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His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. --Psalm 112:2 One of the great problems in our country is the breakdown of the family. And the chief contributing factor to families breaking down is the absence of fathers as a result of divorce or disengagement. It’s essential that fathers wake up from their complacency and embrace their God-given roles. There’s a spiritual battle raging around us and our kids and grandkids are targets of the enemy! So it’s your responsibility and mine to faithfully teach children to stand firm in Christ Jesus. We can’t just tell children how to live a life of faith, we have to show them. Let me give you a poignant illustration. A man and his young son were rock climbing and they came to a dangerous part of the trek. The dad paused for just a few moments to consider the path choices before them. And the little boy looked up to his father and said, “Dad, choose the right path because I’m following after you.” You see, your choices don’t just affect you… they impact the lives of all who follow after you! Your children are watching you to learn how to successfully navigate the dangers of this world… and how to be prepared for eternity. There’s no greater responsibility apart from following Christ.   We can’t just tell children how to live a life of faith, we have to show them.

Thoughts and Words

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Colossians 4:3–6

I heard someone joke recently, “I opened my mouth and the words came out without passing think.” While it is true that sometimes what we say without thinking is humorous, more often it is painful and destructive. There is enormous power in the words we use. They echo in the ears of listeners long after they are spoken. Many of us can remember a particularly harsh or cutting remark or a criticism that we received long ago with complete clarity.
We need to be thoughtful in the words that we speak to others. I have found this acronym to be very helpful in choosing our words.
T – Is it True?
H – Is it Helpful?
I – Is it Inspiring?
N – Is it Necessary?
K – Is it Kind?
There are some things that simply don’t need to be said. The reality is that many times the people who should be most encouraging to us utter some of the most cutting remarks. There should be love and grace in the speech between family members and church members alike. If there is not, the consequences can be devastating. Paul warned, “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Galatians 5:15).
Ultimately our words are an expression of our inward thoughts and feelings. We need to be certain that our thinking is right if we want our speech to be right.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

We should take care to think carefully before we speak and to use our words to share the gospel and encourage others.