By Dree Hogue
(This is the third in a series of posts by Dree Hogue on choosing life verses for your children. If you missed out, check out Monday’s post here and Wednesday’s post here.)
The older I become, the more I realize that the very thing we were created for is the very thing our enemy will try very hard to thwart. John 10:10 reminds us, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” If a life verse is meant to give life, then the enemy will try to steal it! Unfortunately, our children are not immune to this spiritual dichotomy.
Even though they are not immune to attack, I can confidently say that they also have full access to the power of the Holy Spirit! My pastor’s wife often says, “there is no junior Holy Spirit!” Ephesians 6 refers to the word of God as our “Sword of the Spirit,” our one offensive weapon against the “flaming darts” of the enemy. Equipping your children with a life verse equips them with a life-saving weapon!!!
Both of my children have had seasons of being tested. I am grateful that James 1 promises us that “the testing of our faith develops perseverance and perseverance must finish its work to make us mature and complete.” As a parent, I pray for wisdom in leading my kids through times of testing. Again and again, I have seen their life verses being attacked and also used to overcome that attack! Often, when the struggle is at hand, I will send them to read their life verse for a certain amount of time.
When they were younger, I would pray it and read it over them. Now that they have it memorized, I can simply suggest their recite it to me. Any of these things reminds them of who they are, who they were created to be, and the work that God is perfecting in them! I can picture the gigantic smile that comes across their face when they are reminded of that.
As my girls have become older, I’ve explained to them the above-mentioned dichotomy that is in play in the spiritual realm. I have also explained that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). They can outsmart the enemy! They can’t be tricked! They can dive into the abundant life God has for them, inspired and equipped with their life verse.
DREE HOGUE and her husband Chris live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with their daughters Ashton and Noelle. They are expecting their third surprise baby in December — Jesus likes to keep them on their toes! Dree has been involved with children’s and youth ministry for the last 15 years. She is passionate about the power of the family. She, along with three of her friends, write for a Dear Abby-style blog about homeschooling, dearbraintrust.com.
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