Colossians 1: 9
Dear Sons and daughters,
Backing up and bit and looking at Paul’s prayer for the Colossians, my prayers for you are certainly like Paul’s. He says that he did not cease to pray for them, that they might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. He is thinking about the first few verses where he thanked God for the hope that came to them. And that of course is the first thing that God must do, is to give us hope in our hearts. And that only happens when God changes our heart. We can’t do it ourselves, and that is why I pray that God might do it in you.
His theme in both passages involves the bearing of fruit. First, the fact that the hope that comes to us causes us to bear fruit, and secondly, that it is God’s will that we bear fruit. Now, you ask, how can we do that? We can’t!
Try as you may, muster up all the desire you can, you will never be able to bear fruit. But God can. Jesus said, “abide in Me, and I will abide in You. As the branch can not bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”
Abide – translated to remain 16 times; to dwell 15 times
3306 menw meno men’-o
a root word;
AV-abide 61, remain 16, dwell 15, continue 11, tarry 9, endure 3, misc 5; 120
1) to remain, abide
1a) in reference to place
1a1) to sojourn, tarry
1a2) not to depart
1a2a) to continue to be present
1a2b) to be held, kept, continually
1b) in reference to time
1b1) to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure
1b1a) of persons, to survive, live
1c) in reference to state or condition
1c1) to remain as one, not to become another or different
2) to wait for, await one
In other words, the only way that anything positive spiritually is going to happen is if you spend time with Jesus. That means talking to Him in prayer. And reading His word. The short time it takes you to read this paper is a good start. Then, just spend a few moments talking to Him about this. As you do, pray that He will direct your path this day. That you will be sensitive to His leadership, see what He is doing, and follow Him by faith, knowing that He is perfect in all His ways, no matter what it looks like to You.
Let me try to simplify. My prayer for you, like Paul’s for the Colossians, is that you would be filled with the knowledge of what God desires for you. That you would see how God is involved in every aspect of your lives, and knowing Him and how He works will cause you to see His hand in everything so much more. And that you would come to understand how His works so beautifully flow together in one glorious purpose. He has a purpose for you. You are not an accident. There is a set out plan for your life that He is working out. Watch for Him! You will see it. And it is wonderful beyond comprehension.
All of my love,
Dad
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Note to Children on The Lovingkindness of God
Sons and daughters,
Well, there are just times that you have to drink in certain portions of scripture again and again. As I have poured out my heart to God for you this morning, I believe in the Lord. I believe that He is working in you right now and will continue to work in your hearts. I am in Psalm 107 once again re-reading these wonderful words and claiming them for my children. V. 6 says that they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He delivered them out of their distresses.
That is my hearts desire. That you are delivered out of your distress. Jesus is a Deliverer. That is His business. These people were hungry and thirsty..their soul fainted in them….THEN they cried to the Lord. That is the time to cry out to the Lord, and He will satisfy your soul and fill it.
There is nothing like just getting alone somewhere and crying out to the Lord. Weeping tears of repentance and at the same time tears of joy because you know that the Lord is near to them that are of a broken heart.
Read this Psalm, I have printed it for you, and see what type of Lord our Lord is. Yes, he allows us to go through tribulations because of our rebellion, but when we cry to Him He hears.
Oh, that my children would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works to them.
Look, He is able to brake the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron in two. He is able to brake bonds and to bring you out of darkness and the shadow of death. Did you know that when you are away from the Lord you are sitting under the shadow of death?
That is where some of you are right now. Do you know how that strikes fear into my heart?
He can make your storms to be calm and your waves to be still. And you will be glad to be quiet and He will bring you to your desired haven.
Whoever is wise, and will observe these things will understand the lovingkindess of the Lord.
Your Loving Dad
1 ¶ Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;
5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.
8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
10 ¶ Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.
15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
16 For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.
17 ¶ Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
21 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
23 ¶ Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
33 ¶ He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,
34 a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.
35 He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water.
36 And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in;
37 they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.
38 By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish.
39 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.
42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.
Well, there are just times that you have to drink in certain portions of scripture again and again. As I have poured out my heart to God for you this morning, I believe in the Lord. I believe that He is working in you right now and will continue to work in your hearts. I am in Psalm 107 once again re-reading these wonderful words and claiming them for my children. V. 6 says that they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He delivered them out of their distresses.
That is my hearts desire. That you are delivered out of your distress. Jesus is a Deliverer. That is His business. These people were hungry and thirsty..their soul fainted in them….THEN they cried to the Lord. That is the time to cry out to the Lord, and He will satisfy your soul and fill it.
There is nothing like just getting alone somewhere and crying out to the Lord. Weeping tears of repentance and at the same time tears of joy because you know that the Lord is near to them that are of a broken heart.
Read this Psalm, I have printed it for you, and see what type of Lord our Lord is. Yes, he allows us to go through tribulations because of our rebellion, but when we cry to Him He hears.
Oh, that my children would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works to them.
Look, He is able to brake the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron in two. He is able to brake bonds and to bring you out of darkness and the shadow of death. Did you know that when you are away from the Lord you are sitting under the shadow of death?
That is where some of you are right now. Do you know how that strikes fear into my heart?
He can make your storms to be calm and your waves to be still. And you will be glad to be quiet and He will bring you to your desired haven.
Whoever is wise, and will observe these things will understand the lovingkindess of the Lord.
Your Loving Dad
1 ¶ Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;
5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.
8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
10 ¶ Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.
15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
16 For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.
17 ¶ Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
21 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
23 ¶ Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
33 ¶ He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,
34 a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.
35 He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water.
36 And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in;
37 they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.
38 By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish.
39 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.
42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.
Sons and daughters,
Well, there are just times that you have to drink in certain portions of scripture again and again. As I have poured out my heart to God for you this morning, I believe in the Lord. I believe that He is working in you right now and will continue to work in your hearts. I am in Psalm 107 once again re-reading these wonderful words and claiming them for my children. V. 6 says that they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He delivered them out of their distresses.
That is my hearts desire. That you are delivered out of your distress. Jesus is a Deliverer. That is His business. These people were hungry and thirsty..their soul fainted in them….THEN they cried to the Lord. That is the time to cry out to the Lord, and He will satisfy your soul and fill it.
There is nothing like just getting alone somewhere and crying out to the Lord. Weeping tears of repentance and at the same time tears of joy because you know that the Lord is near to them that are of a broken heart.
Read this Psalm, I have printed it for you, and see what type of Lord our Lord is. Yes, he allows us to go through tribulations because of our rebellion, but when we cry to Him He hears.
Oh, that my children would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works to them.
Look, He is able to brake the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron in two. He is able to brake bonds and to bring you out of darkness and the shadow of death. Did you know that when you are away from the Lord you are sitting under the shadow of death?
That is where some of you are right now. Do you know how that strikes fear into my heart?
He can make your storms to be calm and your waves to be still. And you will be glad to be quiet and He will bring you to your desired haven.
Whoever is wise, and will observe these things will understand the lovingkindess of the Lord.
Your Loving Dad
1 ¶ Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;
5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.
8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
10 ¶ Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.
15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
16 For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.
17 ¶ Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
21 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
23 ¶ Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
33 ¶ He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,
34 a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.
35 He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water.
36 And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in;
37 they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.
38 By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish.
39 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.
42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.
Well, there are just times that you have to drink in certain portions of scripture again and again. As I have poured out my heart to God for you this morning, I believe in the Lord. I believe that He is working in you right now and will continue to work in your hearts. I am in Psalm 107 once again re-reading these wonderful words and claiming them for my children. V. 6 says that they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He delivered them out of their distresses.
That is my hearts desire. That you are delivered out of your distress. Jesus is a Deliverer. That is His business. These people were hungry and thirsty..their soul fainted in them….THEN they cried to the Lord. That is the time to cry out to the Lord, and He will satisfy your soul and fill it.
There is nothing like just getting alone somewhere and crying out to the Lord. Weeping tears of repentance and at the same time tears of joy because you know that the Lord is near to them that are of a broken heart.
Read this Psalm, I have printed it for you, and see what type of Lord our Lord is. Yes, he allows us to go through tribulations because of our rebellion, but when we cry to Him He hears.
Oh, that my children would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works to them.
Look, He is able to brake the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron in two. He is able to brake bonds and to bring you out of darkness and the shadow of death. Did you know that when you are away from the Lord you are sitting under the shadow of death?
That is where some of you are right now. Do you know how that strikes fear into my heart?
He can make your storms to be calm and your waves to be still. And you will be glad to be quiet and He will bring you to your desired haven.
Whoever is wise, and will observe these things will understand the lovingkindess of the Lord.
Your Loving Dad
1 ¶ Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;
5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.
8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
10 ¶ Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.
15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
16 For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.
17 ¶ Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
21 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
23 ¶ Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
33 ¶ He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,
34 a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.
35 He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water.
36 And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in;
37 they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.
38 By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish.
39 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.
42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Letter to My Children On Rebellion
Good Morning Sons and Daughters,
Or whatever time of day it is that you are reading this. I imagine afternoon or evening.
Which reminds me. You all need to get into the habit of reading the bible every morning. At least one chapter. It would take all of 2-3 minutes on average; Sometimes one. And those very few minutes each day would impact your life dramatically if you were consistent.
I am amazed at how gracious God is with me. Psalm 106 reminded me through His patience with the children of Israel. It’s kind of a mini picture of the first five books of the Bible. Time and again God had been gracious with them, and yet they would come to a place where it seemed better to them to take another way. God would punish them, and they would return asking for mercy, and of course God gave it. Now don’t think that people didn’t die in the midst of all of this. They did. As a matter of fact, not a one of the children of Israel who started out the trip into to wilderness ever made it out. Their lives were vicious cycles of drifting from God into rebellion, experiencing His punishment, asking for mercy, receiving it; then wondering off into rebellion again, etc. ad nauseum.
Remember that scripture that says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of that way is death.” Yes, God is merciful. I am surprised that I am still alive. Not that I have ever wandered off into blatant adultery, drunkenness, thievery, or rebellion. But that at fifty years old I still have too many times that my flesh is weak. I hate the flesh. But I love the Lord. And I pray that He will purify my heart and my mind so that you kids see more of Jesus in me by the time I die. I don’t want my life to be a picture of Psalm 106, but a picture of Jesus.
So my exhortation to you my dear, dear children, is to avoid the vicious cycle of rebellion that the children of Israel experienced and so died in the wilderness. Does your life seem like a wilderness from God right now? He is willing to have mercy and restore all that sin has taken. Yes, since He is a loving heavenly Father, there will be times of chastisement in order that you may learn not to stray. But if you cry out to the Lord, in due time, He will answer and come in power and glory. I have seen this kids. The Lord has come upon me in power. He has done this as I have cried out to Him for you. And He has assured me that He is working. For that I am eternally grateful.
1. Do not forget all that God has done in the past.(v.13) Gave you a Christian home. Gave you parents that love you. Allowed you to hear the gospel. Spared your life thus far. Kept you healthy thus far. Girls, He has given you healthy children. Gave you responsible husbands.
2. Be careful what you ask for (v.15) Don’t just desire a fun-filled life. Ask for a joy-filled life. Ask for God’s best for you in all things. Ask for God Himself.
3. Don’t forget God. (v.21) He is always there. He sees all. He knows all. And He loves still.
4. Do not complain against the Lord. You can complain to the Lord all you want. Just don’t complain about the Lord. We can’t even see what is going to happen tomorrow, much less today. And He can. He has already planned what is going to happen tomorrow.
5. Do not yoke up to unbelievers. (v. 28) I know this verse is about Baal, but the general teaching of separation from unbelievers themselves is throughout scripture. Believe me, they didn’t just happen upon Baal. He was introduced by the heathen around them. Come out from among them and be separate from them.
Kids, these are not rules, but principles to live by. Ignore them at your peril.
I love you.
Dad
Or whatever time of day it is that you are reading this. I imagine afternoon or evening.
Which reminds me. You all need to get into the habit of reading the bible every morning. At least one chapter. It would take all of 2-3 minutes on average; Sometimes one. And those very few minutes each day would impact your life dramatically if you were consistent.
I am amazed at how gracious God is with me. Psalm 106 reminded me through His patience with the children of Israel. It’s kind of a mini picture of the first five books of the Bible. Time and again God had been gracious with them, and yet they would come to a place where it seemed better to them to take another way. God would punish them, and they would return asking for mercy, and of course God gave it. Now don’t think that people didn’t die in the midst of all of this. They did. As a matter of fact, not a one of the children of Israel who started out the trip into to wilderness ever made it out. Their lives were vicious cycles of drifting from God into rebellion, experiencing His punishment, asking for mercy, receiving it; then wondering off into rebellion again, etc. ad nauseum.
Remember that scripture that says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of that way is death.” Yes, God is merciful. I am surprised that I am still alive. Not that I have ever wandered off into blatant adultery, drunkenness, thievery, or rebellion. But that at fifty years old I still have too many times that my flesh is weak. I hate the flesh. But I love the Lord. And I pray that He will purify my heart and my mind so that you kids see more of Jesus in me by the time I die. I don’t want my life to be a picture of Psalm 106, but a picture of Jesus.
So my exhortation to you my dear, dear children, is to avoid the vicious cycle of rebellion that the children of Israel experienced and so died in the wilderness. Does your life seem like a wilderness from God right now? He is willing to have mercy and restore all that sin has taken. Yes, since He is a loving heavenly Father, there will be times of chastisement in order that you may learn not to stray. But if you cry out to the Lord, in due time, He will answer and come in power and glory. I have seen this kids. The Lord has come upon me in power. He has done this as I have cried out to Him for you. And He has assured me that He is working. For that I am eternally grateful.
1. Do not forget all that God has done in the past.(v.13) Gave you a Christian home. Gave you parents that love you. Allowed you to hear the gospel. Spared your life thus far. Kept you healthy thus far. Girls, He has given you healthy children. Gave you responsible husbands.
2. Be careful what you ask for (v.15) Don’t just desire a fun-filled life. Ask for a joy-filled life. Ask for God’s best for you in all things. Ask for God Himself.
3. Don’t forget God. (v.21) He is always there. He sees all. He knows all. And He loves still.
4. Do not complain against the Lord. You can complain to the Lord all you want. Just don’t complain about the Lord. We can’t even see what is going to happen tomorrow, much less today. And He can. He has already planned what is going to happen tomorrow.
5. Do not yoke up to unbelievers. (v. 28) I know this verse is about Baal, but the general teaching of separation from unbelievers themselves is throughout scripture. Believe me, they didn’t just happen upon Baal. He was introduced by the heathen around them. Come out from among them and be separate from them.
Kids, these are not rules, but principles to live by. Ignore them at your peril.
I love you.
Dad
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Note to Children on the Fear of God
My Dear Sons and Daughters,
In studying this morning Psalm 111, we are reminded of the perfect faithfulness of God and of the foundational theme of Proverbs, the fear of the Lord.
To walk in the ways of God and to follow the principles we are taught in the Bible is certainly the wisest course we could take. In fact, woe be to us if we walk another way. You merely need to go back two chapters to see the end of the man who opposes God in his ways.
There is such comfort in the fear of God. When you bow to the Lord of the universe, you know that you are bowing to someone who is competent, someone who is faithful, and someone who can be trusted. If your shrine lies elsewhere, then you can only rely on yourself, and in the end you will see that we are too feeble to be relied on to even handle one day apart from God.
It is simply awesome to think that God the creator is our Savior and our Friend. That is why we can both fall down before Him with tears in reverent awe and gleefully laugh as we rejoice in Him as He reveals Himself to us in power. The only way that we can possibly respond to the goodness and grace of God is to faithfully live by His principles.
If we refuse to live by His principles, then we are fools. That is why the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. He holds the keys to life. Life is all about Him and what He is doing in and through your life. Ignore him and you will fall. Despise His reproofs and you will die.
The voices will be many and often which compel you to take another route, but you must be resolute. You can’t afford to walk in the ways of the unwise. You know better. (You have sat under an average of 150 sermons a year from your father for most of your lives…. ). Anyway, as you walk, keep your eyes on Jesus and listen to His voice as the Holy Spirit guides you. The resulting blessings that begin to rain down on you will refreshingly remind you that God is faithful. He has written your name on the palm of His hand. He numbers every hair on you head. Ignore His promptings only to trudge once again agonizingly slowly down the muddy ruts of pain and isolation from God. I say slow, because it is such a dreary way once the initial thrill of rebellion wears off, but it happens all of a sudden if you are not alert to what Satan is trying to do. Be sober. Be alert. Satan is like a roaring lion seeking to devour you and your children. Fight for them. You boys fight for your future wives and children. Do it now! Tomorrow you will be old men. Listen to your father. Fight my sons. Pray my daughters. Do not be deceived. I am praying for you and am confident that God is faithful.
Love,
Dad
In studying this morning Psalm 111, we are reminded of the perfect faithfulness of God and of the foundational theme of Proverbs, the fear of the Lord.
To walk in the ways of God and to follow the principles we are taught in the Bible is certainly the wisest course we could take. In fact, woe be to us if we walk another way. You merely need to go back two chapters to see the end of the man who opposes God in his ways.
There is such comfort in the fear of God. When you bow to the Lord of the universe, you know that you are bowing to someone who is competent, someone who is faithful, and someone who can be trusted. If your shrine lies elsewhere, then you can only rely on yourself, and in the end you will see that we are too feeble to be relied on to even handle one day apart from God.
It is simply awesome to think that God the creator is our Savior and our Friend. That is why we can both fall down before Him with tears in reverent awe and gleefully laugh as we rejoice in Him as He reveals Himself to us in power. The only way that we can possibly respond to the goodness and grace of God is to faithfully live by His principles.
If we refuse to live by His principles, then we are fools. That is why the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. He holds the keys to life. Life is all about Him and what He is doing in and through your life. Ignore him and you will fall. Despise His reproofs and you will die.
The voices will be many and often which compel you to take another route, but you must be resolute. You can’t afford to walk in the ways of the unwise. You know better. (You have sat under an average of 150 sermons a year from your father for most of your lives…. ). Anyway, as you walk, keep your eyes on Jesus and listen to His voice as the Holy Spirit guides you. The resulting blessings that begin to rain down on you will refreshingly remind you that God is faithful. He has written your name on the palm of His hand. He numbers every hair on you head. Ignore His promptings only to trudge once again agonizingly slowly down the muddy ruts of pain and isolation from God. I say slow, because it is such a dreary way once the initial thrill of rebellion wears off, but it happens all of a sudden if you are not alert to what Satan is trying to do. Be sober. Be alert. Satan is like a roaring lion seeking to devour you and your children. Fight for them. You boys fight for your future wives and children. Do it now! Tomorrow you will be old men. Listen to your father. Fight my sons. Pray my daughters. Do not be deceived. I am praying for you and am confident that God is faithful.
Love,
Dad
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Note to my Sons
Some Observations Concerning Joy
My sons, it is with the greatest concern, love, tender care and fatherly emotion that I write to you concerning your present and future experience of joy. I write this, not because you don’t know joy, but because I fear that at the very least, my example has not been one of consistent joy. I assure you, that the times that you have observed me in a state of anxiety or fretting has only been caused by my own sins.
I do know, having observed you very closely, with the eye of a paternal intensity not unlike a father over the crib of a badly injured newborn babe, that there are times when you do enjoy the experience of joy and there are times that you do not. What concerns me is not something that I have misdiagnosed or misinterpreted. I am no novice when it comes to my children. I have studied them all of their lives and have been keenly sensitive to every wisp and movement that affects them. Some may say that perhaps this kind of fawning observation is unmanly, or not fatherly, but I cannot help overseeing my offspring in a way that causes me to be in continual prayer, concern and care.
I feel like I have set you free to fly, but that in some ways I have clipped your wings. The kind of love that I have for you, I feel, is unusual. I don’t see it in a lot of men for their children, yet they proclaim that it is a sort of tough love that kicks the nestlings from their homes to survive on their own. Perhaps, but at least these same nestlings should be adequately trained and equipped to handle the various aspects of independent life necessary to prosper in all sorts of circumstances. In that I have fallen short, and have thereby clipped your wings. Not to worry though, because you have sprouted fine on your own, and have learned and are learning the hard way to fend for yourselves, God having slowly restrained me from gathering you under my wings against your will, you both being men of God who yearn to live free. Free from restraint, but also free from sin. It is this area that I want to address.
The times of joy that I have most often observed you, not to put you both in the same category, because you are both so different yet you do struggle with some of the same sins, are times when you are out of your ordinary element. By that I mean that you are away from home and are with those that are not your family. This is partially unfair in that we have had thankfully not a few times of delightful fellowship with only our own family in glorious discussion of the things of God, which times have sustained my life.
But having lived with you for the past few months, and that, under strained financial circumstances, I have concern for you future families. It may not always be well, as I have stated in another letter, with our economy, even though God’s economy is what we actually live under. You may often have your character tested, and this same character must be iron-clad before your family. That is what the times you are going through right now are for. There are going to be people depending on you, and you must show your wife and children that you are trusting implicitly in the ROCK, who cannot be moved.
I have observed the leak of joy from your lives, even though my observations are tainted and cannot be fully trusted, because I only see the outward man. But I do see your demeanor around your family, and that demeanor will affect the whole family. Not that you are to live for the happiness of others, but others’ happiness is often tied up with yours, and that will be perfectly clear to those others, when you are the head of your home.
So let me cut to the chase. The absence of joy often means the presence of or a struggle with sin. We are taught that in order to overcome our sins, we must walk in the Spirit. One of the fruits of the Spirit is joy, the others being of equal value. Love, peace, long-suffering, self-control, etc. As we walk in continual and humble obedience to His leadership, and submission to His will, and yieldedness to His presence, His affect in our lives will be the fruit we bear of love, joy, peace, etc. I say again, we simply cannot walk after the flesh and have joy. It is impossible, because joy is a fruit of the Spirit. And if it is a fruit of the Spirit, then it is not something that we can call up at will. It is something that we live in. My sons, walk in the spirit, and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. This is a lifelong lesson, but something that we must take up everyday and wage war about. I know that I am preaching to the choir, and to myself. Painfully aware of that in fact, but your loving Dad is thankfully, still growing in grace, and still has a fiery desire to see my sons full of joy. Don’t get me wrong, I want you to also walk in sorrow for your sins, but godly sorrow results in repentance and the resultant joy. The sorrow of the world works death.
I wish to see my boys know the full joy of the Lord, as I know that you have known. I simply want it for you more, and I want it for your future families. I want you to be overcomers, conquerors, warriors, who can lead a family to the fountain of joy. Otherwise, I feel that you may taint your offspring more than I have tainted mine. You both have strong personalities, lots of talent, leadership capabilities out the wazoo, and limitless possibilities. So….you are on dangerous ground, being heirs of pride. My sons, cast your all once again, and every day on Jesus. I am so…so proud of you both, but I must hasten to add that it is a humble and thankful response to God rather than true pride.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Letter to My Children - 2nd
Well Dear Children,
How my heart is enlarged for you. As I pour out my soul to God on your behalf this morning, my prayer is that you would experience the reality of the presence of God in such a way as to change you forever.
There are times that a child of God slips, and at such times he will find that God is there. And that God understands. Psalms 103:14 tells us that “He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.”
In other words, the Lord knows the foundation of our thoughts, actions and intentions. He knows what we are made of, what we have experienced, what we have been taught, what we have grasped and haven’t grasped. He knows the basis upon which we act and speak. And he knows that he made us from the dust of the ground and he doesn’t have expectations that are out of the realm of our ability to fulfill.
He is a merciful God. In fact, v. 17 of that same Chapter tells us that God’s mercy is from everlasting to everlasting upon those that fear Him.
There will never be a time that one of His children is not able to receive mercy. Sometimes we will feel differently. As if we have sinned too much to go to God with it. But that is a deceptive feeling. The truth is, if we are God’s children, then every time we sin we can go to God with it and ask for forgiveness. In fact, we must go to God with it. Where else can we go?
Do you not think that I struggle with the same sins as you do? Yes, we are all made of the same dust. And we have very much the same points of reference in which to live our lives. All that I have learned I have taught you. How much you have grasped, I don’t know. That is the difference. But certainly I have had to make much use of the mercy of God, which fount thankfully never runs dry for the believer. His mercy is indeed from everlasting to everlasting upon those that fear Him.
Read that whole chapter of Psalm 103 and you will find comfort in the mercy of God. And then cry out to Him that He will give you His mercy. And He will. He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. Oh that His mercy would flood the lives of my children and that they would flee to Him for refuge. He will take you in and comfort you. He will rescue you from the power of sin and self and the ultimate despair that sin will take you to if you let it.
Remember, He has come that you might have joy. And that you might have LIFE.
And God is going to give it to you. I know this. Drink of it deeply! Children drink of the riches that God has for you right now.
Your loving Dad
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