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
Six Traits to Build Healthy Families
Interested in strengthening your family? Then read the six part series on “Building Strong, Healthy Families for Christ.” It will address the six traits that help build strong, healthy families. I pray that my readers will think about these six traits, evaluate how their family is doing in each of these areas, and prayerfully work to improve those areas that they are weak in. Family Shield Ministries strives to assist individuals and families in implementing the six traits that build strong, healthy families. Did you know that over 25 years of research has documented that when families possess the following … More
Prayerfully Parenting Teens
I love my job. The hours can be crazy at times with unpredictable demands and rigorous expectations. It is not a glamour job or a resume builder, nonetheless I have one of the most powerful and influential jobs in the universe. I am the mother of a teenager. As the mother of three daughters, two who have already survived the teenage years, my husband and I approached those years with some apprehension: How would we deal with the unexpected highs and lows? The conflicting pressures that come from all directions? Pressures, highs and lows? It sounded like the ingredients for a … More
God Loves Life: Physical, Eternal, and Abundant Life!
Erica told me, “I came to live here because my parents told me that unless I had an abortion, they would not allow me to live with them anymore. When I said ‘no’ to an abortion, they gave me a suitcase, told me to pack it and leave. For a while I lived with friends, but that didn’t work out. I also lived in a homeless shelter. Then I learned about this maternity home and came to live here.” From 1998 through 2002 I worked at a Christian maternity home for teens and young woman who had chosen life for … 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
Family Prayer Walk
February 10, 2021 Family Shield’s Family Prayer Walk Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst (Matthew 18:20). Why Pray? The Lord wants us to talk to Him in prayer. When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He taught them “The Lord’s Prayer.” God’s Word encourages us to equip our children and grandchildren in their faith and to pray. As you walk, thank God for the blessings in your life and ask for His continued guidance. Talk about your needs or a problem or concern you are struggling with. Pray for others you … More
Ask, Seek, Knock
January 8, 2021 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and you shall find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 God has given us 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, praise Him for His mercy and abundant blessings. During the past year we have prayed often for the pandemic to end. Now we also need to continue to pray for our nation. The leaders and supporters of Family Shield … 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
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
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