Steve Noble's Love One Another message below has been on my heart after visiting younger daughter Keeley in Denver for her birthday a couple weeks ago - she is so kind and loving and sometimes she takes a beating for it. Today's culture can be very tough on kind, gentle, loving souls.
On top of that, you all know I am a big believer in Family Mission Statements. Steve's daily verse, Galatians 6: 9-10 is a great Family Mission Statement - it really focuses on what is most important and the benefits that result when we successfully implement our mission!
When I do parenting seminars, I ask parents what qualities they hope for in their children when they grow up. Almost without exception, they hope their children are kind, loving, honest, happy and faithful. Very rarely do they mention they hope their kids are successful or wealthy or popular or famous or powerful.
I think most of us hope our kids become "fruits of the spirit" adults: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Today's world can be tough on those values - there is so much more emphasis today on achievement - we parents even fall into the trap always asking about grades, performance, sports achievement, peer recognition, popularity and so on. But as Paul writes to the Galatians, as children of our heavenly Father, we should not tire of doing what is good, what is right, what is honorable.
Catch your kids doing what is good, right, honorable and praise them and thank God for those moments. Character always trumps accomplishment - even if today's culture thinks otherwise.
Love to you all, spend time with your kids this weekend. Take them to church and give thanks to our Father for such wonderful gifts!
S
LOVE ONE ANOTHER (Day 19) > > > Keep trying!
Galatians 6:9-10
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
Sometimes being nice to people gets old…especially if they don’t return the favor. The Apostle Paul encourages us not to give up, despite how frustrating that can be, because in the end God will see to it that we “reap a harvest of blessing.” That’s some really good news, isn’t it?
A few devotionals ago we looked at the Fruit of the Spirit…one of which was perseverance or long-suffering. This is a really important aspect of Christian living in general, but especially among the family of faith. Doing good for a Christian is not a tit-for-tat journey, but a way of life…regardless of what others choose to do with our good works.
Paul says, “Keep up the good work!”
God says, “It will be worth it!”
We say, “I believe you and I will!”
APPLICATION: Figure out a “good work” that you can go do for one another right now…and then do it! Once you are done, pray and ask God to help you do that consistently whenever and wherever and for whomever you can!
