Helpful Articles/Posts - Family Shield Ministries

Below you will find articles on Encouragement, Family, Ministry, Prayer, Prodigals, and Witnessing. You can also search by keyword.

Encouragement

The 4th of July and Summer Activities Remind Me of God

June 28, 2024 Fourth of July and Summer Activities Remind Me of God From Kay Meyer’s column in the St. Louis Metro Voice newspaper What are your favorite memories of summers? What about the 4th of July-is it a holiday you and your family enjoy? Memories of this summer holiday may include: the fireworks, the American flag, picnics at home and away, visiting with family and friends, and barbeque chicken, pork steaks, or brats. The 4th of July and summer activities can offer us opportunities to enjoy time with our family and friends and give us opportunities to share our faith. It’s … More

Just Words?

June 6, 2024 Just Words? We all have heard the rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” But is the saying really true? When someone gives us an encouraging word, we feel our spirits rise, but when someone says something that is hurtful, we often find that the negative words seem to stay with us. The negative words spin round and round in our minds, often blinding us to the life that is going on right in front of us. We all have to be on guard when it comes to words. Words … More

Celebrating Life in the Midst of Opposition

November 10, 2023 Celebrating Life in the Midst of Opposition Luke 2:21-40 How did you celebrate the birth of your child or grandchild? Fathers sometimes hand out cigars when a baby is born. New parents send out birth announcements to family and friends. And they open their home to welcome family members and close friends to see the new baby. Soon after the birth, many Christian parents have their child baptized. Through the water and the Word, God makes the child His own. Baptisms at the congregation are often followed by a special baptism celebration with family and close friends. … More

Family

Parents – Go First Into the Home

January 19, 2021 Parents-Go First Into the Home How do we begin the process of spiritual nurture in the home for our children? How can we help them learn to love the Lord and grow in faith? What are some fun family activities and devotions that we can do with them to help them know and love Jesus? And why should we go ‘first’ into the home (Matthew 28:18-19)? Family Faith Time (FFT) should be interactive, relevant to the child’s age and ability, and proclaim the law and gospel in an age appropriate way. When I teach parenting classes I … More

Prepare for the Inevitable

November 27, 2020 Prepare for the Inevitable As they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus receive my spirit!” (Acts 7:59) “Students, your friend and classmate, who struggled with heart problems for years, died today,” came the announcement over the school’s public address system. The students, shocked and stunned into silence, could not comprehend how someone their age could die. Words of comfort were shared: “In heaven there is no more pain for our young friend, no more sorrow or tears. God Himself will wipe away his tears. Though he had much pain on earth, now, today he is in … More

Be Thankful

November 12, 2020 Be Thankful! Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.(1 Thess. 5:16-18) For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.(Ephesians 1:15-16) We are thankful for you, those that read this email newsletter and our radio & podcast listeners! And we are thankful for our Board of Directors, employees, volunteers, those we serve through the Response Center, and supporters! Today … More

Ministry

Slander – A Sin That Can Destroy Lives

By Kay L. Meyer and Rev. Kevin Meyer “The Board of Elders requested that I tell them about the slander that had hurt me so much at my previous congregation. They assured me that anything I told them would be held in the strictest confidence. So I was open with them. Then last week, three months after this information was shared, a member asked me a very personal question. The only way she could have known about the situation she brought up was that one of these elders told her about it. This member thought the slander was true. I … More

Happy New Year!

January 11, 2023 Happy New Year! As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming, but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ (Eph. 4:13-15). Dear Family Shield Friend, Happy New Year! We want to encourage Family Shield readers to consider some New Year resolutions that can help us grow spiritually. God’s Word encourages us to grow and learn more about … More

I Don’t Want to Be Baptized!

July 28, 2022 Rev. David Jander and a child he baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carver, MN. “I Don’t Want to Be Baptized!” Some years ago I was the Spiritual Life Director and LCMS Liaison for a Christian maternity home. It was a blessing to hold individual weekly Bible studies with each woman who had chosen life for her baby as they came to live at the home. I designed the first Bible study series to help them learn about God and His Word. I wanted them to come to know their Savior and Lord. Most of the woman had … More

Prayer

Parents Teach Your Children to Share Their Faith and Pray!

May 23, 2024 We encourage you to take a family prayer walk together this week! Parents – Teach Your Children to Share Their Faith and Pray! From Kay Meyer’s column in the St. Louis Metro Voice newspaper. “Mom, today the new neighbor, Tyler, said he doesn’t attend Sunday school or church. I invited him to come with us this week. Can we pick him up on Sunday?” *** “My daughter, Lisa, and the next door neighbor’s little girl are close friends and play together all the time. Yesterday I overheard them talking. Lisa was telling Christy that Jesus loved her. … More

Praying for Prodigals

March 27, 2024 Praying for Prodigals Discover Renewed Hope for the Prodigals in Your Life From time to time we like to make our Family Shield listeners and supporters aware of resources offered by other ministries that we believe will be especially helpful to you. We found a 7-day devotional that will help guide your prayers for the prodigals in your life. KCBI.org is making this available to you at no cost. Request your free copy today. Radio Programs, Podcast Topics, and Guests with host, Kay L. Meyer, founder & president of Family Shield Ministries www.familyshieldministries.com. April 1-8 Topic: Unshakable: … More

Pray!

January 12, 2024 Ask, Seek, Knock Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it will be opening to you. (Matthew 7:7) God has given to use the privilege of prayer. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, our sins are forgiven and our relationship with the Father is restored. We can talk with Him about our problems, praising Him for His mercy and abundant blessings. Have you prayed often for a relative who doesn’t know Christ, for healing, or for a new job? Whatever the prayer, we can be confident that God hears … More

Prodigals

Devotions for Prodigal Parents

June 20, 2024 Comfort – How the Lord Provides Comfort I often speak with my father about what was going through his mind (and my mom’s) when I walked in darkness. I look back and wonder what in the world I was thinking, why did I go on the path that I did? Sometimes I feel a deep regret for choosing the path of the world, wondering how my life would or could have been different. As a believer now, I do not hold on to the past, but instead I now realize that the LORD is able to use … More

Praying for Prodigals

Held by Grace: When a Child Walks Away from the Faith

March 7, 2024 Held by Grace: When a Child Walks Away from the Faith By Alice Trebus Note: This article will discuss why children turn away from God; reveal the author’s own story of what happened in her daughter’s case; and offer some suggestions as to what parents can do when they find themselves in a similar situation. *The following is a true account. Pseudonyms have been used to protect the identities of specific individuals. WHY DO CHILDREN TURN AWAY FROM GOD? Every child faces different challenges as he or she grows up. When that child rejects Jesus after being brought … More

Witnessing

A Divine Appointment With a Jehovah’s Witness

Some years ago I left home at 6:15 a.m. to drive to Rolla, Missouri where I was presenting a five-hour workshop on Witnessing-A Lifestyle. Although only a two-hour drive, I had given myself an extra 45 minutes in case I got lost. Little did I know that God had a divine appointment scheduled for me. About half way there, I pulled into a rest stop. As I walked toward it I saw a man and a women standing outside. They had literature in their hands and I recognized it as material produced by The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. They … More

Reaching Native Americans With the Gospel

Have you ever wondered who shares the Gospel with Native Americans? Some years ago I vacationed in Montana and saw the circumstances of these precious people the Lord loves. I wondered if there were any ministries focused on reaching Native Americans for Christ. I did research and learned of Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots, now known as Lutheran Indian Ministries. They are effectively reaching Native Americans for Christ! Over the years we have featured their ministry on the Family Shield radio program numerous. The following is just part of their story. Let me begin with the story of how … More

Share the Light of Christ

Written by Kay L. Meyer and Kevin Meyer What are your favorite memories of light? Is it the flashlight that you turned off and on a camping trip with your family? Is it watching the light from a campfire as you sat and sang camp songs together? Is it going to see the Christmas lights with your family during the holidays? Is it catching and then letting go of lightning bugs on a warm summer evening? Or maybe it’s when you light a candle in your home to celebrate your baptism birthday or another special occasion? God’s Word has a … More