Finishing Numbers

Tonight we finished reading through the Old Testament book of Numbers as a family. Next up Deuteronomy!

Psalm 145:8-9

Tonight Nathaniel finally successfully recited Psalm 145:8-9 (NKJV) without assistance!

Oh So Close...

Ian is just oh so close to having his current memory verse memorized. Its almost as if he wants to be entirely sure of himself before he will say it without being helped. Last night I only had to help him with the very first words of John 3:16 (NKJV).  I'm almost certain that he knows it all himself.  Now we just have to encourage him to realize it!

Unless the Lord Builds the House

Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

(ESV) Psalm 127:1-5

Biblical Illiteracy

This really is our problem, and it is up to this generation of Christians to reverse course. Recovery starts at home. Parents are to be the first and most important educators of their own children, diligently teaching them the Word of God. [See Deuteronomy 6:4-9.] Parents cannot franchise their responsibility to the congregation, no matter how faithful and biblical its may be. God assigned parents this non-negotiable responsibility, and children must see their Christian parents as teachers and fellow students of God's Word.

Albert Mohler, The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem

Blessings in Family Worship

The advantages and blessings of family worship are incalculable. First, family worship will prevent much sin. It awes the soul, conveys a sense of God's majesty and authority, sets solemn truths before the mind, brings down benefits from God on the home. Personal piety in the home is a most influential means, under God, of conveying piety on the little ones. Children are largely creatures of imitation, loving to copy what they see in others. "He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments" (Psa. 78:5-7). How much of the dreadful moral and spiritual conditions of the masses today may be traced back to the neglect of their fathers in this duty? How can those who neglect the worship of God in their families look for peace and comfort therein? Daily prayer in the home is a blessed means of grace for allaying those unhappy passions to which our common nature is subject. Finally, family prayer gains for us the presence and blessing of the Lord. There is a promise of His presence which is peculiarly applicable to this duty: see Matt. 18:19,20. Many have found in family worship that help and communion with God which they sought for and with less effect in private prayer.

A. W. Pink, Family Worship

Without Excuse

An old writer well said, "A family without prayer is like a house without a roof, open and exposed to all the storms of Heaven." All our domestic comforts and temporal mercies issue from the lovingkindness of the Lord, and the best we can do in return is to gratefully acknowledge, together, His goodness to us as a family. Excuses against the discharge of this sacred duty are idle and worthless. Of what avail will it be when we render an account to God for the stewardship of our families to say that we had not time available, working hard from morn till eve? The more pressing be our temporal duties, the greater our need of seeking spiritual succor. Nor may any Christian plead that he is not qualified for such a work: gifts and talents are developed by use and not by neglect.

A. W. Pink, Family Worship

Be Careful in Correction

1. Be careful that the misbehavior for which you correct your children for, was not learned by them from observing you. Many children learn their wickedness from their parents and then are beaten and chastised by them.

2. Be careful that you do not smile and make a joke out of their small faults, because that joking attitude about their “little sins” could be an encouragement to them to commit greater ones.

3. Be watchful that you do not use offensive and improper words in your chastising of them, because it is devilish to be bitter, and to call them names.

4. Be careful that you do not use scolding and threatening words, mixed with lightness and laughter, as this will harden their hearts. Do not speak too much, nor too often, but only words that are fitting to them with all seriousness.

John Bunyan, Christian Family

Hymn of the Month: March 2010

I STAND AMAZED IN THE PRESENCE

Author: Charles H. Gabriel, 1905

1. I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

How marvelous! how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be;
How marvelous! how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me!

2. For me it was in the garden
He prayed, "Not my will, but Thine,"
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

How marvelous! how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be;
How marvelous! how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me!

3. He took my sins and my sorrow,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calv'ry,
And suffered and died alone.

How marvelous! how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be;
How marvelous! how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me.

4. When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
"Twill be my joy thro' the ages
To sing of His love for me.

How marvelous! how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be;
How marvelous! how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me.