May 9, 2011

"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

My apologies for getting off schedule in my posting on this blog. After several extremely long and busy days I was reaching the point of physical exhaustion. I just wasn't able to string together any cogent thoughts. Thanks for your understanding.

But after a night's sleep I am back!

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 beleive 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 8, 2011

The third priority demonstrated by Mothers On A Mission is:

PRIORITY #3: Be For SERVICE

”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

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 TO SERVE!

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.

MOTHERS ON A MISSION MAKE SURE THEIR CHILDREN KNOW THE SAVIOR. THEY MAKE SURE THEIR CHILDREN KNOW THE SCRIPTURES. THEY MAKE SURE THEIR CHILDREN KNOW HOW TO SERVE

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?

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

May 7 , 2011

"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?

May 6, 2011

”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 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. Mothers on a mission make sure their child will knows Who Jesus is. Mothers on a mission make sure their child knows what Jesus did. Mothers on a mission 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!

May 5, 2011

"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 1:5

This verse written to the young protege', Timothy, should remind you of a very essential truth regarding motherhood (or parenthood for that matter). When you raise your child you are raising at least two generations of children. Probably more than that.

Paul says as much here as he refers to Timothy's mother and also, his grandmother, Lois. They both played a significant role in shaping a young lad into an important leader in the Early Church. His ministry assisting and traveling with the Apostle Paul and later, helping shape the next generation of believers was an extension of their influence.

Eunice would not have raised Timothy in the faith had not her mother, Lois, reared her to know and love God. So, Timothy was the product of at least two previous generations of believers.

You and I are impressed with Paul the Apostle for a number of reasons. But Paul was impressed with Lois and Eunice. So much so that he mentions them in his writings. I imagine that it wasn't particularly easy to impress the Great Apostle.

Furthermore, how you were raised by your parents and grandparents will influence how you will decide to raise yours. That happens primarily in conscious ways but also in subconscious ways. So, embrace your role as a mother. Extend the faith legacy of your mother and perhaps, your grandmother. Consider the fact that the Christian faith is always just one generation away from extinction and you can grasp the urgency of godly motherhood.

So, Timothy shaped the Early Church but a mother and a grandmother shaped him. How is your motherhood shaping up?

May 4, 2011

"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 3, 2011

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."     II Peter 3:9

I was trying to get to bed a little earlier than usual Sunday night since it had been a long and busy day. As usual, I did a quick check of Fox News to catch up on the news of the day. There was Geraldo Rivera sharing the screen with a four-star general and they were speculating about the impending announcement coming from President Obama out of the White House. Well, needless to say, I was hooked for the next several hours.

The President's announcement was delayed and in the meantime Fox News tracked down the story and reported that Osama Bin Laden had been killed inside a secure compound in Pakistan. Wow! What an amazing development! As time passed the confirmation mounted to verify the fact that he was, indeed, dead. The President eventually did come to the podium in the White House to make the formal announcement that the Al Qaeda letter had been shot and killed by an elite force of US troops who helicoptered into his compound and hunted him down.

My intial reaction was positive. I was glad they had found him, had killed him, verified that it was OBL and that he was dead. In a world ruled by the aggressive use of force and in a world where justice is important, it was necessary to kill this terrorist mastermind. Also, I was thankful that none of our troops had been killed in the daring raid.

For the families who had lost loved ones in the Trade-Center attack, the Pentagon, United Flight 93 and for the families of all the dead and wounded troops from this military action to defeat terrorism I was happy that they had finally received a measure of justice.

But I have to admit that as I watched the celebrations from around the counrty there was something that just didn't sit quite right in my spirit. I was glad to see the American flags and was encouraged by the apparent patriotic displays of flag-waving and "USA" chants. Most of those celebrating in front of the White House were college students who had been 8 to 10 years old when the Towers were attacked. Their jubilation seemed a bit disingenuous. It just didn't ring true to me and troubled me.

This morning when I saw some family members of those lost on September 11 gathering at Ground Zero for a more somber remembrance I felt a little better. This had to bring some comfort and closure for them. I hope they can find some peace.

How should I respond as a Christian who also happens to be an American? Can I be happy that he is dead? He was evil and he deserved what he got, right? This was a big victory in the fight against terrorism, right? So, shouldn't I celebrate?

I believe I should temper my celebration with the knowledge that he died and went to a horrible eternity. While you may argue that if anyone deserves to go to Hell it is him, we should never be glad over anyone who goes there. The fact is that I also deserved to go there. But God is grieved by every single life that is lost for eternity. As His people should I not share His perspective on this death? Should I not instead renew my hatred of sin and evil? Should I rather focus on the potential for evil that exists in me rather than celebrate the death of this person?

Those are my thoughts on the day after this historic and heroic event. What say you?