Daily Devotional for Saturday August 29, 2015

Honor Your Mother and Father - Part I of 2

(Exodus 20:12)

***DAILY PERSONAL PRAYER FOR YOU: Dear Lord, thank you for being the perfect father. No matter what our relationship has been with our earthly mother and father, you are the great example of a true parent as you love me unconditionally no matter what. Help me to be a grateful child of your today and acknowledge your love and nurturing as I honor you with my life. In the name of Jesus I pray...AMEN!

Honor Your Mother and Father - Part I of 2

This is not a suggestion, or a choice we have. This is one of those issues God literally has carved into stone. I want to look at this today from two perspectives. The first is a swift kick in the backside for those who have been neglecting their parents. The second is for those with a more complicated situation where there has been damage to your relationship with your mom, dad, or both.

In the first case, let me just lay an incredible guilt trip on you this morning. You get so busy in your day-to-day life, you neglect your parents. I am so thankful today that during the last two years of my mother's life, I called her twice a week. Most calls didn't last long, but it was the effort, the contact, and the gesture to let her know I loved her and was thinking about her.

For me, living the organized structured life I do, I had to put it on my daytimer each week. But I have to put eating on my daytimer. If it isn't on the daytimer it doesn't get done. I tell you that to say, whatever you have to do, make it a priority to contact your mom and dad at least once a week. They will appreciate it, you will be thankful for it, and God has commanded you to honor them.

My Father passed away when I was just 15, so during my early adult life I only visited with my mother on holidays. She passed away on Christmas of 1998. I am so thankful to the Lord that in 1992 we reestablished a close relationship, and during the last couple years of her life we were very close. You only have one mom and one dad, so cherish them . . . honor them.

I realize from my emails each day, that many of you have a difficult relationship with your mom and dad for many reasons. With divorce so prevalent in the last 30 years, that has strained many relationships. There are many other factors that have resulted in distant relationships.

Here is what I must encourage you with today. God commanded that we honor our parents. Just like in other relationships, you can never control the heart of your mother or father. Only God can do that. To follow the Lord, you have to put forth your best effort though.

Regardless of the hurt and pain from what may have happened in the past, you need to forgive and love them. If they reject these advances of love, then you have done all that you can do, and we just need to pray for God to move on their heart. But you MUST try. It is not an option.

I realize that it will be difficult for some of you because of things that have happened in the past. But you must rise above your feelings and follow God. He will always honor your commitment to follow Him and obey Him. He will give you strength beyond yourself when you are following Him. Make the effort. Pray, ask God for the strength, and reach out to them today.

I love you, am praying for you, and will be praying especially for you today to make honoring your mother and father a priority today. God has given us some very clear guidelines to live by, and this is one of them. As in everything, when we are in obedience to His will and way, He blesses us. To know the fullness of His blessings, we must follow Him and obey Him.

Let me challenge you to make today a special day. No matter what, at least pick up the phone today and call your mom and dad and tell them how much you love them. Life is so short. I wish sometimes that I could call my dad or mom and just say "I love you". They are both with the Lord, so I can't do that. If your Mom and Dad are still alive, then track them down today. It will only take a few minutes. Just simply tell them how much you love them.

God loves you deeply, so show your love for Him today by honoring your mother and father. He commanded that we do this.

Don't miss Part Two tomorrow!!!

In His love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller