An often-forgotten commandment today is the one that says that children are to honor their father and their mother. Though it seems to be rare among young people not raised in church in America, parents are often highly respected in other cultures.

Most churches will honor fathers today in some way. Children need godly fathers, and it is sad that many homes do not have a father present.

Fathers need to take time with their children to help them develop a right perspective on life and to teach them how to be a man. Fathers can also teach their children a good work ethic, honesty, and character.

Above all, fathers need to take their children to church (not just send them) so that they learn the importance of church and how to obey God. Of course, they will also learn how to be saved and serve God.

Fathers who are faithful to God, the church, and your family – we honor you today. Love your wife – so your children can also see the importance of that and love them and spend time with them.

God lays the importance of raising godly children on the fathers, according to Psalm 78: 4-7 “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For 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.”

There are many kinds of mothers in the world. They come in many sizes, various conditions of health, different styles of dress, education levels, beauty, and income levels. Whatever the differences are, every one of us has a mother – though some may not know who their mother is.

The above verse reveals that King Lemuel’s (another name for Solomon) mother taught him much. She not only gave him instruction on how to live right, but she also set a strong example of what a godly woman should be.

She follows her instruction of her son concerning where to concentrate his energies – not on women or wine – and then follows this with instructing him as king to judge the people righteously. This is followed by instruction on how to find a good and godly wife (remember that Solomon ended up with 700 wives) – which he did not follow (which later led to his spiritual downfall).

It is quite probable that this was written by Solomon’s mother – Bathsheba. She was a woman who was wise and godly. She understood what was most important, and it can be believed that she also taught her son to worship and serve God.

Today, when mothers ensure that their children are in church regularly and teach them the Bible and how to live by their example, the chapter closes with this thought in verse 30: “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”

Thank God for His faithfulness and willingness to help women raise their children for Him. His grace continues to be sufficient in every way. Mother’s, we honor you today and thank you for your lessons taught.

Years ago, early on this Easter morning, the women arrived first at the tomb, thinking that they would have to get someone to help them move the stone away. The stone served as both a covering for the tomb and a seal.

There was also a guard of Roman soldiers at the tomb and they were ordered to keep it secure. A “guard” would normally consist of 24 Roman soldiers, which would take part in shifts. The unexpected appearance of the angel whose face was “like lightning” (vs. 4) had them terrified and frozen with fear. He moved the stone away – not to let Christ out, but to let others in to see that He was already gone.

While none of the 11 remaining Apostles, or any other disciples, were expecting a resurrection despite Jesus repeatedly telling them about it, the heavenly messenger delivered the shocking news to these women. The message was short and simple. He told them: “he is risen from the dead.”

If Jesus had stayed in the grave, we would never have known if God had forgiven our sins or not. He would have had to pay for them in Hell. His resurrection proves that all that Jesus said about salvation and eternal life is true. In Him is life, and simply trusting in Him to save us will result in a real pardon from God with eternal life in Heaven – all at the expense of Christ for us.

Since He arose from the dead – and He is the only religious leader to have done so – we can be certain of Who He was (the Son of God) and that His words truly are from God. In John 5:24, He said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

He is risen indeed!, and all who truly know Him know very well that He is alive – with power!