The prophet Micah writes, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). Notice the question: “What does the Lord require of you?” The answer is given: “to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” There are some important lessons we can glean from this Scripture.
First, the question, “What does the Lord require of you,” certainly implies that GOD DOES REQUIRE SOMETHING OF MEN. How often do we think of our duty to God as compared with how often we think of what He does for us? For most people, their thoughts are usually more on God supplying their needs and wants. This is not to say that we ought not to look to God for blessings. At the same time, however, we should be concerned about what we must do to please Him. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Let each one of us ask, “What does the Lord require of ME?”
The verse begins with the statement, “He has shown you, O man, what is good.” This informs us that THE GOOD WAY IS THE WAY REVEALED BY GOD. It is not up to me to decide what is good, what is pleasing to God. The Lord tells us what is required. Jeremiah wrote: “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). The mind of man cannot by know the will of God without help. It must be revealed to Him, and it is revealed in the Scriptures.
What does the Lord require? The first two things revealed here concern our dealings with our fellow man. We cannot ignore our duties to others and expect to please God. TO DO JUSTLY asserts the necessity of honesty and fairness in all things. The Bible says, “The righteous man walks in his integrity” (Proverbs 20:7). Again, in Proverbs we read: “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich” (Proverbs 28:6). We must always do what is right, what is just, in dealing with our fellow man.
Second, to please God we must LOVE MERCY. Not only must we be honest and fair; but also we must do what we can to assist others. Also, included in the concept of mercy is forgiveness. Jesus said that if we will not forgive others, God will not forgive us (Matthew 6:14-15). The apostle Paul declared that we should not only refuse to steal, but also work that we may have to give to people in need (Ephesians 4:28) The principle of loving mercy is demonstrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan. The “hero” of the story was not among the thieves who inflicted the harm that befell the man. Neither was he with the priest and Levite who he ignored his suffering. Instead, he was one who loved mercy and showed it to the helpless traveler by treating his wounds and providing for his care.
The third requirement concerns our relationship with God. God tells us we must WALK HUMBLY WITH HIM. This includes doing everything commanded, because humility is the beginning point of obedience. Jesus Christ, who perfectly did all that His Father commanded, first humbled Himself. Philippians 2:8 says of Christ: “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” This is the opposite of arrogant refusal to do God’s will. Have you ever heard anyone say, or said yourself, “I don’t care what the Bible says, I do not believe it.” God requires that we walk humbly with Him. That means we must submit to His will and do as He commands.
Micah answers the question, “What does the Lord require of you?” Now you must answer the question, “Am I doing it?”
--Lamar
About Me
- Lamar Russell
- St Mary's, GA, United States
- Weekly bulletin. Church Office Phone: (912) 882-5800
Friday, August 22, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
CALMING THE STORMS
As I sat here Wednesday trying to thing of what to write for the article this week, a storm blew in. I sat here and watched the rain falling almost parallel to the ground. There was some thunder and lightning and very heavy winds and rain. It made me think of what might have been happening one night almost 2000 years ago.
Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Matthew 8:23-27). The disciples were in the middle of a storm and were in fear for their lives. Jesus was able to calm the storm and left them in amazement.
Storms will come in our lives. No one goes through life unscathed. Perhaps you have faced disease or death, financial setbacks, personal turmoil, or spiritual struggles. We have all been there one way or the other. The apostle Paul writes, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Even for the Christian, it is not a matter of if troubles will come, but when.
Jesus is with us in the storm. The disciples had the solution to the storm with them in the boat. It seems to me by their reaction that they were not expecting Him to do what He did. David wrote in the well-known and loved 23rd Psalm, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (verse 4). When we face the storms of life, no matter what form they may take, remember Jesus is right there with us.
Jesus will see us through the storm. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9). In this text, Paul is speaking of his thorn in the flesh. Three times he pleaded with the Lord to remove it. The Lord’s response was “No, I will not remove it, but I will help you deal with it.” He may not always calm the storm as He did with the disciples, but He will always help us deal with the storm and come through it.
What are the storms in your life today? How long have you been trying to handle them by yourself? Give them to God; He will take care of it. 1 Peter 5:7 – “(C)asting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” He cares so much that He sent His Son to die for you (John 3:16). If He was willing to make such a sacrifice, surely He will calm the storms in your life.
--Lamar
Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Matthew 8:23-27). The disciples were in the middle of a storm and were in fear for their lives. Jesus was able to calm the storm and left them in amazement.
Storms will come in our lives. No one goes through life unscathed. Perhaps you have faced disease or death, financial setbacks, personal turmoil, or spiritual struggles. We have all been there one way or the other. The apostle Paul writes, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Even for the Christian, it is not a matter of if troubles will come, but when.
Jesus is with us in the storm. The disciples had the solution to the storm with them in the boat. It seems to me by their reaction that they were not expecting Him to do what He did. David wrote in the well-known and loved 23rd Psalm, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (verse 4). When we face the storms of life, no matter what form they may take, remember Jesus is right there with us.
Jesus will see us through the storm. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9). In this text, Paul is speaking of his thorn in the flesh. Three times he pleaded with the Lord to remove it. The Lord’s response was “No, I will not remove it, but I will help you deal with it.” He may not always calm the storm as He did with the disciples, but He will always help us deal with the storm and come through it.
What are the storms in your life today? How long have you been trying to handle them by yourself? Give them to God; He will take care of it. 1 Peter 5:7 – “(C)asting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” He cares so much that He sent His Son to die for you (John 3:16). If He was willing to make such a sacrifice, surely He will calm the storms in your life.
--Lamar
Friday, August 1, 2008
CHRISTIAN FAMILIES
The family is the oldest and most familiar of God’s institutions. A Christian family is a wonderful blessing; both to the members of it and to the community. But many families are failures. Instead of being a refuge of peace and comfort, some homes are arenas of strife, hatred and confusion. Solomon said, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred” (Proverbs 15:17). The high rate of divorce and juvenile delinquency are well-published evidences of families that failed. Still others are failing because the parents and children lack the rich spiritual experiences that a home should provide.
A Christian family is a family composed of Christians. This means more than just being church attenders. A Christ-like personality is needed. For a time, it was popular to wear items with “WWJD” (What would Jesus do) printed on them. It needs to be more than a slogan. In our families, each member of the family should be guided in every situation by that question: “What would Jesus do?” Christ should be acknowledged as the silent listener in every conversation and as a partner in every decision.
In a Christian family each person recognizes his own place and duty. In Ephesians 5:22-25 we read: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” Peter instructs wives to adorn themselves with a meek and quiet spirit and to be in subjection to their husbands. Then he continues, “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). The greatest thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. When he does so, his leadership will be easier to follow.
Parents are to accept their duty of training their children with wise counsel and loving discipline. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). In Proverbs 29: 15 we are told, “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” Solomon also wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). There is no greater task than the rearing of children, but it takes effort, love, and consistency. The story is told of a man who stood before the statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington. He remarked to a lady who stood nearby, “I would like to be the artist who carved this statue.” She replied, “I would rather be the mother who made the man.”
We must also recognize that in a Christian home, attention is given to more than just the mental and physical needs. No one denies the importance of food, clothing, shelter, and even education. However, too few remember that the souls in the family also need food. Prayer should be as regular as meals. The Scriptures should have as much a place as the newspaper and television. Emphasis should be given to education in the things of God. Yet, many parents are highly concerned about public school, music lessons, and sports, but care very little whether the child learns about God and His holy Book. My friends, the greatest need facing today’s world is not better doctors, lawyers, and scientists, but better Christians. We need a new generation which has God’s truth deeply instilled in its minds by the faithful instruction and example of Godly parents.
--Lamar
A Christian family is a family composed of Christians. This means more than just being church attenders. A Christ-like personality is needed. For a time, it was popular to wear items with “WWJD” (What would Jesus do) printed on them. It needs to be more than a slogan. In our families, each member of the family should be guided in every situation by that question: “What would Jesus do?” Christ should be acknowledged as the silent listener in every conversation and as a partner in every decision.
In a Christian family each person recognizes his own place and duty. In Ephesians 5:22-25 we read: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” Peter instructs wives to adorn themselves with a meek and quiet spirit and to be in subjection to their husbands. Then he continues, “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). The greatest thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. When he does so, his leadership will be easier to follow.
Parents are to accept their duty of training their children with wise counsel and loving discipline. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). In Proverbs 29: 15 we are told, “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” Solomon also wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). There is no greater task than the rearing of children, but it takes effort, love, and consistency. The story is told of a man who stood before the statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington. He remarked to a lady who stood nearby, “I would like to be the artist who carved this statue.” She replied, “I would rather be the mother who made the man.”
We must also recognize that in a Christian home, attention is given to more than just the mental and physical needs. No one denies the importance of food, clothing, shelter, and even education. However, too few remember that the souls in the family also need food. Prayer should be as regular as meals. The Scriptures should have as much a place as the newspaper and television. Emphasis should be given to education in the things of God. Yet, many parents are highly concerned about public school, music lessons, and sports, but care very little whether the child learns about God and His holy Book. My friends, the greatest need facing today’s world is not better doctors, lawyers, and scientists, but better Christians. We need a new generation which has God’s truth deeply instilled in its minds by the faithful instruction and example of Godly parents.
--Lamar
Friday, July 18, 2008
MID-TERM EXAMS
I can remember my days in school, especially college, when we would have mid-term exams about halfway through the semester. These provided a part of your final grade, but they also provided a tool for evaluating how well you were learning the material. They could provide you with a tool to understand if you were doing well or if you needed to work harder for the remainder of the term.
We have just passed the halfway point of 2008. Perhaps it would be good to take a mid-term exam. Did you make some resolutions at the beginning of the year? How are you doing with those? Perhaps you decided to lose weight, or to stop a bad habit, or to maintain better control of your anger. Whatever it may have been, are you making an effort to accomplish the goal? Can you look back at January and seen an improvement between then and now?
What about goals you set for spiritual growth? Read the Bible more, develop Christian attitudes, bear fruit, and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. These are a few examples of possible goals you may have set for yourself at the beginning of the year. Do a self examination. How are you doing? If you were to receive a grade, would you be passing the course?
I am not saying the Christian life is like taking a class in history or math, but there is a need to look at ourselves and see where we stand in our relationship with the Lord.
We have just passed the halfway point of 2008. Perhaps it would be good to take a mid-term exam. Did you make some resolutions at the beginning of the year? How are you doing with those? Perhaps you decided to lose weight, or to stop a bad habit, or to maintain better control of your anger. Whatever it may have been, are you making an effort to accomplish the goal? Can you look back at January and seen an improvement between then and now?
What about goals you set for spiritual growth? Read the Bible more, develop Christian attitudes, bear fruit, and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. These are a few examples of possible goals you may have set for yourself at the beginning of the year. Do a self examination. How are you doing? If you were to receive a grade, would you be passing the course?
I am not saying the Christian life is like taking a class in history or math, but there is a need to look at ourselves and see where we stand in our relationship with the Lord.
Lamentations 3:40 – “Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.”
We need to search and examine. If we find we have strayed from the Lord, we must turn back to Him.
The mid-term exam is only a precursor to the final exam. In school, we had final exams at the end of the semester. It was after these exams that the final grade was determined. Up until the final exam, there were opportunities to improve the grade and to prepare for the exam. Upon completion of the final, there were no more opportunities.
In Matthew 25, Jesus uses three parables to illustrate the necessity of being prepared. We do not know the duration of the “semester.” Death is an appointment everyone will keep (Hebrews 9:27), but we do not know the time (James 4:13-15). Jesus’ second coming is certain, but the time is unknown to all except the Father (Matthew 24:36). We must take advantage of every opportunity to be prepared for that moment (death or the second coming) at all times.
Take a moment and complete your mid-term exam. Are you prepared for the final?
--Lamar
The mid-term exam is only a precursor to the final exam. In school, we had final exams at the end of the semester. It was after these exams that the final grade was determined. Up until the final exam, there were opportunities to improve the grade and to prepare for the exam. Upon completion of the final, there were no more opportunities.
In Matthew 25, Jesus uses three parables to illustrate the necessity of being prepared. We do not know the duration of the “semester.” Death is an appointment everyone will keep (Hebrews 9:27), but we do not know the time (James 4:13-15). Jesus’ second coming is certain, but the time is unknown to all except the Father (Matthew 24:36). We must take advantage of every opportunity to be prepared for that moment (death or the second coming) at all times.
Take a moment and complete your mid-term exam. Are you prepared for the final?
--Lamar
Saturday, July 5, 2008
A DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
This past Friday, people across this nation celebrated our Independence Day. This is the day that we remember and honor the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Declaration established the United States of America as an independent nation, free from foreign rule, and standing alone on her own laws and principles. The Colonies - now the independent states – declared that they would no longer conform to the laws and edicts of the ruler that had governed them to that point. Here's a quote from that document: “The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.” The signers of the Declaration were determined to do what was necessary to break away from King George's grip – even if it involved armed conflict – because they knew that he wouldn't let them go without a fight!
You can make such a “declaration of independence.” You can declare your independence a ruler who is much worse than King George III, or any other political ruler. You can gain freedom from the worst tyrant of all time, Satan. Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34). All of us are sinners (Romans 3:23), thus we are All salves to sin.
It is common for us to think of sin as a servant rather than a master. When we choose to commit sin, we usually do so because we think that it will serve our interests, our selfish desires. Sin is viewed as a tool to bring us pleasure, and we view ourselves as being in control. The sin will go no further than we want it to go, and we can stop it whenever we want. But we are naïve! We are like Eve who only saw the forbidden fruit as a means to satisfy her desires and ambitions, but could not see the terrible consequences of her choice (see Genesis 3).
Once we give in to sin, we become enslaved to it. What we thought of as our servant suddenly becomes our Master. It takes us places we did not plan to go and causes changes in our lives that we never intended. Then, we realize that the great liberation and freedom that sin offered was only a trap. We find instead that we have sold ourselves into slavery, and it is a bitter slavery indeed.
The good news is that because of Jesus Christ, you and I can make a declaration of independence from sin. Christ, through His death on the cross, paid the ransom price to free us from the bondage of sin (1 Peter 1:18-19). Christ ratified this Declaration of Independence from sin with His own blood (Matthew 26:28). You and I can “sign” the declaration through our obedient faith – trusting in God (Hebrews 11:6), repenting of sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confessing Jesus (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Signing the declaration is also expressing a commitment to live according to its principles so that we can continue to be free from sin (1 John 1:7). “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
Will you sign the “Declaration of Independence” from sin?
--Edited
“Living Waters”
Church of Christ at Creekwood
Mobile, Alabama
You can make such a “declaration of independence.” You can declare your independence a ruler who is much worse than King George III, or any other political ruler. You can gain freedom from the worst tyrant of all time, Satan. Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34). All of us are sinners (Romans 3:23), thus we are All salves to sin.
It is common for us to think of sin as a servant rather than a master. When we choose to commit sin, we usually do so because we think that it will serve our interests, our selfish desires. Sin is viewed as a tool to bring us pleasure, and we view ourselves as being in control. The sin will go no further than we want it to go, and we can stop it whenever we want. But we are naïve! We are like Eve who only saw the forbidden fruit as a means to satisfy her desires and ambitions, but could not see the terrible consequences of her choice (see Genesis 3).
Once we give in to sin, we become enslaved to it. What we thought of as our servant suddenly becomes our Master. It takes us places we did not plan to go and causes changes in our lives that we never intended. Then, we realize that the great liberation and freedom that sin offered was only a trap. We find instead that we have sold ourselves into slavery, and it is a bitter slavery indeed.
The good news is that because of Jesus Christ, you and I can make a declaration of independence from sin. Christ, through His death on the cross, paid the ransom price to free us from the bondage of sin (1 Peter 1:18-19). Christ ratified this Declaration of Independence from sin with His own blood (Matthew 26:28). You and I can “sign” the declaration through our obedient faith – trusting in God (Hebrews 11:6), repenting of sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confessing Jesus (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Signing the declaration is also expressing a commitment to live according to its principles so that we can continue to be free from sin (1 John 1:7). “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
Will you sign the “Declaration of Independence” from sin?
--Edited
“Living Waters”
Church of Christ at Creekwood
Mobile, Alabama
Friday, June 27, 2008
I CAN DO ALL THINGS PHILIPPIANS 4:13
Paul writes, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Paul does not say this in pride and arrogance but rather in humility and faith. Paul did not think that he could do all things by himself. He did think that he could do all things that he needed to do with God’s help. We need this confidence today. Many are failing to serve the Lord acceptably because they lack this confidence. Many congregations are falling far below their potential because they do not think “they can.’ Someone has said, “Success comes in cans not can’ts.”
God does not ask us to do things and then accept “I can’t.” Yet many seem to think that this phrase is a means of avoiding responsibility. When God appeared to Moses and told him that He had selected him to stand before Pharaoh and Israel, Moses replied, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” Moses was really saying “I can’t.” Would God select someone unable to do that which He asked him to do? Surely not. Yet if Moses was unable to stand before Pharaoh and Israel, then God had selected one that was not able. In the second place, if Moses could not do that which God called upon him to do, God was unjust. Moses certainly could not refuse to do what God called upon him to do and please God. But if he could not please God, he would stand condemned. It would be unjust for God to call upon men to do that which they can not do, and then condemn them for failing to obey Him.
Notice Moses’ next excuse. He said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’” (Exodus 4:1). He is now saying I can’t accomplish anything. He thinks it will not do any good so why bother about it. We likewise may make the same mistake. We think that our abilities are so small that our efforts will not accomplish anything. Our efforts may, with God’s help, accomplish more than we ever dreamed of.
Still unable to get away from his “I can’ts,” Moses said, “I can’t talk,” (Exodus 4:11). Moses said he could not talk and was arguing with God when he said it. What foolishness to argue with God and say, “I can’t talk.” Moses could argue with God but could not talk to Pharaoh. We likewise appear foolish and inconsistent to God with our feeble excuses.
Our “I can’ts” usually mean, “Let someone else do it,” (Exodus 4:13). Moses’ “I can’t” caused the anger of the Lord to be kindled against him. “I can’t” very seldom means we do not want the task accomplished. It simply means we want someone else to do it. Teach a class? I can’t, let someone else do it. Chaperone a youth trip? I can’t, let someone else do it. Study the Bible with someone. I can’t, let someone else do it. Visit someone who is physically or spiritually sick? I can’t, let someone else do it. Am I prepared to accept the responsibility of letting someone else do what the Lord asks me to do? I should be far more afraid of not at least trying to do what the Lord wants done, than I am afraid of failure. Instead of saying, “I can’t,” let us say, “I can’t afford not to.”
--Lamar
God does not ask us to do things and then accept “I can’t.” Yet many seem to think that this phrase is a means of avoiding responsibility. When God appeared to Moses and told him that He had selected him to stand before Pharaoh and Israel, Moses replied, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” Moses was really saying “I can’t.” Would God select someone unable to do that which He asked him to do? Surely not. Yet if Moses was unable to stand before Pharaoh and Israel, then God had selected one that was not able. In the second place, if Moses could not do that which God called upon him to do, God was unjust. Moses certainly could not refuse to do what God called upon him to do and please God. But if he could not please God, he would stand condemned. It would be unjust for God to call upon men to do that which they can not do, and then condemn them for failing to obey Him.
Notice Moses’ next excuse. He said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’” (Exodus 4:1). He is now saying I can’t accomplish anything. He thinks it will not do any good so why bother about it. We likewise may make the same mistake. We think that our abilities are so small that our efforts will not accomplish anything. Our efforts may, with God’s help, accomplish more than we ever dreamed of.
Still unable to get away from his “I can’ts,” Moses said, “I can’t talk,” (Exodus 4:11). Moses said he could not talk and was arguing with God when he said it. What foolishness to argue with God and say, “I can’t talk.” Moses could argue with God but could not talk to Pharaoh. We likewise appear foolish and inconsistent to God with our feeble excuses.
Our “I can’ts” usually mean, “Let someone else do it,” (Exodus 4:13). Moses’ “I can’t” caused the anger of the Lord to be kindled against him. “I can’t” very seldom means we do not want the task accomplished. It simply means we want someone else to do it. Teach a class? I can’t, let someone else do it. Chaperone a youth trip? I can’t, let someone else do it. Study the Bible with someone. I can’t, let someone else do it. Visit someone who is physically or spiritually sick? I can’t, let someone else do it. Am I prepared to accept the responsibility of letting someone else do what the Lord asks me to do? I should be far more afraid of not at least trying to do what the Lord wants done, than I am afraid of failure. Instead of saying, “I can’t,” let us say, “I can’t afford not to.”
--Lamar
Friday, June 13, 2008
FATHERS
Several years ago, a book entitled Fatherless America was written by David Blankenhorn. The author emphasizes the vital role fathers play in the development of children. He wrote, “Kids need fathers who are strong family leaders. Their OWN fathers. In their own homes, in partnership with moms. And that’s that.” He found four basic qualities of a good father. A good father is a provider, protector, sponsor, and nurturer. God speaks of each quality in His word.
A good father is a provider. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 5:8, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” I am sure every generation has had some fathers who take this to an extreme. We want our children to have it better than we did. Many children today have every toy, electronic device, and gadget possible. Fathers are so busy giving their children things instead of giving themselves. That is a problem. However, it is a biblical truth that a good father must provide for the physical, material needs of his children.
A good father is a protector. Blankenhorn saw this as extending beyond the physical to preparing “his child for an increasingly uncertain future.” This sounds similar to God’s statement about Abraham in Genesis 18:19: “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” Whether you are speaking physically, emotionally, or spiritually, it is important that children know they have a father who will protect them from danger.
A good father is a sponsor. Blankenhorn defines a sponsor as one who “transmits character and competence” while teaching the child a way of life. The wise man writes in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” When I attended Freed-Hardeman, their motto was “Teaching how to live and how to make a living.” In Jewish society it was said that if a man did not teach his son a trade he taught him to steal. In today’s world, we do not see many children follow in their father’s footsteps, but it is important that he teach them the principle of work. Also, it is important that fathers instill in their children a sense of right and wrong, a sense of character.
A good father is a nurturer. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). The King James says “nurture and admonition.” Nurture is defined as “to promote the development of by providing nourishment, support, encouragement during the stages of growth.” Again, there is a physical application, but more importantly, a spiritual one. A good father will provide spiritual nourishment and training so his children can be fruitful, productive Christians.
--Lamar
A good father is a provider. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 5:8, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” I am sure every generation has had some fathers who take this to an extreme. We want our children to have it better than we did. Many children today have every toy, electronic device, and gadget possible. Fathers are so busy giving their children things instead of giving themselves. That is a problem. However, it is a biblical truth that a good father must provide for the physical, material needs of his children.
A good father is a protector. Blankenhorn saw this as extending beyond the physical to preparing “his child for an increasingly uncertain future.” This sounds similar to God’s statement about Abraham in Genesis 18:19: “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” Whether you are speaking physically, emotionally, or spiritually, it is important that children know they have a father who will protect them from danger.
A good father is a sponsor. Blankenhorn defines a sponsor as one who “transmits character and competence” while teaching the child a way of life. The wise man writes in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” When I attended Freed-Hardeman, their motto was “Teaching how to live and how to make a living.” In Jewish society it was said that if a man did not teach his son a trade he taught him to steal. In today’s world, we do not see many children follow in their father’s footsteps, but it is important that he teach them the principle of work. Also, it is important that fathers instill in their children a sense of right and wrong, a sense of character.
A good father is a nurturer. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). The King James says “nurture and admonition.” Nurture is defined as “to promote the development of by providing nourishment, support, encouragement during the stages of growth.” Again, there is a physical application, but more importantly, a spiritual one. A good father will provide spiritual nourishment and training so his children can be fruitful, productive Christians.
--Lamar
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