A Change for Mother’s Day Text: Deuteronomy 5:15-16
Susannah was the last of 25 children born to Dr. Samuel Annesley. Samuel was a ordained Presbyterian minister. Susannah, along with her siblings were brought up in a home where prayer, Bible reading and spiritual instruction was the norm. However, there was still room for wit, laughter, and disciplined recreation to take place. There was much tolerant love and even at times of stress, for the days in which they lived were turbulent.
At a very young age Susannah met Samuel Wesley the two were soon married. Young Samuel felt the call to preach so off to seminary he went. The two of them always struggled financially. As time went by, they had 19 children together. Rev. Samuel just seemed to be forever learning without any success.
Once Samuel left his church for over a year. Leaving Susannah in charge, while he studied the book of Job. However, in all his studies, his work was never recognized by other theologians.
At the same time, Susannah instilled greatness within her children by leading them in devotions, prayer and a daily sermon.
Later, John and Charles Wesley would lead the family in worship and in the word of God. All of Susannah’s family knew she was a prayer warrior, along with being a person of discipline. All her children knew where she stood. She was beloved by all.
Today, we read of Susannah because of her strong stance and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. While Rev. Samuel was forever learning; Susannah was forever living for God while instilling the greatness of discipline, prayer and church within her children.
Deuteronomy 5:15-16 NIV 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.
16 "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Sometimes I think everyone needs a good refreshment course on where they once were. Deuteronomy 5:15 And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
He’s a jeoulous God, He longs for one day a week! “How many remember the Blue Law?”
Not long ago, I was with a family who experienced terrible loss. (One of their sons was dead) As I talked with the father, I asked him if they had a local church family. He looked at me and said, “I never made that decision.” How sad. What’s worse is, how empty he was.
I want to give you three Quick words to live by: #1. Honor God by putting Him first daily.
Matthew 6: 31-34 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6: 31-34 TM If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. 34"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Put God first!
Quick word: #2. Honor your family by living right.
Ephesian 5:1 TM Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents.
The question is, “How will your children turn out?” Like you; however, usually your children become more extreme than their parents.
Duet. 5:16 ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
What if your parents aren’t devout believers, but you are trying to be? You are breaking a cruse by changing important behaviors and becoming faithful and fruitful.
While watching Donna’s piano recital yesterday evening from beginners to concert pianist. The thought came to me, how many people quit right before a break through.
Last quick word, God honors faithfulness!
Psalm 1:1-6 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. 4 But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind 5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. 6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
I can’t remember one thing my grandparents give me; however, like Susannah Wesley, I remember their love and devotion unto God. It’s my memories!
Prayer
