Family Matters

FAMILY MATTERS

Dear Parents,

          Adam and Eve lived in a home called the 'Garden of Eden'. God blessed them and said to them, *"Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it" (Genesis 1:28). Abba Father enjoyed a daily fellowship with Adam and Eve; He loved to walk and talk with them. God is the beginner of marriage, children, family and home. Children are a gift to us from God.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward" (Psalm 127:3).

They need to be treasured. Quality family times together are important. Parent and children relationship is a very vital relationship, so need to do all we can to keep it going. We need to daily ask God to fill your hearts with His love so that you can see our kids the way Jesus sees them.
           Satan is all out to destroy this beautiful institution God created called 'family'. It's sad to see kids turn away and walk in disobedience to their parents. The best protection our kids can have in these last days is to keep them bound by cords of love. We, as parents, need to spend more time with them.
Let's learn to see a child as a child, and handle them with care. Even when they are young, let's clearly differentiate between mischief and sin. Little kids are mischievous. But,'sin' must be explained, warned and punished for. The Bible says, 
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)            We also need to daily cover our children with prayers. Remember, they often don't understand the unseen forces that are coming against them. So, it's our responsibility to stand against those forces on their behalf. No matter what the circumstance, we are to raise them up in the fear and admonition of our Lord.

Dear Children,

            Children, in turn, need to learn to love and respect their parents. The Bible warns that children will disobey their parents in the last days. 
2 Timothy 3:2 says, "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy..."
But still, God's word teaches children to "obey parents in the Lord". 
Ephesians 6:1 says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right".
Ask not what your parents can do for you but what you can do for them. Be helpful at home, run errands for them cheerfully and not out of compulsion. You can accompany mom to the bazaar, help dad to fix things at home. Look out for ways to make them happy. Remember their birthdays and anniversaries, give them cards or gifts—or a surprise party!
Don't expect to get all you want. Be prepared to accept a 'NO'. Look at the less fortunate kids around you and you'll be satisfied with what you have.
(That's what my mom always told me and my sisters.) Never do anything to betray their trust. 
When your parents loose faith in you, you have lost a lot.
            We also read in 
Leviticus 19:32, "Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD". Respect aged parents and care for them. You are their crowns in their old age, and take pride in them.
Children, know that old age is a second childhood and just as you take care of your children, the same attention and same care must to be given to your old parents and elders. Parents are not with you forever—give them your best time and care. Even after you get married, stay in touch with them and visit them regularly. If they are sick look after them, take them to the hospital.

Dear parents and children,

will you commit to renew your relationship with each other? If 'YES' then the Holy Spirit will help you draw close to each other and narrow the generation gap. Abba Father wants to restore this vital relationship. Malachi 4: 5 says, "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse".
God bless,
YSIC

Julia