Category: Teach

Put Christ First

4/5/2020

Joe tells his friend Sam, “I’m tired of being cooped up at home. If I go out, how do I know if someone has the coronavirus or not? The experts say six feet might not be enough. What if someone sneezes and they aren’t wearing a mask?” “I agree, Joe.” Sam said, “It stresses me out with worry, fear and anxiety.”

Can you identify? We have two choices. Either draw into ourselves or look toward Christ. With more time at home, let’s take advantage of this season to draw close to Christ.

In Philippians that immediately precedes Colossians, Paul explained how Christ was our heart (life & emotions), mind (head & intellect), soul (goal & spirit) and strength (actions & behavior) that parallels Christ's Great Commandment to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Colossians explains how to practically love God with our whole being by putting Christ first.

1. Pray to Know God's Will
Paul thanked God when he heard about their faith in Christ, love for believers, and hope of heaven. They heard about the gospel, which is God's grace and the word of truth producing fruit. They continually asked God for the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and understanding to live worthy lives that pleased the Lord. They bore fruit in every good work, grew in God's knowledge, and strengthened in His glorious might with great endurance and patience. They joyfully gave thanks to the Father who qualified them to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. God rescued them from the domain of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the Son with redemption and forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:1-14). Pray to know God's will so you can to bear fruit, grow spiritually, and experience full redemption with sins forgiven.

2. Exalt Christ as Lord Over Every Authority
Jesus is the image of the invisible God by whom all things were created in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, powers, rulers or authorities. All things were created by Him and for Him. He was before all things and in Him all things held together. He is head of the body, the church, supreme over everything. God's fullness dwelt in Christ. He reconciled to Himself all things on earth and heaven by making peace through His shed blood on the cross. Paul proclaimed the gospel to every creature and reconciled them through Christ's death to be holy, unblemished, and without accusation (Colossians 1:15-23). Exalt Christ as Lord over every authority and reconcile them to God by proclaiming His death.

3. Admonish and Teach the Gospel
Paul took up Christ's sufferings for the sake of His body, the church. God commissioned Paul to present the word of God in its fullness so Gentiles would understand Christ as the hope of glory within every believer. They proclaimed Him, admonished, and taught everyone with all wisdom for completion in Christ (Colossians 1:24-29). Admonish and teach the gospel with all wisdom to present everyone complete in Christ.

4. Discover Wisdom and True Knowledge
Paul desired everyone know Christ where all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. He taught them to be rooted and built up in Christ for the strengthening of their faith that overflowed with thanksgiving. They were to reject hollow and deceptive philosophy that depended on human tradition and worldly principles instead of Christ (Colossians 2:1-8). Be rooted and built up in Christ to discover wisdom and true knowledge while rejecting deceptive human philosophy.

5. Disarm Demonic Powers and Authorities
The fullness of Deity lived in bodily form through Christ. God gave them Christ’s fullness as head over every power and authority. After disabling the flesh by Christ's death, they were buried and raised with Him by faith in God's power who raised Jesus from the dead. He forgave sin and cancelled man-made regulations by nailing them to the cross. The cross disarmed powers and authorities (Colossians 2:9-15). Consider your identification with Christ's death, burial and resurrection by trusting in His Spirit to disarm demonic powers and authorities.

6. Reject False Humility
They found reality in Christ, not what they ate, drank or through religious festivals. They rejected false humility and worship of angels to prevent disqualification of the prize. An unspiritual mind puffed up with idle notions makes one lose connection with Christ as Head and opportunity for spiritual growth (Colossians 2:16-19). Find reality in Christ and reject false humility that puffs you up with idle notions.

7. Refuse Legalistic Commands
Believers died to worldly commands like "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!" They had appearance of wisdom with self-imposed worship. Their false humility and harsh treatment of the body lacked value to restrain sensual indulgence (Colossians 2:20-23). Don’t obey legalistic commands for harsh treatment of the body since they can't restrain sensual indulgence.

Action Steps:
I will make it my priority to be rooted and built up in Christ to discover wisdom and knowledge while rejecting deceptive human philosophies:
1. I will pray to know God's will to bear spiritual fruit and experience full redemption while I reject powerless legalistic commands
2. I will live out the true reality of Christ as I proclaim His death to reconcile every authority to Him and reject false humility
3. I will identify with Christ as I admonish and teach the gospel with all wisdom until I can present everyone complete in Christ

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Implementing a Larger Vision of the Church (Insights in NT)

1/11/2013

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Jesus used on-the-job training in equipping His disciples as they served in the world. This became a starting point for implementing a larger vision of the church studied earlier in Eph. 1-3. Eph. 4-6 instructs how to implement the church's larger vision by equipping believers for works of service and teaching the truth of Christ so believers are filled with the Holy Spirit to do God's will in their home, work and city realizing their spiritual battle against evil forces.

Equip Believers for Works of Service
Paul urged them to live a life worthy of their calling in humility, gentleness, patience, love and unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. God called them to one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who was over, through and in all. Christ gave grace gifts to fill the whole universe when He ascended on high and led captives in His train. He gave some as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip God's people for works of service toward building up the church until all reached unity of faith, knowledge and maturity in Christ. Reject crafty and deceitful teaching in order to speak the truth in love so everyone would grow up in all things through Christ, the Head. In Him, the whole body was joined and held together by every supporting ligament to build itself up in love as each part did its work (Eph. 4:1-16). Equip believers for works of service toward Christ-centered maturity so everyone works together in love and unity.

Teach Truth of Christ
Futile thinking, darkened understanding and separation from the life of God due to ignorance because of hardness of heart led to sensuality, lust and impurity. Teaching the truth of Christ enabled people to put off the old self corrupted by deceitful desires. By renewing their minds, they put on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. They rejected falsehood and spoke truthfully as members of one body. They resolved anger daily to prevent the devil's foothold. Instead of stealing, they did manual work and shared with the needy. Rather than unwholesome talk, they spoke helpful things that met the listener's needs. They did not grieve the Holy Spirit who sealed them for the day of redemption. Instead of bitterness, rage, anger, slander and malice, they were kind, compassionate and forgiving just as Christ forgave them (Eph. 4:17-32). Teach the truth of Christ so believers renew their minds and practice truth, love and forgiveness.

Be Filled With Spirit
They imitated God through a loving lifestyle because of Christ's love and sacrifice for them. They rejected sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk and coarse joking and embraced thanksgiving. Immoral, impure and greedy idolaters experienced God's wrath without inheritance in the kingdom of Christ. Living as children of light in goodness, righteousness and truth, they pleased the Lord and exposed the fruitless deeds of darkness. Christ shined on those who woke up spiritually from the dead. Through wisdom, they made the most of the opportunity, understood God's will and filled with the Spirit. The fruit was speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs while making music in their hearts to God. They always gave thanks to God for everything in Christ's name and submitted to one another out of reverence for Him (Eph. 5:1-21). Be filled with the Spirit to expose darkness, do God's will, give thanks and submit to one another.

Love and Lead Your Wife
Wives submitted to their husbands as to the Lord since husbands were head and Savior like Christ over the church. Wives submitted to their husbands in everything like the church submitted to Christ. Husbands loved their wives as Christ loved and gave Himself up for the church. He made her holy by washing her with water through the word. He presented her to Himself as a radiant, holy and blameless church without blemish. Likewise, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies by feeding and caring for it as Christ with the church. For this reason, a man left his father and mother and united with his wife so the two became one flesh. Husbands loved their wives as themselves and wives respected their husbands (Eph. 5:22-33). Love and lead your wife as she submits and respects her husband as a positive demonstration of Christ's relationship with the church.

Train Children and Serve Christ Wholeheartedly
Children obeyed and honored their parents in the Lord so it would go well in living longer. Fathers trained and instructed their children in the Lord instead of exasperating them. Slaves obeyed their earthly masters with respect, fear and sincerity of heart just as they obeyed Christ and doing God's will from their heart. They served the Lord wholeheartedly, not men, knowing God rewarded everyone for good they did. Masters treated their slaves similarly without threatening knowing their Master in heaven showed no favoritism (Eph. 6:1-9). Train children in the Lord and serve Christ wholeheartedly at work to earn His reward.

Put On God's Armor
They relied on God's mighty power by putting on His armor. They stood against the devil's schemes since their struggle was not against humans but against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. They stood firm with the belt of truth buckled around their waist and the breastplate of righteousness in place. They fitted their feet with readiness using the gospel of peace and took up the shield of faith to extinguish the evil one's flaming arrows. They took the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, God's word, to pray in the Spirit for all believers and their situations with all kinds of prayers and requests. Paul requested prayer for the right words in fearlessly making the gospel known as an ambassador in chains. Tychicus told them his condition and activities to encourage them. He prayed that those who loved Christ experience peace, love with faith and grace (Eph. 6:10-24). Put on God's armor using His word to pray in the Spirit so the gospel can go forth with boldness.

Pray through the following action points to see a larger vision of the church be implemented in your city:
1. Equip believers for works of service toward Christ-centered maturity so everyone works together in love and unity
2. Teach the truth of Christ so believers renew their minds and practice truth, love and forgiveness
3. Be filled with the Spirit to expose darkness, do God's will, give thanks and submit to one another
4. Love and lead your wife as she submits and respects her husband as a positive demonstration of Christ's relationship with the church
5. Train children in the Lord and serve Christ wholeheartedly at work to earn His reward
6. Put on God's armor using His word to pray in the Spirit so the gospel can go forth with boldness

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Ministry Actions to Change Culture (Insights in Prophets)

1/7/2013

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Brian Walsh and J. Richard Middleton in their book, The Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian World View, wrote that “we must abandon our idols, recognize the multi-dimensionality of life, respond in obedience to God's norms for his creatures and begin to live in community with one another in a renewed way."

When you do justice, defend the needy, equip shepherds, communicate God's word, plant His word in receptive disciples, stop following false gods and warn people of God's judgment, you turn from evil ways to stop God's judgment and wrath along with ruin in cultural spheres. In contrast, you prove personal knowledge of God by living securely and bearing spiritual fruit (Jer. 21-25).

Do Justice By Rescuing the Oppressed
King Zedekiah asked Jeremiah to inquire of the Lord because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked Judah. God said He would fight against Judah by killing men and animals with a great plague and take Zedekiah captive. People who stayed in Jerusalem would die by the sword, famine or plague but those who surrendered to the Babylonians would live. God determined to harm Jerusalem by having Babylon destroy it with fire because of their evil. The Lord said to administer justice and rescue the robbed victim from his oppressor to stop His wrath (Jer. 21:1-14). Do justice by rescuing the oppressed to stop God's wrath.

Defend the Poor and Needy
God told Judah's king to not wrong or do violence to the alien, fatherless or widow nor shed innocent blood. Otherwise, God would make them like a desert and destroy the palace. Many nations asked why the Lord did such a thing to Jerusalem. The answer was they forsook God's covenant by worshiping and serving other gods. Woe to him who built his extravagant palace by unrighteousness and injustice without paying the workers. Everything went well for Josiah because he did what was right. Those who knew God experienced well-being because they defended the cause of the poor and needy. In contrast, focusing on dishonest gain, shedding innocent blood, oppression and extortion caused an untimely death for Josiah's son, Jehoiakim. Security and disobedience triggered exile for their shepherds and allies, disgrace, no prosperity and no offspring ruling on the throne of David (Jer. 22:1-30). Defend the cause of the poor and needy to prove you know God.

Equip Shepherds to Care and Teach God's Word
Woe to shepherds who destroyed and scattered the sheep of God's pasture by not caring for them. God gathered the remnant out of all countries so they could be fruitful and multiply. He placed shepherds to tend them so none would fear or be missing. In the future, God raised up a righteous Branch and King called the Lord Our Righteousness from David's line to do the right thing in the land, which saved Judah and caused Israel to live in safety. Unfortunately, adultery caused parched land and withered pastures. Godless prophets and priests followed an evil course and used their power unjustly. The Samaria's prophet prophesied by Baal and led God's people astray. Jerusalem's prophets committed adultery, lived a lie and strengthened evildoers like Sodom and Gomorrah so no one turned from his wickedness (Jer. 23:1-14). Equip shepherds to care and teach God's word so His people live securely.

Communicate Power of God's Word
Jerusalem's prophets spread ungodliness in the land by offering false hope. They spoke visions from their own minds, taught peace to those who despised God and said no harm would come to those with stubborn hearts. Not one of them stood in the council of the Lord to see or hear His word. God never sent or spoke to these prophets. Those standing in His council proclaimed His word to turn His people from their evil ways. God filled heaven and earth so no one could hide from Him. The one with His word should speak it faithfully. His word was like fire and hammer to break a rock in pieces. God was against prophets who stole words from one another that were supposedly from Him. They led His people astray with reckless lies. They received no benefit from these words. Do not mention 'the oracle of the Lord' again because every man's own word became his oracle that distorted the words of the living and Almighty God. Therefore, He cast Jerusalem out of His presence bringing eternal disgrace and unforgettable shame (Jer. 23:15-40). Communicate the fire and hammer of God's word to turn people from their evil ways.

Plant His Word in Receptive Disciples
After Judah's leaders were carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, Jeremiah placed one basket of early-ripened figs that and a basket of spoiled figs in front of the temple. The good figs represented the exiles sent to Babylon. God brought them back to Judah to build up and not tear down, to plant and not uproot. He gave them a heart to know Him as His people. The poor figs represented Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and survivors from Jerusalem who remained in the land or lived in Egypt, They were an an offense, reproach and object of ridicule to every earthly kingdom. God sent sword, famine and plague to destroy them from the land (Jer. 24:1-10). Plant His word in those pursuing a heart relationship to God so they can bear spiritual fruit.

Stop Following False Gods
Jeremiah spoke God's word to Judah for 23 years but they did not pay attention. The Lord sent His prophets repeatedly but they followed other gods and provoked God in what they made. Judah and the surrounding nations became a desolate wasteland and served the king of Babylon. After 70 years, God punished Babylon for their guilt to make it desolate forever as written and prophesied by Jeremiah against all the nations. Babylon was enslaved by many nations and great kings. God repaid them according to their deeds and the work of their hands (Jer. 25:1-14). Stop following false gods that cause ruin in various cultural spheres.

Warn People of God's Judgment
God told Jeremiah to make all nations drink the cup filled with the wine of God's wrath. After drinking it, Jerusalem and the towns of Judah, its kings and officials became ruined and an object of horror and scorn as they were today. Every kingdom on earth, including Babylon, drank the cup of God's wrath. The Lord Almighty called down a sword upon every person on earth and even brought disaster upon Jerusalem that bore His Name. God told Jeremiah to say these words: The Lord shouted against all who lived on the earth. He brought charges against the nations, judged all mankind and put the wicked to the sword. The disaster of those slain by the Lord spread from nation to nation. He called shepherds as leaders of the flock to weep and wail since they would be shattered like fine pottery with no place to escape. The Lord destroyed their pasture and laid waste their peaceful meadows because of the oppressor's sword and the Lord's fierce anger (Jer. 25:15-38). Warn people of God's judgment beginning with the church and spreading to all nations.

Confess your sin, help someone in need, study and communicate God's word to a friend.

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Healing of Generational Sin and Worldly Thinking (Insights in Law)

9/15/2012

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"Alan Redpath had two daughters who loved to swarm him when he came home at night. As he came in the door one evening, his little girls ran to meet him. One grabbed his leg and hugged him with all her might. He snatched the other daughter up in his arms. The one squeezing his leg said, "Now, I've got all of Daddy." The daughter in his arms replied, "Yes, but Daddy has got all of me!" Perhaps the question we need to continually ask is, 'Does God have all of me?'" (Alan Redpath). God wants physical and spiritual parents transfer their faith to the next generation. This is impossible unless you rest in God's covenant love for you. Everyone needs healing of generational sin and worldly thinking.

God Fights for You
The Lord said to not fear Bashan but remember how He delivered His people and land in Sihon of the Amorites. Joshua killed everyone and took 60 cities in the kingdom of Og in Bashan that were fortified with high walls, gates and bars. Only Og king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaim. They took possession of this land and gave it to the Reubenites and Gadites from Aroer in the valley of Arnon and half the hill country of Gilead and its cities. The rest of Gilead and all Bashan, kingdom of Og was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh to possess it. All the valiant men crossed over armed with their brothers. The wives and children remained in the cities until the Lord gave rest to their fellow countrymen. They also possessed the land the Lord gave them beyond the Jordan. What the Lord did to these two kings was an example to Joshua of what He would do to all kingdoms where they crossed. They were not to fear because the Lord fought for them (Deut. 3:1-22). God fights for you to obtain your inheritance in Christ.

Fathers and Mentors Encourage Younger Generations
God showed greatness and strength to His servant because no god in heaven or earth could do mighty acts like Him. The Lord was angry and forbid Moses to cross the Jordan River. Moses charged, encouraged and strengthened Joshua to lead the people so they could inherit the land (Deut. 3:23-29). Fathers and mentors encourage younger generations to obtain their inheritance in Christ.

Parents and Mentors Teach God's Word and Practical Knowledge
Teach God’s statutes to equip people do His word, live and possess the land that God gave them. Do not add or take away from His word. Their eyes saw how God destroyed those who followed Baal-peor. Moses taught laws that God commanded so nations would say Israel had wise and understanding people in all areas of life. No other great nation had a god so near whenever they prayed to the Lord God or had righteous judgments like this whole law. Watch closely to not forget things their eyes saw or let them slip from their heart but teach them to their children and grandchildren. God declared His covenant through the Ten Commandments written on two tablets of stone (Deut. 4:1-14). Parents and mentors teach God’s word and practical knowledge to their children enabling them to live with wisdom and understanding in the world.

God Renews Your Mind
Watch carefully to not act corruptly and worship or serve a graven image or created being. The Lord brought them out of the iron furnace from Egypt to be a people for His possession since He is a consuming fire, a jealous God. He will scatter you among the peoples to serve gods, the work of man’s hands. From there, they sought and found the Lord by searching for Him with all their heart and soul. In the latter days they would return to Him and listen to His voice. As a compassionate God, He would not fail and destroy them or allow them to forget His covenant with their fathers (Deut. 4:15-31). God renews your mind from slavery to worldly thinking if you seek Him with all your heart.

Everyone Experiences God's Love
Did anyone hear God speak from a fire and live? God took Israel out of Egypt by trials, signs and wonders, war, mighty hand and great terrors to show that there was no other God besides Him. From heaven He disciplined them and on earth He showed His great fire by hearing His words because He loved and chose their fathers and descendants. He drove out nations greater and mightier than them. God gave their land as an inheritance enabling them to keep His commandments. Then everything went well with them and their children so they could live long on the land (Deut. 4:32-40). Everyone experiences God's love through His covenant relationship so they can experience an abundant life.

God Heals Generational Sin and Worldly Thinking
Moses set apart three cities across Jordan to the east so the manslayer might flee who unintentionally killed his neighbor without malice. These are the testimonies that Moses taught Israel when they came out of Egypt, defeated the Amorite kings and took possession of their land (Deut. 4:41-49). God heals generational sin and worldly thinking so people can be reconciled to one another.

Notice the order of the following truths in being healed of generational sin and worldly thinking:
1. God fights for you to obtain your inheritance in Christ
2. Fathers and mentors encourage younger generations to obtain their inheritance in Christ
3. Parents and mentors teach God’s word and practical knowledge to their children enabling them to live with wisdom and understanding in the world
4. God renews your mind from slavery to worldly thinking if you seek Him with all your heart
5. Everyone experiences God's love through His covenant relationship so they can experience an abundant life
6. God heals generational sin and worldly thinking so people can be reconciled to one another
Begin to live out these truths in the power of the Holy Spirit.

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How to Pursue Multi-Dimensional Aspects of Discipleship (Insights in Psalms)

8/21/2012

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Someone wrote, "Plant a word in the mind, and you will reap an act. Plant the act and you will reap a habit. Plant a habit and you will reap a character. Plant a character and you will reap a nature. Plant a nature and you will reap a destiny." Proverbs 29-30 explain how to pursue the multi-dimensional aspects of discipleship.

Bring Stability and Concern for the Poor
Someone who hardens his neck after many rebukes will be destroyed beyond remedy. People rejoice when the righteous thrive but groan when the wicked rule. A man loving wisdom brings joy to his father but a companion of prostitutes wastes his wealth. A king gives stability to the land through justice but one taking bribes overthrows it. Flattering a neighbor spreads a net for one's feet. An evil man ensnared by his own sin has no concern for the poor but the righteous sing and care about justice for the poor (Prov. 29:1-7). Bring stability, joy, and concern for the poor, not a hardened heart, wasted wealth, flattery and sin.

Seek Souls and Judge Poor with Discernment
Mockers stir up a city but the wise turn away anger. The wise has controversy with fools who rage and scoff. Men of bloodshed hate a man of integrity, but the righteous seek his soul. A fool always loses his temper but the wise keeps himself under control. All his officials become wicked when a ruler listens to lies. The Lord gives sight to both the poor man and oppressor. A king's throne is always secure if he judges the poor with truth (Prov. 29:8-14). Hold your temper, seek the souls of others and judge the poor with truth and discernment.

Teach His Word and Nurture Others to Obey God
A child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother but the rod of correction imparts wisdom. The righteous see the downfall of the wicked and their sin. Correct your son and he will give you comfort and delight to your soul. Without revelation, the people are unrestrained but happy is he who keeps the law. A servant cannot be instructed and respond by words alone even though he understands. A man who speaks hastily has less hope than a fool. He who pampers his servant from childhood will find him to be a son long-term (Prov. 29:15-21). Correct, present negative examples, teach His word and nurture others so people can obey God.

Trust Lord in Humility
An angry man stirs up strife and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. A man's pride brings him low but a humble spirit gains honor. A partner with a thief hates his own life but dare not testify under oath. The fear of man brings a snare and whoever trusts in the Lord will be exalted. Many seek the ruler's favor but the Lord gives justice. The righteous detest the dishonest and the wicked detest the upright (Prov. 29:22-27). Be humble, trust the Lord and detest the dishonest resulting in honor and exaltation.

Seek Accountability in God's Word
Who has gone up to heaven, gathered up the wind, wrapped up the waters and established all the ends of the earth? What is his name or his son's name? Every word of God is flawless and He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar (Prov. 30:1-6). Seek accountability and protection from an all-powerful God whose word is flawless and true.

Pursue Truth and Ask for Daily Provision
Keep falsehood and lies from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches, but only my daily bread lest I be too rich and deny you and say, "Who is the Lord?" or become poor and steal so I dishonor the name of my God. Do not slander a servant to his master or he will curse you. Some curse their fathers, do not bless their mothers, pure in their own eyes but not cleansed from their filth, others have haughty eyes and arrogant glances, teeth like swords and devour the poor and needy (Prov. 30:7-14). Pursue truth and ask for daily provision.

Learn Mystery from Creation
The leech has two daughters that cry, "Give! Give!" Three things are never satisfied: Hell, barren womb and land that is never satisfied with water. Four that never say, "Enough!": Fire, eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, food pecked out by ravens and eaten by vultures. Three things too amazing for me and four I do not understand: way of an eagle in the sky, way of a snake on a rock, way of a ship on the high sea and way of a man with a maiden. An adulteress eats and wipes her mouth and says she has done nothing wrong. Under three things the earth trembles and and under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes a king, a fool full of food, an unloved woman who is married and a maidservant who displaces her mistress (Prov. 30:15-23). Learn mystery from creation that some things are too amazing or powerful to be understood.

Learn Wisdom and Influence from Creation
Four things on earth are small and extremely wise: ants have little strength but store up their food in the summer, badgers have little power but make their homes in the rocks, locusts have no king but go out in ranks and a lizard can be caught with the hand but is found in kings' palaces. Three things are stately in their stride and four move with stately bearing: lion, mighty among beasts, does not retreat before any; strutting rooster; male goat and a king with his army around him. If you have been foolish in exalting yourself or planned evil, put you hand on your mouth. Stirring up anger produces strife like churning the milk produces butter and pressing the nose produces blood (Prov. 30:24-33). Learn wisdom, influence, humility and self-control from creation.

Ask God to help you pursue the following multi-dimensional aspects of discipleship:
1. Bring stability, joy, and concern for the poor, not a hardened heart, wasted wealth, flattery and sin.
2. Hold your temper, seek the souls of others and judge the poor with truth and discernment.
3. Correct, present negative examples, teach His word and nurture others so people can obey God.
4. Be humble, trust the Lord and detest the dishonest resulting in honor and exaltation.
5. Seek accountability and protection from an all-powerful God whose word is flawless and true.
6. Pursue truth and ask for daily provision.
7. Learn mystery from creation that some things are too amazing or powerful to be understood.
8. Learn wisdom, influence, humility and self-control from creation.

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Teaching Children How to Live (Insights in Law)

3/31/2011

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John Adams once said, "There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live." Many teachers and administrators are quitting public schools because children are unruly. They haven't been taught how to live by their parents. There is a time and place for fathers to exhort and instruct their children so they won't suffer consequences because of bad choices. Father should teach their children how to live.
Jacob told Joseph and his two sons that God Almighty appeared and blessed him. He would make him fruitful and numerous into a company of peoples and give this land to his descendants as an eternal possession. Jacob adopted Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons and blessed them (Gen. 48:1-7). Fathers should share personal testimony of God’s gracious dealings in their lives with their children.

Jacob gave Joseph a double portion of blessing. Jacob said that God who walked with his fathers Abraham and Isaac and been his shepherd all his life, also redeemed him from all evil through the angel. God’s name would live on in Ephraim and Manasseh as they grow into a multitude of nations. Israel pronounced double blessing for Joseph through Ephraim and Manasseh, with former being greater than Manasseh!”(Gen. 48:8-22). God leads our lives toward freedom from sin in multiplying fruitful disciples in the world.

Jacob predicted what would come into his sons' lives if they stayed in their present path. He asked that they hear and listen attentively to him as their father (Gen. 49:1-2).

1. Reuben, his first-born, would be preeminent in dignity and power, but uncontrolled because he defiled his father’s bed. Lust for power shows that he who rules must rule himself.
2. Simeon’s and Levi’s rage caused them to use swords as implements of violence to kill men. Because they couldn’t be trusted, God would scatter them in Israel. Simeon's scattering was a curse while Levi's was a blessing since the Lord was his inheritance.
3. Judah’s brothers would praise and bow down to him. The scepter would not depart from Judah nor ruler’s staff from his feet until Shiloh comes and to him be the obedience of peoples. God's sovereignty leads to exaltation in leadership and material blessing.
4. Zebulun would dwell at the seashore and be a haven for ships. This tribe is noted for faithfulness to David.
5. Isaachar would bear burdens as a slave in forced labor. They were docile, lazy and did not strive for the land.
6. Dan would judge his people and be like a a serpent in the way, but God's salvation reigns. This tribe introduced idolatry in Israel but God's redemption and salvation prevails.
7. Gad would have foreign armies oppressing him but triumph in the end. This tribe provided many fine soldiers for David.
8. Asher shall yield royal dainties. He is blessed and let him dip his foot in oil.
9. Naphtali gives beautiful words. This is an area where Jesus did much of His teaching and preaching.
10. Joseph is a fruitful bough and God gave him strength to work the bow with strength and skill. God gave him unsurpassed blessings.
11. Benjamin is ravenous wolf that devours the prey and divides the spoil. This tribe had a reputation for fierceness.
Jacob gave the 12 tribes their appropriate blessing (Gen. 49:3-28). Fathers have an unique privilege to counsel their children concerning direction in life, which they can change based on their choices.

Jacob charged them to bury him in Canaan with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah and Leah (Gen. 49:29-33).

As a father, share what God has done in your life and how to warn them about consequences if they stay on their current path.

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Put Christ First

Implementing a Larger Vision of the Church (Insights in NT)

Ministry Actions to Change Culture (Insights in Prophets)

Healing of Generational Sin and Worldly Thinking (Insights in Law)

How to Pursue Multi-Dimensional Aspects of Discipleship (Insights in Psalms)

Teaching Children How to Live (Insights in Law)

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