~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

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 We went to see the movie “God’s Not Dead” this past Friday night.  It is such a great movie!  I hope you get the chance to see it if you have not had the chance yet. This touches on the need to equip our school-age children with the ability to argue why they believe in God and know who God is.

What shocked me was that so many would deny the existence of God in a classroom and not think about the consequences.  I mean, would you write a statement that says, ‘God is Dead’ to get out of taking a class?  I was horrified at the thought!  My God IS alive and well.  Sometimes I do take Him and His mercy for granted and do things I know I have meant to give up…but to write, ‘God is Dead’ is just wrong.

I grew up in a home where I could discuss the Bible with my mom.  She was very knowledgeable and was willing to share her faith.  Where we grew up we were able to walk to a small Baptist church when my brother and I wanted to attend. She did not make us.  It was up to us.  When we were old enough she would go and sit with us to make sure we would behave, and not embarrass her or dad. After a while she would let us go by ourselves.  We would go to Sunday School and attend the worship service, then go home.  From an early age, our acceptance of God was left up to us.

As we grew older we were baptized, became members, served when we could, grew up, and moved away.  God was always there.  Nudging us, loving us, and disciplining us when we deserved it.  Growing up I felt very protected and sheltered.  For that I am thankful.  There are things I don’t need to know…things I don’t want to know.  I want to be able to take people at their face value and not have to read between the lines.

When I attended college, I was not presented the challenge to deny my faith.  I may not have walked in it as I should, but I also do not believe I would have denied Him.  As we think and pray about our schools and colleges, I pray that we as parents are equipping our kids with the ability to defend their faith and their belief in our God.  It may rest on their ability to do that and for them to know why they believe.  Not just because mom and dad, or aunt or grandma goes to church.  Or, to say, ‘I believe because my family does.’  They have to make their relationship with God personal and real.  This can be helped along by our prayers for our children.

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Father, thank You!  Thank You for the opportunity to share Your word and Your love with others. Thank You for the opportunity to defend our faith. Let us continue to grow in our confidence of Your Word.  Help us develop an ear to hear the Holy Spirit speaking, and the ability to be still and know more fully who You are.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.