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Respite For the Weary
Dear Children,It’s story time! Listen to this make-believe tale about a certain forgetful knight:Once upon a time there was a young man named Englebert, who on this special day, happened to be living out his dream of becoming a real knight. He had always wanted to be a real knight in the real King’s army when “he grew up.” And it seemed like only yesterday, he was playing “good knights” and “bad knights” with his little friends. They would use buckets for helmets, cooking lids for shields, and long sticks for swords. What “great battles” they would have!But now, he was “grown up,” and this was the real thing! Englebert had become a majestic knight in service to the King; and this was his first time to sleep in the palace quarters. What a jumble of nerves he was! And, poor Englebert, when his nerves got jumbled, so did his mind! He just kept repeating to himself as he drifted off into an uneasy, restless sleep: “If there’s a battle, I must find my horse and go fight, find my horse and go fight, find my horse and go fight. . . . “ Well, guess what? Very soon Englebert would have his first chance to go into battle. . . .In the wee morning hours, a mighty trumpet blew a resounding alarm to all the King’s horsemen and all the King’s men! An enemy had been sighted, and all were to prepare immediately for battle. Englebert flung the covers off himself in a panic and darted about the room to and fro in fretful hysteria, thinking about everything and nothing at the same time. He then remembered what he had told himself the night before: “O yes, yes, my horse. I must find my horse and go fight!” And so, off he went running frantically out the door searching wildly for his horse, wearing only his polka-dotted underwear. This crazy behavior would have continued, except that Englebert stepped on a huge thorn that stuck in his foot. “Ouch!” he yelled as he bent over to see the problem. Suddenly, he realized, “Oh, my goodness! I forgot my armored boots! I must go back and get my armored boots!” That, he did quickly. He found them at once, put them on, and again attempted to scurry off to the battle. But before he could even get out the door, he butted his head with tremendous force against its frame, which he sometimes forgot was low. “Ouch! And double ouch!” he cried, as he felt the swelling knot on his forehead. “Oh, my lands! My helmet! I forgot my helmet!” So he found his helmet, put it on, and declared himself ready for battle---in his armored boots, his helmet, and his polka- dotted underwear.This time his hunt for his horse was successful. Sleepy-headed Gertrude was standing quietly underneath a large tree. Englebert sped up his already quick pace and gave a mighty leap into the air, landing with a heavy smack on old Gerdy. However, old Gerdy was not ready for young Englebert. She did not appreciate this sudden surprise. Stubbornly, she bucked him off with a gigantic buck, which sent him sailing through the air. Poor Englebert landed on his bottom, with a BIG thud quite a distance away. “Ouch! And triple ouch!” he yelled. “That was a terribly painful landing!” And when he looked down, he realized why. “Oh my heavens! I have forgotten to put on my armored pants! I must go back at once!” But as he got up, a branch from the tree he was under scratched his bare chest, making a long red mark across it. “Ouch! And quadruple ouch!” he declared. “And yes, I must get my breastplate as well!” And so, Englebert ran in his helmet, his armored boots, and his underwear, back to his quarters to get his armored pants and his protective breastplate.. . . “Ah! Now, I am ready to fight!” he said to himself as he, this time, slowly mounted Gertrude. “Let’s be off, my dear faithful horse.” So Englebert and Gertrude followed the noise of the battle and came very close to the action. As a matter of fact, one arrow whizzed through the air above his head and another hit his breastplate, bouncing off to the ground beneath him. Soon, however, several arrows were flying ALL around him. Then, somehow, one managed to stick him in the crevice below his shoulder. “Ouch! And quintuple ouch! That hurt!” he said as he pulled the (not-so-deep) arrow out of his shoulder. It was at this time he realized he had forgotten his shield. “Oh my stars! I forgot my shield! I must go back and get my shield. I cannot truly be protected without it!” And so Englebert dashed to his quarters, one more time.“Ah! Now, I’m ready! I have all that I need to fight---I cannot be better prepared.” Sure enough, this time, the arrows of battle could not touch Englebert. He took courage in the sound of the “chink” as they hit his shield and bounced away. However, he did begin to wonder to himself what he would do if the enemy came closer, which, in fact, they were! “Hmm, “he wondered, “I cannot fight like this forever. As a matter of fact, I’m not fighting at all! I’m just defending!” He turned and looked around at his fellow knight. He was holding his mighty sword that glistened in the early morning sun. With this weapon, he was able to fight off the enemy with great valor.“Aha! That’s it!” declared Englebert. “My sword! I forgot my sword! And if I don’t go get it, I will have infinite ouches!” So, one last time, Englebert raced to his quarters, grabbed his own sword, and returned to the edge of the battle. There, with Gertrude beneath him, he stood tall, almost heroically. His armor was fully applied: his boots, his helmet, his pants, his breastplate, his shield, and now his sword. Although it took him a while, he had finally become a real knight in service to a real King. Englebert, then, feeling strong and courageous, stepped into battle and fought with all his might, in order to bring glory and honor to his King’s name. The end.Okay, children, here’s the meaning behind Englebert’s absent-minded behavior. . . .Just as he forgot to put on his armor to fight a physical battle, we too can forget to put on our “armor” when we fight our daily spiritual battles. Children, you (and I) need to “get dressed” spiritually every day in order to be equipped and ready to fight off the fiery darts of the evil one. Satan will send those arrows; and you better believe, he will attack when he sees you without your armor on. Remember, put on the armor of God, and keep it on, my dear ones.Here are just a few hints on how to get dressed for this battle. In the morning, when you are ready for the day---washing your face, brushing your teeth, putting on your clothes---you can also be “praying on” your armor:
Do you get the picture? There are so many ways to “pray on” your protective armor; don’t limit it to these. But please, dear children, don’t always live and fight defensively! You have the ability to defeat the enemy with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. This weapon, dear children, when used with the shield of faith, will cause Satan not only to back off, but he will also turn and flee! I challenge you, children, to hide His Word in your heart so that you may use it decisively when you are being attacked. Realize this takes time, energy, and effort, but knowing His Word and using it wisely is worth it all.Believe God is real, and He will really win. Have faith in His power, not your own. And remember, His power is in every piece of armor that you choose to put on or carry. Please don’t go out into the daily battle of life just in your “spiritual underwear.” Because your experience, my dear ones, may not be as humorous as Englebert’s.
I love you
Dear Heavenly Father,I praise You and thank You for all of Your power and all of Your protection You freely give to us as Christians. For You have promised to come and live inside of all those who believe. I pray, dear God, that my children would never doubt Your promises. Help them to believe they have the power through You to resist Satan when he is attacking them in a vulnerable spot.I pray they will stand firm on You, dear Lord, the Rock of Ages. For, You promise not to allow those feet to slip who are walking in faith. Keep them on Your solid foundation, which is changeless and eternal. There, may they daily be in a habit of taking up and putting on each piece of precious armor that comes from You.First of all, I pray each child would always buckle the belt of truth around their waist. Help them, dear Father, to pursue a life of complete honesty---one that will keep their conscience clean, their integrity blameless, and their hearts pure. And may Your truth forever set them free from the lies and deception of Satan, their enemy.Secondly, I pray my children would realize the awesome privilege of being able to wear Your righteousness as a breastplate. As they humbly apply this piece of armor, impress on them, this can be worn only because of the blood their Savior shed for them on the cross. May they wear it for You, dear Jesus, with honor and dignity.Then, as my children shod their feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, I pray they would realize this is Your mighty calling---going out, as You have commanded, to set trapped prisoners free. May they never be satisfied with being stationary in You; but fill them with the desire to be the bearer of this Good News, which is able to save lost souls.And as they go, may they remember to take up Your invincible shield of faith, so they may be able to resist all the flaming missiles of the evil one. Give them the confidence they need to accomplish all the wonderful plans You have waiting for them in your will.In addition to all of this armor, may they daily put on Your helmet of salvation, which will, once again, protect them from the lies and schemes of Satan. May they meditate on You as their God and Savior, and lover of their soul. Give them the mind of Christ, and fill them with Your beauty, Your wisdom, and Your love.And finally, dear Lord, may my children never forget to carry with them Your mighty weapon, the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word. For it is living and active, able to pierce as far as the division of the soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12). May they hide Your Word inside them, meditating on it even in the night watches (Ps.63:6), I pray, so they may be able to use it in any time of need.You are our Mighty Warrior, dear God, and our Commander in Chief. Thank You for providing Your armor to all those who seek and serve You as their King. May my children, by Your Spirit, choose to be a part of Your army, fighting the good fight of faith---now and forevermore.
Amen
Eph. 6:10-17; Col. 4:2; Ps. 119:11; I John 3:8b; Ex. 14:14; Gal. 1:3-5
Rom. 13:12; Eph. 1:18-19; I Cor. 16:13-14; Ps. 121:1-8; Ps. 15:1-5; Is. 59:16-21; Ps. 144:1-2; Ps. 24:7-10; II Sam. 22: 29-47
Dear Children,I want you to be keenly aware of who Satan is. Some of the terms he has been referred to as in the Bible are:serpent---Genesis 3: 1-7thief---John 10:10enemy---Psalms 61:3deceiver---Revelation 12:9-11father of lies---John 8:44roaring lion---I Peter 5:8accuser---Revelation 12:9-11ruler of darkness---Ephesians 6:12destroyer---John 10:10Now, listen to his main objectives as he roams the earth, seeking out hearts, minds, and souls. He will make every effort:to trick youto steal from youto attack youto fool youto lie to youto devour youto pass wrong judgment on youto keep you in his darknessand to completely defeat you.Children, Satan is very much alive, and he is very powerful. If you do not have Christ in your heart and mind, then he does have the power to do to you all the things he plots out and schemes. Remember, his goal is to keep you locked up in a prison cell where you are completely unable to serve the God whom you proclaim to love. He is desperately trying to keep you bound to your “old self.” Recognize some of these strongholds (which I have mentioned before) which Satan will wrap like thick cords around your mind: shame, guilt, fear, bitterness, worry, confusion, discontentment, and doubt. Also take note, there are many other heavy chains your enemy will use to dominate your behavior. Know, dear ones, he is behind every single snare you fall into. He is oh-so-crafty, and will always attack you in your weakest moment, targeting your weakest spot. So, I want you to take Jesus’ advice: Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Mat 26:41). Call on Him in time of need; His Spirit will surely come to your rescue. Your Savior Jesus, is the only One who can sever those cords and break those chains. I know this to be true, first hand, children. Satan had the “cords” of shame and discontentment wrapped so tightly around my neck, they were choking the way, the truth and the life out of me, and I was not even aware of his schemes! Like I said, he is oh-so-crafty. However, my Jesus did come, and he did save. And now, my cup overflows!I love you
Dear Heavenly Father,I pray my children would be given abundant wisdom concerning who Satan is and what his objectives are in each of their lives. With this wisdom, may they be able to stand firm against their enemy.First, I pray, they will know that Satan is a ruler. Help them to realize he is much more than a “passive being” down in the depths of the earth. Instead, may they see him as active as You have described him in Your Word: he is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). Help them to understand, You have “given permission” to Satan for the whole world to lie in his power (I John 5:19). He is the ruler of darkness; and we, as believers, will wrestle against his forces of the world until the day we go Home. Make my children ready for battle, dear Lord. May they bring Your light into this dark place.Secondly, I pray, my children will know that Satan is a liar. Make them aware this master deceiver is always scheming out ways in which he can keep God’s children from being these “lights” for the cause of Christ! May they know that Satan wants their light off! Make my children aware, dear Lord, of their own weaknesses and strongholds; and may they expect to be attacked by Satan in these areas. Keep them, I pray, from being lured into his evil bondage. Always guard their minds from his deceiving use of guilt, or shame, or fear, or bitterness, or any other cord he chooses to tie them up or “snuff them out” with! May they say, with confidence, as Jesus did: Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me: for you are not setting your mind on God’s interest, but man’s (Mat. 16:23).And finally, dear Lord, I pray, my children will know that Satan is a thief. He comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). May they realize his goals are to rob us of our contentment, to put to death our productive time, and to utterly ruin our joy. May he not have this death grip on the hearts and lives of my children, I pray. Instead, may they realize why You have come, sweet Lord Jesus: that they might have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). May they choose life over death, light over darkness, and victory over defeat.
Amen
Job 1:6-22; Rom. 8:5-11; Col. 3:1-10; Col. 2:8-10; Ps. 18:3-19; Luke 4:18
Eph. 2:1-5; Eph. 6:12; II Cor. 11:13-14; II Cor. 11:3; I John 5:12; John 8:12; Ps. 27:1-3; I John 5:4-5
Dear Children,From my last letter, you learned Satan is powerful, and he is the “ruler of this world.” However, may your heart also listen to this truth as well: God is the Author of power, and He has overcome the world! May you never be without hope.Now, I have the awesome privilege of trying to explain the power of God. To do this, I want you to close your eyes and take yourself back in time as I remind you of a few Old Testament Bible stories. I have chosen these particular ones simply because I would have loved to have seen, for myself, God’s majestic power displayed in these particular ways:1. Creation. Can you imagine watching God forming the waves of the sea, or giving the moon and stars their light in the vast universe? Or can you imagine the Creator of life knitting together the intricate details of the first human body; and then, God Himself breathing the first breath of life into him?
2. Noah’s Ark. Don’t you think Noah wondered a time or two how he and his family would shut that huge door to the Ark? It had to be heavy and stable enough to hold two of every animal on the earth! Well, God Himself shut the door for them. I would have loved to see the massive ramp go up . . . gently, smoothly, tightly, securely.
3. Parting the Red Sea. Think children, what if you were there? What an amazing display of the power of God . . . and to walk between walls of water!
4. David and Goliath. God’s power was in that faithful young boy, and God’s power sailed with that stone?
Now, children, I want to turn our focus to the power of Jesus, the Son of God, who is One with God. Keep your eyes closed and imagine you’re with Him. These are some New Testament stories that, again, I would have loved to eye-witness:1. Feeding the five thousand. An awesome event! How could the five loaves and two fish multiply without the power of Jesus? No way at all; but with Him, nothing is impossible! (Matt. 19:26) They went away full, and satisfied---with twelve baskets left over!
2. Calming the Sea. If I were in the disciples’ boat during that storm-infested night, I would have been absolutely terrified, out-yelling these panic-stricken men (and “losing my lunch” in between screams)! But, Jesus calmed the violent storm with just three words, “Peace, be still.” And immediately, the wind and the waves obeyed Him; they became perfectly calm. Would you not fall at his feet and worship Him after witnessing such amazing power?
3. One Healing Miracle. There were so many great miracles, but I possibly would have chosen to see the healing of the blind man----the one where Jesus spit on the ground, made clay, and put it over the man’s eyes. Jesus then told him to go wash his eyes in the Pool of Siloam. The blind man obeyed His voice and received his sight, seeing life for the very first time.
4. Easter Morning. What if you were walking with Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary and you heard with your own ears the greatest truth ever spoken to mankind: He is not here, He is risen! Would your heart have leapt for joy? It can now.
I want to end by focusing on the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s power pertains directly to us, the believing Christians, living right now. When Jesus left this earth, He did not leave us as orphans, but He sent The Helper in His place. And His Spirit is one of the Trinity, so He has all the incredible power of the Holy Father, and Christ the Son. He asks us not to quench His Spirit, but to use it. What do you plan to do today with the power He has given you? Here are some things I always hope for in my life:1. To have the power of His unconditional love. I want to love you, my children, and your daddy, and my parents, and my friends, and my “enemies” the way Jesus Christ loves me.2. To have the power of self control in all I say and do. So much of the time, I push Him aside and rely on myself. (That, by the way, is quenching the Spirit.)3. To have the power to speak boldly for Christ. I want my lips to be a fountain of praise, bringing honor and glory to His Name as long as I live.4. To have the power to endure all things. I want to run the race with endurance, and to fight the good fight of faith, never losing my hope, no matter what comes my way.Can I do these things? Can you? Yes, we can! But only if we allow the Holy Spirit to reign in our hearts. Remember, His power is perfected in weakness (II Cor. 12:9), so don’t think you have to have it all together first. That’s a lie from the father of lies, himself. Let God’s awesome power, dear ones,form youprotect youremove sin from youcarry youfeed and satisfy youquiet youmake you “see”and give LIFE to you forever.I challenge you to compare the list above with the list of what Satan wants to do to you with his power (from my previous letter); and then, my dear ones, choose your Commander.
I love you
Dear Heavenly Father,May You forever be exalted and praised because of Your awesome power! You are truly so much greater than our Enemy. You have promised to overcome the world with Your presence, Your peace, and Your plan. Thank You, O Holy King of kings.I pray my children would become completely confident in this mighty power of Yours, dear God. Remind them of the incredible displays of Your authority existing all throughout Your Word:You can make water pour from rock,You can cause the sun to stand still:You can shut the mouths of lions;You can crush Satan under Your feet.May this give my children the assurance that when they have you completely reigning over their hearts and minds they too can fight Satan and be victorious. For You, Ruler of Life, are all they need in order to defeat the devil, ruler of this age. You are their Holy One, their Creator, their Redeemer, their Master, and their Friend. May they be assured, You will never leave them nor forsake them as they confront the evil one! May Your truth and Your power make them strong and courageous.Also, dear Father, I pray my children would become even more confident when they realize Satan is just the opposite of who You are. You are truth, but he has nothing to stand on but lies. And these lies can, and will, come crashing down beneath him if he is attacked by the power of Your Word. May they use this mighty weapon to behead the great serpent of old, I pray. You are the Savior of this world, dear Lord Jesus. May my children claim Your power and be forever victorious in You.
Amen
Matt. 28:18; John 16:33; John 20:21-22; Luke 10:19-20; Ps. 62: 5-8; John 11:25-27; John 14: 15-18; I Thess. 5:19; I John 4:4
Ps. 89:11-18; Gen. 18:14a; Rom. 16:19-20; James 4:7; I Chron. 28:20; Heb. 4:12-13; I John 4:14-15; John 8:31- 32, compared to John 8:43-47
Dear Children,Here are a few Biblical insights from your mother and daddy who love God, and who love each of you, very much. These points focus on the evil that reigns in this world, and how the Lord instructs you to fight against it:1.Be aware of the tactics of the enemy. The Bible says: Be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves (Matt. 10:16). Realize children, as Christians, you are being sent out as sheep in the midst of wolves (Matt. 10:16). This means you need to be ready and wise, as well as untainted by the enticing pleasures of this world. Be on the look-out for anything that might slither into your path and cause you to stumble. Also, realize, evil may come in the form of a person, place, or thing. Keep watching and praying, so your God-given wisdom from above can outwit this crafty serpent from below. Remember, this is the exact same serpent that outsmarted Eve at the beginning of time. He has had a lot of practice, and a lot of success. Continue to ask God for strength and protection to help you turn and walk the other way- or better yet. . .2. Run from your enemy!The Bible says: Flee from youthful lusts . . . (II Tim. 2:22) (Please understand, youthful lusts are tactics of the enemy.) I can assure you, in this case, “running away” is never considered a cowardly act! Do you remember Joseph? He ran away from Pharoh’s wife with all his might. This decision took courage! And by God’s power working in him, he fled, and wisely chose to remain innocent. Also know this truth, if you resist the devil, he will flee from you! (James 4:7) Submit to God, the Commander who loves you, and you will be victorious!3. Choose your combat buddies.I suggest and pray you will choose a few close friends who are like-minded with Jesus Christ. Choose friends you want to be “in the trenches with” --- friends who will hold your hand whenyou’re scared, friends who will fight with you, and sometimes even for you when you are weak. Also, remember, Bad company corrupts good morals (I Cor. 15:33). I urge you not to get involved with a large group that will end up making you compromise all, or even a part of, what you stand for in Christ. It’s okay (actually it is a command) to be a light in this dark world. But do this in a way in which you know, for sure, your candle will not be snuffed out in the process.4. Have the will to win!The Bible says: A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones (Pr. 17:22). Remember, children, in this life, certain things will come your way (be it sickness, or tragedy, or any other trial) which seem evil at the time. These things actually are the “evil” of this world, and these are more of Satan’s tactics that he will use to try and crush your spirit. However, God’s goal through these trials is the opposite. He has allowed them to filter through His hand both for your ultimate good, and His ultimate glory! So ask God to give you perseverance and a joyful heart during these times of turmoil and attack. Remember too, God, who is all wise, never asks us to understand “why” He does what he does. He simply asks us to trust Him for who He is. This will be so very hard when you are searching for concrete answers. But, the alternative to trusting Him is having a dried-up and broken spirit---then the victory will belong to your enemy. You see, he wants you to travel on a downhill spiral only to bury you alive! (He is that cruel!) But, may I, in turn, remind you that Christ, Your Commander, came to men, to revive, and to refill the broken heart! Let Him come to you dear ones; then, watch His rewards of victory, which is incomprehensible peace and over-flowing joy, blossom from your “tilled up” soul.I love you, my dear children, with the precious love of my victorious Savior, and yours, Jesus Christ. All I ever hope to be is wrapped up in His life, death, and resurrection (from II Cor. 5:17-21). May this be your heart’s desire as well.
I love you
Take each point from the above letter and discuss:1. Satan’s tactics; What might his disguises, his lures, his traps look like in your child’s life? For example, in Joseph’s case, Satan used a beautiful, powerful woman (not an old hag) to try and lure him away. Focus on, and even practice the method of turning and running from evil. See how fast each of you can run!2. Friends, both now, and in the future: Stress the importance of deep friendships---ones that will help them grow and mature in their walk with Christ, as opposed to ones that might lure them away from this walk.3. Plant a bulb or a vegetable together. As you dig deep in the messy dirt talk of trials that will come in their lives. Continue to water (and discuss) as you watch over time, a source of beauty grow from the “tilled-up” soil. OR, Make cookies or a cake together. Again, as you add the ingredients, mix them altogether, and put it in the oven to bake, talk of the hardships and fiery trials in this life that will come. However, when the cake or cookies are done, taste and see what was produced from this mixing, this beating, and this baking!
Dear Heavenly Father,So much of the time, I do worry about my children (what might happen to them physically, emotionally, and spiritually) both now, and in the future. Please forgive me for this lack of faith. I know I waste a lot of time and energy that should have been directed elsewhere. Please help me to replace this anxiety with prayers of protection that only You, our refuge, can give.I pray right now, dear God, that you would keep my children far away from anyone whose mouth speaks deceit, and whose right hand is a hand of falsehood (Ps. 144:8) And may those who seek or delight to hurt them be ashamed and humiliated, as well as turned back and dishonored (Ps. 40:14). Please, dear Lord, put a hedge of protection around them, keeping them in Your arms of love, so no evil can come near them.I also pray You will give them the wisdom to recognize evil quickly; and then, give them the ability to turn and flee from it. Thank You, that we can call on You to rescue our soul out of the snare of the evil one. For our help is in the Name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Ps. 124:8).I continue to pray, in this same realm of protection, for the friendships each child will have in their lives. Please, dear Father, impress on them the importance of surrounding themselves with good influences, those whose hearts are seeking You. Help them not to even want to follow a corrupt crowd that will lead them down a crooked path, far away from Your presence. Instead, give my children a heart to lead these people down the path of righteousness and peace that only You can give. Please strengthen my children’s hearts and minds so they might influence these wandering friends towards You.I also pray for each one of my children to have beautiful Christ-like role models in their lives. From them, may they learn more of what it’s like to live passionately for You. May my children be able to see how these role models listen and follow the voice of their Savior, the Friend who sticks closer than a brother (Pr. 18:24).Also, dear Lord, I pray for further protection from any kind of (what we, as humans, consider) “tragic” accident in their daily lives of school, play, travel, or any other activity. May You continually give charge to your angels concerning my children, guarding them with Your sword drawn, in all their ways.Finally, dear Father, I ask for bodily protection from the sickness and disease that runs rampant in this world. Put a mighty shield around them, so that the infections will be thwarted away from their bodies. May they make wise choices about what they eat and drink, and give them the desire to exercise (without becoming obsessed with any of these, I pray) so they may have a vigorous heart and strong body. Help them also to realize a spiritually sound mind has a direct impact on their physical well-being (and vice-versa).Father, You are the God of all good, the Shepherd who leads and guides us through all the circumstances of our lives. I trust in You, dear Lord, and I realize this: if any harm does come to my children, or if any accidents do happen, or if any sickness does fall on them, it is not because I have failed to pray to You, or that You have failed as God. I do know it is only because Your good hand has allowed it; therefore, You also will allow good to come from it. Your ways are so much higher than mine, O God, and I want Your ways no matter what. I confess sometimes I pray this prayer with clenched fists of worry and fear. But truly, my heart’s desire is for You to be glorified in the lives of my children. Help me to let go, and then give them to You, dear Father, so You can mold them and make them into your beautiful vessels. You are their potter, as well as their deliverer, their rock, their fortress, and their shield. My heart knows Your hand is so much greater than mine; and there is no better place for them to be.
Amen
Gen. 4:7; II Cor. 1:13-15; Gen. 3:1-7; II Tim. 2:22; Gen. 39:1-12; Ps. 18:24; Pr. 1:10-15; James 1:2-4; Pr. 20:24; Ps. 34:15- 22; Ps. 126:5-6; II Cor. 5:17-21
Phil. 4:6-7; Job 1:10; Pr. 2:6-12; Ps. 18:16-19; Ps. 91:11; Job 1:20-22; Gen. 50:19-20; Is. 55:8-9; Jer. 18:6; Ps. 18:1-3; Ps. 37:23-25
Dear Children,This is a very important letter, so listen up. I want you to be sure to find your security in God alone, nothing else. The truth is, dear ones, security in anything else will never be found. Rest in Him; rest in His Word. Do not put your security in yourself. Do not put your security in things, tangible or intangible.Concerning self: Once again, I am speaking from experience. You see, children, most of my young life I have been dissatisfied with the way I look, and I still struggle with this today. You know the thick red burn scars you’ve seen all over my thighs? Well, they are the result of a traumatic accident, which happened when I was three years old. Hot grease covered the front of my small body, and the damage it caused is still evident today. I have to admit, I have never liked these scars. In fact, I’ve hated them with a passion a lot of the time. I remember praying at night when I was young (and even during my teenage years), asking God to miraculously take them away so that I would be “normal” in the morning. Because I was a swimmer, I was faced almost daily with the looks of disgust I would receive from others because of these scars. It was unbearable at times!But you know what, sweet ones? Because of my scars, I was stripped of any kind of security I could have put in myself. Instead, I was forced to run (by God’s wonderful plan) into His loving arms to find my strength and confidence. I remember praying each day before entering the pool deck at the University of Texas, where the men and women practiced at the same time. I would pray, “Okay, God, You’re gonna have to go out there with me. Here I go...” And then, I would open the door to the locker room and walk—with HIM. I know for certain I would not have prayed this prayer if these scars were not on my legs. As a matter of fact, I think I would have walked--- with pride, instead. So, do you see, children, although I hate the scars, I have learned to love what these burns brought about my life: A Great Security in God Alone. For where I am weak, through Him, I am strong!Sweet ones, God may have made you a certain way, physically, you don’t like; or He may cause things to happen (through His loving hand) that will be questionable in your eyes. I want you to know, first of all, never question your Maker. The “flaw” you see in yourself, may be the one lure which pulls you towards Him. Also, remember, He desires your whole heart, not just a part of it. And if you are His child, He has promised to cause all things to work together for good, even this “flaw.” So be secure in Him and the way He has made you.Now concerning things: Children, be careful where you stand. There is only one solid Rock, and His Name is Jesus Christ. Everything else (money, power, fame, outward beauty...) is based on self-reliance. And please know these foundations only promise to crumble beneath your feet! I had to learn this lesson, too. For years in swimming, because I so desperately wanted to be number one, I was putting all I had into the sport for me, instead of for Him, the One who gave me the strength, ability, and speed to swim. Even though I was a professing Christian, who loved God very much and sought to honor Him, my heart would not let go of seeking success and fame for myself. And when I came up (what I thought was) empty-handed, I was left defeated and ashamed. However, through this, I learned the meaning of this great hymn...“On Christ the solid Rock I standAll other ground is sinking sand,All other ground is sinking sand.”I so want you, my sweet ones, to grasp this truth for yourselves early in life. Learn to stand, with great confidence, on the solid Rock, which is Jesus Christ.
I love you
1. Wrap up with your children in a big blanket or comforter. Talk about how this makes them feel: warm, safe, secure.2. Explain, security in God’s love can surround us each and every day. He is ever-present!3. Also, compare standing on a rock to standing in sand. Which is more secure and safe? Tell them Jesus Christ is our Rock, the Rock of Ages!
Dear Heavenly Father,I thank You for each one of the children which You have uniquely created and generously given to [Mac] and me. What a blessing these jewels have been! I cherish them with all my heart, and cannot express in words my humble appreciation to You for allowing me to have these [four] lives to love and raise up in accordance with Your words and Your ways. Please, God, forgive me when I fail, or when they become more to me than they should be. Help me to continually remember they are Yours; You give them every beat of their heart. Thank you.Dear Father, I ask that my children also would realize they belong to You. Help them to know, You have created them exactly the way You planned from the beginning. Convince them, You are pleased with Your creation and each is “fearfully and wonderfully made” in Your sight (Ps. 139:14). May they realize, You don’t make mistakes; and You love them just the way they are! Help them to receive this everlasting love, dear Father, then rest securely in it.Also, dear God, I continually pray for my children to know they are not here by chance; but You, the Most High God, have a reason for creating them, not only as they are, but also where they are. May their passion in life be to confidently and courageously honor their King, in their unique way. Give them insight, dear Lord, into what You have planned for each of them. Make them aware of their particular strengths and weaknesses, helping them to realize, You can use both of these to bring honor and glory to Your Name. May they never be too proud to share their weaknesses with someone who may need a brother or a sister to hold their hand in any kind of struggle. In the same breath, I pray they would humbly use their strengths to hold someone else’s hand, lifting them up out of the miry clay through Your Spirit. I pray, the security my children have found in You, dear Lord, would be a might instrument used to draw others hearts to You, O Rock of Ages.
Amen
Ps. 62:5-6; Ps. 116:5-7; II Cor. 12:7-12; Is. 45:9; Rom. 8:28; Matt. 7:24-27; Ps. 40:1-3; Ps. 94L17-19
Ps. 139:13-18; Jer. 31:3; Jer. 29:11-13; Pr. 27:17; I Thess. 5:11; Deut. 32:3-4
RELATED VERSE: AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS
Dear Children,I’ve got another fun little story for you:The four of you children decided it was an excellent day to play some football in the back yard. Being football season, the football “bug” had bitten Bink, and his enthusiasm with the sport was quite catchy! Everybody excitedly “suited up” with any kind of gear that could be found around the house. The teams were chosen: the girls, the Fighting Iris, would play the boys, the Bumble Bees. This was a pretty fair match-up considering the sizes: the girls the biggest and smallest players, Maggie (9) and Emmy (3), while the boys had the two medium-sized players, Bink (7) and Davis (4).Now, the only rule by the referee, your Mother (who thought is best to watch the game from the kitchen window), was: if there were BIG tears, the game would be over that instant. So Bink, whose goal was to play football until the moon came out, made sure his tackles towards Emmy would be done with much gentleness and grace. However, towards Maggie, he would show no mercy!And what a grand day of play it was! The game consisted of lots of running, and tackling, and throwing, and screaming; and then, more running, and tackling, and throwing, and screaming. Bink used his toughness and knowledge of the game; Davis used his speed and agility; Maggie used her size and insight; and little Emmy’s display of “total body sacrifice” was phenomenal! Each player made at least one incredible touchdown, causing the game to come down to the very last second, and the very last play...Finally, the referee, who stepped out onto the porch, blew the whistle, and the game was over! (Now, because I’m your mother, who loves both the Fighting Iris and the Bumble Bees dearly, I’m not going to say anymore about the score. You can each use your imagination, and create your very own hero/heroine ending.)It was now time to shake hands and come in. And, in you all came! Each of you was red-faced, and your hair was wringing wet with sweat. The boy’s hair stood straight up on its ends, while the girls’ stuck to the back of their neck and on the sides of their cheeks. But more than your sweaty appearance, you were all delighted in the fact that your “football pants” were covered with mud stains. This, in your minds, was real- live proof that you each had played one awesome football game!The first thought in my mind was, “Yikes!”, followed by an “Ugh!”, and then, a sigh, “How in the world am I going to get all those terrible stains out?!” After taking a deep breath, and trying to change my focus from the mud-stained pants to the eager blue eyes standing before me, I proceeded to congratulate each of you for the great sportsmanlike conduct that was exhibited, and the “tough-as-nails” attitude that was displayed. I was so very proud to be the mother of such great football players! Then, I shuffled you all out, telling each of you to quickly strip down in the laundry room. Soon afterwards, I filled the washing machine with very hot water, used almost a full bottle of stain remover on the mud-covered clothes, and gave them all a heavy-duty washing. Guess what, kids? Your “uniforms are sparkly clean (with a few exceptions of soft gray stains at the knee). They’re ready for a re-match! Let game two begin. . . .Did you like this story? Now, listen to the simple yet profound meaning behind your football game. When you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you become a beautiful child of the one true God. Rejoice in this promise! However, also know, without His grace, there is nothing good in your heart, or mine. As a matter of fact, when we listen to our flesh, we continually cover our heart in sin every single day! You know the deep muddy stains you got on your uniforms while you played? Well, when we sin, that’s what our heart looks like. Mud (sin) is caked all over it. However, sweet ones, remember there is HOPE! Just as I put your clothes through a great cleaning to get the stains out, we too have the “Great Cleanser,” our Jesus, to wash out the sins of our heart! Only by His blood, which was shed on the cross, can we be clean! And He wipes out all the stains (not leaving any dingy gray areas!) Again, realize Jesus is the source of all the good in our hearts! Do you know this truth? Do you want this truth? Let Him wash you, dear ones. He alone can make you clean and righteous before a pure and Holy God. May I, and much more importantly, may the God of all good, hear you sing with great joy and confidence the words to this beautiful song:“What can wash away my sin?Nothing but the blood of Jesus.What can make me whole again?Nothing but the blood of Jesus.Oh! Precious is the flow,That makes me white as snow.No other fount I know.Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”One thing to remember, children, you need to always ask Him to clean your mud-caked heart. Please know your salvation is forever secure when you confess Jesus as your Savior. However, the act of confessing your sin before Him is a daily habit, because we daily sin! He waits for you to ask for cleansing, and for healing. Go to Him, sweet ones, and become “whiter than snow.”I love you
Dear Heavenly Father,I pray my children will fully understand the concept of forgiveness. May they know it only comes through believing in the life, death, and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. He is the Savior that you have so graciously sent to all who believe! Thank You, O God, my Father! And thank You, O Jesus, my Friend! You became the unblemished, sacrificial Lamb who was led silently to be slaughtered----for me. You were pierced through for my transgressions, and crushed for my iniquities. You chose to take my scourging, and my death, so that I could be healed and FREE! I praise You for this “tragic,” yet beautiful truth.O God, open the eyes of my children’s hearts so they, too, will see this extreme and unconditional love that was poured into the divine sacrifice of your Son on the cross. Help them to realize their sin (not just the Romans and Jews of that day) caused the lashings on His back, the beatings of His body, and the crown of thorns on His head. Make them realize, they spit in His face, and drove the nails through His hands and feet. Finally, convict them of the fact, their sin in their life today made Him hang with outstretched arms two thousand years ago. And yet, dear Jesus, sweet Savior, while You hung there in death, You caused HOPE to prevail! Your love reached the ends of the earth, and Your forgiveness flowed with it. Again, thank You, O God, for this “tragic,” yet beautiful truth!O, dear Heavenly Father, I humbly pray, my children would not reject You by being satisfied with living in the pleasures of their sin. Instead, may they fully embrace the only One who can possibly make the mud- caked human heart as white as new fallen snow.May they desire You to graciously cleanse and purify their hearts, O Lord, setting them free from the bondage of sin as they live their life now. Also, I praise You that you have saved them from eternal separation from You in their death later; this being a tragic reality, which will fall on anyone who rejects You as the One true way to salvation. O God, I praise You again for the beautiful truth of eternal life that is imparted to all those who believe!
Amen
Ps. 14:2-3; Ps. 18:16-19; Acts 10:38-43; Rom. 5:8-11; Rom. 10:9; Acts 13:38-39; Is. 1:18
Rom. 5:18-19; Is. 53:4-6; Matt. 26:63-68; James 4:8-10; John 3:34-36
You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. Psalm 91:13-14
Dear Lord,
Thank you for walking with us in this chaotic world. Be powerfully present with your people far and wide. Fill each of us with your present day strength and eternal hope. Help us to hold fast to you when we don't understand the things going on around us. Deliver us and protect us from the enemy. Amen.