RAISING GODLY CHILDRENStella Dhinakaran

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.    (Psalm 112:1)

The Dhinakarans Dearly beloved,

Isaiah 8:18 says, “Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.”

It is God’s desire that every family should bring forth godly offspring (Malachi 2:15).

It is the Lord who graciously grants you the gift of children. But it is in your hands to bring them up in godly ways. First of all, parents must be role models for their children by leading godly lives.

Some parents scold each other and quarrel with one another even in the presence of their children. This creates a kind of fear and sorrow in the hearts of those young ones. So they lose all interest in life and do not want to concentrate in their studies.

Once I got down from the pulpit in a church after sharing the Lord’s message. At that moment, a little girl of about 10 years came to me and asked, “Aunty, why my father and mother alone are fighting all the time? My mother is always weeping. So she is not even cooking food for us. Please pray for God to help us.”

This is the state of many families today. How can the children brought up in such an atmosphere become signs and wonders for God?

In certain families, the parents allow their children to live according to their own whims and fancies. Such children always like to spend their time with their friends happily. Finally, they get addicted to all kinds of evil pleasures (Ephesians 2:3). Only then the parents begin to lament over their children.

The Bible assures, “Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands” (Psalm 112:1). The preceding Bible verse assures blessings for those who honour the Lord wholeheartedly and delight in obeying His commandments. Therefore, follow the ways of the Lord. Then He shall certainly bless you and your children.

Prayer:

Loving Lord Jesus,

I thank You for the children You have graciously given me. Help me to walk in integrity and be a role model for them. Help me to bring them up in godly ways. Shower your abundant blessings upon me and my children.

In Your matchless name I pray.

Amen.
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