Our God, He Is Alive

Sing to Me of Heaven

Two Supporting One Another for their to be Honor and Respect

The man leads either toward God or away from God in a family. It is natural for the household to go the way of the man whichever way he walks.

He leads when he does nothing at all, he leads by example. Leading by example is far more powerful than words.

There is an old saying: "More is caught than taught." This is the truth, whichever way the man walks, is the way that influences the children the most.

This is also true of leaders in the church too, they will lead far more by their example than by their teaching.

1 Peter 5:3

"Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."

1 Peter 5:2

"Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;"

Titus 1:7

"For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,:

If a man demonstrates a life attitude of following Christ his children are more likely to follow Christ too. If a man is lazy in his walk, unconcerned about his example to others his children will do the same.

A mother's teachings bear little weight with children if the father is not supporting her as an authority in the lives of the children.

When a man demeans or ignores his wife the children will learn to disrespect their mother. The way the man treats his wife influences the children in the way they treat their mother.

Proverbs 1:8-9 "8

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. 9For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck.…"

Notice in this passage in Proverbs it is both the instruction of the father and the law of the mother that is needed for the children to be emotionally and spiritually healthy. Each must support one another in the way of the Lord.

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Building Quality Relationships

There is only one way to build a quality relationship that lasts a lifetime.

I am sure many people in our culture would say "just letting things go" will keep the relationship intact. This could not be farther from the truth.

Quality relationships are built by expressing concerns and discussing them, with the willingness to place ourselves in someone else's shoes.

Sadly very few people today want to be honest because honesty brings vulnerability. When we are honest we open ourselves to criticism, criticism makes us feel attacked if we are prideful and defensive.

If we are humble and interested in growing in wisdom we will see criticism as an opportunity for self-reflection. Those who are narcissistic are weak inside, unable to expose the slightest flaw within themselves. They see every look at flaws as a devastating weakness. They do not realize a strong person is able to look at all sides of themselves, the good and the ugly.

Strong people are not devastated by facing needed change in their character, they grow as they face warts and flaws. There is only one way to grow in wisdom and that is to regularly self-reflect to evaluate whether there is needed change.

Weak people cannot admit their own flaws, their weakness is seen in their defensiveness. We live in a culture now that considers it foolish to admit flaws. We must remember that the culture as a whole says the opposite of what God says.

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

"9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

10 Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

11 I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, since I was in no respect inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody."

The happiest people are those who know their own weaknesses, admit their flaws, and grow as they experience progress in their walk. There is great joy in changing and growing. It is a wonderful freedom that comes when we are invested in our growth without a need to control anyone else.

There is continual sadness for those who walk in pride having to justify the intimidation and mocking that spills out of their wicked hearts as they seek to control others.

Psalms 1:1-4

"1 Happy is the man who does not go in the company of sinners, or take his place in the way of evil-doers, or in the seat of those who do not give honour to the Lord.

2 But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and whose mind is on his law day and night.

3 He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which gives its fruit at the right time, whose leaves will ever be green; and he will do well in all his undertakings.

4 The evil-doers are not so; but are like the dust from the grain, which the wind takes away."

When Jesus Christ is our focus we have no need or desire to control anyone even ourselves, we allow the Holy Spirit to be in control of us. When He is in control we do not walk in guilt or guile, just pure joy all the time.

Romans 7:22

"For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,"

LWF Program - Strength in Times of Crisis - RA2162

Believing Without Seeing is Faith

John 20:29 "Jesus said unto him, “Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed. Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.”

Anyone who desires to constantly see miracles to keep their faith alive has little faith.

Those who continue to believe God's Word even when they don't see a miracle or when they don't understand is the one with greater faith.

Ignoring Jesus Christ is Serious!

Jesus Christ is called the Word!!!! To ignore His Word, the Bible is to ignore Him.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth"

John 1:1
"1, In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning."