TUESDAY 06·
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).
Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Imagine that as a Christian parent or a minister of the Gospel, your son or daughter isn't living according to the training that you gave him or her in the Word. There may be some who'd be quick to judge and say, "So-and-so's parents are Christians, yet he behaves like a sinner." If this happened to you as a parent, don't be moved by what others may be saying.
Challenges come to everybody; so at the time you're facing your own challenges, stay focused on God's Word, and put your faith to work. Soon enough, that child will come into the right place and be all that God destined for him to be. Even the time others might have thought he lost will be regained, because God said, "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer worm…" (Joel 2:25). So in such matters, don't allow the negative sentiments of others dissipate your faith.
God gave us His Word so that no matter what we see or hear, we're not distracted; we stay focused. After all, as students, we were not Doctors, Lawyers, and Architects whilst in the university. We were in school, being trained for what we were going to be. If someone saw you while still in school and said, "Hey, you don't look like a Doctor, Lawyer or Architect," you'd probably have replied, "I don't look like it yet, because I'm in training for it."
In like manner, we're all still being trained by the Spirit of God through the Word to be all He's destined us to be. If you already have children, keep training them in the Word. Even when it looks like they're not imbibing the culture of the Word, keep at it. Recall what we read in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Give some time; the results of the training will be evident.
Never give up your faith because of the negative opinions of gainsayers; learn to live by the Word. No matter what you see or experience, your faith will triumph. Glory to God!
Prayer
Dear Father, my faith increases as I give myself to the study of your Word. Teach me to take advantage of the grace that's in Christ Jesus, and to live a life of faith that is based on your Word, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Further Study: 2 Corinthians 2:14; Mark 9:23
: Romans 8:18-39 Psalms 70-73
: Ephesians 6:1-9 Isaiah 56