Christ-follower, Husband, Dad, Pastor

Devotional

August 23, 2013

Honor Opens Doors

During my June trip to Tanzania, the Lord led me to share several messages that included the idea of honor. The picture below is from a Sunday morning service in Arusha. Pastor Eric and leaders from the church helped me illustrate the men who came alongside of Moses during the battle with the Amalekites. I also used this story in one of the branch churches.

A simple truth was revealed as the man of God confronted the old high priest Eli, “Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained (1 Samuel 2:30 NIV).” Consider that fact for a moment – when you honor God, He honors you! To honor something, means we respect or value or highly esteem that thing in our life. God should certainly be deemed worthy of respect.

Honor is the essential key to receiving from God and has the power to greatly enhance your life. For this reason, the enemy of our souls has fiercely fought to eliminate it from our modern-day mindset and has, to a great degree, been successful. Honor carries with it great rewards—rewards God desires you to have in the here and now. Popular culture fights against the practice of honoring parents, leaders, and children. Society’s resistance to authority produces consequences of that disobedience. [John Bevere from: www.messengerinternational.org]

Honoring God releases tangible and intangible blessings of God in every arena of your life. Honor OPENS DOORS.  Honor opens windows, gateways, channels, paves the way for God’s best. Honor benefits your relationship with God, your associations in the marketplace, your bond with a local congregation, your conversations with family members, your advancement in an occupation, your intimacy in your marriage.

When you honor God, He honors you, but when you dishonor Him, you limit your access to God’s best. When Jesus walked the rural paths of Palestine, He did numerous miracles – except for one particular area. “He [Jesus Christ] COULD NOT do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them” (Mark 6:5 NIV). That is a startling assertion. What was it that prevented Him from doing more? Jesus provides the answer in the preceding verse, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home” (Mark 6:4 NIV).

I don’t want to impede God’s desire to honor me. How about you? So, how do we honor God? Here are four practical areas:

#1  Honor God in congregational PRAISE and WORSHIP.
Honoring God in public worship may seem pretty basic, but how many come to corporate services for a multitude of other reasons? Real worship doesn’t occur until spirit touches Spirit. Thousands of years ago, Isaiah penned God response to people “going through the motions” without heart-engagement. “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught” (Isaiah 29:13 NIV).

#2  Honor God with your FINANCES.

God doesn’t need your money, but He does want your heart. Truly honoring God as first in your life will translate into how you handle money. What does your bank account reveal about your level of honor? Putting the Lord first in your finances facilitates reception of God’s blessings.

  • Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21 NIV).
  • “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV).

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#3  Honor God by honoring PEOPLE.

Honor is to be applied to everyone: God, Spouse, Family, Godly servants (Philippians 2:29), Elders who teach & preach (1 Timothy 5:17 “double honor”), Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and every person you encounter!

  • “Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10 HCSB).
  • “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3 NIV)
    “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet [SPIRITUAL LEADERS] as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person [PEERS, CoLABORERS, FAMILY] as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones [CHILDREN or THOSE WHOM YOU HAVE RESPONSIBILITY] who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:40-42 NIV)

#4  Honor God with your LIFESTYLE.

Honor is an attitude, a manner of speech, a language, and a lifestyle.

  • “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).
  • “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17 NLT)

Honor:

  • Stands at attention (American flag, anthem, pledge);
  • Bows in respect;
  • Serves with passion;
  • Prioritizes under pressure;
  • Gives with thoughtfulness;
  • Protects from slander;
  • Speaks with affection;
  • Looks past offenses;
  • Praises potential;
  • Believes the best;
  • Preserves unity.

Honor opens doors.

August 21, 2013

Seven Ups to Take You to the Next Level

Valley Fellowship Church continues the AWAKE series with twenty-one days of intense prayer during the month of August. As I was studying for my soon-to-come sermon from the Book of Jonah, I stumbled on notes from a message I shared more than a decade ago. I don’t recall where I may have gotten the original idea. I think I heard someone share something similar when I was still in high school. Or, maybe, I was just inspired while drinking a carbonated beverage – 7Up!

I was encouraged by seven points I had jotted down, and so I thought I would elaborate upon them today. As Christ followers, we are always on the way up – hopefully, changing day-by-day into the likeness of Christ. Here are some unassuming tips – seven ups – to take you to the next level.

1.  Wake Up

Decide to have a good day. Let the joyous strength of God arise in you. The Psalmist puts it simply: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 HCSB) You are alive; live like it.

The late Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill shared a story:

An Irishman went into the local bank to get a loan to buy a house. The Yankee banker looked up the record of the Irishman’s bank account, then he looked over the application for the loan, and then he addressed the applicant. “I have a standard test,” he said. “I have one glass eye and one real eye. I’ll give you the loan if you can tell me which is my glass eye and which is my real eye.”

The Irishman studied each of the banker’s eyes carefully. “The glass eye is the left eye,” he finally said.

“You’re correct,” said the banker. “But how could you tell?”

“It was easy,” said the Irishman. “The left eye had warmth in it.”

2.  Look Up

Start your day with your attention set on heaven’s Lord. Focus on the Lord, not your problem. “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2 NLT)

3.  Dress Up

Put on clothes that encourage you to be successful. In college, I discovered that I would perform better on exams when I was dressed up. You don’t have to put on a tuxedo to advance in life, but you might want to consider how your attire impacts you.

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I like this story:

My friend Helen has twelve children, and she dresses all of them alike. “When we had only four,” she explains, “I dressed them alike so we wouldn’t lose any. Now that we have twelve, I dress them alike so we won’t pick up any that don’t belong to us.”

4.  Lift Up

Lift your voice in prayer. Get into a real conversation with your loving Heavenly Father. Your prayers unlock the path for your next level. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

5. Shut Up

Make a conscious decision to listen and then to choose to say pleasant things. Hold your tongue from releasing that ready cut-down. Instead, let your words encourage your listeners to move on up to the next level. And, don’t be so quick to give full voice to every thought that flies through your head. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. Wisdom counsels, “Whoever controls his mouth protects his own life. Whoever has a big mouth comes to ruin.” (Proverbs 13:3 NOG)

6.  Stand Up

Stand for what you believe in, for what you value, for what matters. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. “And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.” (Galatians 6:9 AMP)

7.  Reach Up

Reach for something higher than you currently are. Don’t settle; don’t stop moving forward. God isn’t finished yet, but He is faithful to finish what He started (Philippians 1:6). Hold out for what God has ahead. John Maxwell astutely quips “Circumstances do not make you what you are – they reveal what you are!” Several years ago, a classified ad in the Great Falls, Montana, Tribune offered: “Uninspired fat guy wants to sell intimidating exercise machine. You can reach me in the evenings on the couch.”

With that – I think will get up and take a walk.

August 20, 2013

Dad Baptized Me

I remember the Taiwanese swimming pool where I was water baptized and made a public proclamation of Jesus Christ as my Lord. My mom managed to get a picture through the rain.

Was it 1975 or 1976? At the moment, I don’t recall the calendar designation, but I do remember it as a very special moment. My dad was the pastor who led me through the sacrament. My mom, brother, and sister stood at the side of the pool. Surrounding them were numerous friends from Morrison Christian Academy and church family from Immanuel Baptist Church in Taichung. I wanted everyone to know that I was sold-out to Jesus.

The smile on Dad’s face felt no doubt that he was proud of me. My dad’s glasses were foggy from the humidity of a light rain and his funny-looking white robe was soaked, but he had a big smile on face. His voice boomed, reflecting back from the surface of the broken water. “I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Splash, then back up. What a moment!

After coming to earth as a baby and living a sinless life until adulthood, Jesus sets the example for us in water baptism. Before the release of Jesus’ public ministry, He goes to the Jordan to be baptized by John. As Jesus’ earthly relative, I bet John grew up being compared to Jesus! I can easily picture Elizabeth (Mary’s relative) saying, “Why don’t you act more like your cousin, Jesus?” Can you imagine John the Baptist’s surprise as Jesus enters into the Jordan to be baptized? John knows Jesus doesn’t need to repent, but he yields to Jesus’ request. I wonder if John was startled by the voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased (Luke 3:22 NIV).”
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Father God publicly announces Jesus’ identity and commends Him before Jesus does any public ministry. No healings, no exorcisms, no resurrections, just the exemplary act of baptism – and Father God issues praise.

Jesus never had to be depressed on a good day because His relationship with His Father was just fine. Jesus never had to worry on a bad day because His relationship with His Father was still just fine. Jesus did not depend on His performance to settle His identity. His Father affirmed Him before He performed the first public miracle, before He healed the first person, before He died on the cross and rose again.

Jesus’ identity was never performance-based; rather, it was grounded in Father God. Jesus’ identity was built on ministry-performance but upon real relationship. Upon what is your identity rooted?

August 19, 2013

AWAKE

“‘Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” (Ephesians 5:14b-16 NLT)

The picture above was taken in the Amsterdam airport back in 2005. The look on my face is fighting-to-keep-my-eyes-open exhaustion. We were on the way back to the States after a successful trip to East Africa. I’m not sure how I would have responded is someone had yelled Ephesians 5:14 at me at that moment. I hope that I would have been kind, but…  I wonder if the busy-ness of life makes all of us feel something like I did in that picture. I know I sometimes have to have a good wake-up call.

Valley Fellowship Church is sounding a wake-up call. Our church is in the middle of a season of prayer. We are taking God’s Word seriously, praying fervent prayers, and expecting His intervention. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV) Why don’t you join with us in prayer, seeking God and believing Him for miracles in our lives?

During this season of prayer, we are seeking the Lord to:

#1  Awake Our Hearts

  • Declaring our dependence on God in every area of our lives.
  • Believing God for answered prayer to our specific needs.
  • Inviting God to set a fire in our spirits, a passion for His glory.

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“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV)

#2  Awake Our Church

  • Inviting the Presence of God in our church and our lives.
  • Asking the Lord to inspire our congregation to serve God’s kingdom purposes.
  • Praying for laborers and workers to serve for the purpose of changed lives.

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37b-38 NIV)

#3  Awake Our Mission 

  • Praying for the completion of the Great Commission.
  • Praying for local and global mission efforts.
  • Opening doors for the Gospel message.

“Brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:1 NIV)

#4  Awake Our Generation

  • Crying to God for revival in our generation, awakening in our time, renewal in our area.
  • Repenting of our sins and the sins of our land.
  • Inviting Holy Spirit outpouring, making it hard to go to hell from Huntsville, Madison & Tennessee Valley.
  • Praying for changed lives.

“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” (Habakkuk 3:2 NIV84)

August 18, 2013

Pray BIG Prayers

We too often ask small-ly and only see small-ly. Heavenly Father wants us to ask for the BIG – prayers calling for His magnificent manifestation, prayers with answers that show forth His glory.

During our June visit to Tanzania, our team enjoyed the privilege of seeing many animals within the Ngorongoro Crater. Standing on the ridge, looking down into this vast volcanic caldera, is awe inspiring. The trees and animals appear little more than dot-sized. What a perspective! Is that God’s perspective of some of my prayers? I ask too little, believing for small things, when He desires BIG prayers – prayers that release His awakening, revival, and renewal.

Almost a century ago, E.M. Bounds pointed out the potential available, “[Prayer] lays its hand on Almighty God and moves Him to do what He would not otherwise do if prayer was not offered . . . Prayer is a wonderful power placed by Almighty God in the hands of His saints, which may be used to accomplish great purposes and to achieve unusual results.” (The Possibilities of Prayer, p. 29)

Are you tapping into to God’s power? You don’t have to be a preacher to experience supernaturally mighty results. God’s Word clearly states that “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16b NLT) Did you notice the choice of words “righteous person”? Not famous pastor or full-time-salaried minister – No! Are you a person ready to let your prayers be characterized by fervency and zeal?

Immediately after that bold proclamation, James lifts up the prophet Elijah as an example of prayer that gets results. “Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.” (James 5:17-18 NLT) Elijah’s qualifications to pray seem pretty minimal. Human as we are. Not a robot, not an animal, just plain human. I am a human. You are a human.

Where are today’s Elijahs, interceding for God’s glory? Are you expecting the incredible supernatural intervention of God? I am inspired today to call out to the Lord. It’s time for all of us to pray BIG prayers!

“Whenever God determines to do a great work, he first sets his people to pray.” C.H. Spurgeon

  • This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15 NIV)
  • “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:22-24 NIV)
  • But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. (James 1:6-7 NIV)

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No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying . . . We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few pray-ers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere. (Leonard Ravenhill, Why Revival Tarries, Bethany, 1959, p. 23-25)

August 16, 2013

What’s Inside of You?

When you get bumped, what spills out? Whatever you are full of!  Make sure that when you get bumped, the right stuff spills out of you.

Serving the Lord will always bring adversity. Paul acknowledged as much: “A huge door of opportunity for good work has opened up here. There is also mushrooming opposition.” (1 Corinthians 16:9 MSG) You will be bumped.

Your life is a lot like a sponge. What you soak up comes out of you when you get squeezed! A sponge soaked in orange juice drips out orange juice. A sponge dipped into vinegar yields vinegar. When you get squeezed, what comes out of your heart?

The final moments of my dad’s life illustrated what was inside of him. Even after been shot three times, my dad  prayed in the Spirit, quoted Scripture, and praised God. The final moments of his life on earth (over an hour after being shot) were filled with worship.

What’s inside of you? What spills out when you get bumped?
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Thanks, Dad! You taught me well. I appreciate the example you set and the price you paid. May I live filled with Christ.

 

 

 

August 12, 2013

I Can’t Fast-Forward Life

Did you see any movies over the summer with LONG previews, trailers, and advertisements before the main feature? I went to see a couple of movies this summer with particularly long preliminaries. Long trailers for boring movies, long advertisements for stuff I didn’t need – I wanted to just jump ahead to the good stuff.

Recently, our family rented “The Impossible” DVD, and I quickly pressed the menu button to jump beyond whatever was placed before the movie. Netflix and DVRs have spoiled me. Have you ever wanted to fast-forward through the advertisements and get to the main feature?

Waiting isn’t something I have to do often in the American-paced culture of which I am a part. We like instant EVERYTHING. Could the comfort of my fast-forwarded, fast-food lifestyle spoil my patience for the things of God? I hope not, but I have a sense that it has.

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Okay, that hits home with me – God’s presence leads me. Lord, I can’t fast-forward to the destination, so please help me to trust you each step of the journey.

“And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.” (Philippians 1:6 AMP)

August 9, 2013

Heavenly Father Invites – “ASK ME!”

I enjoy a healthy relationship with my daughters, and I have noticed that Rozy and Kimberlyn don’t seem to have any difficulty in asking me for stuff. They know my heart and understand I love them and want to help them. So . . . they ask. I might say “no” but that doesn’t stop them. I might say “just a sec” but that doesn’t slow them from asking again.

One component of a healthy prayer life is the simply act of asking. We are invited by our Heavenly Father to ask. When we pray, we aren’t overcoming God’s rigid reluctance; we are claiming His wonderful willingness. Consider the following passages:

  • “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 NIV)
  • “You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2 NASB)
  • “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV)
  • “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5 NIV)
  • “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.” (Psalm 2:8 NIV)
  • “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” (Jeremiah 33:3 NLT)
  • “So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.” (Colossians 1:9 NLT)
  • “Never stop praying.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT)
  • “Always pray.” (Luke 18:1 NIV)

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June 9, 2013

Back from Tanzania

Our family just returned from wonderful days of ministry in Arusha, Tanzania. Internet access here in the States is a lot easier than East Africa and so regular Now they just use sildenafil tablets the mouse when ordering their regular supply of vitamins and medicines. Plumbing parts you can find and purchase on our websites are designed to offer functionality, practicality, and http://new.castillodeprincesas.com/item-2385 viagra spain still look aesthetically pleasing and perfectly fit in overall interior design of kitchen or bathroom. You can have an exciting and exhilarating love life. commander cialis visit this link The detoxifying and diuretic effects might also prompt more frequent toilet breaks for the first few days, so it’s a good idea to introduce the new regime over a weekend when extracurricular activities have been cleared from the schedule. cialis on line australia posts should be back as well. Thank you for praying for us. Over the next several days, I hope to tell more about our great trip!

May 19, 2013

Make the Right Lasting Impression

Imagine the footprints you would leave behind from walking through a freshly poured concrete sidewalk. Now, imagine your children and grandchildren as wet cement; what footprints will you leave in their lives?

In the book Leaving a Godly Legacy (1999), Charles Stanley encourages his readers “to leave a weighty, permanent imprint of God’s love, goodness, and forgiveness wherever we walk, for as long as we walk on this earth … a weighty, permanent imprint of Christ Jesus.” Echoing the apostle Paul’s charge to “live a life worthy” of our calling, Stanley connects the call of God to the imprint we have on the people closest to us, particularly our children and grandchildren.

Here is a list of ten things I hope are a part of the lasting impression you make:

#1  FAITH IN LORD JESUS CHRIST

The best gift any grandparent can give to their grandchildren is not a big birthday present, the latest-greatest technological gizmo, a Disney vacation, nor even a college savings plan. The greatest gift is a genuine faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. A living, real relationship with the Lord of the universe is number ONE.

Paul praised Timothy for his “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.” (2 Timothy 1:5 NLT)

Dale Evans Rogers shares an excellent example of the importance of passing along faith in Christ:

An energetic, mischievous young boy, Billy Frank knew the stories about the heroism of his grandfather, Ben Coffey – a one-eyed, one-legged Civil War veteran, who worked harder than most men who had two legs and eyes.  When he returned from the war and began raising a family, he made daily Bible reading and prayers a regular part of the family routine.  His grandson, Billy Frank, benefited from the example set by Grandfather Coffey when his own mother and father followed that godly pattern.  Billy became a Christian after hearing a sermon by a Southern evangelist, but the example his grandparents set had already prepared him by pointing him in the right direction.  Maybe you’ve heard of Billy – his last name is Graham.  (Grandparents Can, 1983)

#2  TESTIMONY

Share your story of what God has done for you. Your children and grandchildren need a sense of your spiritual roots. You are the family historian passing along the greatness of the Lord to another generation.

  • “I will bring honor to your name in every generation. Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.” (Psalm 45:17 NLT)
  • “Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will thank you forever and ever, praising your greatness from generation to generation.” (Psalm 79:13 NLT)

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#3  PRAY FOR and WITH (GRAND)CHILDREN

Model prayer in front of their eyes and consistently pray behind their backs. Paul’s prayers recorded in the New Testament may serve as excellent guides for your prayers. For example, Ephesians 3:14-21; Colossians 1:9-11; and Philippians 1:9-11).

#4  FINANCIALLY SUPPORT GOD’S KINGDOM

As a young boy, I got to stay over with my grandparents several times. My grandmother Martin took my brother and I to all her church activities – Sunday school, morning and evening services. She expected us to bring our Bibles and giving in the offering. If we didn’t have money, she would give us some! Maybe she was making sure her grandkids got the offering box checked-off during the Sunday School assessment. Actually, she was impressing upon me the importance of giving.

Let the blessing of the tithe cover your “seed”, your children and grandchildren.

“See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not ruin the produce of your land and your vine in your field will not fail to produce fruit,” says the Lord of Hosts. “Then all the nations will consider you fortunate, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of Hosts. (Malachi 3:10b-12 HCSB)

#5  GENEROSITY

Practice generosity with your children and grandchildren. Parents, please allow those gifts from grandparents. You and your children will be blessed.

#6  LOVING WORDS

Communicate just how special you believe your children or grandchildren are. Your words build self-esteem and as you speak the truth in love you will also build God-confidence. “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, making people happy and healthy.” (Proverbs 16:24 NCV)

#7  WISDOM

You have a lifetime of wisdom to share, just don’t try to let it all out at once. The next generation needs your wisdom, but often you will need to exercise patience for the right moment to impart it. Let your wise words build a bridge from your generation to another.

#8  PRESENCE

Be a REFUFE in times of trouble, a REJOICE-ER in times of achievement. Model Christ-like character. Jesus Christ lives in your life; you are a carrier of incarnational presence. Let His character and compassion be evident.

#9  TIME

Be accessible. Try to make time for your kids and grandkids. Create opportunities to read to them, talk with them, share life together with them. An eight-year-old eloquently communicated this aspect. She wrote:

A grandmother is a lady who has no children of her own, so she likes other people’s boys and girls. Grandmas don’t have anything to do except be there. If they take us for walks, they slow down past pretty leaves and caterpillars. They never say ‘Hurry up.’ Usually they are fat but not too fat to tie shoes. They wear glasses, and sometimes they can take their teeth out. They can answer questions like why dogs hate cats and why God isn’t married. They don’t talk like visitors do which is hard to understand. When they read to us, they don’t skip words or mind if it is the same story again. Everybody should try to have a grandma, especially if you don’t have television, because grandmas are the only grownups who always have time. (Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations & Quotes, p. 393)

#10  SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE

Don’t just leave money as an inheritance. Read the Bible with your grandkids. Pass along your Matthew 6:33 viewpoint. Make sure you to teach your children and grandchildren to love God more than things, to trust God’s sovereignty and power – nothing is too hard for the Lord – and to realize God’s love for them.

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.”  (Proverbs 13:22 NASB)
It’s not too late. The concrete is still wet. Make sure you leave the right lasting impression.

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