May 12, 2008
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Teach them while they are young
A disciple is not above his teacher , but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher . Luke 6:40 (ESV)
Our beloved Pastor used the scripture above as a strong exhortation to the mother’s and grandmother’s of our congregation yesterday to continually be training their children and grandchildren in God’s Word. His reminder was that our children’s faith will not be above ours. I thought long and hard about what he said. I thought of my prayers and desires for my children and grandchildren and how I long to see God’s Word bursting forth from their lives in an even greater measure. I had to ask myself if the same is true of my life. What kind of importance am I placing on God’s Word in my own life these days?
Pastor’s exhortation had it’s work in me and I set out this morning to get up even earlier to spend more time in God’s Word. I’ve been slack lately about spending good chunks of time in the bible. My life has become increasingly busy and I’ve allowed the cares of this world to choke out His Word. I feel as if I’ve been ‘snacking’ rather than really ‘feasting’ and I’ve felt the effects. There has been this longing… a sadness, so to speak… for more of Him who alone can satisfy my soul.
Mother’s Day was full of the same. I was convinced once more of the urgency of living for Christ before my children and grandchildren. Time is running out.. the days are passing so quickly! My grandchildren are growing like weeds. My oldest grandson’s head nearly touches my shoulders! When my days are over on this earth and my children and grandchildren surround my deathbed I want to look into their faces and know that I did all I could to point them towards heaven.
The weather was warm on Saturday so the grandchildren wanted to swim in the pool. They were all lined up waiting to get in. Each was pushing the other so that they could be first. I reminded them that Jesus came to serve and not to be served. C.J. quietly left his number one position and went to the back of the line. I told him how proud I was that He obeyed God’s Word. He replied that he wanted to live a long life. My heart sank! He remembered! One day when the children were over for a visit in December we worked on Eph. 6:1-3. We talked about God’s promise for a long life if we honor our parents. God’s Word had it’s effect on his heart!
What are we doing TODAY to sow God’s Word in OUR hearts!
What are we doing TODAY to sow God’s Word in our children and grandchildren’s heart!
Tomorrow may never come.. let us work while it’s still called TODAY!
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth . 3 John 4
Comments (5)
Thanks for this reminder. I need to spend more time in God’s Word. I have good intentions, but ……… I think I’ll go now and sing some Bible songs with the grandson I’m caring for today.
Happy Mother’s Day to you dear friend! Our sermon was along those very same lines and I was truly convicted. Time flies by and the children grow so quickly. Cody is taller than I am!
You are so correct! The only dependable way we can impart Godly living to the succeeding generations is to live it out faithfully. And it takes work and commitment. It must be foremost in our minds. Thank you! I hope you had a nice Mother’s Day.
This is so true, and yet, God can also raise people above their parent’s faith, for mine did not do anything with God, and God got me. But we do need to be so cautious with all of our children – physical and spiritual because they do watch what we do far more than hear what we speak.
Heather
@wondering04 - Yes, God is able to do whatsoever He wishes. I’m also an example of that very thing. What spoke most to my heart about the verse is the fact that I can’t personally expect my children/grandchildren to possess great faith if mine is lacking.
Thanks for sharing!