CHOOSE GOD FIRST FOR OUR CHILDREN

Do we choose God first in all things? Are we seeking him and to serve him first? When we wake up, lie down to sleep, go to the store, to work, to school? When we make any decision are we asking God? What to eat, what to think, say and do? We should be asking God. Choose this day whom you will serve... Parents, what does this mean to you?

"Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 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. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of they house, and on thy gates." Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Are we teaching our children diligently? Is it the first thing we do in the morning, to give glory to God? Do we pray with our children, do we read God's word and teach them? Or do we rush off to work with not a thought to God and His grace and mercy afforded to us? Forgetting we owe him EVERYTHING. Or maybe we offer a cursory prayer and scripture we have all heard 1,000 times. Are our kids unruly, disobedient, rude, back-talkers, liars, saying what we want to hear but with hearts far from God? Do we wonder why? Do we find time at the end of each day to ask about our children's day? Do we really listen to them? Do we offer scripture and wisdom that fit the situations they are facing?

"Now go, write it before them in a table and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever; that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord." Isaiah 30:9

Our children, like us, are children of God. Who's responsibility is is to train up our children? Not the schools, christian or not; not friends or peers; Not TV or video games. The ultimate and first responsibility is in the home and falls on the parents. They will be held accountable to God for how they raise their children from a young age. And one day, if parents neglect this responsibility, their children will not hear the law of the Lord.

"So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17

"The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame." Proverbs 29:15

i am not a parent, but i am an Auntie and a teacher of children since i was in high school. Since 1973 i have taught countless children the precepts and ways of God. Not many adults are interested in my life as a teacher or Auntie, but i know kids. i have taught many children because parents did not make time to teach them. They thought that putting them in Christian school, or Sunday school was enough. How sad. MAKE TIME.

When i lived with my nephew we had laws. Like, there was no TV or distraction allowed any morning until we had prayed and read God's word first (on school days, no TV or video games at all). Until scripture was understood and all questions answered. When he got home from school, we talked about his day while he had his snack, we sat down to homework and i helped him as needed. i tried not to miss an opportunity to give him the Word of God for real life application. i worked in his class two days a week for 2 hours each day (every year, K-4th). i make time. I make time for God and for my nephew. i make him a priority in my life so i can train him up in the ways of God. To help him navigate the world as a Christian little boy. i still talk to him at least once a week and send scriptures more often.

It is said that we make time for what is important to us. What is important to you?

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

When i was young in high school, i always thought i would have kids, be a mom. Folks have always said i am great with children, and i do love all kids. They listen to me, and i listen to them. Somehow, it did not work out that i would have my own, but i have had the blessing of teaching many children as if they were my own. God is perfect and his timing is perfect. Amen.

i look around and see so many people that have been blessed with children. They have been given the gift of children from God. But they do not treat them as if they are from God. More likely than not, the children are not a priority in the lives of their parents. The world has choked out this precious gift as parents are more worried about work, finances, shopping for food, clothes, housewares.....all things that God promised to supply if we seek him first...huh, imagine that.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

If parents are truly seeking God first, they would know what a treasure they have in their children and would take more seriously the admonition to train them up, to teach them diligently in God's ways. But parents must themselves first be truly seeking God to be able to teach their children. They must see the value in God's word for them, their marriage, their children, their home and all they do. Most fit God in where it is convenient, but seldom make him all in all.

Funny how someone like me, who would have given anything to be a mom, has to watch parents who do not realize the gift all children are, and the responsibility they have to their children. Watching them hit and miss, haphazardly raising their children.

"Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them and pray, and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19 13-14

Actually, it is not funny, it is sad. As i grow in faith, in the wisdom and grace of God, as i grow in years, i can see more clearly the plan God has for families, for children. What a perfect and beautiful God we have. Do you know that as we teach the children, we ourselves learn? If i study the Word for every moment of the rest of my life, it can never be enough and i will but scratch the surface of all the wonder His Word holds for me. May you all grow daily in the grace and wisdom of our God. Amen, amen and amen.