Category: Character

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One of the Crowd

Many people followed Jesus when he was here on earth. He was a novelty with his healing power and his words of love. He claimed to be the Messiah and as such they expected him to overthrow the government and set up his reign as King.

No more Roman oppression; this man could multiply food; he could walk on water and even raise the dead. He called out hypocrisy and brought a sense of worthiness to the down trodden. Everyone, it seemed, wanted to be one of his followers.

But then there was a call for accountability. Jesus said that the path of following Him would require them to change their way of life and commit to His. He even said that they would need to “eat of his flesh and drink of his blood” and this, they thought, was referring to a type of cannibalism and so many of them left and return to their old way of life.

Jesus was simply saying that they needed to be all in – totally committed – in following him. So, as his followers were leaving He turned to his disciples and asked this question.

“Because of what Jesus said, many of his disciples turned their backs on him and stopped following him. 67 Jesus then asked his twelve disciples if they were going to leave him. 68 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, there is no one else that we can go to! Your words give eternal life. 69 We have faith in you, and we are sure that you are God’s Holy One.” John 6:66-69 CEV

At one time thousands followed him; they came to the hear the Sermon on the Mount, they were there when he multiplied the loaves and fishes, they crowded the streets just to get close to Him but when public opinion and political pressure was exerted they fell away and some changed sides completely.

Some of the same ones who had welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday calling out Hosanna, Hosanna were also in the crowd a few days later saying crucify Him, crucify Him.

Our resolve must be that of the disciples. “Where else can we go, you have the words of life?”. So many are turning their backs on Jesus and becoming one of the crowd. It’s important that we stand strong in faith and follow Jesus.

Father, we gladly follow you today. We are not ashamed to be called Christians – Christ-like ones. You gave your life for us and we will live our lives for you!

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Twenty-Three and Me

I think it all started with Ancestry.com. You know the search of where we came from, what is our heritage and who we are related too. It all helps to answer the question “Who am I”.

I have a strong Norwegian heritage and I’m very proud of that. I’ve never really done a lot of research on my family tree nor do I feel compelled too. It’s enough knowing that my ancestors came from Norway.

However, I do spend considerable amounts of time researching my DNA. But the DNA I refer cannot be run for chemical analysis; instead it is revealed in the pages of Scripture. I know I’ve told you this before but the DNA I am speaking of stands for my Divine Nature Ability.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” II Corinthians 5:17 NLT

A completely new life has begun.

This morning I was reading in I John and once again evidence of my DNA jumped off the pages of my Bible.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 2 We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. 3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” I John 5:1-5 NLT

Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ? Then these verses are referring to you. First off, the Christ, means that Jesus is the Anointed One. Not just a man, but one who has been selected as perfect and set apart by God, the Father, to bring new life to us. He gave us the right to be a child of God.

Then our DNA gives us the power to obtain victory in this life through faith. Our DNA causes us to love. Just as naturally as a duck floats on water because it’s his nature, we keep God’s commandment to love. It’s been programmed into us – it’s what we have inherited from our Father, who is love.

Do we ever act unloving? Of course, we do! But…God, through His word, reminds us that we have been given His nature and His ability to life that reflects his character. These are His words to us.

“God has also said that he gave us eternal life and that this life comes to us from his Son. 12 And so, if we have God’s Son, we have this life. But if we don’t have the Son, we don’t have this life. 13 All of you have faith in the Son of God, and I have written to let you know that you have eternal life. 14 We are certain that God will hear our prayers when we ask for what pleases him. 15 And if we know that God listens when we pray, we are sure that our prayers have already been answered.” I John 5:11-15 CEV

He has given us life; He has placed within us His ability, His character. We receive our natural DNA from our earthly parents and we receive our spiritual DNA from our heavenly Father and our life that comes through His Son.

“All of you are God’s children because of your faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And when you were baptized, it was as though you had put on Christ in the same way you put on new clothes. 28 Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman.” Galatians 3:26-28 CEV

Father, thank you for making us your children and filling us with your power. We have victory in this life because of our faith in what You have done for us and in us!

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Good Ole Days

I was reminded this morning of a country song that the Judd’s made popular in the 1980’s. To some of you reading this the 80’s may seem like the “olden days”.

Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)

“Grandpa, tell me ’bout the good old days
Sometimes it feels like
This world’s gone crazy
Grandpa, take me back to yesterday
When the line between right and wrong
Didn’t seem so hazy

Did lovers really fall in love to stay
And stand beside each other, come what may?
Was a promise really something people kept
Not just something they would say?
Did families really bow their heads to pray?
Did daddies really never go away?
Oh, Grandpa, tell me ’bout the good old days…”

In today’s world, we have better living conditions, better advancements in health care, better education than the generations before us. But we also have more stress, more acts of violence, more fear and less family stability.

In the “olden days” people prayed for rain and the success of the crops, families worked and played together, communities gathered together to help a neighbor in need and children were educated by teachers who prayed and used the Bible as the core curriculum in reading.

Truth was the foundation for society, government and the family.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me. ” John 14:6 ERV

The word “the” is a defining force. Truth isn’t subjective, it’s an absolute. You are either telling the truth or it’s a lie. If you leave facts out to skew the story or sway the outcome, it isn’t truth. Remember the days when people in court had to place their hands on the Bible and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? People swore or affirmed their statement by the Bible because it was and is the only standard of truth that has never changed since it was written.

“The way”. Our life’s a journey and we can chose the path but when we follow paths of our own making we become distracted, confused and even lost.

“Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. The first choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose life! Then you and your children will live. 20 You must love the Lord your God and obey him. Never leave him, because he is your life. And he will give you a long life in the land that he, the Lord, promised to give to your ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ERV

I love that verse. When we chose “the way” and “the truth” we gain life. And when we don’t, we face an enemy who seeks to destroy us.

“Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. 9 I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:8-10 CEV

When Kaci was very little she woke up one night crying. I got up and took her to the living room to rock her back to sleep. She didn’t want to be there – she strained and leaned in my arms, wanting me to take her to another room. I did and her actions were the same. Wanting to go from the living room to the family room to the kitchen and then the dining room and finally back to the living room.

No matter which room we were in, she wasn’t content. When we arrived back in the living room (only about 10 minutes had past), she snuggled into my chest and fell asleep. I remember saying to her, “This is where we started. I knew this was the best place for you. Why couldn’t you trust me and see that?” And then I heard God speak in my heart and ask me the same question.

Oh!

Why don’t you trust Me to know what’s best for you and to have you in the right place?

WOW!

I wish I could say that I never had to learn that lesson again but that wouldn’t be the truth. However, the longer I walk with Him the easier it is for me to see that I am on a path of my own making and not where He wants me. I quickly come back to the place of comfort and peace.

I encourage you to join me, make your foundation “The Way”, committed to “The Truth” and finding “The Life” that is abundant and everlasting! Return to the Good Ole Days.

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Awards & Accolades

Seems that everywhere we turn folks are trying to get us to support a cause. We don’t have to watch TV too long before we see several commercials that are asking for $19 a month to help with this, that and the other.

There are social issues, political issues, humanitarian causes, educational, religious, medical, environmental, recreational, cultural and even artistic areas that are asking for our time and support. Each of us have an area that appeals to us more than others but these things cannot be our primary focus.

Jesus was faced with all the same issues when he walked the earth and he gave this admonition to his disciples.

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26 NKJV

To achieve greatness for self or mankind is futile if it causes us to loose sight of the most important calling we have, our relationship with Jesus Christ!

There is no Nobel prize, humanitarian award, national acclaim or public recognition that can compare with knowing God and having Him speak our name.

“Then Jesus said to his followers, “If any of you want to be my follower, you must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you for following me. 25 Any of you who try to save the life you have will lose it. But you who give up your life for me will find true life. 26 It is worth nothing for you to have the whole world if you yourself are lost. You could never pay enough to buy back your life. 27 The Son of Man will come again with his Father’s glory and with his angels. And he will reward everyone for what they have done.” Matthew 16:24-27 ERV

We can become weary and exhausted from “trying” to fix all the worlds woes. Our own efforts will fall short every time. But there is a place of rest and that is found in Jesus.

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. 30 This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 CEV

Give up trying to gain the world and find rest in Him today!

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A Lump in My Throat

I have such a great love for our country and the principles it was founded upon. I am patriotic through and through. I grew up saying the Pledge of Allegiance each morning in my classroom at school. (At the time I didn’t realize what that pledge meant but I knew it was important.)

In those days we had music class one day a week. It was there that Mrs. Martinez taught us the words to the National Anthem, God Bless America, America the Beautiful, You’re a Grand Old Flag and my favorite, The Battle Hymn of the Republic. You know because I’ve told you many times that music and song lyrics have a very important place in my heart.

I get a lump in my throat each time I sing our National Anthem, The Battle Hymn of the Republic and God Bless America. I remember right after 9-11 when our military personnel who stand to sing God Bless America at ball games and public assemblies, there was never a dry eye in the crowds. It wasn’t just a patriotic song; it was a prayer from our lips.

The people who came here to colonize this land, came fleeing persecution of all kinds but one of the primary things they wanted to establish was a freedom to worship God as they pleased. They held fast to their beliefs and built them into the very fabric of our foundation.

Today we celebrate our nation’s birthday, 243 years!

We are a land of imperfect people yet we have a freedom and way of life that is envied the world round. Folks desire to come here for a better way of life; God has blessed us!

I am including the lyrics to the Battle Hymn of the Republic this morning. They are so stirring. They are my prayer as I give thanks for our country. I ask the Lord to bring this nation to a place of faith and trust in Him, once again.

“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on

Glory, Glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps
His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel
“As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal”
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel
Since God is marching on

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free
While God is marching on

Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on” lyrics by Julia Ward Howe 1861

Happy Birthday America!

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12 NKJV

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Victory Lane

You all know that I’m a big NASCAR fan. My driver, Kevin Harvick, hasn’t won yet this season but I haven’t given up hope.

In a race there is only one leader. The winner is the one with the most skill, the best engine and the fastest pit crew. A train is pulled by an engine, not a freight car. So in our walk with Christ, we need to determine our source of power and strength and let HIM lead.

The was a young, rich ruler who saw Jesus as an up and comer in Jewish society. Jesus was charismatic and the world was taking notice of the things Jesus was doing. This ambitious CEO was out to make a connection that would get him noticed. He wanted to be on the “inside” of the Jesus Jewish Evangelistic Association. He asked Jesus what he needed to do become one of his confidantes.

“Jesus replied, “If you want to be perfect, go sell everything you own! Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and be my follower.” 22 When the young man heard this, he was sad, because he was very rich. 23 Jesus said to his disciples, “It’s terribly hard for rich people to get into the kingdom of heaven! 24 In fact, it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God’s kingdom.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly surprised and asked, “How can anyone ever be saved?” 26 Jesus looked straight at them and said, “There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything.” 27 Peter replied, “Remember, we have left everything to be your followers! What will we get?”
28 Jesus answered: Yes, all of you have become my followers. And so in the future world, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, I promise that you will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 All who have given up home or brothers and sisters or father and mother or children or land for me will be given a hundred times as much. They will also have eternal life. 30 But many who are now first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” Matthew 19:21-30 CEV

Now look at Jesus instruction to his disciples on the pull of riches. Jesus wasn’t saying that you can’t have money or riches and be a dedicated Christian. These were successful businessmen that Jesus was talking too. Peter and Andrew had a fleet of fishing boats; James and John were the CEO and COO of their father’s fishing business and Matthew had been a director at the regional IRS office. Success ran through their veins so they were shocked when Jesus made comment that it is hard for rich men to enter the kingdom.

Jesus quickly responded to their question and said that with God all things are possible. If a man is trusting in his riches, his trust is misplaced but when a rich man trusts God – all things are possible. Peter reminds the Lord – we left everything to follow you. We just walked off the job and came with you. It was then that Jesus words became a reality in their lives.

“Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” 32 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. 33 But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” Matthew 6:31-33 ERV

Winning as a Christian doesn’t come from talent, strength, education or wealth or Jesus would have gladly welcomed the rich, young man who came to him.

Our victory in Christ is dependent on Who we are willing to follow; it’s an attitude of the heart.

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Keep It Clean

I used to clean a home that was used for a vacation rental. I was surprised quite often by the way the tenants kept it. Some were neat and tidy while others were sloppy and never even tried to pick up after themselves. I find it hard to leave a hotel room without making the bed…

I like a clean and tidy house. It’s hard for me to sit and relax when I know that the bathrooms need to be cleaned or I can see dirty floors and dusty furniture. I’ve always been that way. It’s a part of who I am. My mom kept a tidy house and from what I’ve read, it’s a part of my heritage.

I once read a book on a Norwegian family. The woman, who was a bit older than I, told stories about her Mom and her complusion for cleanliness. At one point in the book she said they moved into a home, it was clean or so she thought but her mother had them scrub the floors just in case the family that had lived there before wasn’t Norwegian and didn’t understand the importance of cleanliness the way they did.

Now I’m not that bad. My husband and children may take umbridge with that last statement. However, cleaning for me isn’t a chore, it’s enjoyable. I am thankful for my home and the things I have in it and want to keep them looking nice and not let them deteriorate or come to disrepair.

And with that confession I’m sure you are wondering how all of this applies to this morning’s blog. Let me draw the correlation.

I know that the dust seeps in and requires my attention. Then there’s the dog hair and dusty feet or food spills in the kitchen, dirty sinks and smudged windows. It all requires my attention. I would have a real problem if someone wanted to march through the house with muddy feet or walked through the rooms spilling garbage. More importantly, I would stand up to anyone that wanted to vandalize my home or bring in a bag of snakes and scorpions.

So how do you think the Holy Spirit feels when we let our actions, our words and our activities “dirty up” His home?

“You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don’t own yourselves. 20 God paid a very high price to make you his. So honor God with your body.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 ERV

We are a valuable dwelling place – a temple, as it were, for the Holy Spirit to live in and there are times we carelessly vandalize His home.

As I grow older I realize more each year how important it is that I keep my house clean. There’s no room for dishonesty, no room for bitterness or petty jealousy. I don’t want the garbage of lying, gossip, or criticism spread about and I certainly don’t want my dwelling to be vandalized by immoral living.

“And don’t make the Holy Spirit sad. God gave you his Spirit as proof that you belong to him and that he will keep you safe until the day he makes you free. 31 Never be bitter, angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. 32 Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.” Ephesians 4:30-32 ERV

Take a look around. Is it time for a good cleaning? Make your earthly home a place of welcome and comfort for the Holy Spirit.

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Time to Get Ready

This morning I was reading in the book of Revelation about the heavenly city and how it was prepared like a bride for her bridegroom. It reminded me that six years ago we were preparing for our youngest daughter’s wedding.

“Then I saw New Jerusalem, that holy city, coming down from God in heaven. It was like a bride dressed in her wedding gown and ready to meet her husband.

3 I heard a loud voice shout from the throne: God’s home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people. 4 He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.

5 Then the one sitting on the throne said: I am making everything new. Write down what I have said. My words are true and can be trusted.” Revelation 21:2-5 CEV

There is so much planning and preparation for that one day, that one very special day!

We as Christians should be preparing too; preparing for a lifetime of eternity in the presence of our loving Bridegroom, Jesus. Our new life in Christ is eternal life and eternal life starts when we accept Him as our Savior. It doesn’t start when we die but it is a life of living in the power and character of Almighty God. We are to be living this out each day with the same excitement and anticipation of a bride waiting for her groom.

“Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, 4 through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.
5 Because you have these blessings, do all you can to add to your life these things: to your faith add goodness; to your goodness add knowledge; 6 to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add patience; to your patience add devotion to God; 7 to your devotion add kindness toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, and to this kindness add love. 8 If all these things are in you and growing, you will never fail to be useful to God. You will produce the kind of fruit that should come from your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Peter 1:3-7

God has provided us with everything we need to be a bride without spot or wrinkle – great and precious promises. As I see it, He has bought us the dress, prepared the venue and hired the caterers. The cake is being decorated and the flowers arranged. It’s time to give Him glory and praise for all He has done.

“ You also know we did everything for you that parents would do for their own children. 12 We begged, encouraged, and urged each of you to live in a way that would honor God. He is the one who chose you to share in his own kingdom and glory.
13 We always thank God that you believed the message we preached. It came from him, and it isn’t something made up by humans. You accepted it as God’s message, and now he is working in you.” I Thessalonians 2:11-13

Time to get ready; our bridegroom is coming!

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A New Set of Clothes

Everyone likes a new set of clothes. When we were kids, it was fun to go to the store and get a new dress or jeans and shoes for the first day of school. Or perhaps you’re memory bank takes you to a particular dress you wore for Christmas or Easter. I know guys, you didn’t wear a dress but you looked spiffy in your new trousers and shirt.

You might still be in your jammies like I am this morning. Have you decided on something red, white and blue to wear to commemorate the Memorial Day remembrance?

What are you wearing?

The Apostle Paul uses a phrase in several of his letters to the Christian churches; put off and put on. In the verses I read today he explains his thought behind that phrase.

“All of you are God’s children because of your faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And when you were baptized, it was as though you had put on Christ in the same way you put on new clothes. 28 Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman. 29 So if you belong to Christ, you are now part of Abraham’s family, and you will be given what God has promised.” Galatians 3:26-29 CEV

“Putting on Christ” like a new set of clothes.

Have you ever been out in the snow and gotten really wet and cold? First thing you want to do is get in and get warm; maybe take a warm/hot shower and then put on some clean, warm, dry clothes. Oh that feels good! Draw that flannel or fleece shirt around you, put on some sweat pants or maybe a pair of long johns and then get some fuzzy socks or slippers – yes, warm clothes are the best!

But how did you get out of those old, wet, cold clothes? Don’t over analyze – the answer is simple. Think – how did you do it? Answer: you took them off! See, I told you it was simple. You didn’t wait for the clothes to magically fall off or for some great force or power to overwhelm you and remove them from your body; you took them off.

That’s how it is in our Christian life, it’s up to us to take off the old and put on the new. It’s not going to be a miraculous or magical overpowering act of God. It’s up to us. God says I have planned a new life for you. Here’s your new self and with it will come the blessing of being in right relationship with me. Take off that dirty, sinful, cold, destructive lifestyle and put on your life “in Christ”. This new life is offered freely to all; it is inclusive, it’s for whosoever will. No one is bigger or better than anyone else, we all must come through Christ and we all receive the same place of sonship.

“Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children. 15 God’s Spirit doesn’t make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. 16 God’s Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. 17 His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.” Romans 8:14-17

Those clothes that you took off may have been your favorite outfit; they have defined you to your family and friends but let them go. Let your new outfit define you – people will say “they used to always act that way but now there’s something different”. Yes, there is – it’s that you have put on your new life “in Christ”.

“You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits. 23 Let the Spirit change your way of thinking 24 and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy. 25 We are part of the same body. Stop lying and start telling each other the truth. 26 Don’t get so angry that you sin. Don’t go to bed angry 27 and don’t give the devil a chance.

28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Be honest and work hard, so you will have something to give to people in need. 29 Stop all your dirty talk. Say the right thing at the right time and help others by what you say. 30 Don’t make God’s Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins. 31 Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. 32 Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. ” Ephesians 4:22-32 CEV

Take off the old and put on the new, enjoy your life in Christ!

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Like Father Like Son

I’ve heard people say from time to time that there’s really no instruction manual for parenthood. It’s one of the hardest jobs there is, next to marriage, and there seems to be no training manual or skills course. But really that’s not true.

We simply need to open the pages of our Bible and there we have the instruction we need. This morning I was reading King David’s final words to his son, Solomon. Here’s what David had to say.

“The time came for David to die, so he gave these commands to Solomon, 2 “I am about to die, like all men must. But you are growing stronger and becoming a man. 3 Now, carefully obey all the commands of the Lord your God. Carefully obey all his laws, commands, decisions, and agreements. Obey everything that is written in the Law of Moses. If you do this, you will be successful at whatever you do and wherever you go.” I Kings 2:1-4 ERV

Sound familiar? This was almost the exact same words that Moses told Joshua when he was about to die and Joshua was to take over as leader of the nation of Israel. This is the same advice that we need as parents.

Obey the Lord’s commands and we will be successful in whatever we do and wherever we go. This is great advice for us as parents. Here is one of my favorite group of verses from the Psalms.

“Thinking about your teachings gives me better understanding than my teachers, 100 and obeying your laws makes me wiser than those who have lived a long time. 101 I obey your word instead of following a way that leads to trouble. 102 You have been my teacher,  and I won’t reject your instructions. 103 Your teachings are sweeter than honey.” Psalm 119:99-103 CEV

This is God’s promise to us. If we respect His word and follow His teachings we will be wise and stay out of trouble. King David lived these words, he knew the strength and wisdom to be drawn from the Lord. His final instruction to his son was to keep God’s word. It would be a source of strength to Solomon as well.

Solomon took his father’s words to heart. Here is the request he made to the Lord when his father died.

“Solomon answered, “You were very kind and loyal to your servant, my father David. He was faithful to you and lived a good, honest life. And you showed him the greatest kindness when you let his son take his place as king. 7 Lord my God, you have made me the king in my father’s place, but I am like a small child. I don’t have the wisdom I need to do what I must do. 8 I am your servant here among your chosen people. There are so many that they cannot be counted. 9 So I ask you to give me the wisdom to rule and judge them well and to help me know the difference between right and wrong. Without such great wisdom, it would be impossible to rule this great nation.”

10 The Lord was happy that Solomon asked for wisdom. ” I Kings 3:6-10 ERV

Solomon wanted wisdom more than anything else. He wanted direction – to know right from wrong. He wanted the ability to lead well. Isn’t that what we all want as parents and grandparents, the ability to lead well?

I found myself praying that this morning. “Lord, I want to lead well. I want to continue in my knowledge of You so that my children and grandchildren know Your word and the importance of making it first place in their lives.” This has been a prayer of dedication that I have prayed for many years, however, it all came back to me this morning as I was reflecting on our oldest granddaughter’s birthday.

Solomon, who wrote the book of Proverbs, made this statement in the first few verses of that book.

“These are the proverbs of Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. 2 They will help you learn to be wise, to accept correction, and to understand wise sayings. 3 They will teach you to develop your mind in the right way. You will learn to do what is right and to be honest and fair. 4 These proverbs will make even those without education smart. They will teach young people what they need to know and how to use what they have learned. 5 Even the wise could become wiser by listening to these proverbs. They will gain understanding and learn to solve difficult problems. 6 These sayings will help you understand proverbs, stories with hidden meanings, words of the wise, and other difficult sayings.

7 Knowledge begins with fear and respect for the Lord, but stubborn fools hate wisdom and refuse to learn. 8 My son, listen to your father when he corrects you, and don’t ignore what your mother teaches you. 9 What you learn from your parents will bring you honor and respect, like a crown or a gold medal.” Proverbs 1:1-9 ERV

Neither David or Solomon were perfect parents. Matter of fact, there has only been one perfect parent, God, the Father. If we follow His instruction we will do a much better job than if we try to make it on our own.

“Father, it’s my desire to be like you. I want to love like You, teach like You, give counsel like You and have my words be Yours. It is my desire to reflect Your character in all I do.”

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