Love and Lordship

Practical Loving and Leading

(2 Timothy 2:15 AMP) We've been looking at what God says in His Word to overcome our own flesh and pride, the world and the enemy, to love and lead in line with His will and Covenant order. Let's now look at the practical and expected outcomes as we apply them in our lives, families, and in His Church. As families and churches focus on the following in obedience-based discipleship, these will become more prevalent in our lives, homes, and relationships and in His... Read More

Scriptural Solutions to Loving and Leading

(John 13:14-17) We’ve been looking at the obstacles in our flesh that make it difficult to love and lead as Christ did.  His Word gives us clear commands in His Covenant Order as to how we are to love and lead as His disciples in all loving relationships in our homes and churches and beyond for His Kingdom and Glory. I’m going to briefly share Scripture for training disciples, building Christ-like character and healthy loving relationships that honor marriage and family that reflect His Truth... Read More

Family Church Connection

(1 Timothy 3:4-5) We continue to develop the issues from God's Word regarding relational servant-leadership in our homes and in Christ's Church, I want to share what I've experienced in my own life as well as what many others have shared with me. In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis has veteran tempter Screwtape reveal a little secret about human beings: we are incurably idealistic. “Do what you will,” he warns, “there is going to be some benevolence, as well as some malice, in your patient’s... Read More

Loving and Leading in Home and Church

(1 Timothy 3:1-7) God’s Word clearly describes seven general qualifications for servant-leaders in Christ's Church outlined in the above Scripture focused on mature faith, personal character and Godly relationships: 1) The husband of one wife (v. 2). For most of church history this meant no polygamy or divorce.  Polygamy is still strongly rejected but many churches have chosen leaders who have been divorced and remarried.  While subject to interpretation, when we look at the strong teachings regarding marriage, family and relational servant-leadership in God’s Word,... Read More

God's Order for Home and Church

(1 Timothy 3:4-5) As we continue with the Biblical foundation and application for relational servant-leadership, let's take a look at God's design for Christ's Church growing out of the loving relationships of family. Here are some quotes and Scriptures to "set the table" for us... “Strength of character may be acquired at work, but beauty of character is learned at home. There the affections are trained. There the gentle life reaches us, the true heaven life. In one word, the family circle is the supreme... Read More

Best Decisions - Pt 2

(Psalm 90:16-17) As promised I continue this week with what I consider to be the best decisions I’ve made as a husband and a father in line with God’s Word and Covenant order.  Obviously these are not all the decisions I’ve made, as all weren’t good and I thank God for His grace and forgiveness, as well as the forgiveness of my wife and children.  Last week I shared four of those decisions and this week I share four more. This fifth "best" decision I... Read More

Best Decisions as a Father - Pt 1

(Malachi 4:6a; Ephesians 6:4) Over the next two posts I'm going to share some of the decisions the Lord led me to make as a husband and father and I pray they will encourage and/or challenge you, and either way, bless you in your walk with Him, your marriage, parenting and family. Each of these decisions flowed from the priorities that The Lord had revealed in my life for placing my marriage and family above myself and all else except for The Lord Himself. Here's... Read More

Parenting is Discipleship

(Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Colossians 3:18-21) As we continue to explore parenting (discipling) our children according to God’s design, let’s look at three opportunities for parents to disciple and train their children in line with God's Word. These are not exhaustive or all-inclusive but they will give you some direction and ideas to implement in your family and parenting. 1) “Family Time” (“when you sit around the table, when you lie down and when you rise up”) – meals together, devotionals, family worship, etc. – all of... Read More

Parenting is Discipleship

This will not be easy for most parents in today's culture, including most in modern church culture. My prayer is that we look to God and His Word and apply His Truth in Grace and Love as we parent and disciple our children for His Kingdom and Glory. Loving Discipline & Punishment Parenting is ultimately about discipling your children to know Christ as their Savior and Lord and to grow in Him. Discipleship includes teaching, training, Godly discipline, and loving punishment in line with Biblical... Read More

Character in Parenting

Family and Parenting in God's Design…continued  (Deuteronomy 6:6-9) As parents, we all desire to have a household of peace rooted in character. Scripture speaks to the importance of character over and over again and I want to share two of those passages to encourage you as to its importance and to be sure you’re walking in the character of Christ and His Word. The first is from what many know as “The Prayer of Jabez” in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NASB): “Jabez was more honorable than... Read More