One of our favourite family holiday sites is a beautiful beach community. We like to go there during the "off season" when few tourists are around. Though the ocean water is a little chilly, we enjoy swimming in an indoor pool. Also, there´s a lazy river that surrounds the pool and holds a special appeal for our children. They´ve tried to swim against its current over the years, only to be carried in the opposite direction.
My husband and I must frequently swim against the flow of society´s values in order to bring our children into a healthy, godly understanding of who they are. Whether we´re considering our experience in youth ministry or my work in Christian education, we return to this truth : we´re ultimately responsible for the spiritual education of our children.
Active training of our children can be exhausting (Proverbs 22:6). Following the flow of society in our parenting choices, however, will lead to "lazy river" results for our children - an aimless journey affording them no real direction and little strength (Proverbs 29:18). Likewise, keeping them sheltered in Christian environments won´t do much better in preparing them for the rigours of true discipleship (Matthew 22:9; Mark 16:15).
While the greatest spiritual deposit I can make in my children´s lives is to bring God´s knowledge and discipline to them (Proverbs 22:15, 17-19), I must also understand that they´ll never learn to persevere in their faith if I remove every obstacle of pain or discouragement from their paths. The training pool isn´t always easy, but as we look to God´s Word we can rest in His promise that "the Lord preserves those with knowledge" (v.12). - Regina Franklin
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Proverbs 22:1-21
A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Rich and poor have this in common :
The Lord is the Maker of them all.
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.
In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,
but he who guards his soul stays far from them.
Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender.
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
A generous man will himself be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.
Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
quarrels and insults are ended.
He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious
will have the king for his friend.
The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!"
or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;
he who is under the Lord´s wrath will fall into it.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and he who gives gifts to the rich - both come to poverty.
Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
So that your trust may be in the Lord,
I teach you today, even you.
Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
sayings of counsel and knowledge,
teaching you true and reliable words,
so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?
Matthew 5:1-16
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying :
" Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."
" You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heave."
Question to Ponder
What are some valuable lessons you learned from your parents or other influential adults?
How has the Word challenged you recently in your relationship with your children or other children you know?
**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue
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