Teaching the Kids to Navigate Life God's Way

 Life presents many challenging situations. Like a fork on a hiking trail, a difficult choice can be navigated one of two ways - God's way or some other way. Learning how to navigate life God's way is so vital, God gave us an entire book of the Bible to reveal such wisdom. The book is Proverbs. Solomon was the main contributor, as God's Holy Spirit inspired him.

If you would like to teach your children how to navigate tough choices in the areas of love, childhood, money, words, work, and the heart, then use this family devotion series to have important Bible studies with your kids. Each study should take about 10-15 minutes. Each night, we sang "Proverbs 3:5-6" by the Rizers (see video below), and listened to half of an Adventures in Odyssey episode.

Link for Devotional Guide: "Navigating Life God's Way" - A Family Devotion Series from Proverbs

A Question of Authority

How should Christians respond to evil generally and specifically? Jesus encountered evil men intent on publicly shaming him. What did He do? How did Jesus navigate that conversation? Today, Christians can learn a lot from Christ how to deal with real evil. And this is a necessary subject because evil persists until Christ returns. Whether considering the happenings in the United States or from countries around the world, Christians must first acknowledge Jesus as the second Person of the Trinity; and second, Christians must learn from Jesus how to navigate conversations with evil people.

For the full sermon, "A Question on Authority" from Mark 11:27-33, click HERE.

Pilgrim Songs: A Family Devotion on Worship from the Psalms of Ascent

The Psalms of Ascent (120-134) contain rich imagery and powerful notes as we are led to praise God through a variety of life situations. What does it look like to trust God with our anger? How can a life be truly blessed and built to last? When is a family happy? Where does God treasure most of all places on this earth? How can we worship as we go through life's journey?

These songs explore these questions and many more. Like the pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem, this devotion series helps parents take their children through what it means to worship God in various aspects of life. The series can be accessed HERE.

Psalm 125, a Reed Family Devotion

Have you ever tried to lead your family in a meaningful, spiritual, not-pull-your-hair-out, devotion time? Megan and I both have tried many times, and had numerous mishaps, with a few epic fails. And, we have had some successes (still mixed with some funny not-so-amazing moments). 

Here is a family devotion we had on Wednesday, April 21st. https://youtu.be/gd5ej39Lv4g. 

From Psalm 125, How Does a Christian Endure Wicked Government? This family devotion included singing, talking about good rulers versus bad rulers, learning to trust God and not be afraid, and a unique game of UNO.

Resurrection for Real - A Devotion from 1 Corinthians 15

There are many incredible stories that capture our imagination: a young boy discovers he is a wizard, a simple man learns the ring his uncle gave him has terrifying magical powers, a boy gets bitten by a spider and becomes a superhero, and a girl gets on a spaceship only to find out that she will become a Jedi. Can you name these stories?

"Be Not Far From Me" - A Devotion from Psalm 22

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Do you know who said that? If you said, "Jesus" you would be right. If you said, "David" you would also be correct. If you said, "me" then God bless you and keep you through your dark days.

One of the best things about the Bible is that it presents life as raw and real. The Bible does not ignore pain, suffering or evil. In fact, Jesus Himself experiences pain, suffering, and agony to the utmost - and it is not pointless! Today is called 'Good Friday' because today is when Christians particularly celebrate the Friday about 2,000 years ago when Jesus died an excruciatingly painful death on a Roman cross. He did this to forgive our sins. It was not a good day for Jesus (in one sense), but it is a wonderful day for anyone who believes in Jesus. Click HERE for a devotion.

Why the Gospel?

Why does God proclaim the gospel to mankind? What is the goal of the gospel?

In God's kindness, He reveals His plans and works to us in 66 books that we call the Bible. This compilation has a central, unified story: God rescuing a people for Himself forever. How God rescues His people (and from what) is the climax or good news of the story. In a word, God's rescue plan is the gospel.

Talking About God - A Family Devotion Series from Psalm 105

How do we talk to people about God? Why is it important? Psalm 105 helps us sing to remember the many ways God made promises and kept promises to Abraham, Joseph, and Moses. Specifically, God did amazing things to give the Israelites the land He promised.

To access the "Talking About God" family devotion series on Psalm 105, click HERE.

The God of Wow - A Family Devotion Series from Psalm 104

It can be exciting and frightening as a parent to try to lead your family in a devotion time. Despite the apprehension, it is thoroughly worthwhile to forge this habit into your family life.

To that end, here is a link to a family devotion series I led my family through. 

"The Gift of Natural Worship" (Psalm 104)

"Happiness" by Randy Alcorn Book Review

 "I spent far ore time seeking happiness and longing for it than experiencing it," (4).

Can you relate? If you are a Christian, your next internal thoughts might go something like this: "But, in this life I am not promised happiness. To pursue happiness is worldly and wrong. Instead, I should pursue joy in Christ." After that self-rebuke, perhaps you roll up your sleeves to make it through another day. You likely are not sure what joy is, but you are determined to pursue it instead of fleeting happiness that is based on circumstances. However, part of you longs, still, to be happy. Secretly, in dark thoughts, you may wonder if becoming a Christian means you forfeit happiness, at least for this life.

Enter the very helpful study on "Happiness" by Randy Alcorn. This is a substantial volume in which Alcorn marshals Christian writers throughout history, especially Puritans, original language word studies, as well as modern research to support his main idea: Christians can and should be happy because God is happy and wants us to be happy. 

Happy Trails

"Taste and see that the LORD is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!" (Psalm 34:8, HCSB)

A few weeks ago, my brother and I took our families on a hike through woods near our homes in northeast Florida. The day was overcast, but no rain was expected. We had our wives and all of our children (seven between both families). The trail zigzagged through oak and pine trees, palmetto bushes and ferns. It was a wonderful trail.

However, in places, the trail was wet. I don't mean damp like a little squishy rather than hard-packed. I mean inches of standing water spanning from one side of the trail to the other. It soon became apparent that to continue, we would get wet, muddy, dirty. This would not be a clean hike.

Happy are the Blessed

 When Matthew records the words of Jesus in Matthew 5-7, he captures the essence of the good news Jesus proclaimed. Earlier, Matthew summarized the preaching ministry of Jesus in a single sentence, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," (Matthew 4:17). Now, Matthew summarizes Jesus in a whole sermon. The famous Sermon on the Mount begins memorably:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:3-12, ESV, emphasis mine)

Much could be said about these wonderful words from Jesus. This post focuses on the word translated "blessed" Before getting to the nuts and bolts of this discussion, slow down and consider that word, "blessed." What comes to mind when someone says, "She is blessed," or "His is a blessed life." 

The Pastor's Justification Book Review

Pastors, may God bless you this year! More than ever you may feel the pressure to lead your church well through a very difficult time. Attendance is likely lower than it has been in years at your church. The budget may have stepped considerably backwards from previous years. You may be tempted towards frustration, discouragement, or even despair. 

Lessons from a Hard Life: God Guides Joseph

It's January 1st, 2021. A new year has arrived. Christians finished celebrating Christmas a week ago. As I prepare for a new year, 2021 does not immediately appear as though it will be any easier than 2020, which was perhaps the most difficult year of my life.

For my wife, Megan, and I, in 2020 we faced her mother's death, my father's terminal cancer diagnosis, having to resign from a church we loved, a cross-country move, and a career change. One important truth that has helped us immensely through a difficult year is this: there is a big difference between right and easy. In fact, many times to live in the center of God's will is just a different kind of hard. For much of life, one must choose which hard to face. 

This truth is seen clearly in the life of Joseph, the man chosen by God to serve as the earthly father for Jesus. Four times Joseph is guided personally by God in dreams. Four times Joseph fulfills prophecy from God with his obedience. Four times of subjective guidance and four times of objective guidance come to Joseph. Here was a man who lived obedient to God's objective and subjective will. He followed God, even when the guidance was odd or difficult.