Faith Family Living: commandments

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Preparing Yourself and Your Child, by Amy Joy

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9.

This passage has been a key part of how we are raising our children and live our lives. I try to take advantage of every opportunity that I can to talk about God, His Word, and His ways.

I was recently feeling badly that I have not been good about teaching my children a second language as I had always wanted to. My husband is much better about it than I am. Then, it occurred to me. I am teaching them the most important language to know. The language of God's Word.

For several years, we have been in the habit of reading a passage after dinner, then each child reciting or learning a new scripture, and each child choosing a spiritual song for us to sing. Over a year ago, I decided to add to that by using our time during lunch to memorize more scriptures. After they have a verse or passage memorized well, we move on to another one. I am keeping track of what we have memorized so that we can make sure to go back over them from time to time.

Recently, my five year old said that we should start doing the Bible more, and he suggested doing it at breakfast, too. So, that has become our new habit. We've also started picking a song that relates to each scripture to sing along with it. They are really enjoying it. They are the ones to remind me if I haven't started going over the scriptures yet.

There are so many good reasons to memorize scriptures. When we know God's Word, we are armed with the "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17). It also produces faith (Romans 10:17). I explain to my children that this will help them in times when they are not able to read the written Word of God. Only one out of my four children who are learning the scriptures is able to read.

When they're older (God willing) and they're on the job, or raising a family, or perhaps Bibles will be illegal then, they will be able to call to mind passages from God's Word to help them in whatever situation they're in. I encourage you to equip yourself and your children by hiding His Word in your hearts (Psalm 119:11).

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Sunday, January 22, 2012

Not a Burden, by Edward

One of the things that I have devoted a good bit of thought to over the past couple of years is that the Lord is not asking of me more than I am able to do. In other words, He's not asking too much. In 1 John 5:3 it says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome."

As I have thought about this, this question comes up- what has He commanded that is so unreasonable that I should shirk it or explain it away so as not to obey? When He speaks of not lusting after a woman, turning the other cheek, loving your neighbor, dressing modestly, putting off coarse language, putting off lying and stealing, forgiving one another, sharing the gospel with a stranger or whatever else there may be, is He being unreasonable? Is He putting something on me that is a burden? Is He asking too much?

On the contrary, He is seeking my good. He is seeking to create in me a pure heart, to be loving, to learn courage. He is seeking my freedom because when I do the things that I should not, that is when I feel burdened. It is sin that is burdensome, not the commandment. I have never felt burdened after speaking to a stranger, or forgiving my brother a wrong, or confessing my own sins; I feel free. He came to set the captives free and to destroy the works of the devil in our lives (1 John 3:8). What a good God we have! Consider Psalm 19:7-11 and ask yourself, "Are His commandments a burden?"

The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.