Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
MEMORIZE: “Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is the daughter.” (Ezekiel 16:44)
READ: Ezekiel 16:44-46
Children that are well brought up in God’s way are great blessing to their parents. They can be God’s vessel of reaching their very busy parents. Children love to copy others, particularly their parents. This explains why raising children should not be limited to instructions, but also by the example of parents. As young as they are, your children are watching you closely. You would be shocked to know how much your pre-teens know about you. If your instructions are at variance with your actions, you can get them confused. This can even convince them never to take your faith seriously. Your action, behavior and beliefs must complement the instructions you give to them.
Many years ago, while I was still the pastor of one of our parishes and lecturing at the university, it was common for people to come to my house, bringing in the sick for prayers, or for one reason or the other. While praying for them sometimes, they will be slain in the spirit (fall down and be unconscious for some time). My boy of less than three years old, who was the second to the last child, was always watching. One day, we had a visitor who came with her child. My little boy went into my room, grabbed my tie and hung it on his neck. To him, wearing a tie was what made one a pastor. Thereafter, he went to meet one of my visitor’s child, closed his eyes and laid his hands on the child. I noticed his mouth was moving. Not long after his prayer, he opened his eyes and told the child: “Fall down, now”. It may sound amusing, yet your children are taking in lots of details from your life. What are your children learning from you? As leaders, what are your subordinates learning from you? Your children are your fruits, and it is by your fruit that you shall be identified. If your children were far from where you are, would they actually reflect the Christ-likeness in you? It is easy for parents to hide from outsiders, but they cannot hide from their children. The character of your children will show the world who you really are.
KEY POINT:
Children will either mirror Christ they see in their parents or Satan they find in them. What do your children show the world about you?
Bible in One year: Eph 4-6
MEMORIZE: “Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is the daughter.” (Ezekiel 16:44)
READ: Ezekiel 16:44-46
Children that are well brought up in God’s way are great blessing to their parents. They can be God’s vessel of reaching their very busy parents. Children love to copy others, particularly their parents. This explains why raising children should not be limited to instructions, but also by the example of parents. As young as they are, your children are watching you closely. You would be shocked to know how much your pre-teens know about you. If your instructions are at variance with your actions, you can get them confused. This can even convince them never to take your faith seriously. Your action, behavior and beliefs must complement the instructions you give to them.
Many years ago, while I was still the pastor of one of our parishes and lecturing at the university, it was common for people to come to my house, bringing in the sick for prayers, or for one reason or the other. While praying for them sometimes, they will be slain in the spirit (fall down and be unconscious for some time). My boy of less than three years old, who was the second to the last child, was always watching. One day, we had a visitor who came with her child. My little boy went into my room, grabbed my tie and hung it on his neck. To him, wearing a tie was what made one a pastor. Thereafter, he went to meet one of my visitor’s child, closed his eyes and laid his hands on the child. I noticed his mouth was moving. Not long after his prayer, he opened his eyes and told the child: “Fall down, now”. It may sound amusing, yet your children are taking in lots of details from your life. What are your children learning from you? As leaders, what are your subordinates learning from you? Your children are your fruits, and it is by your fruit that you shall be identified. If your children were far from where you are, would they actually reflect the Christ-likeness in you? It is easy for parents to hide from outsiders, but they cannot hide from their children. The character of your children will show the world who you really are.
KEY POINT:
Children will either mirror Christ they see in their parents or Satan they find in them. What do your children show the world about you?
Bible in One year: Eph 4-6
Comments
Post a Comment