http://www.pastordanwalker.org Truth from Life Church St Louis Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:02:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Truth from Life Church St Louis Pastor Dan's Blog no Truth from Life Church St Louis http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://www.pastordanwalker.org http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2011/03/honoring-parents.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2011/03/honoring-parents.htm#comments Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:33:43 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=659

Questions Parents Should Ask

Respecting God

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2011/03/honoring-parents.htm/feed 0 http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/11/overcoming-a-judgmental-attitude.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/11/overcoming-a-judgmental-attitude.htm#comments Sun, 07 Nov 2010 21:47:12 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=627

Overcoming Opposition When Following Jesus

Overcoming Failure

Character Qualities of a Disciple of Jesus

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/11/overcoming-a-judgmental-attitude.htm/feed 0 Jesus,message,relationships Currently, we’re in a message series called “40 Days with Jesus” based on the Sermon on the Mount. In our series, we’re discovering that Jesus doesn’t pull any punches when He preaches. He is serious about the kind of life that He expects His disciples... (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/101107.jpg)Currently, we’re in a message series called “40 Days with Jesus” based on the Sermon on the Mount. In our series, we’re discovering that Jesus doesn’t pull any punches when He preaches. He is serious about the kind of life that He expects His disciples to live. Jesus is dead set against any kind of hypocrisy in His followers. He is interested in our hearts becoming full of God and our actions following our hearts. The wonderful thing is that as we learn from and follow Jesus’ commands in this passage, we lay a firm foundation for a blessed life. Today, we’ll be looking at a passage from Matthew 7 and I’ve entitled this message “Jesus on Humility.” Of course, the opposite of humility is pride, which is a primary motivator for the hypocrisy that Jesus condemned. As adults, we sometimes play games that aren’t so good. One game we may play could be called “Let’s Label.” To play the game, you first find someone who is different from you, that’s not hard to do. Then you carefully look them over and form a negative or critical opinion of them. That’s not hard to do either, they’re different from you. Then you mentally stick a label on the person and freely share your thoughts and labels with others. Jesus called the Let’s Label game “judging” and He commanded His followers not to play it. Matthew 7:1 (NIV) Do not judge, or you too will be judged. In other words, don’t play the label game or someone will put a label on you as well. Why shouldn’t we judge others? We never know everything about another person. We cannot know the other person’s motives. We have our own biases and aren’t objective in our judging. When we judge others, we put ourselves into the position of God Himself, which is the essence of pride. I read a story of a young attorney at a large law firm. The head of the firm set out a row of huge turkeys for his employees every Thanksgiving, one turkey for each one. The young attorney was single, lived alone, had no use for a huge turkey, but he took one every year. One year, his close friends in the law office replaced his turkey with a paper-mache turkey, weighted and wrapped just like a real turkey. The young attorney picked his turkey up as usual and got on a bus to go home with it. On the bus, he sat next to a man who proceeded to tell him that he’d been looking for a job all day with no luck. He had a large family and nothing to feed them for Thanksgiving. So, the attorney decided to give the man the turkey, but in order not injure his pride, he sold it to him for a couple of dollars. The man was moved to tears about the gift turkey. The next day, his friends at work were dying to know his reaction to the turkey. When he told them about selling the fake turkey, everyone was mortified. They rode the bus for a week, but never saw the jobless man again. What do you think the jobless man thought of the attorney? I’m sure he thought the attorney was the lowest of the low, he would have been sorely tempted to judge him. But the attorney had been trying to do a good deed, he had simply been fooled himself. Don't judge others, for you never know all the facts. Listen to my November 7, 2010 message "Jesus on Humility." [flashvideo file=http://www.lifechurchstlouis.org/images/stories/video/101107.mp4 stretching=fill /] Pastor Dan's Blog no 31:24 http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/10/jesus-instructions-on-relationships.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/10/jesus-instructions-on-relationships.htm#comments Sun, 17 Oct 2010 19:03:53 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=616

Why Relationships Are Important

How To Restore Broken Relationships

Character Qualities of a Disciple of Jesus

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/10/jesus-instructions-on-relationships.htm/feed 3 Jesus,message,relationships We’re going to be looking at what Jesus has to say about living out God’s plan for your relationships. In our current message series, 40 Days with Jesus, we’re going through Jesus’ famous teaching in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/101017.jpg)We’re going to be looking at what Jesus has to say about living out God’s plan for your relationships. In our current message series, 40 Days with Jesus, we’re going through Jesus’ famous teaching in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. Relationships were invented by God. People were created so that we could have a relationship with God and with one another. Relationships bring much blessing into our lives, but also sometimes conflict and pain. How can your relationships be everything that God intends them to be? The answer is by understanding the principles of God’s Word and then applying them to your life with the help of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that illuminates God’s Word and shows us how to practically apply it to our lives. Matthew 5:19 (NIV) … whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. In order to teach God’s Word, you have to understand what it says. However, that’s not enough. God desires for each person to understand, teach and practice God’s Word. What did Jesus call those who understand and teach God’s Word, but don’t practice it? Hypocrites. We don’t want to be hypocrites but devoted followers of Jesus. Jesus goes on to say Matthew 5:20 (NIV) For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. You see the religious teachers of the day appeared to have it all together. They thought they understood God’s Word and they taught it to others. Yet, Jesus says here that these teachers weren’t even saved. Why? Because, as we’ll see, their so-called righteousness was only in outward appearances. In their hearts they were not right with God, they were hypocrites. The teachers did not practice what they taught. Managing outward appearances with no change of heart just doesn’t work. But isn’t there just a touch of the truth there? Don’t we sometimes say one thing, but think quite another in our hearts? What if the thoughts of our hearts came out, rather than the words we want others to hear? Let’s remember as we go through Jesus’ teaching that God wants our outward actions and words to reflect a pure and honest heart within. In this section of Matthew 5, we will see Jesus teach on 6 aspects of relationships. In each aspect, Jesus begins by saying, “You have heard … And I say to you.” What people had heard had to do with outward actions. Jesus deals with heart attitudes. Listen to my October 17, 2010 message "Jesus on Relationships." [flashvideo file=http://www.lifechurchstlouis.org/images/stories/video/101017.mp4 stretching=fill /] Pastor Dan's Blog no 32:39 http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/02/communication-essentials.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/02/communication-essentials.htm#comments Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:10:32 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=522

Why Relationships Are Important

Learning To Love

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/02/communication-essentials.htm/feed 0 relationships God has created us to relate to other people. Relationships bring the greatest joys and the deepest sorrows in life. As believers, God wants to help us learn to develop and grow great relationships. Great does not mean perfect. God has created us to relate to other people. Relationships bring the greatest joys and the deepest sorrows in life. As believers, God wants to help us learn to develop and grow great relationships. Great does not mean perfect. Perfect relationships are not possible. Why? James 3:2a (NIV) We all stumble in many ways. I stumble in many ways. You stumble in many ways. When two stumbling people get together, you don’t get perfection. When two stumbling people get together in a relationship, they need a miracle from God to grow a great relationship. But with God’s help, that is possible. Today my topic is “Improving Communication.” Communication is one of the important keys in every relationship. Communication occurs in all relationships, but effective communication is necessary for relationships to grow. James 3:2b (NIV) If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. Since James has just told us that everyone stumbles in many ways, many of stumbles will be in our speech, in our communication. In fact, God is telling us that as we improve our speech, as we minimize our faults when we talk, it will positively impact all areas of our lives. Communication is vital in all aspects of our lives these days. The usage of cell phones has exploded across the world. In 1999, there were about 500 million cell phone subscriptions. In 2010, it is estimated there will be 5 billion mobile phone subscriptions.The number of land lines has leveled off at about 1 billion. Cell phone communication has exploded because you can use them to communicate anytime, anywhere in multiple ways. However, cell phone communication is not perfect, is it? Sometimes you can get a lot of static in the communication and it’s hard to hear. Other times, if you’re too far from a cell tower and the power is low, you may get a dropped call. Still other times, there are simply places where the cell signal cannot penetrate and the phone won’t work. Engineers continue to work to improve cell phone communication. Today, God wants us to work at improving our speech communication, whether it’s face to face or on a cell phone. We’re going to take a look at three communication principles from the book of Ephesians. God wrote the book on communication and He has something to teach each one of us this morning. The principles we are going to learn can be used in every kind of relationship. Listen to my February 28, 2010 message "Improving Communication" ( (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/100103-message-notes.pdf)message-notes (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/100228-message-notes.pdf)). Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/02/relationship-damage-control.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/02/relationship-damage-control.htm#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:41:43 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=519

Forgiving When It’s Hard

Beginning A Relationship With God

What To Do When You Are Hurt

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/02/relationship-damage-control.htm/feed 0 relationships Currently we’re in a message series called “Growing Great Relationships.” Last week, we talked about “Loving from the Heart.” This week, I want to tackle a somewhat more difficult topic. What do we do when a relationship has problems? Currently we’re in a message series called “Growing Great Relationships.” Last week, we talked about “Loving from the Heart.” This week, I want to tackle a somewhat more difficult topic. What do we do when a relationship has problems? When a relationship becomes damaged? When someone we care about hurts us? Some people hold a grudge and become bitter. Others try to pretend that nothing has happened. Neither response is God’s way to deal with problems in a relationship. Today my topic is “Relationship Damage Control.” What is relationship damage control? In one word, it is forgiveness. The way to bring healing to a relationship that has been damaged is through forgiveness. Some forgiveness is easy, when the hurt is small, when the other person seems truly sorry. However, forgiving is hard in other situations. Forgiving is hard when the hurt is big. Forgiving is hard when you are hurt repeatedly. Forgiving is hard when the other person does not seem to be sorry. Sometimes we may feel that we just can’t forgive what someone has done to us. Take a quick inventory of your life. Is there anyone in your life who you hold a grudge against? Is there someone who has hurt you and you feel bitterness, resentment or anger toward them? Maybe you love the person, but there are some things you’re having trouble forgiving. If there is a person that comes to mind, keep that person in your mind. God wants to release your mind and emotions from the pain of what someone else has done. And in many cases the relationship can be restored. What is the key? The key is forgiveness. NLT Colossians 3:13 You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. There is a word in that verse that occurs two times that I would like you to take notice of, the word is must. It is repeated twice for emphasis, you must forgive. Those are commands from God for every believer. Forgive, even when it’s hard. Why must we forgive when it’s difficult, because the Lord forgave us. Each one of us has been forgiven by Jesus for our wrongs. When we truly understand how much we have been forgiven for, we can forgive others, even when it’s hard. Listen to my February 21, 2010 message "Relationship Damage Control" ( (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/100103-message-notes.pdf)message-notes (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/100221-message-notes.pdf)). Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/02/loving-from-the-heart.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/02/loving-from-the-heart.htm#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:37:36 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=517

Developing A Thankful Heart

Why Is Love So Hard To Find And Keep?

Learning To Love

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/02/loving-from-the-heart.htm/feed 0 relationships Valentine’s Day is all about love. And what better place to be on Valentine’s Day then worshipping the inventor of love, God Himself. As we’ll see, God both invented love and He best exemplifies love. So maybe God has something of importance to teach u... Valentine’s Day is all about love. And what better place to be on Valentine’s Day then worshipping the inventor of love, God Himself. As we’ll see, God both invented love and He best exemplifies love. So maybe God has something of importance to teach us about love on this Valentine’s Day 2010. What was your first experience with falling in love? Do you remember? Maybe it was in middle school or high school and you noticed someone across the classroom or in passing in the hall. You felt like you just had to get to know that person. When you talked to them, you had feelings that you never had before. Your heart beat faster and you had a funny feeling in your stomach. You thought, this must be what love is all about. Love must be this mysterious feeling that I’ve just fallen into. If the feeling is there, I’m in love. If the feeling is gone, I’m out of love. Is that what love is all about? It seems to me that a lot of people have problems defining what love is all about. The Bible teaches us that love is not just a feeling. The main word the Bible uses to talk about love is agape in the Greek. Agape means to make a choice to appreciate and act in the best interests of someone else. The keyword in that definition is that love is a choice, not a feeling. Love is a choice to do the best for someone else, whether you feel like it or not. Love is a commitment to another person that stands strong through thick and thin. Today, my message is entitled “Loving From the Heart.” We’re going to be looking at what Jesus taught about love. But Jesus didn’t just teach about love, He showed us what love was all about. He died on the cross for you, because He loved you and wanted a relationship with you. We’ll talk more about that in a few minutes. 1 John 4:19 (NIV) We love because he first loved us. In other words, we can only truly love God and other people, because God first loved us. We must learn about love from God in order to truly love from the heart. One day, a Jewish legal expert asked Jesus what he had to do to have eternal life. Jesus asked him what the Bible said and the man … Luke 10:27 (NIV) He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Jesus said, that’s right and the man asked “Who’s my neighbor?” In other words, if I’m supposed to love my neighbor as myself, who is my neighbor and how am I supposed to love him? To answer his question, Jesus told a story that showed how to love from the heart. The story that Jesus told explains how to put love into action, even when it’s difficult. You know, it’s easy to love when everything is going well in a relationship. But true love keeps on loving even when the going gets tough. True love never fails. So, this Valentine’s Day, let’s look at what Jesus taught about love. You can apply these principles to every type of relationship, whether marriage, friendship, family or church family. How can we love from the heart? Listen to my February 14, 2010 message "Loving From The Heart" ( (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/100103-message-notes.pdf)message-notes (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/100214-message-notes.pdf)). Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/02/why-relationships-are-important.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/02/why-relationships-are-important.htm#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:34:02 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=515

How To Restore Broken Relationships

Jesus’ Instructions on Relationships

Restoring Damaged Relationships

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/02/why-relationships-are-important.htm/feed 0 relationships Today we begin a new message series called “Growing Great Relationships.” Each of us has a variety of relationships with other people in our lives. Each of us has casual acquaintances. People we know a little bit about, but not too much. Today we begin a new message series called “Growing Great Relationships.” Each of us has a variety of relationships with other people in our lives. Each of us has casual acquaintances. People we know a little bit about, but not too much. With things like Facebook growing in popularity, people have more and more of these casual acquaintances. Oftentimes, people you’ve never met, but who know someone you know. Then we have friends, people we communicate regularly with. All of us have friends at work, in our neighborhoods, at our schools or in our church. We have less friends than casual acquaintances. Then we have close friends, people that we share with on a deeper level what’s going on in our lives. Most people don’t have a lot of close friends, but our close friends are important to us. Some are closer than others. Relationships can bring us great joy or deep distress. We can’t control what the other person in a relationship does, but we can control what we do. The Bible has a great deal to say about relationships with other people. God wants us to grow in our ability to relate to people the way He wants us to. That’s what this message series is all about. Learning to grow so that our relationships can be everything that God intends them to be. Today, my first message in this series is entitled “Why Relationships Are Important.” This message will look at some of the basic truths that the Bible teaches us about the importance of relationships. Unfortunately, our society is having more and more problems with relationships. Approximately 50% of marriages end in divorce. People view marriages as disposable. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll find somebody else. Facebook and other online networks have become a substitute for growing real relationships. Now, there may be some good things about Facebook, but the number of Facebook friends you have or the number of posts you make, really doesn’t tell whether you have great relationships. In fact, a recent study of Christian college students showed them to be spending almost 20 hours a week on social networking sites. Over 50% of the students felt that excessive time with their online friends was causing them to neglect other important areas of their lives. What does the Bible have to say about relationships? A Pharisee once asked Jesus was the greatest commandment in the Law was. Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The most important thing in life is your relationships. First, your relationship with God and secondly, your relationships with other people. So, today, we’re going to look at why relationships with people are so important. Listen to my February 7, 2010 message "Why Relationships Are Important" ( (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/100103-message-notes.pdf)message-notes (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/100207-message-notes.pdf)). Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/07/the-importance-of-unity.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/07/the-importance-of-unity.htm#comments Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:18:15 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=430

Keeping Team Unity

The Importance Of Love

Growing Together In A Life Group

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/07/the-importance-of-unity.htm/feed 0 community,relationships Unity seems to be an elusive goal in our society. Marriages and families are disintegrating at an alarming rate. Infighting and division is common in many other groups, including businesses and churches. What is the cause of this breakdown in unity and... (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/090705-maintaining-unity.jpg)Unity seems to be an elusive goal in our society. Marriages and families are disintegrating at an alarming rate. Infighting and division is common in many other groups, including businesses and churches. What is the cause of this breakdown in unity and harmonius relationships? The cause is simply selfishness, seeking to obtain the greatest advantage from the group and giving back as little as possible. When there is no unity, when there is division, what is the result? Mark 3:25 (NIV) If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. When there is no unity in a group or relationship, that "house" is doomed to collapse. On the other hand, unity is a wonderful thing to be a part of. Psalm 133:1 (NIV) How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! There is blessing, there is peace and joy when people in a group work together in unity. Generally, groups and relationships begin with unity. However, over time, inevitable forces work to sow seeds of division into a group. Unity is something that must actively be maintained, whether in a relationship or in a group. Ephesians 4:3 (NIV) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. This verse is speaking specifially about the unity of the Spirit in a church family. Notice that every member must make every effort in order to keep the unity. Of course, unity and peace go hand in hand. So, whatever church, group or relationship that you are a part of, ask yourself some questions. * Am I taking advantage of others in the group or relationship? * Am I doing less than my fair share in the work of the group? * Am I doing less than my fair share in contributing to the group? * If my behavior is not conducive to keeping the unity, what will I ask God to help me change in my behavior? Listen to my July 5, 2009 message "Maintaining Unity" based on Nehemiah 5, to learn the principles of maintaining unity in your life (message notes (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/090705-message-notes.pdf)). Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/06/gods-plan-for-fathers.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/06/gods-plan-for-fathers.htm#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:52:46 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=420

Influencing Your Children

Fulfilling God’s Purpose As A Father

A Father’s Importance For A Child’s Spirituality

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/06/gods-plan-for-fathers.htm/feed 3 purpose,relationships Fathers are an incredibly important part of God's plan. God has created fathers to be leaders and protectors in multiple spheres of responsibility. In the book of Nehemiah, the fathers helped to build the wall around Jerusalem. (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/090618-fathers-builders.jpg)Fathers are an incredibly important part of God's plan. God has created fathers to be leaders and protectors in multiple spheres of responsibility. In the book of Nehemiah, the fathers helped to build the wall around Jerusalem. The wall provided protection and security. Today's father must build three walls in order to be successful in God's purpose for their lives. 1. Build your personal wall The personal wall of a father involves your character. Your character is the kind of person you are when no one is looking. In order to build your personal wall of integrity, you must build your relationship with the Father, God Himself. 1 John 2:13a (NIV) I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. Knowing God, your heavenly Father, is essential to becoming the father God created you to be. Your model of a father is God Himself. To grow in integrity, you must grow in prayer and understanding God's Word. Your personal walls must be strong to withstand temptation in today's world. Last week's revelation of the extra-marital affair of Senator John Ensign of Nevada  and today's revelation of an affair by Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina show what can happen when your personal walls are in rubble. You'll make no progress in the other areas of your life unless you are building your life on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. 2. Build your family wall A strong personal wall lays the groundwork to build a strong wall of protection around your family. The essence of a biblical family is the marriage relationship between one man and one woman. So, a father's first task in a family is to build his relationship with his wife. 1 Peter 3:7 (NIV) Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. This surprising verse reveals that if a husband has a poor relationship with his wife, his relationship with God and his prayers will be hindered. Also notice that for a strong family wall, both husband and wife must be believers and committed to the Lord. The second aspect of building the family wall is to train his children in God's way. Ephesians 6:4 (NIV) Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. The father has the chief responsibility in the family to train and instruct his children walking with God. Children must come to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and then grow in that relationship by learning from their father's example. All too many fathers fall short in this, either through not having strong personal walls or pushing off the training responsibility to their wives and church only. 3. Build your church wall The final wall of protection that a father needs to build for his family and others is the church wall. Contrary to popular belief that you can go to any or no church at your own pleasure, God has one church in your area that He has chosen you to be a part of. When you as a father faithfully participate in that church family, God will protect and bless your family greatly. 1 Peter 2:5 (NIV) you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. To build your church wall, you must not only have a vertical relationship with Jesus, you must have a horizontal relationship with other believers in God's family in the church. You help build your church wall through participating in ministry, not just being a spectator. When you take responsibility as a member of the church family, your wife and children will follow. The church wall is a source of great protection in today's world and no believer should be without it. Unfortunately, Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2007/05/being-an-encourager.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2007/05/being-an-encourager.htm#comments Mon, 14 May 2007 20:34:00 +0000 Pastor Dan http://192.168.1.105/wordpress/?p=51

The Power Of A Mother’s Faith

Honoring Parents

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2007/05/being-an-encourager.htm/feed 0 relationships Being a mother is an awesome privilege and a great responsibility. NIV Psalm 113:9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD. God wants Moms to be happy mothers of children. To be a happy mother, (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/uploaded_images/070513.jpg)Being a mother is an awesome privilege and a great responsibility. NIV Psalm 113:9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD. God wants Moms to be happy mothers of children. To be a happy mother, you’ve got to have a sense of humor. We don’t live in a perfect world, and even if we did, the kids would mess it up in short order. Some elementary school children were asked the following questions about Moms: Why did God make mothers? She's the only one who knows where the Scotch tape is. Mostly to clean the house. To help us out of there when we were getting born. How did God make mothers? He used dirt, just like for the rest of us. Magic, plus superpowers and a lot of stirring. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts. What ingredients are mothers made of? God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think. Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom? We're related. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me. If you’re a mother here today, God wants you to be happy. One of the great things about how God made mothers, is that He made them to be encouragers. Mothers are great encouragers of their children. So today I’ve entitled my message “Being An Encourager.” I’d like to talk about how mothers can become even better encouragers and how they can encourage themselves. But I’m not just talking to mothers this morning. I hope that all the Dads will also put these principles into practice and learn how to be better encouragers of their wives. Rather than criticize and pinpoint other’s faults, each of us can learn to be an encourager. And do you know who the greatest encourager is? It’s God Himself. We can learn from God how to bring out the best in others, how to be an encourager. Today we’re going to look at how God encouraged a new leader in Israel named Joshua. From this passage I’m going to draw out some ways to encourage others and bring out the best in them. And if you’re feeling discouraged this morning, you can apply them to your own life first and then share them with someone else. To hear more about this topic, listen to my May 13, 2007 message entitled Being An Encourager Pastor Dan's Blog no