Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Deuteronomy 6:9

Deuteronomy 6:9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. (KJV)
(New Living Translation) Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Recently we were encouraged to fly our American flags in remembrance of those who died in the 9/11 tragedy in 2001. Many of us did just that. I also saw many signs posted that said, “We shall never forget.” I feel that these things were very good to do and very appropriate. But have you ever noticed what many other “flags,” signs, banners, bumper stickers and even hats and shirts promote? Some of these are not so appropriate or even in good taste, at least to my way of thinking.

In our verse for this week, we are “commanded” (vs. 6) to not only write the words the “Lord your God is one” and “love [Him] with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength,” but these words should be “in your heart (vs. 6,) and you shall “teach them to your children” (vs. 7,) “talk of them when you sit in your houses, and when you walk by the way…,” (vs. 7) “bind them as a sign on your hand,” (vs. 8) and have them “be as frontlets between your eyes” (vs. 8.) The things that should be on our flags, signs, banners, bumper stickers, hats and shirts should be about God and how He is Lord and about how much we love Him and about how much He loves us.

We sometimes “loudly” support various causes and that may be okay, but God tells us in the Bible that we need to be telling our households, others around us and even the world about Him. There is a song we sing at Christmas time that says, “Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.” But that is not the only time we need to talk about our Lord. We need to “diligently” teach our children about the ways of God and what he requires of us. Most importantly, we need to tell about Jesus and the work he did for us on the cross to make us right with God. Deuteronomy 6:6 uses the strong word “command” in reference to keeping God’s words.

This past Sunday was Grandparents Day. Many grandparents have diligently taught their children and grandchildren about God. My prayer is that this generation of parents and grandparents will continue to teach our children about our Lord and about obedience to Him. Even if you are not a parent, you can still proclaim your love for Him in the way you live and on the “flags” that you fly. Do people who live around you know who you serve? What is on your doorpost, your bumper or on your shirt? I pray that it is something that honors our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Philippians 3:17

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (KJV)
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. (NIV)

My granddaughter, Alexa, who is four, is always doing just what her older brother does. The other evening when Darren, my grandson who will soon be 6, was helping me fix dinner, Alexa wanted to help too. I gave Alexa a little different job, but she didn’t want to do that, because it was not exactly what Darren was doing. She wanted to do what he was doing and nothing else. Real dedication, wouldn’t you say?

Many times in our Christian lives, people who are close to us or who respect us for one reason or another, will look at our lives and copy or do what we are doing – just like Alexa does with Darren. This could be a good thing, but many times it is not. In our verse for this week, Paul tells the Philippians to copy his example of following Christ. He is following Christ and desires that they do the same. We, as Christians, strive to live up to that name and try to live as Christ would want us to.

We have an awesome responsibility and one we should not take lightly. Are you a leader in the church? Are you a parent? Are you active in the community? Do you interact with other people at your workplace? Chances are if you say yes to any of these questions, then you have people who look at your life – maybe on a daily basis. What do those people see? What would a new Christian be looking for? Is your life looked upon as one that encourages and builds up others? Is it a joyful life? Is it one that faithfully serves Christ?

Alexa not only copies her brother; she copies other family members, teachers, her friends, and maybe even you and me. And, what’s more, her brother copies several people too; all children do to a certain extent. If they are copying me, I pray that I will give them a good Christian example to follow, like the Apostle Paul did. How about you?