Keeping the Gospel in front of your children

This book is SO practical!  I really struggle with knowing exactly what to say to my children in times of corrective instruction and this book has helped me tremendously.  After reading some of this, I was really convicted that I really need to be expecting from my children what the Lord expects of me.  

He does not expect Perfection - that is why Jesus had to come live and die for us!  He expects us to submit to His authority and to want to obey and try hard to keep his commands out of our love for Him - and relying on the Holy Spirit for help.  He wants us to have  a tender conscience, a teachable spirit and a heart that listens to his voice.  He wants us to confess our sin and be humble in our repentance.  And when we must be disciplined, we need to accept it and learn from it.  This has been so freeing for me as I pray these things for my children, and understand that they are sinners and will continue to sin!!

I am going to post the part that has helped me the most, and will tell the specific stories in another post.  Try this!

" Son, you can't obey by yourself!  That is why Jesus died on the cross, because we can't do it ourselves.  Remember the Bible says that Jesus died so that we would have new life.  You can't obey in your own strength, but you can obey in Jesus strength.  Let's pray right now and ask Jesus to help.

' Dear God, please help me to obey you and love you.  I just can't do it by myself.  Please forgive me for ____.  Please help me to trust you.  I know that you are the only one who can help me be different and turn my heart to you.  Please help me to obey my parents and to obey you.'"

Philippians 1:9-11

 ⁹And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

This is a GREAT verse to be praying for my boys.  

A deeper understanding of Jesus' love and death on the cross and growth in love for others will lead to discernment and righteousness!  As I train them in the GOSPEL, they will grow and produce these fruits that I LONG for them to have.  Ethan seems to be having the hardest time with this lately. He KNOWS right from wrong, but really struggles to remain pure and blameless in everyday situations.  I do not need to get discouraged by his (their) immaturity because if the Lord has begun a good work in them, then He promises to carry it to completion." ⁶being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."