Just got hit square in the face...

[TwinMommy]

So we just doing the normal routine of washing dinner dishes and it hit me...what if my children have not been predestined by God? I just want to shake that away and tell myself that it doesn't matter because we choose, that it doesn't have anything to do with the Sovereignty of God. Yeah, I think I realized that I am not seeing it as being any other way.

If I look at me and how I got to where I am today, I did not seek out God, wasn't raised around Christians but one day I had the biggest desire to find out about God. It was because before I was even a thought to my parents, He picked me. Words don't even describe that feeling of knowing that. Just really in awe right now. It is so much easier when we have worries to just brush them off and try to find something that fits our needs within God and His Word.

 

[Shulamite]

So we just doing the normal routine of washing dinner dishes and it hit me...what if my children have not been predestined by God? I just want to shake that away and tell myself that it doesn't matter because we choose, that it doesn't have anything to do with the Sovereignty of God. Yeah, I think I realized that I am not seeing it as being any other way.

If I look at me and how I got to where I am today, I did not seek out God, wasn't raised around Christians but one day I had the biggest desire to find out about God. It was because before I was even a thought to my parents, He picked me. Words don't even describe that feeling of knowing that. Just really in awe right now. It is so much easier when we have worries to just brush them off and try to find something that fits our needs within God and His Word.

Been there. I understand. Not only has the enemy put thoughts into my mind about my children, but about my own life. "What IF you aren't really chosen?" The whispers come and when they do, the Lord reminds me that these kinds of fears actually CAN serve His purposes. He has allowed them in my own life to cause me to "examine myself to see if I'm in the faith" and to move me to "make my calling and election sure." In other words, I have found that when those fears come (whether by satan's whispers attacking my thoughts or by my own thoughts), the Lord uses them to confirm to me that I am His and that the enemy will only attack the truth, not an already established lie! It does me good, as you have done, to look back over my life and realize that I never sought God, He came after me first, as you have stated. It's a confirmation and a comfort.

The fears over our kids' salvation or our own, are usually an indication that we do belong to the Lord. It is used as a tool by the Lord to motivate us to "make our election sure". An unbeliever never has fears wondering if they are "elect"or their kids' election since they believe they are already "good to go". When I sought the Lord about this, He reminded me that I wouldn't be worried over (or examining anxiously) over something I didn't have! (whew!)

But, I understand all too well. When those thoughts hit, no matter where the source is from, it's awful. He uses everything for good, even thoughts like this! Thanks for sharing.

 

[bricklayer]

So we just doing the normal routine of washing dinner dishes and it hit me...what if my children have not been predestined by God? I just want to shake that away and tell myself that it doesn't matter because we choose, that it doesn't have anything to do with the Sovereignty of God. Yeah, I think I realized that I am not seeing it as being any other way.

If I look at me and how I got to where I am today, I did not seek out God, wasn't raised around Christians but one day I had the biggest desire to find out about God. It was because before I was even a thought to my parents, He picked me. Words don't even describe that feeling of knowing that. Just really in awe right now. It is so much easier when we have worries to just brush them off and try to find something that fits our needs within God and His Word.

I am one of thirteen siblings. Denise and I have six daughters and one son.
All of my siblings have families.
Not all are saved. Now, we have the grandchildren, and we wonder.

 

[twin1954]

So we just doing the normal routine of washing dinner dishes and it hit me...what if my children have not been predestined by God? I just want to shake that away and tell myself that it doesn't matter because we choose, that it doesn't have anything to do with the Sovereignty of God. Yeah, I think I realized that I am not seeing it as being any other way.

If I look at me and how I got to where I am today, I did not seek out God, wasn't raised around Christians but one day I had the biggest desire to find out about God. It was because before I was even a thought to my parents, He picked me. Words don't even describe that feeling of knowing that. Just really in awe right now. It is so much easier when we have worries to just brush them off and try to find something that fits our needs within God and His Word.

Grace does not run in blood lines:
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
(Joh 1:12-13)

Pray for your children. Live before them as an example of faith. See to it that they hear the Gospel of Christ recognizing that they are your children and are full of sin just like you. Leave the rest to the sovereign mercy of God. Whatever He does is right and just.

One of the most difficult things I have ever done is preach the funeral of my unbelieving brother. God gave me grace to do it because I knew He is just in whatever He does.

 

[TwinMommy]

Been there. I understand. Not only has the enemy put thoughts into my mind about my children, but about my own life. "What IF you aren't really chosen?" The whispers come and when they do, the Lord reminds me that these kinds of fears actually CAN serve His purposes. He has allowed them in my own life to cause me to "examine myself to see if I'm in the faith" and to move me to "make my calling and election sure." In other words, I have found that when those fears come (whether by satan's whispers attacking my thoughts or by my own thoughts), the Lord uses them to confirm to me that I am His and that the enemy will only attack the truth, not an already established lie! It does me good, as you have done, to look back over my life and realize that I never sought God, He came after me first, as you have stated. It's a confirmation and a comfort.

The fears over our kids' salvation or our own, are usually an indication that we do belong to the Lord. It is used as a tool by the Lord to motivate us to "make our election sure". An unbeliever never has fears wondering if they are "elect"or their kids' election since they believe they are already "good to go". When I sought the Lord about this, He reminded me that I wouldn't be worried over (or examining anxiously) over something I didn't have! (whew!)

But, I understand all too well. When those thoughts hit, no matter where the source is from, it's awful. He uses everything for good, even thoughts like this! Thanks for sharing.

Yes, everything works together for good and that is very comforting. Before it wasn't a worry about their salvation because my belief was that it was up to the person and not God. I still and I guess I won't, see how amazing it is that God has chosen us. Yes, when we are looking at ourselves, it is so important to keep examining where we are in our faith. I think it becomes way too easy to become complacent.

 

[TwinMommy]

I am one of thirteen siblings. Denise and I have six daughters and one son.
All of my siblings have families.
Not all are saved. Now, we have the grandchildren, and we wonder.

I am the only one in my family and in my husband's family who is a Christian. It makes it all very interesting.

 

[TwinMommy]

Grace does not run in blood lines:
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
(Joh 1:12-13)

Pray for your children. Live before them as an example of faith. See to it that they hear the Gospel of Christ recognizing that they are your children and are full of sin just like you. Leave the rest to the sovereign mercy of God. Whatever He does is right and just.

One of the most difficult things I have ever done is preach the funeral of my unbelieving brother. God gave me grace to do it because I knew He is just in whatever He does.

That is a great verse. Thank you for sharing it.
Oh I can see how that would be incredibly hard to do.

 

[Shulamite]

Yes, everything works together for good and that is very comforting. Before it wasn't a worry about their salvation because my belief was that it was up to the person and not God. I still and I guess I won't, see how amazing it is that God has chosen us. Yes, when we are looking at ourselves, it is so important to keep examining where we are in our faith. I think it becomes way too easy to become complacent.

That's correct. When we think our salvation is up to us (our choice), we feel complacent and "safe". When we are brought to the realization, by God, that He makes the choice, it makes us fear Him in a totally new way! When He showed me this, I finally understood the fear of God in a way I had never known. Free will belief never humbled me or caused me to fear Him the way I do now.

 

[crimsonleaf]

It's a problem all (Reformed) parents face. All we can do is keep praying - every day - that God will bring them to faith. We can also keep them firmly within Christ's family by bringing them to church, praying and reading to them. Genuine desire for Christ comes only from God, but we can't write off a child who goes their own way either. I was converted at 54 and many have found faith later than that.

I have two children; a boy who is 29 and a 26 year old girl. My son is married with a child, Caleb, for whom I pray daily. My son is a Reformed Christian too (as I've described on another thread). Caleb literally makes no sound in church, other than the odd cheerful chuckle. 3 other babies were born into the congregation at around the same time, so we know he'll have contemporary Christian friends, at least in the early days.

My daughter is unsaved, but recently (last week) confessed that she does have some belief. I praise God for the "some belief" seed. Now I just have to keep it watered with daily prayer and encouragement.

 

[crimsonleaf]

That's correct. When we think our salvation is up to us (our choice), we feel complacent and "safe". When we are brought to the realization, by God, that He makes the choice, it makes us fear Him in a totally new way! When He showed me this, I finally understood the fear of God in a way I had never known. Free will belief never humbled me or caused me to fear Him the way I do now.

This is interesting. People think we fear God because of what He can do to us. Not many realise we fear Him for what He may not do for us.

Nail on the head again Shula. You're in the right place.

 

[TwinMommy]

That's correct. When we think our salvation is up to us (our choice), we feel complacent and "safe". When we are brought to the realization, by God, that He makes the choice, it makes us fear Him in a totally new way! When He showed me this, I finally understood the fear of God in a way I had never known. Free will belief never humbled me or caused me to fear Him the way I do now.

Humble is the perfect way to describe how I have been feeling.

 

[TwinMommy]

It's a problem all (Reformed) parents face. All we can do is keep praying - every day - that God will bring them to faith. We can also keep them firmly within Christ's family by bringing them to church, praying and reading to them. Genuine desire for Christ comes only from God, but we can't write off a child who goes their own way either. I was converted at 54 and many have found faith later than that.

I have two children; a boy who is 29 and a 26 year old girl. My son is married with a child, Caleb, for whom I pray daily. My son is a Reformed Christian too (as I've described on another thread). Caleb literally makes no sound in church, other than the odd cheerful chuckle. 3 other babies were born into the congregation at around the same time, so we know he'll have contemporary Christian friends, at least in the early days.

My daughter is unsaved, but recently (last week) confessed that she does have some belief. I praise God for the "some belief" seed. Now I just have to keep it watered with daily prayer and encouragement.

Yes some is good....faith the size of a mustard seed...a very good thing.

 

[Shulamite]

Humble is the perfect way to describe how I have been feeling.

Psalm 25:14 says, "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him."

I love that scripture. He humbles us and causes us to fear Him and then begins to open His heart up to us in ways He will not unless we fear Him. He authors our fear of Him and the secrets He chooses to share. Beautiful.

When He revealed to me that He could have left me in my sin, forever "passed by", my heart was shocked to into fearing Him. I THEN realized by His grace, that I had no power to choose Him and that as long as I felt salvation was because I had the sense to choose, then I felt secure, safe, never feared my salvation, etc... But all that changed when He changed my understanding. It humbles GREATLY. And, because we fear, it's evidence of His grace!