What an amazing God we serve!  He actually grows the parents as they are growing the kids.  And anyone who gets to the place where their children “leave the nest,” know what it feels like to look back at the job they’ve done in raising them.  We have to be careful because all of us at that stage have some regrets and wish that we would have done some things different.

This is why I’m writing.  I don’t want anybody to have more of these self-accusing feelings than they have too.  So remember this.  Your home is church, a sanctuary.  Your children are your parishioners.  You may feel very ordinary about most things, but God has actually made you the expert on them.  You may need to study and grow in order to keep up with them – that’s ok.  But the one thing you must do, is stay out in front of them in your journey with God.  They need to see a principled and loving Christianity in your life, and then, even though they may challenge your values for a time, they won’t doubt your sincerity, your genuineness and your respectability.

The discipleship of your children is supported by the school, the church, and the auxiliary youth programming, but the real youth ministry is to be flowing from you – the parent.  Your prayers, your consistency, your love, and your rules, create the platform for the healthy development of their Christian experience.

It’s a faith journey.  We aren’t parenting by the latest fads and most recent study.  We are parenting by the Bible.  It’s still true and it still works.  And remember – you are an expert on your own walk with God.  Go ahead and share it with your children!

“God has committed to our hands a most sacred work, and we need to meet together to receive instruction, that we may be fitted to perform this work…. We need to meet together and receive the divine touch that we may understand our work in the home. Parents need to understand how they may send forth from the sanctuary of the home their sons and daughters so trained and educated that they will be fitted to shine as lights in the world.   Child Guidance p. 75.4

So how is the Devil trying to separate you from the winning team?

Ask yourself these questions.   Have I settled for a second-rate marriage because it’s too costly to keep working on the problems? If  you’re a dependent, are you carrying grudges towards your parents for the decisions they’ve made.  And what about your church?  Are you able to believe the best about each other and interpret other people’s actions with favorable motives?

I know that Jesus shepherds us towards reconciliation.  And I know from 20+ years of pastoring that people shun those encounters.  But today is a new day.  It’s a day to prayerfully venture forward and make sure you work at tearing down the walls of separation in your heart, and in your relationships.

Nothing feels better than being in love.  It’s GREAT to feel it.  But nothing is more important than doing what love demands to stay in love – and that includes problem solving,  conflict resolution,  whatever you want to call it.  Don’t make excuses not to do it.  The people that love you the most are the ones willing to strain the relationship so that it can be strong.  Go for it.  Get the love back.  With Jesus help you can do it.  It’s worth it!

Zig Ziglar has said that “Fear is faith in reverse.”   I think he’s on to something.  So let’s shift gears.  Let’s drive towards our giants and see if they are really as big up close as they look far away.  I think you’ll be surprised.  Jesus is very intimidating to our enemies.  We can’t forget that.  He’s already won the battle for us.  Now He’s waiting for us to trust Him.  Just look to the cross.

Hang on.  Don’t let the Devil turn you from obedience.  Trust and Obey.  There is no other way to be happy in this life, than to trust and obey.  See You Sabbath.  - And don’t forget to pray for the Hymn Sing.

Perhaps what our kids are missing most is the whole hearted commitment of their parents to the cause of Christ?  Perhaps our greatest legacy would be the same devoted, principled, and genuine commitment to Jesus that our spiritual forefathers had?

Not half in the world and half out – totally devoted to Him.   Everything else is looking pretty transitory anyway.

Rise Up O Church of God!

God is calling our church back to a very directed focus for the salvation of souls far and near.

Ask yourself this question – if I was a part of Gideon’s original army of 32,300, would I have ended up in the battle, or I would I have been sent home?  (Judges 7:1-7)   22,000 people admitted they were afraid.  The next 10,000 didn’t want to admit it, but when they got their drinks their behavior showed they weren’t anxious to be in fight.

But the three hundred men who grabbed their water on the move knew God was strong and able, and that the time had come for things to change.   I want to be one of those three hundred.  I am inviting you to join me.

The brightest days are still in front of God’s church and his people.   Let’s return to our first love, an abiding faith, and an undying commitment to Jesus.  Let’s give our kids a legacy that says “The only thing that matters is God’s kingdom.”

Rise up , O men of God

His Kingdom tarries Long

Bring in the day of brotherhood

And end the night of wrong.   – William P. Merrill, 1911,  Hymn # 615