Some things are easier caught than taught. In Proverbs, parents are given clear instructions about training up a child in the ways of God and understanding that it has purpose. It is written in *Proverbs 6:6 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.* One of my fondest memories is that of my children when they were young, before we went to sleep, we would all read our Bibles. My youngest would read till she was tired, then the older until she was tired, then I would read till they fell asleep. We did this just about every night until the world drew them away from me and Jesus. I believe that having my children hear the word of God come off my lips was one of the most important things I have ever done in my life. Now I have the blessing of hearing my older daughter and her husband read their Bible to my grandchildren. It truly brings joy to my heart to see this tradition carry on and also reminds me that I am getting older, time is short, and more than that precious. There is an acronym for R.E.A.D. – Read, Engage, Apply, Discuss. To truly equip our children to not only read God’s Word but to process it and make it a part of their lives is a huge privilege but also a grander responsibility. The great part for me is that I get to be involved in the learning process of the next generation and help my family put what they heard into practice. I like and am also fearful by what the Apostle Paul wrote in *1 Corinthians 11:1 Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).* This is a place where I feel that I fall short but also receive some affirmation at times. A while back, one of my daughters who was not living right before God at the time, asked me to pray for her friend. I told her that she should pray for her friend. She said that God doesn’t listen to her, but she knew that He listened to me. There are many different parts to having a relationship with God. The one thing that I feel was more impactful than hearing about God was having my children see how I lived out my faith day to day. As devoted Christians, if we do not share with those closest to us all that God has done, the world will lie to them and tell them, it is all about what they can do on their own and that there is no need for God in their lives. If we do not show those around us by example how to pray and study the Bible, they will look to the culture for their way to live. I believe that as Christians, if we do not show our children, grandchildren, and those that God has put around us by example what the love of Jesus is all about, the world will teach them to look for love in everything else. One of the most important parts of any relationship is spending time together, quality, intentional time, and with God it is all the more important. For the believer, the time we spend in the Bible, in worship, and in fellowship with other believers is what helps us to draw closer to God and to live holy before Him, and that time is never wasted. That time can give us the direction and understanding to know His will for our lives. Beloved, the best way to encourage the children God has blessed us with is to have them see our devotion to reading the Bible and living out what it says when the rest of the world doesn’t. There is no better way to pass down our faith to future generations than to lead by example. My prayer for all who hear these words is that we all live out our faith by example and our love for God boldly for all the world to see, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support for the ministry activities that God has entrusted to me at pastord.blog@gmail.com