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Take care of God's blessings
pastor corner

Children are blessings from God. Sometimes they may come unexpected, sometimes they are trouble, but they are still precious.

Children need parents who love and respect God and each other. There was a time when the idea of a parent being without "natural affection" was unheard of, but sadly today many children face this evil. Parents should love their children, teaching them respect and discipline so they grow to be responsible adults.

Children need to be taught to "remember God in their youth." Solomon was a great wise man of his day. Concerning youth and God he penned the following; "Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;" (Ecclesiastes 11:7-ff).

God wants young people to learn how to enjoy life — but without sin. The wise parent shows their child how God has provide so many things that can be enjoyed without having to engage in sinful acts. The parent who fails to do this will many times have rebellious children.

The job of raising children to love and respect God must start from the time they leave the womb, showing them that God comes first. They need to see fathers and mothers who enjoy worshipping and serving God. Parents should be ready and willing to help in the work of the Lord.

Wise parents also take time for their children. Fathers and mothers need to make time to enjoy recreation with their children. A few tosses of a ball, a little time-spent coloring, or even reading a bedtime story means so much to a child. School plays and awards ceremonies need to be attended, to let the children know that their parents are interested in them.

Time is a valuable commodity to all, especially parents. One must remember that the time with children is rapidly slipping away. They must be shown that the sinful things of the world may appear fun for a time, but the end of such is destruction.

In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul spoke of the works of the flesh, finishing by saying, "that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Parents must take time for their children in all aspects of life.

Those parents who fail to follow God and to teach their children to do the same will regret their decision someday. The allurements set forth by Satan can and will cause harm to children allowed to act so foolishly. How many have never obeyed God because of just such advice? How many young people have lost their lives before the "planting" was done?

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