From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

How many of our children can name 10 rules of soccer, basketball, baseball, etc., but cannot name all of the 10 Commandments? How many of our children can name 12 movie stars or sports figures in as many seconds but would have to ponder for hours naming the 12 Apostles? Naming the commandments and the apostles is not the point here, folks, but I think you get the point!

Have we really brought up our children in the ways of the Lord? Have we taught them the great, life-altering accounts of the Bible, both formally by study in the home and informally in our interactions with them? If they were talking about your strongest characteristic, would it be that you love God with all your heart? Have your children seen you go to the Lord with all of your requests and wait on Him for the answers? Do your children see you repent and ask forgiveness when you are wrong? Do you counsel your children in gentleness and love or with a strong, overbearing spirit that only crushes theirs? Do your children see you seriously studying the Bible, and see your eager participation in church and its ministries? Do your children see you tithing and looking for opportunities to give and assist those in your area? Have you gone over the lists of the deeds of the flesh vs. the fruit of the Spirit with your children, with an eye to guiding them around the pitfalls of life? Have you discussed sexual purity and chastity with your children and God’s reasons for it? Have you used the Scriptures as the basis for your decisions? Have you prayed with your children daily? Have you taught them daily scripture review and study? Have you taught them to participate in church and volunteer regularly? Have you shown your boys what it says in the Scripture that God requires of a man, husband, father and worker? Have you shown your girls what it says in the Scriptures that God requires of a woman, wife, mother and worker?

So many questions…so many answers! I hope you have told your children that they have a free gift from God…eternal life…that is theirs for the sincere asking. Ponder these questions in the presence of God, and may you do well on your journey. His gracious help is there in all that He requires of you. Endure the fire—it’s producing pure gold!

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