Day 7
Message
SUNDAY, JANUARY 7th
Ministering to my CHILDREN in the New Year.
Psalm 127:3 [CEV] “Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord.”
THOUGHT for TODAY:
God has given you a child or children to raise in the fear (respect) and admonition (reproof, warning) of the Lord. As a Christian parent, we are to raise godly children. Each child is different and unique and therefore requires effort, investment, and spending great lengths of time with them to get to know their individual “bent” [Proverbs 22:6]. Giving children love, clothes, food, shelter, an education, a home church, encouragement, direction, and correction is ministering to them. The best way to minister to your children is to be their parent. When they are older, they will thank you for your parental role in their life.
Scripture
Ephesians 6:1 [NLT] “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”
Proverbs 19:18 [VOICE] “Discipline your children while there is still hope of influencing their future, so as not to play a part in their destruction.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 [ETRV] “Always remember these commands that I give you today. 7 Be sure to teach them to your children. Talk about these commands when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road. Talk about them when you lie down and when you get up.”
Prayer
Father, help me to minister Your love to my children. Help me to live a godly example before them. Give me strength, patience, love, courage, wisdom, and compassion to raise my children to know You. I declare that I will raise my children in Your ways despite the efforts and influences of the world. May my children know you as their God and their Father. When they are older, may they seek You and find You all the days of their life. I ask for Your strength and blessing in the name of Jesus, amen!
wHAT TO PRAY
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Spend time with your children. Get to know their individual personality and habits. Pray about guiding them according to how God made them.
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Correct your children in love and not anger. Be consistent. What you say and what you do must line up, otherwise, your children will not be obedient. Pray for consistency.
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Teach your children the Word of God. Let them hear you pray. Let them see you living for God. Pray for them to mimic your example as a Christian.
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Bring them consistently to church so the Church can help in influencing their lives for Christ. Pray about finding the right church for you and your family.
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Pray for your children both when they live with you and when they live on their own. They are always your children.
TODAY
I need to pray for?
introspection
What is the Lord saying to me today?