who knows God's Word well, would not ask.
Being mature in the faith with knowledge and understanding of God and His Word we will be more able to detect false teachers and their teachings. When we know the truth it will set us free.
(Note: These are some of the points I came up with while doing all that reading. Imagine what you could do!)
When we know God's Word well and have that intimate relationship with Him, people will know and perhaps even seek God themselves because of it. But of greater importance, is so we can pass this faith on to the next generation be it to our own children, grandchildren &/or to others.
Eg. David in the Psalms...he is a great example of a mighty man of God who knew God and was intimate with Him. He even pleaded with God in Psalm 71:18 to give him time, to NOT let him die before he could pass on to the next generation about God's power, righteousness and marvelous deeds He was doing in his life (Psalm 71:17). All those that God Himself had taught him since his youth.
Don't be empty-handed. Give to your children and grandchildren what you have learned...not from empty ritual but from that intimate relationship of knowing God first hand and experiencing His goodness of doing life together.
May each of you be encouraged to have that daily time of communing with God through Jesus. To walk closely with Him. Let it be relationship, not ritual.
****************************************************************************
Genesis 3:8--God "walking in the cool of the day" in the Garden of Eden
Genesis 18:33--God communing with Abraham
Psalm 4:4 and 77:6--commune with your own heart with God whether you have sin or not
KJV uses the word "commune" while the NIV uses the word "discussion"
Negative 'communes'--Judas with Jewish leaders on how to betray Jesus
~ERC 2016~
Morning Musings with the boys at breakfast...
Paul has fallen on hard times, so he has. He's been rounded up and put into prison for preaching the message of Jesus. He's not going to let that get him down though. He talks about 'joy'! If you look at Philippians 1:1-11 you'll see he talks about praying but that is understandable. When he talks about 'joy' when he's in prison conditions of those times; man, now, that's got to be by God's grace!
He certainly had lots of time to pray. And he prays with joy. Why? Just thinking of the Philippians brought Paul joy. Their partnering with him in the gospel right from the first day up until the time he was in prison and writing about it showed their spiritual maturity and as a father observing his children and seeing them grow and take responsibility, and even wishing to 'help their father' would have been strong encouragement to Paul. No wonder he felt joyful.
Joy came to Paul because he believed that God would complete the good work of sanctification, that "perfecting" for the Philippians' faith in them all the way until Jesus would come for them. Paul got joy just realizing that the Philippians had him in their hearts. What good fellowship and concern for one another they must have shared.
Despite his circumstances, Paul fixed his heart and mind on positive things and was thankful and full of joy. He had a prayer for them. He wanted to bless them and give them, what we might call nowadays, "his last will and testament"; the best he could think of. He wanted their love to abound in: knowledge and in depth of insight. This so they could discern what was best, pure and blameless. He also wanted them to be filled with the "fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ."
All this is part of Christian living and good for us to also increase in measure of these things too. However the point is that Paul, instead of fixating on his circumstances, thought very unselfishly of his 'children', the Philippians and their good. This is a good example for us to follow too; this is a secret to his joyful, positive outlook.
Another aspect that brought great joy to Paul was that despite his "chains" (imprisonment for Christ), "most of those brothers had been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly! "How good is the God we adore" who was so faithful to them all back then. He is still the same today. Praise His holy Name.
I would have expected the opposite emotion...fear and afraid to speak out the name of Jesus and to tell of His love. Paul's focus was not on himself but on God and others. He was a good example to the Philippian believers and they too caught the joyful attitude inspite of their difficulties spawning from the persecutions of those who believed in Jesus Christ.
Paul had another thing he was joyful about which we see in Philippians 1:12-30. He rejoiced that Christ was preached by others. Even though he was imprisoned others took up the baton. How glad of heart he must have been. Yes, even in this he could have looked at the negative side of things as there were some who were doing this preaching out of wrong motives yet still he rejoiced that the gospel was preached. He said, "Yes, and I will continue to rejoice." Adding on to that was due to the Philippians' prayers for him and the help the Holy Spirit of Jesus was giving him. He did not despair.
We too have these avenues of encouragement available to us, and can and should be for others too in their times of trial. How do we help especially those under dire circumstances of persecution? Do you even dare to help? In what ways can you think of to give them joy in Christ?
Most questions to pose: Would we have that sufficient courage and fearlessness to stand firm in Christ? To hold onto our belief as we suffer on behalf of Christ? We likely never really know the answers to these questions until such a time comes. I pray that each of you, my sons, and one and all of my brothers and sisters in Christ, would be able to overcome the fear of persecution; that you will be able to retain your joy of the Lord in such situations.
Both Paul and the Philippians faced persecution, hardship, and death for their faith in Jesus Christ but together they "stood firm in one spirit and as one man". For the faith of the gospel, they could, and did indeed have, that "sufficient courage," empowered by the Holy Spirit and their unity in Christ Jesus.
May we too have such a positive outlook and choose joy; the joy of the Lord being our strength.
~ERC 2016~
Why must it be the Dad's?
As we search the Scriptures it can be seen that the ultimate responsibility is for the Dad of the family to take up the challenge to gather his family around him and talk with their Heavenly Father; to teach and instruct his family in the Word of God; to be the 'priest' of the family, the spiritual leader. It's an awesome responsibility and many fulfill it. This blog is written to encourage those who have not yet established this most meaningful and essential daily practice in the life of their family.
Let's look at Deuteronomy 6:1-12. This portion doesn't mention fathers per se, but God most always spoke to the male leaders of the people of Israel. In New Testament times, as well, the men have the biggest responsibilities in the spiritual leadership arena. More about that later. Here the people were entreated to "have God's law upon their hearts", first, I might add, and then to "impress them upon their children". Talking about them constantly, every chance they got.
Psalm 78:1-4 but especially verses 3 and 4 specifically name the fathers and the duty to pass on to their children and to the next generations, about God and His ways. This is of very great import!
We can even see from ancient Chinese history that they too valued the wisdom of the ages and took things very seriously and accurately as possible to ensure that the whole was passed on without loss of integrity of the imparting of said wisdom.
If you could go all the way back to the Tower of Babel in ancient world history, we see, according to the Bible, the account of how God confused the languages of the people. Then, from a book called God and the Ancient Chinese by authors Samuel Wang and Ethel R. Nelson, we see that the Chinese speaking group moved to the "land of Sinim" (the Middle Kingdom or China) led by two guys by the names of Yao and Shun.
We can see encapsulated in many Chinese characters, stories from the Bible. I'm no expert in this at all but have learned that an old Chinese character includes the word 'vessel' or 'large boat' tells the story of the flood, or at least that eight 'mouths' were involved.
Later, to continue the God and the Ancient Chinese story, a man name Tang took over the guidance of the Chinese in the land of Sinim. Next in line were the Duke of Zhou, Fu Tzu (otherwise known as Confucius) and Mencius. Confucius was likely the wisest man who ever lived in China and perhaps second in line to our Old Testament Bible character King Solomon. Confucius got Mencius to write down all the stories and wisdom of the years. He was to do so meticulously so as to preserve exactness and to not insert his own applications thereof. Meticulous Mencius.
This was all human wisdom so conscientiously recorded so that their future generations would know. What more the actual Word of God to be revered in our hearts and lives enough to be passionately passed on to our children and grandchildren with integrity till our last breath. Fathers, the task lies with you. Will you rise up to the challenge?
My personal testimony attests to this being the case with my parents. They were (and still are at this writing) very devout Christians. Therefore the home I grew up in was devoutly Christian. My Dad took his role of spiritual leadership in the home very seriously and we would have not one, but two, daily devotion times per every single day of my life at home!
We'd all rise and shine (maybe not too shiny) extra early in the morning, have breakfast, clear away the dishes, all get out our respective Bible (all six of us plus Dad and Mom) and we'd read one full chapter. Morning was the Old Testament and evening we'd repeat the process only then it was a chapter from the New Testament. We read straight through from Genesis to Malachi and from Matthew clear through to Revelation. No skipping 1st and 2nd Chronicles which was packed full of difficult to pronounce names. Every Word of God was important to my parents. After the chapter reading my Dad would make comments and we would say a memory verse for the week. All this before we could run off to catch the school bus in the morning or do our homework in the evening.
When my Dad was away on mission trips my Mom would take over. They showed by this example what was important to them and therefore important to life in general.
Of course, we were normal children, at the time we didn't appreciate all this much. However, looking back now, I'm so grateful for all that Bible learning. On top of all that we were expected to read a chapter of our choosing every day for ourselves.
As parents now, my husband and myself make sure God's Word gets into our children. Yes, two times a day but not as intensely as how my parents conducted family devotions. Each family will have their own special way of doing so. The point is to have one.
I figure, we as parents make sure our children have physical food three or more times a day maybe even with a snack or two thrown in for good measure, so, as Christians who love God and His Word, why would you NOT 'feed' your children the spiritual food that is so needed for them to know about God and how to have that all important relationship with Him?
We spend time buying groceries, preparing food, cooking food all so our children have good nutrition and hopefully good physical health and growth.
Bring that to the spiritual food idea. Yes, it too takes, time, effort and energy to go digging into God's Word to get some "meat" and then 'feed' it to our children.
Again, as parents we all make sure our children are educated academically; we send them to tutors; we give them music and swimming lessons, and etc. Please do not neglect that which counts for eternity in the souls of your children.
I don't say all this to embarrass or condemn you as you read this. NO, my wish and prayer are that you be challenged and encouraged to take up this task in your respective family if you haven't already.
If you are doing this on a daily basis--Praise the Lord!
If not, there's a saying that says, "Better late than never." Don't feel guilty, just feel convicted. We can repent of not having done so and then take up serving your children and wife in this way. If you have teenagers already, don't despair, use the time you do have left before your son or daughter leaves home. Redeem the time.
Whether you've grown up in a Christian home or whether you are a first generation Christian, this call is given especially to fathers! You can still do it! Find a way that works best for you.
Mothers, or aunts, you can get in on the action too. Remember Leah and Eunice in the New Testament? They were Timothy's grandmother and mother, respectively. You can read about them in 2 Timothy 1:3-9. The two taught Timothy from young and he knew the Scriptures well. Eventually, the apostle Paul took over in later years.
The father figure, figures highly in the spiritual upbringing of a child. Father involvement is actually a command. Look at Ephesians 6:4,
"Fathers, do not exasperate your children, instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
If you do not do the second part of that verse, it seems a father then exasperates his children.
If you still have young ones at home don't worry. Here's some recommendations for starters. The Bible for Little Eyes by Kenneth N. Taylor is fabulous. On one side of the opened book is a very nice picture and the other side has a short couple of paragraphs entailing the story the picture depicts. There are then two or three questions you can pose to your children.
There are little activity type books with stickers to arrange in proper sequence or to scribble with pencil on to bring out a picture. Then there is the story of Ruth or of Jesus turning water into wine. These may be a bit costly however.
For reading straight from the Bible, why not start out with a Psalm or Proverb in your own private reading. Read and see what the Holy Spirit teaches you. Let that be what, in turn, you share with your older children or adapt it for your younger ones. Let it be from your heart and by the Holy Spirit. Short, sweet and simple.
The Proverbs are really easy to get stuff from. Read through one month and pick out all the contrasts between the righteous versus the wicked; then another month to find them between the fool and the wise and see what characterizes each; or read through another time and month and discover lots about $$ matters.
Or the stories in the gospel of Mark or Luke and see what Jesus' character is like: kind, gentle, meek, just.
When we spend time in God's Word and share it with our children they will see it's importance to you and in turn hopefully spur them to dig into God's Word for themselves too.
You will discover that you do not need a PHD in theology to study and share God's Word. Each parent and youth or younger child who knows Jesus Christ as Savior has the Holy Spirit within them and when we quiet ourselves without hand phone, computer, TV or work issues, we can and will hear the Holy Spirit speaking with us, personally.
It may seem a really strange habit to introduce into your daily routine at first. It takes about thirty to forty days to develop a new habit and get it somewhat established so do persevere. Discipline is a key to this.
The Holy Spirit + God's Word + a Willing Heart is needed. People make time for what they really want to do.
Here's a whats-app message I got some time ago which reads,
"The route to success begins with one step out of our comfort zone with small beginnings with faith to trust God as we are in His hands."
There are of course, a plethora of study guides available for all ages, have a look in your nearest Bible book store. However, the best book to read is the B-I-B-L-E. Do engage in daily Bible devotions with your wife and children. And may God bless you all with the reading of His Word.
~ERC 2016~
