2020-11-05
Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV
In his book Why Johnny Can’t Tell Right from Wrong, William Kilpatrick identifies two more child-rearing myths that parents mistakenly fall for: (1) The myth that all moral problems are psychological in nature. In this view, behavioral problems are seen as issues related to self-esteem or unmet psychological needs. The old-fashioned idea that behavioral problems can be the result of “willfulness” on the part of children doesn’t seem to occur to the average child-raising expert. If you look in the index of a typical child-rearing book you will find a great many pages devoted to “self-esteem,” but you’re not likely to find the word “character” very often.
(2) The myth that parents don’t have a right to instill their values in their children. Once again, the standard dogma is that children must create their own values. But children have precious little chance to do that, since the rest of the culture has no qualms about imposing its values on them. Does it make sense for parents to remain neutral bystanders when everyone else from scriptwriters to entertainers, and advertisers to sex educators, insist on selling their values to our children?
When it comes to child-raising, this is what God told His people: “Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Parent, when it comes to instilling spiritual values into your children, ask yourself this: If not you, then who? If not now, then when?
Soul food: 1 John 3:11-5:21; John 8:31-41; Ps 30; Prov 25:13-17
2020-11-04
Deuteronomy 31:13 NIV
In his book, Why Johnny Can’t Tell Right from Wrong, author William Kilpatrick identifies some child-rearing myths that parents buy into: (1) The myth of the “good bad boy.” American literature and films often portray “bad boys” as charming and attractive. Tom Sawyer and Buster Brown are examples from the past; various other lovable brats featured in film and on television are contemporary examples. This strand in the American tradition has such a powerful hold on the imagination that the word “obedience” is very nearly a dirty word.
(2) The myth of natural goodness. This is the idea that virtue will take care of itself if children are just allowed to grow in their own way.
(3) The myth of expert knowledge. In recent decades, parents have deferred to professional authority in the matter of raising children. Unfortunately, the vast majority of child-rearing “experts” subscribe to the myth of natural goodness. So much emphasis has been placed on the unique, creative, and spontaneous nature of children, that parents have come to feel child-rearing means adjusting themselves to their children, rather than having children learn to adjust to the requirements of family life.
Let’s take a moment and observe what God said to the children of Israel about child-rearing: “Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear (reverence and respect) the Lord your God as long as you live.” Note the phrase “must hear it and learn.” That’s not a suggestion for parents – it’s a commandment God has called you to obey if you want your family to be blessed.
Soul food: 1 John 1:1-3:10; John 8:21-30; Ps 86; Prov 25:8-12
2020-11-03
Proverbs 5:15 NIV
Here’s some straight talk about monogamy from one of the wisest men who ever lived, Solomon: “Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer – may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love. Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman? For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths. The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly” (vv.15-23 NIV).
In Solomon’s day, a well or cistern was considered to be as valuable as gold. Clean water was a very precious commodity, so what Solomon is saying is this: “Why drink the polluted water that comes from the sewer of promiscuity, when, if you wait, you can drink the clean water that comes from the well of a devoted spouse?”
Here are two truths you should always keep in mind: (1) True love waits. (2) True love is worth the wait. When tempted to go astray by a fast-living friend, a young Christian woman replied, “Any time I want to become like you, I can. But I can never again become the person I was before I made that decision.”
Soul food: Ezra 9-10; John 8:1-20; Ps 96; Prov 25:1-7
2020-11-02
Proverbs 18:4 NKJV
When Solomon speaks of “deep waters,” he’s referring to the water at the bottom of the well that’s the cleanest and coolest. If you want to know what kind of water a well has, go down to the bottom. And if you want to know what’s in a person’s heart, listen to his or her words. An old country farmer put it this way: “What’s down in the well always comes up in the bucket!”
One of the surest signs of wisdom and maturity is the ability to say the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, to the right person – or to say nothing at all. Indeed, as you become wiser, you’ll talk less and say more.
In the U.S. legal system, when someone is arrested, the police are required to read them their Miranda Rights: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” So unless your words are intended to build someone up rather than tear them down, silence is a “right” you should exercise every day. Sometimes the wisest words are the ones never spoken.
Someone said, “A wise man is someone who thinks twice before saying nothing.” Again, Solomon weighs in: “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent” (Proverbs 17:27-28 NIV). So, it’s better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you’re a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Soul food: Ezra 6-8; John 7:45-53; Ps 9; Prov 24:30-34
2020-11-01
Genesis 18:19 CEV
The story of these two families told over a century ago contains lessons that are more relevant now than ever. Family number one. Did you know that the father of acclaimed New England reformer and pastor, Jonathan Edwards, was a clergyman? And his mother was the descendant of a minister? In fact, Edwards’ family includes 14 college presidents, more than 100 university professors, 100-plus lawyers, 30 judges, 60 physicians, over 100 clergymen, missionaries and theology professors, and some 60 authors. Throughout history, there’s scarcely been a great American industry that hasn’t featured an Edwards family member among its chief promoters. Such was the product of one Christian family reared under the most favourable conditions.
Family number two. Members of the infamous Jukes family couldn’t be made to study, wouldn’t work, and are reputed to have cost the state of New York millions of dollars. Their entire record is one of pauperism, crime, and insanity. From among their descendants, 310 were professional paupers, 440 were physically wrecked by their own wickedness, 60 were habitual thieves, 133 were convicted criminals, and 55 were victims of impurity. Only 20 actually learned a trade (10 of those learned it in prison), and this notorious family produced 7 murderers.
Yes, if Dennis becomes a menace, he can poison the stream. But if he’s raised to be godly, he can bless an entire family, as well as influence the world for generations to come. So what’s the bottom line here? Simply this: As a parent, if you’re wise, you’ll seek God’s guidance every single day of your life.
Soul food: 1 Chr 17:1-20; Heb 11:4-12:3; Ps 18:20-29; Prov 4:18
2020-10-31
Proverbs 14:23 NIV
One day a grandfather told his grandchildren the story of how he came to America. He told about the trains and ship that brought him from his home in Eastern Europe. He told of being processed along with other immigrants at Ellis Island, and how he’d gone to a cafeteria in Lower Manhattan to get something to eat. He sat down at an empty table and waited a long time for someone to take his order, but nobody came.
Finally a woman with a tray full of food sat down opposite him and explained how a cafeteria works. “You start at the end,” she said, pointing toward a stack of trays. “Then you go along the food line and pick out what you want. At the other end they’ll tell you how much you have to pay.”
The grandfather reflected for a moment and said, “I soon learned that’s how everything works in this country. Life is a cafeteria here. You can get anything you want – even very great success – if you’re willing to pay the price. But you’ll never get what you want if you wait for someone to bring it to you. You have to get up and get it yourself.”
The difference between where you are right now and where you want to be can be summed up in two words – hard work! “Does God want me to succeed?” you ask. Yes, but He won’t drop success into your lap. He promised to “bless all the work of your hands” (Deuteronomy 28:12 NIV). Countless hours, persistent effort, and constant improvement make the difference between ambition and success.
Soul food: Deut 18:9-18; Isa 47:5-15; Acts 16:16-34; Dan 2
