Open Heavens 26 September 2015: Saturday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Children Are Your Tomorrow

Topic: Children Are Your Tomorrow [Saturday 26 September, 2015]

Memorise: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.- Proverbs 22:6

Read: Genesis: 18:17-19 (KJV)

17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Bible in one Year: Leviticus 14:33-15:33, 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:22

MESSAGE:

The greatest of a person can be influenced by a father-figure – whether biological or spiritual. No wonder the Bible in Proverbs 17:6 says:

“Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.”

A child is expected to be a better version of his or her parents. Your child is supposed to be a new, improved you. Your child is your future, hence, losing your child amounts to losing your future, while gaining your child is gaining your future. You can lose your child not necessarily to death but to sin. As unsaved or backslidden child erodes the future of his parents. This is why you must invest in your children. They are your tomorrow. I cannot understand why a parent will be competing with his or her child. How can a father say that he does not want any of his children to surpass him? If you children cannot surpass you, then you have failed. That is why Jesus in John 14:12 says:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

You must be everything legitimately possible to prepare your children to have a better tomorrow.

Some parents do not mind playing “Father Christmas” with other people’s children, but they remain stingy and tight fisted with their own children. A man who was trained by his parents or relatives to secondary school level who now refuses to train his own children to at least that same level is a curse to his family. Some parents do not mind spending money to buy expensive clothes for weddings, funerals and other frivolous things, but when it comes to paying the school fees of their children, they will say they have no money. What are your priorities in life? Did your children beg you to bring them to the world? Why would you neglect them after bringing them to earth? Do you know that there are very many unbelievers who never had the opportunity of going to school, particularly women, who resolved in their heart to see that their children would be educated, and God made a way for them? Today, they have made graduates out of petty trading. How can it be said of you – a believer, created in the image of God and blessed with children of destiny, that you denied your children quality education? Far be it from you! Ensure you prepare your children for a better future. You cannot afford to disappoint God in this area!

Key Point: The greatest legacy you can give your children is first Jesus, followed by a good education up to university level. Others are extras.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

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