"You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." (2Ti 2:3 NKJV)
Whatever else God has gifted them to be, I want my children to be soldiers. Call me a doomsayer, but I have to acknowledge that the culture is getting progressively more anti-Christ (meaning its philosophies as displayed in art, music, politics, and behavior). This is the atmosphere for which I am training my, I mean God's, children (He's the Owner; I'm the steward).
I have no idea what the future holds. I absolutely loathe to contemplate it. I am very happy to stick my head in the comfortable sand and concentrate on the happy trivia of daily life. But that's not reality, and once in a while, I have to face it.
If God's timetable allows, my children will inhabit a society that continues to grow hostile toward the truth of Scripture. They will be told there are other ways to heaven, not just One Way. They will be bombarded with depraved behavior in the public square. They will face a growing deception among those in religious corners. They will have to stand up to overwhelming odds.
It's enough to make a parent start to panic. But the Father above has promised us that we can be "more than conquerors." He said He would never leave us, that His Spirit would always be with us to guide and teach us what is right. He said that we can have peace because He has overcome the world.
Those are the words I must teach my children. I must instill in them a trust in His character and love. I must read them the Scripture and pray with them and for them. I must catechize them in the principles of faith that apply to every generation and every culture. I must permeate their consciences with Truth so deception will never gain a hold. This is the training camp for making little soldiers.
I know I won't do a perfect job. I'm human and my efforts won't be adequate. That's the point where I ask the Father to take over, to bless my best, and to keep His hand over the little soldiers I am putting in His care.
"Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." (De 7:9 NKJV)
"But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children." (Ps 103:17 NKJV)
"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." ( Pr 20:7)
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." ( 3Jo 1:4)
Whatever else God has gifted them to be, I want my children to be soldiers. Call me a doomsayer, but I have to acknowledge that the culture is getting progressively more anti-Christ (meaning its philosophies as displayed in art, music, politics, and behavior). This is the atmosphere for which I am training my, I mean God's, children (He's the Owner; I'm the steward).
I have no idea what the future holds. I absolutely loathe to contemplate it. I am very happy to stick my head in the comfortable sand and concentrate on the happy trivia of daily life. But that's not reality, and once in a while, I have to face it.
If God's timetable allows, my children will inhabit a society that continues to grow hostile toward the truth of Scripture. They will be told there are other ways to heaven, not just One Way. They will be bombarded with depraved behavior in the public square. They will face a growing deception among those in religious corners. They will have to stand up to overwhelming odds.
It's enough to make a parent start to panic. But the Father above has promised us that we can be "more than conquerors." He said He would never leave us, that His Spirit would always be with us to guide and teach us what is right. He said that we can have peace because He has overcome the world.
Those are the words I must teach my children. I must instill in them a trust in His character and love. I must read them the Scripture and pray with them and for them. I must catechize them in the principles of faith that apply to every generation and every culture. I must permeate their consciences with Truth so deception will never gain a hold. This is the training camp for making little soldiers.
I know I won't do a perfect job. I'm human and my efforts won't be adequate. That's the point where I ask the Father to take over, to bless my best, and to keep His hand over the little soldiers I am putting in His care.
"Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." (De 7:9 NKJV)
"But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children." (Ps 103:17 NKJV)
"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." ( Pr 20:7)
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." ( 3Jo 1:4)
What a wonderful post...I think that you wrote it just for ME! :) My Mom and I were talking~just today~about the VERY concerns that you wrote about. My #1 goal in life is to mold my own little soldiers for Christ...The day~to~ day affairs of life pale in comparison when you think of where your children will spend eternity. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and encouragement on this subject.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ronda. With all of us moms training together, maybe God will have a great army to work with.
ReplyDeleteI often think (and was reminded once again the other evening when the evangelist was speaking on the end times) into what a frightening world I have brought my children. I too am tempted to bury my head in the sand. Thanks for the reminder to be consistent in my training and to pray more!
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ReplyDeleteI am late in reading this post, but it ties in with our Sunday School class yesterday. Maybe God is trying to tell us something, at least me anyway. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI am a little late in reading this post. It ties in great with yesterdays Sunday school class. Maybe God is trying to tell us something, at least me. Thanks
ReplyDeletedidn't mean to post the same thing twice. Oops.
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister! We agree so much, we named our boys Caiden (Warrior) and Corin (Spear). We want them to be good, strong soldiers!
ReplyDeleteGood stuff, as usual.