Fatherhood Logic
If A: The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Psalm 145 :8) And B: Jesus knew the Lord his Father (Luke 3:21-22) And C: By the Spirit we are to be like the Son (2 Corinthians 3:18), the image of the Father (Colossians 1:15) And D: In Christ the Lord is our Father (Romans 8:15-17) And E: As a father I am called to show my children the Father (Ephesians 6:4) Then F: I must learn to be gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love
The Chief Task of Parenting
From an upcoming John Piper book on marriage…. The most fundamental task of a mother and father is to show God to the children. Children know their parents before they know God. This is a huge responsibility and should cause every parent to be desperate for God-like transformation. The children will have years of exposure to what the universe is like before they know there is a universe. They will experience the kind of authority there is in the universe and the kind of justice there is in the universe and the kind of love there is in the universe …
Fall From a Low Height Now Or….
A good friend left some great parenting advice in the comment section of another’s blog. Speaking about discipline he quoted an unknown source who said that our goal as parents should be that our children “fall from a low height rather than a high height.” This means we should not shy away from causing our kids momentary discomfort now if we desire them to be happy, productive, individuals later. The pain and consequences of a person’s wrong choices seem to increase proportionately to the increase in their age. That is why it is so crucial to sinful nip behavior in …
Empowered For Rebuilding Lives
“This is what the Lord Almighty says: Judge fairly and honestly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and poor people. And do not make evil plans to harm each other.” Zechariah 7:9-10 (NLT) *** *** *** *** You have the power, by God’s Spirit within you, to help people rebuild their lives, to give hope to people in despair, to offer others a fresh start when it seems they have nothing left. God empowers us to: · Judge with an even-hand – We show compassion when we act as a …
Empowered For Rebuilding Lives
“This is what the Lord Almighty says: Judge fairly and honestly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and poor people. And do not make evil plans to harm each other.” Zechariah 7:9-10 (NLT) *** *** *** *** You have the power, by God’s Spirit within you, to help people rebuild their lives, to give hope to people in despair, to offer others a fresh start when it seems they have nothing left. God empowers us to: · Judge with an even-hand – We show compassion when we act as a …
A Risky Obedience
“Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of….” (Luke 19:26 MSG) In order to obey God, you need to take risks. Risk is the substance of faith because it requires you to take Step 1 before you see Step 2. Risk compels you to action, even when there seems to be no guarantee of what will be on the other side of your choice. But it’s those risks, large and small, that God uses to stretch you from living by sight into living by faith. By taking the risk of following God, you move …
“It Is Finished”
Author’s note – In Monday’s devotional, “Jesus in Hell,” I left the impression that Jesus had more redemptive work to do, even after his death on the cross. My hope is today’s devotional will clarify any confusion. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Mark 15:37-38 (NIV) When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30 (NIV) *** …
Jesus Cleanses And Calls
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go …
Jesus in Hell
“For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.” Matthew 12:40 (HCSB) **** **** **** **** Jesus spent three days in hell. He spent three days in hell in order to bring us home with him. He spent three days in hell because he loved you more than the human mind will ever be able to comprehend. We often talk about the crucifixion, and we often talk about the resurrection – …
Developing Confidence By Losing Confidence
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NASB) *** *** *** *** The secret to living with confidence is to be confident in God’s compassion and power. He is the Almighty and everlasting God, and his power and compassion are unlimited. We gain confidence by developing confidence in God and letting go of confidence in ourselves. When we think we have to do it on our own, or when we think we are doing it on our own, we stand on an uncertain foundation, like the man who built his house upon …
