Devotion
Training the Future Generations
Chipo Biti
Childhood is one of the most important phases of a person's life. We learn most of our values while we are growing up. Most of the things that we do as adults are affected by our childhood experiences. This is why we need to make sure that we teach our children the right things while they are growing up. The "right way" to train a child is to bring them up in the things of God. Children are never too young to learn about the gospel. There is a vast amount of materials that you can use to teach children about Jesus Christ and what He came to do for us.
As the child grows, the teachings can become more advanced until they are able to understand the Bible on their own. As parents, teachers, and leaders, we are meant to pour out as much love and wisdom into children as we can, so that they can grow up to do greater things than we have managed to do.
Training a child goes beyond telling them what to do. Children are keen observers. They learn from the actions that they see on a daily basis. If we are trying to train our children to live godly lifestyles but we exhibit behavior that is contrary to our words, our children will choose to emulate our actions over our words.
If we tell children to be honest in their ways, but they see us deceiving others, children will choose to deceive others because they have seen us do it. When you are tempted to yell at someone who is driving recklessly, choose to be patient instead. Your child will keep these lessons for when they are older. The only way to ensure that our children will get to know God and His love is if we choose to teach them about it.
According to Judges 2:10-13, the newer generations of the children of Israel did not know God. They were not knowledgeable of the many things God had done for their ancestors. Because of this, they turned into a rebellious and idolatrous nation. We see similar things happening around us in the modern world. Many people have turned on God and have chosen to fulfil their selfish desires.
Prayer
In order for us to change this, we need to make sure that we train up the future generations in the ways of the Lord so that they can continue to spread the message of the gospel when we have left the world.
Devotion
Abraham is Father of All
Frances Taylor
There are questions in every age about the importance of the Old Testament for Christians. Abraham is considered to be the Father of Faith for Jews, Christians and Muslims. We forget that it was Abraham who believed in the doctrine of only one God. It is through him and his descendants that this tradition comes down to us. Another fact that we can overlook is that Jesus was Jewish. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died, rose and ascended into heaven as a Jew. Because we believe that he was the Messiah, the Christ, and we follow him, we are called Christian. Without the Old Testament, we wouldn't understand the promise of salvation; we wouldn't understand why it was important for Jesus to be of the family of King David. We would not understand his teaching either, because Jesus quoted from Scripture – the Old Testament – frequently. He told us that he came to fulfill the Scriptures, not to abolish them. In the same way, we can ...
Morning Prayer
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Inspiration
We have a responsibility, as Christians, to abstain from the sinful practices we partook in before we became saved. While it may be a gradual process of change, we should ensure that we are putting in our best to play our part in resisting temptation. God enables us to resist temptation, but it is up to us to actually resist.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that I will always be a person of action. Father, I take delight in my new life in you and I do not desire otherwise. I pray that in times of temptation, may I act on the strength you have given me to flee and/or resist. May I never rely on excuses or procrastination, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Inspiration
We have chosen to surrender our lives and serve the Lord. We serve Him by witnessing, completing missionary projects, and ministering to those in need. There is always work to do and a world full of people to help. We will look for opportunities to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ by any means necessary. We are servants to one another as a service to the Lord; He will never forsake us.
Prayer
Dear God, Help us see the world through Your eyes. We desire to serve those around us by reflecting Your love through our actions. You will never forsake us, and we will continually lift praises of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
