May 10, 2016

"Then he said, “There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, ‘Father, I want right now what’s coming to me.’ “So the father divided the property between them. It wasn’t long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any." Luke 15:11-16

When Jesus wanted to illustrate the Great Commandment He told a story about a good Samaritan so you can always have a vivid picture of what it looks like to be an "I am 3rd" person.

This Samaritan thought 3rd at every point in this parable, he thought third in his time commitment, he thought third in his compassion for the injured man and he thought third with his cash when he paid the cost of medical care for the man who was mugged.

It was for the purpose of illustrating how God loves you He told another well-beloved story known as the Prodigal Son. In this moving parable you see the "I am 3rd" love of the father (who represents God).

I'm sure you are familiar with this parable but you may not realize the word "prodigal" means "extravagant". So this is a story of extravagant love. Who in the story demonstrated an extravagant love? The only thing extravagant about the wandering son was his foolishness.

But therein lies the power of this parable. The extravagant "I am 3rd" love God has for you is in spite of your extravagant foolishness!

I can't speak for you, but when I read this story my lack of "I am 3rd" love gets exposed because I tend to think the father got it wrong by giving his son the inheritance he demanded. The son was clearly in an extreme "I am first" mode or maybe even an "I am only" mode and was on a self-destructive path. Why would the father fuel the foolishness of his son by financing his fantasy with the family fortune?

Only as you consider this story from an "I am 3rd" perspective do you begin to understand the extravagance of the father's love. His "I am 3rd" love had the courage to allow the foolish son to imprison himself with his selfish "I am first" love. He understand that only a steady diet of self-centered slop would cultivate an appetite for the "I am 3rd" love he offered.

Such is the power of "I am 3rd" love. The wise loving father knew that!

You and I need to learn the power and depth of "I am 3rd" love and often it takes some time in the pig-pen to figure it out. Ultimately it was the longing for the "I am 3rd" love of the father that brought the son home.

Regardless of where you find yourself this morning will you surrender to His "I am 3rd" love?

The Pursuit Of God

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:4-6

A good friend once challenged me with this question, 

"If you don't feel close to God, who moved?"

His point was well taken. The truth is I can be as close to God as I want to be. So can you! He longs for intimate fellowship with us.

So, what is it that keeps you from enjoying that close fellowship with God?

Sometimes it is other people.

Here are several examples:

You can allow another person to get between you and God. 

If you are in a relationship with a nonbeliever that can draw you away from God.

If you over-invest in a relationship where you spend all your time and energy focused on a person that can distract you from God.

You might get wrapped up in your children, running to their activities and events. Before you know it your week-ends are all spent traveling and you neglect the fellowship of your church. Soon you become a stranger with God.

Sometimes it can be other pursuits.

Here are some examples:

You might get preoccupied with a hobby and spend all of your spare time involved in it.

You might get caught up in a sports activity and focus your time and energy bowling or golfing or fishing and not have time for God.

You might get involved in outdoor recreation and spend all your week-ends boating or camping or riding a motorcycle or RV.

After several weeks or months of devoting yourself to these pursuits you suddenly find your heart cold toward God.

Always it is your pride.

All of these things we have mentioned are good and wholesome in themselves. But when you place more importance on them than you do on your relationship with God, they get between you and Him. But when that happens the problem is not them - it is you! You have placed your pleasure, your needs, your enjoyment ahead of God. That is the essence of pride.

James reminds you that God is a jealous God. He demands to be first in your life. If you are going to choose Him and decide to serve Him, He must hold first place in your affections, your thoughts, and your time. He will not occupy second place to your pride, your pursuits or other people.

These verses pronounce some harsh judgments on those whose pride comes between them and God. He calls them "adulterers". Do you want to be an adulterer?

He says God opposes the proud. Do you want to be in opposition to God?

If you are not as close to God as you once where or as close as you want to be - who moved?

Have you allowed something or someone to come between you and God?

If so, how do you think that is going to work out for you?

What are you going to do about it?

May 8, 2016

I found this thought today and wanted to share Mother's Day "by the Book".

What does the Bible say about moms? Here are some Bible quotes you can use for inspirational greeting cards, personal devotions, or preparing a Bible study/sermon about Mother’s Day. Each of these scriptures about mothers are quoted from the ESV translation.

Motherhood Before the Fall

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.". (Genesis 2:24-25 ESV)

Sons Should Follow their Mother’s Teaching

"My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you." (Proverbs 6:20-22 ESV)

Mother’s Must Correct their Children

"The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother." (Proverbs 29:15 ESV)

Children Must Honor their Mother (and Father)

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:2-4 ESV)

Timothy’s Mother as Faith Example

"I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well."  (2 Timothy 1:5 ESV)

Jesus Provided for His Mother Before He Died

"When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home." (John 19:26-27 ESV)

Warning to Provide for Your Aged Mother

"Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (1 Timothy 5:3-7; 1 Timothy 5:8 ESV)

Women Who Believer are Like Mothers to Jesus

"While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50 ESV)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

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!