How many times do we not trust God to give us what we need, and what our children need, just so we can satisfy our worldly cravings for worldly success? We ask ourselves, “How is my family or my children ever going to find true joy and happiness unless I take control of what I can see, therefore relegating God to the passenger seat?”

The answer is faith-based commitment to God. And when we are committed to God, we will be committed to our families.

This article is a continuation from two weeks ago where I discussed “Commitment to God.”

When it comes to commitment to your family, we must remember that this cannot be separated from what it means to be committed to God.

We must strive for holiness and being set apart for service to God, and when this happens, we will automatically show commitment to our families by providing for them in every way: financially, emotionally, materially and spiritually.

Parents, we cannot truly be committed to our families the way God wants us to be, when we knowingly lead our children right up to the gates of hell and all but turn them over to Satan. Look at the clothes we buy for our daughters. Look at the activities we allow our kids to be a part of just so our little sweet-pea or little bubba won't have to miss out on what everyone else is doing. Look at the words of hatred and division we speak shameless in front of our children. Parents, providing for your family does not mean spending $30-$100 a month on strangers to come into our homes unsupervised and fill our children's heads full of Hollywood and Hip-Hop's values. It's expensive and destructive. The entertainment industry is not in business of saving your child's soul. Satan has a plan for your children, and you better have one too. Commitment to family does not mean letting TV, Internet, videos, sports, music or anything else come between your family and God.

Ephesians 6:1-4 says, “ 1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2. "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3. "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Parents, minister to your children in these ways. It's your God-given responsibility.

1. Parents, provide opportunities for your kids to learn about Jesus. Bring them to youth and church events.

2. When your kids have questions about life, tell them what the Bible has to say about it (this requires study).

3. Let your children see you study.

4. Let your children see that your study and your church attendance has made a difference in your life, and in your parenting.

5. Parents, be consistent. Train your children starting at day one to gauge everything by what is holy (not by what is sexy to the world)... by what is holy (not by what is popular to the world)... by what is holy (not by what tastes good, feels good, smells good, looks good and sounds good to the world). This world is going to BURN... and unless we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:2), God tells us that our souls will suffer for eternity, and that's a lot longer than this lifetime. Even if it's a good activity on the surface, and it draws us in the direction of ungodliness, or prevents us from worshiping God, it's wrong.

6. When we make the decision to become parents, we also make the decision to become teachers.

So we must make every moment count, and realize that we teach our families not only by what we say, but by what we do.

7. Ephesians 5:15-16 says “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16. making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

May God bless us as we strive for holiness and as we encourage our families to live for God in every aspect of life.