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?

April 30, 2016

"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

It's never a good idea to try to make yourself look good by making Jesus look bad. But a young lawyer learned that the hard way. He showed up where Jesus was teaching and tried to out smart Him with what he thought was a clever question, "What does it take for a great guy like me to up my game?" 

He wasn't expecting the answer Jesus gave him, "You're a lawyer, you tell me what they law says." 

When he gave the right answer Jesus said, "Good! Now go do that!"

That would have been a great chance for this young man to slip back into the crowd with his dignity intact, but he pressed the issue, "Who is my neighbor?"

Jesus answered this question with one of the most memorable teaching stories of all time - the parable of the Good Samaritan.

In essence Jesus told him (and us), "If you want to be great find a way to be third." Then He painted a word picture to show what that would look like.

To be first, be third in your commitments!

This Samaritan was on a journey, traveling from one place to another when he happened upon the badly beaten Jewish man the Priest and the Levite had passed ignored the need and passed by.

Was the Samaritan less busy that the two clergymen or was he just more compassionate? It appears the latter is true.

Obviously, they made "me first" decisions in regard to their time while the Samaritan made an "I'm third decision" in regard to his schedule.

Jesus said by, "If you love God you will love others and if you love others you will give them your time."

If you want to "up your game" you must be third in your scheduling! That means you make time for God first and then factor in time margins so you will have time to love others during the course of your daily activities!

When you are too busy to make time to spend with God you are way too busy. You have a "me first" schedule.

If you can't time to help a hurting friend you are too busy. You have a "me first" schedule.

April 29, 2016

In yesterday's post I referenced the Indiana Wesleyan University basketball team as an example of how a counter-cultural approach to a competitive team sport can make a nationwide impact.

When an "I am 3rd" program can win championships on a consistent basis in a "me-first" culture like college basketball, that is significant. It gives hope that a committed team with a winning strategy can change a culture over time!

Churches are looking for a way to positively impact the culture of their community. But before they can reach their community for Christ they have to find a way to capture the attention of those they want to reach.

How to do that is the big decision church leaders must make. I have noticed several approaches church have chosen in their effort to gain the attention of the community they want to reach.

• The "hipness" approach 

They try to compete with the secular entertainers and celebrities in they culture they long to reach in the hope that  if they can impress secular people they will have a chance to reach them.

• The "hype" approach

This approach saturates the community with songs and slogans and signs to create an attractive image of the church. Their idea is if they can catch the eye and ear of their community they can win their heart. They want to make it the "in" place to be, the place you go to see and be seen. 

• The high power personality approach

A church will lean heavily on dynamic high-personality pastors and musicians to create a high energy emotionally charged atmosphere they hope will be attractive to secular people who have little religious background. They hope to be able to eventually transfer the popularity of their platform people to a faith in Christ.

• The happiness approach

Some ministries choose to focus on the good news side of the Gospel. They believe the sign of true spirituality is wealth, health, wisdom and joy. While God is certainly able to provide those things they fail to mention our greatest joy is to be found in knowing Him and loving Him regardless of circumstances.

While each of these approaches have reached people and build large churches, they choose to compete with culture or in some way co-op it. 

At FredWes we have chosen a different approach. We don't want to compete with culture or co-op culture we want to create a counter-culture.

• The healthy approach

At FredWes we believe that if we build on healthy Biblical principles and practices and if we develop healthy relationships, the church will grow. And as we maintain our spiritual health we will continue to grow. We seek to build those healthy relationships on the principles of the "Great Commandment":

"Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39

Our ministry statement, "Loving you to LIFE" is an expression of this commandment. We will love God most, love others much and least self last.

For this new year of 2016-17 at FredWes we are going to recommit, refine and rephrase our mission. This year I call you this challenge, also from the Great Commandment: "If you want to be great find a way to be third."

It works for the Wildcats and it will work for FredWes!