Celebrate Faithfulness!

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last--dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. 

"The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money.

"After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, 'Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.' 

"The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!

"The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.'

"The master said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!

"Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, 'Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn't plant, and gathering crops you didn't cultivate. I was afraid I wold lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.'

"But the master replied, 'You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn't plant and gathered crops I didn't cultivate, why didn't you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.'

"Then he ordered, 'Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 25:14-30)

1. There is a master and there are servants.
2. The master is the owner of the money.
3. The master entrusted his servants with his money.
4. Two servants were wise while one was foolish.
5. ALL the servants had to give an account to the master of how they used his money.
6. The two servants who used and invested the master's money well were praised and celebrated.
7. They were to be given more responsibilities because of their faithfulness.
7. The one who did nothing with the master's money was cursed.

As believers, we are not only the children of God, but servants of the Most High God. He has entrusted each of us with different responsibilities that are to be used for His Glory. We shouldn't envy the responsibilities that God has entrusted others, but are to simply be faithful with the responsibilities that He has entrusted us with. God will never give us greater responsibilities until we have been faithful with what He has already entrusted to us.

Faithfulness is a BIG DEAL to God. May I point out that both the servants who were wise with his money were not only praised, but celebrated!

"The master was full of praise. 'Well cone, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!' (Matthew 25:21)

"The master said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!' (Matt. 25:23)

God praises and celebrates faithfulness! As a matter of fact, there will come a day when believers will hear the words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord."

Have you celebrated the faithfulness of others? Regardless of how big or small their responsibilities are, have you praised and celebrated them?

God has entrusted you with a certain amount of talents, giftedness, etc. How are you using them? How are you investing them? Have you been faithful? Do you understand that one day you will give an account?

Take some time today to examine your faithfulness to God and His Kingdom as well as taking the time to praise and celebrate others faithfulness!

And to God, "Great is THY faithfulness!"

"Spiritual Memorials"

A memorial is something to preserve a person or an event. Maybe you've seen some of the memorials around the country like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Vietnam Vets Memorial Wall, or the Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima Memorial. They all have a powerful meaning behind them and serve to remind us of a person, people, or a very important event.

In Joshua Chapter 4, the nation of Israel had just crossed over the Jordan River. Joshua choose twelve men from each tribe to take twelve stones and pile them up in the middle of the Jordan River in front of the Ark of the Lord. Then in verses 6-7 we read, "We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, "What do these stones mean? Then you can tell them, "They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord's Covenant went across." These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever." 

Amazing! These Israelite parents were commanded to be prepared to give an answer to their children when asked what the memorial meant! Notice, the PARENTS were told to tell THEIR children the meaning behind the memorial! Children/Teenagers have questions, but will we be prepared to have the answers?

Whether we realize it or not, we all have "Spiritual Memorials" in our lives. Do we provide our children/teenagers the opportunity to ask questions about these significant spiritual events that have taken place in our lives and families?

A "Spiritual Memorial" in my life is August 31, 1997--the day I was born-again. When August 31st rolls around every year, I can tell my children, "Today is a VERY, VERY special day" to which they respond, "Why, Daddy?" I then have the opportunity to explain to them the "meaning behind the memorial" which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that transformed my life!" Maybe you have memorials like the day you found out a loved one was sick, but how God gave you the strength, or a day that someone was healed, or a marriage restored, or some other significant event. These are opportunities to explain to our children, "Look what God has done!"

What "Spiritual Memorials" do you have in your life? How can you use them to answer the questions that will arise from the curiosity of children/teenagers?

Consultation

The Israelites had just gotten through defeating the towns of Jericho and Ai. The people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to both these towns so they resorted to deception in order to save themselves from the same destruction. The kings west of the Jordan River had already joined forces in order to fight as one against Joshua and the Israelites, so the people of Gibeon put together a deceptive plan.

They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with withered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins. They put on worn-out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and moldy. When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, "We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us." The Israelites replied to these Hivites, "How do we know you don't live nearby? For if you do, we cannot make a treaty with you." They replied, "We are your servants". "But who are you?" Joshua demanded. "Where do you come from?" They answered, "Your servants have come from a very distant country. We have heard of the might of the Lord your God and of all he did in Egypt. We have also heard what he did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River--King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan (who lived in Ashtaroth). So our elders and all our people instructed us, 'Take supplies for a long journey. Go meet with the people of Israel and tell them, "We are your servants; please make a treaty with us."

"This bread was hot from the ovens when we left our homes. But now, as you can see, it is dry and moldy. These wine skins were new when we filled them, but now they are old and split open. And our clothing and sandals are worn out from our very long journey."

"So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord." Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath." (Joshua 9:4b-15)

Outwardly, everything looked squared away to Joshua and the Israelites. The story seemed believable and the Israelites examined the food, however, they made a big, big mistake--they forgot to consult the Lord! God can see what man cannot! He is Sovereign!

How many times do we go about our lives making decisions that matter for eternity without ever consulting the Lord? Young people make life altering decisions like marriage without ever consulting the Lord on WHO to marry. Many people take on new jobs without ever asking God on what HE wants our what we should do.  I see parents allowing their children and teenagers to make decisions that matter for eternity as if it were as simple as choosing between where to eat lunch. When we fail to consult God in any matter that matters for eternity, we are setting ourselves up for failure! Any eternal decision that is made in our lives, must be proceeded with a meeting with the LORD OF OUR LIVES. He has the answers, he is just waiting for us to come to him for those answers. He is waiting and willing to lead and direct every area of our lives.

Are there any decisions in your life where you have failed to consult with the Lord? What was the result of failing to do so? As parents, it is vital that our children/teenagers see us consulting with God on eternal matters!

Spiritual Orphans

An "orphan" is one defined as a person without protective affiliation, sponsorship, etc. One bereft of parents, not authorized, supported, or funded. One who is not part of a system, one who is isolated or abandoned.. The United States is a wonderful country in which I am extremely thankful to be a citizen. I am PROUD to be an American and to have the opportunity to raise my family in this great country. Through the years the United States has been the world leader in so many different areas. However, there is an area in which America leads that is not so praise worthy--fatherless. The United States is the world leader in fatherless homes (if there is another study out there that proves otherwise, please feel free to correct me.) Young men that grow up in fatherless homes are: five times more likely to commit suicide, thirty-two times more likely to run away, twenty times more likely to have behavioral disorders, and nine times more likely to drop out of school. As you can see, the result of fatherless homes is DEVASTATING not only to a home, but to the children in which it produces--DEVASTATING! As sad as this is, the same can be true in the "spiritual sense". There are not only children growing up without physical moms and dads, but spiritual children trying to make it without "spiritual moms and dads"--"Spiritual Orphans".

"I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. For even if you had teen thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I urge you to imitate me." (I. Cor. 4:14-16)

Not only did Paul visit Corinth, he also maintained regular contact with the church in Corinth through letters, sending representatives, etc.

When someone is "born-again", they become the "children of God" and are to be discipled. These disciples are then in turn are to "make disciples" as well. Many people don't understand how to make disciples because they themselves have not BEEN discipled.

The first portion of Jesus' last words before he ascends to heaven is, "Go therefore and teach all nations..." The word "teach" here, "math-ayt-yoo'-o" means to be a disciple of one, to follow his precepts/instructions, to make a disciple, and to teach/instruct.

I believe a big portion of the "discipleship" process is through mentoring.

A mentor can be defined as, "a wise and trusted counselor or teacher, an influential senior sponsor or supporter." 

A few things mentors can provide is:

1. Relationship
2. Instructions, directions, and training
3. Replication
4. Modeling

1. Relationship

    One of the biggest keys in mentoring someone else or being mentored by someone else is "relationship". When we take an interest in someone else's well-being or "growth" we long to be in contact and relationship with them.

    You can provide instruction, direction, and training to someone, but what makes all of that so powerful and transferable in all of that is the power of the influence that comes from the relationship!

Look at the way Paul addresses Timothy and Titus.

"I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith." (I. Timothy 1:2) Again in I. Timothy 1:18, "Timothy, my son..." and again in 2. Timothy 2:1 when he says, "Timothy, my dear son..." In Titus 1:4 he addresses this young man in the following way, "I am writing to Titus, "my true son in the faith." Again, these are intimate words that Paul is taking ownership in when he says, "my" and "dear".

Consider how he addresses Philemon in regards to Onesimus in Philemon 1:10. "I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison."

Yes, although he was physically away from his child Onesimus, Paul still loved deeply Onesiumus and took a major interest in his well-being spiritually.

2. Instruction, direction, and training.

A mentor is someone who takes an interest in a life or lives, is able to provide instruction, direction, and training.

"Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May the help you fight well in the Lord's battles." (I. Timothy 1:18-18)

"As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. 

In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. (Titus 2:1-7)

In the above, we see that instruction and training is necessary when it comes to mentoring and making disciples. Many believers don't know what to do or how to do it because they've never been taught or shown. Do you know how many young men and women are out there that are LONGING for an older, wiser person to spend time investing in them? LOTS!

3. Replication

"You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others." (2. Timothy 2:2)

In other words, teach others what you yourselves have been taught. Make disciples who will make disciples! Jesus spent time with the 12 who would in turn make disciples of others!

There is a man I have brought alongside of me the past few years that I got involved in a mentoring program. What is he doing now? Mentoring other young men! Where did I get a heart for mentoring from? Men who spent time mentoring me! The "replication" process just continues to be passed down! These older mentors of mine didn't mentor the men I mentored; they just simply mentored me and I in turn mentored others!

4. Modeling

"As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching." (Titus 2:1)

"Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God." (Titus 2:3)

"That's why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go." (I. Cor. 4:17)

Through the years, I've had tons of verbal instruction from older men that have "stuck with me". However, many times more is "caught than taught". Whenever those men would let me into their "world" or their "home"I "caught" so many things by observing their lifestyle! There must be verbal teaching, but there also must be lifestyles of godliness and examples that are modeled as well!

Are you being mentored? Do you have a desire to mentor others? 

1. Who is "in your world" that you can mentor? Start there.
2. Mentor those who have a desire to be mentored or ask someone to mentor you.

There are many out there that long to have a "spiritual mom and dad".

Blessings,

Beck

In Father's Arms

For the first 9 1/2 years of our marriage, Jodi and I lived in a beautiful area far out in the country. We were the only house on the road and the driveway leading up to our property was 300 yards long. On my 30 minute drive home each day, I could not wait until I would turn off the main road unto our drive, to see my kids anxiously waiting on the porch of our home for their daddy. Most days, they were not only waiting for me, but would actually RUN up to my vehicle jumping up and down awaiting me to pick them up to wrap them in my arms. This would fill, not only THIS dad's heart with joy, but ANY true father's heart with joy!

Do you and I passionately pursue our Heavenly Father? Does our souls long to run into His arms and embrace Him?

"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father". (Romans 8:15)

As an earthly father, my Heavenly Father has given me so much insight to HIS heart. "Beck, do you know what it does to MY HEART when I see MY CHILDREN joyfully pursuing ME?" WOW! If I, an earthly father, understand the joy of seeing my children pursue me, how much more joy does it bring to our HEAVENLY FATHER, when we pursue Him! The amazing thing is, he not only awaits our pursuit of Him, but he actively pursues US!

Consider the parable of the lost son, or more popularly known as, "The Prodigal's Son".

When the way-word son came to his senses he said, "I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant." So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him." (Luke 15:18-20)

Have you "strayed"  away from the safety of your Heavenly Father's arms and long to come back? Have you done some things that you now realize were foolish? I encourage you today, to confess your sins, repent of them, and run to your Heavenly Father! You very well may catch him running directly to you!

"Draw near to God and he will draw near to you." (James 4:8)

Parents-the best thing we could model in front of our earthly children is for them to see us running to our Heavenly Father. Do they see us actively pursuing God?

Just as our Heavenly Father pursues us, do we pursue the hearts of our children/teenagers?

My prayer today, is that you would find yourself embraced in the "Father's Arms". Take some time today to embrace your children/teenagers as well!

PG-13 (Parental Guidance in 2013)

I’ve always enjoyed watching movies. Growing up, one of my favorite movies was “Rocky IV”. Be honest, if you’ve ever watched that movie, it made you want to go out and endure a grueling workout in the gym! Certain movies can be exciting, humorous, and very inspiring, while some can be scary, sad, and even extremely vulgar. A motion picture rating system is designated to classify films with regard to suitability for audiences in terms of issues such as sex, violence, substance abuse, profanity, impudence or other types of mature content that is designed to help parents decide whether a movie is suitable for their children or not. In the United States, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), through the Classification and Rating Administration (CARA), issues ratings for movies which are as follows: G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17. “PG” means that parental guidance is suggested and “PG-13” is strongly suggested, especially for children under the age of 13.

In the Bible, you can find “PG-13”. However, it isn’t a suggestion to parents, but a command. It is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, which is known by the Jewish people not as “PG-13”, but as the “Shema”.

 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

In the passage above, God’s Word is commanding parental guidance, but it begins with our OWN commitment to God FIRST.

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I’m giving you today.”

1.       As parents, we must first have a loving devoted relationship to God in which we are dedicated and wholeheartedly committed to following him!

Ø  As parents, we cannot lead our children/teenagers in a direction that we aren’t headed ourselves. Children/Teenagers are not dumb (although some parents may argue thatJ) and they watch most everything we do and say! Do we model a life-style of devotion to Jesus Christ in which our children/teenagers want to follow after? Is our relationship to Jesus attractive to them? Do they see us reading God’s Word, spending time in prayer, putting God first in EVERY decision we make in our families? We cannot expect our children’s/teenager’s passion for God to be great, if ours is not. We guide them FIRST, by pursuing Christ OURSELVES!

“Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

2.       Parental Guidance includes REPEATING the commandments of God over and over again to OUR children/teenagers.

Ø  As we are pursuing of full-devotion to Jesus Christ we also are to teach our children/teenagers to do the same. So, when? The above passages give us at least four different places to do that.

A.      “…when you are at home.”

a.       The most private and real parts of our lives take place within the dynamics of our home. Who we are at home is who we are! The home is the place where our most intimate relationships are developed! It is the most important small group we will ever be a part of! When you are at home, take the time; make the time to talk with your children/teenagers about God’s Word. Some places could include:

·         Around the breakfast/dinner table.

·         In the living room or den.

·         Outside on the swing.

B.      “…when you are on the road.”

a.       Talk about God’s Word and spiritual things going down the road and going about life! Talk about spiritual truths when you are headed to school, ball-games, church, and other outings.

C.     “…when you are going to bed.”

a.       With little kids it may be a good idea to pile up with them in their bedrooms to talk about scripture and pray. Another good idea with both children/teens may be to all meet up in the living room (or whatever centralized area you have in your home) to talk about life and the faith, and end with prayer.

D.     “…when you are getting up.”

a.       Try reading the daily proverbs around the breakfast table in the morning as a family or saying a prayer together before everyone goes about their day.

If you’ll notice, the above passage gives us as parents four strategic time frames to talk with our children/teens about the faith! The magical key? We must not just “hope they catch our example only”, but we also must TALK about God’s Word!

So this year, I pray your home is Rated “PG-13” (Parental Guidance in 2013!)

I’m continually praying for God’s power to work through you in raising disciples in your home!

Partnering with you,

Beck