Daily Devotional

OPEN DIALOGUE WITH YOUR CHILD

Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances (Proverbs 25:11).

All discipline must be based on prior instruction. Make a clear statement of your expectations for a given situation and the consequences for disobedience. Ask your child to repeat what you say to make sure he understands. Then invite his questions and comments. Honest and open dialogue after disobedience is a powerful means of discipline. Even parental silence communicates volumes.

SUBMIT TO GOD

I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one (1 John 2:14 NIV).

According to John, new Christians are like little children whose sins are forgiven and who have entered into the knowledge of God. Mature saints are likened to old men who have a deep knowledge of God. In between are the young men, growing Christians whose chief characteristic is that they have overcome the evil one.

NO MIDDLE GROUND

He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters (Luke 11:23).

FOLLOWING OUR SHEPHERD

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God (Romans 8:14).

I had the privilege of feeding and caring for the sheep on the farm where I was raised. I discovered that sheep aren't the smartest animals on the farm. Sheep need to be shepherded. Left to themselves in a lush pasture, they will keep eating until it kills them. They need a shepherd to make them "lie down in green pastures" (Psalm 23:2) so they don't eat themselves to death!

GOD GENTLY GUIDES

And your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left (Isaiah 30:21)

In a telephone conversation a lady asked, "Dr. Anderson, my pastor says my favourite television evangelist is a false teacher. Is he right?"

At a ministerial retreat, a pastor stopped me and said, "Neil, I've been at this church three years and there's this situation. After finishing his description he asked "Do you think God is calling me out of there?"

PRESERVING UNITY

Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3)

I really don't mind taking a stand on biblical grounds and living with the conflict that comes from those who oppose the gospel. I think that is part of our calling. What grieves God is when our ministry and work is stopped because well-intentioned people resist the inevitable and needlessly fight change.

TEMPTATION'S HOOK

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6)

USING YOUR UNIQUE GIFTS AND ABILITIES

Do the work of an evangelist; fulfil your ministry (2 Timothy 4:5)

For the Christian, true fulfilment in life can be summarized by the popular bumper sticker slogan, "Bloom where you're planted." Peter said it this way: "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another" (1 Peter 4:10).Your greatest fulfilment in life will come when you discover your unique gifts and abilities and use them to edify others and glorify the Lord.

THE TRUTH OF CHRIST'S VICTORY

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him (Colossians 2:15)

One of the common objections to the ministry of setting captives free performed by Jesus and the apostles is the apparent lack of instruction on the subject in the Epistles. Let me offer another perspective which may help clarify the issue and suggest how we should confront demonic influence in our own lives and minister to others in bondage.

THE ISSUE OF CONTROL

The fruit of the Spirit is self-control (Galatians 5:22,23)

More times than not, the need to control our children comes from the false belief that our identity and worth derives from how well our children behave. Think it through: If your worth comes from something outside yourself, your tendency is to control the people and factors on which your worth is based.