Family Time…God versus vain things
I admit that throughout my life, I have wasted time by focusing on vain things. Biblically, vain things were usually related to idols. Today, vain things can be anything that you regard as more important than God. It is normal as a kid to focus on all the toys advertised on TV or coveting the newest gadget that your best friend had. When you were young, did you ever call your friend at Christmas to tell them what you got or hear what they got? I did. Materialism often catches hold of us at a young age. I am not saying all materials are bad because God bless us with them. But I am saying that they become bad the minute that you put trust in them to make you happy or solve problems more than trusting in God. It is the minute that you start to worship them that they become vain and a waste. As I aged and became a Christian, God started to show me that all those materials won’t go with me to heaven, but my relationship with Jesus will. Your relationship with God matters. People matter to God. I also realized that even though materialism is one of the major struggles in America, there are other vain things. They can show up in many forms, so stay aware and keep Jesus first.
As a Mom, I struggled with successfully teaching my kids that a relationship with Jesus was more important than the newest fad toy. It was tough to compete with a toy that when advertized on TV looked as though it made your life complete. How many times have your kids yelled from the other room…”Hurry Mom… come see this on TV! I want this!”? My explanations on trusting in Jesus just couldn’t compete with all the fun my kids thought they would have with those special toys. It was only until year after year of disappointment and the emptiness of trusting in materials that the kids finally started to listen. I was grateful that after consistently praying for my kids and repeating the same message of turn to Jesus… that they finally did. Some kids or adults never listen and live a lifetime in vain pursuit of material things or some other item in hopes of fulfillment.
This week in your family time, I would encourage you to prepare by praying for your family. Ask God to prepare their hearts for the message this week. Ask Him to reveal to each family member if there are any vain things that they place above Him. Ask your family to think about what is going on in their hearts that causes them to trust in these worldly or vain things? Sometimes fear can cause it…fear of not being liked or accepted can cause a lot of problems. If you spend time being truthful with yourself, you can usually get to the root of the problem. Pray for God to help your family be sensitive to how their fears are directing their lives. Pray Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. Then counter the fear of doubting acceptance with scripture such as God loves us (1 John 4:19). He loves you and accepts you so turn to Him.
Do you need help or prayer for your family time? Email me at SkyMoms@skyranch.org.
I will be praying for you!
Stacy
Stacy A. Davis
Teach Intentionally
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This week we are in the 5th Month Topic and 4th Family Time (or page 48 ) of the Sky Ranch Family Devotional “Open Your Eyes”…
This week we are in the 5th Month Topic and 4th Family Time (or page 48 ) of the Sky Ranch Family Devotional “Open Your Eyes”…
Family Time 4:
Month 5 Topic: There is only one God…Vain things
Talk with God: Read…Daniel 6:26, Acts 14:15
~ Daniel 6:26 For He is the living God and enduring forever, and His Kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, and His dominion [will be] forever.
- In Dan 6:26, what kind of God is our God?
~ Acts 14:15 And saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you in order that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them.”
- In Acts 14:15, what are we to turn from?
Walk with God: Discuss…The problem of trusting in “vain” things? What kinds of things are “vain” things? Vain things are anything that makes us excessively proud or puts the focus on us, rather than God. Are there vain things in your life? How do you turn away from them and turn back to the living God?
Prayer suggestion… Pray that the Lord will fill you up with so much of Him that there is no room left for “vain things”!
Family Time 4:
Leader Answers:
- Living, enduring
- Vain things
- Discussion ideas: Vain things can be anything we place above God such as clothes, precious items, a car, jewelry, money or a hobby, other people, TV, celebrities or vices, alcohol, gambling, or working too much at our job. It can be anything more important to you than God. If we are caught by these things, surrender back to God as Lord of your life and repent. Apologize.
© 2011 Tori Miller and Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.
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