That’s not a trick post title, but I’m not talking about what we tell the three year old (or nine year old) after we have given them instruction.
I’m talking about us.
Today while our children were eating breakfast, I jumped off the couch (before I could lazily change my mind) and brought my Bible to the table. While they ate, I read and shared what was on my heart.
I read them what I read this morning:
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: 12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.13 In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst. Amos 8:11-13
I asked the kids what it meant to have a famine of God’s Word. They understood the concept pretty well. (David pointed out the 400 years of silence between the last of the prophets and Jesus’ coming to earth.) I told them that even today we have a famine of hearing God’s Word, and this is one reason that I’m keen for them to learn and study God’s Word while they are young.
That reminded me of Matthew 9:36-39:
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
We’re moving to Okinawa, Japan, this summer. Moving frequently motivates me to pray more. Today I’m burdened with the need for laborers in our new places. I’m burdened that our children see the need to obey right away when they see something in Scripture that they know how to obey. I don’t want them to simply stuff their heads with Scripture (not really in danger of this yet) without learning to be doers of the Word.
I told them my burden that we obey when we find something we can obey. I told them of my burden to find a good church in our new home. So we all took turns praying for Okinawa, that God would send and prepare laborers there.
I’m thinking that there are lots of Scriptures that we can obey right away. How many times do I intend to obey, but just forget? I’m asking God to show me Scripture that I can share and obey with my children. What Scriptures should we tackle next?
this is good, such a good thought. I love how you shared your heart with your children and included them in your quest for truth and obedience. I will be praying too for Okinawa and what is in store for you there, and I will also pray for those of us left behind who will miss you excruciatingly. seriously.
I will be praying for you all in Okinawa, through tears, but they will turn to tears of joy knowing the Lord will be blessing a new place through you, your family and your testimony. You will have to promise to blog more, though, to ease the loss of our kitchen table chats…
Well, may not one to obey, but one to marvel about. Acts 17:24-28. God is moving you as part of his purpose to save a people for himself. On that score I can think of few more equal to the great opportunities God provides in redemptive history. God bless – grateful the means God has used to connect our paths!
Ruth still doing well. She is in a vaccine trial where her own dendretic cells are being trained to attack tumor cells.
Jay, I am excited to hear that Ruth is doing well. I have been praying for her and you! Please pass on that I have had several friends who have been using her book Get Wisdom! with their children. They love it! As always, thanks so much for dropping by with encouragement. You’re right, this is a wonderful passage.