May 7, 2016

”All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17

Here's what we have been learning about mothers on a mission:

1) ON A MISSION MAKE SURE THEIR CHILDREN KNOW THE SAVIOR. 
2) THEY MAKE SURE THEIR CHILDREN KNOW THE SCRIPTURES. 
3) AND, THEY MAKE SURE THEIR CHILDREN KNOW HOW TO SERVE

When you raise your children to know the Savior. And when you bring up your children grounded in the Scriptures. It is just a natural expression of that training to Serve the Lord by serving others.

Mothers With A Mission Teach Their Children:

BEING SAVED IS NOT JUST ABOUT YOU!

BEING STEEPED IN SCRIPTURE IS NOT JUST ABOUT YOU!

THEY ARE SAVED TO SERVE! 

THEY LEARN SCRIPTURE IN ORDER TO SERVE MORE EFFECTIVELY!

If you don’t train your children to serve they will never experience the joy of being used by God!

If you don’t train your children to serve they will never know the thrill of being a world-changer.

Lois and Eunice trained Timothy to serve. He served the Apostle Paul well and traveled with him as he visited the churches and established new ones. Later Timothy served the Church as a pastor.

Timothy served a world-changer when he served Paul. And later he became a world-changer.

You know you are a mother on a mission when you commit to teaching your children about the Savior looking for the chance to lead them to salvation.

You know you are a mother on a mission when you actively engage in teaching your children to know and love and live the Scriptures.

You know you are a mother on a mission when you raise your children to serve the Lord by serving others.

Our world today needs Mothers on a mission!

Will you make motherhood your mission?

Will you mold your children with the proper priorities?

Will you be a modern day Eunice? So you can raise modern day world-changers like Timothy?

Grandmothers will you be a modern day Lois so you can raise some champions for Christ?

Healthy Church, Holy Living

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Thanksgiving I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also."  II Timothy 1:1-5

Yesterday as I was challenging our mothers - and we have some incredible moms - the thought came to me that Lois and Eunice were able to do something that few generations of believers have been able to do. What was that? They raised up a generation of believer that was more zealous than theirs!

Isn't that what we should be doing? Shouldn't that be our goal?

Obviously, each generation of believers should aspire to raise up a more zealous and devoted group of new believers. But it rarely happens.

At FredWes we are going to strive to do that. We dream of passing the torch to a new generation who will turn up the flame!

How will that happen? What does it take?

First, It will take a healthy church.

A healthy church is one that is committed to having these important pieces in place:

1) God's presence in our worship

2) God's power in our people

3) God's purity in our standards

4) God's purpose in our decisions

5) God's priorities in our ministries

Second, It will take holy people

Holiness is the will of God for every believer. Holiness refers to a believer who is filled with the Holy Spirit and is walking in the Spirit. A holy persons has surrendered his will to the will of God and has allowed the Holy Spirit to cleanse the sinful nature and therefore, completely fill his heart mind and spirit. A holy person is motivated purely by love for God and love for others.

Have you been made holy? If not, why?

Third, It will take hard-working people.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  Galatians 6:9

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  Hebrews 12:2-3

Doing the things that create a healthy church and holy living are hard work! They are hard work because they go against human nature. They require a total commitment to God and a daily discipline, humility and obedience. You commit to doing those godly things today and then going after it again the next day. And it requires the even more difficult task of demanding those same things of the next generation.

A daily discipline of prayer, Scripture reading, serving, preferring others, and living out the love of God is demanding. Living in a continual state on holy dissatisfaction can wear you down. But, if you allow Christ to dwell in you through the Person of the Holy Spirit, He will enable to do and to become all that He has called you to do - all the things that develop healthy churches and holy people.

Lois and Eunice prove it can be done. It IS doable. It isn't easy. It is uncommon. But the tragic state of our culture shows that it must be done. We know that God wants it to be done. So, what is keeping your from doing it? 

Will you commit to do your part in raising up a greater generation for God?

May 5, 2016

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"  II Timothy 3:16

A mother on a mission leads her children to the Savior for salvation.

Also, a mother on a mission raises her children be for the Scriptures.

What does it mean to be FOR the Scriptures?

It means that you, Mother, must display are love for and a reverence of the Word of God. Your children must know that the Bible is God's revealed truth and expressed will for their lives. They should understand that though it was written by godly men it was inspired by the Holy Spirit of God and therefore, it is totally true and without error. Though it was written over 1,600 years by 40 different people, there is one central theme - God loves man and sent His Son to redeem them. Just a food is nourishment for the body, God's Word is food for the soul. The Bible is the ultimate authority for their life. And the Bible is the best and most practical source of wisdom mankind has ever had.

The best formula I know for teaching children is to:

a. Bring them to church on Sunday for preaching and teaching.

b. Be a student of the Word and read Bible stories to your children.

c. Illustrate Bible truth by how you live

There is a story about four preachers discussing the merits of the various translations of the Bible. One liked the King James Version best because of its simple, beautiful English. Another liked the American Revised Version best because it was closer to the original Hebrew and Greek. Still another liked a contemporary version because of its up to date vocabulary. The fourth minister was silent for moment, then said, “I like my, mother’s translation best.” Surprised, the other three men said they didn’t know his mother had translated the Bible. “Yes,” he replied. “She translated it into life, and it was the most convincing translation I ever saw.”

I am thankful to say that the same is true of my Mother.

How about you, “Mom?”

Mom, are you reading the Word so you can be leading in the Word?

Mothers On A Mission

”and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”   II Timothy 3:15

I recently saw an old episode of Superman from back in the '60's. You know, the George Reeves, black and white version of the Man of Steel. Wow! It sure looked different now than it did when I was a young kid! TV and special effects have come a l-o-o-o-o-n-g way since then! 

I'm glad.

Superman was a man on a mission to protect "truth, justice, and the American way!" 

That works for me!

My favorite scene from all the great episodes that captivated me as a mere mortal, was the one where Superman takes a lump of coal in his bare hand and squeezes it between his super human palms until it becomes a large and perfect diamond! 

Nice!

Watch me make a connection between a super hero and motherhood. 

Actually, there are probably several comparisons, but the one I want to feature is the fact that both are on a mission - a mission to shape coal into diamonds.

In this portion of Scripture, Paul is writing to a young preacher named Timothy. This young man was a diamond in the rough who became polished by serving with Paul and being discipled by him. But, he got to be a diamond because of the influence of a mother on a mission, a woman named Eunice. Eunice had been shaped by another mother on a mission, her mother and Timothy's grandmother, Lois.

To shape a lump of coal into a diamond takes some pressure. In this case, it is the pressure of priorities. 

Over the next several days I am going to focus on three priorities that mothers on a mission use to shape their children from lumps of coal into valuable gems.

The first one mentioned here is salvation. 

Mothers on a mission make the salvation of their children the number one priority! It is job one!

How do mothers on a mission do that?

They do that by introducing them to the original Super Hero - Jesus Christ. 

If you want to lead your child to salvation introduce him to the Savior! There is no greater Super Hero than Him! 

Who else could defeat sin and death? 

Who else has power over sin? 

Who else has power to give eternal life? 

Who else IS eternal life? 

Who else was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit so that He came into the world without sin? 

Who else took on the villain, Satan, face to face and resisted temptation? 

Who else raised people from the dead and healed cripples, lepers, and restored sight to the blind? 

Who else calmed a storm, walked on water and fed thousands with a simple lunch?

Mothers on a mission make sure their children get to know Him, make sure their child will knows Who Jesus is. Mothers on a mission make sure their child knows what Jesus did and make sure their child knows what Jesus can do. And, mothers on a mission do everything in their power to make sure their child knows Jesus as his Savior!

I am the product of a mother on a mission. She is still on the mission. She is still doing everything in her power to make sure this lump of coal get shaped into a diamond - ever a rough one.

Bless you, Mom, for having great priorities. Thanks for staying on mission and keeping the pressure on. Thanks for making sure I got to know Jesus as my Super Hero!

You're my other hero!

My Mother Taught Me...

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."  Proverbs 31:27-31

"Mothers are central to the success of the American family. Their love, dedication, and wisdom touch countless lives every day in every community throughout our land. And their love and guidance of children help to develop healthy and spiritually sound families."

"President John Quincy Adams once said, “All that I am my mother made me.” 

President Abraham Lincoln believed, “All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother. I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” 

These statements are just as true for the millions of Americans who credit their mothers for helping to successfully shape their lives."    -George W. Bush -

You don't have to think very long to remember the many things you learned from your mother.

My mother taught me RELIGION

When I spilled grape juice on the carpet, she instructed, "You better pray the stain will come out of the carpet."

My mother taught me LOGIC

 From her decisive words, "Because I said so, that’s why."

My mother taught me FORESIGHT

"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident."

My mother taught me IRONY

"Keep laughing, and I’ll give you something to cry about."

My mother taught me about STAMINA

"You’ll sit there ’til all that spinach is finished."

My mother taught me about WEATHER

"It looks as if a tornado swept through your room."

My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION

"Stop acting like your father!"

My mother taught me about ENVY

"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have a wonderful Mom like you do!"

THANKS, MOMS! 

You are an incredible blessing! 

We love you!

May 2, 2016

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-41

How do you react to this story?

Do you identify with Mary sitting at Jesus feet? Or do you relate to Martha fixing Him something to eat?

From Jesus' response it sounds as though Martha was the problem and that Mary was preferred example. Was Jesus being harsh with Martha? Was He siding with Mary?

Actually he was helping Martha with her priorities. Do you ever struggle with priorities?

Of course you do! Jesus knew that and understood. He wanted to help these sisters find some balance in their priorities. You can't always sit at Jesus' feet nor do you always need to be serving. Both of these activities are important. You need to both. But you need to to know what your priorities are and why.

Mary and Martha demonstrate and illustrate the two sides of the struggle for balance - the sitting one and the serving one. The serene one and the stressed one. The worshiping one and the working one. Where is the balance and how does a busy woman find it?

The determining principle for these priorities is simple, "What pleases Jesus the most?"

Obviously, as He told Martha, Mary had chosen the better part. She had balanced her priorities better than Martha had. The better part then, is waiting with Jesus rather than working for Him. Serving Jesus should flow from loving Him and loving Him grows from sitting quietly at His feet.

Busy women, wives, and mothers, learn the lesson of Martha. Adopt the priorities of Mary and the battle for balance will swing in your favor!

May 1, 2016

If you want to be great you must find a way to be third.

How do I know if I'm third?

You know you're when you are sure that God is first!

"On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37

God must be first in your commitments. The Samaritan was a busy man who was traveling from somewhere to somewhere else but when he saw a neighbor in need he made time to stop and help.

Where does God rate in your time priorities. Jesus is saying in this parable, "If God isn't first in your commitments He is first."

And if he isn't first you are not third.

Secondly, if God isn’t first in your compassion He isn’t first in your heart.


If he is not first in your life then you are not third.

When you love God most you will care about what He most cares about.

When you love God most you will share His love with those who need it most.

When you love God most you subordinate your needs to the needs of others.

When you love God most you expect Him to lead you to people He can love through you. When He is first and you are third that will happen often.

How would it up your game if you cared most about what God cares most about?

Have you given God first place in your life?