Relationships: Our Neighbor: May 20, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY MAY 20, 2016.

RELATIONSHIPS:
OUR NEIGHBOR

DEFINITION:

A connection between friends and neighbors; a significant association.

SCRIPTURE:

Jesus said: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. Matthew 22:37-39.

Which of these three do you think proved to be a good neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? And He said The one who showed mercy toward him. Then Jesus said to him, Go and do the same. Luke 10:36-37.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

God's Word strongly emphasizes that we are to love our neighbor and help them in their time of need. The verses we have written above are some of the many in the Bible that remind us that we MUST love our neighbor. For example in the Old Testament it reads: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" Leviticus 19:18. In the New Testament these same words are found in Matthew 5:43 and Romans 13:9.

Many people today commit to helping their neighbor but are often motivated by how they will benefit personally. In the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) it is important for us to understand that the "Good Samaritan" helped the man at the scene of his need out of his compassion. He not only bandaged up his wounds but he went out of his way to move him to a place of healing and also paid the money needed for the stay. But it did not end there --- he would come back and help further if needed. ALL WITH NO THOUGHT OF REPAYMENT OR PERSONAL REWARD.

John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach said: "You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

We are living in a "ME" generation. Most people are concerned today about self rather than others and their needs. It is always "ME FIRST". And then usually we respond to a hurting person just like the priest and the Levite did --- passing him by! The scriptures do not give us an option as to IF we should help our neighbor. Jesus said that the FIRST and GREATEST commandment was for us to "Love God." He then said that the second GREAT commandment was to "Love our neighbor as ourself."

When we help someone up a mountain that they may be facing, you will find yourself close to the summit as well. God always blesses those that help those in need.

All six of our children were urged to get involved with programs where they could help others. They spent time during their Junior and Senior High school days working with inner city children in a summer camp. They also worked in a food bank situation providing food to needy inner-city families. This involvement allowed them to put into practice what they had learned from the scriptures --- TO LOVE THEIR NEIGHBOR.

As far back as we can remember we have been involved one way or the other helping needy, hurting or hungry children, youth and adults. Over these years, God has allowed us to see many needs first hand and then blessed us with the opportunities to work with ministries to help meet these needs.

These experiences changed our perspective on life and continually reminded us to LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES. You may not be able to see the needs of our world like we have been privileged to see, but all you have to do is to look around you every day and you will see someone in need. How will you respond to them?

Many unbelievers today will tell you that one of their many purposes in life is to love people, make a difference in the world and to be a good person. It may give self-satisfaction but unfortunately when you talk to them you find they have no hope and live in an empty vacuum because they do not have a relationship with Jesus. Does that sound like you or someone you know?

Those who love the Lord have the greater responsibility to show love to their neighbors because it reflects on the validity of their testimony. Are you concerned about others and their needs and look for ways to help them?

Do you use people or do you love people by helping them in their time of need?

Are your good friends like stars -- you do not always see them but you know they are always there -- to help you?

One final thought: Someone once said -- THE BEST HELPING HAND YOU WILL EVER FIND IS AT THE END OF YOUR OWN ARM!

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 43:1b.

Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

PRAYER:

Give me a new burden for my neighbors and friends. May my family learn how to build relationships with others so that we will be available to be a source of encouragement in good times and in bad times.

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Relationships: Christian Home: May 19, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY MAY 19, 2016.

RELATIONSHIPS:
CHRISTIAN HOME

DEFINITION:

A location where a family resides and from where they communicate to one another and to God. A safe shelter where one's domestic affections are centered and where one feels loved and cared for.

SCRIPTURE:

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15.

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house. Psalm 84:3-4.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

One definition of a home is a house, apartment, or shelter. There are homes of all sizes. Some may be old and need repair, some may be new and beautiful, but it is not the appearance that is meaningful. It is not the appearance from the outside but it is what is in the house. It is the relationship of those who dwell there that is of vital importance.

A second definition of home is the place in which one’s domestic affections are centered. It is said, “Home is where the heart is.”

In this series of devotionals, we are talking about relationships and families and what we need to understand to have a truly Christian home.

In Colossians 3:18-21 we have the words of the Apostle Paul instructing us concerning the roles of wives, husbands, children, fathers and mothers in a Christian home.

Briefly, Paul says husbands are to love their wives with a sacrificial love and be the spiritual leader, and wives are to respect the leadership role of their husbands. Children must then obey their parents. Parents must care and love their children and not cause them to be bitter. There is a shared responsibility within a family to love one another and to work together, to be kind and fair to one another, and to submit in obedience. The foundation for a Christian home is reverence for the Lord and obedience to His Word.

And in verse 23 it reads: "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance".

As far back as we can remember, our parents taught us in our homes to love God and to honor our parents and our grandparents. We then taught our children, in our home, the same and now we are blessed to watch our children teach their children the same. When Godly standards are set with firmness, love and with consistency and Christian values are upheld they will be handed down from generation to generation, but only if God is always in the center of the family.

Children look to their parents to be their role models and their example. Setting the right example is the role of the parents, not the church, not the school and most definitely not their peers.

One of our joys in life was to watch when each of our children made their decision to accept Jesus as their Savior. And now we have the thrill from time to time to receive a phone call from a grandchild telling us that they have just invited Jesus into their heart.

A child needs to learn that they have boundaries in life and these boundaries need to be taught in our homes when children are at an early age. Some call this having "gates" and "walls". Ancient cities all had walls to protect them from the enemy. When these boundaries have been set, then parents MUST BE CONSISTENT in monitoring them and responding when the child goes beyond the set boundaries. Children need to be warned about the enemies in life and to understand that boundaries are there to protect them.

A great concern that we see today is that parents are afraid to say "NO". They seem to be fearful that children will stop loving them and turn against them. In many cases the parents just do not want to deal with the issue at hand. In most cases the bond between children and their parents is strengthened if boundaries are set reasonably, clearly, firmly and in love. Children need to know that parents care enough about their safety and future to do something that shows that it is not just words. The result will be a deeper love between children and parents.

We have also learned that as parents we needed to train a child to have self control. Children need to learn how to listen so that they can learn.

A parent needs to love children equally and if a parent shows favoritism to one child over another it will have a damaging affect on the whole family. Every child wants unconditional acceptance and never outgrows that desire. Every child also needs to be trained to know the independent side of dependence --- within the established set boundaries. Remember, every person can make a contribution in life and parents need to encourage positive abilities.

A home and a family can disintegrate as a result of:

• A preoccupation with an occupation (such as a job, sports, hobby and television) to the exclusion of family needs.
•  Refusal to face the severity of a child's actions.
•  Refusal to respond quickly and thoroughly to the warning of others.
• Rationalizing of a wrong therefore becoming part of the problem.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 43:1b.

Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

PRAYER:

Lord, help each one of us in our family to live by the instruction You have given us concerning the role we have in the family. May our home be saturated with Your love. As a family that believes in You may our God-given standards and boundaries always be honored so that others can see Christ through us.

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Relationships: Spouses and Parents: May 18, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 18, 2016.

RELATIONSHIPS:
SPOUSES AND PARENTS

DEFINITION:

A connection, association or involvement; connection by blood or marriage.

SCRIPTURE:

A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh, so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate. Mark 10:5-9.

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.  Hebrews 13:4

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In this devotional we are sharing some of our thoughts from a Biblical perspective about spousal relationships and parenting relationships. The scriptures that we have shared with you in this devotional include specific guidelines for us to live by day by day.

First, we look at the marriage spousal relationship. Second in importance after our relationship with God is the marriage relationship between spouses. Marriage is the foundation of the family and family the foundation of society. It has been said, “as goes the family so goes society” We are seeing today a widespread breakdown of the family unit.

Marriage is a life-long bonding that is of God. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, His disciples and to the people about marriage commitment, adultery and divorce in Matthew 5:27-32. Take your Bible and read this passage. If you are struggling with any of these issues in your marriage take action now to deal with it. Begin with praying that the Lord will work in your heart and in the heart of your spouse to heal your marriage.

For a marriage to be successful today, Christ must be in the center of that marriage. When the Lord is not in the center, the marriage relationship will suffer and most likely not survive when problems come. We can be confident that problems will come. Every marriage encounters tough times at some time or another. All you have to do is listen to and talk to married people today and this will be confirmed for you. More than half of the marriages today end up in divorce.

But more important is what the Scriptures say:

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial (Satan)? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?"   II Corinthians 6:14-15.

And in the Old Testament the book of Amos (3:3) asks the question:
"Can two walk together, unless they are equal?"

There are THREE secrets to a successful marriage. First, there must be a COMMITMENT by both parties. A lifetime commitment to one another is critical to any possibility of a successful marriage plus a commitment to the vows taken at the marriage ceremony.
Secondly, there must be COMMUNICATION. This communication must include listening to one another, talking to one another and sharing ALL things with one another.

Finally, husbands and wives must be CHRIST-LIKE. You must have traits that Jesus had, such as a servants heart and attitude and be kind, be willing to forgive, be tender hearted, always thinking of others before yourself, and be compassionate every day in all you do.

Parenting today has almost become a "lost art." In many families parents are so busy working and then socializing that they are not there for their children. The Bible gives to us many guidelines on parent/children relationships. Parents must:

• TRAIN: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it". Proverbs 22:6.
•  CORRECT: "Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes he will give you delight to your soul". Proverbs 29:17.
• DISCIPLINE: "The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother". Proverbs 29:15.
• INSTRUCT: My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother". Proverbs 1:8.
•  WARN: "My son if sinners entice you, do not consent". Proverbs 1:10.
• ADVISE: "My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path; for their feet run to evil and they make haste to shed blood". Proverbs 1:15-16.
• NOT PROVOKE: "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the TRAINING and ADMONITION of the Lord". Ephesians 6:4.

Children have responsibilities as well:

• OBEY: "Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1.
•  HONOR: "Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise; that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth". Ephesians 6: 2 and 3.

LOVE YOUR SIBLINGS: "Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul". I Samuel 18: 1 and 3.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 43:1b.

Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

PRAYER:

Give me a hunger today to strengthen my relationship with my spouse and my relationship with my family. Show me what God wants me to be as a parent through reading Your Word. Knit my family together in love for each other and in the desire to honor and obey Your commandments and put You first in our lives.

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Relationships: Children & Family: May 17, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY MAY 17, 2016.

RELATIONSHIPS:
CHILDREN & FAMILY

DEFINITION:

A blood or marriage connection; a connection between parent and child.

SCRIPTURE:

Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Ephesians 6:1

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Our greatest priority raising our six children was to lead them, by example, to a personal RELATIONSHIP with God through Jesus Christ. We constantly attempted to direct them into the right activities and associations that would help them grow in their RELATIONSHIP with Jesus.

Even though they were born into a Christian home we taught them that that did not make them a Christian. Even though we took them weekly to Sunday school, Church, Christian activities and enrolled them in a Christian school, we taught them that that did not make them a Christian.

One by one each child, in God's perfect timing, accepted Jesus as their Savior and began that most important RELATIONSHIP with God in their individual lives.

Our RELATIONSHIP to God is a FAMILY RELATIONSHIP. This family relationship with God requires a daily communication with God our Father. We accomplished this by reading the Bible daily and praying to God daily as individuals and together as a family.

Jesus instructs us how to pray in Matthew 6:9-15 with the prayer known as THE LORD'S PRAYER. Take the time this week to read this. We have several important thoughts that we think will make this prayer more relative for you, your children and your family. These thoughts will help you build your RELATIONSHIP with our Lord.

• It begins with OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. Jesus is making it clear that we are part of God's family and that we have a FAMILY RELATIONSHIP with God who is our Father. We are all His children.
• The words, YOUR WILL BE DONE, remind us that, as God's children, obedience is required. In order to do the will of God we must be obedient and obedience requires submission to God's authority over us. We must be willing to submit our will to that of our heavenly Father. Parents have the responsibility to teach their children to be obedient to those in authority and to teach them to obey God's commandments. If we do not keep God's commandments we are not doing the will of God. God teaches us that children are to obey their parents just as we are to obey our Father in Heaven.
• Then this prayer reads: GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD. As children we rely on our parents to provide our food and as God's children we rely on God, OUR FATHER, for our spiritual food.
• We are to ask God to FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US. Unsettled disputes between spouses and between parents and children lead to harbored bitterness and then to divisiveness just as unforgiven sin separates us from our Father in heaven.

And finally it reads: AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE. Just as parents want to protect their children from harm from the moment they are born, God wants to protect us, His children, from the wiles of Satan and keep us from sin. Sin harms us and keeps us separated from God. Just as we want to see our children prosper and avoid pitfalls in life, even more so God wants to protect and prosper us, His children, in the sinful world we live in.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 43:1b.

Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

PRAYER:

Help our family to learn more about You as we read together Your Word and communicate to You through prayer. May other families see Christ in us and in our family relationship and may they be drawn to You by what they see in us.

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Relationships: God: May 16, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY MAY 16, 2016.

RELATIONSHIPS:
GOD

DEFINITION:

Kinship; the connection between man and God.

SCRIPTURE:

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him: Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again; he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:1-3.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.
John 3:16.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

This week, the next five days we are going to talk about relationships. We are living in an evil world where it is so easy to be drawn into unhealthy and ungodly relationships. The most important relationship we need to have today is a relationship with God.

People often confuse religion with having a "RELATIONSHIP" with God. We cannot have a RELATIONSHIP with God even through Jesus Christ by what we do. Keeping certain rituals that one feels is RELIGION, such as doing good, being kind, helping a neighbor, feeding the poor, going to church, and practicing religious rituals will not give a person a RELATIONSHIP with God here on earth or eternal life in heaven.

Jesus said to Nicodemus that unless one is "BORN AGAIN" he cannot see the kingdom of God. Being "BORN AGAIN" begins a RELATIONSHIP with God through His Son Jesus. We are born again when we acknowledge we are sinners and receive Jesus Christ into our heart as our Savior. Beyond a doubt we believe that this is the most important decision and relationship that one can make in life because it is the only way we can have a right relationship with God.

The source of our salvation is Jesus. It is written in Ephesians 2:8-9 that we are saved (born again) by faith and that not of ourselves. We are told that it is the gift of God, NOT OF WORKS, less any man should boast. Thus it is clear that those who accept Jesus as their Savior --- are saved not because of anything good or religious things they have done but solely because Jesus paid the penalty for their sins. Salvation gives us a RELATIONSHIP with God which is much different than being RELIGIOUS or practicing the rituals of a religion.

The Bible does make it very clear that whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but will have everlasting life (John 3:16 above). This RELATIONSHIP with God is guaranteed to all who accept and believe in Jesus, God's Son. Being RELIGIOUS or not being RELIGIOUS is not what determines where one spends eternity. Our choice is simple --- accept Jesus and have a RELATIONSHIP with God through His Son Jesus Christ and spend all eternity in Heaven or reject Jesus and remain in a broken relationship with God and spend an eternity in Hell.

We urge you today to accept Jesus as your Savior by simply praying and asking Him to forgive your sins and come into your heart just as Jesus explained to Nicodemus some 2000 years ago. It is the same message today as it was when Jesus talked to Nicodemus. It is just that simple! Then you will have a RELATIONSHIP with God through Jesus Christ which will last for eternity.

If you make that decision today to accept Jesus as your Savior, send us an email so we can pray for you in your new life with Jesus.

I had the privilege for three summers while going to college to work for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Film Association. This film ministry became a time of learning for me to show people of all ages how to have a personal RELATIONSHIP with God. During these three summers in over 270 different Church meetings night after night I was introducing hundreds of children, youth and adults to a new RELATIONSHIP with God through Jesus Christ.

At the end of each film showing an invitation was extended to all who were attending, just as Billy Graham always gave in his crusades, to accept Jesus as Savior. Then I would sit down with the many that responded to the invitation each night and lead them one at a time to this new RELATIONSHIP with God through Jesus Christ. This was an experience that changed my life and because of this opportunity and several other experiences, God led us into the ministry life which we have enjoyed together now for close to 59 years.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 43:1b.

Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, help me to recognize those things in my life that are hindering my relationship with You. Forgive me of my sins and make today the day that I solidify my relationship with God. Help my family to realize that there is no more important relationship in life than our relationship with God.

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