March 26th deliberatePeople. post by Phil and Heather Joel + today's dP reading schedule:
Monday, March 26, 2012 Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25 / Luke 7:11-35 / Psalm 68:19-35 / Proverbs 11:29-31
Standout Verse:
Deuteronomy 6:5-9
“And YOU shall love the Lord YOUR God with all YOUR heart, with all YOUR soul and with all YOUR strength. And these words, which I command you today, shall be in YOUR heart. YOU shall teach them DILIGENTLY to YOUR children, and shall talk of them when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
These verses are great instructions for living individually AND in the context of family. As individuals we are called to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and strength. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father must be primary – He holds the keys to our lives. It is through our one-on-one relationship with Him that we get to know Him and walk with Him, stand on His life-giving truth and become the people He created us to be. It starts with US as INDIVIDUAL children of God - we can’t give away anything we don’t possess….
THEN, we are called to teach this same life-giving truth to the next generation. If God has given us children, it is OUR responsibility to teach, train and grow them up in the ways of the Lord. It’s not a job that should be given away or "assigned" to others (School teachers, Sunday School teachers, Youth Pastors - partnering with them, YES, abdicating our responsibility to them, NO). It’s God’s ideal that WE, as passionate followers of Him, TRAIN UP OUR CHILDREN TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL THEIR HEART, SOUL, MIND AND STRENGTH. Our children should be able to get a great sense of our passion for Him as we live out our daily lives – as we walk by the way, as we lie down and wake up. That’s His plan! He is calling this generation of parents to BE STRONG, STEADFAST and PASSIONATE in our relationship with Him so we can pour the life-giving truth we experience into our children. So cool!
Reader Comments (2)
Yep. Right on :) We continually ask God for wisdom in how to teach and train up our kids--some days are better than others, in that regard ;) My husband and I have different schooling backgrounds: public vs. homeschooling. In our church, we have a strong homeschool community. What is encouraging to me, however, is seeing the families that are public school--who are just as passionate for God. You can see it carry through in their now-teenage children. The youth group--parent led--is solid and the kids, grounded. What a testimony to God's faithfulness in the parents, pulling together, to teach and train.
Coming from a rather dysfunctional family, I've learned how important it is to lay that foundation of family life, on the Rock. Even a 'well intentioned' schooling curriculum doesn't take the place of the parents pursuing their own walk with the Lord. All the rules and list of 'cannots', will not replace the example of faith being lived out on a daily basis. I want my children to walk in freedom and love, instead in fear and legalism.
I'm so thankful that God is a God of restoration. He redeems and makes all things new. Rising from the ashes, there is beauty and life! Thanks for the good word :)
Amen, our son makes us so proud because he has a great love of the Lord and seeks Him in every circumstance. We are so glad that we have remained faithful in our parenting and giving it all to God. Phil, you and the Newsboys had a part in that too! Many trips to King's Fest in Virginia and Camp Electric and other concerts. Your music and words inspire and encourage so much to so many. . God Bless you and keep you strong .