Securing a Glorious Future for Your Children (2)

by Pastor Faith Oyedepo, Week 3, April, 2008

Securing a Glorious Future for Your Children (3)

Dear Reader,

The many atrocities in our world today are a direct result of improper child training. Drug addicts, armed robbers and fraudsters are all from families, as no one dropped from the sky. The reason is because their foundation was faulty, so they become the dregs of the society. In the light of this, parents must be willing to take care of their emotional and physical aspect of their lives. This week, I will be showing you two aspects of children’s make-up that will help parents to secure their future for them.

Emotionally

Children are meant to be loved, cared for and accepted. As a parent, you must meet their needs emotionally. They must be emotionally satisfied so that there will be no attraction from outside that will be able to secure their attention. The reason for child abuse and all manner of evils today in the society is because most parents are no longer there to meet the emotional needs of these children.

Ensure that you are approachable and easily accessible by your children. Give them opportunities to ask you questions about what is bothering them. Don’t be”too big” for them that they will be afraid and prefer to seek for solace elsewhere. Be there when you ought to, so that they will not look out for outside influence. I tell people all the time that before a child will begin to go on drugs, something has gone wrong back at home. When you meet their needs in this area, no devil will influence them from outside. Also, good, open and effective communication is a vital tool in helping your children develop emotional stability. A child, who is self-assured and has high self-esteem, will be immune to foreign influence. May the Lord grant you grace for performance.

Physically

As a parent it is also your duty to make provision for your children’s physical needs. They should be neat and adequately clothed for various periods. Ensure that as you appear neat, your children also look neat both at home and everywhere they may be found. They ought to be true representatives of Christ. The Word of God says: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel (1 Timothy 5:8).

Your children should be well fed. They should be given a balanced diet, no matter how small. There is a need for you to supervise their feeding habits. Also, in their academics, be there to help. Prayerfully help them in their choice of subjects, and ultimately in setting goals in their career. Although, these goals may change but at least they should have one. Discover their bent in life and stir them in that direction. Please don’t force them into your mold because God may have a totally different plan for them; therefore, encourage them to have Bible based dreams.

It is also important for you to teach them on how to handle money, and how to be financially accountable so that they will not be a disgrace to you in future. Statistics shows that over 90 per cent of the children of wealthy people don’t end up wealthy. Why’ They are not taught how to spend money judiciously, so they end up wasting it. Rescue your children now by teaching them how to spend their money wisely.

In conclusion, these three aspects of lives of the children I have mentioned come in that order of priority: the spiritual need, the emotional need and the physical need. Don’t put all your attention on the physical that is not right; order your priorities correctly. I pray that God will give you the grace for performance so that your children will become responsible adults tomorrow.

Hints to raise your children

? Understand that they are not adults; learn to communicate with them at their levels.1 Cor. 13:11

? Saturate their minds with the Word of God. Target their senses for renewal. Pro. 2:1-2. Solomon could ask for wisdom because his father already taught him the virtues of wisdom.

? Introduce children’s Bible with pictures, Bible stories, Video and Audio Tapes and heart-to- heart talk not attacks.

? Develop God’s plan and purpose for their lives. Help them to discover it and positively encourage them along that line.

? Show them practically demonstrated love as you train them.

? Teach them to obey. Obedience is the pathway to shining.

? Be a Godly example to emulate.

? Employ the unfailing tool of prayers. E.g. John Wesley’s mother

Mark 11:24 ‘…when” not ‘if’ ye pray.

The grace you need to raise your children in the fear of God is available when you surrender your life to Christ. You surrender your life by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer: Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Savious. Now I know I am born again!

Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through:

E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com Tel. No: 234-1-7747546-8;

For more insight, these books authored by Pastor Faith Oyedepo are available at the Dominion Book Stores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian book stores.

? Marriage Covenant,

? Making Marriage Work

? Building a Successful Family,

Success in Marriage (Co-Authored with Bishop David Oyedepo).