All I need is a million bucks!
-
1 Timothy 6:10
Close
-
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Close
-
Hebrews 13:5
Close
A mission trip could change you!
You know the verses: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel” (Mark 16:15 ESV). “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV). And, Jesus said, in a parable, “When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Matthew 25:40 NLT). Many Christians today don’t feel “called” to be a missionary or someone serving the poor. Maybe someone in your family feels the same way. Mom and Dad, take them on a mission trip. Start off doing work with the poor in your community. Perhaps you could join a team heading to Latin America helping orphaned children. You may not lead anyone to Christ, but you will be changed forever. When you see spiritual and physical poverty up close and in person, as a believer, you’ll want to do more.
Devotions for your baby?
A couple in our church became parents for the first time. A very proud grandmother was telling us how her son and daughter-in-law were coping with the changes. She told us about the loss of sleep, the diaper changes, the feedings, and the DEVOTIONS? Yep, devotions. Devotions with their infant son. Somebody listening to the baby update said what everyone else was thinking, “They know the baby doesn’t understand yet, right?” This grandmother explained that this new dad wasn’t doing devotions for his newborn son. He was doing it for himself. He wanted to get into a habit of praying and reading God’s Word with his son. Do you have kids? Struggling with family devotions? Keys for Kids Ministries has devotions every day—just for you. Go to our website to get the Keys for Kids devotional. Get Keys for Kids: https://www.keysforkids.org/getkeys
Will your kids leave the church when they’re 18?
Barna Group research tells us “roughly four out of ten young Christians fall into” what the researchers call the nomad "category. They still call themselves Christians but they are far less active in church than they were during their high school years. Nomads have become ‘lost’ to church participation.” Some don’t even go. It happens when we fail to adequately “[prepare] young Christians for life beyond youth group.” Researcher David Kinnaman discovered “only a small minority of young Christians has been taught to think about matters of faith, calling, and culture.” Biblical illiteracy is a major cause. Why? So many churches provide entertainment for kids, not real biblical teaching. More importantly, Christian families aren’t spending as much time studying God’s Word. Let’s use Deuteronomy 6 to be our guide: teach God’s Word diligently to our children. Based on “Five Myths about Young Adult Church Dropouts,” Barna.org
Are you asking or telling?
I read an article1 the other day on Dr. Larry Sax. He says many parents today think that we need to be treating our kids like adults. He tells us: “Some parenting experts” suggest “that [parents] should offer their children choices instead of telling them what to do." He says: "Today the parent-child hierarchy doesn't exist anymore. Instead of parents exercising their authority because they know what’s best, they are focusing on making children happy and boosting their self-esteem.” Proverbs 29:15 is clear, “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother” (ESV). Parents, our “job is to teach children right from wrong…and keep [them] safe”—and point them to Christ. So, as Dr. Sax says, speak in statements, not so many questions. 1 “Physician to parents: You’re doing it wrong” by Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman
What’s your grandparent name?
If you’re a grandparent, you have a name that every time it’s said by your grandchild, you just melt. Is it Mimi? How about Oompa? I’ve got the coolest grandpa name: it’s PaYo. Not sure about you, but just about every time I hear that name—well, I’d do just about anything they ask me to do. Grandparent-grandchild relationships won’t last forever. But these loving relationships will be something your grandkids will live with the rest of their lives. Use these moments to talk about faith in Christ and our need of the Savior. Psalm 103:17 says, "But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children" (NIV). Teach your grandchildren to fear the Lord—a legacy that will last for eternity.
Are you overparenting?
I was reading an article a while ago about overparenting. What is it? It’s a parent who’s “excessively involved in the day-to-day life of one’s child...typically in the desire to shield them from difficult situations or help them succeed.”1 Do we do too much for our kids? President of Growing Leaders Tim Elmore thinks so. He says when you’re a hovering parent making every decision, especially for your tween and teens, they may not be equipped to deal with critical decisions when you’re not there. I think we can all agree—we need balance. Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “train up a child in the way”—of the Lord (ESV). In Ephesians 6:4, it says to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (ESV). As we do this, pray the Holy Spirit changes their heart so they can make godly decisions.
Is your SERVICE ENGINE SOON light on?
Today’s cars are pretty amazing. They come equipped with GPS, internet, and they even tell you when they need attention—oil changes, system problems, and even the major issues. When the light goes on, you’re supposed to do something about it, right? Don’t you wish we had relationship lights? Ladies, a light for your husband when he had a rough day? Guys, a light when your wife needs more of you? How about a light telling couples it’s time for a date night? Or, more importantly, how about a light from God telling us to spend more time with Him? Are you spending time in the Word? 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (ESV)—it teaches, admonishes, it corrects—helping us to be competent and equipped for everything we do, including parenting.
What do you tell your child when they sin?
The common thing to say is, “Pray, Sammy, that God will give you the power over your sin and that He will help you make the right choices.” Hasn’t Jesus already done that? As Christians, didn’t Christ’s death on the cross already give us victory over sin and death? We just need to be reminded of our position in Christ. We know Paul’s words well: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV). Is there anything more Christ has to do to give us power over our sins? When your kids sin, remind them that in Christ we already have the power over sin. Then ask them, “Are you ‘in Christ’?” It could give you a chance to lead your child to the Savior.
What's your response to failure?
We’ve all dealt with failure, haven’t we? How have you dealt with your kids’ failure? I’m not talking about huge moral failings. I’m talking about everyday, run-of-the-mill kids kind of troublemaking. You know the kind: kids using a freshly painted living room wall as a magic marker masterpiece. How about the whole gallon of milk poured into a tiny little glass, which spills over that brand new carpet? Or, how about the boys using sand as gasoline in your new lawn mower? Yeah, THOSE. Proverbs 15:18 says, “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention” (ESV). Moms and Dads, do you want contention in your home, or peace? One produces a loving home, the other a home on pins and needles.
When you see a bridge to your kids, use it!
Heaven knows, there are enough times when our relationship with our kids is less than ideal. That can make teaching them biblical truth, to put it mildly, a challenge. But, there are also times when, by God’s grace, your kids clearly show a sincere desire to learn from you how to live life wisely. When that four-lane bridge to your child’s heart opens up, TAKE IT. Put everything else aside and seize the day—don’t hesitate. Put Proverbs 1:4-5 into practice: “to give...knowledge and discretion to the youth—Let the wise hear and increase in learning” (ESV). Sooner or later, those four-lane highways will turn into overgrown two-tracks in the woods. So, carpe diem (or, “seize the day”)! It applies to parenting, too.