Several years ago my husband and I first watched a really good movie titled “Courageous.”
This movie has such a good message!
For those of you who haven’t seen this film, it speaks mainly about (imperfect) men accepting responsibility as Godly leaders in their homes, to teach their children Biblical principles by their words, and lead by example.
I have often heard people say that they do not wish to influence their children one way or the other. They want their children to make up their own minds in what to believe.
And though it is true, that we each should have free will to choose what to believe, it is our responsibility, especially as Christian parents, to bring up our children with Biblical values.
In the early years of his life, I recall drilling it into our son that he would attend college. Not a terrible thing, but I regret not encouraging his own relationship with the Lord more during those early years. With that said, our son has a wonderful job, and a precious family and I know that he is inspired by God.
I believe in planting good seeds training/leading them to be dependent on the Lord, so that those seeds will grow and remain later they can stand independently. Blessed to be a blessing.
So, to mainly focus on the academics and being a success is not wise for our children.
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37
You know, when I met Jesus I called on Him by faith, but after I met Him (in the spirit) I KNEW there was no other way to God, but through His Son Jesus. It wasn’t the belief that my parents instilled in me, or the church where I grew up. I have my own personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, and this revelation knowledge of my own.
This happened in 1996 when our son was eight years old, and prior to that I had talked to him about God. We said nightly prayers, etc. I didn’t attend church but I dropped him off at Sunday school because I believed it was the right thing to do. My parents took me to Sunday school and church. (There are those seeds bearing fruit again.) But my words and actions in our home reflected a worldly view, not a Biblical one.
Now, after I was born again I immediately began sharing God’s word with him, and teaching him about Jesus and how, and why to trust in God.
(And God is so merciful! He will help us make up for “lost” time that we might have missed.)
And a few years later, when I got filled with the Holy Spirit, a revelation of Jesus’s love through His word changed my life forever. Our son witnessed the transformation first hand.
For example, addictions fell off of me, and depression left! It was powerful! (And I didn’t enter a clinic or use medication to subdue it, I became totally dependent on the Word of God, and He took care of the rest! Praise the Lord.)
You know, if we do not take a strong stand for Godly morals and values the philosophies of this world will shape the minds of our children.
There is a spiritual battle going on for all of our hearts, especially our children.
“The whole world is under the sway (influence) of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19)
Satan’s agenda is to “steal, kill and destroy” mankind, and the easiest way is to target the families, especially our children.
And we understand that there are demonic influences trying to change the image of family as God designed.
By weakening the Godly influences in their lives, within only a few generations, a whole nation can be destroyed. The moral fabric which was designed to preserve and keep order will deteriorate from within. They will stop fearing God. (Reference/respect.) They will not know the way they should go, doctrines/teachings of men will make the word of God ineffective in their lives.
We want our families, friends and others to be offered the opportunity to be reconciled back to God, as we have been. To know their Heavenly Father who loves them, created them and wants to have a relationship with them through Christ Jesus. To lead their lives honorably, with morals and values, leading/helping others with wisdom and compassion.
And though taking our children to a Spirit filled church, grounded in the Bible, is a good thing. Just hearing the word of God one or two hours a week is not enough to counter all the lies and unbelief being poured into them the rest of the time..
Our children ARE being brain washed, to trust in themselves and their own abilities, to go the way of the world, and disbelieve in God as our Creator and in His Son Jesus as THE way, THE truth, THE life and the ONLY way to the Father. John 14:6
In trying to free their minds, we are raising up generations who are so confused and in such bondage. They need a moral compass to guide them. They need truth, and with the Lord’s help, they need to hear, and see it from us.
Here are some scriptures to consider …
“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 sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. … You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deut. 6:4-7
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,”which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6:1-4
Be courageous parents!
“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Teaching our children that they have an enemy (Satan) who is going about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, but that God wants them to receive His love, become His child and to know Him now and for eternity … is the best Gift that we can give them.
(Parenthesis mine.)
Contact Brenda Groves at: bkgroves1996@yahoo.com
