Monday, January 3, 2011

Truth vs Disobedience

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
This past New Year's weekend was good. I heard a great word from several preachers. I was motivated through songs of praise, and I saw smiles on everyone's faces. But there was something that disturbed me. Well, during Sunday Morning worship my pastor (John L. Brooks...Macedonia Baptist Church....nice plug huh), anyhoo, my pastor made a statement about how we need to teach the TRUE word of God. He also encouraged the youth pastor (Dr. Antoine Richardson.....a great leader for the youth) to continue teaching the children so that they can go to school talking about Jesus. So, I turned to my daughter and asked her if she talks about God at school and she flat out said "NO". I was actually disturbed. So I waited until after church to carry on the discussion of sharing the gospel at school. So after church we stopped by their god parents house (the Sheffields are AWESOME) and this time I decided to ask both of my children about sharing the gospel at school. That is when I received clarification on the matter. They both told me and their god parents that they would get in trouble if they talk about Jesus so that is why they don't say anything. So, Theresa asked if they talk about Muhammad and my son said yes because he is in the history books. So then we, the god parents and I, encouraged the children to talk about Jesus. Fear has set in on my children. They are scared to share the Word because they don't want to get in trouble. As a parent, you don't want to teach your children to be disobedient but when it comes to Christ, I don't want them to be hindered from sharing His word because of fear.  My children love the Lord and my goal (with the Lord's help) is to work with my children so that fear will not hinder them from sharing God's word with others.
If you have children, are around children, working with children, know someone who has children.....PRAY!! Pray that fear won't be a hindrance. Children should be excited about God outside the church just as much as they are when they're in the church.

Be Encouraged!!

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6

7 comments:

  1. Prayer is the immediate need and continual need. But I wonder how we get past that fear. It is interesting how easily we'll take great risks of our lives, our futures, our keeping, and so on..to sin. Yet at the expense of ourselves we are reluctant to tell somoene about Jesus. And I'm really referring to us as adults. But it does say something about what children learn from us. Perhaps peer pressure really doesn't stop at the extension of a diploma. You've made me have to look at how intentional I am of including my kids when I put myself in precarious places to tell others about Jesus so they can learn that what I am praying (for ME and then my kids) I really intend to see Jesus carry out.

    And Sheffield is awesome because of Theresa.

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  2. There is no fear in love and perfect love casts out fear! Great Blog. Sheffield already provided the commentary lol!

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  3. "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 10:32-33)

    The question that was aimed at the kids should also be directed toward us (as adults). The kids expressed concern about "getting in trouble" for talking about Jesus at school. Are we (as adults) fearful about talking about Jesus (sharing who He is or what He has done for us) with those who we may encounter throughout our day (even at work)? Do we think that we will "get in trouble" for sharing the Gospel with those who are "lost" within the workplace?

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  4. Great question Theresa!! I guess I could add to it and say 'to what extent or how far will we go when sharing God's word?'

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  5. I'd like to see my job put my name on the board with a check. I'm still leaving at 4:30 and getting on the bus.

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  6. I'll tell you just like I tell the parents in my youth group. As hard as it is to believe your children are DIRECT reflections of you! What ever we pour into them comes out of them... It may not be an immediate showing but once you plant the seed sooner or later the tree will sprout! Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. CONTINUE TO BE THE MOTHER GOD CALLED YOU TO BE!!!

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  7. It's ironic that I happened to come to your page today. Your concern is definitely legitimate, and there are some great comments here. My most recent article on my blog is titled, God's Children. When you have a moment, perhaps you would like to read it. I also referred to Proverbs 22:6. I especially liked the comment, just before my comment. Continue to pour into your children, what you want to pour out of them. It sounds like you are already doing an excellent job! Take care.

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