Respond

We are in an all out war. We are facing an enemy that has spent centuries on this earth deceiving and distorting. This enemy wants to steal, kill, and destroy our lives, families, and children. How will we respond?

Parents, we have been entrusted with one of the greatest gifts from God - the ability to influence and nurture a life. We have the responsibility of affecting the generation to come - in small and large ways. How will we answer?

Your child's...

...friends cannot save them

...technology cannot save them

...sports cannot save them

...politics cannot save them

Jesus is the only hope for our future.

Jesus is the only hope for you and me.

Jesus is the only hope for victory.

Jesus is the only hope for your child.

Read and discuss Scripture with your child - daily.

Sit down and pray for and with your child - daily.

Get engaged in a Bible-honoring faith community - weekly.

We are in an all out war. How will you respond?

Prayer of a Child

I sometimes feel like my children have more faith than I do. 

Friday morning I was on my way home with my two sons - one five, the other seven - when we came upon a car wreck. As we passed the accident I realized that I recognized both parties involved and I decided to stop. Pulling my truck into the gas station I told my sons; "Stay here, I'll be right back". 

Ten minutes later - after speaking with those at the scene of the accident - I returned to my truck and found my sons talking. Zion tells me right away; "We prayed for them dad, and also we prayed that they get a new car for free". 

I was I proud of my boys for committing this to prayer right away. But I was also convicted by the fact that I did not think to pray for the situation myself. 

Today - after speaking with one of the women from the accident - I told my boys; "They are doing great and they said thank you for your prayers". And I added; "Oh, and they may get a new car paid for by their insurance company". 

I will never forget their response. Both gave a fist pump in the air and an excited "YES". Then Zion says, in a very mature fashion; "Well dad, we did pray for that. What did you expect?"

I sometimes feel like my children have more faith than I do. I sometimes pray that God would give me a "childlike faith". 

God, give me the awareness of the needs around me. Give me the knowledge to know when to pray. Give me the wisdom to know how to pray. Give me the boldness to pray big prayers. Give me the confidence to know You will answer. And give me the faith to trust in You.

Apply God's Commands

Deuteronomy 6, as the Israelites are preparing to enter the Promised Land, a bountiful land that God was giving them to process, the people are told to obey God's commands. 

The Israelites are told to obey God's commands so that they may enjoy long life and so that all may go well as they increase greatly in the land. 

The foundation for God's commands to the Israelites - and the foundation for all God's commands to us today - to know that God is the Lord of all and to love Him with all heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

And in Deuteronomy 6:6-9 God gives instruction for applying His commands to our children - and the generations to follow.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on 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 the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Applying God's commands to the next generation is a multi-step process. 

First, we as adults, are called to apply God's commands to our own hearts. We must know God's commands for us, know why they are important for our lives, and live as they are important for our lives - with faith and obedience. Only after we have applied God's commands on our hearts can we seek to lead the next generation. 

Next, we are to impress God's commands on our children - and to the next generation. We are encouraged to impress God's commands on the next generation by talking about them, writing them out, and using symbols to commit them to memory. We are called to impress God's commands on the hearts of our children in all ways at all times, because it is vitally important. 

So, let me encourage you today to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let me encourage you to write God's commands on your heart - faithfully submitting to Him. Let me encourage you to teach them to the next generation - applying them in all ways at all times. 

That you may enjoy a long life and all may go well. 

Instructions To Share A Biblical Perspective With A Disobedient Child

Every child disobeys. Disobedience is built within us as a part of our sinful nature. So, at some point, you may want to sit down and discuss the biblical perspective of disobedience with your disobedient child. Here are some instructions. 

First, take a moment to calm yourself, you do not want to discuss the Bible in an attitude of anger or frustration. Sit down with your child and read through the following...

1. Exodus 20:12

2. Exodus 21:17

3. Leviticus 20:9

4. Deuteronomy 21:18-21

It's about now that your child may be cowering - and crying - in the corner. Be sure to reassure them that you are not going to kill them or allow anyone to stone them to death. Be sure to tell your child that is is the Old Testament law, established by God and obeyed by His chosen nation to ensure purity and purge evil.

And we continue...

5. Proverbs 1:7-9

6. Proverbs 13:1

7. Proverbs 20:20

8. Proverbs 23:22

9. Proverbs 30:17

Once again, call your child back out of the corner of the room, and them a tissue, and reassure them that they are not going to be fed to the birds. 

Perhaps now is the time to lay out God's ideal plan for His creation. Discuss God's creation and the garden of Eden, where everything was perfect, God walked with Adam and Eve, and sin - disobedience - was nonexistent. Discuss the "death" (separation) that Adam and Eve faced due to their sin against God. Then explain how a child's disobedience against their parents causes separation between them and God and between them and their parent. Go one step further and illustrate how - if left undisciplined - a child's disobedience will lead to separation between parents, separation between siblings, and separation within the entire family. Explain that disobedience can tear a family apart. 

Then, we conclude...

10. Romans 13:1

11. Ephesians 6:1-3

12. Colossians 3:20

Close with a hug and a prayer.