Building up our children in Christ

Proverbs 20:11(NLT) ¹¹ Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

I think sometimes we may take our children for granted; that they will just always be here tomorrow or will greet us at the door when we come home from work.  Sometimes we don’t encourage them like we should or speak enough life into them, but instead unknowingly break them down.  Too often we neglect to teach them what God sees in them and wants for them so they end up straying too far away.  Now by no means am I labeling us as bad parents, but just like with anything in life, sometimes we forget that they are blessing from the Lord and we have an obligation to teach them His ways.  Blessings, which truly could be taken away at any given moment. 

My goal is not to get us down on ourselves and think we’re doing this and that wrong because the simple fact of the matter is we do make mistakes…and always will, but instead to help make us all aware.  One thing God knew, when He blessed us with our beautiful children, is that we would hit some bumps and hiccups along the way.  But, with that, He has also shown us that He is always there to help guide the way. 

Over this past weekend, in the Jesus Journals that I made up for the kids, I asked them to tell me a bit about themselves…what they liked and disliked, what they were good at and not so good at..etc.  Some of the answers made me smile and laugh out loud, while others made me wonder and even some made me a bit sad.  All of which, I will say, helped me to better understand my children and how they see and know themselves. 

My son, Keondre’, still gets upset about not seeing enough of his brother.  McKenzie doesn’t like when she can’t bring her composition notebook everywhere she goes because she may have a writing idea and need to write it down.  My oldest, Sade’, is growing more confidant in what she sees when she looks in the mirror.   These things, along with many more, are helping me to see where my children’s thoughts about themselves and ideas are and also what I need to be diligent in prayer about for them too.

Exodus 18:20 (NLT) ²⁰ Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives 

One of my most cherished gifts from God are my children and I realize that sometimes I do fail them.  However, my prayer is that more often than not I am there for them; teaching them not only right from wrong, but also how to live an encouraging and productive life.  I am learning one way to teach them this is to build them up…and I’m not just talking about the nice words of “you’re beautiful”, “you’re so smart” and “you did such a great job” either.  The type of building up I’m referring to is in Christ.  We need to teach them who they are in Christ. To show them that He loves them, is always there for them even when we sometimes fail them and how important it is to live for Him.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NLT) ¹⁴ But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. ¹⁵ You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

Because I want my children to know how important they are and how much they mean to God, I wrote a letter back to them telling them what I see when I look at them.  I told them how talented they are and how much I appreciate their help. I told them how much love is in their hugs and how their smiles are infectious and heartwarming.  I also told them how good they were at the things they love to do, but most importantly, I made it very clear just how precious and loved they are simply because God loves them. 

This is a small part of what I wrote and you can use it with your babies too…

…you’re a child of the Most High God, a prince/princess in His royal family who is loved and cherished by family and friends, but most importantly by God.  He loves you better than anyone else ever could.  He has placed special gifts inside you that He will teach you how to use and develop throughout your life.  Gifts that will not only be a blessing to you, but to those you come in contact with.  He is going to use you to help build up His Kingdom…

We may not be profound writers or have the gift of putting words together like some of the authors we read from, but we all love our children enough to say something.  My prayer for us today is that we will begin to and continue to build up our children.  Telling them what wonderful blessing from God they really are and that they have special gifts to offer and most importantly how truly loved they really are.

Being a light

Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT) ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

After studying and reading from an online Bible study I was thinking about being filled with the Spirit or God’s light. Now I’m not just talking about when we feel like singing, dancing and shouting but, maybe just filled with a good sermon or worship song from a Sunday morning church service. We felt like we’ve learned something or were blessed by seeing something differently….then what do we do with it?  I know for myself personally, while I try to walk in God’s light and love daily, I don’t know that I spread it around like I should.  I get filled up in Sunday worship and maybe a weekday service then it’s almost like I sit on it.  Yes, it may change some of the things I do, think or feel, but I think a lot of the time that may just be the extent of it. 

I’ve noticed that I am pretty good and content with sharing what I believe and God’s word with my own little close knit family and friends but, don’t usually go much further beyond that.  Yes I do write on my blog but, I think here I almost feel like I can’t be SEEN so it’s kinda like a safe place for me.  This tells me that part of my not stepping out and sharing the light that God has placed in me is out of fear…possible a fear of face to face and just feeling like I wouldn’t say or do the right thing.  Coming to this understanding I really want to change this.

Just like this scripture says….God doesn’t fill us with His light for us to sit on it.  We need to step up and out of our fear and onto our faith.  God gives to and blesses us so that we will give back to Him; and we give back to Him by sharing His word and our gifts with others.  I’ll be the first to say that I understand how hard this can be sometimes.  We may fear looking silly or that what we have to offer isn’t anything worthwhile, but the Holy Spirit blesses each one of us with our own special gifts and personalities; ones that are fit just for our purpose in life.  God didn’t make us to all be alike, unlike we sometimes think by trying to be what we see, but instead He wants us to be different because we all play a very important role in the body of Christ just by being us!  

This past Tuesday, I will admit with much anxiety and fear of feeling out of place, I attended a prayer meeting at church and it was a wonderful experience.  I believe that one of my gifts is intercessory prayer and while I use it often for my family, friends and things that come up I don’t exactly push it out further as I feel God wants me to.  While there, I felt like it wasn’t just about me and mine…and in fact for the most part, I left that at the door.  I was there to use the gift that God blessed me with to join with church family and lift up prayers for others and their needs.  I truly plan to become a regular with this ministry…I am blessed and I am called to be a blessing. 

Maybe it is in a ministry at our church, something at our child’s school or a part of something in our community; I believe with my whole heart that God calls us to shine our light.  God does not fill and bless us just sit on it…that’s selfish and does nothing for His kingdom.  Instead we are filled that we might share it with those we come in contact with…our journey and testimony isn’t just for our growth, but to help and encourage someone else along the way.

Provision

Provision- the act of providing or supplying something for use; an amount or thing supplied or provided

I’ve been hearing, through God’s word, readings and church sermons, about God’s provision and while I know what it means; I’m wondering if my heart truly grasps how wonderful it really is.  There have been many times in my life when I wondered…how?  How am I going to make it through this?  How am I going to be able to support or take care of that?  How am I going to heal and let go of this pain that seems to invade my heart even when I try my best not to let it? 

I will be totally honest and admit that many of those answers have come from my own thoughts and efforts.  I’ve tried to figure it all out myself…even manipulating certain things in ways that I thought would “help” the cause or situation.  I will also be honest and say that many, many of those times I have failed miserably and with much frustration! 

Things right now in my life are not exactly as I have pictured them to be.  There are things I wish I could fix, people I wish I could heal and even past or current situation I wish I could change, with still yet more being added, but I’m attempting to take a step back and recognize all that I have endured and come through already.  I’m realizing that none of it; no good or bad day, no breakthrough or victory has been of my own doing but, instead at the mighty hand of my Heavenly Father.  Philippians 4:19 says ¹⁹ And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. So while everything may not be as I think they should be or as I would like them to be, I do realize I am blessed and have been taken care of more than I will ever truly know.

There are times I am overjoyed to say that when something arises I take it straight to God and leave it there but, sadly, more often than not I took my own chances and ideas for a spin and another spin and another spin and well…. you get the idea.  Many times it’s not until I feel like I’m at my lowest mental, emotional and physical point that I finally realize that I can’t do this through my own will.  It’s then that I come to God humbly asking Him to fix my mess and restore in me what He already gave me in the first place. 

Matthew 6:33 (NLT) ³³ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if we learned to take every situation and pain to God in the first place?  I mean He has already made a way; He has already written our victorious story from beginning to end and He’s just waiting for us to walk it out. All we can see is the here and now, so why can’t we trust the one who is the Arthur of our stories?   When I look back over my life and see all the ways that He has made for me and my family…I can’t help but to praise and thank Him, but I also wonder why it sometimes takes me so long to realize it with each situation that arises!?!? With that, I realize that I am a work in progress and as I am seeking His will above my own and I am doing better…day by day.  For that I am truly thankful!

Now, going back to the word Provision…I broke it down from the two words.  Pro-meaning In favor of, supporting; takes the affirmative side in a debate.  Now I think we all know that God is always for us…always supporting and on the best side of our lives.  He truly favors us!  Vision-meaning something that is or has been seen; unusual competence in discernment.  God has more than unusual competence in discernment…He wrote the book on it.  He sees all and knows all, therefore when we trust Him and His provision for our lives we will always come out victorious.  Does it mean it will always be easy, no…of course not.  How can there be growth without some pain and trials…but, because we trust in Him we know it always works out for our good. 

Romans 8:28 (NLT) ²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.