There's trouble in the land. No wide-awake person will deny that! These upheavals have caused many parents to express apprehension concerning the future of their children. That's understandable! When our children graduate from high school and leave home, many of them also leave the church. Suddenly they are exposed to an environment hostile to Christ, and even to the basic principles of morality. If a young person is not equipped to handle this, he is in grave trouble.

Unfortunately, at a time when families should be doing everything in their power to strengthen their spiritual defenses and intensifying their fight against Satan, many are permitting the safeguard to be torn down. Neglect of Sunday evening services, absence from prayer meeting, failure to encourage children to become totally involved in church-centered activities are some of the more obvious evidences of this foolish neglect.

Parents need to get their priorities straight. Those of us who preach seldom have the courage to remind weeping parents of the problem. But when dads and moms begin crying over what has happened to their kids, they could be reminded of the days when they chose camping instead of church, weekend trips and night recreation instead of Sunday night inspiration.

It takes only one hole in the fence to let the sheep out! It's amazing how prolific some people are at inventing excuses to rationalize their habitual neglect. I would much prefer a person to be honest enough to say, "I just don't want to put spiritual priorities first" than to forever blame job, health, grandma, or baby for shortcomings. What advantage is there in covering up the real facts in the case?

Put first things first! Let nothing interfere with regular church attendance. Be sure your children are deeply involved in youth programs. Then, after they've gone from home with that good training, you can do what you want with your own life. But I have a feeling that, by that time, you'll be thrilled with putting spiritual things first and will make it a lifetime policy.