A Child?s First Image of God
How will it affect our children as we are attentive to the words of the heavenly Father?:? http://talk.thelife.com/2006/06/15/a-child’s-first-image-of-God/
Please open your Bible and read:
(Ephesians 5:1 – 2)
A child?s first image of God is his earthly father. We Christians spend a lot of time discussing ways to protect or improve our witness. We need to live our faith in front of co – workers and friends, but in the privacy of our home, we also want our family to see Jesus in us. If we show forgiveness, patience, and acceptance, then our children will expect to find those traits in the Lord.
In a similar way, negative behaviors – for example, consistent harshness, busyness, or emotional neglect – also shape a child?s view of God. I remember a young man who came to me worried about his salvation. He had received Christ as his personal Savior but wasn?t convinced that he was truly forgiven. When I opened the Scriptures to share some assurances with him, he responded, ?I believe them, but I?m just not sure God?s promises apply to me.? He seemed surprised when I then asked about his relationship with his father. During our conversation, it came out that his dad had often made promises he failed to keep. Now, years later, the son lacked certainty that God would keep His word.
Being a reflection of the heavenly Father requires no special skills; the only training guide we need is the Bible. By approaching fatherhood as an area of service and ministry, all men are able to be successful dads. As with any service rendered for God, the Holy Spirit offers fathers wisdom and guidance in the raising of children.
Be attentive to the words of the heavenly Father, and someday your children will rise up and call you blessed.
About the Author
This devotional was written by Dr Charles Stanley. Read more about him here: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/charles-stanley/
Related Reading
A father’s presence
http://www.mentodayonline.com/family/fatherspresence.html
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Just as we are so important to God that he sent his Son to die for us, so our children need to know that they are important to us. When our children were young I set up appointments with them individually to take them out for lunch (no competition for my time from siblings). Now I do it with my gradnchildren. You can just see how important they feel that they are my “special guest”.