God preserves Israel for the covenant!

Family Devotion Failure and of all the days it was today

I was going to post some family worship ideas/thoughts yesterday.


At first I was disappointed that I didn't get a chance to post but this morning I realized God had more He wanted me to learn before posting.


This past Sunday EKIDZ lesson was "God preserves the Israelites in the wilderness." ekidzministry.blogspot.com/2016/05/teacher-resource-god-preserves-israel.html
Our good, loving God provided in amazing ways for the Israelites despite their complaining.

The Israelites complained against God when they were thirsty (15:24).
Still, God made undrinkable water drinkable (15:25).

The Israelites complained against God when they were hungry (16:1-2).
Still, God provided manna and quail (16:12).

The Israelites complained when they were thirsty again (17:2).
Still, God provided water from a rock (17:8).

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we had some good times of family worship.
On Tuesday, I even shared with the kids a great section of the Gospel Primer that was connected with that days devotional.

Every time  I deliberately disobey a command of God, it is because I am in that moment doubtful as to God’s true intentions in giving me that command. Does He really have my best interests at heart? Or is He withholding something from me that I would be better off having?  Such questions, whether consciously asked or not, lie underneath every act of disobedience.

Each of these days we did the devotionals from the Generation of Grace Family Devotional Guide.  

We prayed and then sent the kids off.

IT WAS AWESOME!!!  

And then this morning. 
I don't need to go into the gory details but let me just say this Thursday morning was no Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday morning.  NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!!

We did NOTHING for family devotions.  Not. A. Single. Thing.
The kids almost missed their ride to school.  

After they left, I told Krista I had really wanted to do today's Family Devotion with them.
After all, it was the Gospel Connection!
First three days - God is a great provider.
Fourth day - Thursday - this morning - of all the mornings - Jesus provides living water.  John 4:7 - 15.  The water Jesus offered the woman at the well  was so much better than the miraculous water from the rock.

But not this morning!!!

And to make matters "worse" I was the elementary chapel speaker this morning.
The living water devotional coupled with what I was talking about in chapel was going to be a great one-two Gospel combination for my kids and for me.

But not today!!!  Of all the days to have a Family Devotions Failure

This morning God wanted to teach me something so much different than my planned one-two combination.  This morning God helped me realize a couple of important truths...

• It is not about the perfectly planned presentation.  It is about faithfulness and consistency, even on those CRAZY hair pulling mornings.  The kids knew that Krista and I had planned to do devotions with them.  I will talk with them about what needs to be different in the mornings.  The reality is families have mornings like this.  
• I have to make the most of the opportunities that God does provide and not let what seems like missed opportunities take my eyes off of the One who truly does the work.  Despite the bad morning.  I think the chapel message was clear.
• This is just another long list of personal reminders that family worship is difficult but it is worth it.  HERE is an "encouraging" article entitled "Stumbling through Family Faith Talks for the Glory of God."  

These talks don't always go as planned.  O.K. to be honest more than "don't always go as planned."  BUT sharing the life-changing truths of the Gospel with my family, the one's God has entrusted to me, is more important than my ease and comfort.

As a pastor, I want to help the families at Emmanuel Baptist Church, understand the importance of and some basic way to do family devotions.  This is the purpose of this blog.  If you have questions leave in the comment section below or go to www.emmanuelbaptist.com/email/

Teacher Resource: God preserves Israel for the covenant (05.15)

Title

2014-11-30 CM Preview from Faith Church on Vimeo.

Preschoolers & Music

Many of the suggestions in this post can also be used by parents of preschoolers.

Originally posted at www.gospelproject.com/2016/04/20/using-music-with-preschoolers/

I’m so grateful for the group of ladies from my church I meet with on Tuesday nights. I can confess my sin and weakness to them in an environment of safety and know that I will be met with grace and encouragement and pointed to the hope of the gospel. Last night our large group teacher exhorted us to not “build a house for our sin” referencing 2 Chronicles 8:11:

“Solomon brought the daughter of Pharaoh from the city of David to the house he had built for her, for he said, ‘My wife must not live in the house of David king of Israel because the places of the ark of the LORD has come into are holy.”

So our small group became a time of confessing our idols, things that we put in God’s place of first priority in our lives.  

I expressed frustration that I can see the “house” I have built for my idol but taking it down often feels like an impossibility. How do I change my default? We all agreed that the fight against sin is a daily battle. One of the other women in my group encouraged me by sharing that, along with spending time in the Scriptures and in prayer, God often uses hymn lyrics to help her in the fight against sin. I was struck.

I remembered how solid, God-centered lyrics stir my affections like almost nothing else. I see life a little clearer as I sing along or simply listen. God becomes bigger. I become smaller. My perspective shifts. Hope grows.

These lyrics from a Wesley hymn titled “And Can It be that I Should Gain?” remind me of the freedom that Christ bought for me.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;My chains fell off, my heart was free,I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

These lyrics from “Now Why This Fear” originally written by Augustus Toplady and retuned by Sovereign Grace Music remind me that there is no condemnation. My sin problem was taken care of at the cross. I have nothing to fear.  

Now why this fear and unbeliefHas not the Father put to griefHis spotless Son for us?And will the righteous Judge of menCondemn me for that debt of sinNow canceled at the cross?

These lyrics from “By Faith,” a modern hymn by Keith and Krystin Getty, remind me that I can trust God to keep His promise. I can press on in the work He has called me to as I walk by faith.

We will stand as children of the promiseWe will fix our eyes on Him our soul’s rewardTil the race is finished and the work is doneWe’ll walk by faith and not by sight

Can that same tool of grace apply to preschoolers? Absolutely. Think back to the songs you learned in childhood. For good or bad, they just plain stick with us. What an opportunity we have to pour truth into our little ones through music—truth that will stay with them as long as they are on earth.   

Here are just a few ways you can incorporate music in your preschool class.

• Greet preschoolers by singing their names in a “welcome to class” jingle set to a familiar tune.
• Sing the provided key passage songs as a Scripture memory tool.
• Incorporate lyric videos with motions as an active activity. (This one has rescued me when things get hairy.)
• Play music in the background during the session or during transitions.
• Play games such as musical chairs using music with thoughtful lyrics.
• Let preschoolers play musical instruments along with a song.
• Invite preschooler to browse through a hymnal or other music book. Read aloud some of the lyrics.
• Invite preschoolers to paint or draw while listening to music.
• Check out modern hymns or re-tuned hymns to share with preschoolers.
• Play a song and talk about the meaning of the lyrics. Define big words.
• Work together as a group and make up a song.
• Invite someone who can play an instrument to come to your class to play.
• Create motions to a favorite song.
• Record preschoolers singing the key passage song or chanting the big picture question and answer onto an electronic device. Play it back for the child to hear and enjoy.
• Encourage musical children to hum, tap, or beat-box as they work on their journal sheets or coloring pages.

What are some ways that you have found effective in using music with preschoolers?

This Sunday lesson, a Mother's Day video and Gospel focusing thought!!

This Sunday the EKIDZ lesson is God preserves Israel.
God provided the Israelites with water from a rock and bread from heaven.
God provides for us in so many ways including mothers.

A humorous but serious Mother's Day video from What's in the Bible?

Originally posted at www.emmanuelbaptist.com/mothersday/  on May 9, 2015

At this time of the year there are many articles that come up online about Mother's Day.
Between your own thoughts and the many different ideas from the world, it can be a very confusing, depressing time.

Here are some of the article titles
- An open letter to pastors (a non-mom speaks about Mother's Day)
- To those waiting or mourning on Mother's Day
- How to celebrate when your mother's gone
and more

There is one entitled Dear Mom who secretly dreads Mother's Day that is filled with Christ-centered thinking.  (and it is written by a mom)
Here are some quotes from the article.

• Momma, you are a work in progress; He is not through with you yet.
• Friend, YOUR Momma is a work in progress; He is not through with her yet.
• Dear one, your children and your husband are a work in progress; He is not through with them yet.
• So take heart, friend. This day is ultimately not about you, or your mothering, or the mothers in your life. It's about the story Jesus is choosing to write through the picture of motherhood in and around your life. And that's worth celebrating...and He certainly isn't through with you yet.  (emphasis mine)

This Mother's Day and every day, celebrate the life God has given you through your mother. Psalm 139:13
This Mother's Day and every day, celebrate the NEW life God has given you through His Son Jesus Christ.  John 3:16 & 2 Corinthians 5:17
This Mother's Day and every day, let's celebrate the God who provides.

ADDED 5/9/15 at 9:50 pm.

I have read the articles referred to in this post and several other articles.
It is my prayer that as a pastor I can help those I lead realize the greatest privilege in the world is being a child of the King.
When there is a group of individuals who have so many different backgrounds, so many different stories, the best thing I  can do is point them to the One in whom they can find rest (woman who is a weary mom)
peace (woman who is longing to be a mom)
hope (woman who has lost a child through miscarriage or death)
comfort (woman who longs for a spouse)
everything they truly need in this life and the next (everyone)

The Power of God at the Red Sea and in your life!

Saw this quote tonight and it reminded me of last week's lesson...

"If you are a born again believer, you have experienced the power of God every bit as majestic and mighty as the parting of the Red Sea"  Kevin DeYoung

Teacher Resource: God Preserves Israel (05.08)

God preserves Israel

2014-11-23 CM Preview from Faith Church on Vimeo.