Topic: Child’s Training (2)

Dear reader,

Being a parent is an awesome responsibility, as well as a fantastic privilege. In spite of the demands it places upon you, you still need to keep at it with dogged determination. God commands you to train your children, and He also supplies you with the grace required to perform this assignment effectively.

Child training is a continuous process that must be carried out over a period of time. The rewards of a good child training cannot be compared to the effort put to it. So, do not give up even if results are not seen instantly; consider the future benefits and this will spur you to work harder at training your child (ren).

Today, we will be examining one of the essential parts of Child Training which is: The Place of Discipline in Child’s Training

What is Discipline?

Discipline means training a child to be obedient and self-controlled. It is important to understand that for child training to be effective and efficient, discipline must be involved. Until discipline is added to training, it remains only a teaching. Let’s take a look at this Scripture.

He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity (Job 36:10).

Two things are mentioned in the above scripture, the opening of the ear to discipline and returning from iniquity. If you want your children to return from iniquity, that is, to return from anything that is contrary to righteousness in words, thoughts, behaviour and lifestyle, their ears must be open to discipline. If you do not want iniquity to reign in the lives of your children, you must first open their ears to discipline.

Therefore, discipline is of utmost importance in making child training effective. Lack of training makes a child susceptible to destruction. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not (1Samuel 3:13). Eli, the priest, neglected child training; consequently, his two sons were destroyed and he too was eventually destroyed. That shall not be your portion in Jesus’ name.

Now, I am sure you are wondering how to go about it, if the issue of discipline is that important. I will share with you two ways by which you can discipline your children so that their training can be of benefit to you.

Tools For Effective Discipline

The Rod

The rod is a tool for discipline. The word “rod” in Scripture can mean two things: the spiritual or physical rod.

The spiritual rod: In Isaiah 11:1 the Bible says: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The rod here is talking about Jesus, also in Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. Still talking about Jesus, the Bible calls Him the Word of God. Spiritually, the rod primarily means the Word of God. When I said the rod is a tool for discipline, I simply meant using the Word of God to discipline your children. It is important that as a parent, you understand that the strongest rod to use in child training is the Word of God. It is much more powerful than any physical cane.

Now, the question is, how do I use the Word as a rod to correct my children? For instance, if your child misbehaves and you want to discipline him or her, you will need to locate a scripture or two that will show that the deeds of the child are wrong; you call the child, sit down with him, and show him from the Word why his actions are wrong. With the help of the Holy Ghost, let the child see the need to change his character and his actions by making him realise that God is not pleased with such behaviours. After you have done this, leave the child alone to make up his mind. The Word expounded unto him is life, after you are gone physically, it will continue to work in his life. Hebrews 12:4 says, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Only the spiritual rod has the power to penetrate the soul and the spirit of the child and effect changes in the positive. From today, begin to use the spiritual rod in disciplining your children and bringing them up in the fear of the Lord.

The physical rod: The physical rod is the cane. “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.” Proverbs 23:13-14”. Once in a while, it may be necessary for you to use a cane to discipline your children. This should be done occasionally, so that it does not become a way of life. When using the cane to discipline, ensure that you do not overdo it. Do not injure your children in the process of beating them. When some parents are angry beat their children recklessly until those children sustain serious injuries. This is likely to harden their hearts and whatever discipline you instill in them will not bring a lasting solution. When the physical rod is to be used, it should be used with care. Do not give room to careless beating. Although the use of this rod is not a sin, it is important that you understand that there is a limit to how far this rod can go; it can only be used to torment the body, it cannot affect the soul or the spirit of your children. But the spiritual rod, which is the Word of God, can penetrate from the physical realm to the realm of the soul and the spirit, bringing about discipline even when you are not there physically. Do not buy a special cane for the purpose of disciplining your children, rather lay emphasis on the spiritual rod.

Prayer

Prayer is a spiritual weapon that you can use to bring about discipline in the lives of your children. Prayer makes child training easy, because it moulds them spiritually. As a Christian parent, who desires disciplined children, you must spend time to pray with and for your children daily. Mother Wesley, the mother of John and Charles Wesley, was woman of prayer; she spent time praying for her children; no wonder her children were foremost among the people who changed the world, who affected their world positively, with impacts that are still being felt today. You can also do the same. Your children need your prayers. Do not faint in praying for them.

If you put these two tools to work, disciplining your children will become the easiest thing to do. In closing, I will like to say that there is no way you can discipline your children if you are not disciplined yourself. It is my prayer that God will grant you grace to do your responsibilities toward your children. You will not fail in Jesus precious name.

To be able to instill the right discipline in your children, you need to be in Christ. This means accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour of your life. If you have made this decision to accept Jesus into your life, then say this prayer of faith:Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Raising Godly Children, Understanding Motherhood, Building a Successful FamilyandA Living Witness.

“Please click to read other inspiring articles by Pastor Faith Oyedepo”

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.

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Topic: Separating The Tares From The Wheat [Andrew Wommack Wednesday May 16, 2018]

John 6:61, “When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?”

Text: John 6:60-69

This scripture, as well as Matthew 15:12, reveals that people will be offended by the Gospel. As much as possible, however, we should make sure that it is not ourselves that are offensive. But we cannot labor under the deception that everyone will receive the Gospel, even if the truth was presented properly. We know that Jesus represented His Father perfectly and yet most people rejected His message.

In these two instances, when Jesus realized He had offended the listeners, He didn’t apologize and try to make concessions to gain their acceptance. Instead, He got harder. This hard message of commitment is not only beneficial to those who receive it, but it serves a dual purpose in that it exposes the “tares among the wheat.”

It is important to be aware that the children of the wicked one are placed among the true believers. We should be very careful about putting just anyone who professes Christianity into any position of authority (1 Tim. 3:10). Our best defense is to preach the Word of God without watering it down. False brethren will not endure sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3). They leave when the Word, which is sharper than any two-edged sword, begins to expose the thoughts and intents of the heart. There will still, however, be those who are deceived and unaware that they are not born again, remaining among the Church until the end of this world.

As long as Jesus was in the world in His physical body, He was lighting the way to the Father. He now shines through our lives. It is our responsibility to be a witness. The purpose of a light is to dispel the darkness. So “let your light shine before men….” (Matt. 5:16).

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

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).

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Topic: Mindful of the Leading of God [Billy Graham’s Devotional Wednesday May 16, 2018]

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. — Galatians 3:24

When God gave the law, He knew that man was incapable of keeping it. Many persons are confused as to why God gave the law, if He knew man could not possibly keep it. The Bible teaches that the law was given as a mirror; I look into the law and see my spiritual condition. I see how far short I come, and this drives me to the cross of Christ for forgiveness. The Bible teaches that this is why Christ came—to redeem them that were under the law. Man could not keep the law; he was condemned by the law.

Prayer for the day: How I need Your guidelines, Lord. Teach me to be always mindful of Your leading.

“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.

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Topic: Free to Follow [Our Daily Bread 16 Wednesday May, 2018]

Read: Matthew 11:25–30, Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 24–25; John 5:1–24

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29

My high school cross-country coach once advised me before a race, “Don’t try to be in the lead. The leaders almost always burn out too quickly.” Instead, he suggested I stay close behind the fastest runners. By letting them set the pace, I could conserve the mental and physical strength I’d need to finish the race well.

Leading can be exhausting; following can be freeing. Knowing this improved my running, but it took me a lot longer to realize how this applies to Christian discipleship. In my own life, I was prone to think being a believer in Jesus meant trying really hard. By pursuing my own exhausting expectations for what a Christian should be, I was inadvertently missing the joy and freedom found in simply following Him (John 8:32, 36).

But we weren’t meant to direct our own lives, and Jesus didn’t start a self-improvement program. Instead, He promised that in seeking Him we will find the rest we long for (Matthew 11:25–28). Unlike many other religious teachers’ emphasis on rigorous study of Scripture or an elaborate set of rules, Jesus taught that it’s simply through knowing Him that we know God (v. 27). In seeking Him, we find our heavy burdens lifted (vv. 28–30) and our lives transformed.

Because following Him, our gentle and humble Leader (v. 29), is never burdensome—it’s the way of hope and healing. Resting in His love, we are free.

Prayer: Lord, I’m so thankful I don’t have to be in charge of my own life. Help me rest in You.

True freedom is found in following Christ.

Insight:

“Following Jesus” may be the best way to describe the essence of the Christian life. Jesus is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2 nkjv), which means He is both the starting point and the culmination of our rescue—a reality secured by the cross. His resurrection is part of this as well. Paul said, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). The term firstfruits reminds us that Jesus secured our restoration to the Father through His death and subsequent victory over death. This victory is at the heart of His call to us: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34). Peter added of the Savior’s sufferings, “You have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21 nasb).

What better response to His sacrifice could we ever give than to simply and wholeheartedly follow Him? Bill Crowder

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By Monica Brands [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

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Topic: Reach Your Full Potential [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Wednesday May 16, 2018]

The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. — Psalm 29:11

I fully believe that reaching your potential is linked to the way you handle adversity. Adversity isn’t always bad. Actually, adversity can be something to be thankful for because God can use it to strengthen you. Winston Churchill said, “Difficulties mastered are opportunities won,” and I wholeheartedly agree.

If you allow difficulties and challenges to frustrate, intimidate, or discourage you, you will never overcome them. But if you face them head-on and press through the adversities you encounter, refusing to give up in the midst of them and move forward with a heart of gratitude, you will develop the skills and determination needed to be everything you were created to be and experience everything God intends for you.

Prayer Starter: I thank You, Father, that I don’t have to give up when I face adversity—I can meet it head-on, knowing that You are always with me. Thank You for Your promise that says, …He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world…(1 John 4:4). In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

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Topic: You Are The Apple Of God’s Eye [TREM Devotional Wednesday May 16, 2018]

“For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you; for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.” – Zechariah 2:8

I have loved you with the everlasting love. That means the love of God does not come to an end because you did something. In John 3:16, the word ‘so’ expresses the intensity of God’s love. The writer lacked the words to express God’s love, so he expressed it as ‘so’. The love is so much, that it can’t be described. It is love that passes human understanding. When you understand God’s love, you will walk in authority and power. You will dominate everything that is dominating you. You will say to the devil: “Enough! You can’t intimidate me because God loves me. I belong to Him”

God said whosoever touches us has touched Him. We are the apple of His eyes. Romans 8:32 says ‘He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?’ If He can give Himself for you, why do you think He will not give you natural things? ‘Freely’ means you don’t have anything to pay. It means He is the one who paid the entire price to give you all things. His death qualified us for all things because He paid the price. What are these things? They are healing, jobs, business, marriage, houses, fruitful business relationships, money, husband, wife and children.

God does not lie. Stop struggling. If somebody gives you something, what do you do? You receive it. You don’t say what do I pay? Everything He did is for our well-being. Everything about the Cross is because of you. Heaven and earth are moving because of you because we are made in the image of God and in His likeness. This whole earth is for us. He has given us the authority to control it. Heaven belongs to God; the earth had been given to the children of men. You are vitally important to God.

Further Reading: Zechariah 2:1-10, Psalm 115:9-16

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 2 Kings 24-25; Evening- John 5:1-24

“If you missed yesterday devotional click to read “TREM’s Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

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