Your Questions .1

For those who weren't at LSCC this past Sunday, we began a new series called "The Family Room" - six weeks of focus on family issues.  I had the privilege of delivering Sunday's message entitled "Game Changers".  We are called to be game changers in our children's lives.


One feature of this series is the opportunity we give to text questions about the message during the service.  We spend a few minutes at the end answering some of those questions.  Since we ran out of time to answer all of the questions, I promised to blog about the unanswered ones.  So, here's your first installment of Q & A.


Question:  What's the greatest game changer of all time?
Answer:  I'll not begin an unending debate on the greatest sports game changer of all time.  Too messy.  I gave a few of my favorites in my message.  I'll go straight to history.
I'm not sure how one could debate that anyone but Jesus Christ was the greatest game changer of all time.  He's the only one who can say that the calendar is based on His birthday!  All of history literally revolves around His life.  He's also the only one who can say that He is God and proved it!  He fulfilled over 300 prophecies, most of which were completely beyond human control (i.e. birth place, manner of death, people's response, etc.).  More importantly for me, He has proven Himself to be the greatest game changer in my life.  I could fill many blogs with stories of how He has changed for the better and changed me forever.  He truly is "the way, the truth and the life."


Question:  How do I stay positive about my relationship with my in-laws when I disagree with parts of their lifestyle?

Answer:  Three thoughts.  First, pray.  James 5:16 says, "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."  Don't cease praying for them.  Notice that the effectiveness of prayer is dependent upon a righteous lifestyle.  Your life speaks more loudly than your words.  If you love them as described in 1 Corinthians 13, then you will be more likely to see them change.

Second, Jesus said Himself that He didn't "come to bring peace, but a sword."  (Matthew 10:34)  That's strong language for the God of Peace!  What did He mean?  Simply this.  Those who choose to follow Jesus will pay a price.  Jesus goes on to say that if we place a greater importance on our human relationships than with God, we aren't worthy of Him!  We cannot expect to experience God's blessings when we compromise the teaching of His word to appease people.

Finally, talk this over with your spouse.  God called you together as "one flesh".  Therefore, you must act as a unit.  Pray together.  Think of ways you can display love while not compromising your core beliefs.  

That's it for this edition.  More to come tomorrow!