August 12, 2012   

Today's Photograph . . . . Pursue God's Instructions and Reap The Benefits Of Restored Relationships   (Raymond R)

Bible Study Verse

Malachi 4:6 

He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction." (NIV)

Thoughts

The state of Michigan began an "apprenticeship" program a few years ago to allow younger hunters to get their feet wet in the outdoors by hunting under the guidance of an adult. 

It used to be that a child would have to take a "hunter's safety" class first, and then they could start hunting after they had passed their test. The state decided that the hunter's safety class would be more meaningful if the kids already had some experience in the outdoors. That way when they went through the rules and guidelines of what to do in the outdoors, they would have a better understanding of what the instructors were talking about. 

A child is not required to be an apprentice first before taking the class, but it is now an option - relying on the adults closest to them to help them learn how to make good choices and decisions outdoors.

(Dave M) 

Action Point

I'm not sure about your upbringing and relationship with your parents, but what I know is that God's expectation is for us to constantly be "mentoring" the younger generation. True authentic Christian role modeling is the absolute best way to pass our faith on to the next generation. The perception of God the Father will be developed for the next generation through how we handle our daily affairs . . . honesty, integrity, study habits, prayer life. Children see through hypocrisy in a millisecond. 

The verse quoted above today were the last words of God to His people at the end of the Old Testament. A few hundred years passed between the writing of the Old Testament and the writing of the New Testament. God's final instructions, knowing that the writing was going to be silent for a period of time, was that it was essential for the fathers to turn their hearts towards their children and for their children to turn their hearts to their fathers or else they would suffer under the consequences of poor choices made. 

May this be the heart's cry of our generation - that both the children and fathers would turn their hearts towards one another, so that we may live under the blessing of God instead of the failed choices of a hardened heart towards each other. Examine your heart today about your own heart condition to your earthly children or father. Does reconciliation need to take place? Don't hesitate . . .pursue God's instructions and reap the benefits of restored relationships.

Sportsmen's Tip of the Day

As you head outside, take a kid with you and help reveal God through His amazing creation that surrounds us.