Daily Devotional

Word of the Day

Involved With Your Child

Provoke not your children to wrath means "to not make bitter," asking or requiring them to do what they are not yet capable of. As fathers, we need to make sure that they have proper instruction. The best thing to do is hands-on. Most of us learn by hands-on experience. If you want your children to be raised up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, don't tell them to pray, show them how to pray. Don't tell them to go read their Bible, sit down with them and share with them on their level what the Word of God is saying or what the Lord has spoken to you through the Word--hands-on.

A lot of preachers' kids are provoked because Dad is always gone. He's out preaching a meeting somewhere or counseling your kids and you. In so many churches, he's up at the church cutting the lawn, washing the windows, or doing whatever. Kids have been embittered against the ministry. One of the things that we've always tried to do is include the kids in the ministry. You make them a part so they are not provoked. In whatever it is that you are doing; make your kids a part. Don't let them sit inside and play a video game. Have them come out and help you in the garage. Have them help you in the yard. If you are going down to Home Depot, let them stand there with you in line and watch all of the strange looking people go by. Talk with them and include them in your life. Instruct them hands-on about life.

"Provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." The word nurture means "instruction" and admonition means "to put into the mind by repetition" or "brainwashing." By repetition, continue to speak the biblical principles of life into your children so that when they are old, the Scripture says, they won't depart from them. The Old Testament principle was to take the Word of God and to put it over the doorpost, to keep it always before your eyes. As fathers, talk of the Word when you rise up, when you lie down, and when you walk in the way. Everything has to do with the Word of God. How do you respond to the adversities of life when there are layoffs and sicknesses? In our generation amidst the busy schedule you show them the priorities of life by seeking to be knit into the body of Christ as Ephesians admonishes us. That is what it means to nurture them. Instruct them by example, through repetition, to enable them to respond by second nature as the Word of God requires us.

Fathers, it is our responsibility to train our children and to be involved in their lives. That is not something that is left up to Mom. Don't just make provision for your children; be involved with your children. You may say, "Well, I've given them the best schooling, the best computers available today, and all of the finest clothing." Yes, but do they have Dad involved in their life? That is the greatest treasure and the greatest stabilizing factor. As a child of God, what you value most is your Father's presence. When you know God is present, you feel safe. You are secure and sure in the decisions that you make because you are at peace, because Father is there. It's important, beloved, that we be involved in our children's lives.

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