InstaEncouragements Blog

Parenting: the Job That Never Ends

3/29/2019

How do we parent adult children?

I used to think that parenting was hardest when my children were so dependent on me for everything, which started when they were infants. However, as my children grew up, went off to college, and then moved out of the house I realized parenting became a whole lot harder. I know that must sound strange because I no longer dressed them, helped them with homework, transported them to ballgames, cooked their meals, or did their laundry.

So what makes parenting adult children so difficult?

You are no longer their authority.
You are no longer a part of their decision making.
You are no longer a part of everything they do.

Of course, as Christian parents our goal is to help train our children to be productive, independent, God-fearing, young people. So, while they are in our home we try, by God’s grace, to point them in right directions and help them set right priorities.

Once they are on their own, our parenting role changes drastically.

At this point in their lives the best thing we can do for them is pray.

Pray they have wisdom.
Pray the have discernment.
Pray they continue to love the Lord.
Pray they have godly friendships and spouses.
Pray they fill their days with good activities.
Pray about your relationship with them.
Pray, pray, pray.

Many Christian parents are heartbroken because of prodigal children. Parents should be reminded that the verse,

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

is a principle found in Proverbs and not a promise. Once our children become adults they are accountable to God for their choices. Parents are not to blame for these choices.

What is the parents’ role at this point?

Pray that God changes their hearts.
Pray that the Spirit convicts them of their sin.
Pray that godly people will cross their path and influence them.
Pray, pray, pray.

What if you are a young parent?

Follow biblical principles in rearing your children.
Point them to the gospel every chance you get.
Help them learn to love God’s Word.
Be a godly example to them.
Teach them how to walk with God.
Pray they are a blessing to others.
Pray for their Salvation.
Pray about their Christian growth.
Pray, pray, pray.

“He [God] commanded our fathers, that they should make them [commandments] known to their children.” Psalm 78:5

There are no perfect parents.

We must depend on God’s guidance and grace.

Pray for wisdom.
Pray for insight.
Pray to be spirit controlled.
Pray, pray, pray.

Patenting is truly a gift from God.

We are stewards of special treasures. We should make the most of every moment. From infancy through adulthood we need to trust God with our children realizing He loves them even more than we do. And continually we pray, pray, pray.

“Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17

Download this 30-day prayer challenge from Revive Our Hearts, and start praying for your adult children today!

In just one month's time you will have prayed for them in areas like salvation, growth in grace, love, honesty and integrity, self-control, love for God's Word, justice, mercy, respect, biblical self-esteem, faithfulness, courage, purity, kindness, generosity, peace-loving, joy, perseverance, humility, compassion, responsibility, contentment, faith, a servant's heart, hope, willingness and ability to work, passion for God, self-discipline, prayerfulness, and gratitude

What is your prayer today for the adult children in your life?

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16 Names of God & What They Mean

3/26/2019

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16 Names of God and What They Mean All throughout Scripture God reveals Himself to us through His many names. When we study these names that He reveals, we better understand who God is. The meanings behind His names reveal the character and nature of the One who bears them.

"Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His majesty is above earth and heaven." Psalm 148:13

In Old Testament times, names were given not only as identification, but many times a special meaning was attached to the name. All throughout Scripture God reveals Himself to us through His many names. When we study these names that He reveals, we better understand who God is. The meanings behind His names reveal the character and nature of the One who bears them.

Who is God to you? Is He your Most High God, All sufficient One, Master, Lord of Peace, Lord Who Will Provide? Is He your Father, you Jehovah Raah, the Lord your Shepherd?

El Shaddai el shad-di' Lord God Almighty
El Elyon el el-yone' The Most High God
Adonai ad-o-noy' Lord, Master
Yahweh yah-weh Lord, Jehovah
Jehovah Nissi yeh-ho-vaw' nis-see' The Lord My Banner
Jehovah-Raah yeh-ho-vaw' raw-aw' The Lord My Shepherd
Jehovah Rapha yeh-ho-vaw' raw-faw' The Lord That Heals
Jehovah Shammah yeh-ho-vaw' shawm'-maw The Lord Is There
Jehovah Tsidkenu yeh-ho-vaw' tsid-kay'-noo The Lord Our Righteousness
Jehovah Mekoddishkem yeh-ho-vaw' M-qadash The Lord Who Sanctifies You
El Olam el o-lawm' The Everlasting God
Elohim el-o-heem' God
Qanna kan-naw' Jealous
Jehovah Jireh yeh-ho-vaw' yir-eh' The Lord Will Provide
Jehovah Shalom yeh-ho-vaw' shaw-lome' The Lord Is Peace
Jehovah Sabaoth yeh-ho-vaw' se ba'ôt The Lord of Hosts

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EL SHADDAI el shad-di'
All-Sufficient One, Lord God Almighty

Use: In the Old Testament El Shaddai occurs 7 times. El Shaddai is first used in Genesis 17:1.

Meaning: El is another name that is translated as "God" and can be used in conjunction with other words to designate various aspects of God's character. Another word much like Shaddai, and from which many believe it derived, is shad meaning "breast" in Hebrew (some other scholars believe that the name is derived from an Akkadian word Šadu, meaning "mountain," suggesting strength and power). This refers to God completely nourishing, satisfying, and supplying His people with all their needs as a mother would her child. Connected with the word for God, El, this denotes a God who freely gives nourishment and blessing, He is our sustainer.

Further references of the name El Shaddai in the Old Testament: Genesis 17:1; Genesis 28:3; Genesis 35:11; Genesis 43:14; Genesis 48:3

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4 Ways to Help Your Child Develop Healthy Relationships

3/22/2019

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Developing relationships is a continuous part of life. From an early age, friendships are made—some for the short-term, others for a lifetime. Your child will make friends, and unless he or she is guided by the wise advice of loving parents, they can easily make friends with the wrong people.

The choice of friends during the formative school years can, and often does, influence a child for they'er entire life. A vital part of parenting is laying out a biblical foundation for your child to follow when selecting friends.

The Bible plays a vital role in how we should choose our friends. What better advice can a child, or a parent, receive than the wisdom and knowledge contained in the pages of Scripture? From Genesis to Revelation, principles and examples of good friendships, like David and Jonathan, provide Christians guidance in building healthy relationships.

Two instructive verses that parents and children alike should take note of are:

"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." Proverbs 13:20

"Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals." I Corinthians 15:33

These are just two of the verses that will give you and your child insights to biblical guidelines for selecting godly friends and developing healthy relationships.

Join the movement and download the free Character Trait Worksheet today!

Get started today, helping your child develop healthy relationships, by downloading this Character Trait Worksheet. The worksheet will take you and your child on a walk through the book of Proverbs with fill-in-the-blanks for 14 verses that will help develop healthy relationships.

"One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor [friend], but the way of the wicked leads them astray." Proverbs 12:26

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

4 Ways to Help Your Child Develop Healthy Relationships:

Evaluate relationships in the light of God's Word. Avoid giving your child a checklist for selecting friends. Instead, have them develop a list of character traits they should look for in their friends. These characteristics can be based on their personal study of Scripture. Don't attempt to choose your child’s friends for them. Teach him or her how to best choose their own friends. In doing so, you will help them see that they must be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16). Obviously, if your child makes friends with someone who has serious, known character flaws, you need to carefully monitor that relationship. In some instances, you may even need to expose your child’s friend for their true worth. Help your child understand the power of uplifting or demeaning characteristics in their friends as these characteristics will either uplift or demean your child.
Invite your child’s friends into your home. Be the home that your child's friends want to hang out at. This allows you the opportunity to observe their behavior and listen to their speech. It's best to invite just one child at a time. Take some time to play and communicate with your child’s friend. Get a feel for their character. Build a relationship with your child's friend, AND their parents. Get to know them. Insights can be gained by interacting and observing the effect they have on your child. Once children get comfortable, they tend to reveal their true personalities. Inviting them into your home may infringe on some of your evenings or even a weekend, but this investment of time will always be a benefit.
Discuss the behavior of your child’s friends. Don't allow this to become a time of criticism, but instead, make it an opportunity to explore the dynamics of peer to peer relationships. Emphasize accepting and loving others as Christ loves us. At the same time however, honestly evaluate any characteristics that are not Christ-like. This is the time to explain to your child the strong influence that friends have on us and the importance of choosing godly friends. Though you have the final word on who your child spends time with, honestly examine with them how each of his or her friend’s character traits could affect their life. There may be some friends your child wants to share Christ with, or offer encouragement to. Cautiously allow them these opportunities. Some of the relationships your child pursues may require extensive parental involvement. Be willing to set the example of loving as Christ loved. Encourage a balance of friends—some that will lift your child up spiritually, and some who your child lifts up spiritually.
Involve your child in friendship-making activities. A Bible-believing church, Christian school or homeschool groups, and Christian camps are all excellent places to begin. Some traditional organizations and athletic teams offer activities that will expose children to positive friends as well. Do be aware though, that not every child attending a Christian activity will be a positive influence on your child. Evaluate each individual according to the Scriptural guidelines that you and your child have determined to establish the kind of friend he or she will be to your child.

Evaluate relationships in the light of God's Word.
Invite your child’s friends into your home.
Discuss the behavior of your child’s friends.
Involve your child in friendship-making activities.

Friends play an undeniable part in the growth process of our children. In today’s fast-paced society, it is easy to assume that our children’s friendships will take care of themselves, or that Christian friends are always safe for our children. These are not wise assumptions. As in all other aspects of life, our children must be taught how to evaluate relationships in the light of God’s Word.

Listen Up! Kids Sermon Notes & Prayer Journal

We love this sermon notes and prayer journal, and you'll love it too!

Listen Up! is a one-year journal of pages intended to help your child learn to listen to the message of the sermon while sitting in big church. This is a GREAT IDEA FOR EASTER BASKETS!!! Buy it here.

Fun designs will draw in your child to want to fill in the blanks and answer the questions. The journal style enables your child to take ownership of their learning and realize that this is something they can do. Big church is not just for the adults. The questions move from simply stating who is speaking, about what, and where to find it in the Bible, to what do I need to find out more about and think about how to apply what they've learned.

Space is also provided for your child to record their prayer requests as they are encouraged to watch and pay attention to how God answers our prayers. Keeping these notes and prayers in one journal through the year will allow your child to look back and see the amazing things they have learned and the ways God has answered their prayers and worked in their life.

This journal is likely to become a keepsake you and your child will treasure for years to come! Here's a peek at a few of the inside pages.

We, as parents, have the responsibility of teaching our children how to choose good friends and develop healthy relationships. So, what do you do to assure that your children have the tools they need to do this?