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.”

As you read the Scriptures, you will occasionally come across verses and statements such as the one above. Although it is not often taught, it still is a valid New Testament principle for today.

The Apostle Paul beseeches (asks) the readers of this letter, because of the mercy that God has shown to you through Christ, to willingly yield yourself to Him to accomplish the will of God through you. Believers are to offer their bodies to His service and not do what they want with their lives.

To present your body to God means that you must tell God that you are ready to do what He wants every day from now on. You must be willing to live for His glory and not your own. Because of our sinful nature which we will continue to have until we die, this dedication to His service needs to be done daily.

The words “living sacrifice” means that there is no going back on your word. An animal to be offered as a sacrifice in Bible times had no future plans or goals – others made those decisions for it.

Although God will never force you to obey Him, you will find your life more pleasant and blessed if you keep on following Him and His Word. To be faithful, you will need to spend considerable time in the Word every day and in prayer. It is how you learn His will and get power for service. Attendance and service in a local church is also expected.

Are you a “living sacrifice” for the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, will you yield to His will today?

In the first chapter of the Psalms, God, through David, reveals the kind of person He wants to bless. These blessings are not necessarily earthly or material blessings.

The word “bless” means happy. It is not necessarily the smart person, the handsome or beautiful person, and it is not the charismatic individual.

Instead, the brief chapter reveals that, first, there are some things the blessed person does not do. He or she does not hang out with people who God disapproves of. These people are put into three categories: the “ungodly,” the “sinners,” and the “scornful.” Each of them follows their own desires and plans – none of which God can approve of.

The blessed person does not associate closely with any of these people. Their advice and “wisdom” are contrary to God and His Word. It is because they are not enlightened by God and do not understand the Bible or the way of the Holy Spirit.

When the believer needs direction and advice, they need to go to the Bible for it or to a Pastor – if they really want to be one of those people who God blesses. God has given us Divine advice and guidance for every situation we will face in life. There are plenty of people online or on TV, etc., who want to give their advice, but it will not help you to draw close to God or live victoriously for God.

Proverbs 19:27 tells us: “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” This means do not even listen to advice or counsel that comes from people who do not know God.

If you want to be blessed by God, it becomes necessary to spend time in the Word every day to know what our Lord says about the things we face daily. When you do, you will learn the way He wants you to live for Him.

Do you want to become that person God wants to bless? Are you in the Word every day and in church where the Word is taught regularly?

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.

God does not want anyone to worship an idol, or bow down to one. What He does want is for His people to come before Him in reverence, humility, and faith.

True respect for God must also include confession and a willingness to obey Him. How else can we say “Lord, Lord,” if there is no desire to do what He says? True worship must also include being truthful before God.

Our God is holy and He cannot tolerate deceit, sin, or lies. If these things be in the heart when you worship, it is in vain. Jesus told the religious leaders. in Mt. 15:9: “in vain they do worship me.”

If our worship is to be real, it needs to follow God’s plan. Although some people cannot be in church on Sunday, many more could than will actually step into a church and not forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is,” (Heb. 10:25).

Are you really worshipping God the way He is pleased with? Will He commend you for it?

Paul often prayed that the people he wrote to in his letters would grow spiritually. The need for spiritual growth is needed just as much today.

Sadly, many believers stay spiritual babies most of their lives. Part of the reason is that they do not get into an atmosphere where growth is possible. They do not read their Bible or go to church very often. Or, if they do go, the messages and lessons are not applied. Growing spiritually requires much more than gaining mere head knowledge about the Bible.

Paul hit the nail on the head when he said that spiritual growth requires being able to discern between the things that are excellent – those that God approves of – and those that He disapproves of. Once those things are understood – do them with His help.

These things can be found in the Bible and by listening to the Holy Spirit. The key to hearing Him lies in spending time with Him reading and studying the Bible, praying, and obeying what you know. When sins are committed, confess them quickly, thank Him for it, and move on.