Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
June 18, 2023
Ephesians 6:1-4
1 As for children, obey your parents in the Lord, because it is right. 2 The commandment Honor your father and mother is the first one with a promise attached: 3 so that things will go well for you, and you will live for a long time in the land. 4 As for parents, don’t provoke your children to anger, but raise them with discipline and instruction about the Lord.
Good Morning, Happy Father’s Day!
Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Amplified Bible
Truly I tell you that so many children live in our world today with no one to teach them to seek God’s wisdom. There are many causes for this phenomenon. We have single-parent families where lone parent works so many hours to provide for their children that they spend many hours without adult supervision. We have neglected, abandoned, and orphaned children and those who chose to run away.
The greatest enigma is those children who live in what seems to be a “normal” family, but there is no teaching of God in their home. In most of our childhoods, someone in the family would take the children to church. It was usually the parents, but sometimes a grandparent or other relative would take that responsibility. Most children knew God even on a very basic level.
This is no longer true. The number of children without the knowledge of God is staggering. To be honest, many of these kids are taught manners and to be kind, but there is no connection to God. This trend will continue to grow because our society has banned prayer and mentioning God in many public gatherings.
To go and make disciples and transform the world, the church must find new ways to touch the lives of our community. We can’t sit in our churches and wait for others to come. We must go outside the walls, meet them where they are, and show them the love of Christ. This is what Jesus modeled when he walked among the sinners and outcasts. The church is a hospital for sinners in need of spiritual healing. Our challenge is to help others to find the door.
Loving God, We thank you for Your blessings. We have tasks that seem impossible. The number of unchurched families is growing. By Your grace, help us find a connection to those in need of Your love. We Thank You! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Jesus invites us to join him outside.
Take a Risk! Step out in Faith! Pastor Liz
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