Wednesday, June 25, 2008 - Training Your Children - Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Proverbs 22:6 states, "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." Training involves purposeful, consistent, and diligent actions. But one research project found, on average, fathers in America spend five minutes or less each day talking with their children.

God has a plan to train children as He intended. Teaching our kids starts with a foundation of love. All people, especially the young, desperately need to feel accepted, loved, and valued. If they don't find validation at home, they'll look elsewhere. Children need to hear their parents say things like, "I love you," "I value you," and "You have what it takes."

A second part of training a child involves the parent's relationship with God. We can't share what we don't have. A person's relationship with Jesus must be real and exciting. Otherwise, it'll be impossible to teach others about how to have intimacy with the Lord.

You can use two effective training tools with children. The first one is your testimony. Share what God is doing in your life. The second tool is your example. A powerful lesson is driven home when a child sees his parent admitting fault, asking for forgiveness, or expressing gratitude for God's mercy. The stakes are high. If we disobey the Lord and fail to teach our little ones correctly, we make them vulnerable to the world's teaching. Not only does this harm our precious children; it also hinders the next generation.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008  -  Saving Faith  - John 1:12-13
Faith in Christianity involves several elements. Knowledge of who Jesus is and what He did must come from confidence. We need to know the facts are true and apply to us. We must start by realizing that I have broken God's law. That makes me a sinner. All of us are born with a rebellious nature against the Lord.
To save faith, we acknowledge none of our efforts can earn His favor. We also agree "Jesus died for me." He paid for all our sins, no matter how terrible they are in the world's eyes.
Next, we believe Jesus' death is sufficient payment for our wrongdoing. Nothing else is needed. We must accept He paid our penalty and endured the Father's wrath in our place.
Finally, we accept by faith that we've been adopted into God's family on the basis of Christ's (sorrowful) atoning death. The invitation is for the world, but not everyone has true conviction. Too many people see these facts as "information" rather than life-altering truths.
Once we're convinced Jesus is our Savior, trust is demonstrated through action.
As "new creatures," we're no longer who we once were. Second Corinthians 5:17 says there are different values and priorities for us to embrace. Jesus, our Lord, has authority over our lives. He alone deserves to be our top priority. He knows what pleases the Father. Jesus has sent His Spirit to live in us and teach us.
Take time to examine yourself for evidence of knowledge, conviction, and trust. If one area is lacking, ask the Father to help you come to true saving faith.