Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Monday January 12, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Genesis.

Today's Message: Train A Child by God's Word.
We seldom realize the effects of our disobedience carries on to our children. As Christian's, it is important to train a child by the Word of God. Our best and only defense is to read and obey all of the Word of God.

Today's Bible Reading: Genesis Chapters 34-36
You can read the chapters online by clicking the link above, if it does not work with your browser you can copy and paste this link to it: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2034-36&version=9

Jacob's one and only daughter was defiled and her brothers schemed to get revenge on the man. Dinah's brothers Simeon and Levi, violently took out their revenge upon the inhabitants of the city, murdering and destroying everything that they saw. "And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her..............And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males. And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister." (Genesis 34:1-2,25-27).

Godly parents often become so involved with achieving material goals that they neglect to train their children in a godly manner, often neglecting to teach them spiritual responsibilities during their teachable years. This often results in worldly attractions gaining control of their children's hearts and leads to heartbreaking consequences. Proper training can be accomplished only by teaching them to read and obey the Word of God.

We can learn from Jacob that material success is no assurance that we are in the will of God. The greatest lesson we can learn from Jacob's tragedies is that he didn't give up when his situation looked hopeless, instead, he turned to God. "And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went." (35:1-3).

There were thre things that Jacob said to his family that are important for us learn as well.
1. Put away the strange gods. Strange gods are anything that takes us away from following God's commands, this can be a hobby, job, or even a person. Old sinful habits must be forsaken in order to get right with God. "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." (I Corinthians 8:6). Place God at the center of all that you do and you will set an example for your child to follow.

2. Be clean and change your garments. We are to be cleansed by the blood of Christ, when we repent and call on Jesus He will wash us clean and give us new garments. "No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse." (Matthew 9:16).

3. Worship only God. God needs to be at the center of everything that we do, He wants us to enjoy life, but He also wants us to seek Him and obey Him while doing so. "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Luke 4:8). Participation in church worship is a very important way in which God can speak to us, through Bible study, hymns of praise, sermons, and presenting our tithes and offerings, and in participating in the sacred sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

We too need to be reminded of how we began our walk with the Lord, trusting Him for help, strength, and guidance. But, as time passes and God continues to bless us, often we lose the sense of urgency or the same simple dependence upon God that we had in the beginning. That is when God brings trials into our lives in order to get us to see that we need Him always, not just when we are weary.

Today's Psalm: 32:7-8
"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
You are the Lord of my life, thank You for reminding me that I need to place You at the center of all that I do. I know in doing so that I will be blessed far beyond what I even image. Help me to stay faithful to Your Word and to obey Your commands so that I am an example to those who are around me. Help me to be a good servant and teacher. In Jesus' name.........Amen.

Have a blessed day/night.
God Bless You,
Christina

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