4. Family Devotional: Peter in His Home

Family Devotional: Peter in His Home

Author: Harry Foster

Reading: Mark 1:29-34.

    It is quite clear that Peter was a family man. It must have been difficult for him, finding serious sickness at home just when he wanted to show hospitality to his newly found Lord; so, instead of helping Jesus, Peter had to ask Jesus to help him and his family.

    This the Lord promptly did, by healing his mother-in-law so completely that she was able to prepare a meal for the party and serve it herself.

    By the time the meal was eaten most of Capernaum‵s citizens were gathered around Peter‵s front door, and many found healing from Christ‵s own hands.

    So we see that before Peter went out to work for Christ in the world, he had a testimony to the Lord‵s sufficiency there in his own home. This is where we should all start.

3. Devotional: This Experience Must Come

Devotional: This Experience Must Come

Author: Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

And he saw him no more. (2 Kings 2:12)

    It is not wrong to depend upon Elijah as long as God gives him to you, but remember the time will come when he will have to go; when he stands no more to you as your guide and leader, because God does not intend he should. You say—‘I cannot go on without Elijah.’ God says you must.

    Alone at your Jordan. v. 14. Jordan is the type of separation where there is no fellowship with anyone else, and where no one can take the responsibility for you. You have to put to the test now what you learned when you were with your Elijah. You have been to Jordan over and over again with Elijah, but now you are up against it alone. It is no use saying you cannot go; this experience has come, and you must go. If you want to know whether God is the God you have faith to believe Him to be, then go through your Jordan alone.

    Alone at your Jericho. v. 15. Jericho is the place where you have seen your Elijah do great things. When you come to your Jericho you have a strong disinclination to take the initiative and trust in God, you want someone else to take it for you. If you remain true to what you learned with Elijah, you will get the sign that God is with you.

    Alone at your Bethel. v. 23. At your Bethel you will find yourself at your wits’ end and at the beginning of God’s wisdom. When you get to your wits’ end and feel inclined to succumb to panic, don’t; stand true to God and He will bring His truth out in a way that will make your life a sacrament. Put into practice what you learned with your Elijah, use his cloak and pray. Determine to trust in God and do not look for Elijah any more.

2. Parenting Devotional: Good Parenting

Parenting Devotional: Good Parenting

Author: H. Norman Wright

Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent] and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6, AMP).

    There are so many books about parenting. We hear about permissive, restrictive, neglectful, and authoritarian styles. Which is best? What are parents to do? Here are some answers from Jack and Judith Balswick:

    While some parenting styles encourage growth and are empowering, others hinder or block growth either by fostering dependency or by expecting self-reliance prematurely.

    Early attempts to understand parenting styles made a distinction between permissive versus restrictive parenting. Proponents of the permissive style, while not rejecting the need for discipline, stressed that a child‵s greatest need is for warmth and security. Those holding to the restrictive style, while not rejecting parental affection, emphasized that a child‵s greatest need is for discipline, responsibility and self-control.

    In hundreds of studies done on parenting styles over the last thirty years, two factors—parental control and parental support—have emerged as the most important elements in good parenting. The term parental control means that you, as a parent, actively provide guidelines, set limits, direct and redirect your child‵s behavior in some desired direction. The term parental support refers to the affirmation, encouragement, and general support that you give to assure your children that they are accepted and cared for.

    Some parents are great at teaching right behavior but not so good at following through in their own lives. In effect they tell their children, "Do as I say not as I do." Children will understandably feel resentful when parents fail to live by the standards they preach. Children recognize the incongruence and may be disrespectful or rebellious when parents make demands.

    On the other hand, parents who model right behavior but never provide explanations and good reasons for the values and beliefs they hold are also lacking appropriate skills. It is important that parents guide, equip, and empower their children by taking time to give the whys of the behavior they expect from them. It’s balance we‵re looking for, perhaps best described as a disciplining role.

    What type of parent are you?

1. Hymn: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

Hymn: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

Author: Ira F. Stanphill (1914–1993)

(Vocal)

(Music)

(Sheet Music)

1. I don't know about tomorrow,
    I just live from day to day.
    I don't borrow from its sunshine,
    For its skies may turn to gray.
    I don't worry o'er the future,
    For I know what Jesus said,
    And today I'll walk beside Him,
    For He knows what is ahead.

Refrain:

Many things about tomorrow,

I don't seem to understand;

But I know who holds tomorrow,

And I know who holds my hand.

2. Every step is getting brighter,
    As the golden stairs I climb;
    Every burden's getting lighter;
    Every cloud is silver lined.
    There the sun is always shining,
    There no tear will dim the eye,
    At the ending of the rainbow,
    Where the mountains touch the sky.

3. I don't know about tomorrow,
    It may bring me poverty;
    But the one who feeds the sparrow,
    Is the one who stands by me.
    And the path that be my portion,
    May be through the flame or flood,
    But His presence goes before me,
    And I'm covered with His blood.