Godly Parenting

The Messages Parents Send
1 Samuel 20:30-34
When someone asks, “What do you do?” the reply frequently includes a job title. But anyone who is raising or interacting with children has a role far more important than ordinary career duties.
Parents are communicators. Yet unlike conference speakers, moms and dads don’t get to pre-plan their entire message. Everything we do and say—especially that which happens “off the cuff”—teaches our kids. Think about your childhood days. What did your parents do that illustrated their priorities, beliefs, and passions?
Even without speaking, we send messages by our body language, interests, kindnesses, absence or presence, silence . . .  Add words to the mix, and we have a recipe for remarkable impact, whether positive or negative.
Inevitably, our children will be greatly affected by what we communicate and how they interpret it. Be conscious of the way each young one processes information—sometimes our intended message becomes skewed by their understanding. What an incredible responsibility we’ve been given. No wonder wise parents rely on God’s help.
Only troubled parents—like the angry, jealous King Saul in today’s passage—would ever set out to hurt their children. But in our busyness, or from past woundedness, we might just be sending damaging messages.
What are you communicating to your kids? Ask yourself: What do my actions point to as priorities in my life? Do my children sense a hunger in my heart for God’s direction, counsel, and sustenance? Above all, would they know how to have a thriving relationship with Jesus Christ by watching my life?

Jesus Our Internal GPS

A Compass for Life’s Journey Proverbs 3:1-6 If you’ve ever been lost in the woods, you know the concerns, confusion, and panic this situation causes. Now think what a difference it would have made to know that a compass was in your pocket. Spiritually speaking, we have such a compass—God’s Word. But it does no good unless we let it guide us. Yet at times, we may fail to follow its direction because of . . . 1. Neglect. Sometimes we are so busy walking through life that we forget to look at God’s compass to make sure we’re headed in the right direction. 2. Pride. Oftentimes we want to determine the destiny ourselves. Relying on our own strength, understanding, and abilities, we plan our own route. 3. Distractions. God’s path of obedience isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it can be extremely challenging. Satan offers other trails that promise pleasure and ease if we will just ignore the compass and follow him. Although these trails seem pleasant at first, they lead to heartbreak and discouragement. 4. Difficulties. Whenever obstacles appear on the trail, our natural tendency is to try and find a way around them. But by ignoring God’s compass and stepping off the path, we’ll miss the blessings He wants to give us through the rough patches—strong faith and godly character. Why should we wander when the Lord’s compass is available? Let Scripture be your guide on life’s journey. God promises to give you productive days and fruitful years if you follow His path. He’ll direct each step of your way, and His peace will sustain you, even during the difficult times.

Can God Use You?

Nehemiah requests the king´s help in rebuilding Jerusalem.

INSIGHT

Nehemiah comes before the king unable to conceal his agitation over the situation in Jerusalem. When we are faced with situations that need change, preparation is vital. We may not be able to do anything about it at the moment, but we can ask ourselves this question: “If it lay within our power to do anything we wanted to do, what would we do?´ If we can answer that, then we will recognize opportunity when it knocks, and we can capitalize on it as Nehemiah does.

The Lord Is Good

Lord God, we humbly come before You, O God and we seek Your face; we acknowledge You, Lord God. We acknowledge that You are mighty and great, You are Omnipotent,
Omnipresent, and Omniscient; You are Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. You are Awesome and Magnificent. There is no one like You; You
are the One and Only, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Lord God You are what satisfies our every longing, Your joy is our strength. You sustain our soul and fill our
hearts with Your love and grace. Your all consuming Fire surrounds us and protects us. We praise You and glorify Your holy Name, we praise You and worship You; for You
are good and Your mercies endureth forever. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last; You are our Wonderful Counselor, You
are our Comforter, You are our Defender, You empower us to do what is right, You are faithful, fearless, forgiving, Great, Good, High and lifted up, Holy,
inconceivable, incredible, just, love, loyal, magnificent, mighty, Powerful, potent, Rich in mercy and love, Strong Tower. You are our Provider and Protector; Lord
God, You are Abba Father and we cling to You. Lord God, You are Holy and we sing praises to You, hallelujah, glory to God, we dance before You and sing praises to Your
Holy Name. We dance before You like David danced and we live our lives giving praises to You, O God. Let our lives give an aroma of praise that glorifies and praises
You, O Lord God.

I am The Greatest

Allowing God to Promote
“So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him” (1 Chron 14:17).
We live in a day of self-promotion. Marketing firms are hired today to persuade others to view a person or situation in the way they want you to. There are millions of dollars spent annually by sports companies, personality agents, and marketing firms to create fame for their clients and products. They negotiate sponsorship deals and try to get the most money for the most exposure. The ultimate goal is fame and notoriety.
There is a great danger in self-promotion. Self-promotion is trying to move from the place you are to a place ahead of where God may want you. It is not wrong to become famous, popular or desired by others as long as it happens as a fruit of your calling. However, when you begin to orchestrate things in an effort to inflate who you are for the sake of gain, you have crossed the line.
David’s fame was a result of his fulfilling his mission in life. When he failed, he repented. When he was successful, he acknowledged the Lord. Never do you see David exalt himself over the Lord. Yes, he made some selfish decisions that led to sin. But David could not be criticized for self-promotion.
We all must carefully balance the difference between marketing designed to inform and educate versus promote and manipulate. Describing the true attributes of a product, service or person is good marketing communications. However, persuasion designed to inflate reality is witchcraft.
Proverbs says, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips (Prov 27:2).
Following this principle will keep you from moving beyond God’s method of promotion.