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May 4, 2020 7:05 am
Any grandfathering get them to reminisce about rearing a family and he'll likely say it all went so quickly.
I'd love to have some of those years back, but as a mom or dad of young children. When you're knee-deep in unfinished laundry, mopping up the mess. After dinner and staying up late to pay the bills.
Feels like time is probably what today on Insight for living. Chuck Swindoll continues his series on biblical parenting will explore practical ways to make the most of these child-rearing years by creating delightful memories your children won't forget we have a great promise in the scriptures to the Lord at any moment will return from heaven with a shout of the voice of the archangel. The trump of God sound and the dead in Christ will be raise first, and then we who are alive and remain on this earth. At that time, we who know the Lord Jesus will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And so shall we ever be with the Lord is the next event in the prophetic plan of God can happen at any moment.
Isn't that an exciting thought worship also includes time of instruction. We will gather that today from the 127th and 128 song. If you have not already turned please locate that someone 27 beginning at verse three behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward, like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate. How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his way, when you shall eat of the fruit of your hands you will be happy and it will be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive plants around your table. Behold for the shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord, the Lord bless you from Zion. You see the prosperity of Jerusalem, all the days of your life. Indeed, may you see your children's children. Shalom this right piece be upon his or to download his searching the Scriptures. Studies by going to Insight world.org/studies another message called delightful memories your children won't forget memories last for a lifetime sometime. Admittedly, they are painful memories that leave scars and those scars often linger throughout the rest of our days. We would wish to be able to erase them, but usually we cannot. There there memories last a lifetime.
Pleasurable memories as well. That's the focus of our thought today as we think about delightful memories that our children will never forget. Like for example the family in Montgomery, Alabama.
They will never forget the memory there father left for them. He was a dad who really loved his family and he wanted them to enjoy their summer vacation, but he had to work the press business kept him at the office and so being committed to their happiness. He assured them of his desire that they go ahead and take a trip without them and enjoy camping for those fleeting summer days even help them plan every day, right down to the hour they would load up the family station wagon that would drive over to California.
They would camp up and down the coast and then on a particular day they would travel back home together to Montgomery.
Each day was carefully arranged.
Even the highways that they would travel the market.
All of the map the places they would stop. Dad knew their whole route from the time that they left until the time they return. He even knew when they would reach each state line along the way. Plan to the hour when they would cross the great divide. For example, what he did not tell them was what made all the difference. The father you see took off work. He implanted all along and arrange to have himself flown to an airport near where the family would be on that particular day on their trip. He also arranged to have someone pick him up and drive him from where he landed to where the cars were passing on the route during that particular time with a wide grin. He sat on his sleeping bag and waited until he saw in the distance a familiar station wagon packed full of kids. His kids, his wife driving when he spotted the station wagon. He stood up, stepped over to the shoulder of the road stuck out his thumb and the car drove slowly by as the kids looked out and said the guy looks just dad love the story. The family assumed he was a thousand miles away sweating over stack of papers. It's amazing that in drive into a ditch or collapse from heart failure.
Can you imagine the fun they had the rest of that camping trip and the memories stored away in their metal scrapbook that could never be forgotten when later asked why he would go to all that trouble. This unusually creative father responded well someday I'm going to die when that happens, I want my kids and my wife to say you know dad was a lot of fun love story part of the reason I love it is because of what I believe about the family and I think many of you believe it is well in fact I get the words from my Edith Schaefer in her book.
What is a family. Interesting title. It's a question that she answers in the table of content Edith Schaefer. You will remember his wife and and and the widow of the well-known Francis Schaeffer.
She answers the question, what is the family.
In this way, a changing life mobile the birthplace of creativity.
A formation center for human relationships, shelter in the time of storm door that has hinges and lock a perpetual relay of truth. My favorite the Museum of memories. She writes memory can be a wonderful thing if one enjoys living and reliving memory can bring sudden understanding later in life when things suddenly fall into place and you realize what was happening. Memory can even give us courage to go on just when it is needed. Memory can quiet one time of turmoil could transport one out of the danger of being plunged into something fall memory can suddenly become so vivid as to stop a person from doing something wrong because of the unmistakable contrast being flashed on the screen of the mind and memory can cause someone to be compassionate to another in need whose need would not of been noticed had it not been linked in the mind's picture with a deep experience in the past which prepared an understanding what is the family meant to be, among other things. I personally have always felt it is meant to be a Museum of memories. Collections of carefully prepared memories and a realization that day by day memories are being chosen for a Museum all of you have a Museum in your mind a Museum of treasures. It would help for you to think of yourself sometimes as a curator of the museum.
These treasures are drawn from the past from places you have visited from things you have done or were done with you or for you or to you. All of us remember back when, as we were growing up we remember experiences we had, we remember celebrations that we delight in the end we remembered we remember tough times, we can recall in our minds.
Pictures those emotions those occasions where we were there. Some of us can remember what age we were and even how we felt at the time children are like that. Memories that form the Museum of the home are deliberately put together in place there like treasure.
Think of it that way. Long-standing traditions anniversaries and birthdays, graduations, learning that you're pregnant. Buying a new car, getting a raise, getting a boat getting rid of the vote, crossing certain milestones in life. Recovering from a difficult illness you want to creative idea. Think of yourself as a curator in this Museum. You're the one who watches over the treasures. You're the one who realizes their value even before your children are grown and you know what you're doing your building Museum part of what draws me to the 127 and 128 song is the fact that they form a beautiful panorama of the family perhaps is the verses are read to you. You begin to see that emerge never been to San Jacinto Monument here in Texas, down near Houston but when you're there you will see a panorama of Texas history as it is painted on the wall of this great rotunda the same as in the Marine Corps Museum where you can visit and you will see the history of the Marine as you work your way around the rotunda of that of that interim. This saw these two songs are like the rotunda. The walls of the family in the first two verses of Psalm 127 we have the inception of the whole. Look at how it begins unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain who build in other words, when you're putting down your early roots, be sure you are planting them in the rocklike substance of the Lord himself. Lessee's center. You really are doing a lot of things that will have an empty response he gives it substance and significance. In fact he says in verse two. It is vain for you to rise up early and retire late to eat the bread of painful labors, or he gives to his beloved, even in his it's a picture of a person who is a workaholic early on in family life. You learn the value of time making sure you have save time for those those relationships. In other words, you're not just committed to an office or a space down at the office where you work. You were committed to a family.
So for you to rise up early and go to bed late and spend your time at the office. What what an empty existence.
By the way, I have never been beside the bed of the dying for.
They have said to me. I wish I had spent more time at the office ever is vain for you to get yourself only to your employment, why you have a Museum to be filled with treasures and then the family turns to an expansion time. Look at verse three behold, children are a gift of the Lord.
All of a sudden the couple begins to bear their children and the children are a gift from the Lord in the Fruit of the Loom as a reward will come back those words in a moment like arrows in the hands of a warrior so the children of one's youth.
How blessed is the one who has his quiver full of them. I've always loved that line quivers are different sizes. Okay son quivers are full with two kids.
Some have five.
That's really a full quiver. This is past week I heard about a friend that has 12 giant quiver. If you ask me, but quivers are all different sizes. How blessed is the one who has his quiver full of meaning. What meaning the Lord determines the size you think you do bore you would pursue price if you're still having children. You think this is the last one ready.
I dedicate children regularly through the year and often as I pose for pictures with the young mother and the young father and they have the first and the little babies and or are she reaches over and whispers to be. This is the first and the last right here doesn't mean he doesn't love the baby and me. She's exhausted so she's thinking it's all as a loss leader. Actually, you don't know for sure all we do to two years later, I'm standing here posing for a picture with them again. Yet, this is it alpha omega that's it.
Three years later I'm here with them and they got twin boys that oldest distressed, scary, but they're making it, making it children John children grow blessed is the one whose quiver is full of them and with the same thought a blessing.
Look at verse one of chapter 128 songs are like a panorama. How blessed is everyone who keep who fears the Lord and walked in his ways. Now we got the family growing. We got a mom and dad were serious about their fate and they are also enjoying the fruit of their labor. Remember the Fruit of the Loom is God's reward verse three of chapter 127 now look.
The fruit is beginning to produce this you shall eat the fruit of your wonderful children are beginning to grow beginning to show their own personality and the ads you will be happy. It will be well with you. Then he mentions the why your wife will be like a like a fruitful vine within your house or children, like all the plants. I love that word picture when our kids were little wasted some time surprised about saying how the all the plants doing today.
They look at me like I was weirdo, but looked down at the fruitful vine. At the end of the table and she would smile. By the way, always don't grow from buying children are not exactly like mom and dad, all the plants or individuals.
Every child is an individual were learning that in this series no. Two children were born the same note you children think the same. Even if the twins no two children are moving toward the same ultimate goal. Children are growing their only plants that are beginning to produce, so children are different from parent during the growing up years and then as the children grow up, we are promised in verse four, behold, for thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord, the Lord bless you from Zion and now he addresses the Jewish reader bless you from Jott Zion. When you see the prosperity of Jerusalem. Now life is running its course. The children are grown and they're on their way into a productive life. Indeed, words in verse six are addressed to grandparents, may you see your children's children. Shalom is radio one of the few verses in all the Bible speaks to grandparents, may you live long enough to see your children bear children.
One of the rewards is your children then understand what life was like when you had that and they often say all I never realized and you sit there saying I know I've enjoyed spending time with grandparents of the safe. What we just get the grandkids and boy were we glad to send him back to the mom and dad is great both hours. Now they're back. The but this is an endurance test is matter-of-fact at the end you see your children's children. Shalom is really a little those words mean little to Gentile readers, but to the people of that you as the great goal shalom is peace all connected with the joy of the family. It's all here now. So much for the overview, let's get down to the if you will video each tree in the limbs of the trees and the leaves on the live first, let's address the attitudes and actions that say to our children. Your important what we do, how do we let our children know how valuable they are just bearing a child doesn't say that just putting clothes on.
The child doesn't say that a neighbor can clothe your children just feeding them a meal. Isn't that on the McDonald's is always available or another fast food joint review can take him and that's that's not how they feel important, was a take will look at verse three of chapter 127 again. Okay, behold, children are a gift of the Lord. The Fruit of the Loom is a reward first.
Parents who acknowledge that their children are gifts and rewards begin to build great memories in the lives of their children.
Did you know growing up, but you were given a gift from God. Were you ever told what a reward were to the family.
Probably not for that reason, I made a list of some of the negatives.
Children are gifts and rewards are not a liability, not an interruption, not a tax deduction there not a burden. We carry your cross we bear Tiger that he got on the screen. This your child gains the burden were very rarely one how that makes the child feel they're not a mistake to live with. Maybe you didn't plan the child.
The child is still lives every much a gift as the one you hope for and plan for every child is a gift. Every child is a reward from God. You want to begin building a tray sure that your children will love to know about. Remind them again and again that they are God's gift to the family. Each one. Each one is a reward. Gifts are things we receive from others and we appreciate in this case. These gifts come directly from the Lord. He alone causes the womb to be fruitful is the second not only acknowledging that each is a gift and a reward. Next is the realization that each is like an arrow. You miss verse four as we were reading through like arrows in the hand of a warrior's or the children of one's Chuck Swindoll said children are a gift and a reward there not a liability. There's much more from Chuck's message. We need to hear including this next word picture like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth.
You're listening to Insight for living.
Please keep listening to hear Chuck's closing comment and if you want to learn more about this ministry. Visit us online@insightworld.org and then let me remind you the check is written a book that will help you dig deeper into this topic is called parenting from surviving to thriving weather dealing with a child strong will or you're trying to navigate the teen years. This book is filled with biblical wisdom, Chuck and Cynthia's one dollar not only parents but grandparents as well and this book represents the culmination of their combined experience. Plus Chuck's many years pouring over the Bible to purchase a copy just go online to Insight.org/offer again is called parenting from surviving to thriving or if you're listening in the United States. Call 1-800-772-8888. It goes without saying that our world has been fixated on the global pandemic as we work and pray toward the common goal of defeating the coronavirus. This battle certainly deserves our complete attention.
But even so pressing family issues never disappear and rearing. A healthy family is an assignment that stops for nothing. For that reason will be spending the next several weeks digging into this relevant topic with Chuck as he continues to provide biblical teaching. We urge you to remain faithful in your financial support of Insight for living as well. Chuck, the rhythm of my heart revolves around Sunday mornings for my entire adult life.
Every day of my weak points to the moment I stepped to the pulpit to deliver God's message. In fact, my heart beats faster just imagining.
I live with a joyful anticipation for the worship service every Sunday morning.
Well because God is wired me this way. Breaking that lifelong rhythm of preaching every weekend is definitely cramped my style like you.
This requirement for self quarantine at home, while valid and necessary has become extremely challenging in my hours of reflection at home. I've been grateful that even while our churches are temporarily closed and empty the Insight for living program carries on without an interruption. Isn't that great everyday technology allows us to reach in the hearts and homes your heart, your home without restriction. We have no barriers whatsoever. In fact, the experts are telling us that radio listening habits are on the rise. The reason is people are craving, spiritual direction, the only barrier that stands in the way of our daily visits is the financial capacity to continue doing so, you see our costs for sending out the daily program remains the same. Your voluntary gifts. Therefore, have never been more needed than they are right now nothing is diminished. Our commitment to delivering Insight for living message covered 19 cannot and will not stand in our way as people around the world stay inside their homes, worried about their jobs, their basic needs, their families, and even their own lives. We will keep right on teaching and reaching them with the hope of Jesus Christ and the practical help with his word.
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Thanks, Chuck responded.
Chuck's request colors listening in the United States. Call 1-800-772-8888 number once more, 1-800-772-8888 also give online@insight.or 90 on Tuesday. Chuck Swindoll explains how to create delightful memories your children won't forget, right here on Insight for living. The preceding message, delightful memories, your children will forget was copyrighted in 2012 and the sound recording was copyrighted in 2017 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. all rights reserved worldwide.
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