Monday, June 25, 2018

Four Habits Worth Having For Stability and Growth


“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity” (2 Pet. 3:18). 

Hey Gang, Notice the first two words of the morning Scripture: “But Grow”.  There is the story of the man who felt that he could go it alone and not attend church anymore. Several months after this decision the pastor called and asked if he could come by and chit-chat for a bit. 

It was a blustery day and the host had a roaring fire in the fireplace.  After a half hour of idle talk, the pastor brought the session to an end and put his wraps on to leave.  When ready, he took the tongs from the fireplace and captured a burning coal- which he laid on the hearth in front of the fireplace. No words were spoken for the next five minutes but the message was clear, when there is no fire supporting us, our flame goes out.  He was in church the next Sunday. 

If you want to do some light reading that has eternal value, pick up a book by Max Lacado.  He is truly a word-smith.  He has the unique ability to make the Word live.  Let me wet your appetite this morning by quoting from His book When God Whispers Your Name.

His words are based on 2 Peter 3:18: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” Growth is the goal of the Christian.  Maturity is mandatory.  If a child ceased to develop, the parent would be concerned, right?...
When a Christian stops growing, help is needed!  If you are the same Christian today as you were a few months, be careful.  You might be wise to get a checkup.  Not on your body, but on your heart relationship with Jesus.  Not a physical, but a spiritual.

Keep in mind that David was a man after God’s own heart- but one day he decided he would stay behind when his army went to fight the enemy.  We know the rest of the story, Lust led to lying and lying led to murder.  True God forgave him, but the seeds of rebellion, lust and murder were planted into his family.  Even on David’s death bed the head of rebellion reared its ugly head.

Perhaps, if he had followed God’s commandments as given top us in Deuteronomy, the sins of the father would not have been passed down through the generations.  In verse two of chapter six we find that God promises that our days will be prolonged if we are obedient in following His mandates. Later, in the same chapter, we are given God’s mandates on how we can raise God fearing children (vs. 6:4-9).  

Perhaps it’s time to check your habits and make the following four habits a regular part of your life-style and see what happens.  First, the habit of prayer….Second, the habit of study…Third, the habit of giving…And last of all, the habit of fellowship.”  If you are a parent, be advised there are eyes watching your every move and listening to your every word.

If every parent would follow God’s mandate of how to raise your children in a Godly way, I could turn Eagle Village into a ski lodge.  I have tried to work my way out of a job for many yeas and have failed horribly. I pray you will do better with your kids. 

Blessings,

Gramps


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