“The behavior a person exhibits is an expression of the overflow of the heart” (3). See Prov 4:23; Mark 7:21; Luke 6:45. “Behavior is not the basic issue. The basic issue is always what is going on in the heart. . . . A change in behavior that does not stem from a change in heart is not commendable; it is condemnable” (4). See Matt 15.
“You must help your child ask the questions that will expose that attitude of the heart that has resulted in wrong behavior. How did his heart stray to produe this behavior? In what characteristic ways has his inability or refusal to know, trust, and obey God resulted in actions and speech that are wrong. . . . Help them see the ways that they are trying to slake their souls’ thirst with that which cannot satisfy” (5-6).
- Tedd Tripp, Shepherding a Child's Heart
The Parenting Task
"Let me overview a biblical vision for the parenting task. The parenting task is multifaceted. It involves being a kind authority, shepherding your children to understand themselves in God's world, and keeping the gospel in clear view so your children can internalize the good news and someday live in mutuality with you as people under God." Tedd Tripp, Shepherding a Child's Heart, xix.
New Teaching Upload: Our Purpose, Part 3
Check out the next message in my teaching series on Our Purpose, which is Loving God, Loving People, Making Disciples. God is doing a great work in my own heart through this, and I believe in our church, as he gives us his heart for people. This session is about loving others. You can listen, download, or subscribe to our podcast in the Teaching Audio tool on the right sidebar.
Our Purpose, Part 2
I just uploaded the message from Sunday. I am teaching through our fellowship's purpose statement: Love God, Love People, Make Disciples. Unfortunately the first message did not record properly, so this is the second in the series. In the first purpose, love God, we discussed believing the gospel and surrendering all to Christ. This week, still in loving God, we discussed prayer, walking according to God's Word, walking according to God's Spirit, and loving people (as a part of loving God). You can listen to or download it from the teaching audio tool in the sidebar.
Electric Fence for the Chickens
Our chickens have been spending the winter in our garden area. Recently, though, with the weather being so much nicer (and chickens being more prone to wander) and the fence not being in good repair, the chickens have basically been free ranging. Aside from many droppings, the main problem with this has been the loss of eggs (we don't know where they are laying them). So, we ordered 168 ft. of electric mesh fencing and a solar energizer from Premier 1. So far, it is working very well. You can see the solar charger next to the front corner in the first picture.
The Necessity of Christ's Divinity for the Atonement
I have heard and often reasoned myself for the necessity of the divinity of Christ for the efficacy of the atonement. If Jesus were merely a man, and not God, then he could not pay for the sins of all who come. At best a perfect man could replace one other. I have never really seen this reasoning in Scripture, though, before this morning:
“Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of this life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, For he will receive me.” Psalm 49:7-9, 15
Was Joseph Just Lucky?
“The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man. . . . His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.” Then, after he was thrown into prison: “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (Gen 39:2-3, 21). As I read this, my heart cries out for the Lord to be with me in this way. So often I feel as though I am totally limited to my own human capabilities. I want God to manifest himself in my life. I want my life and ministry to be more than just what I can do.
So, was Joseph just lucky or chosen? Is there anything I can do have the Lord with me? Here is what Azariah prophesied to King Asa in 2 Chron. 15:2, “The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” Later, Hanani said to him, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him” (16:9). Joseph was not lucky or chosen, he simply took God up on his promises.
Diligence
I found an old book in my Dad's library, Watchman Nee's The Normal Christian Worker. I know Mr. Nee is criticized a good bit, but he also has some great things to say. Here are some of his comments from a chapter on the quality of diligence:
- “A person who regards everything as a burden cannot be a faithful servant of the Lord” (14).
- “Every faithful servant of Christ buys up the moments, and when he is not outwardly engaged he is inwardly active, waiting on the Lord in real heart-exercise” (15).
- John 4:35 – “The time to work is now, not some future date. ‘Lift up your eyes and look’ He said, indicating the kind of workman He needed—one who does not stand waiting for the work to come to him, but one who has eyes to see the work that is already waiting to be done. . . . Never put off till tomorrow what can be done today” (15-16).
- “Diligence is primarily an inward matter and is not measured by outward busyness” (16).
- “Oh, that we might awaken to the weightiness of our responsibility, the urgency of the need around us, and the fleeting nature of time! . . . Let us, as dying men, give ourselves with all our powers to the dying around us” (19).