I like to write in my Bible, do you? It’s my lifeline to God. I will never get tired of studying it, holding it or sharing it. I have some great notes to myself in my Bible. When I need them most…they are always there. I scribble down my thoughts and sermon notes anytime I have it open.
Tonight I was looking in Deuteronomy. In chapter 6:6-9 “These commandments that I give you are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on your doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” I have an arrow pointing to these verses with the words, “Standard for parenting!”…..and “We must teach our children to obey God no matter what the world is doing!”.
Moses was teaching God’s children to recognize God as the one and only true God. Our relationship with Him must reveal our love and devotion to Him…..The world around us and especially our kids should have no doubt whom we serve. Something I have felt strongly about even before I had my kids. I never wanted to be a fake. Besides, if anyone will ever find you out as a fake…..it will be your kids! You can’t get away with pretending to love and obey God and them not know the truth. Look around, our world is full of “Christian” parents who have adult kids that have never embraced the faith.
Flip over to Deut. 11:18-21 “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads…….” My notes say…..”Be responsible for your children’s spirituality!” Don’t count on your church or Sunday school teacher’s to be the spiritual leader of your kids hearts. Do it yourself. Teach them His word and fill their hearts with His love at home. Show them how to read their Bibles….and to study them. Pray with them and for them. Make it a priority. It’s our job…..our responsibility! Scripture is pretty clear on this.
I see so many kids everyday that have absolutely no moral compass. I wish I could say that it shocks me….but it doesn’t. I also talk to adults that have no real connection to God….it’s so sad. I know the longer I live the more I see watered down faith especially by Christians. I’ve been in homes that professed Christ and yet drank alcohol in front of their kids and the world. That doesn’t align up with God in my family. My kids have friends that have no boundaries to what movies or tv shows they can watch. If you think that doesn’t influence kids….think again!
Every little thing that you and I do as parents….our kids are watching. Whether they are preschoolers or teenagers. They are watching to see what choice you and I will make. The world is screaming for their attention……and I don’t know about you…but I don’t want to hand my kids over to the world. If you have gotten out of the habit of reading your Bible or praying with your kids. Make it your goal to start back today. Even for just 15 minutes at bedtime. You’ll be surprised what God will do with that devotion.
Proverbs 1:8-9 “Listen my son to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.”