Yesterday we were riding in the car and came up with a goofy game flipping a coin and calling out “jinks”, “Double-jinks”, etc. I laughed harder than I had in weeks. What joy in such a simple time spent together.

This opened the door to talk about God and our relationship with Him.

What does this have to do with sacrificing our children to false gods? Often times we are so engrossed in our technology we sacrifice opportunities to invest, love, and train them as God commands us.

We buy them the latest digital babysitter and sacrifice them on the alter for our convenience. This is obviously extreme, but realistically, who of us couldn’t do a better job dropping the phone and picking up your sons and daughters.

This passage convicted me coming out of a busy season and reminded me of our calling to teach our children to observe the commands of our God.

Invest in your family today!

#MPWarrior

#NoFalseGods

#NoSacrificingOurChildren

No excuses! We have access!  I love the plan of our Father that He wants to write His word on our heart. I so desperately want His word so much a part of me that it is who I am.  I want it to have its way in all that I think and do!

Personal Reflection

Have you opened the notebook of your heart to the most amazing writer this world has ever known?  The One who spoke all of the world into being desires to be that close to you. He has adopted us as His children and not only are we made in His image we also carry His word branded on our hearts!  We are His!

What can you do today to diligently teach others God’s word?  What are some ways you can know, live, and speak the truth to them?

Set a schedule to be in His word daily.  You can do this!

Prayer Focus

LORD, we praise you for saving us and writing Your words upon our hearts.  May we sing of Your love forever.  May we diligently and intentionally teach Your Word to others for Your glory, in Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Heard a message last night at the event in attending.  My mind can’t help but draw the conclusion that we are in a similar place today.  God’s children have been scattered by poor or absent shepherding.  As parents and leaders we are shepherds.  What a great responsibility we have been given!  We must be  all in for this mission.  

For I confess that I have not always been diligent.  I have let my mouth speak without regard to your desire for YOUR sheep. At times, I have thrown up my hands, shut down, and given up.   There have also been times that I have chosen to stay with the 99 rather than pursue the one that has gone astray because I was tired or worn or some other excuse.  I want to be a good shepherd. 

When we look at the good shepherd in Psalm 23, we find He does the following:

1) He leads us beside still waters 

2) He makes us rest

3) He restores

4) He guides in paths of righteousness

5) He prepares a table in the presence of enemies

6) He anoints our head with oil

Pay attention to the desire for our restoration, the tender care, and love poured out!   

It’s time we shepherd like that! 

Personal Reflection

Read Ezekiel 34:1-10, Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34:11-31

As God’s children we are His sheep.  As mentioned earlier, some of us are shepherds also.  There are two questions I’d like to ask you today that I’m deeply challenging myself with also:

1) What kind of sheep am I for the Lord?  Do I listen to my shepherd? Am I prone to wander or do I stick close to Him?

2) If I am a mom, dad, elder, leader…What kind of shepherd am I? Have I been like the Good Shepherd?   Am I seeking His lost sheep?  Am I tending to them, binding their wounds, assisting in their healing. Leading them beside still waters?  Or am I scattering them?

Prayer Focus

LORD you are our Shepherd, the perfect Shepherd.  Help us to be sheep the desire after Your presence; that we may may delight in Your leading and discipline.  Father, we pray that we would shepherd well like You, Your sheep you have given us to tend.  We confess that we have not been diligent to ward off the wolf and seek after the lost one. Restore Your visions in our mind hat we my diligently carry out Your will in the Name of Jesus, Amen!

I want my children to have that kind of life. I don’t want to try to just show them a good example. I want them to have a heart that longs for Christ and to do His will.  They best way I can encourage that is to live that myself.  Our children will see how we react when we fail and our faith, hope and love through all of it. 

Personal Reflection

How’s your walk with Christ?  Is He your righteousness? Are you walking uprightly with Him?  Are you trying to show your kids the right behaviors or is your focus living for Christ?  Ask the Lord to make you a person of integrity in Him

Prayer Focus

Gracious Father, we thank you for your Son Jesus and His obedience and finished work at the cross.  We praise you that He is our righteousness. Help us to walk in that truth with integrity. Let us not only say but do your Word to your glory. Let our focus be Jesus rather than behavior.  Give us a real passion for you. May our children see that and catch the passion.  We pray all of these things in the power of Jesus’ Name, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#parentingwithpassion #truthtalk4life #lovejesus