A GODLY HERITAGE

Not everyone has had the privilege of growing up in a godly home. I believe it is the single most important thing you can give to your children on this earth. Having said that, I also believe that God knows all about our parents and other ancestry and is able to use all of it for His honor and glory. Consider Ruth and Rahab as well as others that did not have a godly heritage but were a part of beginning one.

I heard someone say yesterday "You can't do anything about your ancestors but you can do something about your descendants." How encouraging is that? If you haven't come from a Christian heritage, it's very encouraging! If men and women would only get a grasp of what it means to rear their children and lead their families in the ways of the Lord! Sometimes pastor's can only watch as fathers and/or mothers decide to "check out" and go the way of the world. By that I mean they just let whatever will be take place regardless of the outcome on their homes.

If we don't intentionally cultivate a godly home, it simply won't exist. We have to be diligent in our daily life and tend to our families like a well-planned garden, weeding and planting accordingly. I love to see God start a work in a Christian's life, be it the mother or the father, and watch as they begin a godly heritage for their children and grandchildren.

If mothers and fathers would sit down with their children and ask them what kind of home they'd like to be a part of, I'm sure what they'd hear from their own children would redirect their thinking. What child does not want the peace and security that comes when a father leads his family spiritually and the mother supports him and encourages her children in the ways of the Lord?

The same way that one person can begin a godly heritage, it can also be stopped cold by one person that decides to go another path. If pastors could "fix" people's lives and homes he would. All that he can do is preach the word and pray that the Holy Spirit of God will do a work in people's hearts. Is yours a godly heritage? If not why not begin one now. If you have given up on yours, ask God to set you back on the right path before its too late.

A RENEWED FERVOR

I had a conversation with my pastor/husband last night about a comment someone made to me that caused me to question plans I had made for a series of women's meetings coming up in the future. He very wisely reminded me that anyone in leadership just forges ahead with the plans made not re-thinking everything because of a single comment someone made without thinking.

He then shared with me how difficult it is at times to study, prepare himself and plan events for our ministry, and have no "positive" feedback or excitement from those surrounding him. He has to wonder if he is the only one excited about the work we are called to here. I was really convicted when he said he keeps a note in his Bible to encourage him before he speaks. That note is from a spirit-filled sunday school teacher that shared their excitement about what God is doing in their class and their personal life. That small amount of encouragement has to be spread thin.

I often take it for granted that my pastor/husband needs to be encouraged. It's easy for me to forget because he does love his work and the life God has given him. Everyone gets weary when enthusiasm wanes around them. I can't imagine having the health challenges that he has and never complaining! I have observed in him an amazing strength that is not of this world.

Ask God to renew your fervor for the place where you serve. Be careful that you don't grow weary in well-doing whether you are a bus driver, teacher, nursery worker or hold any other position in the church.

HANDLE WITH CARE

One of the most difficult things a pastor's wife deals with is jokes or heartbreaking stories of fallen pastors or their children that have made sinful choices. The Christians reaction to sinful choices that destroy lives should be one of grief and sadness for those left in the wake of sin. I have heard other Christians repeat these stories in my presence, without regard that my husband is a pastor himself.

When people share such stories with others they are causing more damage and also setting themselves up to be the next victim. Scripture instructs us in Galations 6:1 to "restore" those that have wrecked their lives. My study bible states that the word restore is used when speaking of mending fish nets or of people mending their ways, bringing a person back to his former moral condition. The word is used in the secular Greek for setting broken bones, which has to be done "gently." The grievous and sensitive wounds caused by sin must be handled delicately. Unfortunately, in today's churches, we shoot the wounded and repeat the story to many others, leaving behind what looks like the aftermath of a tsunami for others to clean up.

If and when we hear of these things, we should immediately cry out to God on behalf of the wounded family. I'm talking sackcloth and ashes here, not "Lord bless these people." I refuse to stereotype pastor's children and believe that they are destined to be wayward. I did not let my children grow up with that mentality, in fact, I expected the opposite to be true. I prayed for them ( and still do) and tried to give them a normal life within the confines of a Christian home.

Why not love and encourage the pastor and his family? Create an environment that they feel they can be a part of without being watched for any wrong move. Rearing children is not easy for anyone. Let's not put impossible expectations on mere humans. Teach them to please God and all else will fall into place.

Don't be caught off guard. All Christians homes have a target on their back and the enemy is relentless. He will do what he can to hurt the name of Christ. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (JA. 5:16)

MINISTER GRACE TO THE HEARERS

Every Spring for the past six years my husband has gone through medical procedures to help with cancer pain. Thankfully, this year he doesn't need it. Each time he was hospitalized for 3 days and went through immense suffering. During his hospital stay, his health care was lacking in compassion and kindness. I understand the stress nurses are under having been one myself for years now.

Each time we entered the hospital we would pray for the doctor and the nurses who would be giving the care to him. It was always a struggle to get the care he needed. The last time he went in for a procedure, the Holy Spirit prompted me to take a small, dry erase board and write a message to the nurses. It read something like this: "Thank you for the care you are giving to my husband during the most difficult time of his life. We prayed for you before we came. You are ministers of God to us."

Every person that came into his room showed kindness and compassion. They responded promptly and with great care to his needs. I sat back in amazement knowing they had received the grace they needed to do their job with compassion.

Words of encouragement can carry us through the most difficult days. Hearing that we are loved or appreciated for what we are doing is worth more than any amount of money. One of the nurses on the night shift came in and asked if she could pray for my husband. This was a first for us. When she prayed, she prayed loudly and unashamedly that God would bring healing and a good nights rest. She also prayed for me to have strength. She ministered grace to us in her prayer.

Don't withhold grace to others when your opportunities come. Words are powerful and can bring down blessings or burdens to those in our path on this earthly journey. "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." (EPH 4:29).

SPEAK UP!

I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to speak to a group of teen girls this past weekend. As I prepared for the session, I found myself getting very excited. I wanted so much to get across to them that God cares about every aspect of their lives. The principles I shared with them are life-changing if they are open to what God has for them.

Titus two tells the older women to teach the younger ones. I was profoundly affected by other Christian women that taught and encouraged me at that time of my life. I continue to "observe" Christian women and watch their daughters to see what they are learning from their mothers and grandmothers. There is usually more caught than taught.

Christian women must speak up if we are to see the next generation serving the Lord. It's one thing for us to bring the young ones to church but quite another for them to know that He is real in our lives. Do they hear us talking about His faithfulness? Do they know that He has answered our prayers and has watched over us in the difficult times?

We have to teach them that this life on earth is not about being entertained and getting educated in the things of this world. We are here for a purpose and that is to BRING GLORY TO GOD. We cannot do it without speaking up.

"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." (Deut. 6:7)

Don't let the enemy steel your God-given influence on your daughters and granddaughters. Just speak up every opportunity you get.

A NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT

A few weeks ago I told you about Faye. She really has a heart for serving the Lord but because of her health she doesn't get out much. We recently had our missions conference at our church and she wanted to be able to increase her giving to missions. She shared with me that she had said to her husband "How can I make any money when I am stuck in this house?"

Last year Faye had been to physical therapy for a neck problem. On her final visit she had taken the workers some pecan tarts for a thank you gift. (Remember I told you she is a great cook?) Last week the doctor had to send her back to physical therapy. One of the therapist praised her for the pecan tarts and asked if he could pay her to make him some. He also wanted to know what else she could make and ordered some other things as well!

Faye could not wait to tell me how God is using her kitchen as a means for her to give to missions! And so my friends, God encouraged Faye and Faye encouraged me by sharing His faithfulness to her. The amount of money she will give is not the issue here. The fact that a loving God has made Himself real in Faye's life is priceless.

What a wonderful God we serve! Don't hesitate to tell others how the Lord has worked in your life. This story has been repeated by me to others several times this week as a way of encouraging them. Each time I told it, it prompted them to tell me how God is working in their lives as well.

HERE'S TO GODLY WOMEN

I saw this on a plaque one day and was really touched by it. I hope it will touch you the way it did me:

"HERE'S TO GODLY WOMEN.......
MAY WE KNOW THEM,
MAY WE BE THEM,
MAY WE REAR THEM!"

Godly women are not always front and center in our daily lives. Perhaps this quote will change that to some degree. Food for thought. God bless.