Undivided....
Sometimes I just have to sit down and get it out. Like now.
As I look out this window of mine, I see heavy clouds. Looming.
The scene is a perfect description of how my heart has been feeling lately. Heavy,
I had a conversation today with my oldest child recently.
He said this, "Mom, it is so hard to be a Christian in this day and age. Almost impossible."
My heart sank to the floor. I wasn't sure where he was going.
Then, he said, "I mean, I believe every word of the Bible and I believe in Jesus. I am not questioning my faith. But, it seems that everyone else thinks Christians are wrong, or dumb. or judgmental. It is just hard because you sometimes feel like you are the only one standing for Christ."
This conversation led to a long talk. A long, and hard talk about faith.
I wasn't really prepared, or at least didn't feel prepared.
However, I prayed throughout the conversation that Jesus would speak through me. Not my words, but His words.
After this conversation, I felt a conviction. A strong one.
I need to be living out faith in front of my children every moment of the day. I have this great opportunity to walk the walk and not just talk the spiritual talk.
Reading my bible every day is not enough. I must apply what I read.
There is a generation behind us, nipping at our heels. They need Truth. Real, sink your teeth into, TRUTH.
Our kids need women and men in their lives that live out what they preach. Not just talk.
I read a while back that the things we teach our kids are "caught" not taught.
Wow. Let that sink in.
What will my kids catch?
These kids need us to be on our knees praying over them. The enemy will stop at nothing to saturate them with lies. [John 8:44]
In my laundry room I have a CD player. I have the Bible on CD that plays on repeat 24/7. In fact, I hear it now.
I don't do that so that I can look like a super Christian...
I play that CD because I know the enemy will use every means possible to speak lies to my kids.
Because the word of God is "living and active and sharper than a double edge sword", I want it circulating throughout my house. [Hebrews 4:12]
Our kids will not know Truth unless they hear it.
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17.
The enemy is out to divide. To divide families. Children. Churches.
When our loyalties are to things other than Jesus and His Word, we become divided.
We fall for the lies of great sounding people and great sounding messages.
For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. 2 Timothy 4:3
Our only devotion should be to Jesus Christ. An undivided devotion to Jesus.
In our hearts. In our words. In our actions.
Our primary devotion should not be to a preacher. A teacher. Or anyone other than Jesus.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
We must make sure that our kids are being surrounded by believers who will speak truth. Not just pretty sounding words. Building their confidence is not the same as building their faith.
Taking our children to church is so important. Surrounding them with bible teaching and other believers is important.
However, in my opinion, one of the most important things we can do for our children is to teach them the gospel of Jesus day in and day out. The other 6 days of the week.
Not through perfection, Jesus has that covered. But by a mind and heart set on Christ.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
We will make many mistakes! Oh, so many. But the words and the power of Jesus and His Word are so much bigger than our mistakes!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us Ephesians 3:20
So, back to my child that said being a Christian is hard.
He is right.
But, thank goodness. Jesus did all the work. He died so that we could LIVE.
All we have to do is believe. [John 3:16]
He will do the rest.
Friend, the road will be narrow. Oh so narrow at times. You will wonder, "am I the only one on this road?'
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14
But, you are not alone.
Jesus is with you. Every step of the way.
on my knees,
jill
As I look out this window of mine, I see heavy clouds. Looming.
The scene is a perfect description of how my heart has been feeling lately. Heavy,
I had a conversation today with my oldest child recently.
He said this, "Mom, it is so hard to be a Christian in this day and age. Almost impossible."
My heart sank to the floor. I wasn't sure where he was going.
Then, he said, "I mean, I believe every word of the Bible and I believe in Jesus. I am not questioning my faith. But, it seems that everyone else thinks Christians are wrong, or dumb. or judgmental. It is just hard because you sometimes feel like you are the only one standing for Christ."
This conversation led to a long talk. A long, and hard talk about faith.
I wasn't really prepared, or at least didn't feel prepared.
However, I prayed throughout the conversation that Jesus would speak through me. Not my words, but His words.
After this conversation, I felt a conviction. A strong one.
I need to be living out faith in front of my children every moment of the day. I have this great opportunity to walk the walk and not just talk the spiritual talk.
Reading my bible every day is not enough. I must apply what I read.
There is a generation behind us, nipping at our heels. They need Truth. Real, sink your teeth into, TRUTH.
Our kids need women and men in their lives that live out what they preach. Not just talk.
I read a while back that the things we teach our kids are "caught" not taught.
Wow. Let that sink in.
What will my kids catch?
These kids need us to be on our knees praying over them. The enemy will stop at nothing to saturate them with lies. [John 8:44]
In my laundry room I have a CD player. I have the Bible on CD that plays on repeat 24/7. In fact, I hear it now.
I don't do that so that I can look like a super Christian...
I play that CD because I know the enemy will use every means possible to speak lies to my kids.
Because the word of God is "living and active and sharper than a double edge sword", I want it circulating throughout my house. [Hebrews 4:12]
Our kids will not know Truth unless they hear it.
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17.
The enemy is out to divide. To divide families. Children. Churches.
When our loyalties are to things other than Jesus and His Word, we become divided.
We fall for the lies of great sounding people and great sounding messages.
For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. 2 Timothy 4:3
Our only devotion should be to Jesus Christ. An undivided devotion to Jesus.
In our hearts. In our words. In our actions.
Our primary devotion should not be to a preacher. A teacher. Or anyone other than Jesus.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
We must make sure that our kids are being surrounded by believers who will speak truth. Not just pretty sounding words. Building their confidence is not the same as building their faith.
Taking our children to church is so important. Surrounding them with bible teaching and other believers is important.
However, in my opinion, one of the most important things we can do for our children is to teach them the gospel of Jesus day in and day out. The other 6 days of the week.
Not through perfection, Jesus has that covered. But by a mind and heart set on Christ.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
We will make many mistakes! Oh, so many. But the words and the power of Jesus and His Word are so much bigger than our mistakes!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us Ephesians 3:20
So, back to my child that said being a Christian is hard.
He is right.
But, thank goodness. Jesus did all the work. He died so that we could LIVE.
All we have to do is believe. [John 3:16]
He will do the rest.
Friend, the road will be narrow. Oh so narrow at times. You will wonder, "am I the only one on this road?'
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14
But, you are not alone.
Jesus is with you. Every step of the way.
on my knees,
jill
