But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
--Joshua 24:15
If you are a parent who wants to pass your faith on to the next generation, I have some advice for you—KEEP IT REAL!
If you and I are going to instill a strong, unshakable faith in our children, we must be transparent, authentic, and real. Exercising your faith at home must be part of your everyday life!
Now you certainly don’t have to dress up for it or put a face on for it. Real faith works in a suit or in blue jeans. Make faith a normal, comfortable part of your everyday life and your children will see faith in action.
I love today’s verse when Joshua said, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” He took the lead and made the decision that his household would live for God. You can make the same decision for your family today!
If your heart and soul longs to know Christ, real faith will permeate your life as a parent, whether you are worshipping or working, praying or playing, going to church or fishing. When you rise and when you go to bed at night, be real!
Make God’s Word part of your daily walk. Talk the truth, model the truth, and live the truth.
According to Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Training your child in the ways of the Lord is a 24/7 job, but you can do it with God’s help.
MAKE FAITH A NORMAL, COMFORTABLE PART OF YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE AND YOUR CHILDREN WILL SEE FAITH IN ACTION.
Hypocritical Hearts
Thursday, January 16, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.”
Mark 7:6–8
It is very possible for a person to outwardly conform to a set of rules and appear to be doing what is right while their heart is distant and cold toward God. And while our outward conduct and conversation matter, they are far less important than the condition of our hearts. For if the heart is not right, it will not be long before it is revealed. When Mary anointed Jesus with a very costly perfume, Judas complained in a manner that revealed his hypocritical motivation. “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (John 12:5–6).
Everything we do is motivated by what we truly love. We are not supposed to love God somewhat or partly or incompletely. Jesus said, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30). God knows what is in our hearts no matter how we may try to conceal it from others. If we are not right with Him on the inside, He will never be deceived no matter how loudly we proclaim our allegiance to Him. God is searching for people who will dedicate their hearts to Him, for He knows that their lives will follow.
Today's Growth Principle:
Correcting behavior always begins with the heart, not the outward conduct.
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