Leaving a Legacy
Over the last couple of weeks, I have been talking about leaving a legacy. You can check out the two posts, “Always on Your Lips-Leaving a Legacy,” & “How to Teach Obedience to God,” to catch up.
Obviously, anything I share is not a comprehensive list, but rather a tool to help get us focused on God’s working more than our own… to focus on His perspective, His will, & His commands, more than we trust our own.
Easily Distracted
It’s so easy for me to get swept up in life. Trust me, it is WAY too easy for me.
I have the attention span of a goldfish, it seems, when it comes to being intentional for Jesus Christ.
He is worth my everything, I know that, but one distraction or another all too easily gets me forgetting all about Him until a situation or thought snaps me back to reality.
This is why I am so persistent in talking about this topic. It’s not just for you—it’s for me. I need the reminders just as much as anyone else.
Satan would like us all so distracted, so busy, so bogged down with everything around us, that we completely & forever forget to consider God’s kingdom. Satan wants us all lulled into complacent, ineffective, non-glorifying followers of Jesus.
Well, I don’t want to be okay with that. I want to WAKE UP.
Intentional Conversation, Intentionally Focused
I want to live like this is my temporary home (because it is) & like I have but a short time to invite everyone along (because I do) & like it is the most important thing in all of my life (because it is).
Hence, this line of conversation. I want His Truth always on my lips. I want to leave a legacy that points to Him in EVERYTHING… as our HOPE… our ONE & ONLY true hope.
I want to, with everything in me, teach others to be obedient to Him. Because His command for our obedience is not meant to have us lose out nor be to our detriment… it’s what we were created for & is our design & will bring us the only true contentment, peace, & fulfillment that we seek for fruitlessly in anything else.
And so, in an effort to have this Truth be always on our lips, I thought it would be helpful to get our minds honing in & focusing on Him in all things, by jotting down some conversation starter topics to talk about with your kids, your husband, your friend, your parents or siblings, etc…. to turn our minds & hearts to Christ.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart & with all your soul & with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home & when you walk along the road, when you lie down & when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands & bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses & on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-9)
Be STILL & Know That HE Is God.
And Satan has been throwing so much at me this last week to discourage me & shut me up & get me to slump in defeat. I am writing this aching to quit, wishing to just throw in the towel for a nap & some video games… Satan wants me to forget about God being able to help me through it, relying on my own draining strength & just saying, “I quit!”
But I won’t. Because I know the game-changing Truth. God is Enough for us both. HE can bring victory when everything I have to offer promises a sure defeat.
So, Satan, step aside because GOD is in control & God WILL be glorified. AMEN.
16 Questions
Let’s get started with some conversation starters. I have provided just 16 Questions to get us started. Feel free to copy/paste/print these to leave in the car to discuss after church or Bible Study. Maybe start by just asking one question each time, to help ease into that pattern of intentional conversation, leading to being intentionally focused on Jesus Christ in all parts of life… & ask more questions as it becomes more comfortable & natural.
- What is the most important/valuable thing you learned in [church, Bible Study, etc.] today?
- From what you learned today, what does it teach you about Who God is or what matters to Him?
- Did you learn about any commands God gives to us? Is it good to trust & do His command? Why? (God made everything, knows everything, understands everything, & has authority over everything & everything He does is designed for our good.)
- Do you remember a Bible verse you talked about today? What was it or what was it about? What did it teach you?
- Did God use anything in that lesson to point out something you’re not doing right (ie a conviction in your heart about sin)? Did you ask God to forgive you & help you change it? How can you change in this area or what can you do to help you remember not to do that in the future? (ie. Memorize Truth of God’s Word about it, etc.)
- What are you thankful to God for?
- How has God helped you this week?
- Do you have any doubts about God or the Bible? Have you asked God to help you work through them since He knows how best to & wants to help you?
- Today, what is one way that you could tell that God loves you?
- Is there anyone that you need to forgive today? What does God say about forgiveness? (Forgive 70 x 7 times, forgive others as God, through Jesus, forgives us, pray for our enemies & bear with one another, in love.)
- What is one way that you can show God that you love Him today?
- What is one of your favorite creations that God made? Have you thanked Him for it today?
- What is your favorite worship song right now? Can you sing part of it?
- What area of your life do you feel Satan is bullying you in lately? Have you turned to God & asked for His help with it?
- Is there anything you feel you’re not good enough at? Anything that makes you insecure? Have you asked God to show you your worth through His eyes? Because He made you.
- Do you know Who Jesus is? Do you know how much He loves you & what He did to show you He loves you?
Let Him Lead
As I mentioned above, this is by no means a comprehensive list, but my hope is that it gets our gears turning in the right direction, focusing our thoughts & heart on Him in everything every day.
Also, feel free to modify this list, depending on the age. Maybe look up online Bible discussion questions for kids, if needed. And add to the list, too, if you think of a good question. (Feel free to share your question suggestions in the comments for this post!)
And ultimately, shine HOPE, by putting your mind on Christ, seeking first His kingdom, even by turning to Him for help doing it every step along the way.
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.
As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.
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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:
Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Silver Medallion Necklace
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How You Can Help:
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