Have I Failed as a Christian Parent? When Your Child Does Not Believe

Christian father praying beside an open Bible while his son looks across a Louisiana lake.

Have I Failed as a Christian Parent?

“For not even His brothers believed in Him.” (John 7:5 NIV)

When Those Closest to Jesus Did Not Believe

John 7:5 may be one of the more shocking verses in the Bible. We know that the church authorities did not believe in Jesus and, when given the opportunity to free a prisoner at Passover, the crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus.

However, what about His own family?

His brothers, James, Joseph (or Joses), Simon, and Judas (Jude), grew up with Jesus. They watched Him grow in the Spirit, heard Him talk, and witnessed His miracles during His public ministry. They knew that His public ministry and private life were both pure; His life was Holy, and yet they did not believe.

The non-belief of His brothers tells us something about the human heart.

Spiritual privilege is not the same thing as a spiritual life. You can have the privilege of growing up in a Christian home, regularly attend church, know the Bible, and live around godly people but remain spiritually dead.

The problem is deeper than environment, education, or exposure.

We need regeneration.

If physical proximity could regenerate a man, then His brothers would have believed immediately. Proximity cannot create life. Only the Spirit can do this.

This is the grace of our Lord.

When Your Child Does Not Believe in God

For Christian parents, an unbelieving child can raise a painful question: Have I failed?

Our responsibility as parents is faithfulness. We can teach our children Scripture, bring them to church, pray over them, and model faith and godly living. However, we cannot create saving faith in another person. That work belongs to God.

This is an important lesson for all parents.

We want our children to believe. We teach them Scripture, bring them to Sunday school and church, and pray over them. We model faith and godly living.

All of this is good, and we should continue, but none of us can regenerate our children.

We cannot parent a child of any age into the kingdom. We cannot force anyone to die to self and choose Christ.

Philippians 2:12 addresses this by teaching, “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose” (emphasis added).

Each one of us is ultimately responsible for our own salvation.

I cannot work out your salvation, nor you mine.

Our Job as Christian Parents Is Faithfulness

Our job as a parent is faithfulness.

God has done His job through the blood of the Son.

This truth should not make us passive but should encourage us to lean into prayer.

If salvation depended upon our education, skill, consistency, perfection, or persuasion, we would have good reason to despair.

As with all things, salvation belongs to the Lord.

Christ knew the ache of having people close to Him who did not believe. If you have children or other family members who remain unbelieving, Jesus knows that sorrow.

Their lack of faith is not a failure on our part, but rather should serve to motivate our prayers to our Lord.

Trust God While You Wait

All things are possible through Christ.

The Spirit can do in a second what we cannot in a lifetime.

The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

God acts in the Perfect way, at the Perfect time, and in the Perfect manner.

Be still and wait.

As we wait for the Lord, we keep loving, keep speaking words of affirmation, keep blessing, and keep trusting.

Putting It Into Practice

Reflection

Am I praying with confidence and thanksgiving that at the right time the Spirit will touch the heart of my child to encourage them to turn to Him and into a new life?

The Right Next Step

Remain faithful in prayer and modeling the peace and joy of a life lived in and for God.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank You for the blessing of children. Strengthen us as we grow weary in our ministry to them. Send Your Spirit to speak words of Truth and Love to them through us. Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions About Praying for an Unbelieving Child

Have I failed as a Christian parent if my child does not believe?

A child’s lack of faith does not necessarily mean that a Christian parent has failed. Parents can faithfully teach Scripture, model godly living, and pray, but they cannot create saving faith in another person. Our responsibility is faithfulness while trusting God with the outcome.

What should Christian parents do when a child does not believe in God?

Continue to love, pray, bless, and model the peace and joy of a life lived for God. Todd reminds parents that waiting on the Lord is not passive. It is an opportunity to remain faithful while trusting the work of the Holy Spirit.

Can parents make their children become Christians?

Parents can teach, encourage, pray, and model Christian faith, but they cannot regenerate another person. As Todd writes, “Proximity cannot create life. Only the Spirit can do this.”

Meet the Author

Todd Shupe is a Certified Lay Minister and Men’s Ministry Specialist through Francis Asbury Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, LA. He is a Board Member for Gulf South Men, an Action Team member for The Kingdom Group, and a Board Member for the Lagniappe Country Walk to Emmaus. Todd is a contributor to Project XII and Baton Rouge Parents Magazine. He is a Past President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and remains active in this and many other local, regional, and international ministries. Additionally, he’s the author of the inspiring book “Fathering A Special Needs Child.” Todd also enjoys filling the pulpit to share the Good News of our Lord and Savior. Todd is the proud father of Emma and Kyle and resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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The Danger of Spiritual Isolation for Christian Men

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV).

Many Christian men silently struggle with spiritual isolation. They may attend church regularly, provide for their families, work hard, and appear strong on the outside, yet inwardly they carry burdens alone. In today’s culture, men are often taught to be self-reliant, emotionally guarded, and independent. While responsibility and strength are important qualities, isolation can become spiritually dangerous.

From the very beginning, God declared that isolation was not good. In Genesis 2:18, God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” While this verse speaks directly about marriage, it also reveals a broader truth about human relationships: we were created for connection and community.

Many men withdraw spiritually during seasons of stress, disappointment, shame, or exhaustion. Some stop opening up to others because they fear appearing weak. Others become consumed with work, financial pressure, or personal struggles and slowly drift away from meaningful Christian fellowship. Over time, isolation creates fertile ground for discouragement, temptation, pride, and spiritual stagnation.

The enemy often works most effectively when believers are isolated. First Peter 5:8 warns, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Predators frequently target animals separated from the group, and spiritual isolation leaves Christian men vulnerable in much the same way.

Satan disguises submission to himself under the ruse of personal autonomy. He never asks us to become his servants. He did not ask Adam or Eve to submit to him. The desired shift in submission is never from God to the enemy but rather from God to self. And instead of His will, self-interest now rules and what I want is all that matters. This is essence of sin, and sin in isolation is likely to remain unrepentant.

Isolation also weakens accountability. Without trusted brothers in Christ speaking truth into our lives, it becomes easier to justify sin, ignore warning signs, or hide struggles. Many men silently battle anger, lust, anxiety, bitterness, or hopelessness while convincing themselves they must handle it alone.

Yet Scripture consistently emphasizes the importance of Christian brotherhood. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one… For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.” God designed believers to encourage, strengthen, and support one another through life’s challenges.

Jesus Himself modeled community. Although He often spent time alone in prayer, He also lived closely with His disciples, teaching them, correcting them, and walking alongside them daily. If even Jesus chose close fellowship during His earthly ministry, Christian men should not assume they can thrive spiritually in complete independence.

Many men hesitate to pursue authentic fellowship because vulnerability feels uncomfortable. However, biblical strength is not pretending to have no struggles. True strength includes humility, honesty, and the willingness to seek help when needed. James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” Healing often begins when isolation ends.

Breaking spiritual isolation does not necessarily require large groups or complicated programs. Sometimes it begins with one honest conversation, joining a Bible study, reconnecting with a trusted Christian friend, or simply asking another man for prayer. Small steps toward biblical community can have a powerful impact.

Christian men also need encouragement to lead spiritually within their homes and churches. Isolation often causes passivity, while godly fellowship strengthens courage and perseverance. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Faith grows stronger when believers challenge and encourage one another in truth.

In a culture that celebrates independence, Christian men must remember that God never intended them to fight spiritual battles alone. We all need accountability, encouragement, wisdom, and prayer from fellow believers.

The reality is that isolation slowly weakens the soul, while godly community strengthens it. No man is immune to discouragement or temptation. The question is not whether we need others, but whether we are humble enough to admit it.

If you have been drifting into spiritual isolation, today may be the time to reconnect. Our call to action is to reach out to another believer. Be honest about your struggles. Pray with someone you trust. God often provides strength, healing, and renewal through the encouragement of faithful brothers in Christ. Similarly, if you have not seen a brother in Christ recently, seek him out and allow the Spirit to speak truth and love through you.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for placing men in our lives that sharpen us. Continue to encourage us to gather in Your name to lift each other up and bring honor and glory to You. Amen.

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Who Is A Righteous Man? – A Second Look

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts (Proverbs 21:2).”

Years ago I wrote a blog titled, “Who Is A Righteous Man. “ I recently circled back to give it a second look and had a few more thoughts to share.

In today’s culture, people often define righteousness according to personal opinion, social standards, or outward appearances. Many believe that if they are “good enough” compared to others, they are righteous. However, the Bible gives a much deeper and more challenging definition. Scripture warns against self-righteousness and teaches that true righteousness comes only through a relationship with God.

One of the clearest warnings is found in Proverbs 21:2:

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts.”

This verse reveals an important truth about human nature. People naturally justify their actions and convince themselves they are right, even when they are far from God’s will. In context, Proverbs is teaching that outward behavior may appear acceptable to man, but God examines the motives, intentions, and condition of the heart. A person can seem moral, religious, or successful while still living in pride and spiritual blindness.

This idea appears throughout Scripture. During the time of the judges, Israel repeatedly drifted away from God because “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Instead of following God’s truth, people followed their own desires and opinions. The result was confusion, corruption, and spiritual decline. The Bible shows that righteousness cannot be based on personal feelings or self-approval.

A righteous man, according to Scripture, is not someone who simply thinks he is right. A righteous man is someone who humbly submits to God and seeks His ways above his own. Proverbs 20:7 teaches, “The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.”

Integrity means living honestly before God, even when no one else is watching. A righteous man does not shape truth around his preferences. He allows God’s Word to shape his life.

The Bible also teaches that righteousness is not achieved through human effort alone. Romans 3:10 declares, “There is none righteous, no, not one.”

This verse removes all pride and self-righteousness. No person can earn righteousness through good works, religious rituals, or moral behavior. True righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Second Corinthians 5:21 explains, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Jesus took our sin upon Himself so that we could stand righteous before God. This righteousness is not self-made; it is a gift of grace received through faith.

Abraham provides a powerful example of biblical righteousness. Genesis 15:6 reads, “And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”

Abraham was not perfect, but he trusted God. His righteousness came through faith and obedience, not through human perfection.

A righteous man also reflects God’s character in how he treats others. Psalm 112 describes the righteous as gracious, compassionate, generous, and steadfast in difficult times. His life demonstrates humility rather than pride. Unlike those who are “righteous in their own eyes,” a truly righteous man recognizes his need for God daily.

Importantly, righteousness does not mean a person never falls. Proverbs 24:16 instructs, “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.”

The righteous continue turning back to God in repentance and faith. Their strength is not in themselves but in the mercy and guidance of the Lord.

Ultimately, Jesus Christ is the perfect example of righteousness. He alone lived a sinless life and fully obeyed the Father. As believers follow Him, God transforms their hearts so they no longer live according to what is “right in their own eyes,” but according to His truth.

A righteous man is not self-righteous, proud, or dependent on human wisdom. He is a man who trusts God, obeys His Word, walks in integrity, and continually seeks the Lord with a humble heart.

Last but certainly not least are the fruits of a righteous man that are achieved through prayer. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye me be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:15. I have had righteous men pray for me and their prayers brought about a peace that transcended all understanding (i.e., much). I pray that all of us can be both a giver and receiver of such prayers.

Prayer: Thank you for the truly righteous men that you have placed in our lives. Thank you for the righteousness of our Lord and our ability to stand firm on His righteousness to do mighty works in His name and for His glory. Give us the faith of Abraham, the wisdom of Solomon, and the courage of David to grow in righteousness. Amen.

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The Ministry of Presence

“Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words” Job 2:13 (NLT).

This is certainly not a news flash, but people are always in a hurry. We rush to work, ball games, and even to church.

But if we are always in a hurry, then we will miss opportunities to be a good listener because listening requires time, focus, and listening. When we are always in a rush, we are unable to have good conversations, and we certainly cannot be an active listener to a friend or to the still small Voice of our Lord.

Job was a wealthy man in the Bible who lost virtually everything, including his money, health, and even his children. “When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. . . . Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words” (Job 2:11, 13).

This is called the ministry of presence. When we are ministering to someone in pain, we must remember this: The deeper the pain, the fewer words you use. If somebody’s cranky due to a flat tire, then you can talk about it for 30 minutes or so. But if that person has a major crisis, talking about it for a long time is probably not going to help.

A lot of people don’t know how to help someone who is in crisis. They don’t know what to say.

Those same people will often stay away from a friend because they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing.

The truth is that we don’t need to say anything. Just show up and be present. I have participated in a prison ministry before and the goal of the team was to “listen, listen, love, love.”

You can’t talk people out of their pain. Job’s friends realized that some pain is beyond words. When it’s the right time, your hurting friend will say something. When it’s the right time, then you’ll be able to say something too.

This kind of investment takes time. Notice how many days Job’s friends sat on the ground with him: seven. Do you have anybody in your life who’d sit on the ground with you for seven days without saying anything? That takes a very mature person and a true friend.

If you want to be that kind of friend, then you have to be willing to sacrifice so that you can give people your love, attention, and presence.

The Emotional Bank Account is a metaphor coined by Stephen Covey in his renowned book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, to describe the level of trust in a relationship. It represents the amount of trust that has been built up, or eroded, in a relationship, essentially the “hidden wealth” of trust that determines how well two people can communicate and collaborate.

Another term I have heard is “foxhole.” Specifically, I recall a speaker at an Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Equipping Conference ask the audience, “Who is in your foxhole?”

Perhaps the best way to describe this is from Proverbs 17:17. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” It is a blessing to have friends and brothers in our lives to share our burdens and celebrate our joys. If you don’t have a friend, take the first step and be a friend to make a friend, join a local men’s ministry, and talk to your pastor.

Prayer: Thank you for the friends and brothers that you put in our lives. May we be present with them in their hour of need and they with us in our hour. And may your Spirit be present and Your name glorified in all of our interactions. Amen.

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Finding Purpose Beyond Work

Scripture: “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17 NIV).

Work, Identity, and the Question of Purpose

Over the years, I have seen many men retire and then rapidly begin to experience a decline in their health. They enjoyed their work, and the job became part of their identity. They felt the favor of the Lord was upon their hands in their work, particularly in their work and nothing else.

Now, once they are retired, they feel lost. If they don’t have to go to work, some will ask, “What is my purpose?”

A Man’s Deep Desires: Insights from Wild at Heart

In Wild at Heart, John Eldredge argues that every man deeply desires three things to feel truly alive and fulfill his masculine purpose: a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. These core needs are designed to help men move past passive “nice guy” stereotypes and embrace their strength.

He argues that men often seek validation in venues such as work. However, in each item listed below each man can fulfill his purpose in venues outside of work.

A Battle to Fight

Men need a purpose, mission, or cause that challenges them, allowing them to use their strength to fight against evil.

An Adventure to Live

Men need risk and challenge to test their spirit and strength, preventing the boredom that leads to stagnation and addiction.

A Beauty to Rescue

Men are driven to protect, cherish, and fight for a woman or something or someone vulnerable, offering their strength to make another’s life better.

Each of these activities are intended for a man to fulfill his masculine purpose.

A Broader Framework for Purpose: A Purpose-Driven Life

As I ponder on “purpose” my mind is drawn to another excellent book, A Purpose Driven Life by Rev. Rick Warren.

The book is intended to be read as a daily inspiration, with each of the 40 short chapters read on consecutive days. Each chapter contains a personal application section at the end with a “point to ponder,” a verse to remember, and a question to consider over the course of that day.

Rick Warren described his book as an “anti-self-help book.” The first sentence of the book reads, “It’s not about you,” and the remainder of the chapter goes on to explain how the quest for personal fulfillment, satisfaction, and meaning can only be found in understanding and doing what God placed you on Earth to do.

The book’s 40 chapters are divided into six major sections:

- - - What on Earth Am I Here For?
    - Purpose #1: You Were Planned for God’s Pleasure (Christian Worship)
    - Purpose #2: You Were Formed for God’s Family (Christian Fellowship)
    - Purpose #3: You Were Created to Become Like Christ (Discipleship)
    - Purpose #4: You Were Shaped for Serving God (Christian Ministry)
    - Purpose #5: You Were Made for a Mission (Christian Mission)

In later versions of the book, two additional chapters were added about the two biggest reasons why Christians do not live purpose-driven lives: envy and “people pleasing.”

Integrating Both Perspectives

Rev. Warren lays out several purposes for men in all stages of life. Each of the three things that Eldredge mentions that men need can feed into the five purposes identified by Rev. Warren.

For example, I have a young lady in my life that I adore. She is my “Beauty to Rescue.” I am driven to protect, cherish, and fight for her because she is valuable in my eye. She is my Proverbs 31 and “brings me good, not harm.”

A Call to Action

I encourage all men to buy these books and pray how the message of each book can be applied in their life. I pray that all men find their purpose and that the favor of our Lord be upon that work.

In addition, I encourage all men to consider male-only retreats such as “One Life To Life,” which are designed to help men identify and craft a plan to truly execute their life purpose with success.

I pray that all men find their purpose and that the favor of our Lord be upon that work.

Prayer

Dear God,

We know that we are each unique members of the Body of Christ, but we sometimes struggle to find our identity. Help us find our battle to fight, our adventure to live, and the beauty to rescue. And God help us to find our purpose in worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and mission. We seek to glorify you with Your work that builds up our families, churches, and the world.

We pray all of these names in the precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

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Showing God on Valentine’s Day

Showing God on Valentine's Day

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8. ESV).

Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.

As the calendar turns to February, we often think of the perfect present to give our loved one. Perhaps a nice dinner, flowers, jewelry, or chocolate is the choice to show our love.

Receiving gifts might be the preferred language of the recipient. However, Valentine’s Day provides men with the opportunity to go one step further beyond a secular holiday. If the basic premise of Valentine’s Day is love and since God is love as we known from the feature Scriptuire above, then Valentine’s Day gives men a unique opportunity to go the additional step and show love (and God) to their wife or significant other.

Scripture is useful in understanding the Nature of our Lord and Savior. Perhaps none are more useful in this regard than 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 which teaches us about love and therefore the Heart of God. It reads, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”

A wise man will take these Holy words to heart and commit them to action on Valentine’s Day AND each day of the year. This is the pathway by which men can love their wife or significant other as Christ so loved His church.

Valentine’s Day is a great day about love as an emotion and feeling and giving gifts of affection is a wonderful thing! As a Christian man, each day should be a day about love as an action as described above in 1 Corinthians.

The right next step is to read the 1 Corinthians Scripture and substitute your name in place of the word “love.” Then, the final and most critical step is implementation of what you just read about yourself. Enjoy Valentines Day and be sure to model the love of God on this day and every day.

Prayer: Thank you for showing us true Love as manifested in the Body and Blood of Your Son. Help us, dear God, to each day show Your love to the women that You have placed in our lives. Amen.

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What Is The Best Christmas Present?

“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”
(Isaiah 9:6, NIV).

As a young boy, I loved looking at the presents sitting under the tree and guessing what was inside the boxes. My “love language” was gifts, particularly receiving gifts. As an older man, I get much, much more joy in giving gifts than receiving gifts. Now, my favorite gift to receive is time spent with a loved one or friend. I can always make more money, but the most precious gift that we can give or receive is the finite, precious commodity of time.

I will always love Christmas and the Advent season. It is a special time of year for children, families, and the church. The Advent season allows us to prepare our hearts for the birth of the Christ child. I also love all the traditions that come with Christmas — decorating the tree with ornaments that have been passed down from generations, giving and receiving presents, candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve, the smell of gingerbread baking, a fresh pine tree in the house, Christmas songs in the background, and the anticipation of Christmas Day.

The Nativity Story

One of the traditions of Christmas is the Nativity story. The New Testament contains two Christmas stories — they appear in Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2. In the familiar version of the Christmas story, Mary and Joseph travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Because there was no room in the inn, the baby Jesus is born in a stable and placed in a manger. It is important to tell the Nativity story each year to help us better understand the Christ portion of Christmas, which is the reason for Christmas.

The Greatest Gift

I think as fathers and priests of our houses, we should also use our time to teach our children about the best Christmas present ever — the blood of Christ on the cross at Calvary. Perhaps the best-known Bible verse is John 3:16, which reads:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

We are reconciled to the Father by His gift of His Son. God has provided us a path for forgiveness of sins that leads to life everlasting and salvation. We do not deserve this, but we receive it as the ultimate blessing.

“Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
(Ephesians 2:9)

The Gift of Time

Before Jesus laid down His life for us, He gave us His time for approximately three years after He began His public ministry until He rejoined the Father. He walked and talked with us. He opened the eyes of the travelers to Emmaus, healed the blind and lame, and raised up disciples to start His church. We can show the love of Jesus by giving our time as well.

Time is a precious gift from God. Scripture teaches that human life and time on Earth are finite and fleeting. James 4:14 compares life to “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” This perspective encourages believers to use their time intentionally and with a heavenly focus.

Closing Reflection

This Advent season, I encourage you to cherish your family, attend church services, and enjoy all the special traditions that make your family unique. Share your time with your family and tell your children or grandchildren the Nativity story — but also tell them that Jesus is the best present. A life lived in Him and for Him will help build His kingdom on earth and will lead to life everlasting. Now that is a gift, and the price has already been paid!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank You for sending Your Son to earth. Thank You for giving us the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Help keep us mindful that His blood is the most precious gift that we can ever receive. Amen.

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Here I Am

“The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, ‘Here I am.’ And he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’ But Eli said, ‘I did not call; go back and lie down.’ So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, ‘Samuel!’ And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’ ‘My son,’ Eli said, ‘I did not call; go back and lie down.’ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The Word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.A third time the Lord called, ‘Samuel!’ And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’ Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening’” (1 Samuel 3:1-10 NIV).

I think the above passage is one of the more powerful in the Bible. I can close my eyes and imagine the scenario playing out. Here is the young Eli whose mother Hannah had given her son to the prophet Samuel to raise in the tabernacle. Eli does not know much about the Lord, certainly not the Lord’s Voice was calling him. However, with the help of the older and wiser Samuel, he finally answers the Voice.

For me, there are several important lessons here.

First, the Lord can call and use anybody at any time. Eli did not know the Lord, but much more importantly the Lord knew Eli.

Second, our Lord is one of second chances. The Lord continues to give Eli opportunities to respond.

Third, Eli showed wisdom by obeying his elder and appropriately answering the Voice with the words, “Here I am Lord.” This young boy modelled for us today the correct answer to a Calling from God.

As it turns out, several people in the Bible well called by God and answered with either “Here I Am” or “Here am I.” I encourage you to visit the six other examples listed below.

Abraham — Genesis 22:1 and 11
Jacob —— Genesis 31:11 and 46:2
Moses—— Exodus 3:4
Samuel—– I Samuel 3:4, 5, 6, 8
Isaiah——- Isaiah 6:8
Ananias—- Acts 9:10

God is still in the business of Calling people. Through our baptism and public profession of faith, you and I have been called by the Lord into ministry. It may or may not be pastoral ministry but all ministry in the Body of Christ is important.

Let’s now return to God repeatedly calling Eli. We know that repetition is a sign of importance in the Bible. For example, after the death of Moses, God repeatedly instructed Joshua to be brave and courageous in leading the people of Israel into Canaan, the promised land.

Our call to action today is to pray, read Scripture, and invite the Holy Spirit to reveal to us any repeated call from our Lord that we have yet to hear. Be assured, if God called once He will continue to call until we answer on this fallen earth or in Glory.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the examples of Scripture in which you repeatedly call to us. Thank you for giving us confidence in the present because you have used the least of our ancestors in the past. Dear good and gracious God, continue to seek us and call us as we continue to seek You. Grant us the wisdom, discernment, and courage to not only hear Your Voice but to appropriately respond, “Here I am.” Amen.

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Heart and Tongue

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45 NIV).

There are perhaps many reasons why God gave us tongues. Clearly, we need tongues to communicate with each other and to taste and swallow, but perhaps there is a deeper reason. Maybe we have tongues because we were made in His image, and He used His tongue to speak in the Bible.

God spoke audibly three times in Jesus’ life, and in each case pointed to Jesus.

1) “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” Baptism, (Mark 1:11).

2) “This is my Son listen to Him.” Transfiguration, (Matthew 17:5).

3) “I have glorified your Name and will do it again.” Last week of His life, (John 12:28).

However, God did not wait until the Gospels to speak. The Creation story of Genesis 1 is one of God speaking and creating. Genesis 1:3 reads, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light (emphasis added).” Later when Adam was formed, God brought the rest of the creatures before him so he could “name” them with his tongue. Later, Adam “heard God’s voice in the garden” (Genesis 3:10).

Proverbs 18:21 teaches, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Our tongues are so powerful that they can build up or tear down others. James 3:11 uses the example of a fountain to illustrate the inconsistency of praising God and cursing people, both coming from the same mouth. It emphasizes that just as a spring doesn’t produce both sweet and bitter water from the same opening, our mouths should not speak both blessings and curses.

The happiest people I know are not the richest or the healthiest, but they all use their tongues to bless others and praise God. The “lens” by which they see the world is shaped by the words that they use to describe it.

As what I always tell myself: If you get what you want, that is God’s direction. If you do not get what you want, that is God’s protection. You may not understand His ways, but you just have to trust His will. So, the next time things don’t go your way, always remember that you are being redirected to something better.”

I think this is a great story and raises a very interesting proposition for us all to consider the next time we are inconvenienced. The temptation for some may be to intentionally leave late for a meeting and then “assume” that God has saved them from some unseen tragedy if they had left on time. This approach does little to honor God.

Speak words of life over your family, children, neighbors, co-workers, and yourself. Now, you are using your tongue’s power to shift your life’s atmosphere. Men, use your tongues to bless and affirm your children and wife.

The tongue is powerful! Jesus told us to “speak to the mountain,” and it would be removed and cast into the sea. Imagine the raw power in the tongue! What a gift God has given us to change our current perspective and future destiny. Turn your tongue loose on your mountain. Jesus spoke to storms, demons, and even cursed a fig tree. He even said that the stones could cry out. Release the power of words to bring life and enhance life.

Our tongues allow us to connect to God. God loves for our tongues to sing, worship, and bless His Name. On the day of Pentecost, He even gave the disciples a “new tongue” to speak the “wonderful works of God!” (Acts 2:11). Then in Acts 3, Peter used his tongue to heal a lame beggar by saying, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk (Acts 3:6).

If you want to change your words, then begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to change your heart. A daily prayer of mine is Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

The heart of the issue is the heart. Scripture is rich regarding the connection between our hearts, mouths, and life. Two of my favorites verses are, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34), and “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).

So, what is the right next step? Ask the Lord to change your heart. Pray Psalm 51:10 and give thanks in advance for the change that is coming. Your heart will change, and you will be speaking words of life and thanksgiving and be a blessing to others. Perhaps this is why we have tongues? Let’s use ours to a blessing to others.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for blessing us with tongues. Send your Holy Spirit to guide us to use our tongues to speak words of life. Help us to use our tongues to point others to Jesus. Amen.

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Turn Sin Into Victory

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions (Psalm 51:1 KJV).

The journey of the young shepherd David who killed Goliath and later in life became King and psalmist of Isreal is one of my favorite stories of redemption.

He committed adultery and murdered the woman’s husband—a husband who happened to be his friend and one of the top 37 warriors in his army. Every negative emotion engulfed him – guilt, shame, regret, depression, hopelessness.

Here are some ways David achieved victory over his sins, and we can too!

Ask for His mercy.

I love the King James version of Psalm 86:5. “For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee (emphasis added).” Our Lord is forgiving and good and pours out His love to all who call to Him. The key here is to be intentional and actively call upon Him.

Let’s not kid ourselves here. God does not tolerate sin. He despises it. However, if a person will truly repent of that sin, He loves to be merciful in accordance with Psalm 51:1, “Have mercy on me, oh God.”

God is still merciful even though he may allow some of the consequences of sin to happen (as he did with David). However, His most profound nature is mercy. The Prodigal Son’s father ran to meet his son even before the son said a word. The son was actively seeking and walking toward the father.

Ask for His cleansing.

Our sins are like filthy rags to God. David’s sin was a stain upon him. He felt unclean in his heart. He knew that only God could clean and restore such a stain. So, he asked God to “wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51: 7).

We all enjoy clean clothes, bedding, and a clean house. David desired a clean heart and wrote, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Many men enjoy the clean feeling after a hot shower and a shave. The real clean feeling occurs by having a clean heart and conscience that no longer plagues you.

Every gift needs a giver and a receiver. The cleansing of God must be requested and accepted in order to receive His cleansing and restoration. The Blood of Christ allows us to be presented to God as clean and without fault. Scripture teaches, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Ask for His joy.

Scripture teaches that the wages of sin are death. A consequence of sin is also depression and guilt. A man without hope is spiritually dead. Victory over sin requires sincere repentance and restores a right relationship with God. David asked for joy as part of his prayer in Psalm 51:8. “Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.”

Happiness comes and goes but the joy of the Lord is constant. However, we can not feel His joy when we are enslaved by negative emotions. An important step in turning sin into victory is to ask God to give us a renewed sense of joy. This joy is not happiness or giddiness, but the supernatural manifestation of a clean heart.

Ask for His joy, embrace it, and abide in it. Ask Him to open doors for ministry again.

Everyone reading this has overcome some sort of adversity in their life. We all have a story to share, but there is more to share. We can now use our story for ministry to others that are in the middle of the same valley that we have been.

Sin, mistakes, false accusations, and adversity do not define us. The Bible defines us and does so by telling us that we are all children of God. As His children, we all have been uniquely equipped by ministry – maybe its by our spiritual gifts or maybe it is by our past adversity. In either case, as long as we are alive, we have a ministry. Some people have told me in the past that they are physically unable to engage in ministry. I remind them that a powerful ministry awaits them by praying for themselves, family, friends, local church, evangelists, first responders, and government leaders.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for providing us a pathway to turn sin into victory. Thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for the blood of Jesus that has paid for our sins. Send your Holy Spirit to guide us as we navigate the pathway back to you after we sin. Amen.

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