The Responsibility of Parents

It is the nature of parents to love their children. When children are small, parents diligently attend to their needs, giving them the best of care. They rejoice in their steady growth and happiness. When children become sick, a mother spares no efforts day or night to nurse them back to health. Parents delight to see their children achieve worthwhile objectives in life. All this and much more is the privilege and duty of parents toward their children.

If parents are Christians and live the Bible, they will live an exemplary life before their children, a life they wish their children to pattern after. Since “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21), it is necessary that training and teaching be done early in life. It is said, “A child learns more by observation than through instructions.”

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). To a great extent, the future happiness and destiny of children hinges on the teaching and instruction they receive. Living and teaching the Ten Commandments is not a matter we can face with indifference. Parents who live unconcerned and ungodly lives will have an effect upon their children. On the other hand, there are blessings that follow generations of God-fearing parents.

“For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Sin leaves a trail of sorrow in this world and the sinner reaps sorrow and suffering in hell forever. However, the judgment on sin is removed when the sinner repents and the Lord forgives him. Many children suffer physically and mentally because of the sins of ungodly parents.

The influence that parents have for good or evil is much greater than they often realize. Parents who do not worship God, read the Bible, or have family worship in their homes are not doing their duty before God and their children. Fathers and mothers should be faithful and unwavering in their Christian lives.

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Parents need to be alert to evil spirits that influence children. Evil spirits are subtle and destructive, and will seek to control a heart that is young and tender. When these become established in a child’s life, they are difficult to root out.

The spirit of rebellion is rampant in the world today. We read in 2 Timothy 3:1-2 that there will be disobedience to parents in the last days. The spirits of pride, anger and envy become evident in a child’s heart at an early age. It is important that parents possess the spirit of God so they can discern Satan’s work and deal with their children as the Lord directs.

Power to resist these spirits will only come through earnestly seeking the Lord in prayer. Failure to successfully accomplish this by God’s grace will leave the child with many frustrating disadvantages.

A child often manifests a stubborn self-will. When teaching and pleading in love and gentleness will not convince him, stricter methods of discipline must be applied. This will be for the future good and salvation of the child. The home and God’s kingdom will be blessed and society will benefit.

In Proverbs 13:24 we read, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15). Oftentimes a lack of love for the child prevents parents from taking the right course in discipline.

These scripture quotations from the book of Proverbs do not approve nor encourage child abuse. The “rod of correction” has proven effective when administered with love. The pain the child feels causes the parents to suffer also. When a pure love for the child and his soul is alive in the heart of the parents, the punishment given will bind parents and child closer together. Parents who discipline with anger are apt not to achieve good results because confidence between the child and parents will be greatly strained or broken. Oh! That all parents would use the Bible method of training their children, and God’s blessing will surely follow.

Providing an atmosphere where children are taught by love and example is essential. Give children a consistent example of love, tolerance and compassion and you have given to them guidelines to constructive and consistent living. Show them that unbecoming language and behavior does not need spite or ridicule to correct it, and you have demonstrated to them the heart’s capacity for warmth in a trying situation. Teach them that sorrow and misfortune can befall anyone and that everyone merits compassion and understanding in the name of Christ—then you have given them the key to the heart of their fellow man.

Demonstrate to your child that God loves all men equally, and he will see the white fields of harvest our Savior saw (John 3:16, John 4:35).

Show your children by example that the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God (James 1:20), and you will have begun to lead them into the realm of man’s insufficiency and God’s sovereignty. God will conduct the affairs of all men according to his perfect will.

Show kindness and impartiality to those who are least and you have shown them the door to greatness.

Teach them that the redeeming grace of God is God’s remedy for sin and failure in every human heart, and you will have bequeathed to them the true reason for thankfulness. This will open doors of blessing and faith to them. If they acquire an unfeigned love for the truth, they will be led to the door of eternal life.

Family Beatitudes

Blessed is the family that honoreth the Lord;
That loves to worship side by side with hearts of one accord.
Blessed are the parents who will ever lead the way,
And bring the children to his house upon the Lord’s Day.

Blessed is the family that finds no greater thrill,
Than joining hands in Christian love to do the Master’s will.
Blessed is the family that daily bows in prayer,
And of the increase of their toil, will give the Lord his share.

Blessed is the family that taketh great delight,
In making of their home more than a shelter for the night.
Blessed is the family, whose circle is complete:
That find in one another a companionship so sweet.

Blessed is the family that bears a common load;
Rejoice and prays together as they travel on life’s road.
Blessed is the family where peace and joy abound;
And where distrust and greediness are never to be found.

Blessed is the family that maketh God their choice;
In whatever plans they draw will listen for his voice.
So that finally, when they, God’s will on earth have done;
They, with God and angels, in heaven will have a home.

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Is There A God?

Is there a God? Is there a supreme being or ruler of the universe? How can I be certain? The answer to this question is of utmost importance because, if there is a God and I ignore Him, what will the consequences be?

There are searching questions that demand an answer. Why am I here? From where did I come? What will happen after death? What is the purpose for my life? There must be a reason for my existence.

Throughout the ages of time, people have felt compelled to worship something or someone greater than themselves. Ancient cultures had sun gods, moon gods, thunder gods, and many others. Some native Americans, when discovered by the Europeans, were worshipping what they called the Great Spirit. The ancient Jewish nation worshipped Yahweh, creator of the Earth. It is apparent that inside every person is something that longs to relate to a higher power.

How can the harmony and balance of nature be explained? Think of the seemingly endless food chains, both on the land and in the water. One animal is food for another, which in turn feeds another. This cycle goes on and on, and always there is food for yet another.

Who put the calendar in the heads of the wild birds so they know when it is time to migrate to a warmer climate? How do they know that spring is returning to the land thousands of miles away? One may say it is instinct. That is true, but who placed the instinct there?

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Consider one of the fish of the sea. Who put the map in the brain of the salmon that tells it how to leave its ocean home and find the river and the very stream where its life began? There it lays its eggs, and soon after dies, making room in the cycle of life for its offspring who will follow the exact pattern of all its ancestors. Do you think this all just happened by chance?

We know the universe is so well ordered that clocks are set by the rotation of the earth and the various stars and planets. So precise is the movement of these bodies that eclipses and passage of comets can be accurately foretold. Who or what set this precise rhythm of the universe in motion? Is it only chance that among the hostile environments of the heavenly bodies this earth has the right mixture of those elements necessary for plant and animal life? There must be a master plan!

The plan for the universe, nature, our bodies, and our inner personal needs has been set in order by the great God of heaven. No mortal man, past or present, begins to have such power. The precision and detail of his plan shows us that He takes great interest in man and his happiness.

Faith is believing something we cannot see. We cannot see God but we see indications all around us that point to his existence. God has intended that we could not see Him but rather that we could accept his existence by the obvious evidences which testify of Him. God reveals Himself to us as we accept his existence.

One of the most convincing evidences that there is a God is the change that takes place in a person’s life as he becomes intimately acquainted with Him. Those who had the nature of a lion become like a lamb. Where there was hate, there is now love. Where there was fighting, there is now peace. Where there was turmoil within, there is now a quiet rest. Where there were endless questions, there is now confidence. He changes the selfish person into one who cares about others.

Dear reader, do you feel a restlessness inside or a longing for something, but you are not sure what it is? Do not stifle that feeling or try to cover it up. It is your soul reaching out to God. The same God that created the earth can be your God. If you have faith and believe in the God of heaven, your life also can be changed. Instead of resenting the trying circumstances of life, you can rest in the knowledge that God sees and hears and cares.

God reveals Himself through his Word, the Bible. The Bible is history; it is prophecy; it is instruction for life. But, it is also the love of God to us, and gives direction for the inner needs of the soul. Read the Bible. Start with Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1-5. Read Psalms 23 and 51. Pray to God. He promises He will hear you.

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Trouble Begins

Trouble and problems are everywhere. Sickness, unhappiness, and many evils are a part of life. Where did it all begin? Has it always been this way? The Bible, God’s Word, has the answers to these questions.

The first two chapters of the Bible tell about a beautiful garden called Eden. God created it for Adam and Eve to live in. God made them perfect and without sin.

Eden was a place of peace and happiness. There were no problems or sickness. It was a very happy and beautiful place to live. He gave them every good thing from the garden to eat. In the midst of the garden, he planted the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God told them that they would surely die if they ate the fruit of this tree.

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Sadly, the tranquility in the garden did not last. One day the devil, God’s enemy, came to Eve in the form of a serpent. He asked Eve if God had said they should not eat of the forbidden tree. “Yes,” said Eve, “God said we would die if we ate of it.” The serpent replied, “You will not die when you eat of the tree; you will become like gods knowing good and evil.” When Eve looked at the fruit of the tree, she reached out her hand and took some.

It was good to eat, and she shared some with Adam. As soon as they had eaten, they knew that something was wrong. They became afraid of God. When God came to talk to them, they hid themselves because they were ashamed of their sin. God asked them if they had disobeyed his command and spoke to them about the problems they would always have. Trouble had entered the world because of their disobedience. Toil, sickness, and death would now be part of every life on earth.

When God told them they would die if they disobeyed, He meant both physical and spiritual death. Before their disobedience, they were pure in heart and sinless. After they disobeyed, they became defiled in heart and were sinners in God’s eyes. Since that time, this spiritual death has come upon every person who has been born. Man’s nature, the very being of mankind, has changed from pure and sinless to selfish and sinful.

The Bible tells us in Psalms 14:3 that there is nobody who does good. In the New Testament we read that there is nothing good in our sinful nature. At times we want to do good, but we do evil instead. Other times we know we should not do evil, but we lack the power to do good, all because of our sinful nature (Romans 7:18-20).

Today, many people are unhappy because of their sin nature. People selfishly want their own way. Many lie, cheat, and steal. Some hold grudges and live in bitterness and hatred, because they will not forgive. Many homes have been broken as a result of selfishness and sin. Does this sound familiar to you? Can you identify with these issues? Do you have any of these problems?

This is not a hopeless situation. God has a wonderful plan for us! Because of God’s love for us, He sent his Son Jesus to die on the cross and take the punishment for our sins (John 3:16). Through the power of God, Jesus overcame death and arose from the grave. Because He arose from the dead, we can have victory over our sinful nature if we accept his sacrifice for our sins.

We need to surrender our entire life to God including our wants and desires and ask Him in faith to forgive our sins. Then He forgives us and we become a new person! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The new condition of our heart will reflect in our outward walk and choices. Before God’s forgiveness, we were separated from Him. Now, we are his child. The Bible has a beautiful way of saying this. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). When Jesus forgives our sins, he gives us a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26). The divine nature includes love, joy, and peace which God places in our heart.

How different our outlook on life becomes! We now choose to live for Christ, and sin does not dominate our life. God helps us love those who have mistreated us, forgive those who have hurt us, and have the power to be kind, loving, and patient. Homes that were unhappy can be filled with joy and fulfillment.

This change does not mean we will never make mistakes, but we can take them to God for forgiveness. God gives us the power to resist temptation and overcome sin. We will put others’ wants and desires before our own.

God’s plan for sending Jesus into this world to die and rise again was first to save us, then to give us power to live joyful and thankful lives, and to be of service to others!

Read the Bible today!

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