I have heard the statement, "Jesus is your savior but He may not be your Lord."  I believe I understand the reasoning behind this thought but it is definately not a biblical thought.  It's a crock thought.

          If you choose to follow Jesus as your savior you also agree to make Him your Lord and King.  Obedience is necessary when you are a servant of the King.  

          If Jesus is your Savior, remember He is also your Lord.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

In our family's study, we touched on Mark 4.  Our discussion centered on the parable of the soils. 

In short, the soils are people and the seed is the word of God.  People have the choice to be truly receptive to the word of God by applying it in their life in a consistant lifestyle.  It is not intended to be fake or short-lived.  Rather, it is a choice of dedication to the "living word" - Jesus Christ.

Let us all live by an obedient faith in Jesus Christ.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

Last night our family started to read the gospel of Mark.  Each of us took turns reading from Scripture.  Afterword, we talked a little, had a prayer, and hugged each other on the way to bed.

There are benefits to studying the word with your family.  (My oldest two children are 9 and 10 years old.)

Improve reading skills.
Improve study skills.
Improve family structure.
Improve dedication to God's word.
Improve relationship with God through an obedient faith in Jesus Christ.

We love our children.  Yet, we know that if God isn't first in their life, because of our lack of teaching, we have done a disservice to God as parents.

Remain humble before the Lord.

The Lord's humbled
John A. Reeves

I read an article on "Fox News" website about a Christian "pastor" who refused to recant his belief in Christ.  According to the laws of his land, he must be put to death.  Evidently, they (the Iranian court system) said that since his ancestors were Muslim then he must take on the Muslim faith or die.  Evidently, the death penalty will be carried out today.

Pray for him and his family to have the courage to continue to stand for the name of Christ

It's a tough world for people - even children.  I talk about the tough world in a new article entitle "Plans A, B, C, or God's Plan".  If you let your kids read these articles, I suggest that you read this one with them and guide them through some of these tough concepts.

Remember, be the Lord's humbled when looking for a plan to live by.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

Zig Ziglar, in his work, 5 Keys to  Igniting Motivation and Success, talks briefly about why so few Jewish men are in prison.

He states that Jewish fathers do three things with their boys.  Everyday they tell them that they love them by:

            1.  telling them "bless you"
            2.  telling them "I love you"
            3.  give their boys a big hug (sometimes a big kiss)

The work of Jewish fathers is extremely dramatic.  Zig talks about a prison minister in Florida named Billy Glass.  Billy mentioned of the 40,000 men in prison only 13 were Jewish.  Not 13000 or 1300 but a real 13.

One of the things that Billy found out among prisoners is that they hate their fathers. 

The fact is, dad's you have a stong impact on the future of your children.  Please take your role seriously and be humble before God.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

I love my family and I've been enjoying the summer.  But yesterday was special.  It was a day of worship.

We worshiped at our in-laws house and talked about various scriptural passages; i.e., John 17:20-21; Matthew 28:18-20.  I like to use deductive reasoning when teaching and it is wonderful to see how young children are able to reach proper conclusions in Scripture. 

They realized that God has a relationship with Jesus.
They realized that God and Jesus want a relationship with people.
They realized that the teachings of the apostles are important.
They realized that to be ONE with God and Jesus then it is important to follow the word of God; i.e., the apostle't teachings.
They realized that being ONE with God is to be united with Him.
Wow, if children can see that - who are humble by nature - then all people should.  Sadly, not everyone is humble enough to give in to their personal selfishness and follow the teachings of Christ.

Are you humble before God?
The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

A friend lost a child, of nine years old, in a hunting accident.  There is nothing I could say . . . .   For those who truly believe in Christ, please pray that God strengthen this family as they continue on in their grief. 

Please be humble before God as you cry with those who cry.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

People live in a world of choice.  Some people live in a republic and they have choice.  Some people live in a theocracy and they have a choice.  Some live under a communistic state and they have a choice.  Some live under a dictator and they have a choice.  Some live in poverty and they have a choice.  Some live with wealth and they have a choice.  

We have a choice because no matter where you are born, where you live, or who tries to control your life - you can choose to follow or not follow God.

"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).

Remain humble before the Lord.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves