It's Time to "Parent-Up"
STEP UP PARENTS!
Some times in life, I can sense that God is telling me to pray urgently and purposefully about something. I have sensed that over this last several days. In doing so, a challenge came to my heart. It is for you, parents. Yes, you. If you are a parent that is a follower of Christ, this is for you. You know I love you but sometimes love means a kick in the pants.
“Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” Ephesians 6:4b
"Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.” Deuteronomy 4:9
“Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25
Parents, are you doing these things? Are you diligently and purposefully teaching your children God's Word and His ways? Are you taking time in God's Word yourself so that you are growing and being changed? Are you consistently and regularly getting your family to church on Sundays? Are you encouraging your children to dig into God's Word by word and example?
If not, it's time to man-up.... or rather.... parent-up! Step it up! Get off your backside and get moving. We have our kids for such a short time. They are babies and then suddenly we blink and they are 18. (Yes, I know from personal experience.) Seize the day!
You should be following Christ with such passion that your children are drawn toward Christ, not the world. Look to the future. If you continue down the path you are currently on, where will your children end up? Are you walking them down a path that will hand them off to the world or to a solid walk with Christ?
I was recently talking with someone that is in the midst of making critical life decisions. The roads they are choosing from take them in opposite directions. One would clearly take them toward things of Christ. The other, clearly away from things of Christ. At first I wondered why this young person would even be considering the two options as they are such extreme opposites. Then it hit me, it is a result of a void in their life. The void was created by parents who have been hit or miss when it comes to teaching their children God's ways. The foundation is weak. They have not been taught to follow God with all of their heart, mind and strength. Maybe the words have been spoken here or there over the years but the parents are not modeling it. As a result there is confusion of heart and both options look acceptable.
UGH! Parents who bring your kids to this juncture, I can't decide if I want to smack you upside the head and give you an earful or pray passionately for you! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? God gave you a job. Now do it! There is nothing. I repeat, NOTHING, more important than taking the time to make sure your family is passionately following Christ! Every day. I don't care if you are tired. I don't care what your excuse is as to why such-n-such is taking all of your time and energy. I don't care about your life goals, dreams and desires if they interfere with teaching your family to follow Christ. Get your backside out of bed and read your Bible. Get your family together and study God's Word. Get your bleary eyes out of bed Sunday morning and get your family to church! Maybe there are things you need to let go of in life. Maybe you are embracing ungodly things so you can not lead properly. Get rid of those things!
Seriously! Redeem the time. Step up and do what God commanded you to do! PARENT-UP before it's too late.
I am praying for you! I am praying for me! May God challenge and change hearts from this day forward! May lives and families be changed for the glory of God. May we as families be bright lights that draw those around us to Christ. Let's walk this road together!
“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 11:18-20
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Some times in life, I can sense that God is telling me to pray urgently and purposefully about something. I have sensed that over this last several days. In doing so, a challenge came to my heart. It is for you, parents. Yes, you. If you are a parent that is a follower of Christ, this is for you. You know I love you but sometimes love means a kick in the pants.
“Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” Ephesians 6:4b
"Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.” Deuteronomy 4:9
“Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25
Parents, are you doing these things? Are you diligently and purposefully teaching your children God's Word and His ways? Are you taking time in God's Word yourself so that you are growing and being changed? Are you consistently and regularly getting your family to church on Sundays? Are you encouraging your children to dig into God's Word by word and example?
If not, it's time to man-up.... or rather.... parent-up! Step it up! Get off your backside and get moving. We have our kids for such a short time. They are babies and then suddenly we blink and they are 18. (Yes, I know from personal experience.) Seize the day!
You should be following Christ with such passion that your children are drawn toward Christ, not the world. Look to the future. If you continue down the path you are currently on, where will your children end up? Are you walking them down a path that will hand them off to the world or to a solid walk with Christ?
I was recently talking with someone that is in the midst of making critical life decisions. The roads they are choosing from take them in opposite directions. One would clearly take them toward things of Christ. The other, clearly away from things of Christ. At first I wondered why this young person would even be considering the two options as they are such extreme opposites. Then it hit me, it is a result of a void in their life. The void was created by parents who have been hit or miss when it comes to teaching their children God's ways. The foundation is weak. They have not been taught to follow God with all of their heart, mind and strength. Maybe the words have been spoken here or there over the years but the parents are not modeling it. As a result there is confusion of heart and both options look acceptable.
UGH! Parents who bring your kids to this juncture, I can't decide if I want to smack you upside the head and give you an earful or pray passionately for you! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? God gave you a job. Now do it! There is nothing. I repeat, NOTHING, more important than taking the time to make sure your family is passionately following Christ! Every day. I don't care if you are tired. I don't care what your excuse is as to why such-n-such is taking all of your time and energy. I don't care about your life goals, dreams and desires if they interfere with teaching your family to follow Christ. Get your backside out of bed and read your Bible. Get your family together and study God's Word. Get your bleary eyes out of bed Sunday morning and get your family to church! Maybe there are things you need to let go of in life. Maybe you are embracing ungodly things so you can not lead properly. Get rid of those things!
Seriously! Redeem the time. Step up and do what God commanded you to do! PARENT-UP before it's too late.
I am praying for you! I am praying for me! May God challenge and change hearts from this day forward! May lives and families be changed for the glory of God. May we as families be bright lights that draw those around us to Christ. Let's walk this road together!
“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 11:18-20
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7
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