Topic: Spiritual Warfare [Andrew Wommack Devotional 20 January 2019]

Matthew 2:16, “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.”

Text: Matthew 2:16-23

Satan was the real motivator of Herod’s actions. Ever since the Lord first prophesied that a man would bruise his head, Satan has been seeking out this “seed” of the woman (Gen. 3:15).

It appears that Satan is able to perceive when the Lord is making a major move in the earth. In the days of Moses, Satan moved Pharaoh to kill all the male children of the Israelite slaves, and here he motivates Herod to kill all the male children in Bethlehem. No doubt he was seeking to eliminate this “seed” who was going to bruise his head.

Once again, we see children being slaughtered today. This time it’s through abortion. Our youth are also being attacked in unprecedented ways. Is it possible that Satan thinks this is the generation that is to bring in the second return of the Lord? Is he, in desperation, trying to stay off his doom by destroying this generation?

We need to have enough spiritual perception to recognize that just as in the days of Moses and Jesus, this slaughter of the innocent children today is an indication of an even more important struggle in the spiritual realm. We might be the generation that sees the Lord come back. Praise the Lord!

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Andrew Wommack Daily Devotional

This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).

Topic: The Real You [Billy Graham Devotional 20 January 2019]

For he knoweth our frame . . . — Psalm 103:14

It is significant that our first astronauts, while being trained for their moon flights, were required to give twenty answers to the query, “Who are you?” Take the same test yourself. When you have made your list and run out of things to add, ask yourself if you have truly answered. Do you really know who you are? Scientists agree that our desperate search leads all humans to seek heroes and to imitate others, to “paste bits and pieces of other people on ourselves.” We make love as some actor would. We play golf in the style of Jack Nicklaus. Part of this process is natural, for we learn by imitating others. The tragedy is that the person we assemble is not genuine. “Who am I?” you cry as you roam the world looking for yourself. Consider this: there are three of you. There is the person you think you are. There is the person others think you are. There is the person God knows you are and can be through Christ.

Prayer for the day: Lord, help me to break through the façade and know myself as You do.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Billy Graham’s Daily Devotional HERE

Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.

TOPIC: Successful Parenting [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 20 January 2019]

MEMORY VERSE: “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” – Ephesians 6:4 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 20 January 2019 HYMN)

Also Read: Open Heaven 20 January 2019 – Men Pleasers

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 29-30 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 20 January 2019)

1 Samuel 2:12-17:
12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.

13 And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;

14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.

15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.

16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.

17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

1 Samuel 2:29-30:
29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

INTRODUCTION:
Parents have the duty to raise their children in love. God expects parents to bring up children who will love Him, live for Him and make positive impacts I’m the world. Deut. 6:5-7. While there are different styles of parenting in the world, believers should note that successful parenting is achievable.

LESSON OUTLINES

1. Different parenting styles
2. God’s style of parenting

DIFFERENT PARENTING STYLES

PARENTING LOVE DISCIPLINE
STYLES

1. Permissive High Fearful

2. Uninvolved Low Low

3. Authoritarian Low High

4. Influential High High

FELLOWSHIP

1. Permissive Fearful

2. Uninvolved Forsaken

3. Authoritarian. Fighting

4. Influential Friendly

The Permissive Parents:

This types of parents may give verbal comments to their children, but will take little or no action to correct them when they misbehave. Such parents usually equate discipline with meanness. They give in to most of the desires of their children. Eli, the priest, and Samson’s parents are biblical examples of permissive parents. (1 Sam. 2:12-17: 29-30; Judges 13:1-2; 14:1-3).

The Uninvolved Parents:

Such parents are self-oriented and they neglect their responsibilities. They have little or no time to attend to their children but rather pursue other concerns of life like career, business, ministry, pleasure etc. They show little or no concern for well-being of their children and hardly communicate with them. King David and Samuels were examples. (1King 1:5-6; 2Sam. 2:14:28; 1Sam. 8:1-5)

The Authoritarianism Parents

They run home with authority (iron fist) Children in such home have no voice or input whatsoever. That are “to be seen and not to be heard”. An authoritarian parent will use anger and harsh discipline to keep control. This behaviour may frustrate or causes child to lose heart and lack self-esteem. (Col. 3:21)
King Saul was an example. (1 Sam. 20:30).

The Influential Parents

The parents combine love and discipline without compromising either. They have clear boundaries but also very loving.

Children brought up in such homes are usually happy capable and successful. Mordecai, the adoptive parent of Esther. (Esther 2:1-10), Timothy’s mother and grandmother (2Tim.1:5-7; 3:14-15) are examples of influential parents in the bible.

GOD’S STYLE OF PARENTING

God, as the father of all, has clearly shown us the example of how to successfully raise our children. We need to follow in His footsteps. The Father loves and wants us to be involved with His children (Jer. 31:3; John 15:15; 16:27). He communicates clear instructions for us to follow(Pro. 4:3-4).
He forgives and show mercy when we fail(Heb. 8:12). He disciplines and corrects us when we disobey and rebel against Him(Pro. 3:12; Heb.12:7).
The Father models the truth (John 13:15) He encourages and comforts us. (1Thess. 2:11-12). He protects us from harm. (Heb. 11:23). He provides for His children. (Ps. 78: 23-25; 2Cor. 12:14).

CONCLUSION
Parents need to be careful not to either be extremely legalistic or
permissive. God’s pattern of parenting is balanced by His love, affirmation and grace.

QUESTIONS

1. Explain two parenting styles.
2. What lessons can we learn from God’s style?

Also Read: RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 13 January 2019, Lesson 20

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 20 JANUARY 2019 HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   O how I love Thee well,
   I am happy, it makes me glad
   To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
   Both young and old will sing Thy song,
   We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Christ was Thy first teacher,
   The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
   Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   This testimony is sure,
   That God, the Father Almighty,
   Poured His blessing on Thee.
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Though the sun be so bright,
   Or if the clouds black with rain,
   I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   I rejoice to see Thee,
   Will thou pass over me today?
   Without my being blest?