HELP OUR CHILDREN

I have been struggling lately about how to raise my daughter and how hard it is for her being in two household. It is especially hard when there are different opinions and vies on how to raise our kids nto just in our society, but even from one hosuehold to another.

I am comforted to know that after praying and literally shedding a lot of tears for my daughter' s sake, God gave me an assurance that she will know Jesus one day and truly serve Him. But meanwhile I need to guide her there. The Scriptures say that we need to teach a child in the way he or she should go and they will not depart from it. It is not a principle or just there as a possible truth. It is truth. It doesn't say that they maybe will follow the road, but that they will. It is a promise.

So, I am responbile as a parent to teach her truth. If we look in the Old Testament we can see how the parents then were commanded by God to teach them God's Word and even stcik them to their foreheads. Now, I do not believe we need to put stickers on our children's heads, but this is key: we need to make sure they are constantly reminded of God's Word. We need to make sure that they learn to live their lives knowing what God requires and what He wants. We need to teach them that they cannot separate their lives at work one day from their lives at church. We see that much going on in the country and I even had people telling me, " This is not a church. Go preach somewhere else". We have separate lives. In Matthew 6:33 the actual Greek says, " Seek ye ONLY the Kingdom of God". Not first, but only. His dominion....the King's dominion.

So, what are some practical things I have begun teaching my daughter?

1. First memorizing Scripture. She is too young to understant what they mean, but once she is older she will understand. Right now her job is to gather as much Scripture in her heart as possible.

2. I tell her the stories from the Bible and sometimes in a very funny way. She giggles and sometimes laugh hilariously and she says, " Mommy, tell it again!" That is awesome. I love doing that. She loves the stories about the disciples garguing about who was going to be the greatest and then Jesus brought a child to them. My daughter just laughs at that.

3. I try to watch more what I say around ehr and my atittude. She needs to see how her mommy handles things especially when they get tough. I need to admit I am not always my best, but I am doing much better. I try to vent before the Lord and not my child( most of the time...well, I fail sometimes, but I try).

4. I take her with me when I minister with people. She needs to see her mom helping others, giving to others, sharing, etc. because the Bible says we need to be an example. So many of us think that is arrogant. It is Biblical. Paul said, " Follow me because I follow Christ". Was he arrogant? No. he was following Christ. We are supposed to be able to tell people to follow us. The reason we do not dare is because we know in our hearts we do not follow Him( Kris Valloton Ministries). I had people in my lfie saying, " Well, why did you put me up on a pedestal?' To which I said, " Well, you are a leader, I am supposed to look up to you." But they said, " Don't" . Why because we are not what Jesus called us to be. We are not letting Him live ut His life through us and we are scared of being caught.

5. Pray with your children. I take out my guitar and we worship and my little girl gets her guitar and she leads worship. I let her do it. Wonderful. Then we pray together for people. We try to pray every morning, too. If we do not do it at home then on our way to school. A " thank you for this day" prayer is a good start.

6. Talk to your child and explain things. Answer questions and correct thoughts that the enemy throws at them. Encourage them to not listen to the enemy. I know it is a big thing, but the truth is there is an enemy out there.They need to know at least that much. We talk about the serpent in children's church, so why not teach them who the serpent really is. Of course everything to their level.

And if you have more ideas....write about it when you comment. I love to hear more