First Means Last

It continues to amaze me how differently the world thinks, compared to what God's word says.
The world's idea of how to be first is directly opposite of what Jesus says. He says "if anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35)
My oldest daughter is learning this lesson recently. Her desire to be first has become a real issue around here, so what do we do? Go to God's word. It won't change her heart condition if I tell her things like, "don't push, wait your turn, let her go , slow down, etc". What will change her heart condition is learning what Jesus says about her behavior. Top that off with some good old prayer and your bound to have a changed heart! I can already see a difference in her.
If Jesus tells us the way to be first is to serve others, that's what we should believe. He is the one who has true control over our future. Don't let society tell you otherwise. Satan rules society and wants nothing more than for God's children to fall.
"And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck." (Mark 9:42) Jesus makes it clear in that scripture that you don't want to be responsible for making another believer sin.
Read your Bible; you need to know what God expects of you! Satan's laws are running rampant out there and it's time God's laws were better known.

Instructions Mandatory

It scares me how few people must actually read their Bibles. I know that alot of people don't read it because they believe that if a person is good, they'll go to heaven. I guess, to alot of people, the Bible is like any other book of instructions--not worth reading. How many people actually read the instructions when they get something new? They're sure they can figure it out on their own. I get laughed at because I am a reader. I read everything. But guess what? When I read the directions before I start something--it goes quite well! Who's laughing now?
Back to our life instructions. If we read our Bible, then we know that good people don't automatically go to heaven. If you don't believe me, read your instruction manuel. You'll find it in Acts 16:31--"...Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved..." Also in John 14:6--Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." It doesn't matter how GOOD you are, how much money you donate, how many good deeds you do, how generous you are, if you don't believe in Jesus Christ you are not going to heaven!
We got out our books for devotions this morning and my daughter grabbed her Bible, looked up the scripture we needed and with a big smile on her face, exclaimed "Oh goody, I get to read what Jesus said!" ( His words were in red. ) It's all in the attitude. When you love someone, you want to learn all you can about them. When you love someone, you want the best for them.
I love my daughters and I want them to know The Truth. They love Jesus and are eager to learn about Him. The only thing that really matters in this life is to know the Creator. You owe it to yourself and your family to read the instructions our Heavenly Father provided for us.

Your Purpose

The girls and I do devotions after breakfast each morning. My mother-in-law gave us a wonderful book called The Wonder Devotional Book--Daily Adventures With God. I love it and recommend it for everybody--not just kids. This book deals with God on a level that ANYone can understand and "get".
One morning's devotion was "Why did God create people?" For this simple reason: to love Him and praise Him.
The purpose God created us for is what my family strives for in all things-to love and praise the Lord of our lives. Every decision we make boils down to whether it will show love and praise to Him. We don't always succeed, but that is our aim.
In this day and age, people think it's not possible, or reasonable, to put God at the center of everything you do. God is the only reason we exist, so how could you put anything else at the center of your life? Because of "this day and age", why wouldn't you run to the One who can help you? No one and No thing can do anything for your eternal good. If you choose to follow after the things of the world and neglect the Creator of all things you may be successful in the world's eyes, but the end of that road is far from success. Our purpose is to love and praise God. We will live eternally with Him as reward for following Him. The reward for following our own selfish desires is the pit of hell. Hmmm....that should be a no-brainer!

What Really Matters

Two years ago I talked to the principal at the public elementary school. She had homeschooled her children for a time when they were small. She decided to enroll them in public school when her daughter was excited to change the bedsheets. She decided her children needed something more.
This morning my daughters are washing their dolls' clothes and hanging them on the line to dry. They are working together and using their servant hearts. I couldn't be happier!
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace (1Cor 14:33). When your kids are doing their chores with joy in their hearts--that's God!! If they are complaining and arguing about it, that's the enemy. It is not "normal", and definitely shouldn't be accepted, when children complain about their duties. The Bible also tells us to "do all things without arguing and complaining" (Phil 2:14). The world likes to say "kids will be kids". If you read God's Word, He has alot to say about character--and none of it looks like what the world promotes as acceptable.
You would be surprised what small children are capable and eager to do, if given the opportunity. Quit something that has no eternal value and spend some time teaching your children things that matter in God's eyes. You won't be sorry.

More or Less

Ahhh modesty. Some women have it, some women don't.
We arrived at church the same time as another woman and as we exited the car, my three year old calls out "she doesn't have any pants on!!"
Hmmm...if a 3 yo thinks you don't have enough clothes on, you probably don't.
Later during prayer time a little girl shot up the aisle. Her mom gave chase, bent down to swoop her up and my husband got more than he expected!
Please ladies, especially if you have small children, practice a few moves before you leave the house! Bend over to pick up your child. If your chest hangs out, or your other end hangs out--probably not an appropriate outfit.
The bible tells us to be careful not to cause another to sin.
Matther 5:28 says "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Maybe you can't stop men from looking, but you can control how much they have to look at! Don't tempt them by letting it all hang out. More cloth, less skin!

It Ain't Burger King!

Last night we had our weekly meeting of the heirs. (my parents came to dinner) They received an email from a leader in the local church conference. He had forwarded an article about baby boomers and church. It basically suggested that if baby boomers could do their own thing and believe whatever they want, they'd be more likely to come to church. The leader who sent it said it was "spot on" with what he has heard from boomers he has talked to.
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23) That quote, from Jesus, makes it pretty clear to me--it's not about you. DENY YOURSELF.
The article talked about boomers wanting to be revolutionaries, and if churches would not be closed-minded to there only being one way, boomers would come.
"Jesus answered, I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Luke 14:6)
Have you ever read your Bible?! It's not MY way, it's THY way. There is only one way, His word makes it perfectly clear. That's why He gave us His Word--so we could read it and not be fooled by false teachers! The book of Luke, in particlular, is loaded with Jesus' words about it. He makes it perfectly clear that you don't get it how you want it like we are all so used to. No wonder people have a problem with Jesus, they can't have it their way.

Selfish or Selfless?

The book I'm reading talks about humility being the answer to many relational problems. The opposite character trait is pride. What does pride boil down to? Selfishness.
Today, as the girls are playing, there is alot of selfishness. Instead of telling them to "be nice" or "stop being mean", I'm teaching them about humility. When we show humility, we consider someone else more important than ourselves. We don't make all the decisions, we let the other person choose. We let others go before us. We don't tease in a hurtful way. I'm sure you get the idea.
People have concerns that if you don't send a child off to school, they won't learn to share. Do you think one teacher can effectively teach 20 or so small children about humility? They may learn to share, but are they developing humility as a character trait? Behavior versus heart. I could send my children to school and maybe they would learn to "act" a certain way, but God wants them to "be" a certain way. The only way that is really going to happen is if I put them before myself and teach them the ways of God. They certainly aren't going to learn that in a building that won't allow the Creator of all things inside the door!
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
I'm claiming that promise. Only when I go against what the world tells me, and I do what God tells me, will I have any chance of claiming that promise.
If parents would pray for humility their lives would change drastically and so would the lives of their children. It comes down to a choice--follow the world (selfish) or follow God (selfless)?