¹⁴ Do not be joined to unbelievers. What do right and wrong have in common? Can light and darkness be friends? ¹⁵ How can Christ and Satan agree? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ How can the temple of the true God and the statues of other gods agree?[1] 2 Cor 6: 14-16 NIRV

Wow! Heavy stuff!

But look who it is written to…the Christians themselves, it is not addressing how they are to deal with their kids!

As a Mom or Dad, we want the very best for our children don’t we? Perhaps you are still moving to the point of being married with children, don’t stop reading! There is lots of good stuff in here for you to reflect on as well.

Today however my focus is to discuss what us Mom’s and Dad’s do, and don’t do, when a child grows up, determines their own destiny, and seems to reject everything we have stood for, to go off and live with a lover, rejecting marriage.

What do we do?

WE LOVE THEM!

Now you have the answer, I will fill in a bit of why this is the most important thing to do! What this does for everyone and why I believe it is exactly what God wants us to do!.

Can I ask this... did Jesus wait until we were doing the right things to die on the cross for the things we were doing? Didn't he died while we were doing selfish, nasty and ignorant things, before we respected Him?

He loved us despite our poor life and decision, Right?

That means that Jesus, the son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, light of light, and god of God’s allowed us to live in sin until we were ready to change!

Think about it!

Then, did Jesus force us to change in an instant, or does he change us by letting us see his example. Didn't Jesus let us understand his love and guidelines are really the best way to true value in life, and letting us chose to fall in love with him more each day?

We change, not because of God’s law, but because of God’s great love, right?

Hmmm!

Now let’s consider that grown up child of ours, who we love no matter what anyhow. Let's consider that God tells us to love them even more! Let's understand they with their behaviour for a time, test both our love and God’s, doing things we know will give them a less than optimal chance of a wonderful blessed life!

Sounds a bit like us before we realized God was to be in control of our life right?

We need to be Christ like and tuck in our pride and fear. We need to do the great courageous thing of praying for their safety, letting them be themselves, and loving not only them, but also the person they have chosen for themselves and that person's family.

It’s difficult to overcome our inadequacies to love when we are being hurt, isn't it? Our children by setting themselves up to be hurt, turn a knife in our heart, simply because we want the very best for them don’t we?

Yet, the true love of God is NOT judgemental!
 
God says, “If you judge someone else, you have no excuse for it. When you judge another person, you are judging yourself. You do the same things you blame others for doing.

² We know that when God judges those who do evil things, he judges fairly. ³ Though you are only a human being, you judge others. But you yourself do the same things. So how do you think you will escape when God judges you?” Romans 2:1-3,

or how about…

“Do not judge others. Then you will not be judged.” Matthew 7:1

God is the one who judges and has all the facts, we are to let him judge. The more deep in love with God I become, the more I realise this is true, and instead love the unloved more and more. But I digress, let me get back to the topic!

We are not to judge them, it is for God to do, instead we need to follow the greatest command… “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind.’ (Deuteronomy 6:5) ³⁸ This is the first and most important commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it. ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ (Leviticus 19:18) ⁴⁰ Everything that is written in the Law and the Prophets is based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Let’s do an experiment!

Imagine we have been living with our Christian parents for a while. We KNOW they aren’t perfect, even though we know they try to be!

Maybe we have realized that their behaviour is hypocritical to their beliefs, but we love them and are wavering on our own beliefs, simply because we are not certain. We have seen how people mock Christians and we just are not ready to take that step yet. Maybe it’s because we know from our parents dedication and focus how important a step it is and don’t want to make the decision lightly.

Now along comes someone that makes us feel great, appreciates us for who we are, is willing to put up with our inadequacies, and we get deeply in love.

We know it will hurt our parents, but this is too important to let pass by, as far as we are concerned. This is a big step, we decide we are going to go against our parents and have sex with the person. This is an amazingly good experience, so we decide after a while, we are going to move in together. We know we will devastate our parents, but decide it’s our life and so we will do it anyhow.

Okay, the end of putting ourselves in their shoes for a second….back to the discussion.

As their parent who loves them, isn’t it obvious that arguments will not build our relationship with that very special person, our child? Are we aware that the person THEY chose is loved by God, and God expects us to love them fully as well? Even if for some weird reason (I cannot think of any) we think they shouldn’t deserve that love?

How can we possibly show that child God’s great love, unless we truly love them and their lover?

That means subjecting ourselves to respecting their decisions, while not always agreeing with them. We love them dearly, and now that is the time to show it! It is the most important time to love them even more!

This is true Christian love! The love that pulls them from the brink of pain, into God’s arms. It is the selfless love, Jesus shows us! It is the only true way to hold them close, and show them Jesus at the same time!

They know what is right and wrong if they have been living with Christian parents. At least, I hope our children do, maybe their lovers don’t, but then, maybe we are the only loving Christians that they may meet!

Let’s never forget, it’s not about us convincing others that Jesus is real.

Jesus IS real, all we have to do, is expose Him and His love to others, and let Holy Spirit take it from there. That’s our duty to God, and may I say to our children as well!

That does not stop us from praying day and night for them, covering them in loving prayer, praying for their protection, salvation. Praying for their partners protection and salvation. Praying that God will bless their relationship into perhaps a God ordained marriage at some time. It doesn’t stop our hurt, but it develops our love, and gives them the best opportunity in their circumstances. Think about it!

Now a word of caution for those children of parents who are thinking of manipulating their parents just so they can live with their lovers. You are going to hurt them, although you will probably get your way! Yet, know that the superior life is not in this direction! God wants what is best for us all, our problem is simple, we often don’t believe it, or want to trust him! That’s our mistake, and so please think carefully before you jump into something that numerous pain filled articles have described as being less than perfect.

Amazing though love is, there are levels of it. Without Holy Spirit reaching the highest levels is just not possible! (Although I often see that people think they get there without Holy Spirit)

So today, let’s remember, God says love is the greatest and let’s practice it, starting with our own family and their friends!

“The signs of outstanding leadership appear primarily among the followers. Are the followers reaching their potential? Are they learning? Serving? Do they achieve the required results? Do they change with grace? Manage conflict?” ~ Max De Pree

Good managers are measured by the behaviour of those they manage aren’t they?

That’s what makes the task difficult and yet rewarding!

The challenge is to offer the management in such a way that it is taken freely and greatly appreciated because the people being managed realize that they are loved and the management is for their own good.

The easier task of management is where we have some control. When God asked us to manage the resources of the world, saying “Fill the earth and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish in the waters and the birds of the air. Rule over every living creature that moves on the ground,” Genesis 1, he gave us abilities that exceeded everything we are to rule, making that part easy.

Yet, in many ways we have even screwed that one up haven’t we?

The more difficult instructions are closer to home.  No pun intended!

Here are God’s guidelines for a good leader and what they have to manage…

“A leader must be free from blame. He must be faithful to his wife. In anything he does, he must not go too far. He must control himself. He must be worthy of respect. He must welcome people into his home. He must be able to teach. ³ He must not get drunk. He must not push people around. He must be gentle. He must not be a person who likes to argue. He must not love money.

⁴ He must manage his own family well. He must make sure that his children obey him and show him proper respect.”[1] 1 Timothy 3:2-4

To manage well, we need to look carefully at ourselves, and ensure we are living in truth and sincerity!

Nobody should be able to rightfully blame us for anything wrong, and we need to ensure our home life fully reflects our personal values and life. Our Christian values and lifestyle!

How do we do this? Obviously, we cannot do that in an autocratic domineering way. No! We need to love and serve others so well, that those we live with respect our leading and love.

When times get really tough and we would like to just erupt and let people have  to deal with our anger, we must remember God never lets his anger erupt, for if he did this earth would cease to exist in a moment.

Like him, it is adequate to show displeasure for bad behaviour, to ensure others know that it is not in their best interest to do the wrong things, but ultimately, love must be the force that drives the process.

We need to weed out the self-righteousness and selfishness that so easily grows in place of love. Love of control is also not the love we are talking of. That needs to be placed carefully at the feet of Jesus as he is the one with full control, not us!

A true manager is able to take unexpected events graciously! When things happen that take some extra time and effort, these are to be dealt with in such a way that people do not fear the outcomes.

Yet, where people need to learn skills and behaviour, a true manager is ready to help them gain the skills and model the behaviour they must follow.

To do this, means that a true manager is never out of control of themselves! They always remain in God’s control and experience his presence and guidance in each activity of the day! Anger is not a tool to be used at random, and instead the practicing of God’s control in uncontrollable circumstances is the sign of a good leader.

Arguing with others must be understood to have little long term value! Open honest discussion changes people, but arguing builds resistance, doesn’t it? When people reluctantly bow to another’s arguments, there is always a small measure of resentment left behind, isn’t there? That can fester and undo many hours of good management!

Lastly a good manager is not focused on the money, but the value! We have so immersed ourselves in our financial controls, that often we fail to understand they do not measure true value.

A good manager knows when value trumps financial gain!

With God, value is always more important than the finances! Eternal value trumps everything! Jesus death, and our accepting of His control of our life, brings value that no amount of money can buy! Bringing that to others, makes us richer than millionaires!

Today, as we consider the things and people we need to manage, let’s bring some of God’s management principles into play, and let’s decide to make the world a better managed place, for God, for those around us that we love, live, and work with, and ultimately for ourselves!

Tell the nations what he has done ~ 1 Chronicles 16:8b

   Out in the bush, the rabbit was complaining to the hedgehog about the fact that the lion was king and that despite everything they did rabbits and hedgehogs could never rise to a place of power.

The lion on the other hand was heard saying to the lioness that he was annoyed that the elephant and rhino didn’t bow down to him. “There is no respect for others in this land. I rule and yet these creatures fail to follow my commands.”

 This resentment continued for a few years!. The elephant, who mostly looked after his family and kept out of the way of other creatures  heard this, but said nothing.

Then the years of plenty turned to years of drought! Rain was nowhere to be found and the water holes got smaller and smaller before starting to disappear completely. The rabbit and hedgehog pleaded with lion to do something, and lion in exasperation, also thirsty and hot complained to his wife, “don’t they know I cannot make the rain!”

Elephant overheard this, and finally spoke to lion, rabbit and hedgehog.

Nations seem to think they run this world!  Small or large each lives in its pomp and glory, propounding to it’s people national pride(I thought pride was a sin?) and self-sufficiency.

Unfortunately, they rarely live up to their promises! Even the most powerful nations seem to lack what they consider essentials and so borrow from others. The living out of control stacks the cards of the world deck until, it only requires a gentle breath of air to bring it all crashing down.

When will we learn that it is not our meager intellect or ability that makes this world a better place, but the glory of God as delivered through Godly men and women.

We are placed in control of the world’s resources and creatures by our loving Father, but when we abuse then for selfish reasons, we are building a trap for ourselves aren’t we.

How can we fix that?

Simply! We turn back to God and repent! We give Him the glory and honor and we admit we don’t know how to fix the situation. Then under Godly guidance, we take good rational and biblical steps to rectify the situation.

The problem is that to solve the world’s problems its nations that need to do this.

Yet nations are composed of people! In this is the strength!

If we all turn to God and simply follow God’s biblical guidelines, loving others, living wisely, not judging other or thinking we are better than them, then the power of God will descend and turn our lands from the drought to the plenty. This is where many nations started and yet in greed and self-agrandization have walked away from the true path.

This is where we, the people have to start again!

We need to humble get down on our knees and cry out to our God for forgiveness and then personally take on the truth challenge. The truth challenge is the challenge of living truthfully according to God’s guidelines as he laid them out for us in the bible.

We need to pray continually, measuring our activities against our understanding of God’s will. We need to be sensitive to the guiding of Holy Spirit, especially when he leads us in uncomfortable paths because those are often the ones where we learn most and get blessed.

It’s really simple! I think David got it as he was bringing the ark back to town in 1 Chronicles when he wrote the psalm that says…

⁸ Give thanks to the Lord. Worship him.
    Tell the nations what he has done.
⁹ Sing to him. Sing praise to him.
    Tell about all of the wonderful things he has done.
¹⁰ Praise him, because his name is holy.
    Let the hearts of those who trust in the Lord be glad.
¹¹ Look to the Lord and to his strength.
    Always look to him.
¹² Remember the wonderful things he has done.
    Remember his miracles and how he judged our enemies.
¹³ Remember what he has done, you children of his servant Israel.
    Remember it, you people of Jacob. You are God’s chosen ones.

¹⁴ He is the Lord our God.
    He judges the whole earth.
¹⁵ He will keep his covenant forever.
    He will keep his promise for all time to come.[1]

 

 

Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged. ~Ronald Reagan 

Talks of fiscal cliff’s, debt burdens and taxation, cloud the minds of Americans at the moment!

They bring with them dark concerns and the far off thunder of debt growth flashes warnings in the fiscal sky.

“the sky is falling” could be used to describe the situation, but that phrase was credited to a chicken wasn’t it? ( Chicken little- a good story to read)

When law’s overrun the controls of God’s direction, we pay the price don’t we?

“We must love ourselves!” seems to be a driving force of our time and we forget that God says to love others as we love ourselves, and to love him foremost.

Instead, we greedily focus on what we want to the exclusion of others! We misapply God’s laws to our own advantage. We disadvantage other nations, abusing their workforces and lending powers, to grab the moment for ourselves.

Is this following God’s laws with love? No! it is misinterpreting, or at worst applying them without love!

Blindly applying God’s law without love means we also pay the price. Law without love is not Christian!

How can I say that? Because the bible does…

^“5 Love is the purpose of my command. Love comes from a pure heart. It comes from a good sense of what is right and wrong. It comes from faith that is honest and true.

⁶ Some have wandered away from those teachings. They would rather talk about things that have no meaning. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law. And they are very sure about that law. But they don’t know what they are talking about.

⁸ We know that the law is good if it is used properly. ⁹ We also know that the law isn’t made for godly people. It is made for those who break the law. It is for those who refuse to obey. It is for ungodly and sinful people. It is for those who aren’t holy and who don’t believe.” [1]1 Timothy 1:5-9

Love is the central purpose of God’s attitude to mankind, not law.

The law is there to ensure disobedience has implications. We, like naughty children, get ourselves involved in things we shouldn’t, and then our greedy free will gets us into difficulties doesn’t it?

There is a simple law in our bible that says…“Anyone who will not work will not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

Using money that we have not earned, on non-essentials, is not considered working for it, is it?

Are we amazed that our countries are getting into difficulty?

How about this piece of biblical writing that warns we need to follow God’s laws?

^“43 Outsiders who live among you will become your leaders. They will rise higher and higher. But you will sink lower and lower. ⁴⁴ They will lend money to you. But you won’t be able to lend money to them. They will be the leaders. But you will be the followers.

⁴⁵ The Lord your God will send all of those curses on you. They will follow you everywhere. They’ll catch up with you. You will be under the Lord’s curse until you are destroyed. That’s because you didn’t obey him. You didn’t keep the commands and rules he gave you. ⁴⁶ Those curses will remain as miraculous signs and wonders against you and your children after you forever.

⁴⁷ You didn’t serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness when times were good. ⁴⁸ So he will send enemies against you. You will have to serve them. You will be hungry and thirsty. You will be naked and poor. The Lord will put the iron chains of slavery around your necks until he has destroyed you.

⁴⁹ The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away. It will come from the ends of the earth. It will dive down on you like an eagle. You won’t understand that nation’s language. ⁵⁰ Its people will look mean. They won’t have any respect for old people. They won’t show any kindness to young people.” [2] Deut 28

How much does this apply to the American economies? I include Canada in this question?

Why are we turning away from honoring God in our countries, and instead almost persecuting those who want to honor him. Why is it so out of character to admit God is the only God, and that unless we follow his universal laws, we will end up in trouble?

God loves us!

Yet, loving him back seems most difficult for us doesn’t it?

·         We rebel!

·         We are greedy and want to have, without sharing,

·         We want to enjoy, without paying for things ourselves!

Is this God respecting behaviour?

I don’t think so!

God wants us to love and respect others, be good managers of our families and finances. 

He doesn’t say we shouldn’t borrow as Christians, but does say Christians shouldn’t charge other Christians interest! Wow! What a novel concept! He does say Christians can charge non-Christians interest, but it must be fair and not excessive.

I guess these biblical guidelines are just not considered worth keeping to by most of us! We cannot really envisage a situation where we live debt free, can we. As such, we have no concern about our countries running up the national credit card to it’s limits where we cannot pay it back.

In the end, sanity will prevail!

The credit will have to be paid back, and when it occurs(..the time is near…) there will be a lot of crying and weeping. Many will go hungry, and the land will become a place of labor and strain.

Yet, for us as Christians, this is an opportunity!

If we simply tighten our belts now, save instead of spend, pay off our debts and get debt free, those times will be far less painful.

If we actually have some saving and investments, then maybe we will not only be able to weather the storm, but in love, may help others through.

 Perhaps then, as people realise God’s law is immutable, and that we have no choice but to obey, they will learn that obeying WITH love is easy! Maybe they will find God again, and be blessed!

We can make a difference right now! We can take care of our finances!

 We can ask God to help us bring our lives under his control. We can tighten our belts! We can pray that he will bless us so that we can bless others!

We can also pray for those in power to make good courageous decisions that are in line with God’s word.

Biblical truths are like lighthouses. They warn of danger, but do not pilot the ship. We do pilot the ship, and if we chose to ignore the lighthouse, we can end up on the rocks. The lighthouse is built by those who love us and want us safe.

Why don’t we obey it’s guiding beams of light?

Today, it’s my choice to reduce my spending on those extra little items I really don’t need and put it towards debt reduction and blessing of others as God leads.