Parenting by Faith
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.… And ye, fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nuture (training) and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1, 4 There is no such thing as painless parenting. Pain—even excruciating pain—is a natural part of the family process in our broken world. Women know better than anyone that pain is how the family got started. And the aches and pains, the hurts and hassles will continue to intrude into the parenting pathway through the years, whether we like it or not. That’s why a vital faith in Jesus Christ is so crucial to a happy family. God equips us through faith to meet all the challenges of parenting, even in a toxic environment. Consider Ephesians 6:1, for example: “Children, obey your parents.” How? “In the Lord.” Or read Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives.” How? “As Christ loved the church.” Or Ephesians 5:22: “Wives, submit to your own husbands.” How? “As to the Lord.” All these instructions to the family wrap around a core of faith in God and Jesus Christ. Don’t try to build your family without faith in God. Throw yourself on His grace and mercy and say to Him, “Lord, I know that apart from You, I can’t do anything but mess this thing up. So I’m going to hang onto You with both hands. Together, we’ll make this family work.” There are no disappointments to those whose wills are buried in the will of God Not as I will, but as thou wilt...Matt. 26:39 Pastor Rudy
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Heaven bound … but not yet
Jesus said, “I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world” John 17:15 It is a sweet and blessed event which will occur to all believers in God’s own time—the going home to be with Jesus. In a few more years the Lord’s soldiers, who are now fighting “the good fight of faith” will have done with conflict, and have entered into the joy of their Lord. Although Christ prays that his people may eventually be with him where he is, he does not ask that they may be taken at once away from this world to heaven. He wishes them to stay here. Yet how frequently does the wearied pilgrim put up the prayer as the psalmist, “O that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest;” but Christ does not pray like that, he leaves us in his Father’s hands, until, like shocks of corn fully ripe, we shall each be gathered into our Master’s garner. Jesus does not plead for our instant removal by death, for to abide in the flesh is needful for others if not profitable for ourselves. He asks that we may be kept from evil, but he never asks for us to be admitted to the inheritance in glory till we are of full age. Christians often want to run or even wish to die when they have any trouble. Ask them why, and they tell you, “Because we would be with the Lord.” We fear it is not so much because they are longing to be with the Lord, as because they desire to get rid of their troubles; else they would feel the same wish to die at other times when not under the pressure of trial. They want to go home, not so much for the Saviour’s company, as to be at rest. The great Apostle Paul rightly summed it up in this way, "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you." Phil 1:23-24 Now it is quite right to desire to depart if we can do it in the same spirit that Paul did, because to be with Christ is far better, but the wish to escape from trouble is a selfish one. Rather let your care and wish be to glorify God by your life here as long as he pleases, even though it be in the midst of toil, and conflict, and suffering, and leave him to say when “it is enough.” I love the quote by John Wayne, "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway." Amen!!! Let's face the days ahead knowing that "Greater is HE that is in me than he that is in the world." Pastor Rudy Power through Praise! Thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel - Ps 22:3 When we go forth into the battle—whether we battle through financial issues, severe health problems, or an on-going pandemic—we have two strategies. We can go in our own weakness and face defeat, or we can go in the power of the Lord. How do we do the latter? We simply, through it all, love, adore, worship, and praise His name. We know that God makes His home in our praises, and He will march with us even to the farthest corners of the earth and the end of the age. As we worship, our life strategies come together in ways we could never have formulated on our own. Then, as we face the challenges head-on, we keep right on praising, right on singing to the Lord, who is greater and stronger than any challenge that might stand in our path. The wonder of worship, guiding our everyday experiences, will totally change the way we see everything that confronts us. What is that challenge for you today? I would urge you not to focus on the misery of the crisis, but on the mastery of Christ. Then follow Him into battle. See if the demons themselves don’t turn and flee from the doorway, terrified by the sounds of godly praise and adoration. And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb,& by the word of their testimony; & they loved not their lives unto the death. Rev. 12:11 Pastor Rudy The Right Focus!
In II Chron 26, we read about a young sixteen year old King Uzziah who began a reign over the people of Judah that lasted for 52 years. The Bible says that he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and God caused him to prosper. Even in the midst of a sinful, selfish people, King Uzziah was always seeking the kingdom of God. What a challenge to us! Let’s face it; we live in a time that can often be discouraging and disheartening. The constant array of battles, temptations, coupled to the troubled times in which we live can quickly lead to bitterness, emptiness or even an attitude of what’s the use. We can easily become bitter at heart, hateful toward others, judgmental and often can cause great harm to ourselves and to others. King Uzziah faced those same battles, suffered the same defeats, and yet, continued to do the will of God. Can we do less? When to us, the Lord has entrusted His precious work and given us a great charge to win the lost at any cost. But how? Keep your eyes on the only thing that matters-Jesus Christ ! Loving Hm (Matt 22:37), Knowing Him (Phil 3:10), Seeking Him (Ps 105:4) Becoming more like him every day (Ps 17:15). As Jeannie Churchill (Winston Churchill’s mother) stated, “We are forever throwing away substance in pursuit of shadows” “Wherefore gird up the lions of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ -1 Peter 1:13 I have a Christ that satisfies, since I have been redeemed. To do His will my highest prize, since I have been redeemed. Edwin O. Excel Pastor Rudy "At Thy Word I Will"
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. Luke 5:5-11 How those words could mold and make our lives if we dared to say them honestly and without reservation to Jesus Christ! How wonderfully challenging and exciting our Christian experience would become instead of being the humdrum sort of thing that many know, month after month, year after year. The first lesson of Christian experience that we have to learn is that of instant and complete obedience to the will of God. Delayed or incomplete obedience can and usually becomes disobedience. So often we have arguments and reasons for disobeying, just as Peter may have had, but our own ways prove to be empty and fruitless. Yet his way, however unpromising it may seem in advance, always proves blessed and fruitful. Are you ready to say every day, at any time, “At thy word I will”? We need to realize that the Master was asking for obedience even in the simple task of throwing a net overboard. The disciples might have asked Him to wait until the nets were mended or until they had been able to get fresh ones or even to continue the argument, as experienced fishermen, they knew what was best. But no, the nets they had used all night, even torn and half mended, were the nets the Master wanted them to use. The miracle speaks for itself, that God in his marvelous grace can use even a torn, blemished net to fully accomplish His will. Is it possible that God in His infinite power and grace can use torn, imperfect lives that are obedient to His will? Of course, if those imperfect lives listen and obey the voice of the Master they love. The responsibility for help and guidance is always His. The responsibility for obedience is always ours. The scripture says, "Our spirit is willing but our flesh is weak." These words ring, all too often, very true. The "I can't" mentality has robbed God of much glory and robbed ourselves of many blessings. Hatred for weakness and inadequacy is why we tell our kids never to say, “I can’t.” It’s why we love the inspiring words of Thomas the Tank Engine: “Yes, you can!” However, If we aren’t careful, we’ll be deceived into thinking we’ve “got this” apart from the power, provision and the presence of God motivating and empowering us. Consider a familiar passage. Many of us can recite it from memory. It’s one of the clearest passages on finding and fulfilling God's will for our lives. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thess 5:16-18 God couldn’t be clearer: His will for his people is always found in a life steeped in rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving! We never have to wonder if we’re on the right and godly path to the perfect will of God with these actions. Yet, they can be some of the most difficult commands to obey. Why does God command us to “rejoice always”? Because it’s more natural for us to grumble and complain about our circumstances than to see God’s character and purposes at work in them. Why does he tell us to “pray without ceasing”? Because, in an age of distraction and entertainment, it’s easier to give our focus and time to nothingness, wasting it on self-centered, temporary pleasures, than to give ourselves to eternal, Kingdom matters. And what about his command to “give thanks”? We usually forget or refuse to because, somewhere deep within our hearts, we fail to remember that everything is a gift from God. We think we’re entitled to what we want and deserve an easy life. By ourselves, obedience to the will of God is impossible. We need his help and power, secured for us through our union with Christ, to do his perfect and complete will. Father, Help me to be willing to follow wherever you lead, realizing the future, my future, lies in your hands. Help me today and always to fully obey your will, knowing that blessing and fruitfulness will be mine. Amen - Pastor Rudy “Trust…In God!”
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12 Why God? Why is this happening to me, to my family? What have I done? Where did I go wrong? Please God, please help me! Most, if not all, have went through times such as this…anguish, questioning, searching, pleading. These are not happy times, however in the life of a Christian they can be fruitful. Times of growth, closeness to God, trust, and believe It or not, times of extreme joy. Please understand. God could have kept Daniel out of the lions' den…he could have kept Paul and Silas out of jail…he could have kept Paul from stoning…but God has never promised to keep us out of hard places…what he has promised is to go with us through every hard place, and to bring us through victoriously. The issue is not how great the trouble is. What really matters is where the trouble lies-whether it comes between you and God or whether it presses you nearer his heart. Oswald chambers said it best, “A saint's life is in the hands of God as a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see; he stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, "I cannot stand any more." But God does not heed; he goes on stretching until his purpose is in sight, then he lets fly. We are here for God's designs, not for our own.” Trouble and adversity are like the rains of Spring…You can look through the window and dwell on the present clouds and darkness or you can look toward the blessings of life that it brings. You can stubbornly look at what the normal phases of life have taken away, or thru eyes of trust; look at the wonderful blessings that still remain. It’s wonderful to know that the Child of God, in every situation, has the awesome responsibility and the blessed privilege of trusting in their almighty, loving, God. There is always exceeding joy as we walk together with our Lord. What though my joys and comforts die? The Lord my Savior liveth; What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth; No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to Him I’m clinging; Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing? -R. Lowry Remember the teakettle: when it's up to its neck in hot water; it sings. Pastor Rudy “What God Has Promised”
Will this be the day? He promised He would be back and Jesus always keeps a promise. Remember when he looked at the disciples and said “Destroy this temple and within three days I will raise it up. They, thinking he meant the Temple that Herod had build, shook their head and wondered about his sanity. He meant something even more miraculous. Kill me, Jesus said, and in three days I will rise from the grave. He did just what he told them he would do. No more and no less. He Promised. 2 Cor 1:20 wonderfully states, "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." The Apostle Paul reminds us that the promises of God found in our relationship with Jesus Christ are rock solid. If God said something, it will come to pass. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and believe him at his Word. God isn't a man, who can make mistakes, not follow through or even come to a place He is unable to meet our promises – his promises are guaranteed. He Promised. Jesus meant it when he had Paul write Romans 8:28 about all things working together for our good. Sometimes life doesn't turn out the way we thought it would. At times, circumstances outside of our control enter our life and put us in a place of struggle or pain. Even bad things happen to the people of God, but Paul wrote "all things work together for good." whatever the enemy meant for evil, God’s love and power are enough to turn around for good. Thank God for the knowledge that everything that enters my life has been weighed & planned by God just for me. He promised. The writer of Hebrews in chapter four verses 14 and 15 states that Jesus Christ has experienced all our troubles and temptations and overcame them. He now resides in heaven as our protector and intercessor. Hebrews 4:16 continues with, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." When we need mercy and grace his Word promises that if we draw near to the throne of God, we will receive and find it there. Prayer is our connection to God. He is ready to listen. He promised. Jesus meant it when he declared in Hebrews 13:5 that he would never leave us nor forsake us. Isn’t it wonderful to know that at the loneliest times of our life that we can rest in the knowledge that God is by our side. He promised. When life is at its worse, God will give us his best. You can trust Him. He promised. God has not promised Skies always blue Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through; God has not promised Sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God has promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy and undying love. -Annie Johnson Flint Promises, Promises- and all of them are true! Pastor Rudy Christians by Choice
…let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith… - Heb. 12:1-2 Simon Peter. He heeds the Lord’s command to walk on the water, then at the point of despair, quits the ministry to go fishing; triumphantly facing his Master, he shouts, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God”; yet, a few hours later, running, with a cursing blasphemous month, from the honest questioning of a small servant girl; or fearlessly standing with drawn sword, he dares the enemies of Christ to advance. Later, spinelessly removing himself from the fellowship of his gentile brethren, because of the attitudes of a few Jewish brethren. Thoughtless, impulsive, outspoken Peter. Self-sacrificing, yet, self seeking. Courageous, but at other times, cowardly. Humble? Maybe so, but definitely a problem with pride. We are no different. At times, we stand fearlessly fighting the good fight of faith, while at other times, we silently close the door, and roll in self-pity. We, as Peter shout, “He is the Christ” and we as Peter, remain silent before the accusations of the enemy. Peter could faithfully step from the boat onto the storm-tossed water, yet found it extremely difficult to walk faithfully for Christ on the land. The troubled Christian must understand a priceless principle. God has not asked us to walk fearlessly on troubled water nor has He demanded that we face the prophets of Baal as we pray fire down from heaven. Our all-consuming task is not to face the enemies of Christ with drawn sword but to face Christ on bended knee, seeking His favor, His strength, His perfect Will. To humbly walk 24-hrs out of every day as a normal everyday saint of God. To be faithful in the little things, those things within our control. Like keeping a Godly attitude in the midst of turmoil. Exhibiting the love of Christ to those undeserving. Consistently remaining true to biblical standards. How do we accomplish this? Just like Peter did. As the boat gently rocked with the motions of working men, did Peter, from a heavenly guided breeze smell the tantalizing scent of fresh fish cooking on a fire. Looking up, from his work, he saw His Lord. I believe at that moment, he understood what life was about. Life did not consist of doing great things, extraordinary things. It consisted simply of going to Jesus. Trusting Jesus. Looking unto Him - the only begotten Son of the living God. Our Savior, our Mediator, our Lord. Oswald chambers said it best, “A saint's life is in the hands of God as a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see; he stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, "I cannot stand any more." But God does not heed; he goes on stretching until his purpose is in sight, then he lets fly. We are here for God's designs, not for our own.” Pastor Rudy The Depth of Friendship Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends -John 15:13 One could not but be moved by the story of the soldier who asked his officer if he might go out into "No Man's Land" between the trenches in World War I to bring in one of his comrades who lay grievously wounded. "You can go," said the officer, "but it's not worth it. Your friend is probably killed, and you will throw your own life away." But the man went. Somehow he managed to get to his friend, hoist him onto his shoulder, and bring him back to the trenches. The two of them tumbled in together and lay in the trench bottom. The officer looked very tenderly on the would-be rescuer, and then he said, "I told you it wouldn't be worth it. Your friend is dead and you are mortally wounded." "It was worth it, though, sir," he said. "How do you mean, 'worth it'? I tell you your friend is dead." "Yes, sir," the boy answered, "but it was worth it, because when I got to him he was still alive, and he said to me, 'Jim, I knew you'd come.'" Proverbs 17:17 states, “A friend loves at all times.” God’s intention of friendship is love. Friendship should be less about what we get out of it and more about how we can serve God and others through it. 1 Corinthians 13:13 reminds us that out of “faith, hope, and love... the greatest of these is love.” Jesus reiterated the importance of love when he reminded His followers to love God first with all their heart and soul (Matthew 22:37) and then love our neighbor as ourselves. (Matthew 22:39) When we put God first and model our friendships after his example to us, we will experience friendship the way God intended us to. I am reminded of the story of Ruth and Naomi. The world around us can be overwhelming sometimes, and in the most desperate places of our lives, we are tempted to think about what anyone other than God says about us. Naomi was having a devastating moment such as this. Naomi's life seemingly had been taken from her. First, her husband died. Within ten years, both of her sons died, too. (Ruth 1:3-5) Desperate and done, she left her land and set off towards Judah, "where she heard the Lord had come to the aid of his people.” (Ruth 1:6-7) She sent her daughters-in-law back to their mothers’ homes (Ruth 1:8-9) but “Ruth refused to leave her and the bible states "clave to her”. (Ruth1:14) “Clave,” in Hebrew means “to stay close, to cleave, to join to, …”. What defines the faithful attribute God assigns to friendship is this: "to be joined together". Ruth joined together with Naomi in their hardships. Their friendship illustrates God’s faithfulness to those who will serve each other when placed together as an extension of His love here on earth. Jesus reiterated the importance of love when he reminded His followers to love God first with all their heart and soul (Matthew 22:37) and then love our neighbor as ourselves. (Matthew 22:39) Always put God first and I believe when we model our friendships after Him, we will experience friendship the way God intended us to. I think that God will never send, a gift so precious as a friend, A friend who always understands, and fills each need as it demands, Whose loyalty will stand the test, when skies are bright or overcast, Who sees the faults that merit blame, but keeps on loving just the same. Who does far more than creeds could do. To make us good, to make us true, Earth’s gifts a sweet contentment lend, But only God can give a friend! A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you today just the way you are. Pastor Rudy |
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