Teach and Train

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

Some people think teaching and training are the same thing. While they are similar, they are not the same. You can teach someone - provide them with the knowledge of what should be done to develop a certain set of skills or talent. They can know everything they need to do in order to accomplish their goal. However, unless they combine it with practical application, there is no value added. There must be training. Train up a child... Some things they will get the very first time. Some, they won't get for the first one hundred times. Frustrating, yes, but training is the key. You'll notice the Scripture doesn't define what age is old.

We all know that every athlete has to train. And when serious athletes face challenges, they step up their training to meet the requirement of the challenge. A runner doesn't train the same for a marathon as he would for a 50-yard dash. And when running a marathon, he or she doesn't just go outside and run around the block and then say, "Okay, I can run, so I'm ready." Nor would we expect them to be ready just because they know how to run. You see the point I'm making. It takes training to qualify for the competition, training to be able to maintain a position in the competition and endurance training to be able to finish no matter the circumstances.

It's the same with "baby" Christians. It doesn't matter their age in physical years. Yes, one would think that an adult (in years) would grasp the concepts and deeper truths more quickly than a child in years, and yet Scripture tells us we must come as a child. They must first be taught and then apply the training for what they've been taught. Yes, some things they'll get the very first time. Some, they won't get for the first one hundred (or more) times. Frustrating, for sure, but training is the key.

Christ's example of obedience only to the Father qualified us for the competition to have victory over death, hell and the grave. It takes training and disciplining our lives to His Word to be able to maintain a position of humility and submission to the Father in the race. And only those who endure no matter what the circumstances will finish and receive the crown. That's what we've been taught according to the Word of God. And now, we're in training...

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for providing the Word to teach and the faith, strength, and patience to train. Help us to see the opportunities You have placed before us so that we embrace them and utilize them wisely. Help us to grow in Your wisdom and in Your grace. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

It's on Us

A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell David, “All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!”
2nd Samuel 15:13 NLT

The book of 2nd Samuel relates many horrible tragedies involving David's children. This one of compounded betrayal is painful to even read... While David was a man after God's own heart, he was not a perfect man. And while he was forgiven, there were still consequences. 

I will not sit in judgment, but I will inspect the fruit. We can have a great relationship with the Lord, but if we don't teach our next generations... 

If we don't offer them a way out of the world's woes - and I don't mean buying them out of trouble - I mean to teach them that there is a sanctuary in a battle-weary existence, that there is forgiveness for repentance, that we CAN overcome life's worst, but only through Christ. Only through turning to God or turning back to Him. It's not enough that they know OF Him; they must KNOW Him. 

Set the example. Live for the Lord, and NEVER stop praying for them no matter how battle-weary we may be! In Isaiah 54, we're told all our children shall be taught by the Lord. It's on us to make sure they know who He is.

Prayer:

Father,
         Forgive us where we have failed. We pray that You will redeem us, our children, our loved ones. We pray that Your light so shines from within us that those You have given us are drawn to You. We pray more of You, Lord; less of me. In Jesus' Name, Amen

We Learn What We Live +

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

Galatians 6:7-8 NLT

Pastor Alan Neel said, In order to have a new day, you have to be sick enough of your yesterday to plant something new. Selah... stop and think about that for a minute.

We may want things to change. We may even pray for deliverance of whatever it is we want changed. However, if we keep planting the same seeds of anger, bitterness, hatred, or strife, we will continue to reap the fruit of it. And you can't allow someone else to sow those things in your fertile ground, either.

Many years ago, I found this poem for the first time. And although it speaks specifically about children, it applies to all of us.

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE

Dorothy Law Nolte

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.

If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with jealousy, he learns what envy is.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with recognition, he learns that it is good to have a goal.

If a child lives with sharing, he learns about generosity.

If a child lives with honesty and fairness, he learns what truth and justice are.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and in those about him.

If a child lives with friendliness, he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.

If you live with serenity, your child will live with peace of mind.

With what is your child living?

With what are YOU living?

Prayer:

Father,

       Teach us Your ways, O Lord. Help us to be ever mindful of the thoughts and intents of our own hearts. May they always be pleasing to You. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen