One of the greatest tools that the Christian has for evangelism is joy.
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Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Friday, April 17, 2009
Gleanings From Ruth
"Behind every bitter providence is a smiling heavenly Father that is working to bring about your good and His glory."
The entire book of Ruth pictures this truth so well. It is the story of a Hebrew woman, Naomi, who had suffered through famine, living in a foreign land, losing her husband, her sons' marriages to Moabite wives, their ten years of barrenness (no grand children), and then the deaths of both of her sons. Naomi had left her homeland "full, but the Lord has brought me back empty!" as she explained to her relatives and friends when she returned to the land of Judah. "The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me!" She felt as if she was filled only with the sorrows of life, but the rest of the book unfolds the wonderful workings of God on her behalf, as He showed her that He was not finished with her!
In all her bitter tragedies, Naomi failed to see the glimmers of God's mercy that were springing up all around her. She and her family had left Judah in the first place because of a famine, and had gone to Moab because there was food there. But now the Lord had ended the famine in Judah, and she returns just as the barley harvest was beginning. And she wasn't really empty or alone after all. God had given her a daughter-in-law (Ruth) who was fiercely committed to staying by Naomi's side, vowing that the only thing that could pry her away was death itself. Beyond that, God's mercy glimmers again in the amazing conversion of Ruth who wasn't just following Naomi, but had more importantly embraced the one true God and was following Him.
All of these things had not "just happened", but were clearly God's hand at work. There's more... the Lord provides food for these two lonely widows, and a relative who, according to the custom of the Hebrews could still redeem the family land, and with Ruth (an available widow) thrown into the equation, could raise up another generation to carry on the family name. Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, wasn't just anybody, but was a godly man, and a rich one to boot! These amazing proofs of God's answer to their needs turns Naomi's bitter heart, and she finally confesses that "..the Lord...has not withdrawn his kindness to the living and to the dead."
Of course, God's plans are always way bigger than just deliverance from our trials, painful though they may be. Woven through the tragedies of this one Hebrew family, God was bringing forth the long-awaited Messiah, in whom all the families of the earth would be blessed! The union of Boaz and Ruth produced Obed, then Jesse, then King David, whose throne would forever be established through his descendent, the Lord Jesus Christ! The seemingly insignificant lives of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz were being orchestrated in an amazing way to bring God glory and carry out His great plan. They probably didn't have an inkling of the great importance of each providential event that God arranged.
How grateful we should be that the Lord never abandons His children. How humbled we should be that the majestic Creator who sits enthroned above the heavens stoops to hear the cries of his discouraged and hurting people. How hopeful we should continue to be, even in the darkest trials! Our God is not finished, but will bring comfort and deliverance, and His plan for redeeming sinful man will go forth to completion!
The entire book of Ruth pictures this truth so well. It is the story of a Hebrew woman, Naomi, who had suffered through famine, living in a foreign land, losing her husband, her sons' marriages to Moabite wives, their ten years of barrenness (no grand children), and then the deaths of both of her sons. Naomi had left her homeland "full, but the Lord has brought me back empty!" as she explained to her relatives and friends when she returned to the land of Judah. "The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me!" She felt as if she was filled only with the sorrows of life, but the rest of the book unfolds the wonderful workings of God on her behalf, as He showed her that He was not finished with her!
In all her bitter tragedies, Naomi failed to see the glimmers of God's mercy that were springing up all around her. She and her family had left Judah in the first place because of a famine, and had gone to Moab because there was food there. But now the Lord had ended the famine in Judah, and she returns just as the barley harvest was beginning. And she wasn't really empty or alone after all. God had given her a daughter-in-law (Ruth) who was fiercely committed to staying by Naomi's side, vowing that the only thing that could pry her away was death itself. Beyond that, God's mercy glimmers again in the amazing conversion of Ruth who wasn't just following Naomi, but had more importantly embraced the one true God and was following Him.
All of these things had not "just happened", but were clearly God's hand at work. There's more... the Lord provides food for these two lonely widows, and a relative who, according to the custom of the Hebrews could still redeem the family land, and with Ruth (an available widow) thrown into the equation, could raise up another generation to carry on the family name. Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, wasn't just anybody, but was a godly man, and a rich one to boot! These amazing proofs of God's answer to their needs turns Naomi's bitter heart, and she finally confesses that "..the Lord...has not withdrawn his kindness to the living and to the dead."
Of course, God's plans are always way bigger than just deliverance from our trials, painful though they may be. Woven through the tragedies of this one Hebrew family, God was bringing forth the long-awaited Messiah, in whom all the families of the earth would be blessed! The union of Boaz and Ruth produced Obed, then Jesse, then King David, whose throne would forever be established through his descendent, the Lord Jesus Christ! The seemingly insignificant lives of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz were being orchestrated in an amazing way to bring God glory and carry out His great plan. They probably didn't have an inkling of the great importance of each providential event that God arranged.
How grateful we should be that the Lord never abandons His children. How humbled we should be that the majestic Creator who sits enthroned above the heavens stoops to hear the cries of his discouraged and hurting people. How hopeful we should continue to be, even in the darkest trials! Our God is not finished, but will bring comfort and deliverance, and His plan for redeeming sinful man will go forth to completion!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Encouraging Loving Sibling Relationships
Of all the friends your children could make in their childhood years, deep, loving relationships with their own brothers and sisters is crucial to family unity. The family, as God designed it, with only reach it's full potential when all the members love God and one another. So, how can you encourage your children to cultivate their "best friends"among their own siblings?
1. First of all, determine to love all of your children equally. Parents who show partiality to one child over another will cause their children to be jealous and resentful of one another. There will be times when one child may be at a more challenging phase of discipline and growth than another. But the wise parent will resist the temptation to draw a comparison between the two. Be careful what you say about your children to them and to other people.
2. Teach your children to show love to their siblings with the words they use. There is no place among brothers and sisters for name-calling and insults. Instead, Christian parents should help their children learn how to say words that will encourage and build up. Hold them to the standard of Ephesians 4:29 that says, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear." Children must also be taught to use appropriate tone of voice, one that is kind and gracious and will not heighten a conflict. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)
3. Help your children practice acts of love to one another. It has been said that actions speak louder than words, and there is no better way to prove loving words than by loving deeds. This can start with a toddler being encouraged to share his crackers with his big brother, or an older child giving a turn with a game or special toy to a younger sibling. Coach your children in the art of giving cards and handmade gifts to one another on birthdays and other special occasions, or just because. Teach them to govern their actions by Matthew 7:12, "however you want people to treat you, so treat them." Children will remember how they were treated by their brothers and sisters. Help them build memories together of loving words and actions.
4. Teach your children how to resolve conflict. While it may come natural to your children to respond to conflict by pouting, yelling, or revenge, these ways are not God's ways. Instead take your children to the Scriptures to learn Biblical conflict resolution. Practicing these 4 steps will help children be at peace rather than at odds.
1. When sinned against, go to your brother and privately reprove him. (Matt. 18:15)
2. When you have sinned, confess your sins to one another. (James 5:16)
3. Forgive one another. (Matt. 6:14)
4. Be humble and unselfishness. (Phil. 2:3,4)
5. Help your children to honor one another by respecting the property of others. Some simple standards like asking permission before borrowing or using something will help minimize conflict among siblings. Be sensitive to an older child who is reluctant to hand over his fragile or special possession to a toddler who has a reputation for destruction.
6. Finally, encourage physical affection. One of the sweetest things you will see in your home will be children showing their love with hugs and kisses! This should be modeled before them, and sometimes they will need to be coached along to show affection.
Now, I wish that after almost 20 years of trying to teach my children to love each other that I could say that they have it all down! Unfortunately, though, they are sinners like their mother, and loving others is a lifelong pursuit. So we fail and repent and ask forgiveness, and pray for God's grace to motivate us to love others like He has loved us. It has given me many opportunities over the years to talk to them of their need of Christ's work in their hearts. So, as I see my children growing up and becoming close friends, I thank God for what He has done.
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1. First of all, determine to love all of your children equally. Parents who show partiality to one child over another will cause their children to be jealous and resentful of one another. There will be times when one child may be at a more challenging phase of discipline and growth than another. But the wise parent will resist the temptation to draw a comparison between the two. Be careful what you say about your children to them and to other people.
2. Teach your children to show love to their siblings with the words they use. There is no place among brothers and sisters for name-calling and insults. Instead, Christian parents should help their children learn how to say words that will encourage and build up. Hold them to the standard of Ephesians 4:29 that says, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear." Children must also be taught to use appropriate tone of voice, one that is kind and gracious and will not heighten a conflict. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)
3. Help your children practice acts of love to one another. It has been said that actions speak louder than words, and there is no better way to prove loving words than by loving deeds. This can start with a toddler being encouraged to share his crackers with his big brother, or an older child giving a turn with a game or special toy to a younger sibling. Coach your children in the art of giving cards and handmade gifts to one another on birthdays and other special occasions, or just because. Teach them to govern their actions by Matthew 7:12, "however you want people to treat you, so treat them." Children will remember how they were treated by their brothers and sisters. Help them build memories together of loving words and actions.
4. Teach your children how to resolve conflict. While it may come natural to your children to respond to conflict by pouting, yelling, or revenge, these ways are not God's ways. Instead take your children to the Scriptures to learn Biblical conflict resolution. Practicing these 4 steps will help children be at peace rather than at odds.
1. When sinned against, go to your brother and privately reprove him. (Matt. 18:15)
2. When you have sinned, confess your sins to one another. (James 5:16)
3. Forgive one another. (Matt. 6:14)
4. Be humble and unselfishness. (Phil. 2:3,4)
5. Help your children to honor one another by respecting the property of others. Some simple standards like asking permission before borrowing or using something will help minimize conflict among siblings. Be sensitive to an older child who is reluctant to hand over his fragile or special possession to a toddler who has a reputation for destruction.
6. Finally, encourage physical affection. One of the sweetest things you will see in your home will be children showing their love with hugs and kisses! This should be modeled before them, and sometimes they will need to be coached along to show affection.
Now, I wish that after almost 20 years of trying to teach my children to love each other that I could say that they have it all down! Unfortunately, though, they are sinners like their mother, and loving others is a lifelong pursuit. So we fail and repent and ask forgiveness, and pray for God's grace to motivate us to love others like He has loved us. It has given me many opportunities over the years to talk to them of their need of Christ's work in their hearts. So, as I see my children growing up and becoming close friends, I thank God for what He has done.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Dealing with Anger
Every mom feels the rub of dealing with children who are choosing to be disobedient, rebellious, ungrateful, and irritating. It is compounded, of course, as many of us have come to painfully realize, by our own sinful, angry responses. A family is just a houseful of sinners, and for the Christian family, they are trying to live together in love to the glory of God. But, learning how to love unconditionally is not easy. It requires a humble, teachable, and repentant heart. It is definitely a growing process, and God uses this crucible of sanctification to make you more like Christ. We have to always set that before us as the goal: to be more like Christ, and to glorify Him in the choices we make for obedience as we go throughout our days. I think God uses children to show us the true condition of our hearts, and I can tell you from my own experience, it is humbling. God greatly desires to exalt the humble, but warns us that He will personally oppose the proud. So humility is a great place to find ourselves.
If I have been helped in my temptation toward anger over the years, it has been by focusing on three facts:
1. I deserve nothing but God's wrath. Most of my anger came because deep down, I didn't think I deserved the treatment that my children gave me. Actually I deserved much worse!
2. Christ died to save me when I was His enemy. I fought against Him, ignored Him, didn't thank Him for the millions of ways that He blessed me each day, and failed to worship Him as He deserved. Yet He loved me to the greatest degree.
3. If He can love and forgive me, then I can serve Him by loving and forgiving others, especially my children. Maybe that's why I love the story of the unforgiving servant so much. It pictures my heart when I am angry and unforgiving, and I don't want to be that way and disregard the loving sacrifice that the Lord has made for me. "She who has been forgiven much loves much".
God is so faithful. He never abandons His children though they struggle and fail in this area. His mercies are new each morning, and He promises grace to face each challenge that you will encounter in each new day. I like to think to myself on the morning of a new day: "God is on His throne, you are still alive, and there is always hope in Christ!" I also like to remind myself that the word "training" by definition implies practicing over and over against resistance. We are trying to train ourselves in the discipline of godliness, and our flesh resists!!! We are trying to train our children, and their sinfulness and childishness offers great resistance. But God is greater than this resistance, and he will help us overcome! "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." I think when all of our children were little I was at times caught off guard by how hard it seemed. But I learned to say, "That is just the way it is, and I will still choose, by God's enabling grace to love them and obey God."
If I could encourage you to do anything, it would be to enjoy your children! When they are difficult that may seem impossible. But it is a choice that has to be made, and in making it, you will be loving in a truly unconditional way. Our enjoyment of them doesn't have to be dependent on how they act. It can come from a heart of compassion that remembers that they are not our enemy. The real enemy of our souls would love to steal these days from you and have you set patterns now in your responses that will wreak havoc in your relationships, and make it harder later on to change. Ask God to help you to smile at your children, speak gently to them, give them the needed discipline, then hug and kiss them. Chase them down and tickle them, look into their eyes, tell them all day that you love them, and develop a thick skin if necessary so that you can get over the little assaults quickly and go back to being sweet....whether they deserve it or not.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
A Thankful Heart
This has been a wonderful day. We started our day with homemade biscuits just like my mom used to make, then cleaned up the house with my husband directing our small army to keep working. Next threw up our Thanksgiving decoration around the house ( ok almost missed it, but better late than never!) and then worked together to make our Thanksgiving meal. After that, we worked on our Thankful Tree, a paper tree that we tape to the wall and cover with colored construction paper leaves. Before we stick the the leaves on the tree, we write things that we are thankful for on them, as an exercise in reviewing God's blessings to us this year. It was a very restful day to just be together and enjoy each other's company.
As I sat around the table at dinner with the nine people that are my greatest gifts in this life, I was reminded again that the Lord has been so kind and gracious to our family. I want to always acknowledge that "every good and perfect gift comes from above!" Every blessing is straight from His hand. He has filled our lives with indescribable riches.
While all those gifts are so wonderful, Christ Himself is truly my greatest treasure. What would husband and children and friends and material possessions be without the Lord Jesus. As Stephen Curtis Chapman said so well in one of his older songs, "Jesus is LIFE...the air I'm breathing, why my heart is beating, everything I'm needing...Jesus is life!"
Pondering Jesus gives me a very thankful heart, indeed!
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As I sat around the table at dinner with the nine people that are my greatest gifts in this life, I was reminded again that the Lord has been so kind and gracious to our family. I want to always acknowledge that "every good and perfect gift comes from above!" Every blessing is straight from His hand. He has filled our lives with indescribable riches.
While all those gifts are so wonderful, Christ Himself is truly my greatest treasure. What would husband and children and friends and material possessions be without the Lord Jesus. As Stephen Curtis Chapman said so well in one of his older songs, "Jesus is LIFE...the air I'm breathing, why my heart is beating, everything I'm needing...Jesus is life!"
Pondering Jesus gives me a very thankful heart, indeed!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Thankful for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is one of my most favorite holidays. It's not just the yummy food, (though the scale may tell a different story in a couple of weeks!), but I am glad that we still have a day set aside in our country that originally was to be a day of prayer and thanksgiving to God. And while the commercialization of every holiday is a reality in our country, Christians can get past that and enjoy a day of remembering God's great blessings. Certainly we want to do that every day!
With that said, one thing in particular that I'm thankful for today is the comfort that Christ brings to the heart of the Christian. It really is true that this life is full of trouble. Over the last year many friends my age suffered devastating physical trials. Cancer and strokes and accidents strike when no one expects them. Then there are the overwhelming financial burdens that have come to families because of our ailing economy. Last spring there were 6 families in our Bible study that were facing a loss of employment. Various other trials, big and little, happen daily that overtake us and leave us feeling as if someone has just punched us in the stomach. Pain and anxiety are real, and we cannot escape them in this life.
But those who have put their trust in the Lord Jesus have a refuge from the troubles of this world. He says to all, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28,29) Circumstances often remain difficult, yet in the midst of it the Christian can cast all his care on the Lord and experience peace, comfort, and rest. No one else can set a troubled heart at ease. I have experienced this personally, and I am so thankful that the Lord cares for us in this way. He sits as the Sovereign of the universe, and He alone has the power to change our circumstances. At the same time, He is wise, and if He chooses to let our trial continue on, then we can trust that in His lovingkindness and wisdom, He is accomplishing His purposes in our lives by the best means possible. He can fill our hearts with hope, and help us to carry on, even rejoicing in Him. How kind and gracious is the Lord!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Heavy On My Heart
When I compare the trials that I have personally experienced in my lifetime with the grave difficulties that I have watched many friends endure, I realize that I have not really been tested in the area of suffering. Nevertheless, when a trial overtakes someone that is precious to me, the pain of watching them suffer hangs heavy over my heart as well.
For the last week I have had a very heavy heart for a dear friend and her family. On October 30, my friend Connie suddenly and unexpectedly suffered a severe seizure that lasted for 30 minutes. She was rushed to the ER that night, and a week later she lies in a hospital bed unable to speak or move. She is a wife and mother (to six children all still at home, ages 18 months to 18), and to all who know her, she is a light for Jesus Christ. Connie was one of my dearest friends in the church where my husband pastored for many years, and I have many memories of her encouraging words to me, her loving example, and her sacrificial service to whomever God brought across her path. In fact, the last time I saw her was when our family stayed in her home for three days.
Connie's doctors up to this point have said that her condition is the result of nerve damage at the base of the brain and that it is untreatable and irreversible. However, she was moved last night to a different hospital, and her new doctor is pursuing other meds and tests in an effort to come up with answers.
There are so many people who love Connie and are praying for a miracle for her, her husband Jeff, and their six children. I share all of this with you to ask you to pray along with us. We serve a great God who made our bodies, and has the power to heal and sustain life. Yesterday, as I was struggling with the gravity of what has happened to these friends of ours, my daughter came into the kitchen and handed me a post-it note with a Bible reference on it. We had been praying throughout the week, and she was encouraged by a verse she found. It was Job 42:2 which says, "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted." That is our God! He can do immeasurably beyond all that we ask or think, all to the praise of His glorious grace. Please pray for Connie!
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For the last week I have had a very heavy heart for a dear friend and her family. On October 30, my friend Connie suddenly and unexpectedly suffered a severe seizure that lasted for 30 minutes. She was rushed to the ER that night, and a week later she lies in a hospital bed unable to speak or move. She is a wife and mother (to six children all still at home, ages 18 months to 18), and to all who know her, she is a light for Jesus Christ. Connie was one of my dearest friends in the church where my husband pastored for many years, and I have many memories of her encouraging words to me, her loving example, and her sacrificial service to whomever God brought across her path. In fact, the last time I saw her was when our family stayed in her home for three days.
Connie's doctors up to this point have said that her condition is the result of nerve damage at the base of the brain and that it is untreatable and irreversible. However, she was moved last night to a different hospital, and her new doctor is pursuing other meds and tests in an effort to come up with answers.
There are so many people who love Connie and are praying for a miracle for her, her husband Jeff, and their six children. I share all of this with you to ask you to pray along with us. We serve a great God who made our bodies, and has the power to heal and sustain life. Yesterday, as I was struggling with the gravity of what has happened to these friends of ours, my daughter came into the kitchen and handed me a post-it note with a Bible reference on it. We had been praying throughout the week, and she was encouraged by a verse she found. It was Job 42:2 which says, "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted." That is our God! He can do immeasurably beyond all that we ask or think, all to the praise of His glorious grace. Please pray for Connie!
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