Our Daily Choice

All of us who are believers can look back to a specific time in our life when we made the choice to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. But being a follower of Christ is a daily decision. Joshua told the children of Israel, “Choose you this day whom you will serve . . .” (Joshua 24:15).

Every day when I wake up, I have a choice to make: Will I live for God, or will I live for myself? Our natural tendencies would lead us to live selfish lives, doing what pleases our flesh. There are many distractions—so many ways our enemy uses to pull us away from doing what is right. Choosing to please the Lord in our daily walk takes a conscious decision. And it is only when we choose to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit that we are able to please our Father.

Because we live such busy lives, it is easy to get up each morning and “hit the ground running,” without taking the time to fellowship with the Lord and get His direction for the day.

How much better our days are when we take a few moments to consciously decide, “Today, I will follow Jesus.” Joshua said it best, “. . . as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15).

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And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

A Heart for the Outcast

This post is written by my brother David.

I was talking with a teen from church one day during this past school year. He was telling me of recent events for him at school and how he gets picked on a lot for his medical disabilities and some of his learning issues. Through a course of events he ended up in ISS (in school suspension).

He told me of that experience and how he really did not like being inside the closed-in cubicle all day. However, he also said, “…but you know what…I kinda liked it…..no one picked on me today.”

I get tears in my eyes every time I think about how miserable that must be. For him to live day by day and actually prefer to sit in a claustrophobic box rather than deal with the outside pressures of such condescending cruelty. A well-known and often-quoted scripture is John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. But do we really in our hearts believe and accept ‘whosoever’? Or do we ourselves look down upon others because of their race, handicaps, social status, family history, past sins, or any other thing that makes us feel we are better than THAT person.

I pray we can all receive the heart of God for the lonely and the destitute around us.

They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, YOU DID NOT DO FOR ME.’  (Matthew 25:44-45 NIV, emphasis added.)

Mother: A Woman of Influence, Part 4

This is the final in my series of articles about mothers becoming women of godly influence.

It burdens my heart that some women seem to think they have found a better way, that without God they can successfully raise their children. Some women have become so “sophisticated,” so haughty because of their blessings that they feel they have need of nothing. But Revelation 3:17 reveals to us that when we think we “have it made” and have everything we need, without God we really have nothing: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked”

We need Him! We need the Lord’s help! And the most important lesson we can teach our children is: They need the Lord! Not that they need a job making a lot of money, not worldly prestige—although these things are fine if they are serving the Lord. But it is most important that they become a success in God’s eyes. It is imperative for them to seek God’s face and learn His will for their lives.  Otherwise they can flounder for years in the wrong profession, or in the wrong way of life, unhappy and confused!

Example of a Mother Who Exercised Godly Influence:  Moses’ mother, Jochebed

In Exodus chapter 2, we find the account of Moses whose mother hid him for three months when Pharoah had said the Hebrew babies were to be killed; then she placed him in a basket at the edge of the river, and he was found by the daughter of Pharoah. 

Even though he was raised by Pharoah’s daughter, Moses’ real mother was given the privilege of nursing him when he was young, possibly until he was five years old, and during that time she was able to instill in Him the importance of loving the Lord and living to please Him.

When he grew up, he chose to live as a Hebrew, rather than a privileged life as Pharoah’s grandson. “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.  (Hebrews 11:24-27)

"Really examine this passage. See all that it reveals. As a result of the few early years of training that Moses had before he was five years old, when he grew up, he…knew who the people of God were --- knew that while sin offers pleasure it only lasts ‘for a season’ --- knew and believed about the coming Messiah (Christ) --- correctly evaluated that heavenly rewards are of greater value than earthly treasures --- knew that the invisible God could protect him from the anger of an all-powerful earthly king --- and had the character to do what was right no matter what it cost him."  —Dr. John Stormer

The early influence of Moses’ mother helped him to make the decision to serve the Lord later in life.  He truly was a success in God’s eyes, and so was his mother! I want to be that kind of success as a mother. The most important thing to me concerning my child is that she lives for the Lord, and that we spend eternity together in His presence.

Mother: A Woman of Influence, Part 3

Continuing with the areas that are important to mothers who want to exercise godly influence:

2. A Mother Needs to Develop an Understanding Heart.

“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (I Kings 3:9)

This scripture is actually a prayer of Solomon after he became king, as he sought direction from the Lord in leading the nation of Israel. But I felt it appropriate to use here, because mothers lead their children, and each of us needs a discerning heart to do so—a heart that can understand spiritual things. That can only come from the Lord. 

When I became a mother, I realized I was in way over my head. I needed (and still need) understanding and discernment from the Lord. Raising a child can be a bewildering experience. We are in a battle for the souls of our children, a spiritual battle. And we need to be able to discern spirits. We need insight about the spiritual enemies our children are facing. Our human feelings and our motherly instincts are not enough against the onslaught of spiritual forces! We need the power of the Spirit! “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zech. 4:6)

3. A Mother Needs to Cultivate Wisdom.

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” (Colossians 1:9) 

We need wisdom from God in dealing with situations in our children’s lives, or giving advice to our adult children. Wisdom is more than knowledge. It is the God-given ability to apply knowledge to a given situation. In other words, it is the ability to use the knowledge we have received to make correct decisions about the future. 

Human wisdom is not enough. We need God’s wisdom. We need to know His will. He knows the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:10), and He can direct us in making correct decisions. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

Father, I pray, give each of us an understanding heart and fill us with wisdom, that we may lead our children in a way that is pleasing to You.

Mother: A Woman of Influence, Part 2

As one draws close to the Lord and endeavors to become a woman of godly influence, there are three important things on which I believe mothers should focus. I will cover the first one in this blog:

1. A Mother Needs to Grow the Fruit of the Spirit

Spending time in worship, prayer and the Word, we grow in our relationship with the Lord and learn to walk in the Spirit. And as we yield to the working of the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit becomes evident in our lives, and we develop a Christ-like character which enables us to raise our children in a godly manner. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)

Let’s take a look at each of the fruit of the Spirit:

Love:  We are to serve one another in love. We have to love our children even when they are unlovable, just as Christ loves us. We don’t just love them when they do everything right!

Joy:  Joy results from healthy, loving relationships. And even when things are going wrong, we can exhibit the joy of the Lord that comes from within. “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Peace:  In the midst of the storms of raising our children, God can give us an inner peace and harmony. And if we exhibit peace, it can change volatile situations. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.” (Prov. 15:1)

Patience:  Patience is the opposite of a short temper. And, oh how we need patience as we raise our children!

Kindness: Children are sometimes treated harshly out in the world; they need a kind word at home.

Goodness:  Do good to the members of your family, treating them well, and having their best interests at heart. 

Faithfulness:  Be committed to God, husband and children. No one else is more important in your life!

Gentleness:  Minister to the needs and hurts of your children. A mother’s caring, gentle touch will soothe a hurting child.

Self-Control:  This is the opposite of self-indulgence, considering your husband’s and children’s needs above your own. 

Father, help me and every mother who reads this to grow the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Help us to be godly women who influence our families for good.

Mother: A Woman of Influence, Part 1

This series of articles is taken from my Mother’s Day sermon.

Mothers exercise influence over their children.  A child will be led to do good or evil according to the teaching and actions of his or her mother.  (Of course, this is also true of fathers.) I realize there are mothers in different situations. Some are still in the process of raising children. Others have children who are grown and are no longer in the home. Some also have grandchildren over whom you have influence. And some women don’t have children. But all of us, in whatever circumstance we are in, exercise influence over others in some capacity. You can be a woman who influences her children in a godly way, whether they are still young or are adults; and even if you don’t have children of your own, you can be a woman of godly influence to others.

I believe there is one all-important thing that a woman can do that will enable her to exercise godly influence, and that is to develop a close relationship with the Lord. We cannot influence our children to do something that we do not do ourselves! They will practice what they see, not what we preach. More than just a once-a-week Sunday morning experience with God—we need an intimate relationship with Him. How does a mother (or anyone) develop that kind of relationship? A time must be set aside each day to be alone with the Lord and worship Him, to hear from Him by reading His Word and listening to the voice of His Spirit. I find morning to be the best time for me, when I am the only one up, before the activities of the day begin. Each day is new—a fresh start. Let God write on your heart each morning before anyone else does.

From a vibrant, alive relationship with the Lord will come the spiritual strength a mother needs to raise children in a godly way or to exercise godly influence that will benefit her adult children. 

In future blogs we will look at three areas that are important as we grow in our relationship with the Lord.

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My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. (Psalm 5:3)

For Such A Time As This

This post is written by my brother, David.  I am so proud of him and his walk with the Lord.

There are many times I sit and ponder the things that have happened in my life….both the good and the bad. I wonder what it all means and why does God allow all this to take place? Why am I blessed in so many ways? Why do I go through all the adversity that I do? 

A scripture comes to mind… ‘and who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.’ Esther 4:14b (NIV). I have to realize that God has a much bigger plan than I, and I am only a small instrument in His plan. The things I go through, good and bad, are all meant to move me to the place God can use me best. 

Moses was son of a pharaoh. He was later a lowly shepherd for his father-in-law. But God used him as an instrument to get the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt. Esther was a Jew who became a queen in Medo-Persia. God used her to spare the Jews living there from deadly prejudice. However, Stephen was simply a local church leader who happened to be stoned to death in front of a man named Saul (later to become Paul). 

I have helped people through adversities before, all the while wondering why God was allowing all of this bad to happen to them—only to find out later that these same people encountered someone else going through similar circumstances which they counseled them through. 

In this life we may never know all that God is working in places we are not even aware. If I go through the challenges and glories of this life, and from these happenings God can bring one sinner to His fold, is it not worth it? We hear God’s heart from His Word… ‘Not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’ II Pet 3:9b

Father in Heaven, help me to see the trials in my life as opportunities for me to grow in You. Help me not to be proud when blessings fall on me, but rather to see the real purpose in Your giving them to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.