~What if we looked forward to and planned to attend every worship service, Bible class, Gospel meeting, and singing night for one year, even if attending meant we miss an activity? Can you truly say, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD”? (Psalm 122:1)
~What if instead of watching our favorite TV show in the evening, we opened our Bibles with our families? The Psalmist said in Psalm 1:2, “Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” Job says in Job 23:12, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” Can the same be said of us?
~What if our spare 15 minutes before the next activity was spent reading our Bibles or learning a new memory verse, instead of checking Facebook or Twitter? Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” God’s word will never get in our hearts if we don’t work to put it there!
~What if we sacrificed 15 minutes of sleep and spent that time in prayer to God? 1 Peter 5:7 tells us, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
~What if the same devotion was given to our children learning who God is as to them learning their math facts or their spelling words? Sure that 100% is important, but which do you think will be more valuable on life’s Final Exam? “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). James 4:14 asks, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” The same holds true for our children. Our time with them is very short. Therefore let us, “walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)
What would happen if we all strove to live our lives this way? The result would, unquestionably be stronger families, more faithful members of the Lord’s church, stronger congregations, and a deeper relationship with our Lord. Let us all strive to live our life in such a way that we proudly display the sign, “I Live for Christ!”
~AB