Is teenage rebellion preventable?

We live in a day where teen rebellion is considered normal and to be expected. But no where in Scripture is this presented as acceptable action. In fact, the Bible says that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” God took this deliberate sin very seriously. Under Old Testament law, rebellious children were stoned. On the other hand, the only commandment with promise is directed to children: “Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land.”

Children follow the example set for them in the home. They may go to church, be in a youth group, and even attend a Christian school, but if they don’t see their parents exercising a genuine relationship with God, they too will likely follow the path exemplified by mom and dad. Your actions indeed speak louder than your words. Parents, don’t expect your children to exceed your moral standard of living.

The Bible instructs parents to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Many train up their children through the worldly philosophy of petting their kids egos and not disciplining their children for their “mistakes”. They are not taught the 10 Commandments and are not held accountable for their own actions. Instead, many parents make excuses for their child’s misbehavior and overlook their disobedience. As the child goes off to school and demands his own way, he has problems obeying the rules and getting along with peers. Then they are sent to get medical attention and are diagnosed with ADHD or some other conscience-salving disorder. They are put on drugs but their problems get progressively worse. Why? The root of the problem has been overlooked and the symptoms have been justified and excused. As adults, they seek psychiatric help, and blame others who have done them wrong. In this case, they can point the finger at mom and dad who failed to deal with the problem. As one has wisely stated, “You either must deal with the headache of chastising your child while they are young, or you will have heartache when they are older and punished by the penal system.”

The truth is, children are born sinners. (Thank your daddy for that hereditary disorder.) No one has to teach a child how to do wrong: that comes naturally. So God in His wisdom knew that children needed two caring parents to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is vital that children are taught absolutes. They want to know what is expected of them and what the boundaries are. Simply teach them what is right and what is wrong because God says it to be so. In the instance where children disobey your rules, you must apply the rod of correction. The Bible does not say, “When your child let’s you down, give him that disappointed frown.” It also does not say, “When your child is a scorner, make him stand in the corner.” But God does say, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him quickly.” Now that’s not too politically correct, but it certainly is a deterrent to crime. When applied appropriately out of a heart of love, immediate discipline is the answer to the child’s wayward inclinations. The rod of correction is God’s preventative to teenage rebellion when paired with a Godly example by the parents.

What to teach your children

Before returning to heaven, Jesus told his disciples to go and teach all nations the good news of the gospel.  Sadly, we must admit that we are losing our own nation. In order to reach the lost in the regions beyond, it is imperative that we reclaim those closest to us. This focus must begin with our homes. Yes, we must still pray, strategize, and support missionaries to reach all nations, but we must not overlook our first obligation: to teach our own children.

In Deuteronomy 4:8,9, God tells Moses and the nation of Israel, “And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;” In this passage, God reminds his chosen people of the importance to teach the Commandments to their children. God had delivered this nation out of Egypt with many signs and wonders and did not want them to forget who was their Leader.

But God knew there would come a time when there would be a generation that would not know of God’s works, unless those who were eyewitnesses told it to their children. When they would forget what God had done, they would soon worship false idols. Not only did God want the people to know what He had done, but he wanted them to know who He was. In verse 24, it says, “The LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.” In verse 31, it reads, “The LORD thy God is a merciful God.” Life would be good so long as they obeyed God’s commands; but there would be a curse should they disobey.

There are some things we must teach our children, lest they forget God and go astray. First, we must teach them Theology: this is who God is. Secondly, they must know true History: this is what God has done. Next, we should teach our children Scripture: this is what God has said. Then we must give God’s Warnings of what the consequences are should we turn from him and His Word. Lastly, we must teach them our Heritage – This is from where God has led us and how we got to where we are today.

   

The home must be more than a place to eat and sleep. It is meant to be a place where families may grow to know God. The Bible should be a familiar member of the family: often seen, read, and lived. Unfortunately, many parents have forgotten God and now we have a generation that is forsaking Him. God’s Word has little relevance and we are reaping the consequences as a nation for our sin of idolatry. It is high time we awake and remember the greatest treasure we parents may pass on to our children is the Bible and an understanding of our living God.

The Way God Leads

When discerning the Lord’s direction in your life, you need the mind of God. It’s not looking for a feeling, but rather asking God for the wisdom of knowing His will. Wisdom begins with God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” God promises wisdom to those who ask. But there is one source to knowing truth, that is the Word of God. In Proverbs 3, we learn three things we must do in order for God to lead in our lives: Trust in the LORD, Acknowledge the LORD, and Fear the LORD.

The Bible says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). We must simply trust the Lord to lead us. But God will only lead His children. As the Psalmist says, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” He must personally know us as His sheep if He will lead our path. A Shepherd leads by his voice. The Good Shepherd speaks, and his sheep listen and follow Him. The good news is He goes before us. What a comfort to know that Jesus already knows where we are going. Whatever we encounter, He has already experienced. We must trust him “with all our heart”. God requires total reliance on His leadership. This means we are wholly following the Lord by faith. We may not understand, and our minds might not comprehend what God is doing. But to simply know that God is at the helm of the ship and will lead us safely through the stormy seas should calm our heart. Trust in the Lord today without reservation.

Secondly, the Bible says in Proverbs 3:6, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” God will give direction if we give Him the opportunity to speak. But we must acknowledge His authority each step of the way. God leads through three specific ways: His Word - the Holy Bible, Godly counsel, and unfolding circumstances. God is certain to give peace to His child that trusts in Him. But sometimes we have to wait for God’s leading: He is not in a hurry. There is strength found when we rest in the Lord. Acknowledge God in every decision. Give Him opportunity to work. Let God open and close doors. If you are trying to work out your future, then most likely you are not letting God lead. To acknowledge the Lord, means to be willing to yield to His way in His time.

Lastly, Proverbs 3:7 says, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” God will always lead us to do right. Gods’ will never contradicts His Word. Thus, if something is wrong, it is not of God. He will only lead “in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3) If we fear the Lord properly, we will hate sin. We will not dwell in wickedness, but rather depart from evil. But as long as we accept sin and fail to repent, we will never hear the voice of God and follow His leading.

As long as you are willing to walk in the Light as He is in the light, God can lead in your life’s important decisions. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23). God never intends confusion on the part of His child seeking to obey His plan. When God directs your steps, the Path will be clear.

Rest for the Soul

Aboard a vessel in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Horatio Spafford pondered the recent crises he had endured. As a successful lawyer in Chicago, he invested in real estate, which he had lost in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Previously, he suffered the loss of his only son. Now he was crossing the body of water that had recently claimed the lives of his four precious daughters as they were bound for London. His wife had survived the shipwreck and had wired her husband the words, “Saved alone.” Now, as he was on his way to reunite with his wife, he considered what God was doing in His life. Spafford felt the peace of God in his heart, and penned the following words to the beloved song, “It is Well with My Soul”:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea—billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well , it is well with my soul.

My friend, are you at peace in your heart? Perhaps you are troubled at the thought of dying. If so, you may find rest for your soul today.

                

Adversity comes to all of us. The difference is how we respond. Maybe you are in a time of personal tragedy. The storms of life are flooding your soul, and there seems to be no hope. There is One who can rescue you if you are willing to accept help. Like Spafford, you may be at peace and say, “It is well with my soul”.

We each must realize there is more to life than the pleasures and cares of this world: there is eternity to ponder. As nothing in this world can guarantee satisfaction, so can no amount of money grant peace. God alone holds the key to peace and rest for your soul. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” - Mark 8:36, 37

Everything begins with God. He was here when the world was created. God was there when you were born.  He is the author of life and makes the decision when it should end. As Job proclaimed, “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away.” As Solomon wrote, There is “a time to be born, and a time to die.”

You may mentally give assent to the fact that one day you will draw your last breath. But have you thought about what will take place in the next moment? Where will you be? How can you be sure that you will be in Heaven? We each must make preparation for the destiny of our soul.

Since the Garden of Eden, God had a plan to redeem mankind. Every person is a sinner who deserves the judgment of a Holy God. It is not in the capacity of man to justify himself before God. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” The Ten Commandments were given to reveal to man his guilty state before God. No man can claim perfection.

 We are helpless and without hope in our own strength. But God, in His mercy, offers a solution. God demonstrated his love to man in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Yes, that is right! The very God who we have sinned against and lived in defiance toward, has loved us so much, that He gave his only begotten Son to die in our place. We can now have peace with God through Jesus. He is the only avenue of hope. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh to the Father but by me.” John 14:6

The only person who will receive the mercy of God is the repentant sinner willing to humble himself before God and plead for mercy and forgiveness. You must not justify yourself and depend on your own goodness in attempt to earn your way to heaven. It is provided by God’s grace alone for his glory alone.

God has an open invitation to whoever will hear, believe, and respond. He says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.” Are you willing to admit right now before God, that you are a sinner, deserving of the punishment of Hell? Do you believe Jesus is your only way of salvation? Will you call out to Him to save your soul? According to God’s Word, when you personally receive Christ by faith, you immediately have eternal life. You no longer have to fear the condemnation of God!

A Parent's Joy

This past week, I had the opportunity to spend some time in conversation with a local elderly man. Although I had only met him one other time, he began talking at length about his three children. He went into great detail about their employment, where they lived, and their families. While he was talking, I was reminded of a verse from the Bible that he was proving true. III John v.4 says, “I have no greater joy than to know that my children walk in truth.” Truly, when one nears the end of his life, he is not so concerned with the education and career he has invested years in. Nor is one so enamored with the wealth and things he has accumulated. What is most important in the life of many people is their children and grandchildren.

As a father myself, I am beginning to understand what it means to have joy and pride in seeing my children grow up. The Bible says, “The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.” (Proverbs 23:24) But at the same token, what can be a parent’s joy can become a parent’s greatest disappointment. As children who walk in truth bring the maximum reward to the heart of a parent, so a child who strays from the truth brings the greatest sorrow. Proverbs 17:25 says, “A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.”

As I meet elderly folks in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, I see that they have very little as far as materialism is concerned. But interestingly enough, those who have trained up children to fear the Lord and love God, have eternal treasures invested in Heaven. Their children’s memory lives on and the reminders of their true joy is the pictures adorning their walls. Indeed, there is no greater joy for those who have children walking in truth.

As I consider many of the youth today, I see how they are willful, selfish, and rebellious. Many have no time for their families, and neglect the instruction of their parents. So many parents are suffering from broken hearts because their children have chosen a path of destruction. These young people are a disappointment instead of a joy. Sadly, many of these youth were never taught the truth of God’s Word and instructed in the way of righteousness. Many Godless parents set themselves up for a broken heart because they will not take their children to church. The Bible has no place in the home, and prayer has no priority. No wonder we are seeing a generation of young people without truth. They are fed the garbage of this world and we wonder why they turn out to be junkies! Many parents have done themselves an injustice by withholding the truth from their children and now suffer the pain and disappointment of seeing their children wander in the error of this world.

May we turn back to the Bible and read the truth once again. If you are a child of God, remember that each time you sin, you break the Father’s heart. Why not obey the truth and become His greatest joy!

Why God Blesses Us

Each Thanksgiving, we take time to gather with family, indulge our appetites on turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie. We entertain ourselves with football and enjoy the great outdoors. But what about the purpose for observing this holiday? Like Christmas and Easter, we have totally commercialized this time, which is to be focused on God. What happened to our gratitude and appreciation for God’s blessings in our lives? The Bible says, “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good.”

Materialistic mania has taken over another sacred holiday. It seems now that Thanksgiving has just become the day before Black Friday. It seems that the typical American is more interested in making a list for shopping rather than a list of things for which he is thankful. It seems as though we are never content with what we have, and we endlessly pursue more. But as Jesus taught, possessions is not what life is about. Consider Christ’s words in Luke 12:15, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” The things for which we should be thankful to God for have instead become idols in our lives. In Ephesians 5, we see that covetousness is idolatry. We have replaced the Creator with the creation.

So why are we blessed? Is there a reason we have been given so much? I personally have had a special Thanksgiving. A dear elderly man who attends a Bible study I teach wanted to do something special for my family. Last Tuesday, we met at a car dealership and he wrote out a check for a 2010 Grand Caravan! This was an answer to prayer as it was an immediate need. To God be the glory for touching this dear man’s heart to bless us. But as I reflect on this gift, I am excited to know I have a God that cares for me this much. The object of my love is God, not the new van. The thanks and honor belongs to God.

Yes, there is a reason for why God blesses us. It is not so we can hoard our possessions and selfishly keep them for ourselves. We are not simply to be the recipients of a gift, but rather a conduit to bless others for God’s glory. Everything God does on our behalf is that He might get the praise and glory. We have been saved by God’s grace that we may tell others here locally as well as others globally. God wants all men to know Him personally.

As Americans, we are blessed materialistically more than any other nation. If you make $10,000 a year, you make more than 85% of the world. If you make $50,000 you have a greater income than 99% of the world’s population. Now what are you doing with what you have? Are you content with what God has given you? Or are you planning and pursuing to heap more lavish luxuries upon yourself? Consider why God has blessed you. Don’t let the blessings end with you but pray and ask God how you may reach out through your church to help a homeless family or a starving community in this world for God’s glory. God has blessed you that you may bless others in Jesus’ name.

Your Secret Life

In our house, we have a stack of Reader’s Digests. Recent publications have featured articles that easily grab your attention. A few titles are as follows: “50 secrets your Pilot won’t tell you”, “13 things Car Dealers won’t tell you”, “Doctors confess their fatal mistakes”. We all are quite skeptical of businessman and salesmen in professional fields but are expected to trust them. We question their integrity, yet still must depend upon their services. When we have the opportunity to know what they are doing behind the scenes, we perk up with great interest.

But if we would each be honest, everybody has a secret life. Perhaps there are some skeletons in your closet that you have yet to reckon with. It could be some injustice by someone that you refuse to forgive. Maybe there is some sin that you have attempted to cover, but the guilt still plagues you. Your past haunts you and it’s your secret. In some cases, even your dearest friends and nearest family do not even know about it.

These skeletons are holding you back from truly living. God knows what is in your closet. He knows what has happened in your past and what you will not let go of. He knows what you are going through that no one else knows about. He sees what is going on behind closed doors. He also sees the pure in heart, and those who silently do what is right when know one else notices. He knows your righteous desires and honest motives. The eyes of God are continually beholding both the evil and the good.

What are you doing in secret? In the secret life of King David, he harbored the sin of lust for another man’s wife. He took her for himself and had a child out of wedlock. He tried to keep it a secret and even attempted to cover his sin by murder. But what he did in secret, his son Absalom did openly on the roof top for all of Israel to see. We learn that private sin becomes public scandal. God says, “Be sure your sin will find you out.”

But not everything in secret has to be bad. In fact, the most sacred times of God’s people are experienced in private. Jesus taught that giving, prayer, and fasting are acts of righteousness that must be done in secret. It doesn’t matter who else notices the time we spend in prayer because it is a closet matter. However, this kind of secret life does have direct implications on the effectiveness of public ministry. God the Father promises a public reward for private prayer.

Remember that the quality and content of your secret life will have public consequences. Do you have secret thoughts and desires that are evil and incriminating? The truth will come out in your words and actions. The result of secret sin is spiritual poverty. However, when you develop a Christ-like secret life of prayer, you will possess certain power for living and victory in the Christian life.