Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:18,19)
I have been told by not a few people that I am apt to forget things. Appointments, birthdays. My kids names. :). That, of course, is no virtue. As a matter of fact, it has led to a few trying situations throughout my life.
However, there are some aspects of “forgetting” that are not only good...but actually necessary to our development and growth as believers. That is when our memory retards or hinders us from reaching out to embrace the new things that God has for us.
Every day, we meet people who have potential far beyond their lot in life, but they wallow in the pain of previous failures and losses. They fret over hurts suffered at the hands of people long since gone from their lives. They fume with grudges at offenders that are nothing more than a memory. Sometimes, those people trapped in this prison of recollection is ourselves.
We may find that we can't imagine positive outcomes because we have failed so many times before. We can't trust, because we have been let down once too often. We harbor conversations in our heads of “getting even” and putting someone else “in their place” because of the raw wounds in our psyche that we just won't let heal.
God says “remember not the things of old”. All things have become new. And although the knuckleheads in our life may still be knuckleheads tomorrow, we have a mandate not to live hemmed in by the negativity, and hurt caused by those people. We also must jettison the remorse and shame of our own past. We have complete forgiveness in Christ for the wrong that we have done. And as new creatures, we can let go of the wrong others have done.
There is no longer place for “well, you don't know of the bad things I've done”. Nor room for “You don't know what they have done to me”. We can move towards a sense of being completely accepted in Christ, regardless of anything in our past. It's a process for many of us to start to experience that type of liberation, but it's the right step in walking in freedom and sanctification. I don't want to minimize the horrible effects that some have suffered in abusive relationships, but there is indeed a point where the trauma suffered has to give way to a forward looking life, no longer focused on the past. That is when the power of the offender finally ceases.
Start by looking at the grudges and biases we have against people in our lives. Let it go. Look at the areas in our own lives we feel we are destined to fail because of previous failures. Now, picture the Omnipotent God of Israel standing with you, empowering you to succeed in that area. “Forget the things of old” He says. Perceive or picture what happens with Him going before you, bringing a new thing, or new outcome to pass. It may be “springing forth” right now. Sometimes, it is just our spiritual sight or vision is too clouded by the memories of negative events to see it happen. (EWF)
I have been told by not a few people that I am apt to forget things. Appointments, birthdays. My kids names. :). That, of course, is no virtue. As a matter of fact, it has led to a few trying situations throughout my life.
However, there are some aspects of “forgetting” that are not only good...but actually necessary to our development and growth as believers. That is when our memory retards or hinders us from reaching out to embrace the new things that God has for us.
Every day, we meet people who have potential far beyond their lot in life, but they wallow in the pain of previous failures and losses. They fret over hurts suffered at the hands of people long since gone from their lives. They fume with grudges at offenders that are nothing more than a memory. Sometimes, those people trapped in this prison of recollection is ourselves.
We may find that we can't imagine positive outcomes because we have failed so many times before. We can't trust, because we have been let down once too often. We harbor conversations in our heads of “getting even” and putting someone else “in their place” because of the raw wounds in our psyche that we just won't let heal.
God says “remember not the things of old”. All things have become new. And although the knuckleheads in our life may still be knuckleheads tomorrow, we have a mandate not to live hemmed in by the negativity, and hurt caused by those people. We also must jettison the remorse and shame of our own past. We have complete forgiveness in Christ for the wrong that we have done. And as new creatures, we can let go of the wrong others have done.
There is no longer place for “well, you don't know of the bad things I've done”. Nor room for “You don't know what they have done to me”. We can move towards a sense of being completely accepted in Christ, regardless of anything in our past. It's a process for many of us to start to experience that type of liberation, but it's the right step in walking in freedom and sanctification. I don't want to minimize the horrible effects that some have suffered in abusive relationships, but there is indeed a point where the trauma suffered has to give way to a forward looking life, no longer focused on the past. That is when the power of the offender finally ceases.
Start by looking at the grudges and biases we have against people in our lives. Let it go. Look at the areas in our own lives we feel we are destined to fail because of previous failures. Now, picture the Omnipotent God of Israel standing with you, empowering you to succeed in that area. “Forget the things of old” He says. Perceive or picture what happens with Him going before you, bringing a new thing, or new outcome to pass. It may be “springing forth” right now. Sometimes, it is just our spiritual sight or vision is too clouded by the memories of negative events to see it happen. (EWF)
Faunce has never been a “big” church compared to many other local congregations. We are not the “oldest” in town, nor situated right in the hub of Plymouth. We don’t have any unique doctrine that would set us apart from other Bible-believing churches, no secret handshakes or affiliation with a larger denomination.
What we do have, however, makes Faunce very unique.
First of all, we are committed to being an expression of the early Christian church that Jesus started, as close as possible, without the plethora of man-made traditions that have arisen over the years. That is expressed in our commitment to the Good News of salvation through Christ, our adherence to Biblical standards, and even through how we govern our church, through a plurality of elders, rather than a single, professional clergy.
At the moment we are also in a unique position in that there are no salaries being paid out- everyone serves completely as volunteers. Couple that with the fact that substantial sacrifices were made in the past, both in property and wealth, to allow the church to be self-sustaining. This means that the church doesn’t need to lean upon its members to make a weekly budget. Everything that does come into the offering plate can be utilized 100% for the mission of furthering the Kingdom of God.
We look are looking forward to have more “unique” people join us in our journey. People who seek to be part of something that fulfilling the call to disciple all nations. A church that invests in people, in substantial and tangible way. For more information, email us at elders@fauncechurch.org.
What we do have, however, makes Faunce very unique.
First of all, we are committed to being an expression of the early Christian church that Jesus started, as close as possible, without the plethora of man-made traditions that have arisen over the years. That is expressed in our commitment to the Good News of salvation through Christ, our adherence to Biblical standards, and even through how we govern our church, through a plurality of elders, rather than a single, professional clergy.
At the moment we are also in a unique position in that there are no salaries being paid out- everyone serves completely as volunteers. Couple that with the fact that substantial sacrifices were made in the past, both in property and wealth, to allow the church to be self-sustaining. This means that the church doesn’t need to lean upon its members to make a weekly budget. Everything that does come into the offering plate can be utilized 100% for the mission of furthering the Kingdom of God.
We look are looking forward to have more “unique” people join us in our journey. People who seek to be part of something that fulfilling the call to disciple all nations. A church that invests in people, in substantial and tangible way. For more information, email us at elders@fauncechurch.org.
03/08: Priming the Prayer Pump
I mentioned last Sunday that a great tool to have, (that I confessed I used to utilize) is a list of many of the various prayers from the New Testament, and a list of people to prayer for everyday.
Well, here is a PDF file of just that, which you might find really helps get your prayer life going, if its not going already. These are many of Paul's "intercessory prayers"- that is, Paul's prayer for other people. A lot of people don't really know what to say when they are impressed to pray for someone else.
Hopefully, this will help. Download it, print it, write in the names of people that you are committing yourself to pray for, and then execute the plan. :) I'm committing to stick by this everyday, and on every remembrance.
Here is the link: http://www.fauncechurch.org/priming_the_prayer_pump.pdf .
Well, here is a PDF file of just that, which you might find really helps get your prayer life going, if its not going already. These are many of Paul's "intercessory prayers"- that is, Paul's prayer for other people. A lot of people don't really know what to say when they are impressed to pray for someone else.
Hopefully, this will help. Download it, print it, write in the names of people that you are committing yourself to pray for, and then execute the plan. :) I'm committing to stick by this everyday, and on every remembrance.
Here is the link: http://www.fauncechurch.org/priming_the_prayer_pump.pdf .
Faunce Elders' Statement on Faunce Church's Transition
As Pastor Jim announced from the pulpit recently, he will have fulfilled his time of pastoral ministry at Faunce Church on July 11th, 2010. The elders, deacons, and of course the entire congregation appreciates the years of service to Faunce and wish him and Donna God's blessing. We are hoping to see many new and old friends as PJ finishes the evangelism series on "Contagious Christianity" on the 11th for a great message, special music, and luncheon after the service.
Many people are wondering what happens with Faunce now. Rest assured, much thought and prayer has gone and will go into the process of transition and the future direction of Faunce. Members and attendees can be confident that we elders are determined to use this moment to recalibrate the priorities and resources of the church to carry out those purposes that God originally intended the church to fulfill. Simply put, that would be outreach evangelism and teaching of the TRUE GOSPEL (Matt 28:19,20), and to substantially help those in need. (Acts 6:1; Gal 2:10; James 1:27). Faunce's elders will be meeting regularly to pray, study and converse.
Individuals want to know "who is going to be the pastor?" "who will be preaching?" and other similar questions. We wish to emphasize, the pastor is the Holy Spirit of the Good Shepherd, Jesus. For the forseeable future, filling the pulpit won't be difficult, since between our missionaries, local willing lay ministers, and other special guests, there is already a line of able people who would like to speak. According to the church constitution, we will form a search committee and pulpit committee, but I would like to stress the first priority is to get all of us on the same page of rediscovering why the Church of Jesus Christ exists, and God's role that Faunce has in fulfilling that vision.
So we invite any question anyone might have about this. You can call or email any of the elders. We would also invite all of our old friends and former members who might feel called to serve. We believe God desires a church that emulates the spirit and essence of the Apostles' Christian church described in the New Testament, especially in the Book of Acts.
Eric Francke, David Breck, Steve Pitney, the elders of Faunce Church.
As Pastor Jim announced from the pulpit recently, he will have fulfilled his time of pastoral ministry at Faunce Church on July 11th, 2010. The elders, deacons, and of course the entire congregation appreciates the years of service to Faunce and wish him and Donna God's blessing. We are hoping to see many new and old friends as PJ finishes the evangelism series on "Contagious Christianity" on the 11th for a great message, special music, and luncheon after the service.
Many people are wondering what happens with Faunce now. Rest assured, much thought and prayer has gone and will go into the process of transition and the future direction of Faunce. Members and attendees can be confident that we elders are determined to use this moment to recalibrate the priorities and resources of the church to carry out those purposes that God originally intended the church to fulfill. Simply put, that would be outreach evangelism and teaching of the TRUE GOSPEL (Matt 28:19,20), and to substantially help those in need. (Acts 6:1; Gal 2:10; James 1:27). Faunce's elders will be meeting regularly to pray, study and converse.
Individuals want to know "who is going to be the pastor?" "who will be preaching?" and other similar questions. We wish to emphasize, the pastor is the Holy Spirit of the Good Shepherd, Jesus. For the forseeable future, filling the pulpit won't be difficult, since between our missionaries, local willing lay ministers, and other special guests, there is already a line of able people who would like to speak. According to the church constitution, we will form a search committee and pulpit committee, but I would like to stress the first priority is to get all of us on the same page of rediscovering why the Church of Jesus Christ exists, and God's role that Faunce has in fulfilling that vision.
So we invite any question anyone might have about this. You can call or email any of the elders. We would also invite all of our old friends and former members who might feel called to serve. We believe God desires a church that emulates the spirit and essence of the Apostles' Christian church described in the New Testament, especially in the Book of Acts.
Eric Francke, David Breck, Steve Pitney, the elders of Faunce Church.
16/10: Faunce Youth Group
For those who are unaware, we have Youth Group meeting Saturday Nights at the church, starting at 7:00 PM. We have food, games, and will be having some "Bible Time" . :)
There is a sleepover coming up early Nov. and the "Super Bowl" (All night event in Providence with hundreds of Christian teens) is coming up too!
See Eric , or call at 508-410-2087
Don't forget, Family Fun Day with The Great Benafuchi is Sunday!
The service is from 10:00 AM to 11:30 with Rabbi Henry Morse preaching. Afterwards, there will be free food (Burgers, Dogs, Chicken etc). Games, a moonwalk, pony rides, relay races and more, with a performance of the Great Benafuchi, acrobat extraordinaire!
The cost is FREE!
The service is from 10:00 AM to 11:30 with Rabbi Henry Morse preaching. Afterwards, there will be free food (Burgers, Dogs, Chicken etc). Games, a moonwalk, pony rides, relay races and more, with a performance of the Great Benafuchi, acrobat extraordinaire!
The cost is FREE!
Message from Pastor Jim:
Following is a powerful message for all of us!
Hope to see you...
THIS SATURDAY - " CELEBRATE RECOVERY SUMMER COOKOUT AND PARTY " 5-9 PM
THIS SUNDAY - "MORNING WORSHIP CELEBRATION" 10 AM
THIS SUNDAY NIGHT - " MULTI-CHURCH PRAYER GATHERING AT MEMORIAL HALL " 6 PM
Devotional:
Don't Fear Deeper Friendships
by Rick Warren
(From PurposeDriven.com)
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV).
When we're full of fear and anxiety, we don't get close to each other. We back off from each other. We're afraid of being rejected, manipulated, vulnerable, hurt, or used. All of these fears cause us to disconnect in life.
This fear is as old as humanity. When Adam and Eve sinned, and God came looking for them, Adam said, "I was afraid . . . so I hid" (Genesis 3:10 NIV). People have been doing that ever since. We're afraid, so we hide. We hide our true selves.
We don't let people know what we're really like. We don't let them see the inside of us. Why? Because if we let people know what we're like and they don't like it, we're up a creek without a paddle. Tough luck. Why am I afraid to tell you who I am? Because if I tell you who I am, and you don't like me, I'm in for it. I have no alternative. So we wear masks and we pretend.
Fear does three terrible things to relationships:
1. Fear makes us defensive. We're afraid to reveal ourselves. We defend ourselves. When people point out our weaknesses, we retaliate and defend ourselves.
2. Fear keeps us distant. We don't let people get close to us. We want to withdraw, pull back. We want to hide our emotions. We don't want to be open and honest. We become defensive and distant.
3. Fear makes us demanding. Whenever we're insecure, and the more insecure we are, the more we try to control. So we try to have the last word in a relationship. We try to dominate, control. It's always a symptom of fear and insecurity.
Where do you get the confidence, the courage, to take the first step in connecting with someone, to go into a deeper intimacy? Where do you get that courage?
You get it from God's Spirit in your life. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For the Holy Spirit, God's gift, does not want you to be afraid of people but to be wise and strong (courageous), and to love them and enjoy being with them" (LB).
How do you know when you're filled with God's Spirit? You're more courageous in your relationships. You love people. You enjoy being with them. You're not afraid of them because God's Spirit is in your life. The Bible says "God is love," and "Love casts out all fear." The more of God you have in your life, the less of fear you're going to have in your life.
So the starting point in connecting with anybody is to pause, pray, and say, "God, give me the courage to take the first step." You need to do that now with a person you want to connect with.
Following is a powerful message for all of us!
Hope to see you...
THIS SATURDAY - " CELEBRATE RECOVERY SUMMER COOKOUT AND PARTY " 5-9 PM
THIS SUNDAY - "MORNING WORSHIP CELEBRATION" 10 AM
THIS SUNDAY NIGHT - " MULTI-CHURCH PRAYER GATHERING AT MEMORIAL HALL " 6 PM
Devotional:
Don't Fear Deeper Friendships
by Rick Warren
(From PurposeDriven.com)
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV).
When we're full of fear and anxiety, we don't get close to each other. We back off from each other. We're afraid of being rejected, manipulated, vulnerable, hurt, or used. All of these fears cause us to disconnect in life.
This fear is as old as humanity. When Adam and Eve sinned, and God came looking for them, Adam said, "I was afraid . . . so I hid" (Genesis 3:10 NIV). People have been doing that ever since. We're afraid, so we hide. We hide our true selves.
We don't let people know what we're really like. We don't let them see the inside of us. Why? Because if we let people know what we're like and they don't like it, we're up a creek without a paddle. Tough luck. Why am I afraid to tell you who I am? Because if I tell you who I am, and you don't like me, I'm in for it. I have no alternative. So we wear masks and we pretend.
Fear does three terrible things to relationships:
1. Fear makes us defensive. We're afraid to reveal ourselves. We defend ourselves. When people point out our weaknesses, we retaliate and defend ourselves.
2. Fear keeps us distant. We don't let people get close to us. We want to withdraw, pull back. We want to hide our emotions. We don't want to be open and honest. We become defensive and distant.
3. Fear makes us demanding. Whenever we're insecure, and the more insecure we are, the more we try to control. So we try to have the last word in a relationship. We try to dominate, control. It's always a symptom of fear and insecurity.
Where do you get the confidence, the courage, to take the first step in connecting with someone, to go into a deeper intimacy? Where do you get that courage?
You get it from God's Spirit in your life. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For the Holy Spirit, God's gift, does not want you to be afraid of people but to be wise and strong (courageous), and to love them and enjoy being with them" (LB).
How do you know when you're filled with God's Spirit? You're more courageous in your relationships. You love people. You enjoy being with them. You're not afraid of them because God's Spirit is in your life. The Bible says "God is love," and "Love casts out all fear." The more of God you have in your life, the less of fear you're going to have in your life.
So the starting point in connecting with anybody is to pause, pray, and say, "God, give me the courage to take the first step." You need to do that now with a person you want to connect with.
((Recommended by Pastor Jim!))
"Do all your work in love" (1 Corinthians 16:14 TEV).
The apostle Paul says, "Do all your work in love." He doesn't say some of your work, but all of your work. He also says "no matter . . . what I do, I'm bankrupt without love" (1 Corinthians 13:3 MSG).
The point is, any job can be turned into worship when it is built on the model of Christ's love; that love is expressed to co-workers, clients, and customers. Mother Teresa said, "It's not what you do so much that matters, but how much love you put into it."
Think about it like this. Two-thirds of the word career is "care": C-A-R-E. John Rushcan once said, "When love and skill come together, expect a masterpiece."
So, I want you to pray a prayer every day this week. When you get up to go work—whether it's at home or at school, in your backyard or at an office or wherever you work—I want you to pray, "Father, today I want to worship You through my work. I want to express my gifts, I want to do it as if I'm doing it for You, and I want to do it in love."
"So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him. This is the true worship that you should offer" (Romans 12:1 TEV).
Let Love Motivate Your Work
by Rick Warren
(From PurposeDriven.com)
by Rick Warren
(From PurposeDriven.com)
"Do all your work in love" (1 Corinthians 16:14 TEV).
The apostle Paul says, "Do all your work in love." He doesn't say some of your work, but all of your work. He also says "no matter . . . what I do, I'm bankrupt without love" (1 Corinthians 13:3 MSG).
The point is, any job can be turned into worship when it is built on the model of Christ's love; that love is expressed to co-workers, clients, and customers. Mother Teresa said, "It's not what you do so much that matters, but how much love you put into it."
Think about it like this. Two-thirds of the word career is "care": C-A-R-E. John Rushcan once said, "When love and skill come together, expect a masterpiece."
So, I want you to pray a prayer every day this week. When you get up to go work—whether it's at home or at school, in your backyard or at an office or wherever you work—I want you to pray, "Father, today I want to worship You through my work. I want to express my gifts, I want to do it as if I'm doing it for You, and I want to do it in love."
"So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him. This is the true worship that you should offer" (Romans 12:1 TEV).
OUR OWN PATH
_________________________
_________________________
And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? For when one says, "I belong to Paul," and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you not merely human? -
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (NRSV)
_________________________
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. - Psalm 34:3 (NIV)
_________________________
I grew up in the mountains of Colorado. Near my home, a canyon road begins as a single highway and then splits into two roads that appear to go in different directions. However, the roads actually encircle a mountain and then re-join in a state park. Although they end in the same place, the routes are unique in beauty, terrain, and history.
In a similar way, early believers in Corinth were divided. They were quarreling over whom they should follow. Some said, "I follow Paul," while others said, "I follow Apollos." However, Paul stressed that he and Apollos were only servants, saying, "Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who gives the growth" (1 Cor. 3:7, nrsv).
A common temptation among believers is to talk more about a particular church or leader than about Christ. Perhaps we think our journey in faith is the best way to Christ. The two routes to the state park remind me that although we journey with other believers to a common destination, we are individually unique creations of God with our own stories and our own path to walk. Some day our paths will converge and we will discover that we were each on the right path.
-- Barbara Gail Bliss (Colorado, USA)
Prayer:
Lord, help us to trust your guidance in our lives and in the lives of those we love. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
We walk different roads, but Christ brings us all to God.
PRAYER FOCUS:
Churches Divided Over Methods
21/06: From Pastor Jim
HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL MY BROTHERS & SISTERS AT FAUNCE !
Wow, did the Father ever bless us this weekend! Forty six out for Fathers Day breakfast on Saturday and what a powerful and blessed Fathers Day service this morning! A special THANK YOU to brother Noah for sharing his heart with us today. Let's step up to this CALL TO COMMITMENT :
Fathers: Show Your Children the Meaning of Commitment
by Rick Warren
(From PurposeDriven.com)
"For their sake I dedicate Myself to You, in order that they, too, may be truly dedicated to You" (John 17:19 TEV).
Jesus taught the disciples about commitment by showing His commitment to them.
You will not be able to lead your children any farther spiritually than you are yourself. Jesus said, "For their sake I dedicate Myself to You, in order that they, too, may be truly dedicated to You" (John 17:19 TEV). As a parent, you can say, "For my kids' sake, I dedicate myself completely to God so that they, too, will be completely dedicated to God."
Here's a very important question: What do your kids see that you are dedicated to?
What do your kids see that you are committed to? What do you want them to see that you're committed to? I suggest you commit yourself to God's five purposes for your life so that they will commit to that, too.
• Commit yourself to knowing and loving God (worship).
• Commit yourself to learning to love other people (fellowship).
• Commit yourself to growing in Christlike character (discipleship).
• Commit yourself to serving other people unselfishly (ministry).
• Commit yourself to sharing the good news (missions).
They will become purpose driven children rather than pressure driven, guilt driven, worry driven, resentment driven, crowd driven, or peer driven.
Jesus knew He wouldn't be with the disciples forever. He knew at the Last Supper that He would be hanging on a cross within a few hours. This is what He prayed: "Now I am departing the world; I am leaving them behind and coming to You. Holy Father, keep them and care for them" (John 17:11 NLT).
You're not going to be with your children forever. Parenting is a season. It isn't going to last forever, but it's never too late to start leading. You may be a grandparent now, but you can still be a spiritual leader to those around you. You can echo Jesus' prayer, saying, "Father, before I depart the world, help me to impart godly truths to my children and grandchildren. Before I leave them behind and come to you, guide me to be a good steward of those you put in my care. And then I can give them back to you, knowing you have always and will always care for them."
Wow, did the Father ever bless us this weekend! Forty six out for Fathers Day breakfast on Saturday and what a powerful and blessed Fathers Day service this morning! A special THANK YOU to brother Noah for sharing his heart with us today. Let's step up to this CALL TO COMMITMENT :
Fathers: Show Your Children the Meaning of Commitment
by Rick Warren
(From PurposeDriven.com)
"For their sake I dedicate Myself to You, in order that they, too, may be truly dedicated to You" (John 17:19 TEV).
Jesus taught the disciples about commitment by showing His commitment to them.
You will not be able to lead your children any farther spiritually than you are yourself. Jesus said, "For their sake I dedicate Myself to You, in order that they, too, may be truly dedicated to You" (John 17:19 TEV). As a parent, you can say, "For my kids' sake, I dedicate myself completely to God so that they, too, will be completely dedicated to God."
Here's a very important question: What do your kids see that you are dedicated to?
What do your kids see that you are committed to? What do you want them to see that you're committed to? I suggest you commit yourself to God's five purposes for your life so that they will commit to that, too.
• Commit yourself to knowing and loving God (worship).
• Commit yourself to learning to love other people (fellowship).
• Commit yourself to growing in Christlike character (discipleship).
• Commit yourself to serving other people unselfishly (ministry).
• Commit yourself to sharing the good news (missions).
They will become purpose driven children rather than pressure driven, guilt driven, worry driven, resentment driven, crowd driven, or peer driven.
Jesus knew He wouldn't be with the disciples forever. He knew at the Last Supper that He would be hanging on a cross within a few hours. This is what He prayed: "Now I am departing the world; I am leaving them behind and coming to You. Holy Father, keep them and care for them" (John 17:11 NLT).
You're not going to be with your children forever. Parenting is a season. It isn't going to last forever, but it's never too late to start leading. You may be a grandparent now, but you can still be a spiritual leader to those around you. You can echo Jesus' prayer, saying, "Father, before I depart the world, help me to impart godly truths to my children and grandchildren. Before I leave them behind and come to you, guide me to be a good steward of those you put in my care. And then I can give them back to you, knowing you have always and will always care for them."
