Proverbs 22:6 “Point your kids in the right direction—
when they're old they won't be lost.” >(The Message Paraphrase)
When I was a boy, there were some on my School bus who had a unique gift. Back then, our report cards were written in by the teacher on a piece of paper. Now, if they were careful, they could often make certain changes to their report card. For example, if you had a “D,” they could often manipulate it till it looked like a “B.” But, the one most kids were interested in was when they had an “F” on their card. If they were careful, they could often manipulate that “F” to look like an “A.”
Now, what those kids didn’t realize was is that you can change the report card and pull the wool over your parent’s eyes, but the Teacher still new the original grade. Friends, one day, we are going to be graded on our homes and how we are raising our children.
Now, there are as many philosophies on how to raise children as there are parents in this world, but God gives us directions for parenting in the Bible. And if we will follow his instructions, we are sure to get an A on our heavenly report card.
Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” In the Message paraphrase of the Bible it reads, “Point your kids in the right direction— when they're old they won't be lost.”
Now, what does it mean to “train up” a child, or to “point” a child in the right direction? There is a difference in teaching a child and training a child. Many of us teach a child one thing and watch them do it completely the opposite. Far too often, we think that teaching is all we need to do, our job is done! Not So! Children are self-willed, and self-centered. The Bible says for us to “Train” our children. To train means, “To prepare for a contest. To instruct by exercise, to drill, to form to a proper shape, to discipline for use.”
Now, in what direction should we point our children? How shall we do that?
#1 –Point our children to Faith
Friends, did you know that the word used here for train is only used four other times in the Bible. Two of those times it is spoken of as a man dedicating his house, the other two when Solomon was dedicating the Temple to God. This word has the idea of “Dedicating.” To train up our children, we are to begin by Dedicating our children to God. We are to follow the example of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter 1 as she dedicates her son Samuel to the Lord.
Now understand this…
a) Start training early.
Why start when the child is young? That is when their Curiosity is very high. What is the one word you parents most often here from your toddler? “WHY?” “WHY?!” “WHY?!!!”
Starting early is important because a child’s Memory Factor is strong. Little children have an amazing ability to memorize. Just think about it. Before a child is out of diapers, they are learning the English language.
Then there is the Humility Factor. Children are still humble, their little hearts are soft and moldable. Jesus said to us adults, “Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).
b) Be Creative.
This word “Train” also has been used to describe the putting something in the mouth to be tasted. In ancient times, midwives would take crushed dates and mix them with honey, or olive oil, put that on their finger and then rub the pallet of a baby to help teach the baby to swallow. Now, you cannot reach in the back of your mouth and touch your pallet without trying to swallow
Parents that is what God is saying we should do with our children spiritually. We are to be creative in training up our children in the faith. We are to create a hunger, a thirst in their little hearts to want to know God and His Word.
Be creative. Find teaching moments in everything. Do like Jesus. He picked up a handful of seed and taught the message “The Sower and the Seed” in Matthew 13:3
c) Begin at Home.
Now, faith in God is to begin in the home, not the church. The church is very important. It has a very important role in the spiritual development of young and old alike, but my friends, the first preachers of the Gospel a child hears and understands should be the mother and father, or the guardians of that child.
The Lord Jesus said, “Suffer not the little children to come unto me for such is the kingdom of Heaven.” Statistics are there dear friend, you give the devil 18 years to harden your child’s heart toward the things of God and the chances of your child coming to Jesus are very low. A child’s faith is to be nurtured beginning in the home and increased through the church.
Deuteronomy 6:6-8, “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”
>#2 – Point your children to Responsibility
Don’t give them everything. Mold your precious ones to understand that everyone is equal in the sight of God. Train them to have a good work ethic, to be good managers of their finances, how to treat a lady, how to respect men. Train them to be responsible spiritually and with life in general.
How?
#3 – Point with Firmness
Now, I know you think your child is a little angel and it’s everyone else children that are little devils, but may I tell you, that the Bible says, “Foolishness is bound in the heard of a child” (Proverbs 22:15). The word “foolishness” means silliness. Children are children. And God has a proper method for us to discipline our children. Remember, discipline is one part of the whole of training.
Why should we discipline our children?
a) Because you love them.
Proverbs 13: 24, “He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.”
Some people won’t discipline their child and they will say, “O’ but I just love him so much I can’t discipline him.” Friend, if that is you, you are telling a lie. You don’t love him like you ought. If you that were true, then you are better than God. Listen to Hebrews 12:6, “For whom the LORD loves He chastens…” Whom the LORD loves…!
Now listen, the word “rod” in Proverbs 13:24, doesn’t mean to beat a child with a stick, it means a twig or switch. It is not intended to harm a child, simply to sting. And God has created a perfect spot for that on the human body too!
The Bible teaches that disciplining our children will keep us from disgrace. Listen to Proverbs 29:15, “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” Verse 17 says, “Correct your son, and he will give you rest.”
How should you use discipline?
Revelation 3: 19 says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.”
a) Discipline out of love…
b) Speak first…
c) Chasten last…
#4 – Fun
Friends, the home should be known as a place of joy, laughter, FUN! Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.” Fun is a gift from God!
God wants our homes to be so marked with joy that those who are far from God will look at our homes and recognize the blessings of God. Read this wonderful verse, Psalm 126: 2, “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Our Blessed Hope
“ Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13
On a rock island prison called Patmos, an aged preacher struggles through each day. He is surrounded by salt water and criminals. His hair and beard are white from his age, but probably just as much from his many trials and hardships. He has faithfully preached the Good News of Jesus for many years. He pastored a large church in Ephesus and has experienced the death of all the other original disciples of Jesus. He is weary and weak, but he has hope! What hope you ask? He is expectantly looking for the return of the Savior He so deeply loved and worshipped!
Of course, this is a description of the Apostle John, the only disciple of Christ to not die a martyrs death. At around 90 years of age, he was a prisoner on the isle of Patmos for preaching the Gospel of Jesus. In Revelation 22:7, the Lord Jesus appears to John and says, “Behold, I am coming quickly!” John becomes so moved by this wonderful message that he falls to the earth in a spirit of worship. I imagine he clasped his hands, let out an exhale of relief and then proclaimed, “Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).
The return of Christ is a popular subject these days. For some, it is met with skeptics, but the Bible says that for us who are Christians, the return of Christ is our “blessed hope.” Friends, the return of Christ is a message of victory, deliverance, and joy for us who have labored in service for our Lord, fought through the trials and tribulations that this life brings, and have longed for peace. The Lord Jesus tells us that this great day will usher in a time when God will wipe away all tears. When there will be no more death, no sorrow, no crying, and no more pain. No wonder churches everywhere sing, “What a day that will be.”
One great preacher once said, “This world is on a collision course with destiny.” The return of Christ is a realty. When the Bible calls the return of Christ our “hope” It doesn’t mean, “Something we long to happen but don’t know if it will.” Hope in the Bible is defined as a “certainty.” Friend, you can be as certain that Jesus is coming again as you are that the world is round, that the sun gives light, and that water is wet. It is a sure and certain hope!Are you ready? We don’t know when that day will come, but we can be sure that IT WILL COME! Don’t get caught up in the false teachers who set dates, or the mockers who long to ridicule. Receive the Lord Jesus. Accept Him into your heart. Love Him, serve Him, Look for Him. Three times in Revelation 22, Jesus says, “…I’m coming quickly.” Friend, don’t spend your life looking around…look up!
On a rock island prison called Patmos, an aged preacher struggles through each day. He is surrounded by salt water and criminals. His hair and beard are white from his age, but probably just as much from his many trials and hardships. He has faithfully preached the Good News of Jesus for many years. He pastored a large church in Ephesus and has experienced the death of all the other original disciples of Jesus. He is weary and weak, but he has hope! What hope you ask? He is expectantly looking for the return of the Savior He so deeply loved and worshipped!
Of course, this is a description of the Apostle John, the only disciple of Christ to not die a martyrs death. At around 90 years of age, he was a prisoner on the isle of Patmos for preaching the Gospel of Jesus. In Revelation 22:7, the Lord Jesus appears to John and says, “Behold, I am coming quickly!” John becomes so moved by this wonderful message that he falls to the earth in a spirit of worship. I imagine he clasped his hands, let out an exhale of relief and then proclaimed, “Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).
The return of Christ is a popular subject these days. For some, it is met with skeptics, but the Bible says that for us who are Christians, the return of Christ is our “blessed hope.” Friends, the return of Christ is a message of victory, deliverance, and joy for us who have labored in service for our Lord, fought through the trials and tribulations that this life brings, and have longed for peace. The Lord Jesus tells us that this great day will usher in a time when God will wipe away all tears. When there will be no more death, no sorrow, no crying, and no more pain. No wonder churches everywhere sing, “What a day that will be.”
One great preacher once said, “This world is on a collision course with destiny.” The return of Christ is a realty. When the Bible calls the return of Christ our “hope” It doesn’t mean, “Something we long to happen but don’t know if it will.” Hope in the Bible is defined as a “certainty.” Friend, you can be as certain that Jesus is coming again as you are that the world is round, that the sun gives light, and that water is wet. It is a sure and certain hope!Are you ready? We don’t know when that day will come, but we can be sure that IT WILL COME! Don’t get caught up in the false teachers who set dates, or the mockers who long to ridicule. Receive the Lord Jesus. Accept Him into your heart. Love Him, serve Him, Look for Him. Three times in Revelation 22, Jesus says, “…I’m coming quickly.” Friend, don’t spend your life looking around…look up!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Riches
Proverbs 23:4-6, “ Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.”
Are you rich? Sadly, the motto of many is “Get all you can, and can all you can get.” But, is money true riches? The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance” (Is 55:2).
Now, the Lord is definitely not opposed to you making money, but He wants you to keep money in a proper perspective. Money doesn’t make you rich, it’s simply a tool for you to use. If you are looking for happiness through wealth, you won’t find it. As the writer of Proverbs tells us, “(riches)…they fly away like an eagle.”
I once heard of a man who had great riches. His one request when he died was that he be buried with all his money. When he died, they followed his request. His widow walked up to the casket, took the cash out, and wrote a check for the amount and placed it in his cold hand. Listen friend, you are not going to take the money with you.
The writer of Proverbs goes on and says, “He who trusts in his riches will fall.” Friend, don’t put your trust, your joy, or your sense of self-worth in your pocket book. It will let you down.
Let me ask you again, are you rich? Friend, you may be richer than you think. Take a stroll outside and gaze at the clouds in the sky. Listen to the birds sing their melodies. Feel the breeze brush gently against your skin. Hold a family member tight. Tell a child you love them. Listen to Jesus tell you that He loves you! Read the Bible and see that you are the apple of God’s eye. Read how Jesus left Heaven’s throne, came to this earth, died on the cross for you and arose again from the grave in order to give you eternal life. Hallelujah! The most valuable things in life are free!
1 Timothy 6:6 says, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Are you rich? Sadly, the motto of many is “Get all you can, and can all you can get.” But, is money true riches? The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance” (Is 55:2).
Now, the Lord is definitely not opposed to you making money, but He wants you to keep money in a proper perspective. Money doesn’t make you rich, it’s simply a tool for you to use. If you are looking for happiness through wealth, you won’t find it. As the writer of Proverbs tells us, “(riches)…they fly away like an eagle.”
I once heard of a man who had great riches. His one request when he died was that he be buried with all his money. When he died, they followed his request. His widow walked up to the casket, took the cash out, and wrote a check for the amount and placed it in his cold hand. Listen friend, you are not going to take the money with you.
The writer of Proverbs goes on and says, “He who trusts in his riches will fall.” Friend, don’t put your trust, your joy, or your sense of self-worth in your pocket book. It will let you down.
Let me ask you again, are you rich? Friend, you may be richer than you think. Take a stroll outside and gaze at the clouds in the sky. Listen to the birds sing their melodies. Feel the breeze brush gently against your skin. Hold a family member tight. Tell a child you love them. Listen to Jesus tell you that He loves you! Read the Bible and see that you are the apple of God’s eye. Read how Jesus left Heaven’s throne, came to this earth, died on the cross for you and arose again from the grave in order to give you eternal life. Hallelujah! The most valuable things in life are free!
1 Timothy 6:6 says, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”
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