Eph 6:2 "Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;"

What a joy it is to be a father. I am so very blessed that God gave us two wonderful kids. The one downside to becoming a parent is that when the child arrives, he/she doesn't come with instructions. Now that doesn't mean that you are just on your own, because God gives us guidelines that help us along the way. For instance, He says that we are to raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4) He also gives a simple directive to the children. They are to honor their father and mother - if they want to live a long life. One thing that I have learned over the years is that you can demand that the position of the father in the home be honored, but the person has to earn that respect. So, as a father, what can be done to warrant that honor? I think there are 3 things that are necessary to be an honorable father. The first is to provide for the home. This means more than just putting food on the table and a roof over their head. It means to provide love and respect for all in the home. The second thing is to protect the home. Protect your home for physical danger and protect your home from Spiritual danger. What we need today are dads who will take a firm stand against the wiles of the devil and quit giving in to whining kids who want their way regardless of the consequences. The last thing is to prepare the children for the future. As parents, our greatest responsibility is to raise our children so they can know and do God's will for their lives. Remember, Jesus said that if a man gain the whole world and lose his soul, he has lost all. Our kids may not understand that while they are experiencing it, but in the end they will honor the father and mother who raises them right.

Saying Hello To A Friend

John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his live for his friend."

I thought it only right that I should follow up yesterday's devotional with the flip side. As I was thinking about this subject I remember hearing someone say "a stranger is just a friend that you haven't met yet". I like the idea behind that, but in reality, at least while we are here on earth, that just isn't always the case. Ah, but when we get to Heaven, now that is a different story. I often speak of being anxious to talk to Moses or Paul about how they knew exactly where God was leading them. I can't wait to hear Peter confirm what I am thinking about him, when I ask him about the first thing he thought after he said "bid me come unto thee", as Jesus was walking on the stormy sea. I feel confident that it was something like "did I really say that out loud"? No doubt, you too, have dreamed of some conversation with someone that is already there. I am also looking forward to meeting some friends that I don't even know are there. Some of my great, great grandchildren. No, I'm not that old! I mean those who were led to the Lord by someone who was told about Jesus by someone that I had the privilege to share the Gospel with. You know, those kind. Why is that so important? Because I want to take them to meet the wonderful saints of God who had a part in my salvation and say here is another of your grandkids. All of these will be wonderful. But, Proverbs tells us there is a "friend that sticketh closer than a brother". Prov 18:24 We know who that it. It is Jesus. And He is the Friend that I am so anxious to meet and to hear Him say "Hello friend, come on in".

Saying Goodbye To A Friend

Acts 20"36-38 "And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship."

A couple of months ago I made a new friend. He and his wife visited our church and we just seem to hit it off. Maybe it is because we have so much in common or maybe it is because we have a common bond in Jesus Christ. In all honesty, I know very little about my new friend and his wife, other than the fact that they are moving away. Just when I was getting to know them and we were able to have some fellowship together, God decides to move them away. As I was thinking about this it reminded me that it isn't really goodbye, but rather just so long. I have become quite accustomed to saying "so long, see you later" in my lifetime. I left home right out of high school and have only been back on rare occasions. As God has used us in the ministry for almost 30 years, we have come to and gone from too many locations. Each of these meant saying those same words once again - "so long, see you later". It was difficult at first, because we were just getting started in life and ministry and the thought of not seeing these folks was difficult to accept. Now the years have gone by and most of those we have never seen. Hold on now, before you begin to get teary eyed, let me assure you that there is some joy in this thought. The joy is that as the years have passed by, we have all gotten that much closer to the day we will be together again in Heaven. Some of those that we have bid farewell to, such my own dad, are awaiting us in Glory. Isn't it nice to know that being saved means never having to say "goodbye". So, scratch that title at the top and lets just say "so long, see you later". I like the sound of that better anyway.

Let's Go To The Buffet

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

I love to go to a buffet. Surprisingly, not so much that I can eat all that I want, but more so because of the variety. I can get a little of this and a little of that and then look for something even different, if there is still some room. I mention that because one of the highlights of our missions conference is the "International Dinner" where we ask people to breakout their recipes from other countries. You know, so that we can get a good dose of international heartburn. It is always interesting to see what they come up with and always very tasty as well. One might think that we do that just to have an excuse to get together and eat. And, though there may be some truth to that, it is also a subtle reminder that these dishes represent foreign countries, where people live differently that we do. Many of them do no have the freedom that we have to even enjoy an event like this. Many of them do not have an opportunity, as we do, to hear a clear cut presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They live in a different culture with different ideas about what their future holds. They look different from us. They speak different from us. They think different from us. Yet, with all of these differences, we all have one common need in life. That, of course, is the need to be saved from our sinful nature that has separated us from a Loving and Holy God. We are privileged to know this truth and to know how to reconcile that separation. They, on the other hand, do not. As we taste their cuisine, I hope we will remember that it represents someone who is hungry for the Gospel and do our part to ease that hunger.

Always Room For One More

Gen 7:1a "And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark;..."

As I think about the wonderful grace of God that is manifested in the saving of Noah and his family, I am also reminded that so many people look at the flood and cry out that God is a hateful and vengeful God. When you look back, what you see is that man became more and more immoral and ungodly, to the point that Righteous God had to judge the unrighteousness of mankind. Some would say that because of Adam, and the fact the man had inherited a sin nature, there was no alternative but to continue in sin. But, God inspired Moses to record the genealogy of Seth in chapter 5 of Genesis and what we see in a line of people who continue to teach their children about the love of God. Even up to the time of Noah, who was a righteous man. So, the ungodly line of Cain had the testimony and example of Seth's lineage to show them how God wanted to, and would, bless those who turned to Him. Some would then say that since we see there were those who did believe in God, why must God destroy the whole world? They forget that for 120 years Noah preached to them about God's coming judgement and what they needed to do. Then when the door was opened to them, they refused until it was too late. The point is, that at one moment the door was opened to all - whosoever will. They died by their own choice. There would have been plenty of room for all who came. Just like Heaven - always room for one more. Which means there is room for you. Won't you come along?