2020-09-12
Proverbs 29:17 MSG
Several years ago, sociologists and child psychologists made an interesting discovery. Contemporary thought assumed that putting fences around playgrounds made children feel restricted in their recreation. And based on that theory it was decided to remove the fences so children wouldn’t feel confined. To the astonishment of the experts, the opposite effect occurred. Researchers found that children became more inhibited in their activities. They tended to huddle toward the middle of the playground and exhibited signs of insecurity. Interestingly, when the fences were replaced, the children once more played with great enthusiasm and freedom. What’s the lesson here? We all need boundaries – something to define the limits of safety and security. Whereas the “experts” theorized that boundaries restrict creativity, children on the playground proved that we need a clear understanding of what’s safe and acceptable in order for ingenuity and inventiveness to flourish. That means your children will flourish and you’ll function better as a parent when guidelines are clearly communicated, and the consequences for not following them are completely understood. There’s a humorous story of a father who gave his sixteen-year-old son his first car. Before handing him the keys, he said, “This is a magic car, Son.” “Really?” the boy replied. “Yeah,” answered his dad. “One speeding ticket – and it will disappear!” And the first car you buy for your child should be a “magic” car too. Bottom line: God sets the rules for success in life, and He rewards those who honour them. In the words of Scripture: “Study this Book of Instruction continually…obey everything written in it…then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” (Joshua 1:8 NLT).
Soul food: Eze 31-33; Luke 21:25-38; Ps 78:40-55; Prov 20:22-24
2020-09-11
Proverbs 23:13 NKJV
When it comes to discipline, your primary concern should never be your own comfort, but the “soul” [mind, will and emotions] of your child! Discipline, or the lack thereof, can set off a good or bad chain reaction. If your children don’t respect authority in the home, they won’t respect it in the school, the government, the church, or ultimately even heaven itself. It’s just a small step from rebelling against the parents God gave them, to rebelling against the God who gave them their parents. And discipline should begin sooner rather than later. When a child is old enough to be told to do what’s right and they choose to do what’s wrong – that child is ready to be disciplined. The Bible doesn’t specify an age limit in its definition of the word “child.” Just because your child is old enough to drive, shave, and date, doesn’t mean they’re beyond correction. They may be too old for a swat on the behind, but there are other, more effective ways to discipline an adolescent or teenager. If you read the book of Proverbs carefully, you’ll find that Solomon was talking to a son who was old enough to join a street gang, be tempted by sexual sin, patronize prostitutes, go into debt, and get drunk. He wasn’t necessarily talking about first-graders. Bottom line: As long as your children are under your roof, they are under your jurisdiction, and you will give an account to God for how you used – or didn’t use – your authority.
Soul food: Eze 27:25-30:26; Luke 21:12-24; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 20:20-21
2020-09-10
Luke 9:23 NLT
Here are three Bible examples of radical commitment: (1) Commitment on the job. In the past, employers appreciated their workers, and workers valued their employers and their jobs. Today’s workplace is often adversarial, with employees criticizing their bosses and doing the minimum required to get by, while many bosses have become increasingly demanding, taking their workers for granted. This isn’t God’s way. His way calls for mutual commitment between management and labor. Paul says: “Obey your earthly masters…always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don’t just do what you have to do to get by…work heartily…keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God” (Ephesians 6:5-8 MSG). (2) Commitment at church. Many Christians have adopted a cafeteria-style approach toward church. We pick what we like and leave what we don’t. But membership in Christ’s church involves a covenant relationship with a body of believers who watch over, cherish, and pray for one other, and fulfill the great commission together (See 1 Corinthians 12:12-31). (3) Commitment to Christ. Christ is not looking for wishy-washy, “lukewarm” followers (See Revelation 3:16). He told the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.'” That means you no longer follow your own wishes and will, you follow Christ and His will. That’s radical commitment, and you are called to it.
Soul food: Eze 24:1-27:24; Luke 21:1-11; Ps 78:17-31; Prov 20:15-19
2020-09-09
Galatians 2:20 NIV
Many people today want to get as much as they can for themselves while giving as little in return as possible. They want to be there for their friends in the good times, but absent in the not-so-good ones. Sadly, national statistics confirm this lack of commitment. The marriage rate is down while the divorce rate is up. Involvement in ministry and worthy causes that help the needy are all down. Why? Because people don’t want to put themselves on the line, or be pinned down by responsibility. We often view opportunities to serve others as obligations, therefore we avoid them. We’re a sound bite generation with a short attention span, accustomed to fifteen-second advertisements and fast food. We want our sermons simple, entertaining, and “feel-good.” Yes, radical commitment is rare – but it’s what God requires of you. Commitment means your promise is binding whether it’s convenient or not. Let’s look at a few examples: Commitment to marriage. Marriage, as God sees it, isn’t a fifty-fifty arrangement. It’s a mutual agreement to give 100 percent of ourselves. It’s a lifetime covenant between you and your spouse: “for better or worse; for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health; until parted by death.” And that covenant is a lot easier to live up to when both partners have learned, like Paul, to say, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” That means dying to self-interest is the key to great relationships.
Soul food: Eze 22-23; Luke 20:41-47; Ps 78:9-16; Prov 20:11-14
2020-09-08
Deuteronomy 15:6 NLT
Sometimes life beats you down so much that you give up hoping and believing that anything good will ever happen for you. If that’s where you are today, read these words: “‘I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord…’plans for good…to give you a future and a hope'” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT). God has a good plan for each of us, but not all of us experience it. Why? Two reasons: (1) We don’t realize we have rights and privileges. We believe God can save us and take us to heaven when we die, but don’t think He can do anything about our past, present, or future. (2) We live far below the level He intended because we see ourselves in the wrong light. We believe He can bless anybody – except us – because we’re not worthy. God has clothed you in the righteousness of Christ, so you’re worthy in His sight and He has plans to “bless you as He has promised.” In Bible days when a new king came to the throne, he made sure the old king and his family were put to death; that way nobody could rise up against him. So when David replaced King Saul, Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, fled to the wilderness in fear. But David was a different kind of king. Instead of seeking to wipe out his predecessor’s family, he asked, “Is there still anyone…left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1 NKJV). “Why would God bless me?” you ask. The answer is simple but clear: for Christ’s sake!
Soul food: Eze 20-21; Luke 20:27-40; Ps 78:1-8; Prov 20:7-10
2020-09-07
Philippians 4:8 CEV
It’s reported that in 1949 Captain Edward Murphy, an engineer working on a project for the United States Air Force, became angry because of a wrongly wired transducer. Scolding the technician responsible, Murphy said, “If there’s any way to do it wrong, he’ll find it!” Over time such thinking became known as Murphy’s Law. Basically it states, “Nothing is as easy as it looks. Everything takes longer than you expect, and if anything can go wrong, it will – at the worst possible moment.” How negative! Who would enjoy life if they lived it according to that philosophy? Because they always expected the worst – they’d get it! God’s law disagrees completely with Murphy’s Law. The world may expect Murphy’s Law to operate in their lives, but as a redeemed child of God, you need to resist that kind of thinking and embrace God’s law. In essence, here’s what it says: “If anything can go right, it will. Nothing is as difficult as it looks. Everything is more rewarding than it appears, and if anything good can happen to anybody, it’ll happen to me.” Think how much more you could you enjoy life if your thoughts agreed with God’s law, and not Murphy’s. The fact is, God has a great life for you – one He wants you to enjoy to the fullest. So instead of blowing everything out of proportion and contradicting God’s Word, stand on this promise: “We know…all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NKJV). That’s what it means to live by God’s law – not Murphy’s!
Soul food: Eze 16:53-19:14; Luke 20:20-26; Ps 27; Prov 20:5-6
