Wed. Bible Studies: What My Children Must Know (Week 10)

YOU MUST FIND THE RIGHT MATE.

The biggest decision anyone ever makes is the decision to trust Christ as their Saviour.  That will make sure we go to Heaven and that we miss hell.

The second biggest decision anyone ever makes is who they marry.  That can determine whether someone will have heaven on the earth and miss hell on earth.

It cannot be exaggerated too much, a good marriage is one of the most important things you can ever have.  It all starts out with who you marry.

1.)    Living in a bad, little place is better than living with a bad woman.

Prov 21:9  It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Prov 25:24  It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

2.)    It is better to live in the wilderness than with a bad woman.

Prov 21:19  It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Son, there is not much worse than a brawling woman.

Son, a big, rich, wonderful house is not good enough to make up for what you will get in a brawling woman.   BRAWL'ING, n.  The act of quarreling.

I love strong willed women.  They don’t bother me.  I know I am stronger, and most of the time with strong willed women, they are very capable, and just need a strong leader so they can follow.  Many woman have to lead, because they husband won’t.

A strong willed woman is totally different than a brawling woman.

3.)    When you find a wife, you find a good thing.

Prov 18:22  Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

God said whoso findeth a wife.  That is “a” singular.  That doesn’t man many wives, or just any wife.  I believe that means “a” wife, and the wife, the one that God picked out for you.

4.)    If you get a prudent wife, you have gotten her from the Lord.

Prov 19:14  House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

When you get a wife that is prudent, a wife that is wise all the time, in all thing, you have a  great wife, and she is from the Lord.

5.)    Don’t get a wife that will be a nag, (drip, drip, drip)

Prov 19:13  A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

Drip, drip, drip, drip, drip…….that sound can be very annoying, and doesn’t ever fix anything.

Ladies, the drip, drip, or nag, nag is annoying, and doesn’t work.

6.) Only God can find you a virtuous woman.  You better wait on God.

Prov 31:10  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

7.) The virtuous woman will be trusted by her husband and will do him good all the time.

11  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  12  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Let’s do all we can to help our kids pick the right mate.

Wed. Bible Studies: What My Children Must Know (Week 9)

SOWING AND REAPING

Sowing and reaping is a very simple concept.  It is also a simple concept to teach to children.

This truth can be taught by getting some seeds, and naming them disobedience, pride, rebellion and then planting them.  They they will see what comes up.

That will give them a visual lesson of the spiritual truth you are trying to teach them.

Most proverbs are sowing and reaping.

You reap what you sow.

You reap more than you sow.

You reap after you sow.

What you sow, or put in the ground or your life, it will come back on you.

There are consequences for what you do.

There is nothing you can do to get out of it.

You better start right away sowing a new, good crop.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

God sees all you do, and will make sure people are punished for what they do.

Even thou you are saved, God will still see and spank His children.

God loves us and knows what is best for us.  Trust Him, and obey Him.

The best teacher is not experience.  Learn from someone else’s experience.

God gave us the Bible for “ensamples” to learn from what other people did wrong and right so we can just do right!!!

Day 1 – The wicked fall by their own wickedness.

Prov 11:5        The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Day 2 – The seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

Prov 11:21      Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

Day 3 – We sow with our mouth and reap the good or the bad.

Prov 13:2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

Day 4 – If we work hard, then we will reap leadership.

Prov 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

Day 5 – When we are bad, bad will come on us.

Prov 13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

Day 6 – What we sow in our friends, we will reap in our friends.

Prov 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Day 7 – Evil will chase and run after sinners, but good comes to those that do good.

Prov 13:21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

THERE ARE HUNDREDS MORE PROVERBS THAT TEACH SOWING AND REAPING

Prov 12:21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

Prov 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Prov 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

Prov 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Prov 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

GIVE THANKS IN EVERYTHING

GIVE THANKS IN EVERYTHING!

     I am a wonderfully blessed man!  God has been so good to me, and there are so many things for which I need to thank God.  I have great parents that are both still alive and healthy, and I get to be their pastor.   The Lord has blessed me with eleven wonderful children.  I have the best wife in the whole world.  She helps me, takes care of me, and most of all, loves me enough to put up with me.  I have a wonderful secretary, a great staff, and the best group of church members that any pastor could hope to have.  I have some real men that love God, some sweet godly ladies in our church, and a great bunch of teenagers that are real in their service for God.  

     You are probably wondering why I would put this in an article.  There are two main reasons.  The first is to let the people know how much I love and appreciate them and the other is to help me be more thankful.  Everyone has negatives in their life that they can think about if they choose, but God doesn't want us to live that way.  God says in I Thess. 5:18, "In every thing give thanks..." When we take time to think about the things for which we can be thankful, and thank God and others for that, then we feel more thankful ourselves.  I am more thankful now then when I first started this article. 

     If you are in a time in your life when you can hardly see anything for which to be thankful, then go ahead and thank God anyway, because God will have some good come out of the situation if you love God. (Rom. 8:28)  In II Cor. 12:10 the Bible says, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."  Paul realized that even when things are bad, God will bring some good out of it.  Go ahead and give God thanks.  He deserves it!

Wed. Bible Studies: What My Children Must Know (Week 8)

PRIDE

Solomon taught his son about pride.

Pride -  6 times

Proudly - 2 times

Proud - 8 times

Haughty - 3 times.

Day 1 – God hates pride.

Prov 6:16-17  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Day 2 – Before someone is destroyed, they are proud in their heart.

Prov 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

Day 3 – God will destroy the house of the proud.

Prov 15:25  The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

When God says He will destroy the house of the proud, that doesn’t just mean the physical structure of the house, but the family that is in that house.  Be very careful about being proud, or your children will be destroyed in the meantime.

Day 4 –  When we are pround in heart, we will be punished, even if we have a big group that supports us.

Prov 16:5  Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Many times when people get together in groups, they become more proud and arrogant.  They think that because they have a big group that they are unstoppable.  This is called “mob mentality.”  It is amazing the things that a mob can do, but according to God, he will still be punished. 

When someone is doing wrong, they usually find someone to agree with them to make them feel better.  Many times they do not care about even fixing the problem or situation, but they like to feel good in their pride.

Day 5 – The only way we ever have contention is by pride.

Prov 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. 

This is one of the most amazing verses in the Bible and one that should be taught often to our children.  Anytime there is a conflict with parents, siblings, schoolmates, authorities, there is always pride.  When people know this verse, they usually try to ascribe the pride to the other side, but our pride is what makes us do that.  We should be wise enough to spot our pride when we have conflicts and when our children have conflicts.

Day 6 – When someone is proud, they are always stirring up something.

Prov 28:25  He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

It is amazing how many people will stir up problems.  The wise will seek peace and reconcilation, but the proud and fools are always causing problems.  Do not let our children do this, but help them seek to get along.

Day 7 – The proud will be destoyed.

Prov 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall

We do not know when, but the proud will fall and will be destroyed.  If God can humble Nebchadrezzar, the King of the earth, God can humble and destroy us.  We should do all we can to stop the proud look, the proud heart and the proud actions if we do not want our children destroyed.

Wed. Bible Studies: What My Children Must Know (Week 7)

DON'T BE LAZY

There is no way to underestimate the problems that are caused if a child doesn’t learn to work.  Literally, nothing they ever do will ever be the way it is supposed to be.

Whatever job they take, they must learn to work.

Whatever they study in school, they must work.

They must work if they are to be a good mother.

They must work if they are to be a good father.

They must work if they have a home.

They must work if they are in a church.

They must work in everything they do if they are to be successful.

Solomon taught often on subjects pertaining to work and laziness.

7 times he taught him about work

11 times he taught him about slothful

6 times he taught him about sluggard

12 times he taught him about sleep

7 times he taught him about diligent

Day 1 – The lazy will always be under someone.

Prov 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. 

Day 2 – A lazy person will have a harder way to go, but the righteous will have an easier way.

Prov 15:19  The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.  

Day 3 – The lazy person always has an excuse why he can’t work.

Prov 22:13  The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. 

Day 4 – The lazy is always sleeping too long.

Prov 26:14  As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. 

Day 5 – If you sleep too much, you will be poor.

Prov 24:33-34 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Day 6 – Work hard without anyone telling you to work.

Prov 6:6-8 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

Day 7 – The lazy man will want a lot, but will have nothing.

Prov 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

 

1. Start your children working before they find out it is bad.  (trash, dishes, bed, room, weeds, mowing)
2. Let them do any work that they can do, even if they don’t do it as good as you would do it.  (If you have to go back after them that is fine, just don’t let them know that.  After a while of them doing it, they will do it fine.)
3. Never let them make excuses for not working (tired, play, friends, headache)
4. When they work, make sure they are being diligent.
5. Don’t let them sleep and sleep.  (Not even during the summer.)
6. Teach them the importance of working first and playing later.
7. Work with your children so they can see you working and so you can show them how to do it.
8. Teach them to work for their mom, or dad, or for others.  Don’t let them think work is just for them, or just to make money.
9. Don’t pay them for doing the jobs that they should do just for being a part of the home, but you can set up extra jobs for them to do to earn money, so they will learn the value of work, money, saving and giving.

A WONDERFUL MARRIAGE

  A WONDERFUL MARRIAGE

     Could I ask you a very personal question?  How is your marriage?  Is it sweet, warm and fulfilling?  If it isn’t, it could be.  Marriage can be the most wonderful relationship on the earth.  Marriage pictures our relationship to Christ.  It is sad, but so many marriages are in shambles.  I talk to  many couples that live with such fighting and bickering that it makes marriage almost unbearable.  I would like you to know that marriage doesn’t have to be that way.  Even if your marriage is bad, it can be changed.  If your marriage is pretty good, it can be great! 

We have started a new Sunday school class simply called, "The Marriage Class."  Every week, we teach principles that help people to have wonderful marriages.  This class is for married people, or people who want to learn how to have a good marriage before they get maried.  This class has been a blessing to a lot of people, and I am sure it could help you, also.  We would love to have you there.  It starts at 10:00 every Sunday morning.  If you have any questions, or need specific counsel, please feel free to call me personally.  (931) 797-1816.

"Helping to keep homes and lives from becoming shipwrecked."

Wed. Bible Studies: What My Children Must Know (Week 6)

TONGUE

There are many times that parents focus on things that aren’t very important.  In teaching our children, we should emphasize the things that God emphasizes.  Many people emphasize what is important to them, but may or may not be important to God.

Solomon talked often his son about the tongue: 51 times "mouth," 46 times "word(s)," 43 times "lip(s)," 19 times "tongue," 18 times "speech, speak (eth)"

The tongue is definitely important to God.  Solomon taught often on this, because James said that if we can control the tongue, we can control the whole body.

 James 3:2-6 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body .

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body .

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body , and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

 We all want teenagers to control their bodies, but it starts with teaching children to control their tongues.  The simple, "yes, mam" and "no sir", "please and thank you," and "don't talk while adults are talking" is more important than we have given it credit.

Day 1 - Don’t talk bad.

Prov 4:24  Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Prov 17:7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Cursing

Slang

Potty language  

Day 2 - Watch out for the words and lips of others

Prov 2:12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

Prov 20:19      He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Prov 24:2        For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

Prov 26:24-25  He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;      When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Watch out – get ready – people use their lips for bad.

Anything that you don’t want repeated, don’t say it.

We only tell one person – the one that won’t tell anyone else, and they only tell one person, the one that won’t tell anyone else. – right?

Don’t get upset at them for telling, get upset at you for starting it.

Day 3 - Don’t talk a lot or brag.

Prov 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

Prov 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

Prov 25:6-7Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:           For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

Prov 25:14      Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

Prov 6:2  Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

Prov 17:28  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
Abraham Lincoln

Day 4 - Listen to the mouths of others.

Prov 7:24Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.

Prov 2:6          For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Prov 4:5          Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

Two ears – one mouth – why?

You don’t learn anything from talking, but you can learn from listening.

Day 5 - Do talk good.

Prov 10:11  The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Prov 25:11  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Prov 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Prov 12:14      A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

Prov 31:26      She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Literally, if you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all.

You should use your tongue to encourage, to praise, to lift up, to build.

Do not use your mouth to destroy and tear down.

Day 6 - Don’t use mouth to hurt.

Prov 11:9        An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

Prov 12:6        The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

Prov 12:18   There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Day 7 - God hates a lying tongue.

Prov 12:22      Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Prov 21:6  The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

Prov 6:16-17   These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17        A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

God talks about a lying tongue.

Be careful to what you listen to, because “I cannot but speak what I have seen and heard.”