Early in their history, Israel wanted a king, a decision that eventually left to a divided kingdom and a great deal of unfaithfulness. During the reign of the final king if Judah, in Jeremiah 4:14 and 24 the people are described as lacking understanding, as foolish children, Also, in chapter 5:1-5, God gives Jeremiah a mission to look for anyone who is living justly, and Jeremiah is disappointed in his search time and again. Additionally, in Ezekiel 22:26-28 (after the captivity has begun), the problem has not improved. Rulers and spiritual leaders are leading the people into lies. Again, God recaps Jeremiah’s unsuccessful search. No one was willing to stand in the spiritual gap in Jerusalem’s wall.

In a city’s physical defenses, a gap in the wall was a serious gap in security. It was a place easily penetrated by enemies, and God uses is as an analogy for the spiritual defenses of His people. None were willing to spiritually defend God’s word. Today, we are under assault by temptations and worldly influences, and now God relies on us to bolster our spiritual defenses – to stand in the gap and create a barrier between ourselves and our foe.

Who Will Fill the Gap?

God is looking for the willing in Titus 2:1-8, those who are willing to exercise self-control and teach others likewise. Age is irrelevant. Both the young and the elderly can serve God and defend the spirituality of His church. Both the young and the old can demonstrate wisdom, and both can be learned from, whether the focus and clarity of youth or the experience and perspective of age.

He is also looking for husbands and wives to stand in the gap in Ephesians 5:23-33. He is looking for this relationship to be as it should be, and he reminds husbands in particular to take care of their wives as carefully as they take care of themselves. I Peter 3:1-5 describes spiritually strong women who serve as an example to their husbands, and verse seven describes both husband and wife as joint-heirs of God’s promises. Husbands and wives should honor one another – spiritually strengthening one another.

Parents are additional spiritual defenders. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 describes the familiarity God wants families to have with His word. Parents should be continually looking for teachable moments with their children. Ephesians 6:4 describes the nurture and admonition Christian children should be raised in, and this is a lifelong responsibility. Our home life should be as focused on the Lord as when we are at church. Spiritual instruction is not the sole responsibility of pastors, preachers, or Bible class teachers. Knowledge of God begins at home.

In this vein, God is looking for teachers. In Acts 18:24-26, a couple examples are present of willing teachers. Apollos is an eager and enthusiastic teacher whose knowledge is imperfect, and Aquila and Priscella were willing to help him understand better. We should all be as willing to help each other out and to receive such knowledge as gladly as Apollo. Both parties involved demonstrate attitudes we should be willing to emulate in our lives as teachers and as learners of God’s word. II Timothy 2:2 describes a process of teaching and re-teaching, spreading the word from person to person.

In our willingness, we should we willing to serve Him and serve each other. Galatians 6:1-2 describes an attitude of willingness to help each other, of bearing each other’s burdens. For a congregation to be successful, everyone needs to help everyone. James 5:16 encourages us to also help each other out with our temptations and our faults. We need to share with each other in order to be able to help each other, but this requires an attitude of openness and acceptance among ourselves so none of our brothers and sisters feel impeded from this relationship.

Conclusion

We need to examine our own lives before God, and we need to help each other defend from the outward influences dragging us away from God. We cannot reach Heaven on our won. However, we can make it if we work together, if we are the people we should be, and if we help each other out. We can stand in those gaps our brothers and sisters have, helping each other reach the goal.

By Kris Casebolt

Tags: church, parenthood, growth, one another

Nothing in our lives can be more rewarding and more terrifying than being a parent. Psalm 107:13 speaks of the comparable compassion a physical father has and the compassion our spiritual Father has. Hebrews additionally draws a comparison between earthly fathers and God. The relationship fathers have with their children is to mirror and will affect the relationship their children will develop with their heavenly Father.

Today’s society places little value on the father and healthy fatherhood, and many men do not take their roles as fathers seriously. The majority of men in prison are individuals who are, by all intents, fatherless. Lack of male authority can lead to chaos. However, to be a successful father, one must be the father God intends him to be.

Fathers As They Should Be

Fathers are Spiritual Leaders. In I Timothy 3:4 speaks of spiritual leaders that rule their houses well. Ephesians 6:4 warns against provocation and instructs to raise children in God’s word. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 again emphasizes the role of God’s word in bringing up children, and Proverbs 4:1-4 speaks to the experience and wisdom a father can pass on to his children. If I am to be a godly father, then I am a spiritual leader.

Fathers Establish Proper Priorities. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus clearly says seeking God comes before all else. With the establishment of authorities, the father must teach and uphold those priorities, avoiding inconsistencies.

Fathers Demonstrate Discernment. I Thessalonians 5:21-22 are very short verses that challenge us all to test all things. Fathers must be able to do this for children and teach them discernment. This applies to the entertainment chosen, clothes worn, websites visited, as well as friends chosen.

Fathers Study God’s Word. II Timothy 2:15 instructs to be diligent in learning God’s word. What do children see in their father’s relationship with God’s word? Do they see someone who respects and seeks to understand? Do they see someone who only knows where his Bible is on Sunday? If we want children who are students of God’s word, fathers should first be that student.

Fathers Are Prayerful. In Luke 11:1, Jesus is approached by His disciples, asking Him to teach them prayer. Why did they do this? First, they saw Him pray and wished to emulate what they observed. If a father speaks to his Father as he should, his children will see this and also wish to talk to God as they should.

Application

A good father will demonstrate love and model love for his children when he is the man God wants him to be. Fathers, we know what is best for our children, and we can look for guidance in God’s word. Rejecting our responsibilities as parents fails our children and fails our God. We can raise godly children, but, in doing so, we must be parents who are ourselves godly and spiritual.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: parenthood

This is not an examination of what the world’s concept of “planned parenthood” is, but rather we will examine what God’s word has to say about being a parent. We will study on how to be godly parents.

Only about 60% of children (according to one study) raised as a Christian follow that example when they begin families of their own.

Planning to Be a Godly Parent

We must plan to love our children. This is the type of love that will make us do everything in our power to make sure that our child not only has a good life but also will make it to heaven after this life. Luke 15 records the Parable of the Lost Son. This father recognizes the great value of his son regardless of his son’s great errors. He also recognizes the value of his faithful son. His love is unconditional, and he passes that lesson on to his sons.

We must be the right type of example to our children. This is in all parts of our life — humility, respect for authority, love of God, etc. This is not just at service. This is everywhere. Noah, Abraham, Joshua are Old Testament examples of parents who devoted their lives to living for God.
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We must plan to teach our children. Our children, through our words and our actions, will learn behaviors, values, and attitudes, whether they are good or bad. 2 Timothy 1:5. Children are taught in two ways: 1. Parental Control. 2. Parental Influence.
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We must plan to make time for our children. Taking time away from the central focus of family can begin to pull apart that structure. Ephesians 6:4. How much time? As much as it takes. We may have to sacrifice to make that time.

How Can We Get This Done?

• We must plan to be focused on the goal.
• We must plan to study our Bibles diligently.
• We must plan to pray without ceasing. We are not in this alone.

By Tim Smelser

Tags: parenthood