The war that is seldom talked about

By: American Decency Staff

Are you still in the parenting stage of life? I am, and I know as well as anyone how challenging parenting can be (having parented now for 31 years). Spiritual warfare for the hearts and souls of our children. My youngest is a senior this year. Chris will soon be eighteen. He has been a pleasure to raise at every age and stage, but it doesn’t get any easier in these days. The attack is relentless upon our young people. Satan is as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. We are to resist him in the faith. [I Peter 5:8]. The Bible tells us that we are to be sober and vigilant in this fight of faith. I have learned and continue to learn that dos and don’ts are very important to establish, but if we don’t have the hearts of our loved one (and more importantly if Christ isn’t in their hearts) we are fighting upstream. Oh, that they would know Christ and the power of His resurrection in their own personal lives. For many years, I have had devotional times with Chris. Over the last year we along with a core of other young people (aged 17-26) have been meeting together in studying God’s Word and praying together. How sweet it is to see young people want to know more about Him and walk in His ways. We went through the book “The Pursuit of Holiness” by Jerry Bridges. It was a great study as the chapters are small and there are questions that accompany each chapter. Many of you have ordered a free copy from us (see below). Others have read the book and seen the worth of it and have ordered multiple copies for a small group study. In my own personal life and in my parenting and marriage and ministry, I need Christ to be softening my heart, nurturing me, strengthening me, helping me in my relationships with family, staff and others and with Him. I urge you, too, to spend time with your young one(s). Help them to see that you are fighting the fight of faith and help them learn how to live out this faith. May God help us all not lose our children through being so busy with sports, activities, even church activities that we are neglecting time of discipling with our young ones – when we wake up, sit down, play, lie down, work (Deut. 6). God help us each one to be sober minded, vigilant, resisting the devil and growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ================== A word regarding the book – “The Pursuit of Holiness” This book is a tremendous study. The chapters are concise and meaty but readable. The little book has study questions for each chapter. As Christians, our Lord calls us to “pursue holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” [Hebrews 12:14] A tremendous way to study over a period of time God’s great plan for our lives – I urge the reading and study of this book for yourself. And beyond that, I encourage you to bring together a group of people – young and/or old – and study and strive together to engage in this life long pursuit – “to be holy for He is holy.” If you would like a free copy, email Kimberly@americandecency.orgKimberly@americandecency.org If you would like multiple copies, we are making them available for $1.00 a piece plus shipping. Here is a quote from Dr. Jerry Bridges book from chapter 12. ” The Bible indicates that our thought lives ultimately determine our character. Solomon said, ‘For as he thinks within himself, so he is’ (Proverbs 23:7 NASB). An old well known verse puts it this way Sow a thought, reap an act Sow an act, reap a habit; Sow a habit, reap a character….” Order your free copy today by either emailing Kimberly@americandecency.org or by calling at 1-888-733-2326 ==================================== Let’s encourage one another and strengthen one another to be more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This book is a great tool for this end! American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 PH: 231-924-4050 www.americandecency.org

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