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December 6, 2012
Day 31
Parental Control
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Dear Praying Friend,
As parents, we understand the challenges of teaching our children to be obedient. How often we must repeat ourselves until a good behavior is created and a bad behavior has been broken; even then we must remain consistent, because, inevitably the boundary lines will be challenged once again. We love our children and we desire for them to simply take our experience to heart, however, a lesson is often learned, and indelibly written on the heart, only after one has experienced it for themselves - no matter how painful it is for us to watch.
As we meditate on Psalm 51:3-6 today, David confesses that he struggles in his sin, for it is always with him. He acknowledges that sin is a part of his nature and he can't get away from it. He understands that he has been walking contrary to everything the Lord has taught him. He's learned his lesson and now wants the Lord's teaching to take root in his life so he doesn't have to struggle with his sin. "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing" (Romans 7:15-19).
How blessed we are to have a Heavenly Father who consistently parents us and has provided us a wonderful example to follow. May we never fail to impress His truths on our children and be always willing for Him to write His Word upon our hearts (reference Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Join us for our family devotional journey, The Festival of Lights, beginning this Saturday, December 8th as we build one another up in His love and radiate God's light to the world (see information below).
" 'This is the covenant I will make
with the house of Israel after that time,'
declares the Lord.
'I will put my laws in their minds
and I will write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.' "
(Hebrews 8:10)
Dear Heavenly Father, You created our hearts to be wrapped around You, and yet we find ourselves in a daily battle over desires that keep us from You. Lord, forgive our fleshly tendencies. You know exactly what we are dealing with - You put on the robe of human flesh to bear our sin so that You could adorn us with a garment of glory. You love us too much to leave us locked in this cell of human flesh. You came to set us free from the bondage of sin and death, but we keep running back to those old shackels. How we desperately need Your help. We can not do this on our own, we need You to show us the way. Every single day we need Your guidance, every single moment we need Your help. Forgive us for the time we've wasted trying to figure it out on our own. Thank You for being an ever patient parent - waiting to pick us up when we fall down, and willing to forgive us when we mess up. Thank You that we can always come home to You to experience Your love and receive Your instruction. Teach me what I cannot see - teach me knowledge and good judgment - teach me to do your will. Help me to learn from You and become like You so my children will learn what a loving and gracious Heavenly Father they have and will follow You and love You their entire life. I love You Abba. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Steadfast in prayer,
Traci Alexander
Trumpet and Torch Ministries
Psalm 27
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Prayer Scripture References: Job 34:32; Psalm 119:12; 119:66; 143:10; Proverb 22:6; Isaiah 61:10; Luke 15:21; Romans 6:6-7;23 | 
