Nurturing Our Children: A Path Guided by Faith

 Nurturing Our Children: A Path Guided by Faith

Scripture:

Psalm 37:23 AMPC

"The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]."

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the gift of our children. Thank You because it is only You who knows their destiny. Thank You for entrusting us to bring them up in partnership with You. Our Father and our God, bless our children this holiday. Shine Your light upon their paths. Bless their going out and their coming in. Lord, may all they do bring glory and honor to Your name. Thank You because You have good plans for them. Thank You because You have endowed them with different gifts. May You help us to fan the flame that You have put in them so that they can shine for Your glory today and always. May this new month bring them times of refreshment and joy. May they love You and desire to know You more each day. In Jesus' name, amen.

Reflection:

God has gifted each of us differently so that we can bring glory to His name in various ways. As Eric Liddell once said, "I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel God's pleasure." There are no unspiritual abilities, just misused abilities. Reflect on how much pleasure God is getting out of your life.

Action Points:

1. Recognize and Celebrate Gifts:

   - Identify the unique gifts and talents in your children. Celebrate these gifts and encourage them to use their abilities to honor God.

   - Create opportunities for your children to explore and develop their talents, whether through sports, arts, academics, or other activities.

2. Guide with Faith:

   - Use Psalm 37:23 as a guiding principle in your parenting. Trust that God is directing your steps and the steps of your children.

   - Pray regularly for your children, asking God to guide their paths and help them grow in their faith.

3. Create a Supportive Environment:

   - Foster an environment at home where your children feel safe, loved, and supported. Encourage open communication and be a source of wisdom and guidance.

   - Involve your children in family devotions and discussions about faith, helping them to see how their daily lives connect with their spiritual journey.

4. Encourage Service:

   - Teach your children the value of serving others. Find ways for your family to serve together in your community, church, or other organizations.

   - Highlight the importance of using their gifts to make a positive impact on the world around them.

5. Reflect and Adjust:

   - Regularly reflect on your parenting approach and make adjustments as needed. Seek God's wisdom in how to best support and guide your children.

   - Encourage your children to reflect on their own lives and how they can align their actions with God's purpose for them.

By incorporating these action points, you can help your children grow in their faith and use their unique gifts to bring glory to God. May this new month bring times of refreshment and joy for your family. Shalom! ☕💕

Honor

Ephesians 6:1-3: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise—'so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'"

Honoring parents is not a pleasant suggestion to children; it is a command that has a promise attached to it. Failure to follow this command affects the quality of life our children live and their longevity (Proverbs 20:20: "If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness").

As parents, we must be vigilant to what is happening in the lives of our children. Pride and selfishness are idols that drive our children to dishonor us as parents. Whereas it may not look dangerous as it begins, any form of disobedience is a building block for those idols. What may look cute and harmless can grow into an oak of a habit that is not desirable in the life of the child as they grow into adulthood (Proverbs 22:6: "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it").

Parents must take firm action on any behavior that does not honor God, no matter how harmless it may look (Proverbs 13:24: "Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them"; Proverbs 29:15: "The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother").

Action Points for Parents

1. Model Respect and Honor: Demonstrate respect and honor in your own relationships, including how you treat your spouse, parents, and others. Children learn by observing, and your behavior sets a powerful example (1 Peter 2:17: "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor").

2. Consistent Discipline: Implement consistent and loving discipline that aligns with biblical principles. Address disobedience promptly and appropriately to prevent small issues from becoming larger problems (Hebrews 12:11: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it").

3. Open Communication: Foster an environment of open communication where children feel safe to express their thoughts and feelings. This helps build trust and allows you to guide them effectively (James 1:19: "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry").