Most parents will do just about anything to protect their children. Many parents will give their own life for their children. One spring day there was a family who went hiking. Along side the trail there was a raging creek. Being it was spring time the water was at its high point. A young boy who was part of the family went near the water. He fell in the raging creek and his mother immediately jumped in to save him. The boy was able to grab onto an overhanging branch and pull himself out of the water. The mother was swept away and drowned.

What parents will do for their children is amazing. They are willing to give their life to save their children. Parents will do anything to save their children from physical death or harm. Parents will do this for their children, but yet they will not prepare them spiritually. It is important to save your child's physical life, but it is much more important to make sure their spiritual life is saved.

How do we prepare our children? We must be diligent in teaching them. We must train them. "Train up a child in the way he should go and he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). We must keep this in mind. If we train our children to follow the Lord then we have a part in where they spend eternity. If we don't train them, them we have a part in where they spend eternity.

Make sure you teach your children to observe all that God has commanded. Children repeat their parents actions. Make sure those actions are some that you want your children to repeat. Make sure you teach your children to observe what God has commanded. Protect them physically and spiritually.

The Impact You Have On Your Children

Your Children Are Watching

It is interesting to watch my children. I am amazed by the things they do. I am proud when they do good but I am disappointed when they do bad. I have watched my children grow up and do the things they have seen me do. I heard my six year old son say, "Dad that TV is just junk." I have watched all my children grow and become very uncomfortable when anything inappropriate comes on the television. They either change the channel or try not to watch. This makes me proud as a father. On the other hand there have been some flaws in my life I have also seen my children adopt. This is really discouraging as a father knowing they learned it from me.

They Repeat Actions

This really makes me realize how much of an impact I have on my children. They observe and they repeat. This is why we must be a great example if we want our children to be a great example. If you want them to know God you must teach them. If you want them to attend worship, you must take them.

Statistics That Speak Loud

A study once disclosed that if both Mom and Dad attend church regularly, 72% of their children remain faithful. If only Dad, 55% remain faithful. If only Mom, 15%. If neither attended regularly, only 6% remain faithful. The statistics speak for themselves.

The Result When Children Are Not Raised Properly

We read in 1 Samuel 2:12, Eli had two worthless sons that did not know the Lord. Though Eli was one of the judges spoken of in the Bible, he did a miserable job raising his children. Eli hears of his children's wickedness and has a talk with them. They would not listen to the voice of their father, and the Lord desired to put them to death (1 Samuel 2:25). We see God's attitude when it comes to wickedness. As parents we must take this into account. We must recognize this and train our children to know God. The stats above are powerful, we must be consistent in teaching our children about the Lord. Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 1:8 "In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." We must teach our children so that they are not like Eli's sons who died without knowing the Lord. Remember your children are watching, make sure you do the things you want them to repeat.

Would you die for Jesus

If you were preaching and a group of people tried to kill you for preaching Jesus, what would you do? Would you try and get away from that place where you were preaching? I think most people would flee that place. Is there any circumstances in which you would go back into the city where a crowd tried to kill you?

The apostle Paul did that very thing. There were some men who came down from Antioch and Iconium to the city of Lystra. The reason they came to Lystra is because they knew Paul was there preaching the word of God. They hated Paul and it was their desire to put him to death. These men who had come down persuaded the crowds to kill Paul. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city thinking he was dead (Acts 14:19).

However, the disciples gathered around Paul and he rose up. Paul then went into the city. Let me say that again, yes he went into the city, the same city he was just stoned in. Paul then went to Derbe the following day (Acts 14:20).

Do you see what just happened, Paul didn't care if he died because he was proclaiming the Lord's name. He was following Jesus and he never ran from those in Lystra who had tried to kill him. Think about the influence this must have had on those he had preached the Gospel to. If Paul would have run after he had been stoned many may have decided they didn't want any part of that. When people saw what happened to him and then he returned back to the same city, this must have had a great impact. People would have realized there was something special about this Jesus for a man to be dedicated like Paul was.

What about us? If someone beat you and told you they would kill you if you spoke about Jesus, what would you do? Would you go back to the same place and preach His name? This may determine how committed you are. Would you give your life for him? Many of us say yes, I would die for Him. There is one thing that is a fact, if you won't live for Him then you will never die for Him.

This week when you come in contact with someone you know is not a Christian, make it a priority to bring up Jesus. People need to know there is a Savior and all of mankind has an opportunity to be saved. Remember Paul was proclaiming Jesus even though his life was on the line, we have no excuse because our life is not on the line.

Do we need to do most of what God says?

Success in Battle

Saul was commanded by God to go and kill Amalek and everything he had, including all the animals (1 Samuel 15:3). Saul gathered an army together and set up an ambush in the city of Amalek (15:4, 5). Saul defeated the Amalekites, but there was a problem.

Disobedience

"Saul and his people spared Agag (king of the Amalekites) and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed" (15:9).

Regret

Because Saul had disobeyed, God regretted making him King. The Lord said to Samuel, "I reget that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands" (15:11). We then see Saul lie to Samuel by telling him that he has carried out the commandments of the Lord (15:13). Samuel asked him what the bleating of the sheep was he heard. Saul tried to blame the people for taking the animals in Amalek. Samuel said "The Lord sent you on a mission and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are exterminated. Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord, but rushed upon the spoil and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" (15:18, 19).

The Outcome

Samuel said, "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king" (15:23).

What we can learn

It seemed so harmless didn't it. After all Saul carried out what he was told. He went in and destroyed most everything. In fact he did destroy everything that was bad. Saul tried to make this argument in verse 20. He told Samuel "I did obey the voice of God." It appears in his mind because he did most everything God said that he was obeying God. We do this today. Many of us may believe that because we do most everything God says, we are in a right relationship with Him. We are horribly mistaking if we believe this. We must not take portions of God's word and leave the rest. We must do all that God has laid in His word for us to follow.

The results of Disobedience

The results are simple. If we do most but not all we are told, we may be like Saul. Because he kept some of the spoil he was told not to, God rejected him as king. He didn't follow the commands of God fully. If we don't follow the commands of God fully, God may reject us on the day of judgment. I encourage you to study God's commandment in His holy word. When Jesus returns we don't want to be thinking we have done all that we were commanded but then realize we have only done part of what was commanded. Study the word!

Do We Flirt or Flee

Tempt the Dog

Jim loved to tease the dog next door. He would go into his back yard and throw sticks at the pit bull. The pit bull had a hatred for Jim. He would try to get through the fence that was between them. Jim was confident he could not get over the fence. He was right but he flirted a little too much.

What Happens When You Flirt With Danger

One morning as Jim went out the door the dog ran full speed at him. The pit bull hit the fence and bounced off it. Jim laughed and picked up a stick at through it toward the dog. As Jim went about his business in his yard the pit bull growled from the other side of the fence. Jim wasn't satisfied with the stick throwing. He approached the fence provoking the dog. Jim was against the fence when all the sudden the dog leaped into the air and grabbed Jim by the arm. Jim yelled in pain as the pit bull drove his teeth deeper into his forearm.

Do You Flirt

Has anything like this ever happened to you? Do you ever flirt with danger? Every time we do something that lures us to sin we are flirting. The question is why do we do it? Why do we flirt with sin. Why do we put ourselves in situations that make it harder to resist the devil? James 4:7 says, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

Why Do We Flirt

If I have a problem with lust, should I look at the latest Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue? That is like provoking that pit bull to bite. If you already have a problem with lust don't flirt but flee. Stay away from the magazines. If you are tempted to view pornography do you get on the internet where you know the temptation will increase? Do you turn on the TV late at night when you know no one is watching? Why flirt with sin? Flee from it. Don't allow yourself to be tempted beyond what you already are.

Flee

The fact is many of us flirt with sin. If we stay away from the fence we can't get bit. If we continue to go near the fence then we will continue to get bit. Flee from sin. If that means keep the television off, then do it. If that means stay away from the bar, then do it. If that means get rid a friend who is a bad influence, then do it. Do not continue to flirt. Life is hard enough. Do not make it harder to resist temptation. "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded" (James 4:8). If we flirt with temptation we are not resisting the devil but drawing closer to him. This brings us further away from God. Flee sin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will you be prepared when Jesus comes?

Preparation

When I lived in the small town of Hayden (CO) I did not worry too much if I forgot to lock the door. The reason was because there was not much crime in that area. Now that I live in Denver (CO) I try to make sure I check all the doors and windows before I go to sleep. The reason is because I know there is the danger of someone breaking in to our home. I want to make sure my family is protected and it is critical to make sure the house is prepared before I go to bed. There are people out there looking for an easy way to get in someones home. There motive may be to steal valuable items or to harm someone. That is why we make sure our house is prepared before we go to bed at night.

When Does The Thief Come

If we know when the thief is coming we will be prepared when he comes. The problem is we don't know when he is coming so we must prepare always if we want to be safe. The apostle Paul addresses the church in Thessalonica concerning this same issue (1 Thessalonians 5). Paul wrote to the Christians there telling them there was no need for him to address the issue of when Jesus was returning (5:1). Paul said "For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night." Jesus also talked about his coming in Matthew 24:36. Jesus was speaking of the second coming when he said "But of that day no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My father only." Jesus also said, "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Matthew 24:44).

Prepare Your Life As You Do Your Home

The point is there are going to be many unprepared on that day Jesus returns. He is going to come as a thief comes at night. We go through and make sure our house is secure and prepared to keep the thief out. How many of us make sure our life is right with God before we go to sleep. If we are not prepared to meet our Lord when he comes it will be too late. Paul goes on to talk about those who say peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Why? Because they were not prepared to meet the Lord. This was the group who lives day by day and never thinks about preparing for the Lord's return. They think everything is alright. They say peace and safety and then sudden destruction comes upon them as a women in Labor. Paul is saying that it will be that sudden. If you have ever been with a women who is in labor you understand this. Not only does it happen quickly but there is no stopping it. These days a doctor is able to stop labor but in the Bible days this was not the case.

Have You Prepared

When Jesus returns will you be prepared? It is clear we don't know when that day is but it will be at an hour we do not expect. It will happen in the same manner as a thief breaks into a home. As the women in labor cannot escape the labor pains neither can we escape judgment. It is going to happen. We will all have to give an account for the way we lived our lives. If Jesus came right now would you be prepared to meet Him?

What We Must Do

We must prepare today. How do we do this? We go to the bible and it tells us how we prepare. Peter was preaching his first sermon on the day of Pentecost. There were huge crowds there and after he told them of Jesus and what he did for them they asked what they must do? Peter responded by saying "Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). For those of you who have already followed this command, you must examine your life as well. Make sure you are right with God before you go to sleep. Always be ready, prepare as if a thief were coming tonight. Remember thieves come during the day as well. Make sure you are never unprepared. Maybe you want to be prepared but you don't know how. I would love to study God's word with you. If you would like to study please contact me.

Email: an10fred@yahoo.com

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Are you prepared to meet Jesus?

Are you prepared to meet Jesus?

In Paul's letter to the church in Thessalonica there were those who were uniformed (1 Thess 4:13). They were uniformed about those who had died that were Christians. It seems they had thought that those who had died were not going to get the same reward that those alive would receive when Jesus returned (4:14). Paul tells the church there that those alive when Christ returns will not precede those who have died in Christ (4:15). "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch angel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first" (4:16). We must realize that it is the Lord Himself who will descend from heaven. He is not going to send someone else but it will be Jesus Christ Himself. On this day every eye will see him (Revelation 1:7). This means there will not be anyone in this world who doesn't know what is happening.
Paul goes on to tell the brethren that the dead in Christ will rise first. They will receive the same spiritual gifts as those who are alive at the time Christ returns (1 Thess 4:16). Paul comforts the brethren by telling them these things. He goes on to say after the dead rise (the faithful Christians) those who are alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet their Lord and will always be with him (4:17). Therefore comfort one another with these words (4:18).
My question is can we comfort one another with these words. Do we take this serious? Are we uninformed like the church in Thessalonica was? We must realize that this is serious, there is no escaping judgment. It is going to happen and we must be ready. If we are not we will not get to spend eternity with our Lord. In fact those who are not ready will spend eternity where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. We do not want to be unprepared when the Lord comes. Take this serious, turn to God's word and it will tell you how to prepare to meet the Lord.

My next blog post will be on 1 Thessalonians chapter five. Paul deals with when Jesus will return and how we prepare for his coming.

What is Kerusso

The word kerusso is the Greek word for I preach or I proclaim. Peter says in Acts 10:42, "And He ordered us to preach (kerusso) to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead." Peter said he was ordered by God to preach because all will be judged. Those who have passed before us and we will be judged. I take this very seriously and I preach the Gospel.