Teach them diligently to your little ones...

"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!" says the LORD--Jeremiah 23:1


"For both prophet and priest are profane; Yes, in My house I have found their wickedness," says the LORD Therefore their way shall be to them Like slippery ways; In the darkness they shall be driven on And fall in them; For I will bring disaster on them, The year of their punishment," says the LORD." --Jeremiah 23:11-12


In Chapter 23 Jeremiah denounces the leaders of Judah who had refused to believe God and obey His law and in doing so had brought destruction on the nation and scattered the people.The very ones who were responsible to point God's precious people to Him were the very ones responsible for the situation Judah now found herself in.  Judgment was imminent. The kings had not protected or provided  for the people and the religious leaders had led them astray spiritually and had not provided a godly example. Now there is much more to the chapter but I am going to focus just here on the practical application for us.


Jeremiah Chapter 23 should serve as a warning to us.  Who is in our care?  How are we influencing them?  Are we pointing them to Jesus or to the world?  Girls, we are accountable to God for those who are placed in our charge. Examine all your actions in the light of God's word and see where you fall short or where you might be sending the wrong message. Allow the Lord to search your heart. Be diligent to do this daily by immersing yourself in His word and asking Him to show you through His Spirit.  Eternity is at stake...God will accomplish His will with or without you but oh, how much better for you both here and in eternity if you were a vessel set aside for His purposes. 

Walk with God. Obey Him.  Give Him the  preeminence. Make sure your word and your deed match.  Be diligent to provide a godly example to those both in your care and in your path. 

One day, Lord willing, God will be gracious and gift you with children.  Speak to them His word. Teach them where wisdom comes from while they are young and want to hear what you have to say. Show them where to go when they need help in time of need. Pray with them and for them. There will come a time when they will no longer want to listen...your window of opportunity is small.  It is so easy when we have not heard the truth to listen to false prophets because they tell us things we want to hear.  Give them the word..put it in their hearts. Most importantly let them see you live what you believe without equivocation.

Hebrews 4:12 says  "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." 

2nd Timothy 3: 13-17  But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.


Deuteronomy 4:9  Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, 

 I will end with Deuteronomy 6:7 which says "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."  Do this and as they grow His word will be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path.  Point them to Jesus and you have done your job.


Love
Mom