Meditation

12/03/2021

“Listen,, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” (Proverb 1:8-9)

The first and most important classroom in the school of life is the home. Both father and mother are expected to assume responsibility for training and nurturing the minds of children. Though school and church might contribute significantly to the process of education, no outside agency can equal the influence of parents at an educated force. Note that the words of the wisdom writer are addressed to the on rather than to the parents. The learner has a responsibility for attending to parental instruction.

Sadly in today’s times, we see far to often where both parents are working and they look to the schools to teach their students both what they should learn at home and also at school. This puts a burden on the teachers, like you would not believe. The responsibilities of the parents nonetheless, remain, whether they take action or not, but society loses in the end.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, these two verses from Solomon, David’s son, point to the obvious responsibility that parents are to participate in the home with their children. Our children are missing out on these teachings from their parents, and it is obvious in the classrooms. Pour out a special anointing upon our children and their parents, all around the world, and give the children a desire to learn and the parents pride in passing along those aspects of culture, etiquette, and how and when to speak and to each other. Abba, this is a real need in the world today, and we pray You will hear and respond to this need. Let our worship then flow out of grateful hearts. This we pray. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Are the rules you live by God’s will or a product of the world we live in?”

KNOWING GOD:

“If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—-not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—-if there was anything to forgive—-I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake. In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2^nd Corinthians 2:5-11)

Discipline should be backed with forgiveness. Church discipline may be appropriate when serious offense is involved, but Christians never are free to withhold forgiveness when a person evidences repentance. Undue punishment may cause overwhelming discouragement and grief unless Christian love is reaffirmed. Redemptive love and real forgiveness are essential in maintaining a strong fellowship in a church. Such qualities should be in good supply in any church. Discipline and punishment should never be the dominating note in a church’s life, including clergy and the laity or the body of the church.

I AM:

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2)

Redemptive love reaches out to lift up the fallen and restore them to fellowship. This love involves discipline offered gently but firmly, exercising care not to fall into the same temptation. Vindication, glee, and a sense of superiority have no place in discipline. Christian followers also demonstrate redemptive love by helping others bear their burdens. Such sharing is clear evidence of the love which Jesus says fulfills all of he law.

In faith, Christians accept Christ’s teachings as the law needed to guide life’s moral decisions. This law leads us in one basic direction—-helping people in need. The church’s unique mark before the world is our concern for and devotion to one another.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“The mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and shares together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 3:6)

The church unites all believer from all races and locations to a common ministry in Christ and a common hope for Christ’s return. The inclusion of Gentiles in God’s purposes remained mysteriously unclear under the old covenant. It became clear in Christ. Thus the importance of caring for one another, so that we all become one in Christ and we keep Satan at bay.

The mystery Paul refers to is the, “Mystery of redemption.” Thus, the mystery is that God is calling both Jew and Gentiles, making them heirs with Israel, molding them into one body in Jesus Christ. It in in this way God is building the kingdom.