Dear existing and future Christian parents..

Scripture

These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life.

Observation

As children of God, the Bible is a book that contains commands, decrees and regulations we must obey. I’m reminded of the man that asked Jesus the two most important commandments. Jesus responded “to love God with all your heart, soul and mind and then to love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).

Moving on to our scripture for today, it reaffirms that when God is allowing us to possess things He’s promised us, He expects us to live by His rules also. It’s important that the knowledge and the fear of God is passed down to our children. It is our responsibility as parents to teach and raise up our children in the ways of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, it’s not spooky fear per se but a reverential kind of fear. This is where you acknowledge that God is Lord over your life. To have reverence means to value respect God. This scripture also affirms we don’t pick and choose when we want to but we obey Him for as long as we live. God is a giver and obeying Him allows us to receive the goodness and blessings of a long life.

Application

The best way to practically walk in love is to study and to meditate on 1 Corinthians chapter 13. This chapter in the Bible breaks down what love means. This speaks about how “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. If we truly want to embody this we need to understand love is not a feeling but a choice. A choice you have to wake up and actively make everyday. Feelings are fleeting and can fail you at anytime. Knowing this, even on the days where you don’t feel like being “kind” or being “patient” with a friend that may have offended you, you intentionally choose to be kind and patient.

On the days where you don’t “feel” like studying your Bible or praying you still choose to do so because you understand obedience to God translates to love for Him (John 14:15) .

It’s careless as a Christian parent to let your child ‘be” and bank on them making right decisions in their faith when they grow. Whilst they are still children it’s important to intentional have them rooted in the word of God and to train them in God’s way.

Prayer

Heavenly Father thank You for Your word today. May Your word hide in my heart. Help me to love You with all my heart, mind and soul. Help me to obey you radically. Help me to exude love to my neighbours also in Jesus name I pray Amen.

@Athaliahsartistry