Chalk Borders is devoted to sharing our experiences as parents with other parents needing encouragement for real situations faced by your family. As parents, moms ourselves, we have not always done everything correctly. Our kids are not perfect; neither are we. What we have learned is to stop, pray and view our surroundings from a Kingdom perspective.
I am extremely blessed to have had an amazing Bible study teacher who spends hours devouring scripture, commentaries, history resources, and learning Hebrew in order to accurately represent God's Word to others. I am so grateful for her selfless devotion and generosity to freely share what she learns with others. She constantly reminds us that the earth is a kingdom with a King, rules and consequences. (P.S. Love you, Dana.)
Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty— he is the King of glory. Psalm 24:10 NIV
Yehweh, God Almighty built this kingdom we inhabit. He established the boundaries both physically and spiritually. All things are subject to His authority, whether we choose to submit to them or not, we will be held accountable. While kingdoms and ruling kings are a bit foreign to some of us in the United States, it was very common in the Old Testament as each city was governed by individual kings. Travelers approaching a city/town would be met with a stele which was a large stone with engraved "rules." If the traveler desired to enter the city walls and benefit from the protection of that city, its army, water supply, etc. it was under the condition of obeying the rules. Although much smaller, the Ten Commandments are our stele, first written with God's own finger, then copied by Moses after the first set were broken. If we desire to enjoy the protection of the King of Kings, walk in confidence that He will provide for our needs of food, shelter, safety and ultimately an eternity in His Presence, then we must know the "rules" and live by them. Otherwise, we will suffer the consequences, His provision will be removed and we will not be able to dwell in His Kingdom.
For this reason we must "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6, NKJV) Likewise, Ephesians 6:1-4, further instructs, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise— 'so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.' Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (NIV) As parents, we are called to teach our children the Rules of the Kingdom and to respect and submit to the King, so that we may receive the promises and benefits provided by the King.
King of Glory, You are the Alpha and the Omega. Your authority, power and strength are greater than I can possibly imagine. By Your voice, You have created all things, established the boundaries of the oceans, set the stars in the galaxy, drawing the mountains to great heights, afterwards choosing to create man with Your hands, breathing Your breath within him. We desire to submit ourselves and our families to your Lordship, so it may go well with us in Your Kingdom. Amen
LH