1 Corinthians 15:42-57 (New Living Translation)
42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. 43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. 44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
45 The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.”[a] But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. 46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. 47 Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. 48 Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. 49 Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like[b] the heavenly man.
50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,[c] this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 14:1-6 (King James Version)
John 14
1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Phil 1:21 – “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
When I read this verse I can’t help but think of Alice.
We are here not to mourn the loss of a loved one but to rejoice that she has run her race .. and her reward awaits her in the resurrection of the dead.
Let us gain comfort from the blessed truth that to the Christian, death can be a precious thing.
Psa 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord,
Is the death of His godly ones"
For the Christian it is different. – “To die is gain”
Have you ever felt like your life was perfect one moment and then all of sudden everything changed. You thought your existence couldn't get any better and suddenly something terrible happened.
Running to the doctor, Alice worse fear was revealed, MS had cast a web over her life.
She was living a good life with a great job. She had a family and she even went to church. Why did she have MS? She never harmed or took advantage of anyone! Why was she being punished? Why was God doing this to her? She was a good person!
Let us take comfort in the scriptures.
Romans 8: 28-30, "We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose. Those whom God had already chosen he also set apart to become like his Son, so that the Son would be the first among many brothers. And so those whom God set apart, he called; and those he called, he put right with himself, and he shared his glory with them."
Those with faith, question God's purpose for making her endure this disease.
Sometimes it is God's choice for us to be healed and sometimes it is His will for us to die for Him. All things work together for good when God is in control.
But when we believe only in this corrupt world then we only have doctors to pull us through our illnesses.
Having God gives us strength and perseverance, while following the world leads us down paths of blame and hate.
Think about the life of Jesus. He did nothing but good for people. He healed the sick and cast out demon spirits who tormented the thoughts of people. Yet no matter how much good He did in His life He was still crucified.
In order to become like Jesus we must understand that suffering is a part of this world.
Satan wanted to destroy Alice and to get her to let go of her faith in God. God wanted her to surrender her life to Him and trust that no matter what happens He would always be there for her.
God takes what Satan did to Alice and shouts to the world that she did nothing wrong. She did not sin and she was not guilty! He took the evil of MS and made her an example to others of what you can do when you have faith in God.
Romans 8: 34-39, "Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us! Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? As the scripture says, 'For your sake we are in danger of death at all times; we are treated like sheep that are going to be slaughtered.'
No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below-there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord."
Read obit: Alice (Shattuck) Miller
Alice Miller (nee Shattuck) was born July 9, 1947 and went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 20, 2011 after bravely fighting a long illness for over 20 years.
She was born to the late Rex and Eleanor Shattuck and lived the majority of her years in Warren and Grayling, Michigan, spending her latter years in life living with her daughter and grandchildren in Ohio.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law Melissa (nee Miller) and Danny L. Parsons Jr. of Lorain, Ohio; her son and daughter-in-law Kevin and Tammie Miller of Grand Rapids, Michigan; six precious grandchildren and one great grandchild; a sister and brother-in-law Susanne and Jon Mueller of Grayling, Michigan; a sister Kay Rau of Marine City, Michigan; a brother and sister-in-law Roger and Debbie Shattuck of Marine City, Michigan; and countless nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Alice was preceded in death by her brother Rick Shattuck.
Alice received her master's degree in education from the University of Michigan and was a school teacher for over 20 years, teaching preschool, elementary and special education.
She faithfully served and volunteered in the Crawford Ausable School District in Grayling, Michigan for countless years and touched many hearts and lives, leaving behind many friends there.
She was a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church, Grayling, Michigan, and was a founding member of Church of the New Harvest, Elyria, Ohio having faithfully served in both.
Alice also served as the director of AGLOW Women's Ministries for many years in northern Michigan.
Alice loved to read, write, teach and take care of others. The only thing Alice loved more than her family was her God whom she faithfully loved and served her entire life with all her heart and soul and strength.
Reflection: Alice lived the last years of her life a prisoner in a body that was filled with sickness – yet she never complained.
She seemed to show joy and to rejoice in her affliction.
All the people who have ever had the privilege to meet Alice all describe her the same way” she was the strongest woman they have ever met as they all watched her endure things most of us could not, they would also go on to say she was one of the best women they have ever met.
A doctor once made a comment after one of her many life treating surgeries that he knows God has a special place for her.
Alice seemed to amaze everyone she came into contact with including me.
She truly lived one of the Godliest lives I have ever seen.
You see she loved her God not out of her blessings but out of her afflictions.
You might be asking yourself how could Alice life been God perfect plan for her on this earth. Well you see we aren’t put on this earth to please and serve ourselves, we were created to love and worship God.
I never met a person such like Alice, in fact the only person I could possible compare her to is Job. Job didn’t deserve any afflictions that were placed on him, he basically suffered because of the mighty man of God that he was.
Alice did the same. God knew what He was doing when He allowed what Alice went through on this earth.
He knew she would bring honor and Glory to His name. If my life could make a difference in at least one other persons I would consider that a life worth living.
Alice strengthened my faith beyond belief as well as many others.
She taught me what it means to not take the little things for granted.
When I think I have it so bad and life isn’t worth living I will think about Alice and all she endured and it will strengthen me for another day.
Alice bore the cross she did because actually she was the strongest of us all.
When I think of Alice a don’t picture a weak feeble, crippled , handicap woman but a strong, faithful, trustworthy, patient woman of God who overcame life’s challenges with her faith and love for the Lord.
I would be truly honored to be able to make such a difference in someone else’s life like Alice made in mine, her life wasn’t wasted.
Actually I never witness a more fulfilled life in anyone else.
You may have asked yourself how this could be God perfect plan, the plans to prosper and not harm her but to give her a future and hope.
You may not have seen it but I did.
Alice didn’t live a selfish life but she gave her all to serving her Lord and Savior.
Other reflections:
I believe that Alice would say to all of you that she would prefer to be away from her body and at home with her Lord.
It would be extremely selfish today to bring Alice back; even if we could she is where her life of faith has prepared her to be.
I cannot bring her back, but I believe she would want you to know that you too can have the joy that she had. This joy is found in having a person relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus said (John 11:25-26), “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live (26) And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die…”
Let us pray.
God of us all, your love never ends. When all else fails, you still are God.
We pray to you for one another in our need, and for all, everywhere, who mourn with us this day.
To those who doubt, give light;
To those who are weak, strength;
To all who have sinned, mercy;
To all who sorrow, your peace.
Keep true in us the love with which we hold one another.
In all our ways we trust you. And to you, with your church on earth and in heaven, we offer honor and glory, now and forever.
Amen.
The Benediction
Now to the one who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, to this God be glory in the Church and in Jesus Christ to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Alice truly left us with a beautiful story of blessing of assurance. Now she will stand forever praising her father all of eternity long.
Psalm 103:8-17 (New Living Translation)
8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
13 The LORD is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
15 Our days on earth are like grass;
like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16 The wind blows, and we are gone—
as though we had never been here.
17 But the love of the LORD remains forever
with those who fear him.
His salvation extends to the children’s children
I'm Free
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God has laid, you see.
I took His hand when I heard His call.
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found the peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joys.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts, and peace to thee.
God wanted me now,
He set me free
Revelation 21:1-7 (New Living Translation)
The New Jerusalem
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.[a] 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
As far as the world goes Alice didn’t have much, no fancy home, no expensive car, even her body was broken and worn down. Not only did she not possess many thinks she didn’t really require much. All she needed and had to get her through this life was her Jesus.
In the morning when she rose, she had Jesus, When she was all alone all she needed was Jesus, And when it came time to die, she had Jesus.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Life Happens
Life Happens
Trials Sermon Illustrations
God never promises that our life will be easy when we turn to Him. In fact, there are days when the Christian life seems downright unbearable. We all face trials and tribulations; it's part of the broken, fallen world we live in. But how we deal with those trials and tribulations - that's the real challenge!
"How long did you stand in line for the roller coaster, Josh? An hour? An hour and a half?"
"More like three hours."
"Wow. Was it worth the wait?"
"Oh yeah!"
Life is like that. While we are here on earth, for the few years that we have, we are simply waiting in line for the real excitement, which is our eternal life with God. And...unlike a roller coaster, that's a thrill which will never end.
This is a perspective very few people have. Most people think of this mortal existence as all that we have. But when we lose sight of what is waiting for us at the end of our mortal existence, we lose sight of purpose, and life becomes pointless.
Who would stand in line for three hours for a non-existent roller coaster? And if you found yourself stuck in a line with no ride at the end, and no way to get out of the line, what would you do? You would try your very hardest to convince yourself that you were having fun, that there was some point to you being there.
This is how most people approach life. Without the eternal view, we have to convince ourselves that we are having fun right now, and life has to be about squeezing every bit of enjoyment out of the now.
An eternal perspective on life is especially important when we face difficult times. The person who has no eternal perspective is bowed down and even broken by their circumstances. But the person who understands the perishable nature of this life and the imperishable nature of the life to come, can find strength to suffer through difficult times, knowing that their trials and troubles will come to an end...nothing of this world is intended to last forever.
1 Peter 1:6-9 (New Living Translation)
6 So be truly glad.There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
I'm a mess. I'm nothing and have nothing: make something of me! You can do it; you've got what it takes God. . . Psalm 40:17
Jesus warned us that we’d have problems in the world. No one is immune to pain or insulated from suffering, and no one gets to skate through life problem-free. Life is a series of problems. Every time you solve one, another one is waiting to take its place.
Peter assures us that problems are normal, saying “Don't be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you.” (1 Peter 4:12 LB) God uses these problems to draw us closer to himself. The Bible says, “ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:1 8 )
Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be in your darkest days -- when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you’re out of options, when the pain is great, and you turn to God alone. It is during suffering that we learn to pray our most authentic, heart-felt, honest-to-God prayers. When in pain, we don’t have the energy for superficial prayers.
Joni Eareckson Tada notes, “When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus.” We learn things about God in suffering that we can’t learn any other way.
God could have kept Joseph out of jail, kept Daniel out of the lion’s den, kept Jeremiah from being tossed into a slimy pit, kept Paul from being shipwrecked three times, and kept the three Hebrew young men from being thrown into the blazing furnace, but he didn’t. He let those problems happen, and each of those people was drawn closer to God as a result.
Problems force us to look to God and depend on him instead of ourselves. Paul testified to this benefit: “ We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us ….” (2 Corinthians 1:9 LB)
You’ll never know that God is all you need until God is all you’ve got. . . Rick Warren; Daily Hope
It is as we come to the Lord in our nothingness, our powerlessness, our helplessness that He then enables us to love in a way which would be absolutely impossible without Him. . . Elisabeth Elliot
Trials Sermon Illustrations
God never promises that our life will be easy when we turn to Him. In fact, there are days when the Christian life seems downright unbearable. We all face trials and tribulations; it's part of the broken, fallen world we live in. But how we deal with those trials and tribulations - that's the real challenge!
"How long did you stand in line for the roller coaster, Josh? An hour? An hour and a half?"
"More like three hours."
"Wow. Was it worth the wait?"
"Oh yeah!"
Life is like that. While we are here on earth, for the few years that we have, we are simply waiting in line for the real excitement, which is our eternal life with God. And...unlike a roller coaster, that's a thrill which will never end.
This is a perspective very few people have. Most people think of this mortal existence as all that we have. But when we lose sight of what is waiting for us at the end of our mortal existence, we lose sight of purpose, and life becomes pointless.
Who would stand in line for three hours for a non-existent roller coaster? And if you found yourself stuck in a line with no ride at the end, and no way to get out of the line, what would you do? You would try your very hardest to convince yourself that you were having fun, that there was some point to you being there.
This is how most people approach life. Without the eternal view, we have to convince ourselves that we are having fun right now, and life has to be about squeezing every bit of enjoyment out of the now.
An eternal perspective on life is especially important when we face difficult times. The person who has no eternal perspective is bowed down and even broken by their circumstances. But the person who understands the perishable nature of this life and the imperishable nature of the life to come, can find strength to suffer through difficult times, knowing that their trials and troubles will come to an end...nothing of this world is intended to last forever.
1 Peter 1:6-9 (New Living Translation)
6 So be truly glad.There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
I'm a mess. I'm nothing and have nothing: make something of me! You can do it; you've got what it takes God. . . Psalm 40:17
Jesus warned us that we’d have problems in the world. No one is immune to pain or insulated from suffering, and no one gets to skate through life problem-free. Life is a series of problems. Every time you solve one, another one is waiting to take its place.
Peter assures us that problems are normal, saying “Don't be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you.” (1 Peter 4:12 LB) God uses these problems to draw us closer to himself. The Bible says, “ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:1 8 )
Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be in your darkest days -- when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you’re out of options, when the pain is great, and you turn to God alone. It is during suffering that we learn to pray our most authentic, heart-felt, honest-to-God prayers. When in pain, we don’t have the energy for superficial prayers.
Joni Eareckson Tada notes, “When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus.” We learn things about God in suffering that we can’t learn any other way.
God could have kept Joseph out of jail, kept Daniel out of the lion’s den, kept Jeremiah from being tossed into a slimy pit, kept Paul from being shipwrecked three times, and kept the three Hebrew young men from being thrown into the blazing furnace, but he didn’t. He let those problems happen, and each of those people was drawn closer to God as a result.
Problems force us to look to God and depend on him instead of ourselves. Paul testified to this benefit: “ We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us ….” (2 Corinthians 1:9 LB)
You’ll never know that God is all you need until God is all you’ve got. . . Rick Warren; Daily Hope
It is as we come to the Lord in our nothingness, our powerlessness, our helplessness that He then enables us to love in a way which would be absolutely impossible without Him. . . Elisabeth Elliot
Friday, May 6, 2011
Mom on a Mission
ILLUS: I once read the story of a woman who went shopping for swimsuits with her mother.
In the department store, though, she was having a hard time finding one that fit. After trying on at least 10, all to no avail, she grew increasingly frustrated.
Trying to calm her, her mother said "Look at it this way: what would you rather have – the husband and three children who adore you, or a swimsuit that fits?"
Before she could answer, a faceless voice from the next dressing room stall replied
"I want a swimsuit that fits!"
Lets face it not every woman is cut out to be a mom. It takes great sacrifice to be a mom.
Proverbs 31:26-31 (New Living Translation)
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.
28 Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
• A TEACHER ONE DAY GAVE HER PUPILS A LESSON ALL ABOUT MAGNETS. THE NEXT DAY SHE SET A WRITTEN TEST WHICH INCLUDED THE QUESTION, “MY NAME HAS SIX LETTERS, BEGINNING WITH THE LETTER M AND I PICK UP THINGS WHAT AM I?” WHEN THE TEST PAPERS WERE HANDED BACK SHE WAS ASTONISHED TO FIND THAT ALMOST 50 PERCENT OF THE CHILDREN ANSWERED THE QUESTION WITH THE WORD MOTHER.
YES I SUPPOSE MOTHERS DO PICK UP THINGS, BUT THEY DO MUCH MORE THAN JUST PICKING UP CLOTHES AND TOYS FROM AROUND THE HOUSE .
AS WILLING AS THEY ARE TO DO SUCH CHORES. THEY HAVE A HIGHER CALLING THAN THAT.
A Mother on a Mission.
2 Timothy 1:1-5 (New Living Translation)
Paul is writing to a young pastor which he had taken under his wing to train.
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Encouragement to Be Faithful
3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. 5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.
Timothy’s mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois, were early Christians. They have communicated their strong Christian faith to Timothy.
Philippians 2:20-22 (New Living Translation)
20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.
Moms don’t hide your light at home; your families are fertile fields for planting seeds of the Good News.
Mother’s Day is a good day to review the basics of a mother’s priorities. We find these in 2 Timothy 3.15-17.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 (New Living Translation)
15 You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Priority #1: Savior
2 Timothy 3: 15 you have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
INTRODUCE AND EXPECT
Eunice led her boy Timothy to know the Lord Jesus Christ. She taught him about Jesus, and expected that he would accept Christ as Savior.
The word "leads" in this verse speaks of anticipation. When a mother anticipates, prays and leads toward Christ, she has every right to expect the cooperation of God in bringing her child to the Lord. This sounds simple; but it is not easy.
Priority #2: Scripture
2 Timothy 3:15a, 16a (NASB)
15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings….
16All Scripture is inspired by God…
TEACH THEM YOUNG
The best formula I know for teaching children is to
a. Bring them to church on Sunday;
b. Apply what is learned on Sunday all throughout the rest of the week.
Mothers, nobody will MAKE you do this.
In fact, it is just the opposite today.
With God removed from public places and the schools faithfully teaching secular humanism, your child has little chance of growing up to be a Timothy, or with any kind of Christian values, unless YOU teach them!
With all the demands of today’s world, is this just another pressure, a burden, a further complication?
When do single mothers and working mothers have time to teach such things to their children?
Relax, dear mother. If you will have a priority in your own life for God’s Word, and simply live it before your children, and be ready to answer their questions, you will be teaching them.
On the other hand, if you won’t live it, don’t bother to teach it in any other way. They will learn what you live.
A child that sees hin/her mother carry a Bible to church, but never opens it from Monday to Saturday knows that Christianity is only for Sunday.
Priority #3: Service
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)
16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
All of Timothy’s instruction in the Word, and God’s way had to do with preparing him for service to the Lord.
Often the best legacy we can leave our children is not a pile of money or possessions, but the simple fact of a good name.
Eunice’s reputation replicated itself in her son, and Paul had no trouble taking a chance on this young man. Eunice served, Timothy followed.
Many good men and faithful servants of God have the same testimony.
The great Baptist preacher, G. Campbell Morgan had four sons. They all became preachers. At a family reunion a friend asked one of the sons, "Which Morgan is the greatest preacher?" With his eyes beaming with delight, the son looked over to his father and said, "Why, it’s Mother!"
Mother, is your child ready to serve God?
Are you preparing that son or daughter with Scripture, learned by you both at church and practiced at home?
Are you leading that child to the Savior?
Are you leading that child to His Service? Or is he unmotivated, unequipped and undirected; is he unprepared to meet the spirit of this age?
What will your child say when the world, peer pressure, and the culture of Christlessness challenges his faith and drives home its message against Jesus with materialism, relativism and rationalization?
Can we talk?
If the truth be known, when a child is born there are at least two emotions - great joy (A CHILD IS BORN!)....and Oh MY! (NOW WHAT DO I DO?) As wonderful as being a mother is....it is just that scary to raise a child today
Dump the trends and fads.
Be a godly woman.
Get your priorities in order: SAVIOR...SCRIPTURE... SERVICE
Mothers (and Dads), don’t leave the mission to the preacher, Sunday School teacher or anyone when it comes to your precious children.
A Spanish proverb says: An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy. YOU lead them to the Savior; YOU teach them the Scripture; YOU prepare them for service. You be a mother on mission!
In the department store, though, she was having a hard time finding one that fit. After trying on at least 10, all to no avail, she grew increasingly frustrated.
Trying to calm her, her mother said "Look at it this way: what would you rather have – the husband and three children who adore you, or a swimsuit that fits?"
Before she could answer, a faceless voice from the next dressing room stall replied
"I want a swimsuit that fits!"
Lets face it not every woman is cut out to be a mom. It takes great sacrifice to be a mom.
Proverbs 31:26-31 (New Living Translation)
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.
28 Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
• A TEACHER ONE DAY GAVE HER PUPILS A LESSON ALL ABOUT MAGNETS. THE NEXT DAY SHE SET A WRITTEN TEST WHICH INCLUDED THE QUESTION, “MY NAME HAS SIX LETTERS, BEGINNING WITH THE LETTER M AND I PICK UP THINGS WHAT AM I?” WHEN THE TEST PAPERS WERE HANDED BACK SHE WAS ASTONISHED TO FIND THAT ALMOST 50 PERCENT OF THE CHILDREN ANSWERED THE QUESTION WITH THE WORD MOTHER.
YES I SUPPOSE MOTHERS DO PICK UP THINGS, BUT THEY DO MUCH MORE THAN JUST PICKING UP CLOTHES AND TOYS FROM AROUND THE HOUSE .
AS WILLING AS THEY ARE TO DO SUCH CHORES. THEY HAVE A HIGHER CALLING THAN THAT.
A Mother on a Mission.
2 Timothy 1:1-5 (New Living Translation)
Paul is writing to a young pastor which he had taken under his wing to train.
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Encouragement to Be Faithful
3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. 5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.
Timothy’s mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois, were early Christians. They have communicated their strong Christian faith to Timothy.
Philippians 2:20-22 (New Living Translation)
20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.
Moms don’t hide your light at home; your families are fertile fields for planting seeds of the Good News.
Mother’s Day is a good day to review the basics of a mother’s priorities. We find these in 2 Timothy 3.15-17.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 (New Living Translation)
15 You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Priority #1: Savior
2 Timothy 3: 15 you have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
INTRODUCE AND EXPECT
Eunice led her boy Timothy to know the Lord Jesus Christ. She taught him about Jesus, and expected that he would accept Christ as Savior.
The word "leads" in this verse speaks of anticipation. When a mother anticipates, prays and leads toward Christ, she has every right to expect the cooperation of God in bringing her child to the Lord. This sounds simple; but it is not easy.
Priority #2: Scripture
2 Timothy 3:15a, 16a (NASB)
15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings….
16All Scripture is inspired by God…
TEACH THEM YOUNG
The best formula I know for teaching children is to
a. Bring them to church on Sunday;
b. Apply what is learned on Sunday all throughout the rest of the week.
Mothers, nobody will MAKE you do this.
In fact, it is just the opposite today.
With God removed from public places and the schools faithfully teaching secular humanism, your child has little chance of growing up to be a Timothy, or with any kind of Christian values, unless YOU teach them!
With all the demands of today’s world, is this just another pressure, a burden, a further complication?
When do single mothers and working mothers have time to teach such things to their children?
Relax, dear mother. If you will have a priority in your own life for God’s Word, and simply live it before your children, and be ready to answer their questions, you will be teaching them.
On the other hand, if you won’t live it, don’t bother to teach it in any other way. They will learn what you live.
A child that sees hin/her mother carry a Bible to church, but never opens it from Monday to Saturday knows that Christianity is only for Sunday.
Priority #3: Service
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)
16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
All of Timothy’s instruction in the Word, and God’s way had to do with preparing him for service to the Lord.
Often the best legacy we can leave our children is not a pile of money or possessions, but the simple fact of a good name.
Eunice’s reputation replicated itself in her son, and Paul had no trouble taking a chance on this young man. Eunice served, Timothy followed.
Many good men and faithful servants of God have the same testimony.
The great Baptist preacher, G. Campbell Morgan had four sons. They all became preachers. At a family reunion a friend asked one of the sons, "Which Morgan is the greatest preacher?" With his eyes beaming with delight, the son looked over to his father and said, "Why, it’s Mother!"
Mother, is your child ready to serve God?
Are you preparing that son or daughter with Scripture, learned by you both at church and practiced at home?
Are you leading that child to the Savior?
Are you leading that child to His Service? Or is he unmotivated, unequipped and undirected; is he unprepared to meet the spirit of this age?
What will your child say when the world, peer pressure, and the culture of Christlessness challenges his faith and drives home its message against Jesus with materialism, relativism and rationalization?
Can we talk?
If the truth be known, when a child is born there are at least two emotions - great joy (A CHILD IS BORN!)....and Oh MY! (NOW WHAT DO I DO?) As wonderful as being a mother is....it is just that scary to raise a child today
Dump the trends and fads.
Be a godly woman.
Get your priorities in order: SAVIOR...SCRIPTURE... SERVICE
Mothers (and Dads), don’t leave the mission to the preacher, Sunday School teacher or anyone when it comes to your precious children.
A Spanish proverb says: An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy. YOU lead them to the Savior; YOU teach them the Scripture; YOU prepare them for service. You be a mother on mission!
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