With your... (everything), When you... (anything)

Sit at home, walk along the road, lie down, get up... The idea here is "always." When you (anything) you should be instilling in your family and yourself that we are to love God with our (everything). He is Number One. Always.

The world thinks it knows better. It puts self first. Even when it claims to be "inclusive" or "accepting" it is often really saying "self first" - our opinions over God's rules. There is no need to name specific issues here, you have them in your head already and this self first delusion has been going on through centuries of different issues.

What's different now is the accessibility - the ease with which our children can hear opinions about right and wrong from someone they admire, but don't know. Someone who's opinions may not only be different from your own, but even more importantly vastly different from the direction of God's Word. But because this athlete/singer/You Tuber/actor/politician/blogger does something well, they take advantage of the spotlight to speak with authority on things about which they have no right to teach your children.

Don't leave it to someone else. Speak with authority to your own children about what you know and love about Jesus, what He's done for you, and how it should influence the way you all live. You may be afraid they won't listen to you, or they won't agree with you, and that may be true, but to borrow a sports reference, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Like it says in Deuteronomy, talk about putting God first in everything you do. Be consistent and constant. They will still listen to their "heroes" but they will filter it through what they've heard from you and God's Word. They may even seek out celebrities that agree with what they've heard at home.

So what does "with your (everything) when you (anything)" look like practically? Here are a few points; check out the links and resources page and the rest of the site for more ideas and encouragement.

• Don't preach 24/7, just talk honestly and naturally as it relates to what's happening

• Lead by example, (this includes admitting and confessing mistakes, too)

• Utilize Pastors, Churches, Friends, but don't think dropping them off is enough, those are resources, not replacements. When parents are involved in a kids faith first hand, the child is considerably more likely to stick with it after they leave home.

• Find answers together when you don't know them yourself

• Listen as much as you talk

• Trust and pray for God to work in their hearts.

• Follow Jesus, lead your family. - take care of your own spiritual life so you are built up and ready to lead them in theirs.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV)

6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)

11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

New International Version (NIV)

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