All Grown Up

All Grown Up

Ephesians 4: ¹⁴ Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind of the teaching of deceitful people, who lead others into error by the tricks they invent. ¹⁵ Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head.

 

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Wanting to fit in, I went along with the group’s teachings. “Party while you can!” was the philosophy I had accepted. As we drank our problems away, something seemed wrong. Nothing was getting better. The suggestions from my party “friends” were not working.

 

• I was open to the philosophy of the day.
• I was easily tossed around by those who were deemed the expert of that day.
• I had fallen into a trap where “I” was looking to become the answer, so I followed and admired people who had huge followings.

 

Paul spoke about using GOD given gifts to build up the body of CHRIST. By doing so, maturity follows. “Then we shall no longer be children.” He was shown by JESUS that it took putting faith into action to avoid the dangers listening to the philosophy of the day. We must grow up.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to grow up to see HIM as the answer versus being the problem.
• GOD wants me to use discernment to listen to the gentle words of the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to use my spiritual gifts for HIS purpose to grow up in every way to CHRIST, who is the head.

 

Growing up is different for everyone. I mean, I may be older but still immature. On the other hand, someone else may be young in age but have godly wisdom. The goal is to grow up to be like JESUS. Satan tried to take HIM off center by offering HIM wealth, power and food, representing health. JESUS never fell for HIS temptations and stayed true to HIS purpose.

 

When I use the gifts JESUS gave me, I grow, little by little. I don’t get tossed by the news of the day which would take me away from my trust in GOD. I am grateful for the SPIRIT of love GOD has poured out on me and my hope is to walk toward JESUS daily.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer uses the analogy of a child being blown about by every shifting wind?
• What does it mean to stand firm for your beliefs in JESUS?
• Have you ever been taken off of your belief in GOD, only to find more trouble?
• Will you place your trust in the LORD so you will not fall for tricks invented by those who desire to get their way, and speak the truth about JESUS who provides love and direction today?

Voluntary Open Heart Surgery

Voluntary Open Heart Surgery

2 Corinthians 6: ¹¹ Dear friends in Corinth! We have spoken frankly to you; we have opened our hearts wide. ¹² It is not we who have closed our hearts to you; it is you who have closed your hearts to us. ¹³ I speak now as though you were my children: show us the same feelings that we have for you. Open your hearts wide!

 

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At one point, I would do anything it took for this particular organization. I would arrive early and leave late. All day long I focused on their needs, shunning precious time with family and most of all, GOD time. But one day the leaders of the organization changed for the worse as blame and insults became the norm. It was no longer the same place of merit and honor. My heart wasn’t into it as much.

 

• My hurt heart was closing.
• My eyes were opened to the blindness of “success.”
• My feelings toward giving my all had changed.

 

Paul warns the people to open their hearts wide. His emphatic appeal was probably prompted by the dull reactions to the message he and others had provided through the words GOD placed in their hearts. He could see the people as they turned their hearts away from valuing the message that JESUS is LORD.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me keep my heart open to HIM.
• GOD wants me to let the HOLY SPIRIT in my heart so HE can make room for others.
• GOD wants me to appeal to others to voluntarily open their heart to JESUS so HE will send the COMFORTER to live in their heart.

 

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” is what GOD said to one of the prophets to tell everyone. Since the heart is capable of hurting others or being hurt, it is easy for me to close it when I perceive the world around me is going to make things worse.

 

BUT GOD sends people to me that HE wants me to trust. Their message, while mixed with their sin, comes from HIM. GOD uses imperfect people like me to spread HIS perfect message of true love. I gladly open my heart to the HOLY SPIRIT and speak with flaws, but from the heart.

 

Challenge

• What is the warning that comes from the writer?
• Have you ever practiced closing your heart so often that you do not know what it looks like to have an open heart?
• Why does the writer look at the group as his children?
• Will you open your heart, knowing the HOLY SPIRIT will enter it and protect you from harm, especially from those who intentionally try to poison hearts today?

Children of the Promise

 

Children of the Promise

Romans 9: ⁶ It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. ⁷ Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” ⁸ In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. ⁹ For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

 

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“I’m going to build a new garage” were the words we overheard. This was great news to me because I would use the old garage as my private toilet when I did not feel like stop playing, and now it started to stink.

 

The next day, I got with my siblings and we tore a good sized hole in the garage. “What are you doing?!” was the shout. “We are tearing down the garage” we replied excitedly. The garage wasn’t planned to be built for months.

 

• There have been times when I believed in the promise, but could not wait for the result.
• There have been times when I could see the promised fulfilled in my mind, so I tried to help the promise come in my timing.
• There have been times when I was part of the promise, but not in a way I expected.

 

Abraham was promised that he would be the father of a countless nation of people who would follow GOD. He decided to help GOD with this promise by having a child with a younger woman. GOD’s promise was fulfilled through Sarah, the older woman. Paul’s explained Abraham’s impatience.

 

• GOD has a plan for me and wants me to watch HIM make it unfold.
• GOD has a promise for me, but it includes many other factors I cannot see.
• GOD has a place for me and HE is busy preparing it.

 

When GOD promises something, it will happen. I mean, HE promises things that seem impossible to me, so I try to help HIM out with my efforts. BUT GOD is forgiving. HE sees my futile attempts to “help” HIM and shows me grace anyway.

 

GOD is my FATHER because I believe in JESUS who died for me and is alive making a wonderful place for me. HIS ways are not my ways, HIS thoughts are not my thoughts and HIS plans are always fulfilled. I am glad I am HIS child and I believe in HIS promises.

 

• Is your family dysfunctional?
• Have you fallen into the trap of thinking you are not valued?
• Will you stop believing the lie and know you are a child of GOD and HIS promise for you is far beyond what you could ever think?

The best gift to give a child

Ephesians 6: ⁴Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

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Sunday morning was here and the house was in disarray so of course I woke up barking orders at the family. The house had to be cleaned up right then. Everyone was aligned to the tasks but an eerie silence filled the house.

We ate our meal and headed to church. I have no idea if the family heard what was said about GOD that day. The battle was won but the war was lost.

• My children will pick up my bad habits before they learn the good ones.
• My children will learn prejudice, hatred, lust and greed from me.
• My children will treat people poorly if they see me doing the same.

My lessons as a father are important to my children. They watch me very carefully to see if I am consistent in my beliefs, reliable in my convictions and persistent in my faith. At one time I thought this was too much pressure. “How am I going to walk perfect?” I thought to myself.

• I have to teach my kids that while I am not perfect GOD accepts me as perfection.
• I have to teach my kids that JESUS died for my sins and theirs.
• I have to teach my kids that the most important skill to have in life is a strong relationship with GOD.
• I have to teach my kids that parents are not perfect but GOD is always there and HE is perfect.
• I have to teach my kids faith not fear.

GOD expects me to have deliberate moments where I am teaching my kids about HIM. Whether it is a lesson straight from the Bible or through actually helping someone my lessons are being absorbed daily. Unfortunately my lessons are “always” being taught so when I am not teaching, I “am” teaching.

• When I slander someone, my kids see it.
• When I am negative, my kids see it.
• When I am fearful and doubtful, my kids see it.

Now I know the most important gift I can ever give my children and that is the gift of a relationship with the almighty savior, JESUS who is the CHRIST.

• Are you helping a child grow in knowledge of CHRIST?
• Do you realize that you are an example even if you are not a parent?
• What lessons is your “life” teaching?

How many "Mommas and Daddies" do you have?

John 19:25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

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I just celebrated the 50th anniversary of my "Momma and Daddy" this past weekend. My parents had their 50th anniversary three years ago, but my "momma and daddy" just had theirs this past weekend. Confusing? It's not.

When I was raised, people truly lived like the African Proverb says, "It takes a village to raise a child." My parents were great. They provided a wonderful home, put food on the table and taught me about CHRIST. What more could I ask for? Well there was more.

As a teenager, I wanted to test the boundaries of what my parents were teaching. I would go over my friends house and see if I could get away with some things over there that I couldn't at my house.

We were loud and crazy over my friends house and then his father came downstairs and quickly shut all the craziness down and got us on track." Wow! Your parents are like mine", I said to my friend.

I was blessed with many "Mommas and Daddies" around my neighborhood. it seemed like all the "Mommas" could cook and all the "Daddies" had wise advice. One of my "Daddies" asked me and my friend where we were going that night. "The night club to have some fun", we responded.

He then proceeded to ask us "Where are you investing your money?" We had no answer. "Give to the LORD and save some", he said. I followed this principle the rest of my life and added my own twist to it. "Give to the LORD, save some and spend some."

JESUS sees the disciple who HE loved and HE sees HIS mother. I don't know where Joseph is and I would assume he is dead. JESUS had "step brothers" who Mary could have lived with, but JESUS says "Here is your mother."

I probably would have said "Here is your 'Momma'." JESUS knows the physical parent relationship is special, but HE also knows a caring relationship is just as special. HE loved HIS mother, Mary and HE loved John and knew they would care for each other.

This example of love would draw many people to CHRIST.

• A "Momma and Daddy" are examples to me.
• A "Momma and Daddy" may only say one thing that sticks with me the rest of my life.
• A "Momma and Daddy" trusts in the LORD and wants the best for me.

My "Mommas and Daddies" would go on to show me things my parents didn't do. Some of them taught me how to bowl and others to play games. All of my "Mommas and Daddies" showed me what was important and that is to keep CHRIST as the number one thing in my life.

• Can you recall a "Momma" or a "Daddy" in your life?
• Are you open to their correction and advice?
• Does your "Momma" and "Daddy" have your best interest in mind?
• Where are you getting "GODLY SPIRITUAL" advice from?