Praying for Your Kids Monday-- Self-Control
Could it be that Paul saved the hardest for last? Yikes. As I was rocking M to sleep tonight I was thinking of all the ways a person needs to have self-control. The list is really endless: time in the Word, emotions, spending, time management, actions, thoughts, speech (taming the tongue), physical health, eating/drinking, addictions etc. etc. And I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I think of all the fruits we've covered, this one is where the way we live our life has the most influential on our kids without even saying a word.
I'm not going to say a whole lot about this because we all know the areas in our life that need more self-control and unless you're a chump you probably know you need to change those areas. Go boldly before the Throne of Grace and ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to give you guidance, motivation, and strength so that you can be a godly example to your children. Self-control is not easy; I'm the first to admit that, but its worth it.
With that said... in Galatians the word self-control is the translation of the Greek enkrateia which means "possessing power, strong, having mastery or possession of, continent, self-controlled". I like what Proverbs 25:28 implies about self-control, "Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls." In the time this was written a city without walls was defenseless against outside enemies; its occupants were vulnerable to any foe who would wish evil upon them. Like a city without walls, when we have no self-control we have no defense against anger, lust, desires, selfishness and pride. Without self-control we weaken ourselves.
So this week let's pray for kids but ourselves too. I encourage you to pray this week that God will show you areas in your life that are open and defenseless and where you need to exercise more self-control. God I am so grateful that You haven't left me alone to wander without hope. You continuously guide me through Your Word what I should be doing and how I should be raising my kids. Thank You. Lord, this week I pray You will give me clear focus on the areas in my life that I need more self-control and even though it may be painful I pray You will give me strength to begin to make changes. God I pray for _________ that You will begin to show her what it means to have self-control and that You will put people in her life to be godly examples of self-control. You are the matchless example of self-control and I pray _______ will long to be like You. Amen.
Showing posts with label Fruits of the Spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fruits of the Spirit. Show all posts
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Praying for Your Kids Monday--Gentleness
When I was younger I used to equate gentleness weakness. Thankfully, as I've gotten older, met more people and allowed the Holy Spirit to work in my life I've seen that gentleness is actually a sign of great strength.
God has blessed me with a very gentle husband. He's thoughtful in his words, tender in his teaching and cautious of others' feelings. As I watch him with Samuel and Emily I am grateful they have such a godly example of gentleness (as well as many other wonderful virtues that Jeff has). What's interesting though is while his gentle spirit is how I am quick to describe him I have never thought of him as weak, actually quite the opposite as though his gentleness gives him a quiet strength. I wasn't surprised then as I began researching for tonight to find the following passage:
The Greek translation of gentleness is prah-ot’-ace. The Greek language is a precise and expressive language. When the Greeks developed a word, they not only gave it a careful definition, but they almost always illustrated it. A tamed horse has yielded or submitted it’s strength; the strength of the animal is no longer wasted wildly, but has been focused in order to fulfill a purpose.
Gentleness then is power under control, submitted strength.
I believe gentleness is one of those virtues that tells the world we are followers of Christ. In ourselves we are unable to reign in strength and power and have gentle spirits. Paul tells us in Colossians to clothe ourselves in gentleness and we learn in Galatians that gentleness is a direct result of having the Spirit living in us and "Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives." (5:24-25; The Message)
So let us pray for our children to clothe themselves in gentleness and point others to Christ through their gentle words and actions. Lord, I pray for _________ to have a gentle spirit. I pray You will put people in his life that will be an example of power under control and that he will see submitted strength as a virtue and not a weakness. I pray You will draw ________ to You and pour Your Spirit out on him. It is in the gentle and powerful name of Christ I pray, Amen.
When I was younger I used to equate gentleness weakness. Thankfully, as I've gotten older, met more people and allowed the Holy Spirit to work in my life I've seen that gentleness is actually a sign of great strength.
God has blessed me with a very gentle husband. He's thoughtful in his words, tender in his teaching and cautious of others' feelings. As I watch him with Samuel and Emily I am grateful they have such a godly example of gentleness (as well as many other wonderful virtues that Jeff has). What's interesting though is while his gentle spirit is how I am quick to describe him I have never thought of him as weak, actually quite the opposite as though his gentleness gives him a quiet strength. I wasn't surprised then as I began researching for tonight to find the following passage:
The Greek translation of gentleness is prah-ot’-ace. The Greek language is a precise and expressive language. When the Greeks developed a word, they not only gave it a careful definition, but they almost always illustrated it. A tamed horse has yielded or submitted it’s strength; the strength of the animal is no longer wasted wildly, but has been focused in order to fulfill a purpose.
Gentleness then is power under control, submitted strength.
I believe gentleness is one of those virtues that tells the world we are followers of Christ. In ourselves we are unable to reign in strength and power and have gentle spirits. Paul tells us in Colossians to clothe ourselves in gentleness and we learn in Galatians that gentleness is a direct result of having the Spirit living in us and "Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives." (5:24-25; The Message)
So let us pray for our children to clothe themselves in gentleness and point others to Christ through their gentle words and actions. Lord, I pray for _________ to have a gentle spirit. I pray You will put people in his life that will be an example of power under control and that he will see submitted strength as a virtue and not a weakness. I pray You will draw ________ to You and pour Your Spirit out on him. It is in the gentle and powerful name of Christ I pray, Amen.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
While I may joke about head shots please know I am incredibly humbled that any one takes the time to read this blog. It is so much fun for me to do and I am truly moved when someone says it made them laugh or encouraged them. I'm truly blessed when someone says they enjoy PYKM as it is a passion God has given me and I long for us to be a generation of Moms who are known for their commitment to praying for their kids, husbands and homes. -Jen
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Praying for Your Kids Monday--Faithfulness
William Barclay in his "Book of Virtues" describes faithfulness as "a great word. It describes the person on whose faithful service we may rely, on whose loyalty we may depend, whose word we can unreservedly accept. It describes the person in whom there is the unswerving and inflexible fidelity of Jesus Christ, and the utter dependability of God."
Wow, wouldn't we all want to be described that way? Wouldn't we love to hear others describe our children like that? Faithfulness isn't a virtue that comes easily and in fact David says, "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak." (Psalm 12: 1-2).
In a society where the faithful disappear how ever more important it is for us to pray for God to raise up this virtue in our children so that they will be known as faithful men and women.
God You are so faithful to me and to my family; Your Word abounds with descriptions of Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your son Jesus who was faithful even unto death. I pray for _________ to see the example of Jesus and His faithfulness to You and Your work and be inspired to become a woman of faithfulness. Lord, please pour Your Spirit out on ________ so that people will say of her that she is reliable and loyal. I pray she will have unswerving and inflexible devotion to You. Amen.
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Praying for Your Kids Monday--Faithfulness
William Barclay in his "Book of Virtues" describes faithfulness as "a great word. It describes the person on whose faithful service we may rely, on whose loyalty we may depend, whose word we can unreservedly accept. It describes the person in whom there is the unswerving and inflexible fidelity of Jesus Christ, and the utter dependability of God."
Wow, wouldn't we all want to be described that way? Wouldn't we love to hear others describe our children like that? Faithfulness isn't a virtue that comes easily and in fact David says, "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak." (Psalm 12: 1-2).
In a society where the faithful disappear how ever more important it is for us to pray for God to raise up this virtue in our children so that they will be known as faithful men and women.
God You are so faithful to me and to my family; Your Word abounds with descriptions of Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your son Jesus who was faithful even unto death. I pray for _________ to see the example of Jesus and His faithfulness to You and Your work and be inspired to become a woman of faithfulness. Lord, please pour Your Spirit out on ________ so that people will say of her that she is reliable and loyal. I pray she will have unswerving and inflexible devotion to You. Amen.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
PYKM-- Goodness
Goodness seems to be a word of implication; people seem to use the word good to imply a bunch of other things. Here are some examples of what I mean: "He's a good kid" implies he obeys his parents, does well in school and stays out of trouble. "She's a good employee" implies she shows up on time, is efficient, thorough and ethical. So generally when I think of the fruit goodness I think of it as an umbrella over all the other fruits or rather that it is a fruit that encompasses all the other fruits.
As I thought about this virtue much of the weekend I wondered if it were just a blend of the other fruits why would Paul reference it all mixed in with the others? Why not say "the fruit of the Spirit is goodness, you know: love, joy, peace, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."?
So I did my homework. If you're bored already then go ahead and skip to the bottom and start praying for goodness for your kids. If you're not, then keep reading and will unpack this together.
"Goodness" in this passage is the Greek translation for agathosune meaning "uprightness of heart and life". It seems to me Paul is asking us to live honest, ethical lives because others are watching us when we claim to be Christ followers. As the Spirit transforms us from old to new our lives should dramatically look different and when they do it points to Christ and God is glorified.
If we preach the message of Christ but don't live an upright life or have goodness then how much of our message is diminished? Matthew 5 tells us that we are the light of the world and that we are to let our "light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven". And perhaps if we're letting our goodness be our message then a lot less words will need to be used.
Finally, we are to live an upright life and pray goodness for our children because ultimately we want them to be like God and He is good. "And He said, 'I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.' (Exodus 33:19)
Usually I write my own prayers but Paul's prayer for goodness to the church in Thessalonica is just to beautiful and poetic not to use. I will paraphrase it for us (plus, there is nothing more powerful than praying God's word over your kids!):
God of goodness, I pray for You to fulfil my every desire of goodness and every work of faith for _________. I pray You will transform his life with Your amazing Spirit so that those around him will be drawn to You and come to know Your saving power. I pray ________ will live an upright life so the mighty and powerful name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Goodness seems to be a word of implication; people seem to use the word good to imply a bunch of other things. Here are some examples of what I mean: "He's a good kid" implies he obeys his parents, does well in school and stays out of trouble. "She's a good employee" implies she shows up on time, is efficient, thorough and ethical. So generally when I think of the fruit goodness I think of it as an umbrella over all the other fruits or rather that it is a fruit that encompasses all the other fruits.
As I thought about this virtue much of the weekend I wondered if it were just a blend of the other fruits why would Paul reference it all mixed in with the others? Why not say "the fruit of the Spirit is goodness, you know: love, joy, peace, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."?
So I did my homework. If you're bored already then go ahead and skip to the bottom and start praying for goodness for your kids. If you're not, then keep reading and will unpack this together.
"Goodness" in this passage is the Greek translation for agathosune meaning "uprightness of heart and life". It seems to me Paul is asking us to live honest, ethical lives because others are watching us when we claim to be Christ followers. As the Spirit transforms us from old to new our lives should dramatically look different and when they do it points to Christ and God is glorified.
If we preach the message of Christ but don't live an upright life or have goodness then how much of our message is diminished? Matthew 5 tells us that we are the light of the world and that we are to let our "light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven". And perhaps if we're letting our goodness be our message then a lot less words will need to be used.
Finally, we are to live an upright life and pray goodness for our children because ultimately we want them to be like God and He is good. "And He said, 'I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.' (Exodus 33:19)
Usually I write my own prayers but Paul's prayer for goodness to the church in Thessalonica is just to beautiful and poetic not to use. I will paraphrase it for us (plus, there is nothing more powerful than praying God's word over your kids!):
God of goodness, I pray for You to fulfil my every desire of goodness and every work of faith for _________. I pray You will transform his life with Your amazing Spirit so that those around him will be drawn to You and come to know Your saving power. I pray ________ will live an upright life so the mighty and powerful name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Praying for Your Kids Monday-- Kindness
Kindness is trendy! How about that? There's a great website out there called Acts of Kindness but before it was on bumper stickers, God was modeling it and Paul was telling us to wear it like a garment. "Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12
Kindness is one of those fruits that is easy to put a mental picture to; when you talk to your kids about kindness its easy to model and its easy to talk about even at early ages. Kindness translates to sharing with a sibling, helping you carry groceries from the car, making sandwiches for the homeless ministry at your church, and helping out an elderly neighbor. It can even be as easy as speaking with kind words and a kind tone of voice.
2 Corinthians tells us that we are living letters: what does yours read? Are you modeling kindness for your kids?
God of amazing kindness, thank You for the matchless example You are to me and my children of kindness. I pray You will give __________ a kind heart and that he will desire to show kindness to those he meets. Through Your Spirit, I pray that he will grow to be a living letter of Your love, grace and kindness that points others to You. Amen.
Kindness is trendy! How about that? There's a great website out there called Acts of Kindness but before it was on bumper stickers, God was modeling it and Paul was telling us to wear it like a garment. "Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12
Kindness is one of those fruits that is easy to put a mental picture to; when you talk to your kids about kindness its easy to model and its easy to talk about even at early ages. Kindness translates to sharing with a sibling, helping you carry groceries from the car, making sandwiches for the homeless ministry at your church, and helping out an elderly neighbor. It can even be as easy as speaking with kind words and a kind tone of voice.
2 Corinthians tells us that we are living letters: what does yours read? Are you modeling kindness for your kids?
God of amazing kindness, thank You for the matchless example You are to me and my children of kindness. I pray You will give __________ a kind heart and that he will desire to show kindness to those he meets. Through Your Spirit, I pray that he will grow to be a living letter of Your love, grace and kindness that points others to You. Amen.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
PYKM-- Peace
I must admit, starting this series on the Fruit of the Spirit I never would have imagined this passage was so jammed pack with such good stuff. God is really teaching me a lot about characteristics I am lacking as I pray these qualities for my children. This week's topic, patience, is perhaps the most difficult to write about as it is the one I struggle with the most.
We live in a society that gives us everything we want right away. Watch TV for 30 minutes and almost all the commercials are bragging about the speed in which something is delivered. Our children are growing up in a "Your Way, Right Away" message being sent to them from all angles when in real life there will many times when they are called to wait.
Friends, we all want our kids to be patient with their siblings and their friends but the patience we're praying for this week goes so much deeper. There is so much on this topic I want to write about and I hope to get to it in my posts later this week but one thing I definitely want to touch on is the example of patience we have in Scripture. The Message states Exodus 34:6 like this:
God passed in front of him and called out, "God, God, a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient—so much love, so deeply true—loyal in love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin.
"Endlessly patient". Wow. Can you imagine being endlessly patient? With your kids? With your husband? With people you come across with? Honestly, I can't. I can be pretty patient if I put my mind to it but endlessly? That is how our loving, gracious, matchless Father is with us: endlessly patient. If our children can catch a glimpse of that patience through us than I believe God will be pleased with us and the example we are trying to set. This week our prayer is for US and our kids.
Great God of mercy, grace and endless patience, I am astounded at Your faithfulness to me. I confess that more times than I'd like to admit I am not patient with those around me, especially the little ones you've entrusted to my care. Jehovah, will you please pour Your Spirit out on me that I may have an extra measure of patience with _________ today. May I speak kindly, love generously and be endlessly patient with him as You are with me. May You be glorified through my words and actions. Amen.
I must admit, starting this series on the Fruit of the Spirit I never would have imagined this passage was so jammed pack with such good stuff. God is really teaching me a lot about characteristics I am lacking as I pray these qualities for my children. This week's topic, patience, is perhaps the most difficult to write about as it is the one I struggle with the most.
We live in a society that gives us everything we want right away. Watch TV for 30 minutes and almost all the commercials are bragging about the speed in which something is delivered. Our children are growing up in a "Your Way, Right Away" message being sent to them from all angles when in real life there will many times when they are called to wait.
Friends, we all want our kids to be patient with their siblings and their friends but the patience we're praying for this week goes so much deeper. There is so much on this topic I want to write about and I hope to get to it in my posts later this week but one thing I definitely want to touch on is the example of patience we have in Scripture. The Message states Exodus 34:6 like this:
God passed in front of him and called out, "God, God, a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient—so much love, so deeply true—loyal in love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin.
"Endlessly patient". Wow. Can you imagine being endlessly patient? With your kids? With your husband? With people you come across with? Honestly, I can't. I can be pretty patient if I put my mind to it but endlessly? That is how our loving, gracious, matchless Father is with us: endlessly patient. If our children can catch a glimpse of that patience through us than I believe God will be pleased with us and the example we are trying to set. This week our prayer is for US and our kids.
Great God of mercy, grace and endless patience, I am astounded at Your faithfulness to me. I confess that more times than I'd like to admit I am not patient with those around me, especially the little ones you've entrusted to my care. Jehovah, will you please pour Your Spirit out on me that I may have an extra measure of patience with _________ today. May I speak kindly, love generously and be endlessly patient with him as You are with me. May You be glorified through my words and actions. Amen.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Greek Word "Peace"--PYKM Update
The gracious Steve Fowler (pastor at SAC) answered our/my question on the word peace. Here is the explanation from his email...
The word peace (eirene) in Greek means peace, harmony, tranquility; safety, welfare, health; often with an emphasis on a lack of strife. In the Galatians passage it is used as a noun. The passage in Romans is the same Greek word but it’s found in it’s in verb form (eireneuo). So, basically it is the same meaning but in the Romans passage it is being lived out.
Thank you Steve (I'm quite certain he reads this blog first thing in the morning, just like Bestie Kim).
The gracious Steve Fowler (pastor at SAC) answered our/my question on the word peace. Here is the explanation from his email...
The word peace (eirene) in Greek means peace, harmony, tranquility; safety, welfare, health; often with an emphasis on a lack of strife. In the Galatians passage it is used as a noun. The passage in Romans is the same Greek word but it’s found in it’s in verb form (eireneuo). So, basically it is the same meaning but in the Romans passage it is being lived out.
Thank you Steve (I'm quite certain he reads this blog first thing in the morning, just like Bestie Kim).
Sunday, June 14, 2009
PYKM-- Peace
The next fruit of the Spirit we'll be praying for our kids is peace. When I first read this I thought of it in terms peace as in not fighting with others but the more I thought about it I think it is peace like shalom. Paul, the author of Galatians where we find the Fruit of the Spirit, tells the church of Philipi in chapter 4 the recipe to a peace-filled life:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". (vs. 6 & 7).
The kids and I sing a song from the Psalty praise cd's and it says, "I've got that peace that passes understanding down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart to stay. And I'm so happy, so very happy, I've got the peace of Jesus in my heart". Its just the sweetest song and once you get it in your head you can't get it out but I love that, through God and His Spirit, our kids can know peace even when there is no earthly reason for them to.
As I wrote about a couple of weeks ago, our kids don't have a little pint-sized Holy Spirit, they have the same Holy Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead, inspired Paul and guides our hearts and actions to this day. How awesome that the God who created the universe loves to give our
kids peace.
Jehovah Shalom, great God of peace, thank you that you love __________ so much that you have sent your Spirit to give her peace in her times of fear, trouble, doubt and worry. Would you please open her eyes so that she will know where the peace comes from and that she will know to pray to you in her dark times. Amen.
p.s.
I'm going to try and confirm that the peace in Galatians is the same as the one referenced in Phillipians 4 and not the one in Romans in which we're told to be at peace with all men.
The next fruit of the Spirit we'll be praying for our kids is peace. When I first read this I thought of it in terms peace as in not fighting with others but the more I thought about it I think it is peace like shalom. Paul, the author of Galatians where we find the Fruit of the Spirit, tells the church of Philipi in chapter 4 the recipe to a peace-filled life:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". (vs. 6 & 7).
The kids and I sing a song from the Psalty praise cd's and it says, "I've got that peace that passes understanding down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart to stay. And I'm so happy, so very happy, I've got the peace of Jesus in my heart". Its just the sweetest song and once you get it in your head you can't get it out but I love that, through God and His Spirit, our kids can know peace even when there is no earthly reason for them to.
As I wrote about a couple of weeks ago, our kids don't have a little pint-sized Holy Spirit, they have the same Holy Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead, inspired Paul and guides our hearts and actions to this day. How awesome that the God who created the universe loves to give our
kids peace.Jehovah Shalom, great God of peace, thank you that you love __________ so much that you have sent your Spirit to give her peace in her times of fear, trouble, doubt and worry. Would you please open her eyes so that she will know where the peace comes from and that she will know to pray to you in her dark times. Amen.
p.s.
I'm going to try and confirm that the peace in Galatians is the same as the one referenced in Phillipians 4 and not the one in Romans in which we're told to be at peace with all men.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
PYKM-- Joy
This week we'll be continuing our prayers for children and the fruit of the Spirit; this week we're concentrating on joy. Interestingly, our society doesn't make much differentiation between joy and happiness and seems to be in constant pursuit of happiness. However, if we look at this passage joy, not happiness, is listed as a fruit of the Spirit hence we can infer that true joy can come only from the Holy Spirit.
Like last week, I'll will expound on this thought in tomorrow's post but for tonight and for praying for our children let's remember that Biblical joy, true joy, is inseparable from God and His Holy Spirit.
God of joy, please help _________ to know Your joy that comes from a personal and deepening relationship with You. I pray that even in dark times he will have a joy that is rooted in You and he will draw strength from Your Spirit. Amen.
This week we'll be continuing our prayers for children and the fruit of the Spirit; this week we're concentrating on joy. Interestingly, our society doesn't make much differentiation between joy and happiness and seems to be in constant pursuit of happiness. However, if we look at this passage joy, not happiness, is listed as a fruit of the Spirit hence we can infer that true joy can come only from the Holy Spirit.
Like last week, I'll will expound on this thought in tomorrow's post but for tonight and for praying for our children let's remember that Biblical joy, true joy, is inseparable from God and His Holy Spirit.
God of joy, please help _________ to know Your joy that comes from a personal and deepening relationship with You. I pray that even in dark times he will have a joy that is rooted in You and he will draw strength from Your Spirit. Amen.
Monday, June 1, 2009
And the Greatest of These is Love...
I wanted to expound on the concept of love and have lots of ideas swimming in my head but I just started sewing project and am eaer to finish it up so I'm going to recycle a post from January on the topic.
I started writing down the things that, without love, become a clanging cymbal and was astonished at the absolute truth of this verse regarding the way I love my husband and children. Without love my discipline becomes punishment. Without love my teaching becomes lecturing. Without love my correction becomes criticism. Without love my expectations become idols and without love my good intentions of glorifying the King become pride. What's a girl to do?
I'm convinced there is not a secret formula that takes years and years of study and practice to figure out; I'm certain the answer lies within the passage that poses the problem. Look a little further down in verse 13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." God's best, God's most excellent way for me to change the areas that need changing is through love. The answer lies within the question... If I will love the way that God loves, unconditionally and without measure, the rest falls into place. Its no easy task but aren't our children worth it? Who else can you think of that deserves more unabashed and unfiltered love? In Mark we're told how to love God: with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with our strength and I think this translates to our kids too. Here's why: if we loved with only our heart we'd be loving with only emotion and we can't do that all the time because let's face it...they are little villians and sometimes the only emotion there is anger or frustration. In these situations, sometimes our love has to be a decision of will, that's where our mind comes in; we make up our minds to love unconditionally. Similarly, loving isn't always easy and situations get hard and we're tired and we feel unappreciated and so we have to love with all our strength (and interestingly, strength only comes from exercise...). Finally, some parents have a history of abuse or didn't have good examples of unconditional love and they just don't know how to love and I believe that's where our soul comes in. For many of us its the result of the Fall and we're less than perfect and need the help of Someone bigger than our sinful selves. When we pray for the Holy Spirit to teach us how to love as God loves, we are loving with our soul.
So in the end and in my very wordy way, it all comes full circle. Without love we are clanging cymbals. The only way not to be is through...love. And to love as God commands we must do it with our emotions, our soul, our mind and our sheer determination to be obedient. Pray today that God would show you specific ways you can love your children (or anybody in your life) this week. What better way to express God's astounding love and grace than by showering it on someone else.
I wanted to expound on the concept of love and have lots of ideas swimming in my head but I just started sewing project and am eaer to finish it up so I'm going to recycle a post from January on the topic.
I started writing down the things that, without love, become a clanging cymbal and was astonished at the absolute truth of this verse regarding the way I love my husband and children. Without love my discipline becomes punishment. Without love my teaching becomes lecturing. Without love my correction becomes criticism. Without love my expectations become idols and without love my good intentions of glorifying the King become pride. What's a girl to do?
I'm convinced there is not a secret formula that takes years and years of study and practice to figure out; I'm certain the answer lies within the passage that poses the problem. Look a little further down in verse 13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." God's best, God's most excellent way for me to change the areas that need changing is through love. The answer lies within the question... If I will love the way that God loves, unconditionally and without measure, the rest falls into place. Its no easy task but aren't our children worth it? Who else can you think of that deserves more unabashed and unfiltered love? In Mark we're told how to love God: with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with our strength and I think this translates to our kids too. Here's why: if we loved with only our heart we'd be loving with only emotion and we can't do that all the time because let's face it...they are little villians and sometimes the only emotion there is anger or frustration. In these situations, sometimes our love has to be a decision of will, that's where our mind comes in; we make up our minds to love unconditionally. Similarly, loving isn't always easy and situations get hard and we're tired and we feel unappreciated and so we have to love with all our strength (and interestingly, strength only comes from exercise...). Finally, some parents have a history of abuse or didn't have good examples of unconditional love and they just don't know how to love and I believe that's where our soul comes in. For many of us its the result of the Fall and we're less than perfect and need the help of Someone bigger than our sinful selves. When we pray for the Holy Spirit to teach us how to love as God loves, we are loving with our soul.
So in the end and in my very wordy way, it all comes full circle. Without love we are clanging cymbals. The only way not to be is through...love. And to love as God commands we must do it with our emotions, our soul, our mind and our sheer determination to be obedient. Pray today that God would show you specific ways you can love your children (or anybody in your life) this week. What better way to express God's astounding love and grace than by showering it on someone else.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Praying for Your Kids Monday
Fruits of the Spirit: Love
Back from vacation and excited to start PYKM up again; I hope the "time away" was good for you as you developed new habits of praying for your kids but I also hope you missed me enough to keep coming back!
Two new things. 1) I've gotten several requests since we started this journey for a copy of certain prayers. Well I don't save them and the blog doesn't archive them since its not an official "post". Sooooo, I'm going to write it as a post and put in the side column so it is there all week for reference but you'll be able to find a favorite but going to the archive list and clicking on "PYKM".
2) For summer I thought I would do a theme for a few weeks and feel God leading towards the fruits of the spirit. I used to have a little tent card on my kitchen window sill to remind me of the fruits and I found it so helpful during the day to be reminded of what I have already been given and is what is expected of me. As we teach our kids about Godly virtues I think it is important we use the language that God uses. Instead of saying, "You need to wait your turn" we can say, "Please have patience and self-control"; we're using the same language that God uses and we're confirming what we've been praying for them quietly and outloud with them.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control". Galatians 5:22 & 23
The first fruit is love and I hope to unpack this virtue a little bit in tomorrow's post but for now, let's start praying it for our children!
"And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing". 1 Corinthians 13: 1-4
Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit you have sent to us to teach us your right and good way. Thank you that you haven't left us to muddle along on our own, searching for truth and happiness, but instead have shown us a clear path through your Son and through your Word. I pray for ___________ to be filled with your Spirit's love; may she learn to love unconditionally and faithfully, for you have taught us that love is the most excellent way.
Fruits of the Spirit: Love
Back from vacation and excited to start PYKM up again; I hope the "time away" was good for you as you developed new habits of praying for your kids but I also hope you missed me enough to keep coming back!
Two new things. 1) I've gotten several requests since we started this journey for a copy of certain prayers. Well I don't save them and the blog doesn't archive them since its not an official "post". Sooooo, I'm going to write it as a post and put in the side column so it is there all week for reference but you'll be able to find a favorite but going to the archive list and clicking on "PYKM".
2) For summer I thought I would do a theme for a few weeks and feel God leading towards the fruits of the spirit. I used to have a little tent card on my kitchen window sill to remind me of the fruits and I found it so helpful during the day to be reminded of what I have already been given and is what is expected of me. As we teach our kids about Godly virtues I think it is important we use the language that God uses. Instead of saying, "You need to wait your turn" we can say, "Please have patience and self-control"; we're using the same language that God uses and we're confirming what we've been praying for them quietly and outloud with them.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control". Galatians 5:22 & 23
The first fruit is love and I hope to unpack this virtue a little bit in tomorrow's post but for now, let's start praying it for our children!
"And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing". 1 Corinthians 13: 1-4
Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit you have sent to us to teach us your right and good way. Thank you that you haven't left us to muddle along on our own, searching for truth and happiness, but instead have shown us a clear path through your Son and through your Word. I pray for ___________ to be filled with your Spirit's love; may she learn to love unconditionally and faithfully, for you have taught us that love is the most excellent way.
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