January 22, 2014
"When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned." Romans 5:12
Sometimes I find the concept of natural sin difficult to grasp. Scripture tells me I entered the world with a sinful nature. Really? A cute little baby a sinner? But just the other day I saw in my own cute little baby the consequence of natural sin.
My 9-month old loves to crawl. He has yet to learn how to crawl on his hands and knees but with our tile floors he can scoot himself on his belly through our home faster than any army-guy I know. Recently I caught a glimpse of our little one rounding the corner toward our office in which lies many tempting items for Baby--wires, uncovered electrical outlets, buttons on the computer, etc. "No, no," I said to our son. He looked over his little shoulder at me, grinned his four-tooth grin, turned back and began to crawl into our office as fast as his little body could wiggle.
"My lil' sinner," I gasped!
No one taught our son to disobey. At 9-months old my son fails to realize the implications of his choices. It is simply his nature--our nature--the nature which descended to us from Adam and Eve.
In Genesis 2:17 the Parent said, "No." But the daughter and son failed to heed the Parent's warning. The children looked over their shoulder, turned back and moved forth in their actions. The children believed that what lied ahead would prove better, more entertaining than what the Parent had already provided for them.
All--ALL--have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23, emphasis mine) The penalty of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
The sin of one
man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful
grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through another man, Jesus
Christ. And
the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of
that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free
gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty
of many sins. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings
condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings
a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. (Romans 5:15-16, 18)
My lil' sinner needs a Savior. So do I. So do you.
The Savior's name is Jesus.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Bringing our Kids to Jesus
January 11, 2014
"One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could lay His
hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents
for bothering Him." Matthew 19:13
Today I found myself captivated by the actions of a particular set of parents. I did not witness these parents' actions firsthand nor was it something I read about in the news headlines. I happened upon this non-traditional mom and pop in Matthew 19:13.
In his gospel Matthew tells us, "one day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could lay His
hands on them and pray for them." But Matthew goes on to admit, "the disciples scolded the parents
for bothering Him [Jesus]."
Why did I find the actions of these parents worthy of reflection? Because the reaction of the disciples to the parents leads me to believe that in biblical times most people failed to place any value on children. Why else would the disciples have considered the children a "bother?" Yet regardless of the value (or lack thereof) that the world placed on their children these parents risked everything to lead their children to the King.
Matthew's story forces me to ask myself: Am I willing to bring my kids to Jesus even if it means enduring ridicule and rebuke? Or am I more concerned with what the world might say about my efforts to lead our children to God?
The ways of the world run contrary to the ways of God.
The world says, "Me first," but the Word says, "Deny self." (Matthew 16:24)
The world says, "Get revenge," but the Word says, "Turn the other cheek." (Matthew 5:39)
The world says, "Money and achievement matter," but the Word says, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor," and, "Give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord." (Matthew 19:21 and 1 Corinthians 15:58)
During a time when most of the world failed to recognize Jesus as the Son of God a few wise parents refused to conform to worldly thinking and instead took their beloveds directly to Him.
Is the world really all that different today? During a time when most of the world fails to recognize Jesus and His Ways may I refuse to conform to the ways of the world and instead take my children straight to Him.
As we begin a new year with new routines and new schedules, or maybe instead of returning to the same ol' schedule, let me consider how I can make more time, be more intentional about bringing my kids to Jesus.
"One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could lay His
hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents
for bothering Him." Matthew 19:13
Today I found myself captivated by the actions of a particular set of parents. I did not witness these parents' actions firsthand nor was it something I read about in the news headlines. I happened upon this non-traditional mom and pop in Matthew 19:13.
In his gospel Matthew tells us, "one day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could lay His
hands on them and pray for them." But Matthew goes on to admit, "the disciples scolded the parents
for bothering Him [Jesus]."
Why did I find the actions of these parents worthy of reflection? Because the reaction of the disciples to the parents leads me to believe that in biblical times most people failed to place any value on children. Why else would the disciples have considered the children a "bother?" Yet regardless of the value (or lack thereof) that the world placed on their children these parents risked everything to lead their children to the King.
Matthew's story forces me to ask myself: Am I willing to bring my kids to Jesus even if it means enduring ridicule and rebuke? Or am I more concerned with what the world might say about my efforts to lead our children to God?
The ways of the world run contrary to the ways of God.
The world says, "Me first," but the Word says, "Deny self." (Matthew 16:24)
The world says, "Get revenge," but the Word says, "Turn the other cheek." (Matthew 5:39)
The world says, "Money and achievement matter," but the Word says, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor," and, "Give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord." (Matthew 19:21 and 1 Corinthians 15:58)
During a time when most of the world failed to recognize Jesus as the Son of God a few wise parents refused to conform to worldly thinking and instead took their beloveds directly to Him.
Is the world really all that different today? During a time when most of the world fails to recognize Jesus and His Ways may I refuse to conform to the ways of the world and instead take my children straight to Him.
As we begin a new year with new routines and new schedules, or maybe instead of returning to the same ol' schedule, let me consider how I can make more time, be more intentional about bringing my kids to Jesus.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
The Monotony of Motherhood
January 8, 2014
"Then He said to them, 'Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me also welcomes My Father who sent Me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.'" Luke 9:48
As much as I hate to admit it, sometimes motherhood feels monotonous. Caring for the same kids with the same needs can leave a mama feeling tired and worn out, longing for a change of pace. But before I give in to the cravings of my flesh I turn to the Word to remind myself of what God has to say about these little ones.
“Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me also welcomes My Father who sent Me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” (Luke 9:48)
Jesus says that when I welcome my children I am welcoming Him. And when I receive Jesus I get the Father too.
Jesus' words grant me a new perspective on my early risers.
When I fix breakfast (again) for my children, I fix breakfast for Jesus. When I wash my children's dishes (again), I wash dishes for Jesus. When I pull out our school books (again) I teach my children about Jesus. When I kiss the tiniest scrape or bandage a bleeding wound; when I change my tenth diaper for the day (and then change my shirt which caught remnant from the diaper); when I moderate Lego disputes; when I wash hair; when I brush teeth; when I read a bedtime story, sometimes two; I do it all as unto Jesus IF and only if I receive these children in His name.
Father, forgive me for the times that I fail to see my children for who they are--gifts from You. Help me to break the monotony of motherhood by seeing each need of my children as an opportunity to serve You.
"Then He said to them, 'Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me also welcomes My Father who sent Me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.'" Luke 9:48
As much as I hate to admit it, sometimes motherhood feels monotonous. Caring for the same kids with the same needs can leave a mama feeling tired and worn out, longing for a change of pace. But before I give in to the cravings of my flesh I turn to the Word to remind myself of what God has to say about these little ones.
“Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me also welcomes My Father who sent Me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” (Luke 9:48)
Jesus says that when I welcome my children I am welcoming Him. And when I receive Jesus I get the Father too.
Jesus' words grant me a new perspective on my early risers.
When I fix breakfast (again) for my children, I fix breakfast for Jesus. When I wash my children's dishes (again), I wash dishes for Jesus. When I pull out our school books (again) I teach my children about Jesus. When I kiss the tiniest scrape or bandage a bleeding wound; when I change my tenth diaper for the day (and then change my shirt which caught remnant from the diaper); when I moderate Lego disputes; when I wash hair; when I brush teeth; when I read a bedtime story, sometimes two; I do it all as unto Jesus IF and only if I receive these children in His name.
Father, forgive me for the times that I fail to see my children for who they are--gifts from You. Help me to break the monotony of motherhood by seeing each need of my children as an opportunity to serve You.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Building Little Temples
January 1, 2014
"Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord
God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will
see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly." 1 Chronicles 28:20
I have such good intentions.
Our children recently received a package in the mail from a camp they attended this past summer. The package contained a calendar and three sets of postcards. The inside cover of the calendar explained the significance of hand-written correspondence. My children immediately wanted to "write" on the postcards. But I had better intentions.
I refused to surrender the post cards until I had a chance to sit down with our children and read the information from the inside cover of the calendar. But about that same time a bowl shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces on our kitchen floor. The postcards--and my good intentions--would have to wait.
"Hand over the postcards," my husband said. "But I want to read the calendar to them first," I protested. "Hand over the postcards," my husband repeated with a sympathetic smile on his face. "But I need to teach them how to use a postcard," I pleaded.
Some may call it Type-A personality (and those some may have a point). I call it good intentions.
I want to play Ladderball with my kids. I want to make crafts with my
kids. I want to visit the elderly in nursing homes and to serve others
as a family and . . . the list continues. Yet the demands of raising a
family seem to consume most of my waking moments. When my list of good
intentions remains undone I grow utterly discouraged.
King David had good intentions too. David desired to build a temple for God. David spent much time and effort making preparations for building God's dwelling place. But God prevented David from following through with his good intentions. Instead, God chose one of David's sons, Solomon, to build His Temple. In 1 Chronicles 28:20 David tells Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord
God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will
see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly."
I too am building [little] temples for God. In 1 Corinthians 6:19 Paul writes, "Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?"
Two of our children have professed their faith in Christ. Ephesians 1:13 tells me that when our children made their professions of faith God placed His Spirit in our children. Two of our children are temples for God (they're just still under construction). My husband and I pray that the foundations in our other two children will one day prove strong enough to also become temples for God.
Proverbs 16:3 tells me to commit my actions to the LORD, and my plans will succeed.
Proverbs 22:6 promises that if I direct my children onto the right path, when they are older, they will not leave it.
Rather than feeling discouraged when I fail to accomplish my good intentions I must remember the words of David to his own son. God is with me. He will
see to it that all the work--all the work--related to building [little] temples of the Lord is finished correctly.
"Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord
God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will
see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly." 1 Chronicles 28:20
I have such good intentions.
Our children recently received a package in the mail from a camp they attended this past summer. The package contained a calendar and three sets of postcards. The inside cover of the calendar explained the significance of hand-written correspondence. My children immediately wanted to "write" on the postcards. But I had better intentions.
I refused to surrender the post cards until I had a chance to sit down with our children and read the information from the inside cover of the calendar. But about that same time a bowl shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces on our kitchen floor. The postcards--and my good intentions--would have to wait.
"Hand over the postcards," my husband said. "But I want to read the calendar to them first," I protested. "Hand over the postcards," my husband repeated with a sympathetic smile on his face. "But I need to teach them how to use a postcard," I pleaded.
Some may call it Type-A personality (and those some may have a point). I call it good intentions.
I want to play Ladderball with my kids. I want to make crafts with my
kids. I want to visit the elderly in nursing homes and to serve others
as a family and . . . the list continues. Yet the demands of raising a
family seem to consume most of my waking moments. When my list of good
intentions remains undone I grow utterly discouraged.
King David had good intentions too. David desired to build a temple for God. David spent much time and effort making preparations for building God's dwelling place. But God prevented David from following through with his good intentions. Instead, God chose one of David's sons, Solomon, to build His Temple. In 1 Chronicles 28:20 David tells Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord
God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will
see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly."
I too am building [little] temples for God. In 1 Corinthians 6:19 Paul writes, "Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?"
Two of our children have professed their faith in Christ. Ephesians 1:13 tells me that when our children made their professions of faith God placed His Spirit in our children. Two of our children are temples for God (they're just still under construction). My husband and I pray that the foundations in our other two children will one day prove strong enough to also become temples for God.
Proverbs 16:3 tells me to commit my actions to the LORD, and my plans will succeed.
Proverbs 22:6 promises that if I direct my children onto the right path, when they are older, they will not leave it.
Rather than feeling discouraged when I fail to accomplish my good intentions I must remember the words of David to his own son. God is with me. He will
see to it that all the work--all the work--related to building [little] temples of the Lord is finished correctly.
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