Lesson # 8 - Short and sweet. That's the only way to go

There are differences of opinion, but most agree that the human life span averages somewhere between seventy-five and eighty years. That may sound encouraging to the young and disturbing to those in their sixties, seventies, and eighties. 

The simple fact is, however, nobody knows for sure how long he or she may live.

When we read and believe the warnings in Scripture, there is little doubt that life is short. 

James pulls no punches when he writes, 

"You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (4:14).

The average life span may be seventy-five to eighty years, but who can say you or I have that long? We may have less than two years or, for that matter, less than two weeks. Vanishing vapors aren't known for longevity.

Since this is true, let's do our best to make the time we have count. Rather than live with reluctance, let's live with exuberance. Instead of fearing what's ahead, let's face it head-on with enthusiasm. 

And because life is so terribly short, let's do everything we can to make it sweet.

How? Three thoughts come to mind.

First, act on your impulse. Don't wait for the perfect moment. A woman in my former church took these words to heart and contacted a person she hadn't talked to for a long time. The person was surprised and thrilled. "You have no idea how much your call has meant to me," she said. Later the woman who had received the call admitted she had planned to take her life that very afternoon. The call had changed her mind.

Second, focus on the positive. Merchants of negativism may be strong and sound convincing, but their message is debilitating. Life's too short for that. Spread germs of cheer. Joy is contagious.

Third, traffic in the truth. Refuse to stake your claim on hearsay. Check out the facts. Be discerning. If you are a conduit of communication, speak only the truth. If you're not absolutely sure, keep quiet. Lies can outlive lives, unfortunately.

Short and sweet. That's the only way to go.

Lesson # 7: Do you Believe?

Deliverance from the world 

Psalm 34:4-5, 7: I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them (NIV). 

People who live their lives being faithful to God have a peace and radiance about them because they are not weighed down by the guilt and shame of willful sin. Choosing a sinful lifestyle might bring momentary pleasure, but it comes at the cost of our lives, bodies, souls and loved ones. Those who break free from the bondage of willful sin experience a renewal in their spirit, and it shows on the outside. What better gift can we give our children than being an example of one living a bondage free life?

When the world is trying to lure you away, be an example of one who turns to God for deliverance - you will not regret it.

Lesson # 6: Suffering??? Trust the Lord!!

                                                      Perspective on suffering

Ps 9:9-10: The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you (NIV). 

There is a unique vulnerability that comes with parenting. We long to protect our kids from hardship and pain. But when we see suffering as something to be feared, we have a harder time understanding why God allows difficult and sometimes unfair circumstances into our lives and the lives of our children. 

God has a different perspective on suffering. He calls us to seek refuge in Him during these times and to trust in His goodness. When we fully grasp His love, we can rest in the security that our circumstances, no matter how painful, have eternal value. 

God may not always deliver us from those circumstances, but He promises to walk with us through them and never forsake us. When we look at trials through eternal eyes, we may be more willing to be perfected because we know we have not yet reached our final destination. 

Trust the Lord; even in suffering.

Lesson # 5 : Share Your Testimony

                   

1. You want to be listened to, so be interesting. It's a contradiction to talk about how exciting Christ really is in an uninteresting way. Remember to guard against religious clichés, jargon, and hard-to-understand terminology. 

2. You want to be understood, so be logical. Think of your salvation in three phases and construct your testimony accordingly: (a) before you were born again—the struggles within, the loneliness, lack of peace, absence of love, unrest, and fears; (b) the decision that revolutionized your life; and (c) the change—the difference it has made since you received Christ.

3. You want the moment of your new birth to be clear, so be specific. Don't be vague. Speak of Christ, not the church. Emphasize faith more than feeling. Be simple and direct as you describe what you did or what you prayed or what you said. This is crucial!

4. You want your testimony to be used, so be practical. Be human and honest as you talk. Don't promise, "All your problems will end if you will become a Christian," for that isn't true. Try to think as unbelievers think.

5. You want your testimony to produce results, so be warm and genuine. A smile breaks down more barriers than the hammer blows of cold, hard facts. Let your enthusiasm flow freely. It's hard to convince someone of the sheer joy and excitement of knowing Christ if you're wearing a face like a jail warden. Above all, be positive and courteous. Absolutely refuse to argue. Nobody I ever met was "arm wrestled" into the kingdom. Insults and put-downs turn people off.

Ask God to open your lips and honor your words . . .

Lesson # 4 - Attention PARENTS!

Fearing God

Prov 9:10: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (NIV). 

What is your biggest parenting fear? Academic failure? Social rejection? Drug abuse? Sexual impurity? 

Fear is a powerful motivator, and if we're not careful, we may find ourselves making parenting decisions that are driven by our fears. Rather than addressing our kids' issues with empathy, consequences, and faith in God, we may try to control and even micromanage their lives. 

While this may temporarily lower our anxiety, it can result in kids who are dependent or rebellious. 

Fear of the Lord starts by acknowledging God as creator and people as His creation. This is fundamental because until we recognize the limits of our wisdom, we tend to depend on ourselves instead of God.

When we acknowledge His sovereignty and goodness, we accept the limits of our control and we can trust Him even in the midst of painful or frightening parenting challenges. We can have faith that He sees the eternal purpose when we cannot.

Our parenting decisions will be wiser when we have an accurate view of God's character and our position. Am i right??

Lesson # 3 - Responsibility

                                                                      Responsibility
                                                                          Joel 3:14  

                                                                Liberty means responsibility. 

                                                                       "Responsibility is the first step in responsibility"

There are numerous examples of this. Leadership carries with it a few privileges and perks, but living with the responsibility of that task makes a reserved parking space and your own bathroom pale into insignificance. Conceiving children is a moment of sheer ecstasy, but rearing them as a loving and caring parent represents years of thankless responsibility. Running an organization that gets a job done, leaving those involved feeling fulfilled and appreciated, can be exciting, fun, and stretching, but it's a nightmare unless the details of responsibility are clearly set forth and maintained.

Big projects and meaningful achievements get done not by dreamers but by doers, not by armchair generals who watch and frown from a distance but by brave troops in the trenches, not by fans in the bleachers but by committed coaches and players on the field, not by those who stay neutral and play it safe but by those who get off the fence of indecision, even though their decisions are occasionally unpopular.

All this reminds me of a full-page advertisement I saw in the Wall Street Journal:

DECISIONS, DECISIONS: Sometimes the decision to do nothing is wise. But you can't make a career of doing nothing.  If you decide to fish—fine. Or, if you decide to cut bait—fine. But if you decide to do nothing, you're not going to have fish for dinner.

The secret of true liberty is responsibility. And that calls for decisions, decisions. Tough decisions. Lonely decisions. Unpleasant decisions. Misunderstood decisions. Courageous decisions.

Lesson # 2 : Predicaments

Predicaments
Remember, He is the God of your soaring spirits
as well as your perplexing predicaments

Ah, those predicaments . . . life is full of them. Often they are of our own making. Other times they just seem to happen mysteriously to us. Occasionally, predicaments are comical or borderline crazy. Sometimes they can be irritating and troublesome. But one thing is for sure: Predicaments are unpredictable. And embarrassing. And confusing. And really weird.

 I'm comforted when I realize that God is in sovereign control of all of life. He not only knows the times and the seasons; He is also Lord of the unexpected and the unpredictable. Our times and our trials are in His hands. Even when we feel embarrassed or confused or do something really weird.Whether we're on cloud nine, enjoying His blessings, or caught in the thicket of some tangled predicament, He hasn't let us go.