Helping a child build character: Pt 3 Ethics of Work

No baby yet…but could be anytime!

This week let’s look at building a child’s work ethics.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.    Proverbs 22:6

God had said, after Adam and Eve sinned and were casted out of the garden, “Cursed is the ground for thy sake” (Ge 3:17). God cursed the ground for man’s good; He made it grow weeds, and made the ground hard so man would have to plow it.  Man would now have to labor for their food and well being.  Persons who are able to work and don’t work in some fashion, are like parasites lacking the fundamentals of good character. Work is a blessing, not a curse. Children need to be taught this at an early age.

At an early age I was taught the responsibility of tasks that were assigned to me. One of those main jobs was to care for the chickens. Feed and water them afternoons; my grandfather took care of them mornings. I also was responsible for putting the milking machines together for the evening milking of the cows. As I grew older tasks were increased.

I believe if there are girls in the home, they should learn to care for the home; prepare the meals, and care for children. What are some of the tasks of caring for the home? Sewing; planning of meals; care for those that are sick, The list is endless. Girls have a God given nurturing and caring characteristic; whereas boys have a God given characteristic to protect, provide and decide. God gave these characteristics to males and females…as the building block of the family.  God is the foundation.

Friends, let every child have appointed tasks regularly, and place standards on those tasks, within the child’s range, making sure they do them at the appointed times. Teach them to fulfil those tasks as if they are directly doing them for the Lord.

Every young man and young woman should be given regular tasks and be taught to work honestly, and work with integrity, completing the job to their fullest. The Word of God says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “That if any would not work, neither should he eat.” Having a good habit and conscience about work is an essential part of Christian character.  Yes, train up a child as he or she should go, for they will not depart when they grow old.

God bless, ’till we meet again,

Dave

Helping a Child Build Character: Pt 2 Obedience: The foundation of character

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.                          Proverbs 22:6

I consider obedience the cornerstone of one’s character and personality. Obeying mom and dad makes a good child. Obeying the rule of law in our land, and to those with authority over us makes us a good citizen. Obedience to God makes us a good Christian; while rebellion against God and His precepts leads us to sin.

So, how important is it to train children to obey in the home?

1. Children should be taught to obey without question or explanation.

• Nothing irks me more than hearing a seven year old child talk back and question their parent as to why they have to do this or that. Right from the start parents need to teach their children to respect authority (mom, dad, grandparents, etc). Then there are times too, when children need an explanation, as why such and such is not done…it depends on the situation at hand. But overall, mom and dad should insist on obedience without explanation.

2. Obedience must have instant compliance without an argument.

• True obedience occurs when it is accepted as fundamental truth from the one in authority, who knows what is best. Young children have a tendency to trust parents and grandparents; trust that has NEVER been broken. When the foundation has been properly placed, and the cornerstone correctly set, level, and unable to shift, it is solid!  Parents, never waver when you tell a child to do something…it must happen now, not an hour from now.

3. No exceptions to the rule.

• Insist that children obey without exception; a father or mother can instill a sense of respect for authority which is necessary for a great character.

4. The task of teaching obedience takes dedication from both parents.

• As parents we must be steadfast if we want our children to be steadfast in requirements.  Moreover, both mom and dad must be on the same page when disciplining. Children are human just like you and I, and we must carefully distinguish between willfully disobeying, and natural frailty. By using firmness and kindness we can nurture and help them overcome their human frailties.

Friends, one more suggestion, give lots and lots of love; this is one thing that lacks today. Grandma and Grandpa talk with your grandchildren, let them know you care. Tell them about your parents, your grandparents. Show them how to do things, and tasks. Bake cookies, teach then to sew…fix the lawnmower, or something around the house…basic things that one day when they are older and have to do it, they will think of you. I have many fond memories of my grandparents teaching me things as a young boy. And be sure to sprinkle in promises of the Gospel at every opportunity. Plant, plant some more, water, and nurture; then pray, pray, and pray that someone along the way and make that child’s soul bloom, for our Lord will have the harvest at His appointed time.

Mom and dad, do those things mentioned above, but you also have an added responsibility:
To teach: Deuteronomy 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Train: Isaiah 38:19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.

Nurture: Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Control: 1 Timothy 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

To love: Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.
That’s just a start!

That’s it for this time. I may be a little slow getting the next part up…my wife and I are expecting our next grandchild any day now, and will be traveling to see our son, daughter-in-law, and grandchild. It’ll all be in the Lord’s timing! Make it a wonderful week and give thanks to the Lord for all your blessings

God bless ‘till we meet again!
Dave

Helping a Child Build Character. Pt1

I thought for the next few blogs, I’d address the topic of building character in children. First off, I’m no expert. I’ve made my share of mistakes as a father to my children, rearing them. And there have been times of delighting in them, and times of great sadness in witnessing their errors. However, the time my wife and I have had raising them, has been a blessing from the Lord.
Let’s get started:

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

It takes years of training, to grow good strong character. Good character develops through strength and wisdom. God gave parents roughly 18 to 20 years to raise their child, teaching them to do what is right, deciding the correct choices to make when faced with such decisions, being godly in character, strong, happy and moral.

I was blessed with grandparents that took me in when my mother had become sick. She had MS, and dad was working long hours to make ends meet, but also was a heavy drinker, which I believe was his escape from reality.

The values I hold today came from my grandparents. Grandpa, a calloused English man, who was a little over 6 feet in height, was a dairy farmer. He believed a man was to work hard, by the sweat of his brow. For him, some days were 18 hours long, some 12 hours…depending on the time of year.

My grandmother, a homemaker, a mother, a grandmother, was a gentlewoman who loved her family. Short and stout, she made it a point to help those when the need had risen. And cook! Oh my, she could make the best beef soup and steam pudding on this side of the Atlantic.

It was them,who shaped my character to what it is today…but I was far from perfect! Something was missing…it was Jesus Christ.

The largest influence on one’s character is accepting Jesus Christ as their Saviour. It is that step of realizing your sinful nature, repenting of those sins, and allowing Christ’s headship of your life, the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.

Parents, the best thing you can do for your child, starting right now, is teaching them the precepts of the Bible. Read to your children daily Bible scriptures. It is a great source of molding godly character. Also, daily prayer. Prayer in the morning, prayer in the evening is great in character building. Make time for it!

Learning the Word of God and coming to God daily in prayer, not only gives help and guidance, but also gives the greatest influence on Christian character.

Parents, instead of giving your children material things of this world, such as money and property, give them a strong, godly, happy character. That is the best thing you can give your children. Then he or she can make money and acquire property.

Friends, one more piece of advice, if you have a television…throw it! Why would you allow perversion into your home? Murder, Sodomy, Sexual perversions, Witchcraft, etc…the list goes on. The same can be said about cartoons and children’s movies. Disney is the biggest purveyor. Desperate Housewives, Gay Days at Disney World, again the list goes on. Disney has raised a generation of whores and whoremongers. Hannah Montanna/Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, and Justin Timberlake.

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.                                                                 Psalms 97:10

We’ll talk more next week on building character.
God bless, ‘till we meet again,
Dave

Talking and Sharing in Private

A few quick thoughts…
This morning during my daily bible reading, this verse struck me as most important. It is our opportunity to go before the throne with our concerns and petitions, privately. There are several examples in the Bible of private prayer. In Exodus 24, we read the account of Moses rising early, for “one on one” time with the Lord. Then in Psalms 57, we have the record of David singing to the Lord first thing mornings.

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”      Matthew 6:5-7

Here we have clear doctrine laid down by our Lord. Prayer is not to be for public show, nor done in vain repetitions.

Jesus teaches that prayer should be done in secret, one on one with our Heavenly Father. Prayer is to be from our heart, and from the depths of our soul.

Friends, secret private prayer is essential for a happy and prosperous Christian life; to do His will, you must seek His will.

“Trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.” 1 Timothy 5:5

God bless, ‘till we meet again,
Dave

Knowing the Father, through His Son

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.                                                                                                                             Matthew 11:27

These words spoken of our Lord, in this verse, are rich in meaning and promise.
“All things”. Everything is in subjection to Christ; all persons, all beings. The angels are at His command. Evil spirits are subject to Him. We read in Luke chapter 8, that “even the winds and water” obey Him.

“And no man knoweth the Son, but the Father “. We see the closeness of the Father and His Son. The simple believe, trusting the pure word of God. However wise men of great philosophy reject His sonship. It is only revealed to believers, by the Holy Ghost, through His word.

“Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son”. The word save has the meaning of except. He removes all doubt as to the essential nature of His oneness with the Father by explicitly asserting His eternity with God : John 8:58 “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” And in John 17:5 we read: “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” Genesis 1:26 makes clear the Trinity, within the Godhead: “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Clearly these verses imply that God the Father, and God the Son have a relationship to each other.

“And he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him”. By knowing Christ, you know the Father, and know that the Father himself loves you. There is absolutely no other way of knowing the Father but through Jesus Christ His Son. Jesus is our mediator, the one and only way of communication between you and I, and God. In this our Lord rejoiced; for his office of Mediator is dear to him, and he loves to be the way of communication between the Father whom he loves, and the people whom he loves for the Father’s sake.

Earlier I said how this verse is rich in meaning and promise, however for this promise to be fulfilled, you need to be in a relationship with Christ. For Jesus told Thomas in John 14, “ I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Eternity is a long time…forever. Forever in hell should scare the wits out of everyone; however many are deceived. False preachers; false teachers; false religious systems. Then some believe they’ll save themselves; some will work for heaven; and some have the idea that they will spend a short time in “purgatory” getting purified.

Well friends, the Bible tells us there’s only one way: repent of your sin and have faith in Jesus Christ. Then live your life as a testimony before others, showing the change in deeds and attitude, reflecting

God bless, ’till we meet again.

Dave