Husbands Do You Love God?

I heard in a sermon tonight that female donkeys are placed in the field with the sheep because they will aggressively go after a wolf attacking the wolf by kicking them, to protect the sheep.

Seems almost ironic doesn't it, the male donkey will not protect the sheep but the female will.

I have seen this over and over again in our culture, where the men of the family will not protect those in the house from wicked, sinful or harmful things, nor will they lead in spiritual matters, but the women will, what is wrong with this picture? The children often rebel against the mother because of the example of the father.

1 Peter 3:7-8 "7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. 8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tender-hearted and humble.…"

Perhaps in our apostate culture the women have to do it because the men will not. In the animal kingdom the female does all the protecting but in the human condition, God ordained that the male be the protector.

When a man in the family is born again and walking deeply with Christ, that man will protect his family, however, for the most part, in this apostate age, the men do little to foster spiritual growth in the family as well as neglecting to be involved in the lives of their children or even their wife in many instances.

Of course there are exceptions to every rule, but in our culture right now, it is rare for the man to take the leadership concerning spiritual matters. And, some of those men who want to, think that leadership means demanding and demeaning to force their families. Both ways are wrong . Very few men are reading the Word of God to their family or engaging them in prayer time as a family. The only prayer most families experience in the home is a canned repetitive prayer, the same one said at every meal without variation. I am sure those who experience these prayers can say them in their sleep without thinking.

Leadership is loving example and teaching, not manipulation, intimidation and hatred shown when someone does not exactly follow the "rules."

1 Peter 5:2-3 "…2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. "

Men are the leaders, the women are to support them when they obey God.

Start at the Bottom and Do that Well

A creative young adult who has been raised to think for himself, will be able to figure things out, looking everywhere every day for something to do to have food in their mouths and a roof over their head. If they are willing to take a little shabby place and eat beans and rice, they can make it .

The problem is that far too many young people think they have to have it all right now, what took years for others to acquire.

There are lots of jobs out there for young people who are willing to start at the bottom, be a good employee and work their way up. One must be willing to be at the bottom, doing that with enthusiasm and doing it well, before they can be trusted with anything higher.

1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 "…10 And indeed, you are showing this love to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel more and more 11 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. 12 Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.…"

They Hate Correction

Rebellious people will see a helpful and even loving warning as an attack just because they love their sin.

War in the Heavenlies

We have to trust God, just because we don't see something happening, doesn't mean nothing is going on.

I wonder sometimes how many battles are being waged in the heavenlies on our behalf?

I am convinced there is much more going on that we cannot see than we could ever imagine.

I also am convinced that even if nothing is happening to change our world, something is happening to us, we are growing, becoming stronger and less influenced by the world. But only if we are seeking Christ all the time for everything.

Daniel 12:1
"“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book."

Whatcha So Proud About?

Far to many people are comparing themselves with others instead of with the principles of Christ.

When we compare ourselves with others we can imagine ourselves so much better than everyone else, our mind likes to do that.

However, when we compare ourselves with Christ and His principles, there is only one way to feel and that is very small and humbled.

Praise His name, we are nothing to brag about when Christ is our focus, then we will be worshiping Him instead of ourselves.

Helping Adult Children to Prosper

There are so many people now who are dealing with disrespectful children who are attempting to guilt their parents into supporting them after they are grown.

Any child who expects their older parents to support them financially or with housing is a leech that needs to learn they can no longer use their parents.

Get boundaries, tell them to get out, earn their own way in the world, do not give them one more red cent and ignore their tantrums when you have to say no to them.

If they are living with you, give them one month and no longer to find another place, then hold them to it. If they refuse, put their things in the street, usher them out the door and feel no guilt over doing it.

Showing the best kind of love for the little birdies is to push them out of the nest early on, age 18 is the legal age, with prayers that they do the right things. Make it clear that they cannot come back except for short visits, nothing over night. Unless of course they are responsible and are coming a long distance from out of the state for a visit.

We had a rule, at age 18 they had to get a job and pay rent to us or go to college. If they were going to further their education we would help but they had to earn most of it and pay back whatever we helped with. College is a extra privilege, not a right.

Children now days have an entitlement mentality that their parents should provide for them even after they are grown. Where on earth did they ever get this idea?

If an adult child of 30 is still living with Mom and Dad, something is wrong, my guess is that the parents are still treating them like children and giving way too much. Is Mommy still cooking all the meals for them, washing their clothes and paying for their car and gas? This is down right silly. Any adult child at home, if they have to be for a real reason, then they should be contributing to the finances, the groceries, and any house hold chores to lesson the burden for the parents.

If we love our children, we push them out there to earn their own way, then they will be prosperous, they will learn homelessness is not fun, so they get a job, they pay their bills on time and no one else is going to bail them out.

When they have to make their own way, they gain dignity, learning diligence is a blessing! Then when they have lived righteously, been responsible, it is their turn to make sure their parents are taken care of in their elder years.

See how that works, everyone pulls their own weight and is ready to help the helpless, when they can no longer be alone.

Maybe we can call it "paying it forward" as the kids say, our parents took care of us when we were helpless, the adult children should care for their parents when they become helpless.

"Honor your father and mothers" was a command to all ages, not just children, that command was given to adults too.

Building Confidence

Children with the lowest confidence are those who have not been disciplined. They are insecure because they are ignorant of boundaries and what is expected of them.

People without boundaries, rebuke and correction never grow past childish responses.