Godly Fear

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. ~ Psalm 34:11

What do you want most for you children?  Abundant wealth, success, happiness, a job they love, a spouse, a forever family?  My prayer for my children daily is that they would learn and love to follow the Lord's ways above any of the world's ways; that they would chase after Him always.  Even when things aren't going their way; I dare say especially when things aren't going their way, that God would forever be on their lips going through trials and that even if they decide to travel down a destructive path for a bit, that God would always lead them back.  If we profess to be Christ followers as parents, than it is our daily duty to make sure we are instilling the Lord through thick and thin into our children's minds and hearts.  Pray with them, read the Bible together, help someone in need, fellowship with other believers and find a church home where you and your family can get filled up. Contrary to today's beliefs, church is part of the fellowship that God requested we be a part of, your attendance isn't required, but it pleases Him and blesses you whether you feel it, or not.  To fear the Lord is to be in total awe of Him, to realize that He can do the impossible in our favor, but also that He can and will discipline us in awesome ways if need be; He is awesome in the here and now, for the good and sometimes for the bad should He decide to allow trying times and direct discipline to be our path for a time.  Lovingly He calls to us to love on us, forgive us, and to teach us His much higher ways; as parents we are called to do the same with our children, His children.  In everyday choices and daily tasks there are many ways to show our children how to live for the Lord.  Look for them; be diligent in teaching the Lord's ways and watch Him bless them and you for your faithful and obedient efforts. ~

Wise Compassion

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  So he began teaching them many things. ~ Mark 6:34


Jesus never shied away from an opportunity to teach, whether in large crowds, or small intimate settings.  While you may feel very lost at times, Jesus will guide you and lead you in his tender teachings no matter where you are, or who you may be with.  It's called compassion, and it's a deep rooted emotion that makes people feel and move on behalf of others.  It is a great longing to help those in need, in need of anything and everything that we can help them out with.  It is a strong Christ-like characteristic that I long for and ask God to give me as often as it comes to mind as I know compassion and empathy is a weakness of mine personally.  In this self absorbed culture, it can sometimes be hard to put on the attitude of compassion, but as followers, we must!  We have all heard it said, "Be Kind.  For everyone has a battle they are dealing with."  My boss told me once, "Whenever on of our staff members, a student, or a parent is having a hard, grumpy, or difficult day and is taking it out on me, I try to remind myself that they may be dealing with something I know nothing about.  No, it doesn't always make it easier to deal with them, but it helps to keep things in perspective."  Jesus was constantly busy, but he found time for compassion.  Can't we?  Can I?  While I may not have all the answers to life's hard questions, I can be an ear.  While I may not understand why someone is so hard to deal with, I can pray with them; and while I may not understand why I may be persecuted unjustly sometimes, I can still turn the other cheek.  Compassion.  For everyone. ~