God clearly instructs that a parent’s most important job is to raise a child to be God’s child.
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Growing up, my mom took my sister and me to church every Sunday. We rarely missed worship unless we were sick.
But one Sunday, I was angry with Mom and argued about going. But she forced me into the car, and off we went. That made me furious. Sneaking to the church’s phone, I called Dad. And since I was ‘Daddy’s little girl’, he came and picked me up—Dad had quit going to church years earlier.
Was Mom right in forcing me to church that Sunday morning?
I may have been angry with her at the time, but today I am eternally grateful to her for fulfilling a parent’s most important job and raising me to be God’s child. I no longer attend Trinity Presbyterian Church, but it holds an enormous place in my heart as I attended it for almost 18 years. When I married, my husband and I switched to another church where Pastor Ray Streets preached.
I took my blog post picture from Trinity Presbyterian Church’s website. I thought you’d like to see where I found Jesus as a child. So, if you are ever in Johnstown, PA, stop by for a service. I’m sure they will welcome you with open arms at 268 Hostetler Road.
Mom taught me how important it was to raise my son properly so that he, too, would become a Christian.
And I’m so glad I did because, in 2017, he was murdered. So now I have the assurance that he is in heaven with God. I also returned to my roots, and Trinity Presbyterian Church is where I had my son’s funeral service. Trinity’s Pastor, Jared Havener, did a phenomenal job with the introduction. I gave the eulogy, and Pastor Streets shared the message.
But sharing the Good News of Jesus’s death on the cross doesn’t stop with our children.
God also instructs us in the Bible to share this Good News with everyone. This includes our spouses, neighbors, and everyone we meet. You can even share it on social media with strangers.
What is the Good News?
God sent His only Son, Jesus, to earth to be born from a virgin. Then Jesus died on the cross to forgive everyone for their sins, and God raised Jesus from the dead. You will go to heaven when you accept His grace by making Him the Lord and Savior of your life. Then you will follow your Bible and live your life loving Him and loving others. Love is not a requirement to become a Christian, but you will want to do it because the Holy Spirit will live in your heart.
Grace is an unearned gift.
Jesus loves us no matter what we do. God does not limit offering grace to anyone, but you still have to choose to receive this gift. He’s even offered this gift to my son’s murderer. But only if he accepts the gift will he spend eternity in heaven, where God has prepared a place for all Christians.
If you want to make this gift yours, use the words in this prayer:
A SINNER’S PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I believe in You. I believe You are the Son of God, that You died for my sins, and that You were buried and rose again as written in the Bible. Please come into my heart so I can have eternal life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me live the way You want me to. Forgive me for my past sins. Guide me in my future, so I can live my life for You. Amen.
Thank you Tammy, All that our parents planned for us as children were in our best interests, even though we might not have thought so at the time. It is the same with God – He has plans for us that are in our best interests too.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.