It is important that our children learn how to give. Let’s start by looking at that Scripture in Psalms that talks about how we have been wonderfully made.
Ps 139:14, KJV I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
The bible tells us that we are wonderfully and beautifully made by God. Can you imagine yourself as beautiful and wonderful? Do you see yourself as ordinary? Do you see yourself as someone with no talent or gift, with nothing to give or share with others?
God couldn’t have made you so beautiful and wonderful then leave you empty. No. You are a masterpiece from the Creator’s hands, so you must learn how to give. Even the stones He created give praise to His name when you admire them. When you look at the rainbow in the sky and smile, you are praising God
Your Creator didn’t create you without something to give. No one should complain that they have nothing to give. You have something to give. It could be a thing or an action.
You have a lot to give, children. More than you can ever imagine. You could give out your clothes if you’ve outgrown them, your toys, shoes, or books. Do you know that your smile could be a gift to someone who is down and just needs someone to notice and smile at them? You should learn how to give.
Your time is also a gift you can give to teach a friend or classmate who is struggling to understand lessons at school.
Praying for others is another thing you can give. You can pray for your parents, guardians, friends, siblings, pastor, teachers, neighbours, classmates, and so on.
Helping your parents or guardians at home is another good way to use your time; therefore learn how to give by helping your parents.
Whatever it is you plan to give to others, ensure you tell your parents or guardians.
God bless you as you give. Amen.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for how you made me. I am glad that I have more than I give. Teach me new ways to give to others. I learn how to give. Enable me to be a giver, to the glory of your name, Amen.
Declaration: My children learn to give. They do not withhold more than necessary.
Can there be stress in children? Now 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.
1 Sam 3:8 (KJV ) 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.
Children also experience stress. There can be stress in children – 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.
Older children often are able to identify something that is bothering 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. There you must learn how to identify stress in children so you can help them.
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. Older adults can therefore help manage stress in children.
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 stressed. 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. Help me to identify stress in children. Amen.
PrayerChild: I will speak out when I have an issue bothering me. I will ask for help.
As children, we must always seek to do what is right – as we relate with our family, our friends, our teachers, etc. This is a good character to have.
Romans 12:7 ‘Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone’ (NIV)
‘Look! It’s Dele’. Tunji pointed out to Seyi as they walked home from school. ‘He’s alone. Now you can do whatever you want to him” Tunji urged, his eyes gleaming with vengeance.
Dele had stumbled into Seyi on purpose earlier today at school during lunch break. Seyi’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. Would Seyi do what is right? If you were in Seyi’s shoes, what will you do?
Tunji was right, this was the perfect opportunity to pay Dele back. He remembered what he had learned from the devotional this morning. He remembered the verse in the Bible.
Ephesians 4:32 ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another. Forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
‘No, I won’t do anything to him he shrugged his shoulders, also remembering that he had to do what is right.
‘Are you serious?’ asked a dumbfounded Tunji. ‘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 Dele a wide smile and waved as they passed him.
‘Did you just smile and wave at him?’ Tunji asked, his eyes huge as lemons. He didn’t understand this ‘do what is right’ thing.
‘Yeah, I did. Said a happy Seyi. 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. Learn to do do what is right.
Declaration: I learn to forgive. I will not pay evil with evil.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I want to obey you by not hurting anybody that has hurt me. In your mighty name, I pray. Amen.
The blood of Jesus is the foundation of the victory that God has given to us as His children. It is by the blood that we live. We must therefore learn how to appropriate the Blood over our children.
1 John1:7 ESV But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
The blood of the Lamb of God is very important in our lives. We should therefore teach our children about the efficacy of that blood – the blood of our Messiah.
What are some of the things that the Blood of the Lamb does for us? Everything! Yes, the Blood does everything. But we will just be outlining some here. The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sins. This means that the eternal blood of the Son of God makes us clean, regardless of how stained we might have been as a result of past errors. What a beautiful experience that is – to be made a totally new creature.
The blood of Jesus nullifies every finished work of the devil. This means that in areas the devil might want to play a smart one on us, we have the blood to speak for and defend us
Through the blood of our Saviour, we have been redeemed and made whole.
As Christians, you should learn to declare that “the blood of the Son of God speaks life and better things over my children.”
Prayers: Lord, let your blood speak for my children now and always. The blood of the Lamb speaks over their lives and they exercise the authority of whom they are in Christ Jesus.
Action Plan: Parents, pray and teach your children about the importance of the blood of Jesus.
Your parents are given to you by God. It’s not a mistake that you are their child. God expects you to obey your parents at all times. One of the reasons behind this is that they know and see things you don’t.
Your parents are guardians over you, and it will do you a lot of good if you can start seeing them like that. They have been entrusted with taking care of you here on earth; and understand that they will give an account of how well they did so to God. Therefore do all within your power to help them to make their work easy and to give God a great account of how they did their best. Obey your parents – that’s one of the ways to make their work easy.
The bible verse that speaks about obeying your parents is found in Colossians three and verse twenty. It reads:
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
That was not a suggestion from God; it was a command. This is what God has commanded; therefore God loves it when you are obedient to your parents in everything. Remember that pleasing God is a sign of obedience. Remember also that if you love God, you will always seek to do what pleases Him. And what better way to please God than to do whatever He says. Therefore, as a child be obedient to God even as it concerns your relationship with your parents.
May the grace to obey your parents be upon you always. Amen.
Prayer: Father, thank you for my parents. May I be an obedient child to them. Amen.
Action point: Ensure you listen to and obey your parents.
Declaration: I am an obedient child. I obey my parents in all things.
