T is for…Temptation

By Shelly Burke, Editor, Nebraska Family Times

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Jesus said, “Watch and pray that you man not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

Ask your children what they’re tempted by and ask them if they think Jesus was tempted by the same things. Remind them that He was made man when He was born here on earth, and was tempted as we are. Of course He didn’t have computers or TV to tempt him, but what are those temptations, really? The temptation to watch too much TV can be a temptation to disobey parents or not put God first. The temptation to cheat is also disobeying. The temptation to have sex with a boy- or girlfriend is disobeying the commands against sexual immorality and adultery. Discuss more temptations and how those temptations are “common to man” and have been for many years.

God is with us at all times; He knows when we’re faced with temptations. It is not a sin to be tempted; even Jesus was tempted. Temptations occur throughout our lives, every day, every hour.  That is part of sin being a part of our world. Our spirit—our conscience—is willing to follow all of God’s commands because we want to please Him and our parents too.

But our flesh—the part of ourselves that says, “I want to {whatever it is we are tempted by} and I want to do it now!”--is weak. It is difficult to say “no” when a bunch of friends are bullying another child, or want you to join them in drinking alcohol or cheating on a test or skipping school.

Read the account of Jesus’ temptation by the devil, in Matthew 4 or Luke 4. What did Jesus use when the devil tempted Him? He used the Word of God—the Bible—when He said “It is written.” You can use God’s Word, too, when you are tempted, to answer friends who tempt you and so you know what you should do in those situations (another reason it’s important to know what the Bible says).

God knows we will be tempted, but Paul (who wrote Corinthians) also gives a promise: “…with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” What is a way of escape? How can you avoid giving in to temptation? Here are several suggestions:

·        Pray with your kids, and for them, that they will avoid temptation and if caught up in a situation, make good choices and get out of the situation.

·         Simply leave the location where the temptation is taking place. It might not be easy (because of what friends could say) but it removes you from the temptation.

·         Arrange a signal with parents; if you text them they’ll call and “demand” you come home immediately—or pick you up from the location.

Role play with your kids, playing the part of other kids tempting them. Help them to come up with responses like the following.

·         “Jesus was kind to everyone and He wants us to be, too.”

·         “It’s not nice to make fun of anyone.”

·         “Cheating is dishonest and I’m not going to risk getting caught and flunking the class.”

·         “The risks of premarital sex are too great and God says we are not to do it so I’m not having sex until I get married.”

·         “We are not old enough to drink alcohol. I’m not going to break the law. If we’re caught we’ll get kicked off the team.”

·         “I respect my parent’s rules and I’m not going to sneak out.”

·         “If my parents find out they’ll ground me for a year!” (We assured our kids that if they misbehaved this would certainly be their consequence!)

Give your kids the reassurance that they have the tools they need to resist temptation; God provides a way of escape. Encourage them to practice so they’ll be ready when faced with temptation.

Lord, when I am tempted, please show me the way out, and give me the courage to take it. Amen. 

A to Z Blogging Catching Up: L, M, N, O, P, Q, R and S

by Shelly Burke

What’s that line about the “best laid plans of mice and men”? (After looking it up to make sure I got the quote right I realized the tragic ending of the book it came from, “Of Mice and Men.” Why do so many “classic” novels have sad/disturbing plotlines and endings? Guess that’s for another post.)

Anyway, although I'm not a mouse or a man, I knew last week would be busy; it’s the week of the month that I gather all of the articles and other information needed to put out the next issue of the “Nebraska Family Times” newspaper (if you would like a FREE sample copy of the paper, please e-mail your request, along with your mailing address, to shelly@shellyburke.net. I promise I won’t put you on any other mailing lists! My goal with the articles in the “Nebraska Family Times” is to “inspire, encourage, and motivate you on your Christian walk.” We cover local as well as state and national news from a Christian point of view.)

The previous Saturday, when I usually get a start on the paper, I spent shooting guns—as a part of the Citizen’s Police Academy. The CPA is a 14 week class for civilians. During the time we learned about many of the different things that the police force as a whole, does. I’m planning to write an article about the Citizen’s Police Academy in the June issue of the “Nebraska Family Times.” It was a nice day to be outside—we haven’t had many “spring” days in Nebraska yet—and I learned a lot about firearms.

On Saturday afternoon we began setting up for a book signing for my friend Deb Burma’s new book “Stepping Out: to a Life on the Edge.” You can read more about her book on her blog, Fragrant Offerings and an excerpt at Stepping Out . The book signing was Sunday afternoon and we had a great turnout! A lot of people put a lot of work into arranging the signing and it was nice to see things come together. Deb’s talk left people encouraged and her book will too. (I already read it when I did some editing and proofreading back in September, before she sent it to the publisher).

As well as putting the paper together and working on the book signing event I worked at my nursing job on Monday and Wednesday morning. I work at Columbus Surgery Center and we do cataract and other eye surgeries (OK, “we” don’t do the surgeries, the doctor does, but “we” –the nurses--get patients ready for surgery and care for them during and after surgery). I only started at the end of January but I really feel like I’m learning my jobs—and loving my jobs—and all of the people I work with (on Mondays I’m the circulating nurse in the operating room; I make sure patients are ready for surgery, take them to the operating room, help as needed with medications and supplies during surgery, and take them to the post-op area after surgery, and on Wednesdays I’m one of the pre-op nurses who gets patients ready for surgery).

On Tuesday I spent the entire morning in a police car! It was fun to post that as my status on FaceBook—I try to be a “good girl” so I think it shocked some people! I spent the morning in a police car as part of the CPA.

Being busy is not an excuse for getting behind on the A to Z Blogging—but as we all are, I’m doing the best I can! Here are my thoughts on the letters I missed:

L – I am loving my new job and thanking God for it!

M-Morals.  I had a great devotion, about morals, planned for the A to Z Challenge. It’s based on 1 Corinthians 15:33, which says, “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.” This is a good lesson for our kids—and for adults too. (I’m still planning to write the devotion!)

N-names in the Bible. It struck me last night how many are so strange—like Aristarchus, Agrippa, Lycia and Cauda (the last two are locations)—and how many are still used today, thousands of years later—like Paul, Rachel, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and right here in Nebraska—Syracuse!

O-Opportunities. I’m so thankful God has given me so many, with the “Nebraska Family Times,” writing, friends, job, etc. What opportunities are you thankful for today?

P-Citizens Police Academy—one of the most interesting, most fun things I’ve done in a very long time. Many cities hold their own Citizen’s Police Academy—check it out in your city!

Q-I am so thankful for the quietness of the last few days…after some really busy days, and having a cold, I needed them!

R-I was going to blog on Resisting Sin for the blogging challenge. I’ll still write the devotion, but for now I’m going to share the verse it was going to be based on—James 4:7b “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Thankfully James also gives us some suggestions as to how we can do this—with God’s help. Immediately before this verse he says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God…” and right after he tells us, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

S-is for the stuffy nose and cold I picked up last week! Thankfully it’s going away…but slowly…

Ecclesiastes tells us that “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. (Eccles. 3:1). Last week, my time didn’t go as I had planned…so today is time for catch-up. Come back tomorrow when the letter for the day is “T”. On the “Nebraska Family Times” blog the devotion will be based on “thought” and on the “Home is Where the Mom Is” blog I’ll give you my thoughts about teaching your kids about “temptation” and what they can do about temptations in their lives.

God’s blessings to you today! 

K is for…Knowledge

 by Shelly Burke, Author and Editor

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

Begin by asking your children what they need to “know” and why. They will probably talk about what they need to know for tests at school, or what they need to know to play a sport. They also need to know rules—at home, at school, at church and when they go to visit friends. Next ask what they think the most valuable knowledge they can have, is; what will help them most throughout life, in whatever circumstances they face (whether or not to cheat on a test or employment application; how to determine what to do after high school, how to deal with relationship problems). Of course the most important thing we need to know is how God expects us to live; He expects us to follow His rules and to be an example of His love.  But can we live the life God wants us to live without knowing how He wants us to live? No! And how do we determine how He wants us to live? This verse gives us an answer:   

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

Prov. 9:10

In this verse, the word “fear” can be translated as “respect,” so respecting God, and His word, is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of God gives us insight as to what He expects and how He wants us to live. When we know God’s “rules”—like the Ten Commandments—we know how we are to act and live.

Give several examples of how knowledge of God’s Word can help them make decisions. What if kids in your classroom are making fun of a child? Should you join in? Why or why not? God tells us, “love your neighbor as yourself.” Is making fun of someone an example of loving him? What does God expect us to do instead?

Ask older kids more difficult questions: What if a boyfriend or girlfriend is pressuring you to have sex? Search for the answer in the Bible. What if friends pressure you to approve of homosexuality, or drug use? As kids get older they’ll face the conflict between what the world expects as opposed to what the Lord expects. Again, knowledge of the Bible gives concrete answers.

There are no Bible verses that specifically address lying on a job application or not filing a tax return, but with knowledge of the Bible, it is clear that these are not things that God expects us to do. The Bible doesn’t tell us which college to attend or which job offer to accept, but again, by knowing the principles in God’s Word we can discern opportunities that clearly do not conform to His will and we also know that we can pray and ask Him to guide us.

How can we gain  the knowledge He expects us to have? As well as reading the Bible your children (and all of us!) can learn about Him at church, Sunday school, and through prayer and listening to Him. As you, as a parent, are your kids’ first teachers, make it a priority to teach them knowledge of the Lord. Read the Bible to them; read it with older kids and discuss the meaning of what you’ve read. Take them to church and Sunday School and discuss what the sermon was about and what they learned. Demonstrate, in your life, seeking knowledge of God and seeking His will when you are faced with decisions.

“The wise lay up knowledge…”

Prov. 10:14

Be wise. Seek knowledge of the Lord, and help and encourage your children to do the same.

Lord, knowledge of you is the most important knowledge we can have. Please help me to see Your knowledge, and help me to help my kids gain it too. Amen.

(For more discussion of “knowledge”, look up and discuss the following verses: Psalm 139:6, Proverbs 1:7, 9:10, 10:14, 13:16, 15:14, 17:27; Isaiah 11:2, 11:9, Habakkuk 2:14, Luke 11:52, 1 Corinthians 8:11, 2 Peter 2:20)

I’m also blogging this month at Nebraska Family Times. Today’s post is also about knowledge, targeted towards encouraging adults to gain knowledge about God.

Shelly Burke is the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family and Her Home.” To see the table of contents click on the tab at the top of this page. To order, see the right sidebar. Shelly is also the publisher of a Christian monthly newspaper, the Nebraska Family Times. Click on www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com for more information.

J is for…Join

By Shelly Burke, Author and Editor

 (The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

“My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster will  arise suddenly from them…” Prov. 24:21

Begin by asking your children if they are ever tempted to join a group that, deep down, they know they shouldn’t join. Maybe it’s a group of kids teasing the new kid or plotting to cheat on a test…or plotting to sneak out and drink, have sex, or do something even more dangerous.

Peer pressure can be a powerful thing. But remind kids of the consequences; if teachers, the principal, or parents find out, the consequences can be severe and sudden and in some cases (like drinking and driving or having sex) can have life-altering consequences.

When I was a teenager my dad told me, “You need to decide what you’re going to do if you get into a bad situation, before you get into it. Of course you want to avoid the situation in the first place, but if you get into a situation where there is pressure to cheat, or skip class, or drink or use drugs, or you are alone with your boyfriend, you need to know ahead of time what you’re going to do in the midst of that temptation.” We knew that if we got into a bad situation, we could call mom and dad and they would pick us up, no questions asked. Of course the next day we’d have to account for it but their priority was to get us out of the situation.

Talk with your kids—even young kids--about situations in which they might find themselves and what they could do. Role play the “bad guy” trying to tempt your child to bully or cheat or drink. Younger kids might go to the teacher or tell you what’s going on. I’ve heard of kids who text their parents and in turn the parents call and “demand” the child get home “right now,” so they “have to” leave the party. We told our kids that they could say, truthfully, “If I do that and my parents find out I’ll be grounded for months!”

It’s important to reassure kids that they will be forgiven for actions when they are truly sorry for them—forgiven by God as well as by you. They will still have to face consequences, but they will be forgiven.

Encourage your kids to join a group that others will want to imitate, as in Paul’s words to the Philippians; “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” (Phil. 4:17) In the verses prior to this one, Paul is says that he is not perfect, but he is always striving to, with the help of God, do His will. We should strive to imitate Christ’s example and be an example to others. How do we know what His example is? By reading His Word and following His example of kindness, forgiveness, humility, and so on.

Encourage your kids to join…but to join a group of kids with positive values and actions.

  

Shelly Burke is the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family and Her Home.” To see the table of contents click on the tab at the top of this page. To order, see the right sidebar. Shelly is also the publisher of a Christian monthly newspaper, the Nebraska Family Times. Click on Nebraska Family Timesfor more information.

"Stepping Out: To a life on the edge" Book Signing Event

I'm so happy to announce the publication of my good friend Deb Burma's new book, "Stepping Out: To a life on the edge"! I was blessed to read it as she was editing it this fall and it is a wonderful, encouraging book! She shares so well how we can "step out", with God's strength, to serve Him in whatever He has in mind for us. 

Please join us: 

This coming Sunday, April 14th, at

Peace Lutheran Church, 2720 28th Street, Columbus, NE

2:00-2:30 PM, special "Stepping Out" message from Deb

2:30-4:00 (or later!) refreshments and book signing!

Bring a friend! 

Books will be available for the special price of only $12 for this event only.

Deb's other books, "Treasured," "Beautiful Feet," and "Chocolate Life" 

will also be available. 

For more information, call Shelly at (402) 750-3496

(if you are unable to attend, you can check out the books at www.cph.org)

I is for…Instruction

By Shelly Burke

Author, Home is Where the Mom Is: A Christian Mom's Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home

Editor and Publisher Nebraska Family Times

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

(GoogleImages)

Begin your discussion by asking, Do you always like to listen to what other people (parents, teachers, pastors) tell you? (Most likely the answer will be “NO!”) Why don’t you like to listen to them? (You will probably hear; Sometimes they tell you to do things I don’t want to do; sometimes they tell me not to do things I want to do!)

Read this verse: “Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.” (Proverbs 4:1-2) What does it tell you to do? Listen to your father’s instruction (this includes mothers, teachers, and others as well). Why should we listen? So that we might gain insight—adults know things, through their experience and knowledge, that kids don’t. What are precepts? Truths that were passed from generation to generation in the Bible—in other words, things that people had found over and over to be true.

                                                                                                                                                         

The Bible also tells us that “A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.” (Proverbs 15:5) What does “whoever heeds reproof is prudent” mean? Whoever listens to correction is smart (because the people who correct you usually know more—through experience or because they’ve lived longer—than you). Sometimes it’s hard not to get angry when you hear reproof, but remember that most of the people in your life are doing it because they want to protect you from being hurt, and want to help you become a better person.

Here’s another example of what the Bible says about instruction: “Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.” (Proverbs 15:32) What does this mean? If you don’t listen to instruction, you must not like yourself—because you don’t want to learn or make yourself better. When you listen to instructions, you become smarter!

Here’s another verse that tells how important it is to listen to instruction: “Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.” (Proverbs 4:13) When you hear instructions, listen and remember. In some cases this could save your life. Some of the instructions in the Bible (for example, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved”) can determine where you will spend your eternal life.

Consider ending your discussion by asking everyone to share the most valuable piece of instruction they’ve received.

Dear God, I can see how important it is for me to learn Your instruction as well as listen to the instructions of my parents and other leaders. Please help me to not become angry when I am corrected, but to listen to instruction. Amen.

Shelly Burke is the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family and Her Home.” To see the table of contents click on the tab at the top of this page. To order, see the right sidebar. Shelly is also the publisher of a Christian monthly newspaper, the Nebraska Family Times. Click on www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com for more information.

H is for…Hard Things

By Shelly Burke

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

Moses told the people, ”For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you…The Word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”  Deuteronomy 30:11, 14

(googleimages)

Begin by asking your kids, What are some hard things you’ve done? Answers might be, study for a test, practice for a sporting event, help dad build a playhouse, choose classes, choose a college, etc. Lead the conversation toward loving others. Is it hard (at times) to love siblings?

Discuss the background of these verses with your children: Moses has led the Israelites in the desert for 40 years, and is now near the end of his life. Here he is reviewing God’s covenant with the people. The commandment he is referring to is the summary of all of the commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart. (If you’d like, review all of the Ten Commandments, found in Deuteronomy 5:7-21.)

Ask, What does it mean to love the Lord with all your heart? It means, of course, to put him above everything, to put what He would want you to do, above what you want to do. Jesus added the second part of “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” in Mark 12:30 “And love your neighbor as yourself.”

So to show love to the Lord with all your heart, you must love your neighbor, too. This might not seem hard—after all, we generally get along with our neighbors. But a “neighbor” is anyone you are near. It includes siblings, parents, teachers, classmates; even when they tease you, pick a fight, are mean, assign lots of homework, and so on. This can be very hard!

But God reassures us: It is not too hard for you…The Word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. The Word is, of course, the Bible. Throughout the Bible God gives instructions to love Him and love and forgive our neighbor (over and over again!). We cannot do it on our own, but with His help we can.

What does God mean when He says The Word is…in your mouth and in your heart? We need to know His word, so it’s in our heart and comes immediately to mind—and to our mouth—when we need to be reminded about loving God and loving our neighbor.

Give your kids these examples: For example, if you are tempted to say something that is false, or something that is not nice (which would not be loving your neighbor as yourself), remember Proverbs 13:3, which says, “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”  

If you are tempted to disobey your parents, remember that you are commanded to “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you.” (Deuteronomy 5:16)

Finish by reinforcing the importance of reading and studying the Bible: As you read and study the Bible, you will learn more of these commands and principles and they will begin to come to your mind automatically when you need them. And remember to pray to God to help you to love your neighbor (sister, brother, classmate, parent, and so on). He will give you the strength to act and react as you should—rather than as you want to.

Remember: with God’s help, you can do hard things.

Dear God, please help me to honor You by loving You with all of my heart. I also want to love those around me, but I cannot do it without Your help. Please help me to want to read and learn Your Word so that I have it in my heart and in my mouth when I need it. Thank You! Amen.

Shelly Burke is the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family and Her Home.” To see the table of contents click on the tab at the top of this page. To order, see the right sidebar. Shelly is also the publisher of a Christian monthly newspaper, the Nebraska Family Times. Click on www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com for more information.

G is for…Gifts (Using Yours)

By Shelly Burke

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

(Google Images) 

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

1 Peter 4:10

How can you encourage your kids to use their gifts?

Begin by talking about the above Bible verse. Point out that each of us has received a gift (or gifts!) from God. Discuss the gifts that He has given you and other people your kids know. Your pastor has a gift for preaching, teachers have a gift for teaching, and so on. Also point out characteristics like caring for others, giving encouragement, drawing, acting, refinishing furniture, making people laugh, and so on.

What does it mean to serve one another? It means we help others, according to their needs (others might need encouragement, help with chores around the house, to learn about something new, etc.). Serving means to look to someone else’s needs before our own, and even if we are inconvenienced. Jesus served His disciples by washing their feet (John 13:5 ) We serve when we give to and help others to show God’s love, NOT because we expect a reward. God showed His love for us by giving Jesus to die for us, because of our sins. We pass on that love by showing kindness to others.

Ask each child, What are your gifts? Help them list things like, singing, helping you cook, good at math, draws beautiful pictures, good at organizing toys, a good driver, takes neat photos, likes to grocery shop, patient with people who take time to get around, etc.  

Next ask, How can you use your gifts to serve others? Elicit answers that list a variety of places and people they can serve. For example, helping a younger sibling organize his or her room, helping an elderly person shop for groceries, cooking for someone, visiting a nursing home and singing to someone, etc.

Now, make a plan. How can each child use his or her gifts during the next week? Be sure to discuss their actions, as well as the response of those they served.

Thank You, Lord, for the gifts that you have given to all of us. Please help each of us to use our gifts to serve others. Let us show Your love for us, through what we do. Amen.  

   

Would you like to read articles to “encourage, inspire and motivate you in  your Christian walk”  every month? Subscribe to the Nebraska Family Times and you’ll find local, Nebraska

and national news from a Christian point of view, as well as devotions, columns by

Nebraska and nationally-known Christian authors, and much more, in your mailbox every month!

A one-year, 12-issue subscription is only $20! Click Nebraska Family Times  to order, or e-mail shelly@shellyburke.net for details.

Shelly is also the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home." Click the "Table of Contents" tab above for more information! 

F is for…Fear

By Shelly Burke

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”  2 Tim. 1:7

What are you afraid of today?

Perhaps your financial situation is not stable or you have overwhelming debt or are in danger of losing your job.

Maybe you’re worried about test results, or a family member or friend suffering from a disease or illness.

Are you apprehensive about a relationship that is going through a hard time? Maybe a child is making bad decisions in his or her life and you fear the consequences, or your marriage is rocky with the future uncertain.

It is normal to have a healthy fear of things that could, realistically, happen. In 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul writes to Timothy from a Roman prison; Timothy could be persecuted and  imprisoned as well, for his preaching. But God does not want us to live with a spirit of fear; fear is not to dominate our emotions.

Paul says that God gave us a spirit…of “power and love and self-control.”       

We are not powerless in the face of fear; we have power in our faith, in prayer, and in action appropriate to the situation. Remember, “I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13). We cannot do it through our own power, but through the power the Lord gives us.

We are to have a spirit of love. We can love the person who has done wrong; we can ask the Lord to show us how to do so through His love for us.

And we are to have self-control. Even when we cannot control a situation, we can control how we react to it. Rather than lose control or react in anger, we can count to 10, or not say a word. Rather than withdraw in fear, we can reach out to Christian friends and ask for prayer. Rather than sit helplessly we can open our Bibles and read God’s word, and ask Him to take away our fear.

You are not alone in facing your fears. We are never, ever alone, even during the times that we are the most afraid. God says, “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; It is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the One Who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13

Would you like to read articles to “encourage, inspire and motivate you in  your Christian walk”  every month? Subscribe to the Nebraska Family Times and you’ll find local, Nebraska

and national news from a Christian point of view, as well as devotions, columns by

Nebraska and nationally-known Christian authors, and much more, in your mailbox every month!

A one-year, 12-issue subscription is only $20! See the

right sidebar on this page to order, or e-mail shelly@shellyburke.net for details.

E is for…Encouragement

By Shelly Burke

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

(from googleimages) 

Ask your child what “encouragement” means to him or her. One dictionary defines it as “the expression of approval or support.” I would add, encouragement means trying to make someone feel better if they are upset or sad.

When have your kids felt encouraged? They might remember being praised for a good grade or a good performance in a sporting event, or someone saying something nice to them when they’re feeling down.

Your children might be surprised to hear that the Bible instructs us to encourage others. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Talk about the end of the verse first. Because it says “just as you are doing,” I think Paul (the writer of Thessalonians) saw that the people were encouraging and building each other up, and he wanted them to continue to do so. Talk with your kids about how they’re encouraging each other already. You might have to get them started by pointing out that saying “good job” or, “I like how you did that!” or, “You can do it!”  

What are some other things they can say or do to encourage others? Suggest writing a note to a teacher, telling a friend “good job!” and thanking a sibling for helping with a chore.

                                                     

Teach your kids how to encourage others during difficult times, like after the death of a loved one or pet. Tell them to say things like, “I’m so sorry!” “I bet you are really sad,” or “I will pray that God helps you to feel better.”

Prompt them to tell teammates “good job”  or “we all worked hard,” even when the lose the game.

Remind them that sometimes encouragement means doing something, not just saying something. During a sad time, a hug might say more than words. An encouraging note will be saved and looked at later. Giving someone their favorite snack will brighten their day. A Bible verse, written out with a few words of encouragement, will comfort a friend.

Ask your kids how they feel when they’re encouraged. Chances are they’ll say it feels good! Encourage them to pass on that feeling by encouraging others.

Shelly Burke is the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family and Her Home.” To see the table of contents click on the tab at the top of this page. To order, see the right sidebar. Shelly is also the publisher of a Christian monthly newspaper, the Nebraska Family Times. Click on www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com for more information.

D is for…Doing Good

By Shelly Burke

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

And let us not become weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to everyone…Galatians 6:9

What a reassuring verse, for kids as well as adults.

Ask your kids what they did today, that shows God’s love. Maybe they’ll mention:

     *Talking to a less popular child at school.

     *Being nice to a person even if that person was rude to them in the past.

     *Refused to cheat on a test.

    

Ask your kids why they did/didn’t do these things. Lead them to the ultimate answer: Because it is the right thing to do (or not do).

Ask if they have ever done something that has not been rewarded; maybe they’ve even had someone mock their attempt at doing good. Remind them that even if they don’t get praise or recognition, and even if no one knows what they’ve done, they are doing the right thing—and God sees everything we do. God tells us that we are to “not become weary” but continue doing good things.

Ask your kids about a time they “reaped” the good of their actions. Perhaps they made a new friend. Maybe they had the satisfaction of knowing that they got a good grade on the test, by not cheating! Enforce the concept that we do not do things to get recognition in any way; we do them because it is the right thing to do, what God would want them to do. And even if no one “noticed” what they did, God knows.

They will “reap” the good of their actions, perhaps immediately, with the smile of an ignored child they said “hi” to. Maybe they won’t realize their reward until much later, in the form of an opportunity they get because of their good reputation and grades. Even if we are not rewarded here on earth, we will be in heaven. It doesn’t matter if or when we are rewarded, we should still continue to do good, whenever we have the opportunity.

Ask each child what he or she can do tomorrow, that is “good.” The “target” of the good could be a fellow classmate, a sibling, or someone they don’t even know. Challenge them to do something anonymously, so no one knows they did it. Later you may all choose to share what you did. Again reinforce the principle that we do not “do good” to be noticed, we do good because it is the right thing to do. Set a good example by doing good yourself, to family members, relatives and friends, and even random strangers. 

I'm also doing the A to Z Blogging Challenge at Nebraska Family Times. 

C is for…Courage

By Shelly Burke

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

                                                                                   

Ask your kids what they fear. They might mention:

     *The first day of school (whether kindergarten, middle school, high school, or college!).

     *Fear is a component of peer pressure—both fearing giving in     and doing what is wrong, as well as fearing ridicule if they take a stand.

     *Older kids might fear the future—deciding what they want to do after high school

It takes courage to face what life has for us, whether as a child or as an adult (you can read an adult-oriented devotion about “Courage” at Nebraska Family Times). What can kids do to be courageous, and not be afraid? They might mention “go by mom!” or “ask dad!” but there will be times when mom and dad aren’t around.

Read Joshua 1:1,9 to your kids. After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua…”Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you, wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1, 9

Explain the setting; after Moses had led the Israelites out of Egypt, he led them in the wilderness for 40 years. Now Moses was dead, and Joshua had the task of leading, according to some sources, more than a million people into the Promised Land. First, though the Israelites had to kick  out the people who lived there (they didn’t believe in God and God didn’t want them to be a bad influence on the Israelites).

                                                               

What do you think Joshua was afraid of? (Answers may be, that the people would not listen to him, fighting the people who were already there, the Israelites fighting amongst themselves, finding enough food, etc.)

But God told Joshua not to be frightened or dismayed, but to be strong and courageous. How could he be strong and courageous? By remembering that God was with him, wherever he might go.

When God says something more than once in the Bible, it means that it’s very important. What does God tell Joshua three times in Joshua 1:6-9? (Read the verses together.)

     *”Be strong and courageous…” Joshua 1:6

     *”Be strong and very courageous…” Joshua 1:7

     *”Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous…” Joshua 1:9

God wants us to be strong, and to be courageous, in whatever we face. We can pray to him for this courage, for strength, and for His guidance to do what will please Him. We can learn what He wants to do in all situations, by studying the Bible.

Then God gives Joshua a promise:

     *”…the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 9b

Tell your kids that they can be confident that God is with them wherever they go! He will be with them to guide them in any situation in which they find themselves. They only need to follow His instructions, found in the Bible, and they can be strong and courageous, as God commands.

Dear God, thank You for Your promise that you will be with us wherever we go and in whatever we do. Please give us courage to do what You want us to do. Amen. 

Would you like a FREE "Strong and Courageous" verse card for your children? E-mail your name and address to shelly@shellyburke.net and we will get one in the mail to you right away! 

B is for…Believe

By Shelly Burke

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

What do your kids believe?

Ask them if they can believe everything they see on TV, or the internet (obviously the answer is “NO”). Discuss times they’ve believed the false promises of a toy or electronic item they’ve seen on tv but realized in “real life”, the claim was exaggerated, if not outright false. Point out that anyone can say anything on most web sites, and TV too.

Can you believe everything someone tells you? Again, the obvious answer is “NO”. talk about a time someone lied to them or bent the truth.

Is the printed word always reliable? Your kids will probably realize by this point in the conversation that not everything written can be believed either. Give examples.

By now they may be wondering: What or who CAN I believe?  

Of course there is only one thing, one person that we can count on to never, ever lie or mislead us.

The Bible, and the words of the Lord.

The words of the Bible were all given, by God, to the writers of the Bible.  We can always, without question, know that His Word is true.  Despite being written several thousand years ago, the Bible tells us how to live, what we should do and not do, and how to cope with any situation life might throw at us.

Paul’s letter to Timothy says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of god may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

We can believe that without question!

Next question: How will you know that the Bible says? By reading and studying it! Depending on the age of your children you can help them know the Bible by:

     *Setting a good example; make your Bible study time a priority.

     *Reading it to them. To help focus your mind and theirs on Bible study, start your time with these words: “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”   Psalm 19:14

     *Type or write out a simple Bible reading plan of one chapter/day (or several verses, depending on the age of your children). Have the kids write a brief summary of what they read every day.

     *Read/take turns reading the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds with the date (today, April 2^nd, read Proverbs 2. Talk about how the words in the Proverb for that day apply  to “real life.”

     *Pray that your kids (and you, too!) would desire to read and study God’s word.

Lord, please help me to teach my children to believe in You and Your Word. Amen.

I’m also blogging atNebraska Family Times

A is for “The Armor of God”

By Shelly Burke

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you are able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, stand firm... Stand therefore having fastened on the belt of truth... breastplate of righteousness, as shoes the Gospel of peace… the shield of faith… the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6:13-18 (excerpts)

To introduce the topic of “The Armor of God,” ask  your kids why they get dressed every day and why they specifically wear a belt, shoes, etc. The answer of course, is that the different pieces of clothing provide the types of protection they’ll need throughout the day. The verses above list the armor a Roman soldier would put on to wear during battle. (Optional: print out a picture of a Roman soldier and point out the pieces of armor he is wearing.)

Next talk about the “evil day.” This describes the sin that was in the world when Ephesians was written, and is part of the world today. As age-appropriate, talk about some of the sin in the world, and why we, as Christians, need to guard against that sin.

Next talk about how different items of clothing were used by the Roman soldiers, and by us today. How does this help us “dress” today, for the spiritual battles we face?  

·         Belt of truth. A belt goes around the waist and helps us to stand straight (because it pinches if we slump). The Roman soldier’s belt held the top pieces of his armor to the bottom pieces.  The truth, God’s truth, surrounds us and helps us to stand strong and straight.

·      

          Breastplate of righteousness. A breastplate is like a shirt, protecting the upper body. Righteousness refers to the character of being like God—right and just. On our own we cannot act in a way that is pleasing to God. However, with the righteousness we receive from Christ through grace, our actions can reflect Him dwelling in us.

·    

          Shoes of the Gospel of peace. The Roman soldiers wore shoes/sandals that had nails pounded through them, to enable them to stand firmly and hold their ground. As Christians, we need to hold our ground too. Ask your kids when they’ve had to hold their ground; perhaps when a classmate asked to copy their homework or they were tempted to drink alcohol or engage in sexual activity with a boy- or girl-friend. Knowing God’s Gospel of peace enables them to have an answer or reason for not going against God’s Word.

·  

           The shield of faith. The shield was the soldiers’ first line of defense—the Roman soldiers had shields that were almost as tall as their bodies, so protected them very well from the flaming darts the opponents threw at them. In the same way, our faith in God can protect us from the “flaming darts” that come at us—people mocking our faith, temptations, and so on. Encourage your children to ask God to increase their faith.

· 

           The helmet of salvation. The helmet—just as a hat, or football helmet or helmet worn when riding a bike—protects our most vital part, our head, and our most important organ, our brain. Our brain controls our whole body, so it must be protected! We receive our salvation—the most important thing we can ever have—through God’s grace. We accept it by faith.

·

          The sword of the Spirit. In these verses, the sword refers to the Word of God. We can use God’s Word to defend ourselves against the attacks of satan. Jesus used the words of God when the devil tried to tempt Him (Matthew 4:1-11).  It is vital that we know God’s Word so we can use it to defend ourselves when we need to.

We—adults and children alike—need to put on the “armor of God” every single day before we leave home. Encourage your children to do so—and do so yourself! Talk about it before you leave home in the morning, and in the evening ask your kids how they used the “armor of God.”

Lord, please help us to put on Your armor every day as we prepare to go to school or to work, so we can live in a way that is pleasing to You. Amen.

I’m also blogging at "Nebraska Family Times" for the A to Z Challenge.

The blog posts there will “Inspire, encourage, and motivate you in your Christian walk.” 

Receive a FREE verse card upon request! For details click on the link above.