November 22, 2017 - - Proverbs 22:6 and Matthew 28:18-20 Joy-Filled Obedience

Train up a child in the way he should go,

And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

In what way are you training up your child? It is easy to binge watch the latest series of your fav episodes. Ordinary activities and schedules all must yield for this. Yet for church services and prayer meetings are low on the list of priorities. Your children are watching. They will follow in your footsteps.

In what way are you training up your child? At Christmas time budgets for presents are made and exceeded. Belt tightening measures are undertaken in the lead up to Christmas so that the little members of the family can be more spoiled than they already are. Yet the tithing for church and belt tightening so that extras can be given to the needy are neglected. Your children are learning obedience to the dictates of the culture rather than obedience to Jesus and his commands.

We are storing up for ourselves treasures on earth where the moth eats and banking fluctuations devour and heaps of presents given to children are soon forgotten. Extended church and bio family members can be so guilty of this as well. The treasure of greatest price which our children and youth need is walking with Jesus. It is a precious gift for the community of faith to see costly obedience to Jesus.

Give to your children the lasting gift of mentoring them in obedience to Jesus Christ. Give to your children the wonder of delving into the Word and teach them the joy of the LORD and the expectation of good which can only flow from the throne of our Father in heaven. Pray that the Spirit of God will wean them from the world and its fool's gold pleasures. The Rock on which to build a life of satisfaction and trust, of joy and hope that can weather any storm is Jesus Christ.

Father in heaven, it feels like it is so late for me, so overwhelming to set things right. I confess I am so set in my ways and so devoted to things and programs and what is familiar that the treasures of heaven seem so far beyond me. Thank You for the love of Your Son, my Savior Jesus, Who rescues me from the present evil age. Thank You that in obedience to Jesus I die to myself, this world and the lies of this world and rise to new life in Him. Spirit of God, let the splendour of Christ and the renown of His Name be my highest pursuit and pleasure. As the world enters this season of excess and heightened materialistic pursuits, let my faith be anchored in Christ and my joy be the worship of His Name and love for Him shown by my obedience to His commands. May my children and grandchildren, my church family and friends not see a grinch, but a man zealous for the things of God and radiant in obedience and so finding the true pleasures You offer. Amen.