This summer will mark 15 years for me as a believer in Jesus Christ. Because of my indifference to God for 19+ years, it had to be the power and grace of God that moved me to surrender my life to Him. Not only that, God has kept me from repeatedly hardening my heart against Him, as I have gone through seasons of hardships and doubts. By His love, He wants me to know, follow, and trust in Him, because that is what is best for me.
The Holy Spirit has given me new life, and He now gives me the power to live a life that is pleasing to Christ. He has continually worked in my life to help me live for Christ. “The Spirit [should] be such a strong influence in your life that you end up speaking and acting in ways that are holy and honoring to Christ” (“Big Truths for Young Hearts”). But how do we live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25)? Author Bruce Ware helps answer this:
“The Spirit will have a greater influence and will provide more direction in our lives as God’s Word ‘dwells’ more and more within us. Our reading of his Word, our time spent memorizing and meditating on Scripture, is one of the main tools that the Spirit uses to help us think, feel, and act in ways that are more and more pleasing to Christ. . . . Believers should long to be more ‘filled’ with God’s Word so they will be more ‘filled’ with his Spirit.”
Therefore, since we need to be filled with God’s Word, how are you doing that? Even more, how are you helping your children do that? You cannot rely on mere church attendance to fill this need (although that is a part of it). Next week, I will give some ideas of things that have helped me and my family grow in God’s Word. For now, I’d love to hear what you and your family are doing.
-- Joey Espinosa
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