There are several things you can do for your grandparents. Today, we will look at one thing you can do for your grandparents. Respect them!
Yes, as simple as that sounds, respect them.
One of the ten commandments given by God to the Israelites talked about respecting parents.
“Honor your father and your mother. then you will live a long time in the land. The Lord God is going to give you this land.”
Exodus 20: 12 ICB
You respect them because God is still their God!
Though old, weak, and grey hairs decorating their heads, they are still God’s children. He hasn’t forgotten them and will never do so.
Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you, and I will save you.
Isaiah 46:4 ICB
Your grandparents in a way are also your parents. They may not have directly given birth to you but still have some authority over you.
Whatever promises God made to you, He made to them also. When He helps you, they also receive help. God provides for them as He provides for you too.
He saved them as He saved you. Jesus died for them just as He died for you. In their old age, God is still their strength. As you ask for strength, they also ask the same from God. And God gives you both.
They have the power to bless you. Their blessings come as a result of their deep affection for you. You are like another child to them; their golden child.
Israel blessed Joseph’s sons before he died.
They have the power to bestow wealth on you.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…
Prov. 13:22 AMP
Respect them as you do your parents.
May God continue to strengthen our grandparents in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer: God, thank you for still being there for my grandparents. Thank you for providing and protecting them.
Action point: How about checking on your grandparents this week or visiting them?
Declaration: My grandparents will live to eat the fruit of their labour.
Now that you have decided to make spending regular time in God’s presence a habit, where to meet should be the next item on your agenda. Every meeting has a location. What is the best location for your devotion?
1. Do you have enough privacy with no disturbance at all?
Disturbances will break the flow of your connection with God. This can be exhausting and discouraging. So, find a place where you know that for that period, you won’t be disturbed. Having people around or constantly passing by you can be a huge distraction.
2. Is the place clean and not cluttered?
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness” This makes us understand that God not only looks at how clean our hearts are but, also how clean we keep our bodies. He is holy and part of holiness is keeping our bodies clean. God deserves to be worshipped in a clean environment.
Also, a cluttered environment causes your focus to wander from time to time when your eyes fall on objects in the environment.
3. Is the location quiet?
Meeting with God in a quiet environment enables your mind to focus on Him highly. The absence of noise helps you to quickly hear Him speak to you. You can hear His quiet, still voice.
That’s why it is highly recommended that you meet with God early in the morning before everyone wakes up.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mark 1:35, KJV
Considering these things will greatly improve your prayer time with God.
Stress is a daily part of our lives. We can’t hide from it but can only find ways to minimize its effects on us. A little stress though is good for us.
Children also experience stress. It could be a bully at school, a harsh teacher, or even an uncomfortable classroom. At home, it could be rifts between siblings, parental discord, or the death of a family member or friend.
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
1 Sam 3:8 KJV
Older children often are able to identify something that is bothering them (i.e. a stress to them), unlike younger ones who have not acquired the capacity to do so.
Children don’t and can’t manage stress the way adults do. It shows through their words, actions, and behaviours.
Little Samuel heard God calling to him but didn’t know what to do. He ran to Eli every time he heard God’s voice asking if the old priest was the one calling him. Eli identified that it was God calling little Samuel. He then told Samuel what to say when next he heard the voice.
The bible doesn’t record that Samuel experienced any stress but it was a situation that was new to him. He couldn’t process it and went to the only person he knew that could help. And Eli was able to help him.
Parents must be observant to notice any change in their children. Children won’t tell you what is disturbing them immediately, even when you ask. Only by observing can a parent find out. Parents must give total attention to children when they are speaking.
Declaration: My children are not under stress. They learn to speak out. They are surrounded daily by the right people.
Prayer (parent): Lord, help me to be truly observant about my child(ren). Help me to notice the changes in them no matter how subtle they may be. Amen.
Action plan: Parent, sit down and watch your child today. Go through their things, room, and find things you never noticed before.
Don’t pay evil for evil. ‘Look! It’s Taye’. Dele pointed out to Femi as they walked home from school. ‘He’s alone. Now you can do whatever you want to him” Dele urged, his eyes gleaming with vengeance.
‘Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone’ (NIV)
Romans 12:7
Taye had stumbled into Femi on purpose earlier today at school during lunch break. Femi’s whole lunch had spilled over his white shirt. This earned him a huge reprimand from the teacher. And his mom was still going to do so too at home.
Dele was right, this was the perfect opportunity to pay Taye back. He remembered what he had learned from the devotional this morning. He remembered the verse in the Bible.
‘Be kind and compassionate to one another. Forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you’.
Ephesians 4:32
‘No, I won’t do anything to him’ he shrugged his shoulders.
‘Are you serious?’ asked a dumbfounded Dele. ‘He bullies you all the time’.
‘My mom read today in the devotional that Jesus said I don’t have to be mean to him also’. He gave Taye a wide smile and waved as they passed him.
‘Did you just smile and wave at him?’ Dele asked, his eyes huge as lemons.
‘Yeah, I did’, said a happy Femi. He felt good as he walked on. ‘I am going to pray for him instead’.
People will always hurt us no matter how good we are to them or others. Being obedient to Jesus is not to hurt people back when they hurt us.
Declaration: I learn to forgive. I will not pay evil with evil.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I want to obey you by not hurting back anybody that has hurt me. In your mighty name, I pray. Amen.
Be truthful always. Children think that when they are not caught red-handed in the act of wrongdoing, they are safe. Even when caught, they still might want to lie to wriggle out of it. That is an error.
Lovingly, we can help them see the error in this and show them what the bible says about it.
‘I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you’. (NIV)
Psalms 119: 11
We should punish them first, lead them towards an apology and make them understand why we are punishing them.
Punishment must always be in proportion to the wrongdoing not higher. They should know it is done out of love and not hate.
‘Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy’. (NIV)
Prov. 28:13
Prayer: Lord, I release my child (say their name(s)) to You. Touch their hearts not to hide their wrongdoings. Even when caught, help them not to lie. Help me lovingly to scold and punish them accordingly. Amen.
Action point: Confront your children on any issue you discover.
Declaration: My children are truthful. They understand the dangers of telling a lie. They do not hide their wrongdoings.
