It's Hopeless
August 8, 2017
That IS a tough situation. C.T. Studd was a missionary in Africa. He faced a tough situation as well. His family had run out of food. They were facing starvation. They had a night of prayer, pleading for help. The next day they received a substantial check from a man they had never heard of. In the note he said simply that God had told him to send the money.
Does God always respond to our requests as dramatically as that? No. But what He does respond to is humility that expresses utter dependence on Him. I've observed one of God's most prized prayers is one that cries out to Him in total desperation.
One final thought. If you find yourself in a hopeless situation, express your needs to God in prayer. Confess your helplessness in dealing with them and your total trust in God's power to bring you help.
I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
Featured Offer
500 Hours Together: A Family Time Challenge
There are 8,760 hours in a year. You’ll spend roughly 2,080 of those hours at work. On average, almost 900 hours swiping on social media. How much family time are you getting in?
Archives
Every parent has a special opportunity to pass on the truths of God's Word to the next generation. When we try to navigate life without following Biblical instructions, it reminds me of a time I visited a building that was being remodeled. I asked a custodian for directions, and he pointed across a mass of construction debris to a hallway. With a confused look, he said, "That's where you need to go. But you can't get there from here." If you aren't seeking God through his Word, life will be as confusing and muddled as trying to negotiate through that construction debris. We simply won't know how to get there from here. One final thought. Why don't you take some time tonight, pull your family close, and read from the scriptures together. Make it a daily habit. God will show you how to get from where you are, to where you need to be. I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real FamilyLife.
August 7, 2017
A magazine editor named Gilbert Beers, once wrote about one of his ancestors and the legacy she left. She was captured by a tribe of Indians in 1663, and was about to be burned at the stake, when she began to sing hymns to God. Her husband heard her singing, was able to find her in the middle of the forrest and rescue her. Had she not sung in the face of death, Gilbert's family would have never existed. That story illustrates a profound truth: By honoring your parents and ancestors for their positive contributions in your life, you highlight the legacy of their lives. In doing so, you pass on to succeeding generations stories of lessons learned and wisdom gathered. One final thought. How you relate to your parents and speak about them today, can demonstrate for your children a powerful statement of love. It also allows the wisdom of one generation to pass to the next. I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
August 4, 2017
Yeah, that's a great song. The Bible is full of stories of God blessing people who trusted and obeyed His commandments. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews reminds us of heroes like Noah, Abraham, and Moses. They stand as examples of people who were blessed because of their faithful obedience. The formula of "trust and obey" works in families too. When a man and a woman are married in a holy, lifelong commitment to God, they receive His blessing. Does this mean that that marriage will never have problems? Of course not. Your family and mine will take hits. But our setbacks are temporary when we do things God's way. One final thought. As you read and study the Bible, determine if you and your family are trusting God, and obeying His commands. If you're not, it's time to begin to trust and obey. I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
August 3, 2017
Most parents have seen anger in their children. Anger is a secondary emotion. When I say that I mean that something else has caused the anger. If your child comes home from school and blows up at you, or his brother or sister, or even the dog, it's possible that something happened at school to cause him to get angry. So now, you've have an angry child, what do you do? The time to address anger in a child is not in the midst of the argument or in the midst of heated words. You may need to give your child some time to cool off or to remind him to choose his words carefully. After the anger has died down, try to understand what hurt him and work through that issue. React to your child in love, not anger. One final thought. A child who is angry, is like a mud wrestler. You, as the parent must stay out of the mud, and remain as objective and loving as possible. I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real Family Life.
August 2, 2017
Early in marriage, every couple needs to talk about when they want to have children. As a new couple is getting to know one another and adjust, it's easy to put the conversation off. Many couples wait to have children because they aren't certain their marriage will go the distance. Many feel inadequate to be a mom or a dad. And it's a scary world out there. It can be intimidating to bring a child into the world. Let me offer you some advice. First of all, look at children through the eyes of God. In the Bible, He's told us to be fruitful and multiply. He refers to children as a blessing. Children also are redemptive and teach us to be less selfish and more giving. One final thought. Every couple needs to be in discussion about when to have children. As you do, remember: children are a gift from God. He will help you nurture and provide for them. I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real FamilyLife.
August 1, 2017
You know, we hear a lot of negative things about children today. But are they really so bad?
July 31, 2017
Do you ever feel as though the little irritations of life are about to overwhelm you?
July 28, 2017
I don't know if you've noticed, but the news headlines recently haven't exactly been promoting traditional family values.
July 27, 2017
One of the most important ways you can show that you love your spouse is by growing closer to God.
July 26, 2017
"For this cause," the Bible says, "a man shall leave his father and mother, cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
July 25, 2017
See More Episodes
Listen to Real FamilyLife® on
Amazon Echo
Learn How
Learn How
Featured Offer
500 Hours Together: A Family Time Challenge
There are 8,760 hours in a year. You’ll spend roughly 2,080 of those hours at work. On average, almost 900 hours swiping on social media. How much family time are you getting in?