And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, (Or ‘disorderly’, or ‘undisciplined) encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
Ah, this verse leaped out at me this morning. I don’t know about you but I never know what my day is going to hold. I live with a person who is an emotional roller coaster. When this person is happy the whole world is smiling, the flowers blooming, the sun is shining and life is sweet. But when this person is on the downward side of the coaster, life is… just hard. (And that is a major understatement)
Today, this verse is for me. In my walk as a parent.
I know that Paul was not referring to Susan, the parent when he wrote these inspired words…but nevertheless, they are for me today.
As a parent I need to admonish the idle, the disorderly or the undisciplined child. To warn the child who is being wayward, inconsistent or following their own will. I need to esteem the children when they have put in a good effort- not easy praise but an acknowledgment of their work, effort and attitude.
In fact, after praying and asking the Lord what I need to teach the children today He showed me this passage…and whilst this verse leapt out at me the whole passage is very applicable.
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
1 THESSALONIANS 5: 12-18
- Know my children. Observe them.
- Be at peace today…cultivate an atmosphere of peace within the home.
- Warn and admonish the disorderly or undisciplined child. Encourage the child when they are downcast.
- Acknowledge their efforts and attitudes.
- Help them, serve them.
- Be patient.
- Teach them not to repay evil for evil.
- Encourage them to good to one another.
- Rejoice!
- Pray, without ceasing- develop an attitude of prayer submitting everything to the Father.
- Give thanks…encourage the children to always give thanks.
But first I must examine my own heart before I can attempt to teach the children about such things. How is my attitude? Do I need to repent of any attitudes? I need to apply this verse to my own life before I open my mouth. So I’m going to be busy today eh? What about you? What lessons does Father have for you today?
Hi Susan,
I think that it’s important to always examine ourselves first before trying to teach our children. :-))
Blessings,
Jillian
Morning Susan.
I have been reading through Thessalonions myself this past week, and those same verses have struck a chord with me. Such great lessons to be had there.
Hey Susan, thank you for sharing your heart today! xxx
hmmmm….been reading the Proverbs this week and control of the tongue and using it wisely is what’s been leaping out at me:)
Children keep us on our toes don’t they, help us grow and mature like nothing else don’t they!
Isn’t it marvellous to think that God has given us each of our children. Us, not any other parents! He knows our strenths and weaknesses. May you find all the answers in Him.
Delete the last one Susan here is the rest without Blockquote
……….I am not in typical FULL TIME ministry (like a preacher pastor etc) but I am a minister of the gospel in my capacity as mum, wife, Educator Childbirth etc (oh you know what I mean)……but I am constantly constantly reminded that I will breed what I am and my lack (yes my good spiritual assets too)…………..
One thing God has spoken load and clear is that we MUST strive to become mature……..not just evolve, any teenager can become a parent, but can they nurture, teach, mentor, father and disciple unless they mature???
How about this scripture…….only yesterday I read it and freaked out James 1:2-3………..Count it all joy when you fall into trials knowing that testing of your faith produces patience blah blah……but wait v:4 is the killer
LET PATIENCE HAVE ITS PERFECT WORK…………….THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT AND LACKING NOTHING………………..another meaning or translation for perfect is MATURE……..
wow that zinged me………my lack of patience and what I just thought was my personality (impatient etc) actually equates to my immaturity and lack of growth as His disciple. Shame on my laziness…………I want to be PERFECT/MATURE and lacking nothing
……anyway forgive my ramblings, …………..teachers are abundant fathers are few……
I had a trial earlier in the week with a teenager. In the end I just had to tell him he couldn’t open his mouth. Just stop.
I really like these verses. I am going to print up a copy for handy reference. Thanks.
Thanks dear ladies, for your encouragement. Just knowing that I’m’ not alone makes things seem a little easier at times, although I hope that doesn’t make me sound like an evil sicko.
As regular readers will know, I have a child who has turned their back on God and the ways of our family. This child is not easy to parent – in fact, is absolutely constant- the rebellion against everything we believe, do and are is very difficult to live with daily. But the above verses encouraged me and gave me strength.
I am very blessed with what Cathy shared… that is spot on. I often wonder if my prodigal son is the fruit of any laziness on my part – parenting or spiritual or otherwise. We can’t change the past, but we can sure learn from it.
Thanks Susan 🙂
ps. absolutely no inference (re my last comment) that your situation is due to laziness Susan. We can be the perfect parent but we can’t control our children to be what or whom we desire. Just my own mental struggles with questions like ‘could I have done things differently” etc etc. Just thought I would clarify, lol.
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for your comments…I’m sure there may be a time when it is needed to examine the why and when of prodigal children…but I know that for us, it probably isn’t right now. Right now, I am still smack bang in the middle of the situation and I need God’s grace to get through each day…God’s grace and any arrow prayers that anyone wants to offer 😉
thanks!