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Five Minute Family
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Content provided by Clear View Retreat. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Clear View Retreat or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Your family matters. And, it is in the random minutes throughout the day when you can show just how much you love them. Five Minute Family is a quick five-minute podcast to give you encouragement, ideas, and biblical wisdom to get you motivated to begin investing five minutes a day (that snowball into more and more minutes) to transform your family life.
…
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195 episodes
Mark all (un)played …
Manage series 2854850
Content provided by Clear View Retreat. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Clear View Retreat or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Your family matters. And, it is in the random minutes throughout the day when you can show just how much you love them. Five Minute Family is a quick five-minute podcast to give you encouragement, ideas, and biblical wisdom to get you motivated to begin investing five minutes a day (that snowball into more and more minutes) to transform your family life.
…
continue reading
195 episodes
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×Good morning, Five Minute Families. Let’s discuss privilege. Now, we are not saying “check your privilege” in the current, woke, political way. So, please don’t check out on us. As Christ-centered families, we need to understand what special advantages or disadvantages we have in order to better serve in this world. First, let’s define what privilege actually is. Oxford Languages says privilege is “a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.” Now, that definition can be used in many ways, but Collins Dictionary brings it more to the point we want to discuss today: “Someone who is privileged has an advantage or opportunity that most other people do not have, often because of their wealth or connections.” Think briefly about the child raised by musical parents who are able to help him outside of his piano lesson time because they have musical knowledge, too; he gets the advantage of extra instruction and guided practice time. The young adult who wants to start a business with a relative in that business can talk over a family meal instead of scheduling an appointment during the work day with someone in that industry - an opportunity that not everyone starting out will have. The grandchild who inherits family land and has a family member with a tractor who can come and bushhog for only the cost of fuel or maybe even for free. The subdivision family who has kind neighbors who bring a meal when they hear that someone in the family is injured. Obviously, the examples could go on and on. The reality is that there are many, many people out there who do not have the privilege of a support system of helpful family, close friends, and caring neighbors. Likewise, there are folks who aren’t around the lingo, expectations, and unwritten rules that go along with being part of a specific community, even church. Before you judge the person who isn’t participating in a dinner out because she doesn’t have money for a babysitter… Before you judge the person walking down the street filthy, spending two times as much money for the milk at the closest store within walking distance because they have no way to get to the more cost-effective store… Before you judge the parent who put their child on a device at the restaurant… Before you judge the child who is screaming their head off for not getting a piece of candy… Before all of that, pray and realize the beautiful privileges God has given you. Yes, some will still want to weaponize the word ‘privilege’ in racial discussions. Some want to weaponize this word in their own jealousy. But, let’s discuss biblical privilege and explore what God would have us understand about the concept of privilege. Remember, we believers - no matter what skin color, nation, or culture we have - we believers have the same eternal privilege. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Also, we believers have the Holy Spirit indwelling us so we can express the fruit of the Spirit even when our flesh calls out for the opposite. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” We believers grieve with hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.” These are privileges that we did nothing for: Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” You know, I didn’t realize how truly privileged I am to be married to a good and Godly man who even when he messes up, repents and asks for forgiveness. It is, apparently, a small group of women who have men like that. When I speak to other women about relationships with their husbands, I must realize the privilege that my husband has given me. I didn’t, at first, of course. It took the hurting heart of another woman who had shared her story with me to point out - in not so kind terms - that while, yes, our husbands had made similar mistakes in our marriages, my husband was repentant and willing to work on our marriage. Her husband was not and wanted her to simply forgive and forget without any change on his part. Be open to the truth of your biblical, financial, educational, community, status, and other types of privilege or lack. It is ok to see the advantages God has afforded you and your family. As you reach out to one another in love, be kind. Be blessed!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. Does your family use nicknames? Many of us have affectionate, endearing nicknames to our friends and family members. Some of our children have nicknames that they use as their main name; I have a nickname that I am known by to everyone I meet. Some of us only allow the people closest to us use our nicknames without bristling that the other person has crossed an unspoken boundary. Some folks love to use already in-place nicknames because the nicknames make the speaker closer and more in touch with the other person. And, still yet, some people love to give others a nickname of their own making. But, just like labels, nicknames can bring people closer together or they can tear them apart. There are good nicknames and there are bad nicknames. Folks prone to nicknaming everyone are quite often not in tune with the disrespect or even hurt they are inflicting and, ultimately, how they are undermining the relationship. A basketball coach when I was in high school called me “Wanda Wideload.” Mind you, it was only in the last eight years that I have actually been overweight, but, as a teenager, I thought I was fat, especially with supposedly safe adults calling me “Wanda Wideload” every single day of high school because I worked in his office every day. Eventually, in hurt and anger, I started calling him “Lardy Larry,” which he just laughed away, but the hurt he inflicted as a trusted adult in my life was already done. Not all nicknames will inflict that type of lasting hurt. The nicknamed person may accept that you won’t stop using the nickname even after they have politely asked you to stop - sometimes on more than one occasion. They may forgive you completely for disrespecting their boundary and request, buuut most often, polite acceptance is actually coupled with knowing you are someone NOT to be trusted and that you do not respect boundaries. If you cannot accept a boundary about something as simple as a nickname, then how are you to be trusted in anything bigger? How does this apply to your family? Think about the nicknames you use. For example, our youngest has been known as Jojo since birth. He even still introduces himself that way sometimes, but he has begun to introduce himself as Joe or Joseph more and more often. At some point, he may ask us to stop using his nickname. Since it is a term of endearment, it will be difficult to drop, but for the stage of life where it bothers him, we will do our best to use the name he uses. Here are some tips when dealing with nicknames: If someone is using a nickname you do not like, hold a proper boundary. It is ok to say, “please don’t call me that.” You can even say, “I prefer” - and then say the name you prefer. Never forget Proverbs 15:1 which says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” If someone has asked you to stop using a nickname, you need to respect that by putting in the effort. Our nephew started going by a different name after we had moved away. It is still hard all these years later, but we try, and he seems to appreciate our effort to do so. Note that not all nickname changes come from aging. Sometimes, a person fills pigeon-holed or insulted by a nickname. No matter the reason, put in the effort and apologize when you forget. If you use a nickname for someone that YOU came up with, you need to check in with them and make sure that they are ok with your using it. Here’s a caveat to that, if they have already asked you not to call them that, then don’t and don’t ask if you can use it. Asking again puts them in the awkward position of reiterating what you already know but don’t want to accept. Annnd, they may give in, but again, the relationship may be chipped away each time you use that nickname. Families are the ultimate place to practice God’s one anothering concepts, and using or not using nicknames in ways that help your loved ones feel encouraged and empowered is quite important. In this way you readily apply Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Thank you for joining us this morning. May God guide you as you communicate clearly and kindly with those you love the most. Be blessed!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. While the rain has been falling quite a bit both literally and figuratively, we are thankful to the Lord for His provision of water to grow the plants and His love to get through the storms. Here at Clear View Retreat, we never deny that tough things happen in life. But, we do not go through any difficulties on earth without Hope - His Hope. We desire to be part of the equipping solution, pointing you and ourselves to God’s healing and guiding Word to bring us through any highs or lows that come along as we seek Him. Last week, we began a two-part series about labels. But, today, we want to focus on the positive, and the reality is that some labels CAN BE good. They can be helpful, and they are sometimes necessary. Additionally, positive labels help a family build a stronger family identity. And, those family identity labels need to be grounded in God’s Word. The first label to explore today is MINE. No, we aren’t referring to the movie seagulls screaming out, “MINE, MINE, MINE” in selfishness. Isaiah 43:1 says, “Now this is what the Lord says—the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel—“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.” God says we are HIS. He claims us as His own. He does not say we are His if we are good enough, if we behave well enough, if we make enough, if we achieve enough. We are HIS because He called us. The second label is CHILDREN. 1 John 4:4 is one of the verses that God has in His word referring to us as children - “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” And, as Lisa Whittle writes, “Jesus did not create us to wear the labels of this world, even the ones we place on ourselves. Instead, He created us as His ‘dearly loved children’ (Ephesians 5:1).” Dearly loved children, we are held close to the Lord. He labels us because He loves us even better than we love our children. We take care of them, we teach them, we support them, but we are HIS children. The third label we’ll discuss today is COMMUNITY. In Romans 12:3-8 God reminds us that we are members of one another. Specifically, in verse 5, “in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.” Additionally, labels help provide a sense of community. The community is something your family or family member is involved with, or it can even be a literal support group helping you better understand your family’s unique challenges - whether that is due to an illness or ongoing need. The fourth label is CAPABLE. My favorite verses of the Bible are 2 Peter 1:5-8, “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” My fellow five minute families, you are capable. You won’t get it all right, all at once, but we are each capable of growing closer and closer to God and becoming more and more like His Son every day. The fifth and final label for today is BLAMELESS. Colossians 1:22 points out, “Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and BLAMELESS as you stand before him without a single fault.” Last week, we included 1 Samuel 16:7 and intentionally left off the last part - “but the Lord looks on the heart.” Labels can destroy us if they are misused, but they can also give us motivation and proper self-development. We can seek God’s will and know that as He looks on our hearts, He will guide us into good goals and proper environments, and having proper labels of who we are IN Christ and who we are TO Christ are of paramount importance. Five Minute families, as we walk into a new week, we need to think about the labels we have placed on ourselves and our loved ones. Evaluate what labels you are using, and ask God to lead your family into a greater understanding of who He is and who you are in Him. Thank you for joining us today. We pray that God will guide your endeavors and lead you in growing your five minutes a day with your family into a lifetime of love, support, and compassion. Be blessed!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. Thank you for joining us today. We are Jim and Kim Nestle with Clear View Retreat, located in beautiful East Tennessee. We want to encourage your family to live lives pleasing to the Lord. That involves being intentional in how you relate to one another. And, one of the ways folks relate is to label each other. Labeling can actually have both negative and positive effects, so let’s break down the labeling process over the next two weeks, and see how we need to only label in God-honoring ways. Have you heard phrases like: “Don’t label me,” “I don’t do labels,” “Don’t put your labels on me,” or “I don’t want to be labeled?” All of those are demonstrating the very real heart attitude for a need to be seen as the unique and wonderful individuals we each are. Labeling a person can possibly restrict their potential. God has a plan and a purpose for every single human being on this earth, and if we insult someone with a label meant to belittle or restrict them, then we are dishonoring God. If you do an internet search with the keyword phrase “Bible verses about labeling,” most of the information that pops up begins with the negative side of labeling. A small sample of those verses include: Matthew 7:1-2 Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance...” Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. John 7:24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. James 2:4 Have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? People throughout human history have been tribal. We will divide along any line we can find. Back in history, people divided by their literal tribe. Folks divide by nationality, by color, by educational experience. People are so tribal that even Apple has maximized on that tribalism by demonizing phones that are not theirs, lessening the quality of images shared, and more. Android-using phones might do it, too, though that is much harder to identify since there are numerous non-Apple “tribes” and only the one Apple tribe. What does tribalism have to do with labeling? Well, a lot actually. We have a tendency to label what we do not yet fully understand in order to lessen our own discomfort in the unknown. And, quite honestly, when someone does not think like we do, act like do, or believe what we believe, we want to lessen our own discomfort and frustration by slapping a label on them and walking away. We will never win an argument by labeling the people who disagree with us. That’s because labeling causes frustration especially if we are not entirely accurate and/or the person is unhappy with that label. If the label is perceived negatively in society or within the person’s own family, no matter how accurate, the label will be viewed as an insult. Let’s take for example the fact that when Christ-followers first began being labeled as “Christians” it was meant as an insult. Then, the group embraced being known as “little Christ’s” and then as time marched forward, Christ-followers began to distance themselves from the label that had been overused and corrupted by evil people who hide their evil acts behind misused and misrepresented Bible verse. Labels often reveal unfounded assumptions and negative stereotypes. No one wants to be grouped with the worst of the people who share something in common with themselves. Something bad may have happened to you to accept or believe a negative stereotype. Our niece who did not homeschool once watched a comedian with us who was doing a homeschool parody song. We were all laughing hysterically because it was so far from the truth, but because she didn’t see us very often and had had a bad experience with a homeschool person, she couldn’t understand why we were laughing about being made fun because she thought it was all true. Now, that is a more light-hearted application of the negative stereotype, but we all know that unfortunately, some harsh and groundless labels can cause major division and heartache if we are not careful. Watch your words. Be careful with your assumptions about a person, a family, a church, and more. Take heart Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.” Be careful when using labels. Join us next week as we discuss the positive aspects of labeling and how a family can further its own family identity by using labels well. Be blessed!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. Would you rather have 100 pennies or 4 quarters? In terms of ease of carrying the money and paying with the money, most of us would choose 4 quarters. Now, let’s think about those times in school when we had to write a paper for the English teacher… how many of us sat down and wrote the paper the night before it was due, even if we were supposed to have an outline and other pre-writing work turned in with it? Most English teachers will assign the various prewriting work as well as the drafting and editing phases to be turned in prior to the paper due date in order to make sure we are working on the tasks in a timely and organized way. But, what do 100 pennies and English teachers have to do with one other? I watched a social media video the other day by a beautiful young lady who was sharing her ADHD experience of activity and inactivity with the analogy of 100 pennies or four quarters. I accidentally hit the back arrow and couldn’t find it again so I cannot give her proper credit; nonetheless, her point was… Do you accomplish your tasks like counting out 100 pennies or 4 quarters? The English teacher who breaks down a big paper into separate tasks and has you turn in the parts as you go is a 100 pennies person. They are making sure you are doing the task methodically and carefully. And, for an English paper, I would agree that the 100 pennies approach will often be the most fruitful. However, the accomplishment of most tasks in our daily lives, neither the 100 pennies or the 4 quarters is correct or better. They both equal a dollar, but the overall look of the broken down tasks and the time it takes to complete them looks very different. So, if you are a 100 pennies parent and you have a 4 quarters child, you may end up with a lot of conflict in the house. Of course, just as there are numerous ways to make a dollar, there are numerous ways to accomplish a task in different chunks of time. We might be 10 dime parents with 20 nickel kids. We might even have times when we are full dollar parents because of the urgency or timing of a needed task. Parents, sometimes we forget the vast differences available in accomplishing the same task (or the tasks that we each have set before us). We hear verses like Ephesians 5:15–16 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Psalm 90:12 teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Luke 14:28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? John 9:4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. And, after hearing those verses, if we are ‘100 pennies’ constant working a little at a time people, we may view our 4 quarters kiddo as lazy or ‘less than.’ Remember, Galatians 6:9 “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” If you are both accomplishing the tasks that are set before you, then just like the quantity of money is equal, the work is equal. Five Minute parent, you may have to adjust your actual view of the other person. The same is true in reverse. If mom is 4 quarters but the kiddo needs a task to be 100 pennies, it is incumbent upon the parent to explain and help the child accomplish their task in ‘100 penny’ format. That can be a lot harder to achieve sometimes; we have to be self-aware and equip ourselves to meet the needs and changes that will help each family member achieve his or her greatest potential. Which, will ultimately help us as a family achieve the goals we have set for ourselves. Thank you for joining us today. We pray that the eyes of your hearts will be enlightened to God’s hope, glory, and power for your family. We encourage you to be intentional about cultivating a family identity that honors God and the unique qualities He created within each of your family members. If you would like to learn more, please check out our website clearviewretreat.org. Be blessed!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. Are you in a season of chaos? In a season that feels where every moment is filled with an expected event and then something comes along to derail or add to that? Today, let’s discuss how a God-honoring family can handle the chaos that inevitably comes in some seasons of life. Of utmost importance is to remember that God is a God of order as 1 Corinthians 14:33 points out, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” He can bring order from the perceived? chaos. And, He knows that we live in this sinful, fallen world. He knows intimately that that world will sometimes fall on us. So, if a season of chaos seems to be reigning in your life, remember who is actually on the throne. Take even just five seconds to breath and pray a prayer of thanksgiving that He will sort it all out. He is with us every moment. So, how does your family walk through this season that seems full of disorder and confusion? First, and I know we may sound like a broken record (or for a more modern slang… a loop glitch in a video game), but you must realize that the impact of an event is different for each individual member of your family. Within the family identity you are trying to cultivate, never forget that each member of the family is uniquely and wonderfully made. Second, keep the lines of communication open as you navigate this season of chaos. Try to schedule a family meeting if at all possible. If not, be sure to make plans for future discussions, possibly even keeping notes as things are at the height of the chaos so that you can better remember and address the most pertinent issues. Third, not only do you need to have planned meeting times for dealing with any issues or debriefing about the options or consequences, in the midst of the ongoing chaotic moments, you also need to choose to seek to understand first before trying to be understood and to be kind in that process. Much of the chaos is easier to process if you know what your loved one is thinking and feeling. Fourth, make sure you are examining your thoughts for reality-based expectations. If someone in the family has unrealistic expectations, the season of chaos will be much harder to traverse. Make sure you share your expectations with your family, and if you receive feedback about their unrealistic nature, be prepared to enter again into praying that God will give you a clearer view of what He is orchestrating in your family’s life. And, fifth, be willing to enter into periods of intentional intimacy and intentional avoidance. Each family member will need different levels of interaction time, processing time, quiet time, etc. In a season of chaos, you each need to be intentionally intimate with the Lord through prayer and Bible reading, even more so than you feel you have time for. Likewise, you need to have times of intentional avoidance from loved ones so that you can evaluate your thoughts, feelings, and emotions, making sure you are bringing your beliefs to the Lord so that He can direct you in His path, not your own. Just as Isaiah 41:10 tells us, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” God will guide you and the family through this season of chaos. He reiterates that in John 16:33 “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” We will have tribulation, trials, distress, frustration, troubles, and affliction, but what the world intends for harm, God intends for good (Genesis 50:20). We know that seasons come and go, and that we can “glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). Five minute families, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” as Hebrews 10:23 encourages. Don’t let the world control your family; let God reign through the seasons - including the season of chaos - and you will be amazed at all He has planned and desires for you and your loved ones. Thank you for joining us today. We love to hear feedback from our listeners, so reach out anytime on social media or our webpage clearviewretreat.org. You can also email us at cvr@clearviewretreat.org. Be blessed!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. We hope you and yours are doing well this week. As the seasons change here, we are reminded of the constant changes that happen in life, especially in family life. Change does not only happen when big events happen - events such as the birth of a new baby, moving, or a new job. Change comes in our families as our children grow and a new milestone is reached. Think back to all the changes that came with your child’s first step! Change can be exciting and it can also be intimidating, especially when one member of the family is excited for the upcoming change and another member is dreading it. We can never assume the good and wonderful things that we anticipate coming are expected in the same way by our children or our spouse. For example, even something as exciting as your two growing daughters getting their own bedrooms for the first time, may cause a cascade of changes and secondary impacts. One daughter may love it while the other feels extremely lonely. The family as whole may see that the girls stop spending as much time in the living room with the family during mundane, routine events. Other children may feel restricted in the individual, separated bedrooms when they had previously gathered all together in the joint bedroom, leading them to act out. And on and on. So, what can you do to address changes that are happening in a positive and godly way? Always remember to keep the lines of communication open. Never assume that each family member is handling the change in the same way. Ephesians 4:29 reminds us that our communication needs to build one another up and it needs to “fit the occasion” to give grace to those who hear, so you are going to need to stay mindful of listening for what each family member may be saying or not saying due to the change. Likewise, don’t try to “fix” your loved one’s feelings about the change. Accept the feelings. The Bible says in Romans 15:7 “Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.” This goes hand in hand with lines of communication, but do try to gain an accurate understanding of the feelings and thoughts your family member is having surrounding the change. This is not just for you to understand them, but also so that if the family member themselves is holding onto a misunderstanding, misperception, or even blatantly false belief, you can address it lovingly and gently. Keep in mind Proverbs 14:12-13, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief” as well as Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Identify what can be held constant in your family life in order to help family members have a sense a stability in the midst of the change. One constant to always keep in mind is 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” No matter what is going on, we can stop, pray, study His word, and hold onto God’s truths. And, finally, don’t forget to evaluate the impact of the change on the family identity you are cultivating. When a child goes to school for the first time or leaves for college, the identity of the family alters. Certain things will never change, of course. We are children of God, if we have been saved. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” And, the Lord created each of us uniquely and wonderfully, so when things change with one of us, He will allow change within the family unit as well. That will give the whole family a chance to grow closer to God and to one another. As you reach out to each other, one anothering and demonstrating kindness, take the time to thank God for the constants and for the changes. Trust Him to grow each of you out of being stagnant while He creates in your family a plan and a purpose to live for Him. He intends for all things to work together for His glory and our good, so if the change that is happening seems overwhelming or quite limiting, God can and will use it for a greater purpose. Lean into Him and into one another. We do thank you for joining us today, and don’t forget to check out our website at clearviewretreat.org. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this or any of our past devotionals, which of course you can hear on your favorite podcast player. Be blessed!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. Have you ever heard the words, “I want to be a Christian but I don’t know how?” The simplicity of that question hides the longing and surrender that came before and the further learning that will follow. If you have never had the opportunity to share the gospel message with someone, we hope that you will pray to the Lord that He includes you in someone else’s faith journey. The confusion that comes before and the questions you might get are worth it when you see the hope shine in someone’s eyes. As a Christ-centered family, we all must be careful to NOT contribute to the confusion and questions that our loved ones will face, especially our children. When we were in Panama on our mission trip, we presented the gospel, asked if anyone would like to pray, and then prayed aloud so that if anyone wanted to make their confession of faith, they could do so. We did not ask a bunch of theological questions first. We did not make sure that they were in perfect alignment, doctrinally speaking. We took to heart the straightforward message of Romans 10:9-11, “That you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Five Minute families, we know that not all of the people who make a profession of faith have come to know the Lord. Some thought they had to say it to get something. Some did not understand. Some just love the attention. But, that isn’t really for us to decide. We must take them on their word that they have made a profession of faith. Then, discipleship begins. On a short-term international mission trip, the discipleship aspect falls to the local church (and we must pray for the local church in earnest), but at home, we have to make sure that we have presented the gospel message without all the worldly frustrations, traditions, and confusions that we may add to it unknowingly. It is good for our children to know the story of David and Goliath, Moses and Egypt, Samson, and more, but they need to know primarily the good news of Jesus Christ. We encourage you to take a moment to pray for your immediate family members. Think about their needs; ask God to open a door to discuss their faith journey. Maybe they will share with you that moment that God illuminated His truth in their life and we will see that you have a brother or sister in Christ sitting before you. Or, you might realize that while your loved can find and memorize Scripture and tell you the proper answer to every Bible story, he or she might not have had a moment in which God called him to Himself. He may not even fully understand what the gospel message actually is. If that is the case, then make sure you don’t inundate your family member with a bunch of demanding questions. Ask God to reveal to you which Scriptures to share and what points to discuss. Be prepared at all times to share the gospel message with anyone who crosses your path, but likewise, be prepared to share the gospel message to someone you know has heard it in some form a hundred times before at church events. Maybe you learned to share the salvation story through what some commonly call the “Romans Road” or maybe you have heard of the “Share Jesus Without Fear” questions, and you prefer that method. Whatever God impresses upon you and wherever He leads, be faithful to open the discussion about whether or not your loved one is saved. Now, don’t ask them every day or try to convince them if they do not make a profession of faith right then and there. You are not the Holy Spirit. But, you are to be a faithful servant of the Lord, and you can open the discussion, and even if it breaks down, you can ask permission to circle back again in the future. Remember, five minute parents, the conversations with our children can be confusing to them. They might not understand the difference between “believe” and “believe in your heart.” They might be afraid of giving the wrong answer, so they shut down even as they are responding to God’s call. They might get confused that they have to pray a specific prayer, a specific way or they are not saved. Be sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to lead you as you lead your children in the truth and knowledge of Him. Be blessed!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. Kim and I had a wonderful opportunity to go with our two youngest sons on an international mission trip. Our many thanks go out to the local church members who supported us and the entire team. While we may not all be able to go, we can all be mission-minded with our time, talents, and prayers. With our mission trip still fresh in my mind, I had another blessed occasion to share a devotional with the ladies of my church at a special “Tea Party” themed fellowship. As I researched the positive effects of herbal teas, I came across this quote: “herbal teas are a unique class among beverages and function as a cornerstone in physical and mental well-being.” It was the word ‘cornerstone’ that caught my eye. As Acts 4:11 points out, Jesus is the believer’s cornerstone. All that we do, say, have, want, and need should be squared properly on the ultimate cornerstone. Exactly, and so with a play on words ending in the -tea sound, I built on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ for the devotional message at our tea party. Here are five figurative -teas that God would have us Christ-followers make sure that we have, do, or be. The first -tea God wants for us is CERTAINTY. Certainty for our SALVATION. We are free from doubt of where our eternal home will be. John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” The assurance and confidence we have in Christ’s sacrifice is the foundation for all of our earthly living. The second -tea is CLARITY. We need to gain clear understanding of God’s word so that we grow in SANCTIFICATION. Sanctification is the process of growing more and more Christlike, and as John 17:17-19 states, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. I sanctify myself for them, so that they also may be sanctified by the truth. As Jesus prayed for His disciples, so we must pray for one another.” Each of us will go through struggles, but we must keep God’s truth at the forefront of our minds and pray for one another when effective communication and decision-making are needed in our walk with the Lord. The third -tea is CAPABILITY. 1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything.” We each have different TALENTS, different abili--ty. Just as one person is the head, someone else is a foot. We each are necessary for our biblical community. And, that brings us to our fourth -tea COMMUNITY. A biblical community is a group of Christ followers fostering a sense of belonging and support. That is concept called ONE ANOTHERING. The phrase "one another” appears about 100 times in the New Testament, 59 of those occurrences are specific commands teaching us how (and how not) to relate to one another. "Love one another" appears eleven times alone. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.” Likewise, biblical community and one anothering goes hand-in-hand with curiosity such as 1 Corinthians 10:24 encourages, “No one is to seek his own good, but the good of the other person.” We cannot seek the good of someone if we do not know them. We must be inquisitive and eager to engage in community. And, our final -tea to think about today is CONNECTIVITY. Connectivity is the state of being connected or interconnected, highlighting its interlinked, integrated, and unified aspects. UNITY Umm, that can be awfully hard sometimes, but like Jon Bloom at desiringGod.org said, “Our pursuit of unity is designed to give us many opportunities to die to our own sin and bear with the sin of others.” Though they don’t all specifically use the word ‘unity,’ there are well over 100 verses of the Bible that address connectivity through unity. One verse that does specifically use the word unity is Psalm 133:1 -- “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” But, what does the word dwell mean in the Bible? It means to be fully present in a place or with a person.” If someone upsets us by how they act, what they wear, what they say, etc, we must choose to stay FULLY PRESENT in the relationship. We might need to spend some alone time with the Lord, of course, but He brought this family and biblical community together, and He can bring connectivity if each one of us is willing to come out of our own personal, selfish desires and dwell together in unity. Now, note, that that unity must be based on God’s word, not tradition or personal preferences. No matter what -tea God may have pricked your ears on, remember to call upon His name and He will guide you. In His ultimate authority, the almighty has given us eternity. Drink your tea, five-minute families and be blessed!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. We are so glad you are joining us for the third and final devotion in our comfort zone series. If you missed the other two, please check them out on your favorite podcast app or head over to our website clearviewretreat.org. Comfort zone has its risks and benefits, and as we mentioned at the beginning of this series, the comfort zone can be a tool. If the family comfort zone is used wisely, it can expand your life while keeping you grounded and joyful. Bfreecoaching on reddit wrote it well, so we won’t even try to paraphrase it. They wrote, “Getting out of your comfort zone can inspire you to make changes, but your comfort zone is the sustainable component that empowers you to stick with those changes and receive their full benefits in the long-term. Your comfort zone is where you feel loved, supported, appreciated, valued, secure and worthy; and staying there is how you thrive. So instead of leaving your comfort zone — expand it — so you feel more comfortable doing more things. Then you can create the life you want through comfort and satisfaction, instead of discomfort and fear.” So, we can see the tool analogy we mentioned. Truly, the perfect use of the comfort zone is to find the place wherein the family is applying God’s Word and acting in ways that honor Him while knowing their individual worth by simply being made in His image. If the bad of the comfort zone is ‘feeling over doing or being,’ and the benefits demonstrate the ‘being over doing or feeling,’ then the best application of the family comfort zone is encouraging ‘Doing WHILE being.’ Expand your comfort zone. Here are but five verses to get you started: Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Galatians 5:1-26 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” 2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” Mark 16:15 “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” As your family gains confidence in the routine aspects of the comfort zone and encouraging daily family life, each of you is able to point your focus on other more challenging tasks, tasks that will likely take more mental and physical energy - tasks to expand and enrich your comfort zone. Likewise, after a family comfort zone expansion challenge, meaning your family has pushed the boundaries of the typical comfort zone, either individually or together, you get to then return to better known situations and be renewed to continue the cycle of rejuvenation and expansion of your comfort zone. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Growing in grace involves expansion of the comfort zone. It involves loving others who are unknown to you, it involves facing your fears together, it involves being devalued by outsiders but remembering your intrinsic worth. Keeping your focus on God’s truth allows you to feel appreciated even if everyone on the outside of your family comfort zone does not appreciate you. And, so much more. Now, lest you think you have nothing to give, remember 1 Corinthians 12:5-7, “There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good.” You have been given an aspect of God’s spirit to work in His kingdom - in your family and in your community. 1 timothy 4:14-15 admonishes us not to “neglect the gift that is in” us and to “Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.” Ask yourselves these questions, “Has my family rightly applied the concept of the family comfort zone?” If not, “how have we failed to create a supportive, loving, godly comfort zone for our family?” OR “how have we allowed the comfort zone to hold us back?” If you do have a good and godly family comfort zone, how can you begin to expand it for your individual goods, collective good, and most importantly, for God’s kingdom? As you contemplate your family comfort zone, we encourage you to pray for and with one another. Be blessed!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. Last time we were together, we discussed the risks of staying in the comfort zone. The comfort zone is all about what is known. It is the place or situation in which we feel at ease and without stress. For a reminder, if we fail to heed the risks of the comfort zone, we fall prey to only feeling over doing - our sense of ease over taking action. The good of the comfort zone is that we see that our being - our very existence - is more important than any action we could ever take. Being over doing is the good of the comfort zone. A good biblical example of the good of the comfort zone is Mary of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Mary stopped her “doing” and entered into a place of “being.” She sat at the feet of Jesus, focusing on the very purpose of life and her existence within His kingdom. Our families are to be comfort zones like when we sit at the feet of Jesus. Our family comfort zone offers safety, security, peace, rest, and support. Let’s start with the first two: safety and security. Those words are often used together, almost synonymously as adjectives, and while safe can also only be a noun and secure can also only be a verb, safe and secure (safety and security) are two sides of the same coin. Safe or safety is more readily defined as the personal feeling or condition of being free from harm whereas secure or security more readily involves the act of protection the efforts or measures that are outside of the person. Proverbs 18:10 demonstrates that “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” When the family holds tight to God’s word and his power, the family comfort zone should be secure. Job 11:18 “And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security.” How? When a family member is struggling, the family comfort zone allows for a space that is both safe and secure. Think of a child being bullied at school. Having home a respite where the child knows he or she will be able to relax and know that others cannot hurt them there is part of the job of being a parent. Moms and dads, this means that you MUST be monitoring your children’s devices, especially if your child has any social media, texting, or gaming app that allows for more than pre-fab comments. Home is not secure if people are allowed to attack us from the false anonymity of their devices. Next, the family comfort zone should offer peace and rest. A website I found summarized the difference this way, “Peace is a state of calmness and tranquility, while rest is a physical or mental state of relaxation or recovery.” John 16:33 reminds us of God’s peace, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” And, in Exodus 33:14, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” How does a family comfort zone provide peace and rest? First, we need to remember that we are all wired differently. Some family members will need much more sleep than the others. Some will need quieter spaces to find their peace and rest whereas some will feel rested after a fun, loud family game night. To have a family comfort zone that works for each of you, you will need to stay observant and open to different options as needed. And, lastly, a family comfort zone must offer support. Support means to bear all or part of the weight of something. It means to literally hold up if needed. Ecclesiastes 4:12 “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Every single one of us will need support at some point in our lives. By choosing a family life of one anothering, a family member will always know that even if they mess up royally, they will have the loving support of their family, and yes, that even includes holding them accountable for any bad behavior. God calls us into His righteousness, so support is holding one another up even when we must face the full consequences of our bad actions. Five minute families, is your home a comfort zone? Can you find peace, rest, safety, security, and support from one another? Take a breath, read God’s Word, and ask for forgiveness if you haven’t created a positive and encouraging family comfort zone. Be blessed!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. How are you today? We have been under some chaotic, stressful, filled with unknown type of situations recently, and it got us thinking… wouldn’t it be nice for things to be how they were… comfortable, chill, and known? Known… That is what the comfort zone is all about. The known. The comfort zone is a place or situation where we feel safe, at ease, and without stress. Some say the comfort zone is good; some say it is bad. Some say it is neither good nor bad. We say that the comfort zone can be a tool, and if used wisely, can expand your life while keeping you grounded and joyful. But, before we dive into the good and wise uses of the comfort zone, let’s focus this first week in our “Comfort Zone” series to address the pitfalls that come from returning to or staying too long in the comfort zone. If you settle into your comfort zone and then begin to value feeling over doing, you will find yourself with a host of problems. First, the comfort zone will quickly and easily allow someone to become complacent. Complacency is being pleased with ourselves without awareness of some potential danger or defect. It is most basically summarized as self-satisfaction. Luke 6:46 warns against this when it says, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” Complacency in action often means inaction in reality. James 4:17 cautions us, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” Second, the comfort zone has led many folks in complicity. Complicity is “the state of being involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing.” Now, we aren’t meaning full blown illegal behavior necessarily, but being complicit in the family’s comfort zone, might be starting another episode of the show you have been binge watching when you know your brother or sister hasn’t gotten anything done that they were supposed to do that day. We see this biblically in Exodus 32. Aaron is asked by the Israelites to return to the comfort zone of polytheistic worship, and he steps right back into that comfort zone with them by creating the Golden Calf. Third, the comfort zone offers us protections from the fear of the unknown. The uneasiness created within us when we are doing something new can lead to disharmony and frustration among our family members. When one of us is uneasy, it can rub off on the others, so the comfort zone may keep us looking inward (and ultimately creating even more unknowns). We cry out “There’s a lion outside” like the slacker in Proverbs 22:13, but the lion is in our imaginations. Fourth, the comfort zone leads us to settling for “just enough” and thus avoiding exceling. Settling in the comfort zone typically means the basic needs are met, but our wants and deepest desires are not. Proverbs 13:4 informs us that “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing.” Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” But, if we are stuck in the comfort zone in our family, we won’t challenge ourselves and each other to achieve more for the kingdom of God or for our loved ones. Fifth, the comfort zone gives us a false sense of control. For anyone who has heard me speak about the illusion of control, you know that we cannot give into the false truths that come from thinking that we can control all the minutia of how our lives will go. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” We do not control the world around us, nor the people in our families or biblical communities, but the comfort zone brings that illusion. Is your home a limiting, avoidant comfort zone? Much of life is about balancing risks and rewards. Be aware of the risks of the comfort zone, so that you and your loved ones can avoid the pitfalls. Do not let the risks of the comfort zone overwhelm your home and your family. Next week, we are going to chat about the good of the comfort zone, so don’t miss it! Thank you for joining us today. Please be sure to check out our website clearviewretreat.org for upcoming family events at our retreat located in Lancing, Tennessee, or drop us a comment on our facebook, instagram, or x pages. Be blessed!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. Have you ever gone snow skiing before? Some people have great spatial and physical awareness. And, for them, skiing becomes a dream of freedom and fun. For others, however, snow skiing when you do not yet have full awareness can be quite frightening. Now, if you have a parent or spouse who was told how to control their skis, and they have the spatial and physical awareness, skiing was easy for them. A few runs to get the full gist of when and how to control the force of gravity acting upon your body, and they were ready for more challenging slopes. For those of us who do not have that type of spatial and physical awareness, being introduced to the more difficult runs too soon can be a painful or terrifying experience. Why mention that? Because, parents, you may have experiences with your spouse or child in which you have the spiritual knowledge or emotional skills to understand the forces acting on you and your family and handle those experiences completely differently than your spouse or child even though they have been exposed to the same set of current circumstances but whose past experiences (or nonexistent experiences) have not prepared them to handle the new experience well. Another example, are those younger children who are allowed to participate in older children’s activities due to their parents’ involvement. The adults do not realize that they are setting the younger children up for attitudes of hubris since these younger children have the security of a new experience with mom or dad nearby while, when it is finally an age-appropriate activity, they have comparative few fears or concerns and often sit in judgment and pride toward other children their own age experiencing the situation for the first time - but those friends are without the security of their parents around. None of the kids really understand the experiential or emotional differences. And, unfortunately, it happens more than the adults realize. The set-up is for the adults’ convenience sake, but the offense to the other children judged by the advantaged ones is still very real. Those are just two of uncountable examples of an imbalances or differences in experience, maturity, awareness, physical ability, and more. How do we five-minute families deal with these within our own families and communities? First, we must remember the concept of 2 Peter 1: 5-8. We each have different measures of qualities that need to be refined and strengthened. “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if you possess these qualities and they are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Families, remember that not everyone knows what you know or can do what you do. Second, don’t let age be your only gauge. I once heard an elderly woman say, “I am old, so listen to me” even though she had completely missed the point of what the younger (middle aged) man was saying. Elihu’s words in Job 32 to Job and his three friends immediately came to mind. He said, “I am young in years, while you are old; therefore I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know. I thought that age should speak and maturity should teach wisdom. But it is the spirit in a person—the breath from the Almighty—that gives anyone understanding. It is not only the old who are wise or the elderly who understand how to judge.” Now, please don’t mis-hear us. Be respectful of your elders, but elders, you need to also be respectful of those younger than you. Third, slow down. Nothing can summarize that better than James 1:19, “My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” We must take a moment and let God’s word be our guide, not our flesh. Fourth, seek Godly counsel. Speak with a pastor, coach, mentor, or counselor if you or a loved one is struggling in some way - whether it is because you are struggling with the differences in how you see your situation or for some other reason. Proverbs 19:20 as well as many other verses advise us, to “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” Fifth, never forget to pray about the situation you find yourself in. Of course, that goes for everything since we are to pray without ceasing, but James 1:5 applies here especially, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.” Five minute families, we have the opportunity to strengthen our weaknesses and share our strengths when we realize our differences in abilities and work together for the glory of God. May you and your loved ones be blessed this week!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. How are you doing this week? Do you have your daily, intentional family time carved out and part of your routine yet? If not, please take five minutes to go back and listen to the very first Five Minute Family podcast on your favorite podcast player. Our hope for your family is that you grow closer to one another, seeing the uniqueness of each individual creating a distinctive and amazing family identity. Today, let’s discuss the concept of waiting, the concept of “not yet.” Have you ever trained a dog? My sister trained our childhood dog to “wait” despite his favorite treat - a slice of cheese - being placed on the floor in front of him. He would look away, eyeball the cheese, and then look up at her expectantly. It was hard, but he knew that she always gave him good and wonderful things - her love, her attention, his needs met, and treats - yummy, yummy treats. There were times that if he listened and left the piece of cheese alone on the ground, she would give him a bigger one, and then, almost always he got the one that had been placed before him as well. Now, obviously, we are not created to be obedient dogs to the Lord, but we could learn a lot from them. When we dream something and it seems almost possible but not yet quite attainable, do we trust our Lord and Savior to do what is best for His glory and our good, or do we try to scoot around and get closer to dream another way? Do we just reach out and grab it when it isn’t the best timing? To further the dog analogy, we could have had two pieces of cheese if we had waited but we didn’t. We must remember in our time of “not yet” that God may be preparing us to be ready to receive properly. Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Often times, God is protecting us from something we cannot see. Psalm 3:3 states, “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” At the time of Kim’s sister training their dog, there had been some evil people leaving poisoned food along the walkways to harm animals. Their dog needed to follow her commands in order to be protected from this danger. “Not yet” seasons are often growth seasons. We might not be able to see the work being done on our roots, but when the moment arrives, the strength that we have gained allows us to appreciate the dream, the goal, or even the peace all the more. Don’t forget what God says in James 1:2, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” Isaiah 55:8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.” It is not yet time. Psalm 27:14 reads “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Sometimes, five-minute families, it is simply not yet time. We have to remember all the things that God has brought us through so that we can trust Him in this season of “not yet,” too. And, never forget that God may have said “not yet” because He actually has a new direction for you to follow. Colossians 1:9 - “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” We will still stay on the right path as one blogger wrote, but we must remember that the right path is God’s path, and so if He leads you to a place of not yet and then redirects you, He does have a plan and a purpose. As Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, we must “Trust in the Lord with all our heart; and lean not on our own understanding. We must acknowledge Him, and He will direct our paths.” We need to be unwavering in holding onto God as we walk this life together. When one of us in the family experiences frustration or difficulty in the season of “not yet,” then we get to encourage one another, sharing stories of God’s faithfulness, either from His word or from our own lives. We thank you for joining us this week and God bless!…
Good morning, Five Minute Families. Do you feel stuck, ill-equipped, or unknowledgeable? Think back to your early years of schooling. You weren’t born knowing how to read; you went through a process to learn how to read. The thing is that most of us forget the process of the things we now know and begin to do automatically. However, when something challenging comes along, we are often frustrated that we do not know or understand how to handle the situation. Don’t forget, though, that growing in the Lord as a family is a process, and we each have to learn how to hold to Him and extend His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Whenever you feel discouraged or unaware, remember the word “yet.” So, “I don’t know” becomes “I don’t know YET.” “I don’t understand”… “I don’t understand YET.” Remember what James wrote in James 1:5, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.” That verse doesn’t say you will know immediately when something happens, especially as a family with various levels of biblical knowledge and application. Take a breath and pray for wisdom to come. Remember, in Psalm 27:14, we are reminded to wait for the Lord. Here are five suggestions: Refocus your mind on Christ. James 3:13-17 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. Seek godly counsel. Proverbs 19:20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life. Control your emotions. Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger and do not give the devil an opportunity.” Emotions are normal, how you respond to those emotions is the challenge set before us. Be humble. Don’t try to get ahead of the Lord like Sarah did. Remember 1 Corinthians 3:18-20, “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool so that he can become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written, He catches the wise in their craftiness; and again, The Lord knows that the reasonings of the wise are futile.” Stay hopeful. As Psalm 130:5 says, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.” Five minute families, none of us know everything we need to know to deal with the issues that will arise. The flipside of the encouraging “yet” is, for example, we will face death in our immediate families, but we have not yet. We will face addiction in our family or biblical community, but we have not yet. We will have moments of overwhelm, irritation, rebellion, disinterest, and so much more, in our families, even if we haven’t yet. Don’t let “yet” be a negative word in your home. Hold tight to God’s truth that nothing is new under the sun and that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). Since wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning (Proverbs 14:33), we know that by holding onto God in difficult or simply confusing times, we can come out the other side, praising Him and being even more effective to share His truth and light to those around us who are hurting. Steve Laube put it this way, “In every sense Jesus is our “yet.” Everything before Him pales when compared to the after.” John 1: 11-12 says, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” And again we see ‘yet’ in John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, ‘I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.'” Don’t despair with “We can’t seem to get grace, mercy, and forgiveness right…” “We can’t seem to get grace, mercy, and forgiveness right…yet!” Add the yet! Adopt an attitude of ‘yet.’ As Jeff Schreve wrote, “Yet is an encouraging word of faith that drives away the gloom of doubt and disbelief.” You’ll get there, families. Trust God and be blessed!…
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