"Then Manoah entreated the Lord and said, “O Lord, please let the man of God whom You have sent come to us again that he may teach us what to do for the boy who is to be born.” Judges 13:8
The angel of the Lord appeared to a barren woman by the name of Zorah to inform her that she would give birth to a son. There were three peculiar things that would set the young man apart. First, he was to be a Nazirite from the womb. This meant that he was dedicated to the Lord and required that certain restrictions, such as prohibition against alcohol and avoidance of proximity to the dead, be observed throughout his life. Second, he was given a particular purpose in life. The angel said to Zorah, "...and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines,” Judges 13:5. Lastly, the Holy Spirit was to be upon him (Judges 13:25) and would manifest in ways that cause us all to know his name to this day.
Unfortunately, Zorah's husband, Manoah, was not present to hear this unfathomable news. Upon hearing his wife's report, he immediately prayed to the Lord for the return of the mysterious visitor that he might inquire as to how the child should be raised.
Beloved, how striking it is to have the presence of mind to seek the face of God about the raising of our children. To be sure, we are grateful to be granted such tremendous blessings and some of us even dedicate them back to Him. But how often do we ask for God's direction in raising them? Each of us has a godly purpose in life though even into adulthood, many of us do not realize this fact or do not understand what that purpose may be. In truth, we may never understand the full ramifications of our presence on the planet. Nevertheless, if we pray for guidance in raising our children and "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4), they will be more likely to discover and live out their purpose in Him. In so doing, we may better realize our own.
We have much to pray about in this life, but there is little more important than prayers rendered on behalf of our children and our parenting. They are not just the next generation of our individual families, but they are the next generation of God's children. And with all of the adversaries of righteousness that we and they must face, it is critical that the people of God are as prepared and fortified as possible.
By the way, the identity of Zorah and Manoah's son? His name was Samson.
Committed,
Lee
Showing posts with label Children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Children. Show all posts
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Are Your Children Safe? 6/10/2013
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Eph 6:4
As a product of a military family, I had the privilege of growing up in many different parts of the world. One of the places that stands out is Germany. Of course there are many reasons why this was a memorable experience but one of them was that there was one American channel, which only broadcast in black and white, and every night at 10 PM, just before broadcasting concluded for the day, a message came across that said, "It's 10 o'clock. Do you know where your children are?"
Beloved, just as those were the last hours of the day, these are the last days of the age. And just as an inquiry was being made about the safety of the children, today, we must ask the same question. Naturally we are concerned about our children's physical and emotional well being, but do we know where our children are spiritually? The reality is that by the grace of God, they will one day become adults. As we teach them everything else, from walking to speaking to reading and running, we must ensure that a relationship with God is just as important if not more than everything else we stress. As we are held accountable by God for our behavior and belief, so to will they be. It is therefore critical that we prepare them.
Some may be unsure how to go about giving the kids spiritual training. The answer is that it is accomplished the same way we teach them everything else. They must be able to observe it in us, receive direct instruction from us and that it be a part of their every day lives. Better put, "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" Deut 6:6-9. As much as we might be satisfied with taking the kids to worship with us and letting the bible school teachers provide their training, we must understand that the responsibility belongs to the parents and that the church is merely a help. So much more is accomplished in the day to day at home than in an hour on Sunday.
Finally, it is important to start early. As children age, the influences from outside the home will grow to equal and perhaps surpass the influences at home. A firm foundation can help guard against those things that are counter to the will of God. This foundation can only be established by parents. It's 10 o'clock. Know where your children are because of where you have placed them and because you are there with them.
Committed,
Lee
As a product of a military family, I had the privilege of growing up in many different parts of the world. One of the places that stands out is Germany. Of course there are many reasons why this was a memorable experience but one of them was that there was one American channel, which only broadcast in black and white, and every night at 10 PM, just before broadcasting concluded for the day, a message came across that said, "It's 10 o'clock. Do you know where your children are?"
Beloved, just as those were the last hours of the day, these are the last days of the age. And just as an inquiry was being made about the safety of the children, today, we must ask the same question. Naturally we are concerned about our children's physical and emotional well being, but do we know where our children are spiritually? The reality is that by the grace of God, they will one day become adults. As we teach them everything else, from walking to speaking to reading and running, we must ensure that a relationship with God is just as important if not more than everything else we stress. As we are held accountable by God for our behavior and belief, so to will they be. It is therefore critical that we prepare them.
Some may be unsure how to go about giving the kids spiritual training. The answer is that it is accomplished the same way we teach them everything else. They must be able to observe it in us, receive direct instruction from us and that it be a part of their every day lives. Better put, "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" Deut 6:6-9. As much as we might be satisfied with taking the kids to worship with us and letting the bible school teachers provide their training, we must understand that the responsibility belongs to the parents and that the church is merely a help. So much more is accomplished in the day to day at home than in an hour on Sunday.
Finally, it is important to start early. As children age, the influences from outside the home will grow to equal and perhaps surpass the influences at home. A firm foundation can help guard against those things that are counter to the will of God. This foundation can only be established by parents. It's 10 o'clock. Know where your children are because of where you have placed them and because you are there with them.
Committed,
Lee
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Acting Childish 10/30/2012
"But Jesus called for them, saying, 'Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.'" Luke 18:16-17
By this time, Jesus had become quite famous. Everywhere he went he attracted both detractors and the hopeful. In this case, worried and distraught parents were bringing their children to him to be blessed and healed. Unfortunately, it was Jesus' own disciples that took on the role of security guards (rather than facilitators) when they began to rebuke the parents for presumably wasting the Savior's time. Jesus used this opportunity as an object lesson for all.
Children are so wide eyed as they experience the world. There's is a faith that is so fundamental that they are not even aware of alternative explanations or perspectives. Their entire point of view is a combination of their own experience and what they have been told by loving parents. Based on these two things, they just accept. Watch small children as they interact with others like themselves on the playground or in the play room and you will see love and sharing. It is also at this stage of life when they are the most obedient and have not yet learned to talk back or premeditatedly misbehave. And finally, they are completely dependent upon their parents for everything from the basics of food, water, clothing and shelter to education, health care, affection and love. It is all a little one needs.
Beloved, when Jesus mentions receiving the kingdom of God like a child, he is talking about nothing less than these things. As adults and followers of Christ, we must shed our rebellion and faithlessness and understand that he provides for every one of our needs. We must love the Lord with the nearly blind faith and absoluteness of a child. All other alternatives must seem otherworldly. To do less than this endangers our ability to gain the heaven we all seek. If there is any area in which a grown, hard working, responsible adult should be childish, this is most certainly it.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
By this time, Jesus had become quite famous. Everywhere he went he attracted both detractors and the hopeful. In this case, worried and distraught parents were bringing their children to him to be blessed and healed. Unfortunately, it was Jesus' own disciples that took on the role of security guards (rather than facilitators) when they began to rebuke the parents for presumably wasting the Savior's time. Jesus used this opportunity as an object lesson for all.
Children are so wide eyed as they experience the world. There's is a faith that is so fundamental that they are not even aware of alternative explanations or perspectives. Their entire point of view is a combination of their own experience and what they have been told by loving parents. Based on these two things, they just accept. Watch small children as they interact with others like themselves on the playground or in the play room and you will see love and sharing. It is also at this stage of life when they are the most obedient and have not yet learned to talk back or premeditatedly misbehave. And finally, they are completely dependent upon their parents for everything from the basics of food, water, clothing and shelter to education, health care, affection and love. It is all a little one needs.
Beloved, when Jesus mentions receiving the kingdom of God like a child, he is talking about nothing less than these things. As adults and followers of Christ, we must shed our rebellion and faithlessness and understand that he provides for every one of our needs. We must love the Lord with the nearly blind faith and absoluteness of a child. All other alternatives must seem otherworldly. To do less than this endangers our ability to gain the heaven we all seek. If there is any area in which a grown, hard working, responsible adult should be childish, this is most certainly it.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Friday, July 15, 2011
The Unpopularity of the Faith (Part III)-7/15/2011
"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up." Deut 6:6-7
There are unfortunately many times when the unpopularity of the faith finds its most significant expression among our own children. As we teach our kids everything they know about life, from their first steps and words, to avoiding electrical sockets and hot irons to looking both ways when the cross the street, to how to deal with heartbreak, we spend a significant part of our lives preparing them to live theirs. Naturally when we attend worship, we bring them along, send them to their classes, take them to vacation bible school and work side by side with them on church work days or visiting the sick.
Somewhere along the way, however, the world intrudes into this idyllic existence. They discover that there are people out there that are their age that do not necessarily share the same beliefs with which they were raised. They discover that there is music out there that attracts them despite their questionable lyrics. There is alcohol, cigarettes, coarse language, drugs, sex and homosexuality. And because their friends and what those friends think is cool becomes more and more important in their lives, an erosion of everything we have tried to teach them about God and righteousness begins to erode. It is then when the kids begin to question the existence of God, not because He is not real, but because in their minds, He stands against everything that has become increasingly important to them.
Beloved, many parents are experiencing these very things every day. Some even try home schooling in order to limit outside influences but have found that Satan is pervasive, persistent and patient. There are three things we must remember. First, give your children the best biblical and spiritual foundation possible. Ensure that they develop their own relationship with God and that He is much or more a part of their reality as your love for them. From this they will never depart. Second, guard them as much as you can. Watch TV, listen to music, read books and pursue other entertainment and activities with them while teaching them what is acceptable and good and what is not. Third, understand that the world will break in. Just remember your own youth and the first time you tried ________. It is absolutely inevitable. And lastly, stay with your child through their mistakes and experimentation. The purpose is not to approve what they do, but to love them. Constantly encourage them toward the faith and constantly remind them of the spiritual and biblical lessons with which they were raised. Remind them that God is and that He loves them and that you do to.
Heartbreak is an unavoidable hazard of parenting, but we can mitigate the loss of our children to Satan by following these steps. Certainly others involve seeking the counsel of your trusted clergyman, fellowshipping with other parents and families and always, always, always seeking the Lord in prayer. Our children are truly under attack. Let us protect them with the same vigor that we always have against all threats. God will help.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
There are unfortunately many times when the unpopularity of the faith finds its most significant expression among our own children. As we teach our kids everything they know about life, from their first steps and words, to avoiding electrical sockets and hot irons to looking both ways when the cross the street, to how to deal with heartbreak, we spend a significant part of our lives preparing them to live theirs. Naturally when we attend worship, we bring them along, send them to their classes, take them to vacation bible school and work side by side with them on church work days or visiting the sick.
Somewhere along the way, however, the world intrudes into this idyllic existence. They discover that there are people out there that are their age that do not necessarily share the same beliefs with which they were raised. They discover that there is music out there that attracts them despite their questionable lyrics. There is alcohol, cigarettes, coarse language, drugs, sex and homosexuality. And because their friends and what those friends think is cool becomes more and more important in their lives, an erosion of everything we have tried to teach them about God and righteousness begins to erode. It is then when the kids begin to question the existence of God, not because He is not real, but because in their minds, He stands against everything that has become increasingly important to them.
Beloved, many parents are experiencing these very things every day. Some even try home schooling in order to limit outside influences but have found that Satan is pervasive, persistent and patient. There are three things we must remember. First, give your children the best biblical and spiritual foundation possible. Ensure that they develop their own relationship with God and that He is much or more a part of their reality as your love for them. From this they will never depart. Second, guard them as much as you can. Watch TV, listen to music, read books and pursue other entertainment and activities with them while teaching them what is acceptable and good and what is not. Third, understand that the world will break in. Just remember your own youth and the first time you tried ________. It is absolutely inevitable. And lastly, stay with your child through their mistakes and experimentation. The purpose is not to approve what they do, but to love them. Constantly encourage them toward the faith and constantly remind them of the spiritual and biblical lessons with which they were raised. Remind them that God is and that He loves them and that you do to.
Heartbreak is an unavoidable hazard of parenting, but we can mitigate the loss of our children to Satan by following these steps. Certainly others involve seeking the counsel of your trusted clergyman, fellowshipping with other parents and families and always, always, always seeking the Lord in prayer. Our children are truly under attack. Let us protect them with the same vigor that we always have against all threats. God will help.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Equipped for Parenting-DD 3/15/2011
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Eph 6:4
The role of the family in a child's development is to love, nurture and teach. Naturally there are many things that go into each of these categories, but the point is that parents have a responsibility to their children.
When we look around at the world we live in, it is not unusual to wonder what is really going on. Why is there so much death, destruction, fighting, corruption and unrighteousness? We see bad acting on the part of both children and adults. A breakdown in family love, nurturing and teaching is most surely at the root of our problems. According to the US Census Bureau, there are approximately 13.7 million single parents in the United States today, and those parents are responsible for raising 21.8 million children (approximately 26% of children under 21 in the U.S. today). This is not how God intended the family to be structured. Parenting is more than a full time job and requires all the help and resources we can get. This is not a criticism of single parents, but a lament against things that cause these situations to be so...whatever they may be. Children need the positive influence of both parents whether they are together or not.
Beloved, we must return to a focus on the family. Marriages must not be entered into lightly and must survive. We must not be unequally yoked. We must be willing to give instruction in the Lord at least as much time as karate, soccer, baseball and scouts. Just as we prepare our children to thrive and survive in the world, we must with even greater fervency, prepare them for eternity.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
The role of the family in a child's development is to love, nurture and teach. Naturally there are many things that go into each of these categories, but the point is that parents have a responsibility to their children.
When we look around at the world we live in, it is not unusual to wonder what is really going on. Why is there so much death, destruction, fighting, corruption and unrighteousness? We see bad acting on the part of both children and adults. A breakdown in family love, nurturing and teaching is most surely at the root of our problems. According to the US Census Bureau, there are approximately 13.7 million single parents in the United States today, and those parents are responsible for raising 21.8 million children (approximately 26% of children under 21 in the U.S. today). This is not how God intended the family to be structured. Parenting is more than a full time job and requires all the help and resources we can get. This is not a criticism of single parents, but a lament against things that cause these situations to be so...whatever they may be. Children need the positive influence of both parents whether they are together or not.
Beloved, we must return to a focus on the family. Marriages must not be entered into lightly and must survive. We must not be unequally yoked. We must be willing to give instruction in the Lord at least as much time as karate, soccer, baseball and scouts. Just as we prepare our children to thrive and survive in the world, we must with even greater fervency, prepare them for eternity.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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