Speaker: Rick Enloe

Theme: The Kid Factor

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) - Paul Baloche, God Is With Us - Michael Olson, Cannons - Phil Wickham, Lead Me to the Cross - Hillsong

Read: Ephesians 6:1-3,1 Kings 19:19-21

Think: All of us have parents though they may not have been as present in our lives as we would wish them to be. In some cases parents have even left their children with physical or emotional scars. We are told in the Bible to honor our parents so we will live a long and healthy life. We can see that the two are connected but how often are our parents in situations where this is far from easy, whether due to their life choices or circumstances, 

Rick Enloe told us that no matter who we are our parents are older than us and have some responsibility for our development. As we age we all gain experience and wisdom so even in the most strained relationship between parent and their child we should give respect to those older than us and listen to what they say.

For me when I became a Christian as a teenager my parents were less than pleased and juggling the respecting my parents with being able to go to church and read my Bible was a challenge. I found that others in the church were not only willing but happy to stand as my spiritual parents and their wisdom, while helping me grow in my faith, also helped me appreciate my parents more. 

God provides all sorts of parents for us in our lives for Elisha it was Elijah. Our role is to respect those in our lives and follow God’s will for all our relationships, appreciating the benefits they have given us and  valuing those people as physical or spiritual parents. 

Do: Think about those in your life who have parented you. How can you show them some appreciation and respect, perhaps a card, an email or a phone call. 

Pray: Father we thank you for those you put in our lives to be parents to us, for the responsibility they have taken on in these roles. Bless them Lord as they go about their lives and help us to appreciate them more showing them the respect that you wish us to. Father I ask that those of us that are parents (or will be) gain wisdom in how to fulfill this role. Help me to reflect you in how I live my life and interact with others. Amen 

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org