CONNECTING More Than CORRECTING

A post by Angela Randall

A friend of mine is doing an amazing job raising a strong willed child, without breaking his spirit.  It can be draining at times, but she lovingly and patiently perseveres with diligence.  

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Play, Play, Play

This past week, as I’ve watched my children play, I remember Jesus’ words:  “let the children come to me.”  Click Here To Read More

From Angela Randall

randallsinthailand.blogspot.com

The extra 10 commandments

[Picture by:Sofia Di]

Luke 10:41 Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.

In our media society, we are bombarded with information. We have magazines, Internet articles, news papers, research papers, TV advertisements. It looks to me that all the information we receive from the media is adding commandments to the 10 commandments. By this I mean, I've read articles that have titles like: "10 things you should do to make your husband happy." "10 things to do to have the perfect family." "10 things to buy to be successful." "10 things to do to bond with your children."  All this information has the potential to add stress, condemnation and worry into our lives.  Apparently, Martha was not free from the "to do" influence back in her time either.

Sometimes, we fall in the same trap Martha fell. I wouldn't be surprised if  Martha, read a magazine the day before Jesus came to her house where it said: "10 things you have to do to be a good hostess."  Martha represents man's effort, self-reliance, self-righteousness. Martha was not depending on Jesus' love and grace to be a successful hostess. She wanted to please him with her own means and her own strength. On the other hand, Mary represents those who receive God's love and grace.  Mary was observing Jesus, she thought: "Jesus loves me!" "He will die for me and my sins will be washed away!" "If I sit and listen to him, I will be saved by his grace not by my own efforts." This is the reason why Jesus said that the good part, her salvation, was not going to be taken away from her.

 Luke 10:41 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.  

Jesus kept things very simple. He reduced the 10 commandments in one "LOVE" In John 15:17 he says: "This is what I command you: that you love one another." Now, he didn't say this for us to become weary and self-conscious like Martha. He does not wants us to love our children or family out of our own strength. We can do nothing without him. Also, if you read carefully, the first verses of this chapter (John 15), Jesus tells us that the only way we can bear a fruit of love is to remain in him. We need to remain conscious of his finished work at the cross.  

If we try follow rules in the bible or in the world out of self- effort like Martha, we can become overwhelm and bitter. Martha ended up being a really bad hostess. She accused Jesus of "not caring," she also bashed her sister in front of everyone else--how embarrassing!  That is the result we'll get if we try to love and "do things" without first feeding on Jesus' finished work at the cross.

When we rely on Jesus' sacrifice for our success then our house, family and children will be saved from any situation. When we rely on what he has done, the good part will not be taken away from us. Jesus' sacrifice represents salvation from the curse of this world and salvation for our souls!

Next time you read anything that talks about what you should be doing, think twice before you believe it. Remember, one thing is necessary--what Jesus has done. Rely on Jesus' grace to bless your marriage, your children and your family. Meditate in God's love for you. He was nailed on the cross to deliver you from disease, sin, death, divorce, poverty, unforgiveness. He hung on that cross to restore your children back to God! He payed for any mistake you've made as a mom.  He has forgiven all of your sins!

                                                                                                    Posted by: Sofia Di

Do you see Christ in your children?

 
When our children make mistakes, we overlook their position in Christ. We tend to focus on their bad behavior.   I've heard parent's call their kids names, such as, "dumb", "clumsy", "silly" when they make mistakes. This is the opposite of what Apostle Paul did when he heard his children were misbehaving.

Paul was the spiritual father of the church in Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 4:15 The church in Corinthians was considered by man an immoral church. They committed worst sins than an unbeliever. Not only were they sinning, but they were also proud of their sin. 1 Corinthians 5:2.

Paul was a wise father. He realized that the  problem with his children began when they removed their eyes from Jesus Christ.  In 1 Corinthians 3:4   Paul told his children that they were acting just like everyone else in the world because they were focusing on men and not on Jesus. This attitude lead them to pride, envy, jealousy, and sexual immorality.

Paul dealt with the root of their sin problem by turning their attention towards Jesus, which is an important lesson we can learn from him. When our children make mistakes, Instead of telling them how great their sin is, we can tell them about what Jesus did at the cross for all of us. There is no greater wisdom or speech than that. God's power is released when the message of the cross is being preached.

 1 Corinthians 2:1 "And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 18 For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.

 Since Jesus died on the cross for the Corinthians church, Paul resolved to see Christ in them. For Paul, their identity was no longer based on their performance. Instead, it was based on Jesus' finished work. That is the reason why in 1 Corinthians 1  Paul calls his children: "Us who have been saved," "sanctified in Christ Jesus," "temple of the Holy Spirit."

If we look at the things Paul mention in 1 Corinthians 1:4, we realized that he proclaims to his children grace and peace from God. Paul knew that all their pride would diminish if his children turned their eyes towards Jesus' grace; there is no room for pride when we are humbled by the death and resurrection of our Lord.   Then, Paul announces them that they have been enriched in Christ; there is no room for jealousy when we know about the resources available for us in Christ. Paul also reassures their salvation by faith. He tells them that God will sustain them without guilt on the day of judgment; sin loses its power when we believe we are saved by Jesus not by our own "lawful" works. 1 Corinthians 15:56  "For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power." Lastly, he encourages them to come closer to God; a genuine transformation occurs when we fellowship with God.

1 Corinthians 1:4 "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 


As parents we need to turn our eyes away from ourselves and away from our children's behavior. We need to look at Jesus. We must receive the freedom, right standing, forgiveness, salvation and restoration that Jesus has given us.  Only then, we will be able to see our children's identity in Christ. Only then, we will  be able to share the message of the cross. The proclamation of the cross will empower our children to do what is right.  The proclamation of their identity in Christ, apart from their behavior, will set them free from the power of sin.  Romans 6:14 "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."

Post by: Sofia Di 

Thoughts on parenting

Post by: Sofia Di

[Picture by Sofia Di]

My husband and I are expecting our first child. I am 32 weeks pregnant. As my due date approaches I have started to wonder about raising my baby boy. How can I make sure he will shine in the midst of a dark world?  I am glad I have the word of my father God to teach me how to raise my children. 

God shares with us his parenting secrets in his word. God is our heavenly father.  He is a good father. His mercies and compassions are new every morning. He has given us the best gift of all; His son Jesus Christ. He wants the best for his children. I want to parent my children the way God parents his children.

 

Ephesians 5:1-2 (MSG) Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. 

The previous verses direct our attention to see, observe and receive God's love for  us. Our father teaches us by lavishing us with love and attention. We can learn from him by spending time with him. We learn of his grace when we make mistakes; he picks us up and then he restores us.  We can learn how much he loves us when we observe him taking our sin and our disease upon him.  God's love for us is extravagant and unconditional! God blesses us without expecting anything in return. He sent his son Jesus to the cross to save us regardless of whether we accept him or not.  

Ephesians tells us that children learn proper behavior by observing their parents. God's love in us will produce a tangible fruit. Our kids will be happy to eat and learn from it.  If we encounter the love of God we are transformed from the inside out. Therefore, everything around us will be transformed---including our children. Just remember, it is God's love that produces genuine fruit. "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"  Romans 2:4

If you continue to read the following verses in Ephesians 5, you will notice there is a list of "BIG No-Nos".  God knows that the cure for sin is his extravagant love and grace. That is why he asks us to receive his love. That is why it is important also to teach our kids with love and grace. "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." Romans 6:14

We can receive God's love by meditating on what Jesus Christ did at the cross. He took all our sin and all our needs at the cross. Today, because of his death and resurrection, every challenge we face will bow down at the mention of his name. " This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."  1 John 4:10

  

Dear reader, maybe you are facing challenges with your children. Maybe you are a new mom. Perhaps, you are a mom in progress---just like me. In any case, let's believe in Jesus' finished work at the cross. Only then will his spirit empower us to love like him. Only then our kids will shine in the midst of a dark world." They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." Acts 16:31

Who is the builder of your house?

By: Sofia Di

[©Sofia Di]

    Psalms 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 

      My first job as a wife is to believe in Jesus Christ and rest in His finished work. In this way, I can have an assurance that none of my imperfect efforts to build my house will fail. It is easy to rest when I know that He is the watchmen and the builder of my house.

   The other day I was reading a story about Abraham. I noticed that even though he was declared righteous, he was not a perfect man. Abraham didn't do everything right to build his marriage. The only thing he did right was to believe in the Lord, which gave him a right standing before God. When we have right standing before God we are qualified to be blessed.
    In Genesis 20, we learn that after Abraham was declared righteous he made a selfish mistake. He lied about his wife to protect his own life. The bible tells us that Abraham said of his beautiful wife, "she is my sister". He was afraid that Abimelech, king of Gerar, would try to kill him because of Sarah's beauty. Abraham was somehow right, King Abimelech liked Sarah and took her for himself.

     If we think about this part of the story, we realized that Abraham jeopardized his marriage in a huge way! His decision was hurtful for Sarah. She probably believed that her husband didn't cherish her. She probably felt insecure, unloved, and disposable. Sarah could have been dishonored, used by a king and then remain for ever captive in a harem. Perhaps she would have become the king's wife. Abraham could have lost every chance to bring her back to him.

    The events on the story are showing us that Abraham was not taking care of his wife or his marriage as he should have but his mistakes were not bigger than his God! Later on, we learn that God spoke to this King in dreams and forbid him to touch Sarah. God protected Abraham's wife and his marriage.

   Genesis 20 verse 6-7 God said to Abimelech in the dream, "Yes, I know your intentions were pure, that's why I kept you from sinning against me; I was the one who kept you from going to bed with her. So now give the man's wife back to him. He's a prophet and will pray for you—pray for your life. If you don't give her back, know that it's certain death both for you and everyone in your family."

    How faithful our God is! He was taking care of Abraham's marriage. This is exactly what happens when we let God be the builder and watchmen of our marriage. We do not have to be afraid of something bad happening to it. We just need to remember that God is the one who protects our husband, his job, life, character, health, finances, integrity, purity.
       Abraham's wife and marriage were saved because God declared him righteous. Today because of what Jesus did at the cross, when we believe, we are declared the righteousness of God. Therefore, We have access to a blessed marriage.

    Like Abraham, there will be times that we will do everything right to build our house. There will be times we will make mistakes. Hence the importance to believe in the Lord. Lets remember that not even the best of our efforts are enough to build our house. Only Jesus' work at the cross is perfect and sufficient to save, build and restore our marriages.

      If you've made mistakes while building your marriage, tell Jesus that you believe He is your help. Invite him to be the builder or re-builder of your home. His love will empower you to do what you need to do. His power will restore everything that has been broken.