I would say that one of the most difficult areas of ministry is family. Parents see you as a child no matter your age; brothers and sisters never forget the rotten child you were when growing up; teenagers write you off as being disconnected from their reality. The only ones who really listen are the younger children, but that does not absolve us from our responsibility to witness to our family our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. After all, the message is so powerful it often overcomes the short comings of the messenger. We have many examples of what happens when we neglect our responsibility to minister to our family.
Eli is a glaring example of what can happen when a father doesn't deal with the spiritual matters in his children's lives. Here he was, the priest in Israel and his sons assisted him. But they were terrible sons, exploiting the people, having sex with the temple servant girls and abusing the sacrifices to Yahweh. All Israel knew what these sons were up to and so did Eli:
Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. (1 Samuel 2:22-23)
But notice that he simply spoke with them, instead of removing them from their responsibilities. At least he spoke to them, but he didn't deal with it when they ignored him. Because Eli did not take care of it Yahweh was forced to. His charge was clear:
Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’ (v. 29)
Those sons were not just causing trouble for their father but were affecting all of Israel, so Yahweh stepped in but he also dealt with Eli. Sometimes we act as if we are not accountable, but Yahweh will correct us, especially if we are affecting his children. He requires us to take a stand for him, even if it means coming against those we love. He expects us to correct our children.
It is not a matter of opinion. We can't afford to do what we want. Regardless of the price we must stand with Jesus. Have you not read his words, that we must love him above all others? Our allegiance is to our King far more than to even our family. Do what is right and the Lord will honour it and you.
Showing posts with label 1 Samuel 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 Samuel 2. Show all posts
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Sunday, February 2, 2014
The Unquestionable Importance Of Godly Fathers
Fathers have an awesome responsibility that needs to be taken seriously. Perhaps this is why the enemy seems to be so bent on discouraging fathers, so they will not walk in their responsibilities. It doesn't take much to discourage a father because the task is a big one and this is why they need all the encouragement possible. This is why they need a supportive and encouraging wife.
I am a fortunate and rich man because of my wife. She never takes away from me but constantly adds to me, equipping me to be a better father. She gently points out from time to time little things I may have overlooked and often it is in those small details that they greatest parts of the responsibilities lie.
Fathers are encouragers, supporters, enablers, life coaches. Yet they are so much more. They are an example of true manliness to their sons and daughters. How they treat their wife sets the tone for their sons and seeds into their daughter the kind of husband they should seek.
Fathers have the tremendous responsibility to demonstrate Jesus to his children and to be the spiritual leader over the family. He sets the example of holiness, dedication, service, fortitude, perseverance, determination, faithfulness and faith. His children will measure good and evil by this example and how they seek a relationship with Jesus will spring from this, because a father must disciple his children.
Fathers are also correctors which is something the enemy is definitely trying to guilt fathers out of because if fathers don't correct, the enemy can do what he wants. Correction is something we all face, must learn how to accept, and how to grow from it. Fathers must accept this responsibility because if we don't, we risk raising children like the sons of Eli.
Eli knew what his sons were doing and he spoke with them about it:
“Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the Lord’s people transgress. If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?” (1 Samuel 2:23-25)
Samuel spoke with them but sometimes words don't work. Sometimes when Yahweh corrects us he speaks to us through his Word and other people. But when we do not listen, he will use hardships to bring correction. Not my opinion, it is the Word that tells us so. (Hebrews 12) Eli should have removed his sons to save their lives. He should have corrected them for the sake of them, the family and the people of Israel. But he didn't. Even though he was aware of what they were doing he left them in their responsibilities. It resulted in the death of all of them and ushered in a difficult period for Israel.
A father's correction does not bring death but life. The discipline you apply today could save your child's life tomorrow. More importantly, that correction could keep them from spiritual death. It is not easy for a father to correct from the motivation of love. Often we resent being put in that position and even become angry. So we either avoid correction or over correct in anger. We need to correct with the perspective of our Father, for the benefit of our children.
It is not easy being a father and the responsibility can feel heavy at times. I should know, having eleven children of my own. I know what it is to feel like a complete failure and to be a complete failure. I know what it is to look at situations and problems that I have created by not standing in my responsibility. I own my mistakes but I also surrender my mistakes to the One who brings healing and restoration. Fathers, we are not alone in our tasks. If we seek the Lord he will give us wisdom. We are told to ask for it and believe that we have received it. Let the motivation of everything we do be love, including correction, and our children will call us blessed in our old age. Our children need their fathers and the Lord is asking us to stand in our responsibilities. Will you stand?
I am a fortunate and rich man because of my wife. She never takes away from me but constantly adds to me, equipping me to be a better father. She gently points out from time to time little things I may have overlooked and often it is in those small details that they greatest parts of the responsibilities lie.
Fathers are encouragers, supporters, enablers, life coaches. Yet they are so much more. They are an example of true manliness to their sons and daughters. How they treat their wife sets the tone for their sons and seeds into their daughter the kind of husband they should seek.
Fathers have the tremendous responsibility to demonstrate Jesus to his children and to be the spiritual leader over the family. He sets the example of holiness, dedication, service, fortitude, perseverance, determination, faithfulness and faith. His children will measure good and evil by this example and how they seek a relationship with Jesus will spring from this, because a father must disciple his children.
Fathers are also correctors which is something the enemy is definitely trying to guilt fathers out of because if fathers don't correct, the enemy can do what he wants. Correction is something we all face, must learn how to accept, and how to grow from it. Fathers must accept this responsibility because if we don't, we risk raising children like the sons of Eli.
Eli knew what his sons were doing and he spoke with them about it:
“Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the Lord’s people transgress. If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?” (1 Samuel 2:23-25)
Samuel spoke with them but sometimes words don't work. Sometimes when Yahweh corrects us he speaks to us through his Word and other people. But when we do not listen, he will use hardships to bring correction. Not my opinion, it is the Word that tells us so. (Hebrews 12) Eli should have removed his sons to save their lives. He should have corrected them for the sake of them, the family and the people of Israel. But he didn't. Even though he was aware of what they were doing he left them in their responsibilities. It resulted in the death of all of them and ushered in a difficult period for Israel.
A father's correction does not bring death but life. The discipline you apply today could save your child's life tomorrow. More importantly, that correction could keep them from spiritual death. It is not easy for a father to correct from the motivation of love. Often we resent being put in that position and even become angry. So we either avoid correction or over correct in anger. We need to correct with the perspective of our Father, for the benefit of our children.
It is not easy being a father and the responsibility can feel heavy at times. I should know, having eleven children of my own. I know what it is to feel like a complete failure and to be a complete failure. I know what it is to look at situations and problems that I have created by not standing in my responsibility. I own my mistakes but I also surrender my mistakes to the One who brings healing and restoration. Fathers, we are not alone in our tasks. If we seek the Lord he will give us wisdom. We are told to ask for it and believe that we have received it. Let the motivation of everything we do be love, including correction, and our children will call us blessed in our old age. Our children need their fathers and the Lord is asking us to stand in our responsibilities. Will you stand?
Saturday, February 1, 2014
What Evil Lurks In The Heart Of ....
The more I study Scripture and put it in the context of today, the more disturbed I become. There is just something wrong with so many people claiming Jesus with no passion to live in his righteousness. I look around and see everyone doing what they think is best and their best is sometimes evil. By evil I mean that it is contrary to the character of Yahweh, who is holy. How can we say that we love Jesus and lack great passion for his name?
I know we all go to great churches and we sing loud, with great joy, and we feel in our hearts that we love Jesus. That is really great and I am glad for that passion but what about the passion to walk right before him, all the time? What about the passion to know what pleases our LORD and to do those things, all the time? What about the passion for his holiness and to live according to it, all the time? It is far too easy to know of Jesus, think we are okay and yet not be known by Jesus because we are not united with him.
There are many who call upon Jesus' name for all kinds of things and who do great things in his name, who will be rejected by Jesus on the day we stand before him. It is too easy to look like we are walking with him and yet in our hearts live an evil life; things contrary to his character. It reminds me of Eli's sons and later Samuel's.
These boys had great father's who served the LORD holding nothing back, but this passion and dedication was not passed on to the sons. This sort of thing cannot be passed on to someone else unless it is first birthed in their heart. Yet, these sons stood in positions of spiritual responsibilities and did evil. How is this possible?
Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord. (1 Samuel 2:12)
It was possible because they did not know the LORD. Their great sin was that they changed the regulations of the sacrifices to their own advantage. They took from sincere worshipers the sacrifices being made to Yahweh and used them selfishly. The end result was terrible:
Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for men abhorred the offering of the Lord. (v. 17)
Their actions turned people away from Yahweh; they made something of beauty and love very ugly and unattractive to the sincere worshiper. This is why it was very great before the LORD because they were interfering in the relationship. Remember Jesus' harsh words for those who would prevent the children of Yahweh from approaching him.
We don't get to do whatever we want. We have clear instructions to walk in the righteousness of our LORD. We need to be checking ourselves to see that our faith is sincere and understand that our Father does test the sincerity of that faith from time to time. It is better to be tested here then to find out as we stand before Jesus that it was not genuine.
We need to understand that any insincerity on our part can be a stumbling block to others. It is also important that we do not put anyone in authority who does not have a sincere faith. They may have all the words, know all the ceremonies, know the key Bible passages to quote but have a heart possessed by evil, selfish thinking, jealousies and pettiness; things contrary to the character of Yahweh.
The bottom line is that we should all have a constant desire and passion to increase in our maturity, to grow into the fullness of Jesus. There is never a time that we can afford to sit back and relax, to be entertained, to retire because there is no retirement for the children of Yahweh in this place. If we are not pushing forward we are losing ground. If we are not growing in our relationship then our passion is growing cold. We should have a growing desire to have more of Jesus and he should be our constant thought and motivation. Never should we see the blessings of the Lord simply for our use because they have been given to us as tools to do the work we have been given to do.
Lord Jesus, change our perspective and thinking. Change our heart that we would shake off the lullaby sung over us by this world as it tries to put us to sleep spiritually to rape us carnally. Open our eyes to you, that we would be caught up in such passion for your name that our great desire would be for your righteousness. Strengthen and encourage us to live for you and you alone, pouring all that we are and all that we have into your mission. Forgive us for our failures and help us to walk the highway of holiness where nothing can prevail against us.
I know we all go to great churches and we sing loud, with great joy, and we feel in our hearts that we love Jesus. That is really great and I am glad for that passion but what about the passion to walk right before him, all the time? What about the passion to know what pleases our LORD and to do those things, all the time? What about the passion for his holiness and to live according to it, all the time? It is far too easy to know of Jesus, think we are okay and yet not be known by Jesus because we are not united with him.
There are many who call upon Jesus' name for all kinds of things and who do great things in his name, who will be rejected by Jesus on the day we stand before him. It is too easy to look like we are walking with him and yet in our hearts live an evil life; things contrary to his character. It reminds me of Eli's sons and later Samuel's.
These boys had great father's who served the LORD holding nothing back, but this passion and dedication was not passed on to the sons. This sort of thing cannot be passed on to someone else unless it is first birthed in their heart. Yet, these sons stood in positions of spiritual responsibilities and did evil. How is this possible?
Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord. (1 Samuel 2:12)
It was possible because they did not know the LORD. Their great sin was that they changed the regulations of the sacrifices to their own advantage. They took from sincere worshipers the sacrifices being made to Yahweh and used them selfishly. The end result was terrible:
Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for men abhorred the offering of the Lord. (v. 17)
Their actions turned people away from Yahweh; they made something of beauty and love very ugly and unattractive to the sincere worshiper. This is why it was very great before the LORD because they were interfering in the relationship. Remember Jesus' harsh words for those who would prevent the children of Yahweh from approaching him.
We don't get to do whatever we want. We have clear instructions to walk in the righteousness of our LORD. We need to be checking ourselves to see that our faith is sincere and understand that our Father does test the sincerity of that faith from time to time. It is better to be tested here then to find out as we stand before Jesus that it was not genuine.
We need to understand that any insincerity on our part can be a stumbling block to others. It is also important that we do not put anyone in authority who does not have a sincere faith. They may have all the words, know all the ceremonies, know the key Bible passages to quote but have a heart possessed by evil, selfish thinking, jealousies and pettiness; things contrary to the character of Yahweh.
The bottom line is that we should all have a constant desire and passion to increase in our maturity, to grow into the fullness of Jesus. There is never a time that we can afford to sit back and relax, to be entertained, to retire because there is no retirement for the children of Yahweh in this place. If we are not pushing forward we are losing ground. If we are not growing in our relationship then our passion is growing cold. We should have a growing desire to have more of Jesus and he should be our constant thought and motivation. Never should we see the blessings of the Lord simply for our use because they have been given to us as tools to do the work we have been given to do.
Lord Jesus, change our perspective and thinking. Change our heart that we would shake off the lullaby sung over us by this world as it tries to put us to sleep spiritually to rape us carnally. Open our eyes to you, that we would be caught up in such passion for your name that our great desire would be for your righteousness. Strengthen and encourage us to live for you and you alone, pouring all that we are and all that we have into your mission. Forgive us for our failures and help us to walk the highway of holiness where nothing can prevail against us.
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