Last week I ran into a friend from years past. When I asked, "Tell me about yourself; what are you doing nowadays?", she quickly replied, "Oh nothing...just spending time with the grandkids - that's all I do."
Nothing? That's all you do?? That is one of our greatest privileges and highest responsibilities! It's not nothing! So now I'm on a campaign to change our minds about the way we view "playing" with our grandchildren! Of course, my friend does not take lightly her time spent with her grandchildren. But oftentimes we fail to communicate the importance of our role in that child's life.
I was reminded of Paul's encouragement to Timothy, his "true son in the faith": He states, "...night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers...I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:3-5) Timothy had been influenced by a godly grandmother, and now Paul is instructing him to "fan into flame the gift of God" ( v.6).
The greatest gift we can give our grandchildren is now wrapped in paper with a pretty bow on top - you are fully aware of the temporary benefits of earthly gifts. The gift that will keep on giving is what our grandchildren will "catch" as they observe the love of Jesus in their grandmother's or grandfather's heart - the love that "spills over" from a sincere faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The role of a godly grandparent is extremely valuable, highly influential, and eternally beneficial to our precious grandchildren. What a gift we've been given: the privilege of passing on Jesus' heritage to the next generation...they are precious in His sight!
"Always preach the gospel...and sometimes even use words."
St. Francis of Assisi
More is caught than taught!
Teach With Your Life
How do you respond when you experience something really great? If you're like me, you cannot wait to tell someone! I want to share the joy of my excitement with those I love so that they'll experience that same joy.
This is how John begins his message to the flock he pastored, in 1 John 1:
"From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in -- we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we're telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us. We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!" {The Message, by Eugene Peterson]
John knew Jesus Christ - he had "experienced" Him. This was such a fantastic experience that John wanted those he loved to enjoy the benefits of knowing Jesus personally. He continues writing about what it's like to live life in personal relationship with Jesus, the very Son of God. He uses such words as eternal life, true love, the security of knowing, the reality - not the illusion. All these truths result in confidence and an abundant life. This is what every one of us desires for our precious grandchildren. If we have "tasted" this for ourselves, we want to share it with those we love.
I don't necessarily remember my Grandmothers using a lot of words regarding the love of Christ. No, their actions spoke so loudly, I didn't have to hear the words. When we love the way Jesus loves, we don't have to use a lot of words to talk about it -- the actions of love speak volumes...more is caught than taught.
What did your actions or attitudes speak to your grandchildren when they were with you last? Was it light that illumines the way, and salt that preserves life?
This week, let's pray:
~ for ourselves - 1 John 1:7: "If we walk in the light, God Himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin." Father, show us how to walk in the light of your love. Reveal any darkness, expose any sin in my life that needs to be purged from my heart. Let Your light shine from my heart to _________'s heart.
~ for our grandchildren: "Father, shine Your light on __________'s heart. Let him/her know the light of Your love as she/he experiences You each day."
This is how John begins his message to the flock he pastored, in 1 John 1:
"From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in -- we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we're telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us. We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!" {The Message, by Eugene Peterson]
John knew Jesus Christ - he had "experienced" Him. This was such a fantastic experience that John wanted those he loved to enjoy the benefits of knowing Jesus personally. He continues writing about what it's like to live life in personal relationship with Jesus, the very Son of God. He uses such words as eternal life, true love, the security of knowing, the reality - not the illusion. All these truths result in confidence and an abundant life. This is what every one of us desires for our precious grandchildren. If we have "tasted" this for ourselves, we want to share it with those we love.
I don't necessarily remember my Grandmothers using a lot of words regarding the love of Christ. No, their actions spoke so loudly, I didn't have to hear the words. When we love the way Jesus loves, we don't have to use a lot of words to talk about it -- the actions of love speak volumes...more is caught than taught.
What did your actions or attitudes speak to your grandchildren when they were with you last? Was it light that illumines the way, and salt that preserves life?
This week, let's pray:
~ for ourselves - 1 John 1:7: "If we walk in the light, God Himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin." Father, show us how to walk in the light of your love. Reveal any darkness, expose any sin in my life that needs to be purged from my heart. Let Your light shine from my heart to _________'s heart.
~ for our grandchildren: "Father, shine Your light on __________'s heart. Let him/her know the light of Your love as she/he experiences You each day."
The 5 P's
Recently, our middle daughter, Haley, was scrapbooking with friends. The conversation between these young moms turned to praying for your children. One wise young woman, Erika, shared a prayer model that I thought you would enjoy putting into practice. Erika prays "5 P's" for her children:
Purpose - Romans 8:28-29, that God will conform him to the image of Christ through every situation.
Passion - Psalm 37:5-6; 42:1, that she will follow hard after Christ, in every area of life.
Protection - Psalm 27:1; 43:3, that God will protect him in His light and truth.
Purity - Psalm 24:3-6, that she will maintain clean hands and pure heart toward God.
Pals - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, that he will choose wisely for the company he keeps, always including Christ in every friendship.
You probably will think of other passages appropriate to these 5 P's; ask the Lord to lead you to specifics for your own grandchildren. Use them...repeat God's Word back to Him on behalf of the ones you love -- it's
a sure-fire way of knowing that we're praying God's Will, when we pray back His Word.
Purpose - Romans 8:28-29, that God will conform him to the image of Christ through every situation.
Passion - Psalm 37:5-6; 42:1, that she will follow hard after Christ, in every area of life.
Protection - Psalm 27:1; 43:3, that God will protect him in His light and truth.
Purity - Psalm 24:3-6, that she will maintain clean hands and pure heart toward God.
Pals - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, that he will choose wisely for the company he keeps, always including Christ in every friendship.
You probably will think of other passages appropriate to these 5 P's; ask the Lord to lead you to specifics for your own grandchildren. Use them...repeat God's Word back to Him on behalf of the ones you love -- it's
a sure-fire way of knowing that we're praying God's Will, when we pray back His Word.
Be Strong. Be Prepared.
In Ephesians 6:10-18, the Apostle Paul encourages the people in this church to "arm themselves" for battle. He describes in detail the gear they must symbolically wear in the inevitable struggle against the schemes of the devil.
Have you ever envisioned your granddaughter or grandson in a struggle with Satan? Take a minute to consider what that might look like...it is serious,and it is real. Satan is vying for the lives of our children. He relentlessly pursues their hearts with the most subtle methods. Our prayer for them MUST be that they will recognize evil when they see it; that they will be alert to the "evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12 NLT)
I don't like to give the devil more credit than he is due - I'm not one who believes that when my car won't start, it must be an evil spirit. However, I do know that Satan is alive and well - he's a deceiver, a liar, and he comes to kill and destroy anyone who is precious in God's sight. So we cannot ignore that he is a force to be reckoned with; he is stronger than your precious girl or boy. However, the good news is: "Greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world"!!! Our God is a consuming fire, and NOTHING can separate us from His love (Romans 8:31-39).
So, as we pray for our children this week, let's begin by acknowledging the All-Powerful, Almighty God we serve.
Next, let's teach and train our children (our grandchildren's parents) and our grandchildren to be alert, to recognize the lies of Satan, and to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Let's pray like Paul prayed: for our children and grandchildren to "be strong with the Lord's mighty power" (Ephesians 6:10)
"...the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1John 4:4)
Pray that your child will desire to have the strong Spirit of the One True God ingrained within his or her heart.
Have you ever envisioned your granddaughter or grandson in a struggle with Satan? Take a minute to consider what that might look like...it is serious,and it is real. Satan is vying for the lives of our children. He relentlessly pursues their hearts with the most subtle methods. Our prayer for them MUST be that they will recognize evil when they see it; that they will be alert to the "evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12 NLT)
I don't like to give the devil more credit than he is due - I'm not one who believes that when my car won't start, it must be an evil spirit. However, I do know that Satan is alive and well - he's a deceiver, a liar, and he comes to kill and destroy anyone who is precious in God's sight. So we cannot ignore that he is a force to be reckoned with; he is stronger than your precious girl or boy. However, the good news is: "Greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world"!!! Our God is a consuming fire, and NOTHING can separate us from His love (Romans 8:31-39).
So, as we pray for our children this week, let's begin by acknowledging the All-Powerful, Almighty God we serve.
Next, let's teach and train our children (our grandchildren's parents) and our grandchildren to be alert, to recognize the lies of Satan, and to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Let's pray like Paul prayed: for our children and grandchildren to "be strong with the Lord's mighty power" (Ephesians 6:10)
"...the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1John 4:4)
Pray that your child will desire to have the strong Spirit of the One True God ingrained within his or her heart.
Time Out!
I remember playing with my cousins at my grandmother's house. We would play"chase", and to start the game, someone would yell, "Not it". The lastperson to say "Not It" became "It", and the game began...running, dodging, chasing, screaming, laughing...invariably, someone's shoe would come untied,and you'd hear the words, "Time Out!" Immediately, the action stops. Everyone freezes until the caller yells, "Time in!", and the game goes on until most everyone is completely spent of energy. Fun times - you remember, don't you :)
Today, "Time out" usually carries a different connotation. It usually refersto separation due to an inappropriate action; it's the "discipline of choice" for many of today's young parents. Employed correctly, it can be extremely effective. Child behavior specialists recommend 1 minute of timeout for each year of the age of the child (i.e. 3 years old = 3 minutes intime out). Of course, an adolescent's Time Out looks different. Time Out from some privilege or activity; Time Out from a person, etc. The concept is the same in discipline of our grandchildren as it was when we played Chase: "Something's wrong here! Stop everything and let's fix it!"
One of the greatest privileges we enjoy as grandparents is the wisdom wehave acquired based on our life experience. We can recognize when there is a"problem". The problem is: we all have a problem - the problem of owning a sinful nature. Our familiarity with God's Holy Spirit breeds recognition of sin in others - particularly in those children we so love. When God's Spirit quickens your spirit, showing the reality of sin, I challenge you to listen and take Christ-like, age-appropriate action with that child.
God has made it clear in His Word that SIN SEPARATES (See Psalm 66:18, for one reference). The Time Out Principle is very scriptural. We see God putting people in Time Out continuously when they chose to follow their own sinful natures, rather than follow His ways. Think about Israel as a nation, 40 years of Time Out in the wilderness before they were allowed into the Promised Land. Read Psalm 51, written by King David after his Time Out following the adultery with Bathsheba.
When you recognize the sin in your child's heart, one of the most loving things you can do is to explain in a way that is age-appropriate to him orher, "(name the offense) is one of the things that God calls sin. When we choose to sin, we choose to separate from our friendship with God." This explanation will give the child - or teenager - a "God-consciousness" and an understanding of the separation principle of sin. Until she recognizes hersinful nature, she will never recognize her need for a Savior.
Ask God to break your heart for the things that break the heart of God --sin breaks His heart. Call sin what it really is: SIN SEPARATES.
THIS WEEK:
Pray specifically that God will show your child the reality of his sinful nature.
Pray for your own heart, asking God to immediately convict you of unconfessed sin in your own life.
EXTRA EXERCISE-
Read Psalm 51. List everything you learn in regard to God'sreaction to our recognition of sin.
1 John 1:9 - Praise Him for His faithful promise of forgiveness. God never overlooks our sin. His discipline is security in His love (Hebrews 12;6)
Today, "Time out" usually carries a different connotation. It usually refersto separation due to an inappropriate action; it's the "discipline of choice" for many of today's young parents. Employed correctly, it can be extremely effective. Child behavior specialists recommend 1 minute of timeout for each year of the age of the child (i.e. 3 years old = 3 minutes intime out). Of course, an adolescent's Time Out looks different. Time Out from some privilege or activity; Time Out from a person, etc. The concept is the same in discipline of our grandchildren as it was when we played Chase: "Something's wrong here! Stop everything and let's fix it!"
One of the greatest privileges we enjoy as grandparents is the wisdom wehave acquired based on our life experience. We can recognize when there is a"problem". The problem is: we all have a problem - the problem of owning a sinful nature. Our familiarity with God's Holy Spirit breeds recognition of sin in others - particularly in those children we so love. When God's Spirit quickens your spirit, showing the reality of sin, I challenge you to listen and take Christ-like, age-appropriate action with that child.
God has made it clear in His Word that SIN SEPARATES (See Psalm 66:18, for one reference). The Time Out Principle is very scriptural. We see God putting people in Time Out continuously when they chose to follow their own sinful natures, rather than follow His ways. Think about Israel as a nation, 40 years of Time Out in the wilderness before they were allowed into the Promised Land. Read Psalm 51, written by King David after his Time Out following the adultery with Bathsheba.
When you recognize the sin in your child's heart, one of the most loving things you can do is to explain in a way that is age-appropriate to him orher, "(name the offense) is one of the things that God calls sin. When we choose to sin, we choose to separate from our friendship with God." This explanation will give the child - or teenager - a "God-consciousness" and an understanding of the separation principle of sin. Until she recognizes hersinful nature, she will never recognize her need for a Savior.
Ask God to break your heart for the things that break the heart of God --sin breaks His heart. Call sin what it really is: SIN SEPARATES.
THIS WEEK:
Pray specifically that God will show your child the reality of his sinful nature.
Pray for your own heart, asking God to immediately convict you of unconfessed sin in your own life.
EXTRA EXERCISE-
Read Psalm 51. List everything you learn in regard to God'sreaction to our recognition of sin.
1 John 1:9 - Praise Him for His faithful promise of forgiveness. God never overlooks our sin. His discipline is security in His love (Hebrews 12;6)
Discipline
Discipline - in the words of Dr. Phil, "How's that workin' out for ya?" My grandchildren are very sweet, and have been effectively trained in appropriate behavior; however, they are normal human beings (albeit gifted and talented - as I'm sure yours are too :). Therefore, when things don't go their way, they usually have a reaction - and it's not always appropriate. Or, their natural self-focused nature shines through and is reflected in their behavior or attitudes.
We have a choice whether to allow them to continue that attitude of selfishness, or teach them God's attitudes. This is discipleship, and it requires discipline. What demonstrates greater love - leaving her to herself, or training toward God's mindset? You know the answer: left to ourselves, we will self-destruct; lining our minds up with the mind of Christ leads to life.
Hebrews 12:11 addresses this principle. "Discipline is not joyful at the time but sorrowful. However, after having been trained by it, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."
Father, You are my heavenly parent. Discipline me when I have not lined up my mind with the mind of Christ, and teach me how to discipline myself. Help me to immediately recognize sin in my own heart. Then show me how to administer discipline to ______________ (your grandchild) in Your way - the way that will line up his mind with the mind of Christ.
Additional reading: 1 Corinthians 2:9-16; Hebrews 12
We have a choice whether to allow them to continue that attitude of selfishness, or teach them God's attitudes. This is discipleship, and it requires discipline. What demonstrates greater love - leaving her to herself, or training toward God's mindset? You know the answer: left to ourselves, we will self-destruct; lining our minds up with the mind of Christ leads to life.
Hebrews 12:11 addresses this principle. "Discipline is not joyful at the time but sorrowful. However, after having been trained by it, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."
Father, You are my heavenly parent. Discipline me when I have not lined up my mind with the mind of Christ, and teach me how to discipline myself. Help me to immediately recognize sin in my own heart. Then show me how to administer discipline to ______________ (your grandchild) in Your way - the way that will line up his mind with the mind of Christ.
Additional reading: 1 Corinthians 2:9-16; Hebrews 12
The Inside Look
You've experienced it before: your 3-year-old grand-girl bounces into your house wearing the cutest leopard top over solid leggings, topped off with a precious bow in her hair; or that strapping boy bounds through the door grinning ear-to-ear in his jeans, jersey, and his baseball cap on backwards -- I don't care who you are: that's cute!!!
3 minutes later things aren't going his way and he's fallen on the floor yelling at the top of his lungs to make it change; she can't find the doll she wants, so she's screaming for immediate assistance until that doll appears...they're not quite so cute any more.
No matter how one looks on the outside, if all's not right on the inside,it's not pretty! You can tell by now that we're considering the heart again. The Biblical story of Samuel anointing David as the next king of Israel illustrates the fact that God cares more about our inner appearance than our outer appearance. "...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
Father, in Psalm 34:22, You promise to redeem the soul of Your servant. Iask you to teach __________ his/her need for You to be the Controller of his/her heart. Create in _______________ a clean heart, O God (Psalm 51:10). Stir his/her heart to love You with all his/her soul, strength, and mind(Matthew 22:37). And Father, teach _________'s parents to recognize any motivation in his/her heart that does not reflect the mind of Christ. Teach us to combine spiritual thoughts with spiritual words, as we lead __________in Your way of right thinking (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).We pray this in the strong name of Jesus!
And for you, the Grandmother or the Grandfather: are you in the habit of basing your actions on the emotion of the moment, or on what you know to be true? ...just a thought :)
3 minutes later things aren't going his way and he's fallen on the floor yelling at the top of his lungs to make it change; she can't find the doll she wants, so she's screaming for immediate assistance until that doll appears...they're not quite so cute any more.
No matter how one looks on the outside, if all's not right on the inside,it's not pretty! You can tell by now that we're considering the heart again. The Biblical story of Samuel anointing David as the next king of Israel illustrates the fact that God cares more about our inner appearance than our outer appearance. "...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
Father, in Psalm 34:22, You promise to redeem the soul of Your servant. Iask you to teach __________ his/her need for You to be the Controller of his/her heart. Create in _______________ a clean heart, O God (Psalm 51:10). Stir his/her heart to love You with all his/her soul, strength, and mind(Matthew 22:37). And Father, teach _________'s parents to recognize any motivation in his/her heart that does not reflect the mind of Christ. Teach us to combine spiritual thoughts with spiritual words, as we lead __________in Your way of right thinking (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).We pray this in the strong name of Jesus!
And for you, the Grandmother or the Grandfather: are you in the habit of basing your actions on the emotion of the moment, or on what you know to be true? ...just a thought :)
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