Families Reconciled in the Lord

For Parents.

Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6:4.

For Children.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Eph. 6:1-3.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 



It is said that blood is thicker than water. What exactly does that mean, anyway? For many it means that we are to stand by and support the lifestyles and actions of family no matter how dysfunctional it gets. For some it might even mean lying for a family member in order to keep them from being incarcerated. Key words in Martin Luther's admonition to obey your parents are the words "in the Lord." God always is the highest authority in our lives. He is our heavenly Father. If He says not to do something, don't do it. If He calls you to do something then just do it. Parents should never provoke or encourage their children to do something that is wrong in the eyes of our Father in heaven.

 

Family is an awesome gift from God. Families make mistakes. They hurt one another. If the family would turn to the Lord they could and would find a way out of the messes that they have wandered into. In turning to the way of the Lord we can find forgiveness and reconciliation. Family is a very good thing. However, we also know that there are times when parents can become so dysfunctional; provoking their children to wrath, encouraging them to do hurtful things to themselves and others; encouraging them to not follow in the ways of the Lord. What is a child to do?

 

Sometimes, even though the parents have done all they could to bring up their children in the way of the Lord, children will turn against their parents, as well. What is a parent to do?

 

For the parents and children who find themselves in these situations and alone without family, don't stop praying for each other that you might all be reconciled in the Lord. Remember, too, that you are a child of God. There is a blood that is thicker than blood and that is the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Our heavenly Father is always with you to support and encourage you in the way that you should go.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Faith Formation Begins at Home

II. The Creed

 
As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

 

I almost went to the first article of the Apostle's Creed for today's blog. But, then I remembered that I have a week-long confirmation class coming up next month. I will be teaching the Apostle's Creed again this year; but, not to youth who have no prior knowledge as to what it means. No, I am not under the impression that they have already learned what it means at home. Those youth who have faithfully attended worship at Zion already know the Apostle's Creed. Those children who have attended Sunday School faithfully have already been taught the Apostle's Creed and what it means by their fifth/sixth grade Sunday School teacher.

 

Martin Luther wrote the Small Catechism so that parents, particularly the heads of the household, would have a simple resource to use to teach their children. Today, most congregations expect their Pastors to teach the older youth these things. 

 

I am most grateful that at Zion, since our youth have such full schedules, that we have a Sunday School Superintendent and teachers who begin this education process at age 3, when during Lent, the Small Catechism is taught. During the rest of the year, they simply use the Holy Bible as their main resource. We believe that what we believe should be taught at an early age. One should not wait until they are in Jr. High to try to cram their memories full in a couple of years. Learning is a process. It does not magically happen overnight. Since we began this curriculum a few years ago, it has been an amazing experience working with confirmands who already have a knowledge base for the faith that they are preparing to profess and that we can build upon.

 

It is most helpful to our young people's faith formation if the learning begins at home. I am more than happy to provide our members with copies of the Small Catechism or you can go to the link above for an online version. When a positive faith formation process is not in place at home; then, it would be a very good idea to bring your children to the place where it can happen - to your local congregation.

Faith formation should not be started when a child turns 11 or 12. It begins at birth. It begins at home.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Punished For The Sins of Your Father?

What Does God Say of All These Commandments?

Answer.

He says thus (Exod. 20:5f): I the Lord, thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me, and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments.

What does this mean?--Answer.
God threatens to punish all that transgress these commandments. Therefore we should dread His wrath and not act contrary to these commandments. But He promises grace and every blessing to all that keep these commandments. Therefore we should also love and trust in Him, and gladly do [zealously and diligently order our whole life] according to His commandments.

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

What God says about these commandments usually brings a few questions from youth during confirmation class. They are sometimes just a bit concerned about whether God will punish them for their parents sins.

I try to reassure them that if a parents rejects God; but, the children love God, God will not punish them for their parents unbelief. Read what Ezekiel 18:14-20 has to say regarding this matter of children being punished for their parents' sins:
“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:

 “He does not eat at the mountain shrines
    or look to the idols of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.
 He does not oppress anyone
    or require a pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
    but gives his food to the hungry
    and provides clothing for the naked.
He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor
    and takes no interest or profit from them.
He keeps my laws and follows my decrees.

He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.

“Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.

And, in Deuteronomy 24:16 we find:  ^"Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin."

So what does it mean for iniquity of the fathers to be visited upon the children unto the third and fourth generation? Children will often follow in the ways that they have learned from their parents; but, not always. Although, we are born with sinful natures; we also learn sinful behaviors. Sometimes, sinful behaviors are learned from and even encouraged by our parents. However, there are those who will find their parents' ways so detestable that they will go in the way in which the Lord leads them.

As parents, we are to teach, with both the words of our lips and our lifestyles, the way in which our children ought to go; the way that is most pleasing to the Lord. We must use caution that our lifestyles do not lead our children in a way that they will experience most unpleasant consequences in this world and the next. As children, we are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and not necessarily in the way that our parents and the world would teach us.

May God help us to love and trust in Him, and gladly live according to His will.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 14:1-5 144,000?

Rev 14:1-5 NIV
I cannot wait to meet these 144,000 who have never lied; who have remained virgins; who are completely blameless. Well, actually verse five says no lie was found in their mouths. In fact, all who believe in the life giving sacrifice of Jesus have had our sins washed away by the blood of the lamb. They no longer exist.

But, I am not sure if this 144,000 refers to all who have been saved by the sacrifice of Jesus or if this vision of 144,000 refers specifically to a sub-group of God's people.

Years ago, I studied with a group who believed that only 144,000 would enter into God's kingdom. The rest of us believers were going to get to live awesomely perfect and eternal lives here on earth. I couldn't quite get that picture into my head. You see, they already knew that the 144,000 slots had been filled and I was informed that I would not get to go to heaven. There was no room left for me. If I joined their church I would get to live here on earth with my family. That was a bit confusing as I am not sure who my family would be. Would that be my children and their children and all their spouses? Would it be my parents and siblings and their multitudes of spouses? How about my husband's family? Would we all be living under the same roof? I have to tell you just as I told them that I want to be with Jesus. I want to be with my Father in heaven. I do not want to live on a new earth no matter how perfect anyone suggests it might be. Eventually, I got shunned by this group of people for insisting living in God's presence would be much more desirable than living eternally in a new house, in a new world, here on earth.

144,000 or so many more than can even be counted, I believe that all who believe that Jesus is Lord will inherit their places in the Kingdom of God for that is what Jesus promised. There will be more than a few of us, who have been washed by the blood of the lamb, singing a new song.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hebrews 12:4-12 - A Father's Discipline

Hebrews 12:4-13 NIV

A father who loves his children will discipline them when needed. No matter how difficult it may seem, he will not turn his eyes the other way and ignore it when his children are on a path of self-destruction. He will also continue to support them and love them just as our heavenly Father loves all of His children.

It can be difficult for a child to receive discipline or reproof from their parents. It causes many to feel as though they are no longer loved. It can be just as painful of an experience for a parent to discipline their child. Yet, it is sometimes necessary. Loving parents will discipline their children as they think best. Sometimes the discipline of earthly parents turns out not so much for the best. But, even then, it is usually because it is the best that the parents know and can give. It is what they have been taught. Most try to discipline lovingly and justly. Human parents make mistakes and sometimes with wrong motivations. However, God does not. He disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

Life can be tough. Yet, through all the lessons we must learn, we will grow in Christ. We will grow up as children of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Timothy 3 - Believe Only What Can Be Supported By Scripture

2 Timothy 3 NIV

Paul tells Timothy that "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..." (vs 12) When I was a young Christian I had a hard time figuring out what this meant. As a much older and hopefully a bit wiser Christian, I now have a better idea. It can be quite a challenge, at times, to live in a society where God is placed on the bottom of the list of his children's priorities, if He's even on that list all. It's difficult to be surrounded by so many people are in love with themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to the parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. (vs 2-5) Paul's not talking here about unbelievers. He's talking about those who profess to believe in God. He's talking about some of the Christians at Ephesus. Paul says simply, "Have nothing to do with such people." (vs 5) That can be most difficult as some of those who would teach and believe such lies are our friends, our neighbors, and often our own family. That, sadly, is a reality.

We live in an age when many who profess to be Christians have heard and believe many false teachings. There are those who profess to be Christian who do not actually believe that Jesus rose from the dead; that He is God. There are those who believe and teach that everyone is saved and that Jesus is not the only way, quite contrary to his word. These denials of the faith must be refuted to protect those who are being led astray by those who would worm their way into homes and gain control over the gullible. We must also pray for those who have been led astray by those who teach and preach to advance their own agendas.

So, what can we do? We can get to know God's word and loving will for us and for all people. Paul encouraged Timothy and the church at Ephesus to "Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (vs 14-17)

We cannot confront lies unless we know the truth. Be diligent, then, in hearing and studying the Word of God found in the Holy Scriptures. You're odds of hearing the truth on television are pretty slim. You must open your Bibles to find it.

Don't forget to click on the link at the top of this page to read the scripture that this blog is based on. You should not trust even my words, unless they can be supported by scripture.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Timothy 5 - Christian Charity

1 Timothy 5 NIV

Zion's Youth Choirt
at Toys for Tots Benefit Concert

In a time when the state was not expected to support the elderly or anyone else, St. Paul exhorts families to care for their elderly relatives, especially their parents, before they are put on the list for the church to care for them. His list of who gets assistance is pretty narrow. He focuses mainly on widows. They are not to be put on the list for assistance unless they are over sixty years old, has been faithful to their husbands, and have been known for their good deeds.

It is, of course, the Christians duty and privilege to care for those in need. Today, we help all in need. Yes, there are definitely those who would take advantage of the church's assistance. There are those who go from one congregation to the next asking for assistance. There are those few who make a career of exploiting Christian charity rather than working themselves. It depletes the funds that could be used for those who are truly in need. In order to help those in genuine need sometimes we have to say no to those who would steal the support we have to offer from the one in real need.

There is an old saying that "charity begins at home." This is not to say that we should indulge ourselves and care only for ourselves; rather, we should look to our own relatives, the aunts and uncles, parents, and grandparents who are in genuine need and care for them so that they do not suffer. If we cannot, then churches or other charitable non-profits such as St. Vincent DePaul should be called on for assistance. Lastly, I believe, the state is there. It seems like we've turned this around a bit today.

Paul gives a list for discerning who is in real need in his letter to Timothy. Then he adds: "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (vs 8)

We are not saved by our good works; rather, the joy of our salvation inspires us to be merciful and caring to those in need. The joy over what Jesus was willing to do for us, inspires us to reach out to others in need. "The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever." (vs 24-25)

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 17:1-5 Glory through Sacrifice and Death

John 17:1-5 NIV
Children love to look good in their parents' eyes. In fact, probably a more than a few are willing "exaggerate" about the good they do and the evil their brothers and sisters do in order to be "glorified" in their earthly father's eyes.

But, when Jesus prayed to be glorified he also knew that:
     1. as he is glorified; the Father is glorified. It was not for selfish reasons that he prayed to be glorified. It was to do the will of His Father and that His Father in heaven be glorified.
     2. That in order to be glorified he would be lifted up on the cross and put to death. Glory doesn't come by deception that makes others look bad or us look better than we are. Glory has nothing to do with deceit. It has everything to do with being lifted up as a sacrifice to death for others. God was glorified in the suffering and death and subsequent resurrection of His Son, Jesus the Christ.

If one feels the desire to pray for God's glory to come upon them, it is the same as praying: I am willing to die; I will give up everything, even my life, so that you, Father, may be glorified.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 15 Return

Luke 15 NIV
It saddens parents when they lose their children; even if it is only because they have graduated from school and move on with their lives as we've spent years preparing them to do. But, what a reunion when they come home! Nor does God rejoice in losing one soul; rather, he rejoices when they are found and return to Him.

Return to the LORD, for He is good and His mercy endures forever....

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 18 - Sins of our Parents

 “Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.
 “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die." (Ezekiel 18:19-21 NIV)

“You shall have no other gods before me.

 You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20:3-6)

 

Whether the children are punished for their parents sins comes up every time we discuss the ten commandments in confirmation classes. Yes, sometimes, the young people, discuss their parents sins! They are not as secret as you might think or hope. Your children know and others know as well. The youth are concerned about your sins; for your sakes as well as for their own. They become especially worried when they hear that they might be punished for something they have not done. I always reassure them that they will not be punished, according to the word we've received through Ezekiel. But, what we have to be careful of is that we do not inherit, by learned behavior, that which is wrong. God has given us His Spirit of Truth, by which we can discern the difference between what is right and what is wrong. We do not have to follow in our parents' footsteps if they have chosen a path which leads us away from God's will for us.

 

Likewise, I think we often tend to blame parents for the sins of their children. Sometimes, the case may be that they have learned these sins from their parents. But, just as often, they may have learned them elsewhere. In today's society there are a lot more adults than parents that children are learning from.

 

Be careful then what we teach our children and our neighbor's children. 

 

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “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.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Eph 6:12)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Lamentations 5 - Prayer of Jeremiah

"The Prayer of Jeremiah," a lament, confession, and plea to restore God's children to Himself.

"Remember, Lord, what has happened to us;
    look, and see our disgrace.
Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers,
    our homes to foreigners.
We have become fatherless,
    our mothers are widows.
We must buy the water we drink; 
   our wood can be had only at a price." (Lam 5:1-4 NIV)

As I read the first few verses of chapter 5 this morning, I thought that it sounded familiar. It sounds a lot like us, today. There is a difference, though. We think that buying water to drink and purchasing fuel for cooking and warmth is the way it should be. It is definitely common practice. Our children are fatherless and/or motherless. In many cases; they have no parent at all; at least none that act like parents. We have many, many homeless children in this country. And... we don't even have enough sense to know that this is a disgrace.  

Since, we don't know that we have been disgraced; we also can't figure out that we need to repent and be reconciled to God and to one another. That, in itself, is a shame.

With the "Prayer of Jeremiah," let us pray:

"Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return;
    renew our days as of old. (Lam 5:21)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 127 - Children Raising Parents

"Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him." (Psalm 127:3 NIV)

For a few of generations now, I have witnessed children being  neglected.  Sure, most, but not all, have adequate food, shelter, clothing, etc.. Most of the children are physically provided for. But, not all of them. This morning, the neglect that I'm thinking of isn't due to lack of caring for physical needs. The neglect that I'm thinking of is when love is withheld. This neglect happens when these precious gifts from God are ignored by their parents. Some are even left to raise their parents because their parents put themselves before all others. They put themselves before God. They put themselves before their children. Sometimes, they have a lot of fun with their children. They horse around and play with them because that makes the parents feel good for the moment and then they are off to do their own thing.

There are some who say that their are many children raising children. Sadly, in many cases it has gone beyond that. The children are raising their parents and they are not equipped. I am not saying that the whole world or all parents are being raised by their children. But, way too many are. It really is up to the parent to raise up a child in the way that they should go. It is not up to the child to take care of the parents needs and desires.

"Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Eph 5:14)

Wake up, as they say, and smell the roses. Your children are a gift from God. Care for them, guide them, teach them, love them as God loves you. Love your children even as they love you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Psalm 111 - Fear and Wisdom

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever." (111:10 NRSV)

Now, we know that we are to love the LORD, our God, with all our heart, our soul, and our strength (Deut 6:5), so what does this mean that we should fear the LORD? Doesn't scripture (1 John 4:18) also say: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."  All of this seems to be a contradiction, does it not?

Think of it in this way. Last week many of our children brought their report cards home from school.  Some of them were afraid to show their parents their grades. They love their parents and their parents love them, yet they were a bit anxious about their parents finding out that while they were in school they were not focusing on the main objective and that would be to receive a good education so that they might have prosperous futures in this world. They had been busy doing their best at something other than what they should have been working on. So they were afraid because they did not want to be exposed. They did not want their parents to know that they had dishonored and disrespected their parents and themselves as well as their teachers and peers, by doing what they ought not and not doing what they ought to. It is not, hopefully not, that they were afraid of their parents. They feared the disapproval of their actions and inactions. They maybe even feared losing their parents love and respect. Maybe, some were just afraid of the consequences; that they might be grounded or have some privileges taken away until they can get back on track and start studying a bit harder. Out of love, parents will give consequences for not going in the way our children should be going. But, in all this, they do not stop loving their children.

There is no fear in love, yet do we not all, in some way, fear not being loved? And, who could love us more than He who was willing to die so that we might live in His loving presence forever?  Over and over again I hear the worries of the people that they may have done something so horrible that God cannot forgive them. How could He possibly love them after all they had done? Like a loving parent, He corrects us, but He never stops loving us. For those who have the wisdom to know that they have not been following in the way of the LORD, our God and Father forgives you all your sins. In this you should trust and have no fear. Do not fear that you cannot be forgiven or loved. He loves you enough to die for you.

Praise the LORD, extol Him with all your heart! Thanks be to God for, in Jesus Christ, His love is made perfect for you!

God's Peace - Pr. J