Here's the final devotion from the series I have been sharing.
That they will adorn the doctrine of god our Saviour in every respect.
Titus 2:10 (NASB)
It is undoubtedly true that if you are steadily determined to walk this path--to endeavor that your household may thus serve the Lord, worshipping Him in spirit and in truth--you will have need to use all the grace, all the courage, all the wisdom which God has given you. for you will find such hindrances as only the mighty power of God can enable you to break through.
You will have all the saints of the world to grapple with, who think you carry things too far. You will have all the powers of darkness against you, employing both force and fraud. Above all, is the deceitfulness of your own heart which, if you will hearken to it, will supply you with many reasons why you should be a little more conformable to this world.
But as you have begun, go on in the name of the Lord and in the power of His might. Set the smiling and the frowning world at defiance! Follow reason and the Word of God, not the customs and fashions of men.
Keep yourself pure. Whatever others do, let you and your household adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour. Let you, your yokefellow, and your children be all on the Lord's side, sweetly drawing together in one yoke. Walk in all His commandments and ordinances, till every one of you shall receive his own reward, according to his own labor (I Corinthians 3:8).
Showing posts with label Devotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devotion. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Bring Forth Fruit With Patience
(NOTE: Again, I do not necessarily completely agree with everything he puts forth here, but I do like the principles of what he's saying.)
Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you wil find it again.
Eccl. 11:1 (NIV)
You have taught your children from their early infancy in the plainest manner you could, omitting no opportunity, and persevering in it. If you presently do not see fruit of your labor, you must not conclude that there will be none. The seed which has long remained in the ground may at last spring up into a plentiful harvest. Whatever the effect meantime, your reward is with the Most High.
Yet, this is not all. Pious parents must take into account where their children are to be sent to school. The best thing is to send them to a private school, kept by a pious person, who endeavors to instruct a small number of children both in religion and learning.
When they have completed their schooling, you doubtless thinking of some business for them. Before you determine anything in this matter, see that your eye is single. Is your view to please God? In what emplyment will they be most likely to love and serve God? And do not regard if they get less money, provided they get more holiness.
When your son or daughter is of age to marry, you will have great need of wisdom from above. Aim not at what the world calls a good match but simply at the glory of God and the real happiness of your children both in time and eternity.
Daily Devotional Insights
Renew My Heart
John Wesley
Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you wil find it again.
Eccl. 11:1 (NIV)
You have taught your children from their early infancy in the plainest manner you could, omitting no opportunity, and persevering in it. If you presently do not see fruit of your labor, you must not conclude that there will be none. The seed which has long remained in the ground may at last spring up into a plentiful harvest. Whatever the effect meantime, your reward is with the Most High.
Yet, this is not all. Pious parents must take into account where their children are to be sent to school. The best thing is to send them to a private school, kept by a pious person, who endeavors to instruct a small number of children both in religion and learning.
When they have completed their schooling, you doubtless thinking of some business for them. Before you determine anything in this matter, see that your eye is single. Is your view to please God? In what emplyment will they be most likely to love and serve God? And do not regard if they get less money, provided they get more holiness.
When your son or daughter is of age to marry, you will have great need of wisdom from above. Aim not at what the world calls a good match but simply at the glory of God and the real happiness of your children both in time and eternity.
Daily Devotional Insights
Renew My Heart
John Wesley
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Instruct Them in Righteousness
"Those who are wise will instruct many."
Daniel 11:33 (NIV)
We prepare our household to serve the Lord by instructing them. We take care to see that every person under our roof has all such knowledge necessary to salvation. It is our responsibility to see that our spouse and children are taught those things which belong to their eternal peace. Plan, especially for the Lord's Day, that all may attend the public services for instruction. And take care that they have time daily for reading, meditation, and prayer. Neither should any day pass without family prayer, seriously performed.
You should particularly endeavor to instruct your children early, plainly, frequently, patiently. Whenever a child begins to speak, you may be assured that reason has begun to work. From that time, lose no opportunity of speaking of the things of God.
But speak plainly, using such words as little children understand--such as they themselves use. Do this frequently, lifting up your heart to God that He would open their understanding and pour His light upon them.
But all this will not avail unless you persevere in it. Never leave off until you see the fruit of it. To do this, you will find the absolute need of being endued with power from on high. Without this, I am persuaded, none will have the patience sufficient for this work.
Daily Devotional Insights
Renew My Heart
John Wesley
Daniel 11:33 (NIV)
We prepare our household to serve the Lord by instructing them. We take care to see that every person under our roof has all such knowledge necessary to salvation. It is our responsibility to see that our spouse and children are taught those things which belong to their eternal peace. Plan, especially for the Lord's Day, that all may attend the public services for instruction. And take care that they have time daily for reading, meditation, and prayer. Neither should any day pass without family prayer, seriously performed.
You should particularly endeavor to instruct your children early, plainly, frequently, patiently. Whenever a child begins to speak, you may be assured that reason has begun to work. From that time, lose no opportunity of speaking of the things of God.
But speak plainly, using such words as little children understand--such as they themselves use. Do this frequently, lifting up your heart to God that He would open their understanding and pour His light upon them.
But all this will not avail unless you persevere in it. Never leave off until you see the fruit of it. To do this, you will find the absolute need of being endued with power from on high. Without this, I am persuaded, none will have the patience sufficient for this work.
Daily Devotional Insights
Renew My Heart
John Wesley
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Restrain Them from Evil
"The Lord disciplines those he loves."
Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)
What can we do that all our household may serve the Lord? May we not endeavor, first, to restrain them from all outward sin--from taking the name of God in vain and doing needless work on the Lord's Day? Those you hire may be restrained by argument or persuasion, but if they will not yield, they must be dismissed, be it ever so inconvenient.
(Note: While I am absolutely not an advocate of divorce over any little thing, I do believe that Scripture allows for divorce in other cases beside adultery. I do not wish to get into that subject here, but wanted to add that side note for clarification.)
Your spouse cannot be dismissed, except for adultery. In other cases, what can be done if open sin is habitual? All that can be done is done partly by example, partly by argument or persuasion, as dictated by Christian prudence. If evil ever can be overcome, it must be by good. We cannot beat the devil with his own weapons. If this evil cannot be overcome by good, we are called to suffer it. When God sees it to be best, He will remove it. Meantime, continue in earnest prayer; in due time, He will either take the temptation away or make it a blessing to your soul.
While your children are young, you may restrain them by advice, persuasion, and reproof, and also by correction. Only remember, this means is to be used last--after all others have been tried and found ineffectual. All should be done with mildness and with kindness. Otherwise, your own spirit suffers loss, and the child reaps little advantage. Only do not think yourselves wiser than God. He said, "Chasten...while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying" (Proverbs 19:18 KJV).
Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)
What can we do that all our household may serve the Lord? May we not endeavor, first, to restrain them from all outward sin--from taking the name of God in vain and doing needless work on the Lord's Day? Those you hire may be restrained by argument or persuasion, but if they will not yield, they must be dismissed, be it ever so inconvenient.
(Note: While I am absolutely not an advocate of divorce over any little thing, I do believe that Scripture allows for divorce in other cases beside adultery. I do not wish to get into that subject here, but wanted to add that side note for clarification.)
Your spouse cannot be dismissed, except for adultery. In other cases, what can be done if open sin is habitual? All that can be done is done partly by example, partly by argument or persuasion, as dictated by Christian prudence. If evil ever can be overcome, it must be by good. We cannot beat the devil with his own weapons. If this evil cannot be overcome by good, we are called to suffer it. When God sees it to be best, He will remove it. Meantime, continue in earnest prayer; in due time, He will either take the temptation away or make it a blessing to your soul.
While your children are young, you may restrain them by advice, persuasion, and reproof, and also by correction. Only remember, this means is to be used last--after all others have been tried and found ineffectual. All should be done with mildness and with kindness. Otherwise, your own spirit suffers loss, and the child reaps little advantage. Only do not think yourselves wiser than God. He said, "Chasten...while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying" (Proverbs 19:18 KJV).
Daily Devotional Insights
Renew My Heart
John Wesley
As for Me and My House (Intro)
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Joshua 24:15 (NASB)
Every real Christian will say, "I and my house will serve the Lord." Who are included in the expression "my house"? The one in your house who claims your first and nearest attention is your spouse, seeing you are to love each other as Christ loved the Church. You are to use every possible means that he or she may be freed from every spot and walk unblamable in love.
Next to your spouse are your children--immortal spirits whom God has entrusted to your care for a time that you may train them up in all holiness and fit them for the enjoyment of God in eternity.
This is a glorious and important trust, seeing one soul is of more value than all the world beside. You are, therefore, to watch over every child with the utmost care, that when you are called to give an account of each to the Father of spirits, you may give your accounts with joy and not with grief.
Those you engage for longer or shorter periods of time, who voluntarily contract with you for hire are, in a measure, delivered into your hands. For that period of time, they are committed to your charge as one that must give an account. And it is not the will of your Master that these should go out of your hands before they receive from you something more valuable than silver or gold.
Daily Devotional Insights
Renew My Heart
John Wesley
Joshua 24:15 (NASB)
Every real Christian will say, "I and my house will serve the Lord." Who are included in the expression "my house"? The one in your house who claims your first and nearest attention is your spouse, seeing you are to love each other as Christ loved the Church. You are to use every possible means that he or she may be freed from every spot and walk unblamable in love.
Next to your spouse are your children--immortal spirits whom God has entrusted to your care for a time that you may train them up in all holiness and fit them for the enjoyment of God in eternity.
This is a glorious and important trust, seeing one soul is of more value than all the world beside. You are, therefore, to watch over every child with the utmost care, that when you are called to give an account of each to the Father of spirits, you may give your accounts with joy and not with grief.
Those you engage for longer or shorter periods of time, who voluntarily contract with you for hire are, in a measure, delivered into your hands. For that period of time, they are committed to your charge as one that must give an account. And it is not the will of your Master that these should go out of your hands before they receive from you something more valuable than silver or gold.
Daily Devotional Insights
Renew My Heart
John Wesley
Serving the Lord--Regarding our family
I've had a devotion book sitting on my shelf now for a couple years. Every now and again, I remember it and pick it up to see what entry it has for that particular day. Today was such a day. Interestingly enough, today's post was about instructing your family in righteousness. As I thumbed through the previous days, I realized there was a theme going, a series of devotions about leading our families to serve the Lord. I'd like to post them here over the next couple days. They include thoughts directed towards spouses and children, but my focus is especially on the references to children.
This is an area I've been thinking and praying over the last many weeks. The Lord has been dealing with me about my responsibility to train up my sons in the knowledge of His Word and keep before them their need for salvation. I've contemplated how exactly to go about that on my own, how to fit it into each day, and where to begin.
To pick up this book "by chance" today was anything but chance!! The Lord was reiterating what has become such a burden for me. As a mother, it is my main duty in caring for my children to direct their hearts, as young as they are, to the Lord Jesus Christ as the One and most blessed Friend of sinners and as the only Refuge for their souls. I hope that these devotions will be a help to you, as they were to me.
This is an area I've been thinking and praying over the last many weeks. The Lord has been dealing with me about my responsibility to train up my sons in the knowledge of His Word and keep before them their need for salvation. I've contemplated how exactly to go about that on my own, how to fit it into each day, and where to begin.
To pick up this book "by chance" today was anything but chance!! The Lord was reiterating what has become such a burden for me. As a mother, it is my main duty in caring for my children to direct their hearts, as young as they are, to the Lord Jesus Christ as the One and most blessed Friend of sinners and as the only Refuge for their souls. I hope that these devotions will be a help to you, as they were to me.
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