RAVI ZACHARIAS-20/20-THE MEASURE OF A HEALTY VISION ABOUT LOVE

Christianity can be condensed into four words: Admit, Submit, Commit and Transmit. -Samuel Wilberforce

FATHER’S LOVE

Christianity can be condensed into four words: Admit, Submit, Commit and Transmit.- Samuel Wilberforce

Father’s Love

Introduction

Today is Father’s Day. The greatest need in our society today is for fathers who will rise up and assume their God-given role of responsibility in the family. Our text gives basic responsibilities for manhood; but when a man becomes a father, those responsibilities are expanded. Let’s look. Read Ephesian 6:1-4

 1. A godly father loves God

I try to spend as much time as possible with God and my family. That’s more important than anything … (Albert Pujols)
A. The basis upon which happiness is built and priorities of relationship. 
But seek ye first the Kingdome of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto 
you.( Matthew 6:33)
B. If you do not have a right relationship with God, it is impossible to think you can relate properly to others.
C. If you are running from God you will never have peace. Settle that matter first of all, 
There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.(Isaiah 57:2)

2. A godly father loves his wife

The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. (Henry Ward Beecher)
A. Most husbands assume love is sex. While that certainly is a part of love, it is not all, 
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it: (Ephesians 5:25-33 ). 
Real love seeks to meet all the needs of another person.( 1 Corinthians 13:1-13) for a definition of real love.
B. Romantic actions are not an abandonment of your manliness. Open the car door, pull out her chair at dinner, hold her hand and help make the beds, rinse out the tub when you’re finished, the list is endless.
C. Your sons are learning from you how to treat their wives. One day they will treat their wives the same way you treat their mother.

3. A godly father loves his children

There is no friendship, no love, like that of the parent for the child. (Henry Ward Beecher)
A. Love is more than provision for material things. Don’t miss your children’s childhood; there is no second chance at childhood.
B. When discipline is required, do it in love, (Colossians 3:21). Don’t beat them up out of anger.
C. Children interpret time spent with them as love. Forget “quality time” vs. “quantity time”

4. A godly father is a man of integrity

God is the archetypal Father; all other fatherhood is a more or less imperfect copy of his perfect fatherhood. (F.F. Bruce)
A. “. . . to do justly . . . walk uprightly. . .” “Integrity” has become almost a forgotten word. The highest elected office in our land is tainted with the smell of corruption and a liar.
B. We are called to rise above that and be men of integrity.
C. It should permeate every area of our lives. In the workplace; an honest day’s toil, in the home; fulfilled promises, in personal business; prompt payment of obligations, in other relationships; commitment to fulfill my commitments.

5. A godly father is a role model of God

Train up a child in the way he should go – but be sure you go that way yourself. (Charles Spurgeon)
A. The image of a father nowadays is not always a good one. Over half the children in America grow up without a father in the home. Often abandoned by their father or the father is maligned.
B. Sexual abuse by the father is on the rise. Then, we tell children that God is their Heavenly Father!
C. Small wonder that they are afraid of Him. God help us! Dad, you are shaping your child’s concept of his/her Heavenly Father. They see him as you.

#Conclusion

The Word of God is challenging you to be a godly father today! Will you be a godly father to your children? We have best example of the father our Heavenly God who loves us so much who gave one and Only Son for us on the Cross, John 3:16 tells us. His Death gives us life but not just a life but eternal life.
Story:
John Griffith, the Bridge Operator at Mississippi River (1929-1937) 
that is an amazing story of Father’s Lord .

Anwar Ze Shan

IN HONOR OF MOTHERS EVERYWHERE Jesus secured His mothers future on the cross. He deeply loved Mary.

Christianity can be condensed into four words: Admit, Submit, Commit and Transmit. -Samuel Wilberforce

In Honor of Mothers Everywhere.

Jesus secured His mothers future on the cross. He deeply loved Mary. Mothers are beyond measure.


26When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 
27Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.John 19:26-27 

(NASB)THE BIBLE)

LOVE-A MATTER OF HEART

Christianity can be condensed into four words: Admit, Submit, Commit and Transmit. -Samuel Wilberforce

I NEED MERCY ! How Much Mercy Do You Need?

How Much Mercy Do You Need?

Just in case you were concerned that all this talk of mercy and justice was only an Old Testament concept; today I share the words of Jesus.  Matthew records Jesus’ scolding words in Matthew 23.  If you are afraid to come to Jesus because of some sin you carry, if you have never accepted the amazing gift of God’s grace and mercy that Jesus embodies, if you think becoming a follower of Christ is all about following rules, keep in mind the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 23 are not for the “sinner.”  Jesus never spoke harshly to a sinner.  God didn’t sacrifice His only Son to lord your sin over you or simply for the pleasure of reminding you how wrong you are.

Too Weary to Love

Jesus’ words in this passage are for those who claim His name.  Jesus’ words do sting, only because God wants His followers to be HIS ambassadors, not free agents who claim His name.  The call of the Christian is not to make our own rules.  The call of Jesus is not to disregard the rules.  The call of Jesus is to give the rules the proper weight.

A few days ago, in the post, Accept No Substitutions I shared my real-life experience with the concept Jesus was trying to get across.  As I read this passage, it stings my heart because I’m content to do my best at what I’m good at doing.  I will, in essence, give a tithe of my spices; for me that’s easy.  Jesus is saying that isn’t enough.

When I look at the call to be merciful, just and loyal, it’s then I realize I underestimate my need for God’s mercy.  How can I possibly be merciful to others, if I don’t completely understand the magnitude of God’s mercy to me?    How can I act justly if I see others as different from me in our need for a Savior?

Seeking God’s Mercy

This month as I’ve read about and pondered the notion of justice and mercy I’ve come to realize how my heart harnesses and stifles God’s goodness.  I’ll admit, I need salvation.  I’ll admit, I need grace.  I’m reluctant to admit I need mercy. Remember, mercy is not getting the punishment you deserve.  If I’m reluctant to admit I need mercy, I’m not very likely to act in mercy toward others.

Have you asked God for His mercy?  How much do you think you need?  A few weeks ago, I would have shrugged at both of those questions.  I’ve come to realize I need an infinite supply of His mercy.  I can follow the rules good enough to be accepted by those around me, but I need a huge, daily shot of God’s mercy; more than I ever realized, to be truly obedient.  I need God’s mercy not only to be obedient in my motives and actions, but also to make sense of the world around me.

Lamentations 3 is one of my favorite chapters.  I looked at it differently today.  Life is a constant barrage of consequences, inconvenience, suffering and in some cases pain.  In the middle of all of that, regardless of the situation, God offers new mercy each morning.

For what?  To make it through the day.  Each day, I need to rely on God’s mercy for the events of the day.  I need God’s mercy; not for some Herculean task but simply to make it through the day.  I need mercy.

How about you?

Father, thank you for your infinite mercy.  Thank you for giving it freely.  Help me truly understand your desire, not for robotic obedience, to act in justice and mercy and to seek a deeper relationship with You.

By Rachel Stephenson • February 14, 2014 

Reblogged from http://blog.febc.org/faith/much-mercy-need

JOHN PIPER-JOY AS THE POWER TO SUFFER IN PATH OF LOVE FOR THE SAKE OF LIBERATION

Joy As the Power to Suffer in the Path of Love for the Sake of Liberation

http://vimeo.com/60122673

 desiringGod.org

TEACHING MORE THAN THE ABC’S-THE HOLY ALPHABET

 TEACHING MORE THAN THE ABC’S

 

 

Someone posted the following on Facebook yesterday, and I thought it was not only beautiful, but also a great way to teach the children their alphabet.  In fact, it is an alphabet about the Alpha and Omega, so it serves to glorify Christ as well!  I have changed it slightly.

THE HOLY ALPHABET

 

Although things are not perfect

Because of trial or pain

Continue in thanksgiving

Do not begin to blame

Even when the times are hard

Fierce winds are bound to blow

God is forever able

Hold to what you know

Imagine life without His love

Joy would cease to be

Keep thanking Him for all the things

Love imparts to thee

Move out of “camp complaining”

No weapon that is known

On earth can yield the power

Praise can do alone

Quit looking at the future

Redeem the time at hand

Start every day with worship

To “thank” is a command

Until we see Him coming

Victorious in the sky

We’ll run the race with gratitude

Xavier’s God most high

Yes, there’ll be good times and bad, but

Zion waits in glory, where none are ever sad!

 

Train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old, he will not depart from it!

http://skipslighthouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/teaching-more-than-abcs.html

CHRIST LOVE THE CHURCH-WILLIAM MACDONALD

Christ Loved The Church

Submitted by William MacDonald on Sun, 06/01/2008 – 05:03

• The Church Which is His Body

• 

  Great Truths About the Church

• The Local Church Defined

• The Headship of Christ

• The Holy Spirit in the Church

  Discipline in the Church

• Expansion of the Church

• Ordained of God

• Coming to God

• The Bishops

• Those Who Serve

• Taking Our Place – The Ministry of Women

• http://www.plymouthbrethren.org/series/6074

Under the Influence of Love

Mary Southerland

Girlfriends in God

Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV) "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Dan and I once lived in a neighborhood of predominantly retired people who became surrogate grandparents, aunts and uncles for our two children since both of our families lived several states away. The one exception was the older couple that lived behind us. They complained about almost everything we did. Our kids were too loud. Our dog barked too much. Our garbage can was six inches over their property line. It was not unusual to find cryptic notes and warnings taped to our front door or wedged under the windshield wipers of our car. I not only considered them to be sandpaper people, I thought of them as a nuisance. In dealing with these neighbors, our children taught me an important lesson about the power of identifying and meeting a need in the life of a sandpaper person.

The Southerlands have many family Christmas traditions. When our two children, Jered and Danna, were young, we made Christmas cards for special friends and family members. Since we lived in South Florida, cold weather rarely ushered in the holiday season and I could not get past the idea that when Christmas rolled around, the grass was supposed to be brown - not bright green, and the climate was supposed to be cold - not hot and humid. Our solution was to turn the air conditioner on and lower the temperature until the house was cold enough to turn on the gas fireplace. We listened to Christmas music while baking sugar cookies and making our special Christmas cards. In the midst of one of those Hallmark moments, Jered, looked up at me and said, "Mom, are we going to make them a Christmas card?" I had an idea who them was but desperately hoped I was wrong. I wasn't. "You know, Mom, the Smiths," Jered explained.

Being the spiritual giant that I am, I responded, "Son, why would you want to make them a Christmas card? They are mean!" How is that for loving your neighbor? But the Smiths had complained about something we were doing wrong almost every day that week, and I had just about reached the end of any patience I had ever had with them. "But Mom, I never see any kids at their house. Nobody ever comes to visit them and they don't even have a dog," Jered insisted. We made Christmas cards for the Smiths.

When the kids wanted to deliver those cards, I suggested that they wait until their dad came home so he could get in on the fun. I know. I am evil. Nope! Those cards had to be delivered immediately. I was clearly outnumbered. As we headed out the door, Danna yelled, "Wait! I forgot the books!" Okay. I was clueless. Why in the world would we need books? With a sigh of exasperation, Danna said, "Because they might want to read to us, Mom!" She didn't say it, but I could hear the silent "duh."

Books and cards in hand, we once again headed out the door when Jered suggested, "Mom, we should take them some of the cookies we made." Now that was asking too much! My sugar cookies are a "must" for every special holiday and considered by many to be "scrumptious." And now my children wanted to waste some of those precious cookies on people who would probably toss them in the garbage.

However, the silent plea of our son's blue eyes persuaded me to add a Christmas tin of my delicious sugar cookies to our quickly growing stack of nice things to take to people who were definitely not nice. With every step, I prayed that the Smiths would not be home. I rang the doorbell and after a whole thirty seconds, turned to Jered and Danna and said, "Too bad! They are not home. We can come back later." At that precise moment, Mr. Smith opened the door and barked, "What do you people want?" I could see the headline, "Pastor's Wife Arrested in Neighborhood Disturbance." It was one thing to be mean to me, but when someone is mean to my kids - well, let's just say it isn't pretty.

As I counted to ten for the second time, Jered thrust the Christmas cards into the man's hands and said, "We made you something and it's free!" No way! It was not possible! I thought I saw the beginning of a smile on Mr. Smith's face. Danna chose that particular moment to hand Mr. Smith the cookies. "And these are for your mother," she said, her big, brown eyes sparkling with excitement. Great! With six words, my daughter had just aged Mrs. Smith by twenty years.

And then it happened. Mr. Smith smiled, stepped back into the house and called, "Mother, we have company." For two hours, the Smiths read books, ate sugar cookies and raved about the beautiful cards the kids had made. When we finally left, Mr. Smith said, "Such lovely children. You should have more!" Mrs. Smith hugged the kids and asked, "Why didn't you bring the dog?" I was speechless. And I was ashamed. My heart cried out to God, "Lord, I am so sorry for being so blind to the needs of these people. Please forgive me." But that is not the end of the story.

The Smiths became friends and great neighbors. Weeks later, Mr. Smith had a heart attack and was hospitalized for several days. Dan was able to visit him and share Christ with a man who simply needed someone to recognize the deepest need of his life - and do something about it. Our children led the way and taught me a powerful lesson about the depth and height of God's stubborn love and what can happen when we are under the influence of that love.

Father, please forgive me for refusing to love the sandpaper people in my life. Right now, I choose to let Your love flow through me as I deal with difficult people. Let me see them through Your eyes. Show me how I can meet a need in their lives and then give me the wisdom and strength to meet that need.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

• Ask God to let you see one need in the life of your sandpaper person that you can meet.
• Pray for that person and then make a specific plan for meeting that need.
• Read and memorize Matthew 5:22-24. How does this passage of Scripture apply to your difficult relationships?

We all need help in dealing with difficult people. Every relationship comes to our life with God's permission and has a purpose that will help us grow and mature as a follower of Christ. Right now, thank God for what He is doing in your life through your sandpaper person.

Mary Southerland is the author of Sandpaper People, Escaping the Stress Trap, and several other books. Mary also writes for and coordinates the Girlfriends in Goddevotional available through Crosswalk.com. Connect with Mary on Facebook or viaemail.

Publication date: December 1, 2010

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