Choose
for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors
served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are
living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
There was a time when life was so much simpler than it is now. Those were the days of my childhood. Oh there were some dark parts of my childhood
that I don’t choose to remember but I think that makes the good times so much
more memorable. Fourth of July was
always one of those good days at my house.
It was one of those days that, no matter what else was going on, it just
seemed to get put on hold for that day.
It was a day to celebrate, a day to eat good food and a day to be with
family. This holiday always makes me
think of my family and American heritage.
Some of my fondest memories of both
childhood and my adult years are of July 4th celebrations. Gathering together and watching fireworks,
eating great food and enjoying my favorite people. These were the best of times
because of the traditions of my family and my heritage. Traditions are an important part of our
heritage. Traditions make us each unique
and they make each family unique. They
are the “icing on the cake”, the one little difference that sets one family
apart from another. Sure, many families
share the same traditions, especially around the holidays, but many families
may have one little tweak that sets them apart from others.
July fourth is the day we celebrate
our freedom and our heritage as American citizens, but every day we can
celebrate our Christian heritage and the freedom we have in Christ. Just as American independence was bought and
paid for with many sacrificed lives, our Christian heritage and freedom was
paid for through the sacrificed body and blood of Jesus Christ. So, today we have a double heritage and twice
the freedom to celebrate!!
A Christian Heritage
The family holiday traditions and heritage that we have now will be precious memories to our children someday, but the most important thing we can give our families is a godly heritage. This country was founded on biblical principles and our families should be no different. Decide from the beginning that the Lord will be the center of your family and the cornerstone of your family foundation. If you are not at the beginning of your family, it is not too late to start. You may still have grandchildren that you can influence even if your kids are all grown. When families pray together and seek the Lord in all things, the family bond is stronger. It may not be a “circle round and hold hands” prayer over every detail but when everything is weighed in light of the Lord, it makes a difference, including T.V. shows, movies, music, internet, magazines, etc.
The family holiday traditions and heritage that we have now will be precious memories to our children someday, but the most important thing we can give our families is a godly heritage. This country was founded on biblical principles and our families should be no different. Decide from the beginning that the Lord will be the center of your family and the cornerstone of your family foundation. If you are not at the beginning of your family, it is not too late to start. You may still have grandchildren that you can influence even if your kids are all grown. When families pray together and seek the Lord in all things, the family bond is stronger. It may not be a “circle round and hold hands” prayer over every detail but when everything is weighed in light of the Lord, it makes a difference, including T.V. shows, movies, music, internet, magazines, etc.
Be sure to tell your children what
God has done for you, how He has blessed you and about His faithfulness, in
good times and bad. Tell them your
salvation story, how you were saved and now you are free from sin and that God
paid the price with the life of His own son.
Tell them of God’s amazing grace when we humble ourselves before
Him. Tell them He gives mercy when we
don’t deserve it. Also, tell your
children and grandchildren of the future you hope for them in the Lord. Let them know that God has special plans and
purposes for their lives and you are excited about seeing it all come to
pass. Read the bible and pray with them
to give them the tools and the heritage to take with them. If our children and their children after them
go on to love the Lord and serve him, then we have done our job well and we
have passed on the heritage that Jesus paid for with His life! The most important heritage we can give our
children and grandchildren is faith in the promises of God.
Scripture to Claim:
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
