May 8 2016 Coping With The Fears Of Raising Children

COPING WITH THE FEARS OF RAISING CHILDREN

Matthew 5:48- Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.

1. I must understand my children.

Psalm 103:13 – As a Father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.  For He knows how we are formed.

Proverbs 24:3 – Homes are built on the foundation of wisdom and understanding.

Proverbs 22:6 – Train a child in the way he should go, and then when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 14:29 – A patient man has great understanding.

2. I must accept my children.

Psalm 145:8 – The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

Romans 15:7 – Accept one another.

Psalm 127:3 –Children are a gift from God, they are His reward.

3. I must communicate with my children.

HOW

• By starting early.

The Bible says a child left to itself disgraces it’s mother.

• Start early.

Isaiah 28:9 – Who is He trying to teach?  To whom is He explaining His message?  To children weaned from their milk.

• Begin with small pieces.

Isaiah 28:10 – For it is do and do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule, a little here a little there.

• Communicate creatively.

Deuteronomy 6:6 -7 – These commandments, impress them upon children, talk about them when you sit at home, and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

4. I must discipline my children.

Hebrews 12:6-The Lord disciplines those whom He loves.

Proverbs 13:24 – If you refuse to discipline your son, it proves you don’t love him.

Proverbs 19:18 – Discipline your children while they are young enough to learn.  If you don’t you are helping them destroy themselves.

1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment.

HOW TO DISCIPLINE

• Discipline calmly.

Proverbs 29:11 – A fool gives full vent to his anger.

• Don’t be a nagger.

Ephesians 6:4 – Don’t keep scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful, use loving discipline.

• Discipline quickly.
• Discipline sparingly.

5. I must express love to my children.

• Through affection.

Psalm 145:9 – The Lord is good and has compassion on all He has made.

• Affirmation.

Psalm 145:14 – The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

• Attention.

Psalm 145:18 – The Lord is near to all who call on Him.

6. I must be consistent with my children.

Psalm 145:7 – The Lord is righteous in all His ways.

Proverbs 20:17 – It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father.

• Don’t imply perfection.
• Keep your promises.

Psalm 145:13 – The Lord is faithful to all His promises.

January 18 2015 Getting Unstuck In My Family

GETTING UNSTUCK IN MY FAMILY

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person  by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”” – Romans 12:1-2
                
The Key to Getting Unstuck in My Family:

Give God first place In My Family!

Definition of UnStuck: Moving forward in my life because I am willing to give God complete control.

HOW TO GIVE GOD FIRST PLACE IN MY FAMILY

1.  FOCUS MY FAMILY DAILY with prayer and Bible study.

“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.” – 1 Chronicles 16:11

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” – Matthew 7:24-25

2.  INVOLVE MY FAMILY IN my church.

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”   – Proverbs 22:6

Two Elements: worship and service

“Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.”– Psalm 127:1

3.  READILY FORGIVE MY FAMILY WHEN NECESSARY.

“Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.” – Ephesians 4:32

“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.”” – Proverbs 17:9

“Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.”– Romans 12:18

4.  SCHEDULE FAMILY CELEBRATIONS TOGETHER.

“We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has stayed with me wherever I have gone.”” – Genesis 35:3

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God will give you.” – Exodus 20:12

5.  Trust God with my family.
 
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Memory Verse: ““Choose today whom you will serve… but as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” – JOSHUA 24:15

October 19 2014 Establishing Stability

Establishing Stability

Psalm 127:2 – It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning ‘til late at night, God wants His loved ones to get their proper rest.

1. BUILD MY LIFE AROUND CHRIST.

Matthew 6:33 – God will give you all you need from day to day IF you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

2. ACCEPT MY HUMANITY.

Ecclesiates 10:15 – Only someone too stupid to find his way home would wear himself out with work.

Psalm 119:73 – You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws.

3. LIMIT MY LABOR.

Exodus 20:9 – You have six days in which to do your work, but the 7th day is to be a day of rest dedicated to Me.

Sabbath means: day of rest,

4. ADJUST MY VALUES.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 – I’ve learned why people work so hard to succeed; it’s because they envy the things their neighbors have.

Mark 8:36 – What good is it for man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Ecclesiastes 4:6 – It is better to have only a little, with peace of mind, than be busy all the time.

5. NOURISH MY INNER LIFE.

Song of Solomon 1:6 – I had no time for myself.

Psalm 119:16 – I will not neglect your Word.

Luke 5:15 & 16 – Jesus often slipped away to be alone so He could pray.

6. COMMIT MY SCHEDULE TO GOD.

Psalm 31:15b – My times are in your hands.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – There is a time and a season for everything under Heaven.

7. ENJOY EACH MOMENT.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 – All of us should enjoy what we have worked for. It’s God’s gift.

Proverbs 14:30 – A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life.

Matthew 11:28 & 29 – Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest, the load I give you to carry is light.

June 16 2013 Building Homes To Last

BUILDING HOMES TO LAST
Nehemiah 3: 10, 23, 29 & 30
They repaired over against his house.

1.  God intends for our homes to build a wall of prayer.
Verse 10: - Jedaiah made repairs beside his house.

HOW TO BUILD IT

* Select a specific time.

* Choose a special place.

Luke 22:39 - Jesus left the city and went, as He usually did, to the Mount of Olives to pray.
Gal. 6:9 - Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after awhile we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.

2.  Home needs God’s protection.
Verse 23: - After him, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house.

STORMS THAT CAN COME
* Change.

* Failure.

HOW TO BUILD PROTECTION
* Put Christ first in your life.

* Live in obedience to Christ.

Matt. 6:33 - Seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.
John 15:4 - Jesus said remain in Me and I will remain in you.

3.  We must build the wall of integrity.
Verse 29: - Zadok (son of Immer) also rebuilt the wall next to his own house.

* Soundness in our relationships.

* Sound character.

Isa. 38:19 - One generation makes known your faithfulness to the next.

4.  The home must build a wall of ministry.
Verse 30: - Meshullam, son of Berekiah, built next to his own house.
I Cor. 16:15 - Stephanas and his family were the first to become Christians in Greece, and they are spending their lives helping and serving Christians everywhere.
Acts 16:33 - The whole family was filled with joy because they had come to believe God.

5.  The home is meant to be a place of fun.
Ecc. 9:9 - Enjoy life with your wife whom you love.
Prov. 5:18 - Be happy with your wife and find joy with the girl you married.
Psalm 127:3 - Children are a gift of God.

May 12 2013 Keeping Love Alive In Your Marriage

Keeping Love Alive In Our Marriage

Proverbs 20:14 - Be faithful to your own wife and give your love to her alone.

5 Ingredients For A Lasting Love

1.  Respect.
Ephesians 5:33 - Every husband must love his wire as himself and every wife must respect her husband.

1 Peter 3:7 - Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect.

2.  Responsibility.
Philippians 2:4-5 - Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

3.  Recreation.
Ecclesiastes 9:9 - Enjoy life with the woman you love.

4.  Romance.
Proverbs 3:21, 23 - Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up, an unloved woman who is married.

Proverbs 5:18-19 - Rejoice in your wife.  Let her charms and tender embrace satisfy you.  Let her love alone fill you with delight.

5.  Resolve.
Malachi 2:15 -  Has not the Lord made you one in body and spirit?  So guard yourself in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your affections, for they influence everything else in your life.

Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord builds the house, it’s builders labor in vain.