Tony Evans - Raising Kingdom Kids Devotional

Raising Kingdom Kids Devotional

Copyright 2014 Focus on the Family

ISBN: 978-1-62405-409-9

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Build: 2014-10-24 14:28:30

I NTRODUCTION

It is difficult for a parent to pass on a faith that he or she does not possess. The best way for you to inspire your kids to have their own faith is for them to witness your faith not only in your words, but also in your actions.

Tony Evans, Raising Kingdom Kids

Parents, you have been called to train up your children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). This involves instilling in them a kingdom mind-set. Based on the truths found in Tony Evanss inspirational book Raising Kingdom Kids, this devotional will give you the strength and encouragement you need to provide your children with a living faith.

Join Tony Evans as he guides you through a daily journey of discovering biblical parenthood. The instructions provided in each of these ninety devotions will inspire you to prepare your child to live for Gods kingdom.

1

K INGDOM P ARENTS G LORIFY G OD

You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself.

Charles H. Spurgeon

A kingdom has to have a king. Understanding that is imperative as we take the journey of raising kingdom kids. In Gods kingdom, He is the absolute Ruler of all creation and His authority is final. God has just one agenda: to glorify Himself through the advancement of His kingdom.

Glory is an often misunderstood word. In Scripture, the phrase the glory of the L ORD (Exodus 24:1617) often refers to Gods holy presence. Other mentions of glory can refer to the praise and honor that God deserves (Luke 2:14). God is all about getting glory. God is not wrong or narcissistic for doing this. He is fully within His rights as the Creator of all infinite, all-powerful, and holy. He rules over everything and sacrificed His own Son, Jesus Christ, to save humanity from sin. He is worthy of all glory.

Parents, God created you and your children for His glory. Raising kingdom kids is all about orienting your children to Gods kingdom purposes His principles and what He wants to accomplish on the earth. At the heart of the kingdom agenda is the reality that no separation exists between the sacred and the secular. All of life is spiritual, because all of life comes under Gods rule. As 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Seek to glorify God every day, and teach your children to do the same. It is what you were created to do.

A PPLICATION

1. Be honest: Whose glory are you living for at home? at work? at church?
2. What hinders you from bringing God the praise He deserves?
3. Whats one practical way you can teach your children to glorify God today?

P RAYER

Lord, I know You created me to glorify You. Help me orient my life toward this goal and give me the wisdom to lead my family this way too. Amen.

2

K INGDOM P ARENTS D ONT L OSE H EART

The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places.

Haldir the elf, J. R. R. Tolkiens The Fellowship of the Ring

The Magic Kingdom is quite a sight to behold.

From the moment visitors set foot inside Disney World, they are inundated with a smorgasbord of visual delights, cheery music, smiling characters, and chipper employees. Fantasy, fun, and nostalgia are everywhere. Its almost as if Disney is daring you to be glum.

But its all a fairy tale.

Outside Disneys gates, the real world can be a dark place. Because of sins corruption, Gods earthly kingdom created in perfection in Genesis 1 has gone from Cinderellas Castle to the Haunted Mansion (see Genesis 3). There is nothing magical about the worldly kingdom, even though society would have you believe otherwise. While the world lies about its pleasures, all sorts of godless rebellion such as murder, deceit, pride, idolatry, and lust, attack Gods creation.

But dont lose heart. God has provided hope and victory through Jesus. As Colossians 1:1314 says, For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

As you raise kingdom kids, be shrewd about the world in which you live. But dont be afraid, because our Savior has overcome the world! (John 16:33). We do not belong to this earthly kingdom. We are part of Gods kingdom where He gives the agenda and we are to advance it... in our own lives and in the lives of our children.