It's A Two Way Street

Ephesians 6:4

4And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

 

We know that one of the commandments is to honor thy mother and father so that your days may be long. Most people stop there. But the apostle Paul stated twice with this command that children are not to be provoked to anger lest the become discouraged and that parents are to bring them up in the Lord. It's a two way street. Why is this so important?

As an abused child myself, I can tell you that anger, rage and self-destructive behavior ensued after being mistreated. Children are a gift from God which He entrusts to you and can be taken back at any time. In my new book, "Shh Don't Tell", I talk about how this second command is often broken by parents, caregivers or anyone who children are entrusted to. Children cannot survive on their own so when people who are to teach them and care for them violate them, a disconnect takes place.

As the host of Good Life Radio, Teria Powell, said, "Shh Don't Tell" tells you not just about the stories of Ingrid, Randy and Kendall but also what signs to look for if a child has been abused and what not to do should you find a child in this situation." What I appreciated about my interview last Saturday morning with Teria Powell was that not only does she have a discerning spirit, but she is a foster mother so she sees many of these children after the trust has been broken. And she is tasked with building back the trust. Teria sees the anger, rage and self-destructive behavior that can lead to death after these acts have been committed. The stats on abused children are staggering but still skewed because many acts of abuse go unreported. Children are shamed into keeping quiet not only by those who abuse them but often by other loved ones.

Children start out obeying those who are meant to care for them but when they are harmed, what do you think happens? The apostle Paul knew and that is why he spoke about it. Jesus spoke about children in Matthew 18:3 being received in His name. 

Abuse is not just physical but also verbal and emotional and manipulation is a form of abuse as well. Be a help to our future generations not a hindrance.

Go to www.getyourjoyinthemorning.com to order Shh Don't Tell.

Power Players

John 19:11

11Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greatest sin."

Pilate was frustrated because he was not getting the answers he felt he deserved from Jesus. He became so frustrated that he felt he needed to remind Jesus of the power he believed he had. Jesus reminded him that any earthly power he has is only because God has given it. Pilate clearly understood that Jesus did not wrong but knew He had something he didn't want to mess with therefore when the Jews continued to rant "crucify him", Pilate repeatedly said he found no fault in him and that what they wanted to do was on them.

Many in this world seek power and by any means necessary. But anyone with real power understands that with it comes responsibility. Power is not a play thing and when God sees fit to give you any amount of it, you are not to use it to hurt others. Just as Jesus said, God is the one who bestows real power. And as He gives it, He can take it back. Power is defined in Merriam-Webster's Dictionary as the ability to act or produce an effect also a position of authority or physical might: also mental or moral vigor.

Power is for the purpose of helping not hurting. Those with power who understand its pull walk very carefully.


P.S.  Just a reminder to tune into the Good Life Radio Show with my girl Teria Powell from 8:30am-9:30am on the Leap of Faith Network (lofnetwork.com) Saturday, August 3rd as I will be talking about my new book, Shh Don't Tell!

The Pearls God Gives You

Proverbs 2:6

6For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Have you ever wondered why someone can be so wise though they may not have lived 100 years? Have you ever wondered why someone seems to have a plethora of knowledge about situations? True wisdom and knowledge are directly from the Lord. Do you know the difference between knowledge and wisdom? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines wisdom as accumulated  philosophic or scientific learning, insight, good sense: judgement; a wise attitude or course of action. Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines knowledge as understanding gained by actual experience; range of information; clear perception of truth; something learned and kept in mind.

To summarize wisdom is about insight of things to come and good sense on how to proceed. Knowledge is about something already experienced and/or learned as well as storage of information. Each has to deal with learning but there are two different ways of learning. Someone who is wise does not have to have gone through something to provide the wisdom. Even a child can possess wisdom. God is not a respecter of age when bestowing wisdom. Nor does He allow the experiences of His children to go to waste. Someone with knowledge can do a data dump to a mentee or group of people.

But what is either of these if your ears and heart are not open? When God speaks, it is better to listen. He can send who He wishes to provide either. Do not look at the face but listen to what is being said and determine if you can hear God for yourself in the knowledge or wisdom being laid before you. If you are not sure, ask God to make it clear and He will do so.  Do not throw away the pearls He gives you.

P.S. I will be on the Good Life Radio show this Saturday morning, August 3rd at 8:30am with my girl Teria Powell on the Leap of Faith Network (www.lofnetwork.com) discussing my new book, Shh Don't Tell! Hope you can join us and feel free to call into the station as I would love to answer any questions you have.