Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Eating Dirt

Philippians 1:12-14

At this point in our reading, one of the other group members who worked with middle school age children came in talking about "eating dirt." When others offend us, it speaks loudly of our testimony if we silently swallow our pride and react only with love.

We truly are "in chains" for Christ. Paul refers to himself as a bond servant (Romans 1:1), a slave who has been freed but now is willingly bound to his master for life. We do things in certain ways because of our position in Christ, forgiven and accepted by grace. We give our children second and third chances. We care enough to make the effort to truly know our children and seek what is best for them.

Consider other parents in your community. Many dedicated parents truly care and work with their children to teach and guide them. However, Christians have a source of strength and energy that enables them to rise above the stress and negative attitudes that prevail in today's society. Christian parents carry forth the work of the gospel, showing God's love to everyone around them. Their example encourages all of us to "speak the Word more courageously."

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Prayers of Love

Philippians 1:9-11

We prayed often at the beginning of our devotional study that God would guide us to accomplish His purposes. As my days and concerns get caught up in many things I want to ask for His best, what God wants in the current situation.

Paul says if our love abounds in knowledge and insight, we will know what is best. This is agape love, a giving love that overflows based on who God is and what He has done for us. Perhaps you've talked with other parents about your children, their social and academic needs, your concerns for their well being. Someone once said, "they won't care until they see how much you care." Paul has a wonderful habit of praying for his friends. His prayer is for success in their Christian life. Wouldn't it be great if we prayed for our children in this way?

We can pray to be vessels of God's love to our children and ask Him to give us insight to help meet their needs.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

In our hearts

Philippians 1:7-8

Paul's partnership with the Philippians begins with his love and care for them. He reminds them of his affection and says that it is right for him to have confidence that God will work in their lives since he has these believers in his heart.

We hold our children in our hearts; we are concerned about them and their needs--spiritual, academic, social, and emotional. We share the gospel with them, whether defending God's way of living or confirming the truth of God's Word as lived out in our lives.

Our bond in Christ draws us together, whether our children attend Christian or public school. We feel connected with other Christian parents in our church or community, bound by chance encounters or online connections. We long for the fellowship of other believers, asw we work together to serve Him and show His love.

I saw a poster once that read, "Preach Christ to all men. If necessary, use words." Confirm the truth of God's Word daily as you work with your children, even if you feel they will not always listen if you defend the gospel verbally. Pray they would see the truth and respond to share in God's grace, as you hold them "in your heart" in a way those in the world cannot.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Our Partnership

Philippians 1:3-6
As parents we partner together to bring the gospel--God's good news of unconditional love--to our children. We have confidence that what we start God will be faithful to complete. We entrust our children to His care. We work together, seeking to accomplish His purposes.

You may be in a situation in which you feel you cannot talk about God. There may not be others in your neighborhood whom you can turn to for support in raising your children to walk in God's ways. You may not feel there are others close by who have "partnership in the gospel" with you.

Paul also wrote to people living in Corinth, saying that there are many parts, but one body of Christ. If we follow Christ, we have been baptized by His Spirit into one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). We may find partners in God's kingdom in a scout troop, on a soccer team, or in our local church. We work together for one common purpose: to share God's love.

You may have already discovered ways you can share the good news of God's love with your own children and other families with whom you come in contact. You are partners with those parents in your goals and desires for your children's growth and success in all areas of life. As you pray for your children, ask God to show you how He wants you to partner with Him to complete His work, that which you have faithfully started in their lives.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Thanking God

Philippians 1:1-3
That first Tuesday morning when I started this devotional study with friends and co-workers who were also fellow parents, I could look around the table and honestly say with Paul, "I thank my God every time I remember you." As parents, we support each other in many ways. We pray for each other during our devotional times. We encourage one another, sharing parenting ideas and concerns about the children in our care.

As Christian parents, we're in this together. God encourages us to support and uplift one another, regardless of our situation. We learn from one another. We speak joy into each other's lives by sharing the triumphs and trials in our daily circumstances.

Perhaps you are the only Christian in your neighborhood or community. Think about how you can thank God for your neighbors or other parents with whom you come in contact, those with whom you share life. A friend once said, "you have been given to them,a nd they have been given to you." Every time you think of your friends and fellow parents, thank God and ask Him to help you speak His joy into their lives.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Living in Community

In today’s fast-paced society, it’s easy to feel isolated. Yet we all long for community. Once we accept Christ’s love and sacrifice for us and decide to follow Him, He calls us to serve Him by serving one another within the context of community. The first place we practice living out our faith is at home, with our families.

Over the next month or so, I'll be posting devotional thoughts for parents from the book of Philippians. I first presented these devotions at a small Christian school to a group of co-workers who were also parents and grandparents. I raised my sons in a Christian community. As they participated in school and community activities, we got to know other Christian families. Many parents find encouragement in the Bible to teach their children, talking about God's Word "when you sit at home and when you walk along the road," (Deuteronomy 6:7), touching their lives with God's love. To all of you, I offer Paul's words of encouragement as we read through Philippians together.