God Chose you for your Children.

Over the next six weeks, I am leading a Bible Study on protecting the hearts of our children.  If you are not able to attend the Bible study, you can follow along with us on my blog. We will begin with considering the following questions.

In the world we live in today, is it possible to truly protect the hearts of our children?

 In this world we live in today, is it possible to raise children whose hearts, minds, and bodies reflect an attitude of purity and innocence?

In this world we live in today, if we as parents desire purity and innocence for our children, could it be that we are possibly setting a goal that is impossible to reach?

Throughout the years, my husband and I have expressed our desire to raise children whose hearts remain pure and innocent.  We have been told by several loving, well meaning family members and respected friends that you cannot raise children in our current world without exposing them to sexual immorality, sarcasm, disrespect to authority, violence and numerous others influences the world so generously provides.  Do you know what? They are right if we choose to live with one foot in the church and one foot in the world. 

Do we as Christian parents give up on the goal of raising children who reflect an attitude of purity and innocence?  Absolutely not.  What do we do then? We determine to fight harder, to fight stronger and to make whatever sacrifices necessary to raise children with this attitude of purity.

God is so amazing when He provides scripture which tells us what to do as parents. Nehemiah 4:14 (NKJV) says, “And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

Protecting the hearts of your children can be accomplished.  Fight, do not quit, do not lose focus, and do whatever is necessary to protect the hearts of your children. 

Take a moment and really focus on this point.  God chose you for your children. Think about it again. GOD CHOSE YOU FOR YOUR CHILDREN.  

How do you feel when you really focus on the reality that he chose you for your children? Overwhelmed, humbled, unworthy, awestruck, and responsible.  He entrusted to our care those precious children who He loves more than we can begin to comprehend.

I Timothy 6:20 (NKJV) says, “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.” There is our commandment from God.  Guard what He has given you. 

What are we to guard? We are to guard our heart.  If we have been entrusted with the care of these children, then we should also guard their hearts.  Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV) says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”  In the NIV version of this verse, it says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” 

Notice the words of Nehemiah, Timothy, and Solomon.

FIGHT.

KEEP.

GUARD.

As Christian parents, we can fight, keep and guard the hearts of our children.  God did not bring you here to this point in your life just leave you.  Remember, He specifically entrusted you with the protection of the hearts of your children.