- Make your home the brightest and most attractive place on earth.
- Let your child invite friends to your home and table so that he/she had rather be there than any other place.
- Make your child responsible for the performance of daily duties. Never do for your child what they are capable of doing.
- Never punish your child in anger.
- Talk about God and the Bible. Let the Lord be a natural part of who you are.
- Do not criticize your child as a person, but rather encourage his/her abilities and help his/her weaknesses.
- Live uprightly before your child at all times. Do not hesitate to confess weaknesses and ask forgiveness when you fail.
- Let your child hear you say, “I love you.” Say it to your spouse and your child.
- Impress on your child that making character is more important than making money.
- Be much in prayer that the Lord will help you. A contrite and humble heart before God accomplishes much.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
HELPFUL HINTS FOR PARENTS
Sunday, July 8, 2018
THE DIMENSIONS OF GOD'S AMAZING LOVE
Paul spoke of the width, length, depth, and height of God’s love (Ephesians 3:18). Jesus spoke of the same dimensions, in the same order, in the most famous verse of the Bible: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
For God so loved the world --- Width of God’s Love.
That He gave His only begotten Son --- Length of God’s Love.
Whoever believes in Him should not perish --- Depth of God’s Love.
But have everlasting life --- Height of God’s Love
God’s love is comprehensive and overwhelming! --Mark Posey, Decatur, Alabama
Saturday, June 2, 2018
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY
"The tongue also is a fire." Jas 3:6 NIV
On a windy day in March 1997, a father and son visited Valley Forge National Historic Park, where George Washington stationed the Revolutionary Army during the difficult winter of 1777-1778. The man and his son had something much less historic in mind: They wanted to launch a model rocket. At first they tried using electric ignition wires to light the fuse, but to avail. So they tried lighting the fuse with a common sparkler, the kind frequently seen at annual holiday celebrations. That's when the trouble began. Sparks ignited a grass fire and the winds quickly spread the blaze where Revolutionary War soldiers had trained, and coming within a half-mile of George Washington's headquarters. The value of what they put at risk was incalculable. It took thirty units from twelve fire departments over an hour to bring the blaze under control. In the end some thirty acres were charred, and the man with the sparkler was charged with destruction of government property and improper use of fireworks. The Bible says, "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body" (vv. 5-6 NIV). "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep...the door of my lips" (Ps 141:3 NKJV). "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil" (1 Pe 3:10 NKJV). "The lips of the godly speak helpful words" (See Pr 10:21). So make sure your words help, not hurt; build up, not tear down. In other words, be careful what you say!
On a windy day in March 1997, a father and son visited Valley Forge National Historic Park, where George Washington stationed the Revolutionary Army during the difficult winter of 1777-1778. The man and his son had something much less historic in mind: They wanted to launch a model rocket. At first they tried using electric ignition wires to light the fuse, but to avail. So they tried lighting the fuse with a common sparkler, the kind frequently seen at annual holiday celebrations. That's when the trouble began. Sparks ignited a grass fire and the winds quickly spread the blaze where Revolutionary War soldiers had trained, and coming within a half-mile of George Washington's headquarters. The value of what they put at risk was incalculable. It took thirty units from twelve fire departments over an hour to bring the blaze under control. In the end some thirty acres were charred, and the man with the sparkler was charged with destruction of government property and improper use of fireworks. The Bible says, "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body" (vv. 5-6 NIV). "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep...the door of my lips" (Ps 141:3 NKJV). "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil" (1 Pe 3:10 NKJV). "The lips of the godly speak helpful words" (See Pr 10:21). So make sure your words help, not hurt; build up, not tear down. In other words, be careful what you say!
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY
MIDWAY CHURCH
3915 CARROLLTON-VILLA RICA HWY.
VILLA RICA, GA 30180
1-770-832-9605
MIDWAYCHURCH.COM
FACEBOOK.COM/DISCOVERMIDWAY
TWITTER.COM/MIDWAY_CHURCH
TRUST YOUR ADVOCATE, NOT YOUR ACCUSER (2)
"Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one." Ro 8:33 NCV
Paul writes: "Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one, because God is the One who makes them right. Who can say God's people are guilty? No one, because Jesus Christ died, but he was also raised from the dead, and now he is on God's right side, appealing to God for us" (vv. 33-34 NCV). The accusations of Satan splutter and fall like a deflated balloon. Then why, pray tell, do we still hear them? Why do we, as Christians, still feel guilt? Not all guilt is bad. God uses appropriate doses of guilt to awaken us to sin. We know guilt is God-given when it causes "indignation...alarm...longing...concern...readiness to see justice done" (2 Co 7:11 NIV). God's guilt brings enough regret to change us. Satan's guilt on the other hand, brings enough regret to enslave us. Don't let him lock his shackles on you! Remember: "Your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col 3:3). When God looks at you, He sees Jesus first. In the Chinese language the word for righteousness is a combination of two characters: the figure of a lamb and a person. The lamb is on top, covering the person. Whenever God looks down at you, this is what He sees: the perfect Lamb of God covering you. Only once in Scripture is it recorded that Jesus wrote something. And He wrote it on the ground, saying to an accused sinner He'd just forgiven, "You are free from condemnation. Go, and sin no more" (See Jn 8:10-11). So the word for you today is: Trust your advocate, and not your accuser!
Paul writes: "Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one, because God is the One who makes them right. Who can say God's people are guilty? No one, because Jesus Christ died, but he was also raised from the dead, and now he is on God's right side, appealing to God for us" (vv. 33-34 NCV). The accusations of Satan splutter and fall like a deflated balloon. Then why, pray tell, do we still hear them? Why do we, as Christians, still feel guilt? Not all guilt is bad. God uses appropriate doses of guilt to awaken us to sin. We know guilt is God-given when it causes "indignation...alarm...longing...concern...readiness to see justice done" (2 Co 7:11 NIV). God's guilt brings enough regret to change us. Satan's guilt on the other hand, brings enough regret to enslave us. Don't let him lock his shackles on you! Remember: "Your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col 3:3). When God looks at you, He sees Jesus first. In the Chinese language the word for righteousness is a combination of two characters: the figure of a lamb and a person. The lamb is on top, covering the person. Whenever God looks down at you, this is what He sees: the perfect Lamb of God covering you. Only once in Scripture is it recorded that Jesus wrote something. And He wrote it on the ground, saying to an accused sinner He'd just forgiven, "You are free from condemnation. Go, and sin no more" (See Jn 8:10-11). So the word for you today is: Trust your advocate, and not your accuser!
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY
MIDWAY CHURCH
3915 CARROLLTON-VILLA RICA HWY.
VILLA RICA, GA 30180
1-770-832-9605
MIDWAYCHURCH.COM
FACEBOOK.COM/DISCOVERMIDWAY
TWITTER.COM/MIDWAY_CHURCH
TRUST YOUR ADVOCATE, NOT YOUR ACCUSER (1)
"The accuser ... has been thrown down." Rev 12:10 NLT
The apostle John wrote: "I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens... 'For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth-the one who accuses them before our God day and night" (v. 10 NLT). Satan only has one aim: "To steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (Jn 10:10). He'll steal your peace, kill your dreams, and destroy your future. And he has deputized a horde of silver-tongued demons to help him. He enlists people to peddle his poison. Friends dredge up your past. Preachers proclaim all guilt and no grace. And some parents distribute it twenty-four hours a day. Long into adulthood you still hear their voices: "Why can't you grow up?" "When are you going to make me proud?" So what's the answer? Jesus! He's "in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us" (Ro 8:34 TM). Let that sink in for a moment. In the presence of God, in defiance of Satan, Jesus Christ rises to your defense. He takes on the role of a priest. "And since we have a great priest over God's house, let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, because we have been made free from a guilty conscience" (Heb 10:21-22 NCV). A clean conscience. A clean record. A clean heart. Free from accusation--free from condemnation. Not just from our past mistakes, but from our future ones. "Since he will live forever, he will always be there to remind God that he has paid for [our] sins with his blood" (Heb 7:25 TLB). So don't listen to your accuser--trust your advocate.
The apostle John wrote: "I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens... 'For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth-the one who accuses them before our God day and night" (v. 10 NLT). Satan only has one aim: "To steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (Jn 10:10). He'll steal your peace, kill your dreams, and destroy your future. And he has deputized a horde of silver-tongued demons to help him. He enlists people to peddle his poison. Friends dredge up your past. Preachers proclaim all guilt and no grace. And some parents distribute it twenty-four hours a day. Long into adulthood you still hear their voices: "Why can't you grow up?" "When are you going to make me proud?" So what's the answer? Jesus! He's "in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us" (Ro 8:34 TM). Let that sink in for a moment. In the presence of God, in defiance of Satan, Jesus Christ rises to your defense. He takes on the role of a priest. "And since we have a great priest over God's house, let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, because we have been made free from a guilty conscience" (Heb 10:21-22 NCV). A clean conscience. A clean record. A clean heart. Free from accusation--free from condemnation. Not just from our past mistakes, but from our future ones. "Since he will live forever, he will always be there to remind God that he has paid for [our] sins with his blood" (Heb 7:25 TLB). So don't listen to your accuser--trust your advocate.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY
MIDWAY CHURCH
MIDWAYCHURCH.COM
SING!
"You shall have a song...in the night." Isa 30:29 NKJV
Why does the Bible say, "It is good to sing praises to our God" (Ps 147:1 NKJV)? Because when you express the promises of God's Word in song, your faith is strengthened. The Great Depression of the 1930s hit a businessman named J. C. Penney particularly hard, endangering his very health. Anxious and desperate because of his huge financial losses, Penney sank so low he felt he had nothing left to live for. Even his family and friends shunned him. In the hospital one night, he grew so demoralized that he expected to die before morning! Then he heard singing coming from the hospital chapel. The words of the song were: "Be not dismayed what'er betide, God will take care of you. Beneath his wings of love abide, God will take care of you." Entering the chapel, he listened to the song, the Scripture reading, and the prayer. He wrote: "Suddenly--something happened. I can't explain it. I can only call it a miracle. I felt as if I'd been instantly lifted out of the darkness of a dungeon into warm, brilliant sunlight." From that day on, J. C. Penney was never again plagued with worry. He described those moments in the chapel as "the most dramatic and glorious twenty minutes of my life." And when he died at ninety-five, he left behind 1,660 department stores bearing his name. When nothing else works, the praises of God set to music can lift you out of a spiritual funk. That's why the Bible says, "It is good to sing praises to our God." Try it and see for yourself. It works!
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY
MIDWAY CHURCH
Why does the Bible say, "It is good to sing praises to our God" (Ps 147:1 NKJV)? Because when you express the promises of God's Word in song, your faith is strengthened. The Great Depression of the 1930s hit a businessman named J. C. Penney particularly hard, endangering his very health. Anxious and desperate because of his huge financial losses, Penney sank so low he felt he had nothing left to live for. Even his family and friends shunned him. In the hospital one night, he grew so demoralized that he expected to die before morning! Then he heard singing coming from the hospital chapel. The words of the song were: "Be not dismayed what'er betide, God will take care of you. Beneath his wings of love abide, God will take care of you." Entering the chapel, he listened to the song, the Scripture reading, and the prayer. He wrote: "Suddenly--something happened. I can't explain it. I can only call it a miracle. I felt as if I'd been instantly lifted out of the darkness of a dungeon into warm, brilliant sunlight." From that day on, J. C. Penney was never again plagued with worry. He described those moments in the chapel as "the most dramatic and glorious twenty minutes of my life." And when he died at ninety-five, he left behind 1,660 department stores bearing his name. When nothing else works, the praises of God set to music can lift you out of a spiritual funk. That's why the Bible says, "It is good to sing praises to our God." Try it and see for yourself. It works!
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY
MIDWAY CHURCH
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER
"Here is the conclusion of the matter." Ecc 12:13 NIV
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon talks about all the things in life he tried and found to be disappointing: the intellectual pursuit of knowledge, the physical pursuit of pleasure, and the material pursuit of wealth. In the last chapter of Ecclesiastes he bottom-lines it: "Everything is meaningless" (v.8 NIV). In other words: "Been there, done that-and it's just the same ol', same ol'." Now, penning his last divinely-inspired thoughts, he wraps up his life's message with these words: "Here is the conclusion of the matter." This is big stuff! Solomon is about to give us his bottom-line evaluation of a life well-lived. What is it? "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment" (vv.13-14 NIV). The words "fear God" simply mean to reverence, love, and serve Him, and live your life according to the precepts laid down in His word. The songwriter put it this way: "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey." Author John Mason writes: "Is more money, a higher position, or more influence your goal? These are not goals; they are the by-product of true goals...Seek not success, but truth, and you will find both. Work to become, not acquire. Measure wealth by the things you have which you would not exchange for money." When you wake each morning, pray this simple prayer: "Lord, above all else help me to spend this day loving You and carrying out Your will. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY
MIDWAY CHURCH
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