Holding the Reins of Government

Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Ephesians 6:1.
The will of God is the law of heaven. As long as that law was the rule of life, all the family of God were holy and happy. But when the divine law was disobeyed, then envy, jealousy, and strife were introduced, and a part of the inhabitants of heaven fell. As long as God’s law is revered in our earthly homes, the family will be happy.
One of the first lessons a child needs to learn is the lesson of obedience. Before he is old enough to reason, he may be taught to obey.
The mother is the queen of the home, and the children are her subjects. She is to rule her household wisely, in the dignity of her motherhood. Her influence in the home is to be paramount.
Self-will should never be permitted to go unrebuked. The future well-being of the child requires kindly, loving, but firm discipline…. It is impossible to depict the evil that results from leaving a child to its own will.
A fitful government—at one time holding the lines firmly, and at another allowing that which has been condemned—is ruination to a child.
Uniform firmness and unimpassioned control are necessary to the discipline of every family. Say what you mean calmly, move with consideration, and carry out what you say without deviation.
The requirements of the parents should always be reasonable; kindness should be expressed, not by foolish indulgence, but by wise direction. Parents are to teach their children pleasantly, without scolding or faultfinding, seeking to bind the hearts of the little ones to them by silken cords of love.
The combined influence of authority and love will make it possible to hold firmly and kindly the reins of family government. An eye single to the glory of God and to what our children owe Him will keep us from looseness and from sanctioning evil.
The Faith I Live By p. 266
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Amanda as her mother passed away several days ago and she lost her father earlier this year. Rose
—-Thanks to all who have been praying for my Aunt – she was doing so much better and got home a couple days ago, but had to go to ER last evening due to difficulty breathing and is being transferred to the hospital at least for observation and testing. Pamela
—-Please pray for my husband… salvation, protection, guidance. Nancy
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Dear Friends,
When I was a little girl, my mother bought a scotch collie. Sandy was a beautiful dog and we became instant friends. One day, my mother decided to build her a sturdy doghouse, because Michigan’s winters are cold and long, and she wanted Sandy to be comfortable. Now this became no ordinary dog house. It was much larger than it needed to be, and I would often crawl inside and keep Sandy company.
When my mother began her project, some of the neighbor men came to see what she was doing. They laughed at the thought of her being able to accomplish the task. That laughter made her more determined to do a good job. Before long, their laughter stopped. My mother was doing a perfect job. Those very men, who had laughed so hard at her, began to bring her siding and roofing materials. They had to admit that she was able to not only finish it, but to make it perfect.
Just as my mother continued to build, despite what others were saying, so we are to build up God’s church on this earth. Paul tells us, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Cor 3:11-17
As we share God’s Word with those about us, we are working hand in hand with the One Who gave His all for us. We are co-laborers with the Great King of the Universe! What a privilege! What a blessing! Think of it! We can be laborers together with God! (1 Cor 3:9) Yet, we are a part of God’s house. He is our sure Foundation, the Chief Cornerstone! Yet, He is a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence. Peter speaks of this: “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:4-9 Paul adds, “And we are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Eph 2:20-22
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Eph 3:20,21
Rose