Page 20 - The Standard Volume 4

and hard.” OR, shape the narrative for our children giving God the glory for all He has brought us through. Instead of, “It was hard,” we can say, “God is SO faithful! Look at what He has done and brought us through!” He was most certainly faithful to lead us through and He will continue to be faithful as we journey on. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). We have no way of knowing what is ahead. But our children seeing God’s faithfulness in our journey will encourage them to trust Him for themselves.
Key #3: Acknowledge we were made in God’s image
Around the time of the last Presidential election, our daughter asked us, “Are we Republican or Democrat?” We told her, “We are Christians!” In like manner, God made us male and female. We will never suggest to our children that they can “choose” to be a different gender. God made us in His image.
We will only know who we are by understanding and embracing His will, way, and purpose for our lives.
It is vital now more than ever that our children know that culture and society is NOT what shapes them. This is important because we just came out of a time where we were (through no fault of our own) not as connected in person to our Church bodies. We dressed up and attended virtually in our living rooms, but it is now imperative that we reconnect and make sure our children know that the Word of God is where we find our identity. If we don’t do it now, our reprobate society will take on the role of indoctrinating our children with ideals contrary to God’s Word. We cannot look to the world to find our purpose, value, or champion causes. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” What we teach our children—both what we say and model before them, determines the course of their lives. No, we cannot make every choice for them. They will make mistakes just like we do. We must equip them to counter every worldly argument with the Word of God. As Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” There is so much in this world trying to lead us astray from the love of our Father in heaven. May we cling to God’s Word, be conformed to His image, and hide His word in our hearts and our children’s hearts so that when calamity comes, the image of God will be their guide.
My father said something to me as I was growing up. He said, “If you don’t have a plan for your life, others will plan it for you. And do you know what others have planned for you? Not that much.” In the same way, if we don’t pursue God with passion, training our children to walk in God’s image, the enemy will come in and give them an identity contrary to God’s Word. And do you know what the devil has planned
20 THE STANDARD | June 2022 20 THE STANDARD | June 2022
for them? Not that much! And the choice to follow that path leads only to destruction.
This time we have all been navigating has not been easy. We have done the best we could given the circumstances. Now it is time to reset. Push away everything the world tried to put on us. Press in to God, His Word, and hearing His voice. It is only in that place we will be able to hear the instructions He has for us as we forge ahead. S
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NOTHING IS A SURPRISE TO GOD
When good happens we say, "Thank you Lord!" When things which seem tragic we say,
"Why me Lord?"
The real question isn't what is God doing rather, what are WE DOING when things happen in our lives which don't go according to what we think God's plan is?
Romans 8:26-28 KJV
"26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Steadiness and faithfulness to God requires the believer to endure good as well as bad times. Yet, the believer's stance should always be "God is NOT surprised by any of these things!" He helps us when AND as we pray!
He is the knower of all things and will intervene in our prayer life to offer up utterances which we cannot articulate. The Spirit lives within the believer and is ready and poised to help in times of trouble.
WHO will you turn to in order to make it through? Will you turn to anxiety? Depression? Worry? Or, will you hold to the Lord and
look to Him to carry you through?
Prayer is the remedy for this situation for the Holy Spirit will help you and He will,
for He is God and cannot lie!
When He's involved,
ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THEM THAT LOVE GOD!