Choices/Teaching our Children

Last night we had a wonderful thundershower with a good soaking rain. We needed the moisture. The thunderstorms are present today.

This morning, we heard a sermon on choices. Everyone of us has a choice to make. Even God CHOSE to create us. Seven times in the Bible and the pastor said there may be some that he missed, but seven times God said he repented or was sorry that He made man. It really never dawned on me that God chooses.

Satan chose to want to be like God. One third of the angels went with him.

Then Adam and Eve chose the wrong way.

We also have a choice. Are we going to choose between Jesus and Satan or heaven and hell?

We got back from church, and decided to listen to Pastor Cory preach at Harvest Springs Community Church where my M was attending. That sermon on parenting tied in with the one we heard this morning.

We can choose to be not only a good parent but a g.r.e.a.t. parent. In order to have a great family, we as a husband and wife need to be committed to having a great relationship. God's Word tells us the family is not only the children, it also includes the parents. God hates divorce. We need to be committed to work things out together. Is it easy? not always. Yet it's possible.

But the most important thing for us as parents to have a great family is to have a relationship with God. Our children watch us. Did you know that our teenagers can pick out fraud? We can say we have a good relationship with God and be ever so religious, but if our walk doesn't match up, our children can pick that right up.

They watch us. The way we live is how they view God.

If you are an angry parent, that's how your children view God. Oh, sadly, I fall short so many times. This is the area I struggle with the most. I can say it's not a compulsion or drive to be angry like it used to be. But Satan's out to get me on this issue. I really covet your prayers. Interestingly, the Lord has been showing me that this is sin. I'm so glad for the mercy He shows me. But if I can just let it penetrate in my heart that I am showing God to my children by the way I live. That's what I want. Committing to show love certainly drives out the anger. God is teaching me to love more.

I want Jesus in every part of my life, I want to be so in love with Him that people can see Jesus in me.

Thinking of this reminds me of the quote that was mentioned last Sunday and repeated today.

Your talk walks

 and your walk talks.

But your walk talks further

than your talk walks.

If you've been abandoned by your parents, you have a hard time trusting God.

If you've been abused by your parents, that's how you view God.

We parents have an extremely great influence on the way our children will view God by the way we live our lives. That's why I believe that we can make it easier for our children to choose right if we train them to think about God ALL THE TIME.

This verse was quoted last Sunday at church, and again by the message Pastor Cory gave today.

Deuteronomy 6:6,7

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Sometimes we're so tired and we think, 'ah, we can go to bed and lie down and not have to do anything anymore.' Yet, this verse tells us to be diligent in teaching while in bed and I'd like to think we can pray when we're lying down. That is ALL the time. Is there ever a time not to be teaching? According to this verse, no. We're to be diligent!!! I certainly have a lot to work on. I can certainly increase my prayer life. It's very vital.

Deuteronomy 6:2

That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statues and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

The NIV quotes 'so that you may enjoy long life.' God rewards us when we are diligent.

I loved these verses so much in Joshua 1:8,9 that I have it posted on my bathroom mirror and am committed to memorizing them.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

In tying these two sermons together, we as parents have choices to make everyday. So do our children. But we can make it easier for our children to make the right choice by walking in the ways of the Lord and training them to love the Lord. Our children are watching us. Are we showing them who God really is?

Malachi 4:6 mentions how the father can turn the hearts of the children. I really believe that we parents have a great responsibility in how our children turn out. Yes, they still have a choice, but we also have a choice to love them, respect them, and show them God.

Lord, turn my eyes upon you, so that my children may follow You!!! I don't want any of them to be lost.