Encouragement for Today - August 29, 2012
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August 29, 2012
Did She Just Say That? |
"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." Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV)
"God wouldn't send anyone to hell; He's loving. That's what my friends say."
I was saddened by what had just spilled out of my daughter's mouth. Outside opinions were influencing her and one of my biggest fears was being realized. She didn't know enough of what was true to combat what was false.
She didn't know what the Bible says when it comes to salvation. Instead she was operating on what others were telling her. I realized that day that my girl needed to learn more of God's Word and, as her parent, it was my job to teach her.
Those born between 1982 and 2002 make up what's called the Mosaic generation. Taking bits and pieces from friends, media and their own opinions, they create their own religion of sorts. As a mom, this terrifies me. I see through my own children that an hour-long sermon once a week is not enough to fight hours of media and social networking.
I have to do something.
I've made it a point, as we're told in Deuteronomy chapter 6, to look for any opportunity to share Scripture with my kids. On the way home from practice, while making dinner, and even waiting in line at the store. Any time can be a good time to talk about Jesus.
While those spontaneous times are great, I've learned that structured time to read God's Word with my kids is important too.
Yet a look at our family's schedule makes it appear impossible. Life is busy!
However, I knew if I was going to teach my children Scripture, it meant something had to change. The morning is one of the rare open spaces in our days so I announced to my kids we would begin eating breakfast together so we could read the Bible.
To be honest, that didn't go over well with them! Their most popular rebuttal was, "I don't want to get up earlier!" But with a little compromise here and a tweaking of the alarm clock there, we found a small window of time to read together.
Pouring small amounts of truth into my daughters before they hit their school halls has become a big priority. I've had to choose to care more about the commands of the Lord than the demands of my kids for more sleep. "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." (Deut. 6:6-7 NIV)
Am I fitting in a chapter of the Bible each day? No. But speaking even just a portion of God's unfailing love helps prepare my daughters for the trials and temptations they face each day. My girls can't quote large chunks of Scripture but, little by little, truth is sinking in; their lives are reflecting change. And God's truth is sinking into my heart too!
You can teach a young person in your life God's Word, too. It's doesn't take half an hour a day, but just a few minutes. You don't need to know the Bible inside and out. Maybe one of your children could read out loud on the way to school. Or right before going to bed. The time of the day isn't important. What is important is finding time and making it a priority.
Dear Lord, help me be intentional today to share Your Truth. I choose to pass Your Word on to the next generation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sign up for Lynn's FREE "7-day Faith Builder" - a week's worth of free devotions to share with your daughter, or another girl you know, to help build her faith and confidence.
Pre-order your copy of Lynn's newest book, Devotions for a Revolutionary Year - 365 Days of Jesus' Radical Pursuit of You. This is a great resource for investing God's love, God's word and God's wisdom into your kids to help them make wise choices!
Visit Lynn's website to find out how you can be intentional about sharing God's truths with your child. She's giving away a "Faith Builder" gift pack too!
Reflect and Respond:
In the next 24 hours, look over your schedule. Prayerfully ask the Lord when you can be intentional about sharing God's Word with a child in your life.
Speaking a small portion of His unfailing love fills our spirit, preparing us for the trials and temptations that we are sure to face in a day.
Power Verse:
Psalm 90:14, "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." (NIV)
© 2012 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
