How can a couple balance a busy life and the care of their children?

How can a young couple balance a busy life and the care of their children?

The value the world apparently places on children differs from the Lord’s in Psalm 127:3" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 127:3: "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord." A child is potentially the greatest heritage a couple will leave behind them. Viewing children in that light elevates the priority of nurturing them in God’s truth. Rather than a heritage of money or renown, parents whose child loves and lives God’s truth have left a wealthy heritage. The child has true riches; the coming generation is richer; the work of God prospers.

Personal interaction with a child in which the parent models God’s character and mentors the child in God’s truth is time well spent. Many things that clamor for our time will pass away unnoticed. This child is a God-given responsibility and opportunity.

Allowing a child to manage his parents’ time will likely spoil him. Providing time for a child’s spiritual, moral, social, and mental development will likely enrich him.

It may be a very trying experience for a couple if the Lord doesn’t entrust them with a child. It may involve deep trials and disappointments if He does. Nothing parents can do will guarantee a child’s salvation or spiritual enrichment, but a parent can increase the likelihood of these blessings. The best parents fail to some degree. How wonderful to be able to commit a child to God in prayer! We always expect the best from Him.

D. Oliver
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Is it possible that the Lord’s brothers were only half brothers?

The idea that Joseph had sons before he married Mary or that those referred to as His brothers were merely His close relatives does not satisfy all the statements of Scripture. The term "brothers" in the New Testament is clearly used to refer to those with common parentage (Matthew 20:20, 24)," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 20:20, 24), nationality (Acts 22:1)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 22:1), and spiritual life (Romans 1:13)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 1:13). There are no clear cases of its use for close family relationship apart from common parentage.

In addition, the references to the Lord’s sisters (Matthew 13:56;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 13:56; Mark 6:3)" TARGET="_blank">Mark 6:3) must refer to those who shared a common parentage. In the New Testament, the word "sisters" is only used in that way or for those who are related spiritually - which are not cousins or half brothers..

Most conclusively, Psalm 69" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 69 is messianic (vv. 4, 9, 20, 21); "My mother’s children" (v. 8) reproached Him, "for neither did His brethren believe in Him" (John 7:5)." TARGET="_blank">John 7:5).

James, Joses, Simon, Judas, and His sisters were the children of both Mary and Joseph.

D. Oliver
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Is the narrow road a message for believers or a message of salvation?

Why do some say that the teaching of Matthew 7:13-14" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 7:13-14 is a message for believers?

Unbelievers (7:28) and believers (5:1) were both present while the Lord spoke. As in all that He did and said, His message was a model of good preaching; He set out the truth and then called for action. Verses 13 through 27 were His summary and call for action. Such was His skill in speaking that His summary applied to all who listened. He expressed universal principles. Submission to His Word results in "life which is life indeed" (1 Timothy 6:19," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 6:19, RV), enjoyed both now and eternally. Disobedience to His Word results in loss, suffered both now and eternally.

We who are believers need this reminder. The value of our present life and testimony depends on uncompromising submission to His Word. The degree to which we disregard His Word is the degree to which we will suffer loss at the Bema (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

D. Oliver
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Why did people in Genesis live so long?

Be the first to give an answer to this question. Write an answer in the comment section below. Please provide your name and if you have a website or blog, be sure to include the URL and email address in your answer.

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What did the Lord mean, "Let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will?"

What did the Lord mean, "Let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will?"

Before Gethsemane, the Lord Jesus said, "What shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name" (John 12:27,28)." TARGET="_blank">John 12:27,28). After Gethsemane He said, "The cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:11)." TARGET="_blank">John 18:11). There was no possibility of His turning from or being unwilling to go to Calvary. Gethsemane itself carries a weight of grief and a depth of wonder exceeding perhaps any other scene. This is holy ground! Together, Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s accounts portray immense emotional suffering that expressed itself physically. His sorrow was to the point of death, to the limit of the human frame. His anguish was accompanied by godly reverence and dependence (Hebrews 5:7)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 5:7). Each statement of prayer includes the submission of His will to the Father’s. It could not have been otherwise.

Such was the enormity of Golgotha’s awaiting suffering that He would never have endured it unless this was His Father’s will. Each exploration of an alternative was fully submissive. Gethsemane’s question was, "Can divine Persons find any other way but Calvary to deal with sin?" Gethsemane’s answer? " No."

D. Oliver
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Does the use of multiple loaves and cups at the Breaking of Bread indicate departure?

Does the use of multiple loaves and cups at the Breaking of Bread indicate departure?

Departure begins with a cooling of our devotion to Christ. One evidence of departure is a lack of love for and obedience to His Word. To change our practices from what His Word teaches or to be unwilling to change our ways in order to conform to His Word is departure. We are best to judge our own hearts before we look for indications of departure in others.

When we apparently take delight in finding the failings of others, we too have departed from the teachings of the Lord. If we fairly evaluate the teaching of the Bible on this subject, we can hardly conclude that pouring the wine from a common vessel and distributing it to 500 people by means of 4 cups violates the Word of God. The same can be said of taking one large entity of bread and distributing it on 4 separate plates. If this is what is meant by "multiple loaves and cups," then the answer to the question is "No." This is not departure.

To officiate at the "Communion Service" by distributing "the host" or a wafer violates the Word of God. This is multiple "loaves" and, in addition, bespeaks officialism. To have communion using individual cups fails to clearly express the significance of partaking from the "cup of blessing." If this is the meaning of "multiple loaves and cups," then the answer to the question is "Yes." This is departure.

D. Oliver
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If God calls a brother to preach the gospel, how would he approach commendation?

If God calls a brother to preach the gospel, how would he approach commendation?

Early in his Christian life, Saul knew he was called by God to preach the gospel. It appears that he knew what the Lord communicated to Ananias (Acts 9:15;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 9:15; Gal 1:16)." TARGET="_blank">Gal 1:16). He returned to Jerusalem after three years (Gal 1:18)" TARGET="_blank">Gal 1:18) and, while praying, received confirmation that God was sending him to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 22:17-21)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 22:17-21). He continued to be active in this work, exemplifying, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might" (Eccl 9:10)." TARGET="_blank">Eccl 9:10). He was able both to work with his own initiative (in Tarsus, Acts 11:25)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 11:25) and also to work under the guidance of others (v 26).

His responsibility was to do the work the Lord had laid on his heart. He awaited God’s timing on his commendation. The initiative in his commendation, under the Spirit’s guidance, came from the leaders of the Antioch assembly (Acts 13:1-3)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 13:1-3).

Gideon knew these principles (Judges 6:36-40)." TARGET="_blank">Judges 6:36-40). His two requests regarding his fleece provided personal assurance that God had called him and a confirmation of that in the unity of others in following him.

A man does the work the Lord gives him, looks to his God for personal assurance of his call, and waits on the Lord to make that evident through the insights of responsible believers. If a brother (or his family) has to promote his own cause in order to be commended by the assembly, he is either moving ahead of God or against God.

D. Oliver
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What is the role of an elder in a local assembly?

What is the role of an elder in a local assembly?

Peter gives three responsibilities: "Feed the flock . . . taking the oversight . . . being ensamples" (1 Peter 5:1-3)." TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 5:1-3).

"Feeding" the flock translates the verb, to shepherd or tend. The Lord distinguishes between feeding and tending sheep in His post-resurrection interview with Peter (John 20:15-18)." TARGET="_blank">John 20:15-18). He gave Peter the responsibility of feeding His lambs (v 15) and His sheep (v 17). Using a different word, He also entrusted to Peter the shepherding of those sheep (v 16). Judging from Psalm 23," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 23, shepherding means providing for every (spiritual) need (v 1). The shepherd provides rest for the sheep in the "green pastures" of God’s Word (v 2, 1 Timothy 5:17" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:17b, 1 Thessalonians 5:13" TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 5:13b). He refreshes (Psalm 23:2" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 23:2b, Philemon 1:7)" TARGET="_blank">Philemon 1:7) them "by still waters." He restores and leads them in right ways (Psa 23:3), reassures them by his presence (v 4), and fosters fellowship ("a table," v 5), a refuge from their enemies. He honors each one with respect (v 5b with Luke 7:46)" TARGET="_blank">Luke 7:46) and the abundance of his care causes God’s people to rejoice (Psa 23:5c).

"Taking the oversight" means he "diligently looks" (same word in Hebrews 12:15)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 12:15) at the sheep to know their condition (Pro 27:23" TARGET="_blank">Pro 27:23a), and he watches for enemies that will destroy the flock (Acts 20:29)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:29).

"Being examples" (ESV) bears a similar thought as the word "rule" (1 Timothy 5:17," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:17, 1 Th 5:12,)," TARGET="_blank">1 Th 5:12,), which means to be "set before" or leading so as to protect and care for others. So the elder is responsible to lead by example. His worthy walk will draw others to follow him and be guarded by righteousness (Proverbs 10:2" TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 10:2b).

The elder, then, is to feed, heed, and lead the flock.

D. Oliver
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Books of the Bible Games

Using a special deck of Bible game cards that you can download from this site , you can help your Bible class students learn the Books of the Bible through games. Seven card Games for learning the names of the books of the Bible.

1. Memory print two sets of these cards. Turn them face down and find the pairs. Use only New Testament cards for a shorter game.

2. Go Fish or Old Maid Print two sets of Bible cards. Shuffle and deal. Use the traditional rules. Use only New Testament cards for a shorter game.

3. Lay them straight. Sequence race Shuffle the deck and give each team (or player) 10 cards. When the dealer says “go”, lay them out in order. The first team to put them in order wins.

4. Uno or SkipBo inspired game - similar to the popular card game except with fewer rules and different cards from books of the Bible.

5. Phase 10 inspired game - similar to the popular card game, but with Bible cards and different phase goals.

6. Solitaire - adapted from the classic single player game, but with Bible books.

Check out the other 200+ games, puzzles and Bible lessons in the Sunday school seciton of this site.

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What is the meaning of

What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 3" TARGET="_blank">2 Samuel 3: 33: “Died Abner as a fool dieth?”

Probably the thought is: “Did Abner die like an inexperienced fool, who knew not how to defend himself?” And the intended answer is, “No, he fell victim to a deceitful wicked plot.” Compare verse 27, in which the unsuspicious nature of Abner stands in marked contrast to the suspicions Joab had expressed concerning him in verse 25. Notice, too, that he was slain in the last place where it might have been expected he would be, in the gate of Hebron which was a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7)," TARGET="_blank">Joshua 20:7), as well as being the residence of king David at that time.
Yet there is no doubt that Abner did really act as a fool on an earlier occasion, when he made the unwise choice of chap. a. 8, 9 for Ishbosheth and against David, and did so deliberately though he well knew (see chap. 3. 9, xo) what the mind of God in the matter was.

W.R.

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