Children in Training

“Train a child in the way he should go, and

when he is old he will not turn from it.”

                          – Proverbs 22:6

What is God’s Word for me today?

We read this verse, then often ask, “How come my child has departed from the truth, then?” The key part of the verse is not the promise, but the command. You must train them correctly before you claim the promise. What does “train” mean? The Hebrew word is chanak. It means to initiate, dictate, or teach. So what are the areas in which we must “train” our children? Let me suggest seven, each from the Book of Proverbs. First, train them to manage God’s money (Prov. 3:9-10). Second, train them to carefully select their friends (Prov. 13:20). Third, train them to watch their words (Prov. 4:24). Fourth, train them to be responsible (Prov. 6:6-8). Fifth, train them to guard their minds (Prov. 23:7). Sixth, train them to be generous (Prov. 11:25). And seventh, train them to fear God (Prov. 1:7).

Remember, training your child correctly means taking the initiative. The Hebrew term is close to the New Testament term for “disciple.” You are to disciple your child. Only then can you claim the promise that they will not depart from the truth. This isn’t what “normal” Christians do, frankly. But it is “right.”

How does this make me become like Him?

If you are a parent, you want the best for your children, whether they are four or forty. The best thing you can do for them is to model the life of Christ in front of them. You cannot train them to be something that you are not. So commit yourself today, to be the man or woman your son or daughter needs to see. This will help you to train your child in the way he should go. And in the process, you will become like Him.

Your Greatest Influence

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that

you fit into it without even thinking.”

                                                  – Romans 12:2, The Message

What is God’s Word for me today?

Robert Fulghum said, “Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” Your greatest influence on the world is the influence you exercise with your children. I have always said that the way I pastor my son is far more important than the way I pastor my church.America’s Research Group revealed that 95% of evangelical Christians aged 20 to 29 attended church regularly during their elementary and middle school years. However, 55% attended church in high school and only 11% attended while in college.

If you have children still at home, now is the greatest time in your life! Let’s consider the verse we already read from The Message translation. “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.” In other words, choose “right” over “normal.” Take your kids to church every Sunday. Read Scripture with them. Pray together. Worship together. Talk about spiritual things with them. Then, as they get a little older, gradually transfer your children’s dependence away from you until it rests solely on God. This may not be “normal.” But it certainly is “right.”

How does this make me become like Him?

Do you want to influence the world? Then influence your child. Don’t become like the world. Live for God, unashamedly. This will bless your child, and they will see you become like Him.

Greener Grass

Genesis 29:17-21

“I’ll work for you seven years in return for

your younger daughter Rachel.”

                          – Genesis 29:18

What is God’s Word for me today?

Today, we return to our theme of “Normal vs Right.” Yesterday’s message in my church was about normal vs right relationships. Let’s start with marriage. I love what Theodor Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss) said. “We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” The best example I know of two really “weird” people coming together in “mutual weirdness” is Beth and me. The best example I know of from Scripture is Jacob and Rachel. Taken right off the script from Jerry Springer, the man (Jacob) was wildly attracted to the woman (Rachel). But her father (Laban) made him work for seven years to win her in marriage. Then, after the seven years, pop substituted his “ugly Betty” daughter (Leah) in her place. Then Jacob had to work another seven years to get Rachel. But he was willing to do it.

Guys, what are you willing to do for the one you love? Guys make excuses for misbehavior. We tend to judge others by their actions, but ourselves by our intentions. We explain why we have not been better husbands. Many men stray toward greener pastures. If that is what you are thinking about, consider this. If the grass looks greener somewhere else, it’s time to water your own lawn. If Jacob could work fourteen years to win the one he loved, we could surely do a better job of demonstrating our love to the one we are already with.

How does this make me become like Him?

For men, their self-esteem is only as strong as their last accomplishment. For women, their self-esteem is only as strong as their marriage. Talk about weird! If you are married, you need to invest in your marriage. Invest time, money, and patience. As you become a better husband or wife, you will alsobecome like Him.

Defeating Sin

Luke 17:3

“If your brother sins, rebuke him, and

if he repents, forgive him.”

                    – Luke 17:3

What is God’s Word for me today?

I knew an old preacher who used to say, “The devil will try to take us down. He wouldn’t be much of a devil if he didn’t.” Well, the devil is trying to take us down. He has one strategy. It is called “sin.” Jesus said, “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come” (17:1). Today’s lesson is not about how to overcome sin, really. We will sin, though we should strive to not sin. We all fall short. Everyone close to you will fall short. The question for today is one of response. How do you respond to a brother or sister in the Lord when they sin?

Jesus says we should do two things. My observation is that most of us are really good at one or the other, but not both. First, “If your brother sins, rebuke him.” Take a stand. Offer correction in the spirit of love. Show your brother where he has fallen short. The second duty is this: “If he repents, forgive him.” God has forgiven him; so should you. Again, most of us are good at one or the other. For me, I’m good at the second part, but lousy at the first part. I am a natural forgiver but an unnatural rebuker. But our friends need us to step up and be both. There is a time to rebuke and a time to forgive. It is not “either/or,” but “both/and.”

How does this make me become like Him?

Ask God to bring to mind a person who you know is struggling with sin. Then pray and ask God to strengthen you to do what this passage commands. Go to that person. Rebuke them in love. And when they repent, forgive them just as Christ has forgiven you. This will bless them immensely, and you will become like Him.

The Skin Horse

Acts 4:32-35

“All the believers were one in heart and mind.

No one claimed that any of his possessions was his

own, but they shared everything they had.”

                  – Acts 4:32

What is God’s Word for me today?

I love the children’s story of the skin horse. It had lived in the child’s nursery longer than any other stuffed animal. He was so old that his coat was going bald and his insides were being revealed. The rabbit asked him, “What is real? Does ‘real’ mean having things that buzz inside of you?” The skin horse replied, “No. ‘Real’ isn’t how you are made. It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a really long time, you become real.” “Does it hurt?” asked the rabbit. “Sometimes,” said the skin horse. “But when you are real, you don’t mind being hurt.” “Does it happen all at once?” asked the rabbit. “No, you become,” said the skin horse. “It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen for you if you break easily or have sharp edges. By the time you become real, most of your hair has been loved off, and you become wobbly. But it doesn’t matter, because once you are real, you can’t be ugly except to people who don’t understand.”

Think of the church as one big collection of skin horses. The early church (Acts 4) was a bunch of skin horses. They shared everything. They loved each other. They went through hard times. But it made them real. What about you? Are you willing to pay the price to enter into the Body of Christ in a way that is risky, and that can sometimes hurt? Only then do you become real.

How does this make me become like Him?

The church is full of hurting people. Sometimes the reason we hurt is because of each other. We are a bunch of skin horses. But that is love. That is being real. Put yourself at risk by loving the Body of Christ. Sure, it hurts sometimes. But it is always worth it. And that is how you become like Him.

Payback Time

Romans 11:1-6

“If it is by grace, it is no longer by works.”

                         – Romans 11:6

What is God’s Word for me today?

When I was a kid, I loved to build model cars. I would save my $1 weekly allowance, and when I had enough money, dad would take me to Gene’s Model Shop at Sharpstown Mall, where I’d buy another model, plus the necessary paint, brushes, paint thinner, and glue. One time, I really wanted the 1957 T-Bird model, but was $5 short. In a rare moment of benevolence, dad let me borrow the money. I bought the model, built it in a day, and was very proud of it. But the next Saturday, I did not receive my allowance. It took me five weeks to pay him back.

Perhaps we see God that way. He paid for our “model,” whether it is eternal life, security, hope, joy, or peace. He paid for it on the cross. And by faith we have received that gift. For me, it happened at the age of 14. But we impose the “grace + works” formula on God. I mean, my dad was good enough to pay for my model, but I then had to work to pay him back. It’s called “payback time.” Doesn’t it work that way with God? Read my type: “No new works!” What God pays for does not need to be paid back. As Paul said, “If it is by grace, it is no longer by works.” It comes down to grace and works. But you can only choose one. And only one “works.”

How does this make me become like Him?

I become more like Jesus when I realize the magnitude of his grace. God did not provide for me then ask me to pay him back. He provided for me, and then asks me to receive his gift. So learn to relax in his grace. You can never pay God for what is already bought. But you can thank him for his grace. And you can become like Him.

Critics

Matthew 5:43-44

“Do good to them who hate you, and pray for them.”

                          – Matthew 5:44

What is God’s Word for me today?

Abraham Lincoln remains America’s most beloved president, but was anything but beloved while in office. The South hated him. The anti-war activists loathed him. Democrats resented him, calling him a widow-maker. The media ridiculed his eyes, looks, and body, calling him a freak of nature. Harpers Magazine called him a host of names in print: filthy story teller, despot, liar, braggart, buffoon, usurper, monster, ignoramus Abe, old scoundrel, perjurer, swindler, tyrant, field-butcher, and land pirate. But Lincoln would not stoop down to the level of his critics. He won over a lot of his enemies and critics by holding fast to the famous principle encapsulated in his second inaugural address: “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right.”

Jesus said you will endure criticism if you are tied to him. You have two choices: fight back or pray. The flesh wants to rise up in self-defense. But the godly response is to “do good to them that hate you, and pray for them.” Do you have any critics? A better question might be whether you know who they are, because we all have critics. You can’t choose what others say about you, but you can choose your response. I suggest we do what Abe did. I suggest we do what Jesus did. “Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them.”

How does this make me become like Him?

One of the greatest opportunities to shine for Jesus comes in the face of unmerited criticism. People are always watching. Don’t defend yourself. Leave that to God. Your job is to find something nice to do for your critic and to pray for him. That will be better for him and better for you, because it will help you become like Him.

Encouraged

2 Chronicles 31:1-4

“Hezekiah ordered the people living in

Jerusalem to give the portion due the priests and

Levites so they could be encouraged in the Word.”

                               – 2 Chronicles 31:4

What is God’s Word for me today?

“The king contributed his own possessions” to the rebuilding of worship (31:2). This week, we will take a break from our study of “Normal vs Right.” Today, let’s focus on encouragement. The people of God had been through a difficult period and war. They came out on the other side with a godly leader named Hezekiah. The king was determined to lift the people’s spirits. He did this with a restoration of worship and proclamation of God’s Word. He set the example of sacrifice, giving his own possessions to provide for the worship needs of Israel. He encouraged them to give, as well. The result would be a lessening of the mundane responsibilities upon those called to teach God’s Word.

Now the people could focus on God’s Word, which “encouraged” them. When we are down, we tend to turn in a myriad of directions. But we desperately need to turn to God in his Word. That is why it is so good to start the day in the Bible and in prayer. When you give yourself specifically to worship, as in our passage today, and then turn to God’s Word for your daily sustenance, you will be encouraged and strengthened for whatever lies ahead.

How does this make me become like Him?

You will become like God as you worship him and listen for his voice. Follow the example of Hezekiah. Sacrifice in your worship. Then listen to God’s Word. Nothing will do more to help you become like Him.

God Blesses

“Generous people plan to do what is generous

and they stand firm in their generosity.”

                   – Isaiah 37:8

What is God’s Word for me today?

This week we have been talking about moving from “normal” to “right” in the area of giving. How do we do this on a very practical level? Let me offer three levels of giving. The first level is the spontaneous level. When you see a need, you respond. When you hear about someone in a difficult position, you offer to help. You have a natural tendency to bless others. It is spontaneous. The second level of giving is strategic. Strategic givers don’t wait for opportunities to approach them. They go looking for ways to be a blessing. They plan. They ask themselves, “How can I be more generous? How can I exercise a generous eye?”

The third, and highest level of giving, is the level of sacrifice. Spontaneous givers are random in their generosity. Strategic givers plan ways to give. But sacrificial givers give from resources “normal” people would spend on themselves. They take money from their vacation fund to bless the homeless. They set aside money from their Christmas fund for someone who has no food. They give like the widow of Mark 12 who gave all she had.

How does this make me become like Him?

What level of giving are you on right now? Put on your 3-D glasses, and take a look at yourself in a way others cannot see. Do you give spontaneously, strategically, or sacrificially? When you get to that highest level, you have taken a giant step to become like Him.

Give? Why?

“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be

generous on every occasion, and through us your

generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

                                – 2 Corinthians 9:11

What is God’s Word for me today?

Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Do you want a living or a life? A real life comes only through giving of yourself to others. God blesses us to change us and reshape us and undo the damage we caused by living a “normal” life for so long. So how does God bless us, or make us rich? Paul says God will make us rich “in every way.” He didn’t promise material blessings, but much more than that. This is a cycle. God blesses us, we become generous toward others, and God gets the glory, as this “will result in thanksgiving to God.”

You and I exist to honor God. We honor him by praying, reading Scripture, and worship. We honor him by service and sacrifice. But nothing honors him more than our giving to others. And remember, God never asks you to give more than that with which you have already been blessed. Our task is to find ways to trade in the “normal” for the “right” by finding people to bless, which brings praise and honor to the One we love.

How does this make me become like Him?

Step 1 is God blessing you, which he has already done. Step 2 is you giving to someone else. Step 3 is the praise and thanksgiving God receives as a result. So today, make it a real priority to find ways to give, as God has given to you already. This will bring thanksgiving to God and make you become like Him.