Introduction: Any parent understands the heartache of stepping back and watching your children make bad decisions and facing the consequences. 

However, a wise parent will pray and trust Jesus to bring about good even in bad situations (Rom 8:28).

Paul writes to the Ephesus believers and us today concerning the key to parenting and grand-parenting. 

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph 6:4)

1. The Negative side! (Eph 6:4)

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

In other words, don’t cause them to lose heart (“I cannot ever please my daddy/mama”).

Watch out for

* over bearing  

* under discipline 

2. The Positive side! (Eph 6:4)

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

“Bring them up”

* Nurture – training, instructions of the Lord

* Admonition – warnings, etc 

Being balanced as a Christian parent – grand parent takes great wisdom, discernment, love and forgiveness.

Conclusion: Guess what? There are no perfect parents. And there are no perfect children! God our Father is the only perfect Parent.

Therefore, we can love and trust Him.

Introduction: Do you know what God hates? Do you want to know? Of course you do or you would not be reading this devotion.

Solomon, led by God the Holy Spirit, writes in the book filled with wisdom called Proverbs. One chapter of Proverbs a day will help keep the devil away!

By the way, there are 31 chapters for each day of the month.

Back to what God hates:

“…six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him.” (Prov 6:16)

1. Proud Look! (Prov 6:17)

“17 A proud look…”

God resists the proud because the proud resists God (1Pet 5:5)

“…for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

Pride cost Lucifer his position in heaven. 

2. A Liar (Prov 6:17)

“a lying tongue,”

Our Lord is truth. Therefore, He is against being Deceitful. 

3. Guilty criminals shedding innocent blood (Prov 6: 17)

“And hands that shed innocent blood,”

Criminals might appear to “get by” with shedding innocent blood. But our Lord has the final say so. And without real repentance, it will not end well. 

4. Evil imagination (Prov 6:18)

“An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.”

Premeditated wrong will be judged by Jesus Christ, the Righteous Judge. 

5. Running to pick up dirt (Prov 6:18)

“feet that be swift in running to mischief,”

C.H. Spurgeon used to say, a lie will circulate around the world before truth puts on her boots!

6. False witness (Prov 6:19)

“A false witness that speaketh lies,”

Spreading rumors and lies is on God’s hate list. 

7. Sowing discord (Prov 6:19)

..”and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

Causing disunity in the Church is looked down upon by Jesus, and will be dealt with accordingly. 

Conclusion: There we have it. Time to check it out. Are any of these six things in us?

If so, let’s confess them and Praise the Lord for His Grace!

Introduction: How many of us need to “Turn Back”? In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, this was the message…Turn Back.

“16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” (Jer 6:16)

Why? Because his people had drifted from the God of the Bible. It was not that they were religious. They were. But the God of the Bible was not interested in His people having a form of godliness. Instead, He desires worship from the heart. He can see through the pretense and hypocrisy!

Do we need to Turn Back today?

1. Jacob Turned Back! (Gen 32)

Jacob had been a deceiver and a con artist but God changed him as he wrestled with the Angel of the Lord (pre incarnate Christ). 

His name was turned into Israel – a prince that prevails!

2. Moses Turned Back! (Exo 1- Deut)

Instead of trying to kill one Egyptian at a time, he learned to do things God’s way. Howbeit, it was through the burning bush encounter whereby he was changed. 

3. Jonah Turned Back! (Jonah 1-4)

After running from God’s call, and learning that you can run but not hide, Jonah TURNED BACK to obey the Lord. Spending sleepless time in the belly of a whale should get most anybody’s attention. 

4. Peter Turned Back! (Luke 22, John 21) 

Impetuous Peter stuck his foot in his mouth like we do so often. Claiming he would never deny Jesus, he learned that phrase “NEVER say NEVER”! However, afterwards, he TURNED BACK to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We too can TURN BACK!

Conclusion: Will you TURN BACK today?

Introduction: Jesus commends work. In fact he was not lazy; i.e. walked everywhere…it is hot and humid in the Middle East. Our Lord said these words:

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4)

This was uttered from our Lord in the context of His friend Lazarus passing away. What does this mean to us today?

1. It means that what we do for (thru) our Lord Jesus, we need to do it today!

“I must work the works of him that sent me…” (John 9:4)

Our Heavenly Father has a plan for our lives. We choose our work daily. His ultimate will for His children is that we are conformed to His image. This is accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit as we are led and filled. Learning to be about our Father’s business is the key. Do you agree?

2. There is coming a “Night when no man can work”! (John 9:4)

“….the night cometh, when no man can work.”

Jesus will return in the clouds of heaven. Our life will be over on earth. Whether He comes or we go in death, there is coming a night when no man can work.

Introduction: Things look shaky for Taiwan. Invasion from China is imminent. CHRISTians could face martyrdom.

What should we do? Pray. Wouldn’t you want someone to pray for you?

Remember Jesus said, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matt 7:12).

With that being said, a report is coming out of Taiwan that there are multitudes of people praying because of the threat from China. 

“More than 40,000 prayer groups in Taiwan have arisen amid threats of war from China.”

“All across this island, people are meeting every day, 24 hours a day, to pray for revival, unity, repentance, and protection over their land.” (Milton Quintanilla | Contributor for ChristianHeadlines.com | Tuesday, July 25, 2023)

Good can certainly come out of a bad situation. Paul urged the believers in Ephesus to pray for all saints.

“18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Eph 6:18)

Prayer is needed everywhere. The hour is late. The needs are great. But we serve a mighty God! Jesus is well able to do more than we ask or think.

“20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” (Eph 3:20)

Are you praying? 

Conclusion: So let us pray today for our brothers & sisters in Taiwan and around the world.

Introduction: The summertime is here and the SUN is shining brightly. But the SON is shining brighter! Where and how is the SON shining?

Peter under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit reminds CHRISTIANS everywhere that the SON is still shining.

1. The SON is SHINING with HOPE! (1Pet 1:3)

“3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

There’s Hope in Jesus!

2. The SON is SHINING with PEACE! (1Pet 1:2)

“2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

The PEACE of God which money cannot buy and the world cannot give is available through Jesus Christ. 

3. The SON is SHINING with His PROTECTION! (1Pet 1:5)

“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

A hedge of PROTECTION is greatly needed! Faith opens the door.

4. The SON is SHINING with His PERFECTION! (1Pet 1:6,7)

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

He is still working on me!! Through the trials & tests, we are being perfected into His image.

Conclusion: The SON still shines! It is a bright light in a dark world.

Go light your world!

Reflect the SON.

Introduction: Are things “heating up”? There appears a terrible “Heat Wave” is coming. One like we’ve never seen before! It could be around the corner. A series of vial (bowl) judgements will be released from Jesus Christ. These will follow the other series of seven judgements which will consist of seals and trumpets. 

Let’s check out this futuristic “heat wave”!

“And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.” (Rev 16:1)

1. The first “Vial” -bowl – Judgement! (Rev 16:2)

“And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.”

This angel pours out this bowl on the men that received the mark of the beast. Plus they worshipped his image. This seems to be a payback to them. 

2.  The second “Vial” -bowl – Judgement! (Rev 16:3)

“And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.”

God is judging the earth even the sea. This is more severe that the trumpet judgement which only effected 1/3. 

3. The third “Vial” -bowl – Judgement! (Rev 16:4)

“And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.”

Can you imagine how that is going to be with all the drinking water defiled?

4. The fourth  “Vial” -bowl – Judgement! (Rev 16:8,9)

“And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.”

Here is where the HEAT WAVE happens. Although the intensity of the heat from the sun will scorch men, they will not change their ways. 

5. The fifth “Vial” -bowl – Judgement! (Rev 16:10,11)

“And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.”

Jesus Christ will hit the very throne of Satan, but still no repentance from those who worship him. 

6. The sixth “Vial” -bowl – Judgement! (Rev 16:12)

“And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.”

Preparation for Armageddon can be seen in this bowl judgement.

7. The seventh “Vial” -bowl – Judgement! (Rev 16:17-18)

“And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.”

This final bowl judgement will be a massive earthquake. 

Conclusion: This passage of Revelation describes when God takes vengeance out on the earth dwellers. 

“And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.” (Rev 16:5-7)

Jesus Christ is just. We can trust that He will make the wrong right!

C-U-R-S-E:

• C ontrolling
• U nforgiving
• R esentful
• S haming 
• E go

BLESS:

• B elieve 
• L ove unconditionally 
• E ncourage
• S erve
• S pirit-filled

1. Bless or Curse Nationally! (Gen 12:2,3)

“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

2. Bless or Curse Personally! (Num 6:22-26)

“22And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 23Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, 24The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”

3. Bless or Curse Relationally (Prov 3:30)

“33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.”

Conclusion: Would you rather be BLESSED or CURSED? Obviously, the former would be chosen over the latter. Remember, what goes around comes around. Start BLESSING others and others will BLESS you in return. More importantly, why not make it a practice to BLESS the Lord!

Introduction: Whereas Adam had been given dominion – authority – over all the animals including the earth, he forfeited his authority when he fell into sin in the garden of Eden.

Listen to the Word of the Lord:

(Gen 1:26-28)

“26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

1. Creation went from a Theocracy to a Satanocracy with the fall of Adam!

(Gen 3:14,15)

God judged both Adam & Eve as well as the serpent, which was Satan.

“4And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

Satan has a temporary dominion in God’s creation. But it will come to a abrupt end when Jesus returns. 

2. When Jesus comes again in His second coming all of Creation will be once and for all under His DOMINION!

(1Cor 15:20-28)

“20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”

Jesus has been and will be in control. 

Conclusion: While on the one hand it looks like the devil is in control, on the other hand we read that Jesus Christ is in control. Since He is in control of creation, salvation, and every situation… will you let Him take control?

2. Because of the Present! (Rev 3:25)

3. Because of the Future! (Rev 3:25,26)

“till I come…. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”