Happy Mother’s Day

In Exodus 20:12, God commands His people to "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you."

With Mother's day just a few days away, let us remember to honor all the moms. I've heard it said that a godly father and godly mother together show a beautiful picture of the attributes of our Father in heaven. Although we could all go on and on about the attributes of our moms (spiritual and/or physical), the number one attribute that comes to my mind when I think of my spiritual and physical mom is LOVE. She is a woman that loves me unconditionally... just like our Father in heaven. My mother puts me first every time. This is exactly what Jesus did for each of us on the cross and this is a goal that all of us should have each and every day towards everyone God places in our lives.

Pastor Buck reminded us a couple of weeks ago that one of our goals as Christians is to become spiritual mothers and fathers. These are those that are so very seasoned that they truly know the Father and are able to disciple others. So let us be encouraged to esteem highly and respect those spiritual and physical moms that God has placed in our lives. Also, let us be reminded ourselves to strive to be a spiritual and/or physical mom (or dad) that LOVES as Jesus does.

As believers each of us have those people around us that we can think of as "mom" AND people who look to us as "mom" (or "dad"). Even Jesus said in Luke 8:21, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the Word of God and do it."

For those of us hearing and doing God's Word, please remember that your call is important and can be accomplished by no one else. Remember that even those in the Bible were discipled by those that many times went "unnoticed" for the most part.

Timothy is a great example of a boy who became a very godly man because of the "genuine faith" of his mother and grandmother as stated in 2 Timothy 1:5. Paul states of Timothy, "when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also." Paul played an important role in the growth of young Timothy as seen throughout the New Testament, but ALL THREE: Paul, Lois

(grandma), and Eunice (mom) were key in developing Timothy into all that God wanted him to be. Let us not doubt the power of God in our lives. Let us disciple with joy knowing that God is accomplishing His perfect plan, whether we are a Paul (known by many) or a Lois/Eunice (known by few).

For those of us that might believe that we will never attain the "status" of becoming this spiritual mom/dad that we are called to be, please be reminded that you already are doing this every time you come to serve in the Children's Ministry. The spiritual impact that you are making in the lives of the children and/or parents on a weekly basis is more than you will ever know until you are rewarded in heaven. So... as Galatians 6:9-10 exhorts, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." Let us all be encouraged that we are doing God's will and making disciples, but let us also be reminded that we need to continue to grow ever closer to our Lord until we see Him face to face.

Finally, Happy Mother's Day to each one of you women/young ladies that are "mothering" the children/parents at Calvary Chapel in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Your role is precious in God's view. It is ordained and has an eternal significance. May God continue to guide you, protect you, and be the reason for everything you do.

AMEN.