Lord, help each of these children to liberally gain the wisdom that You promise to give them.  May they learn to ask and seek your guidance.       James 1:5

                                                                                                In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What is wisdom?  Webster says that wisdom is “the ability to understand what is right, true, or enduring; good judgment; knowledge.”  Being wise means, “sound judgment marked by deep understanding”.

Take a moment to read and meditate on 1Corinthians 1:18-31.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”  Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

These verses show us that there is a difference between the wisdom of man and the wisdom of God.  God’s wisdom is unfailing.   We must pray that we and our children are given the gift of godly wisdom for His glory alone.

Godly wisdom will help you to see the children in your life as God sees them.  Godly wisdom will help you guide and parent your children in the way that God has chosen for you.

There is no cookie-cutter method of parenting.  We have learned that the hard way at times.  With so many children, we have to take the time to listen to God about what each one needs.  We don’t always know what to do, but God promises that if we ask for wisdom He will give it.  And He will give it to our children, too, making them wise beyond their years and wise beyond this world’s standards.

Lord, may these children know that You, who began a good work in them, will bring it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.                     Philippians 1:6

                                                                                                                      In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 How many times have I prayed this prayer for my children?  Countless.  I have prayed this with great joy at times, and with desperation at other times.  He began the work when He created them.  He continued the work when I taught them about Jesus and His love.  The first time they sang, “Jesus loves me, this I know…” it was part of the good work He is performing in them.  And it is He who will bring it to completion.

On that last day, they will stand complete in Him, and I will marvel at the good work.

Even on bad days, days filled with doubt, I will choose to remember—and believe that He is true to His word and His good work.

Lord, may these children learn to do their work heartily, as working for the Lord and not for men.    Colossians 3:23

                                                                                                                                In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Hard work is becoming a lost art.  We want everything to be easy and convenient.  But neither ease nor convenience are the best teachers.  We must make our children learn to work hard and do their best, even if no one notices.  If they do not learn to work hard, they will be handicapped in the future.  The real lesson, however, is learning to do their work for Lord, offering their efforts to the Lord and trusting Him to crown them with success.

That can be a hard lesson for us, too.  Let your example of hard work motivate your children.  But more importantly, may they see that everything you do you do it for God’s glory, not your own.

Day 7:  He Is Able

Lord, I praise you, for I know that by Your mighty power at work within us, You are able to accomplish far more that we could ever hope, or dream, or imagine.  May you be glorified in each of the lives of these children.         Ephesians 3:20

                                                                                                                                                   In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Do you believe big things for the children in your life?  Do you believe that He is able… able to keep them from falling, able to transform them, use them, lead them, protect them?  He is indeed able—able to do far more than we could ever imagine.

This is one of those verses that I cling to.  It is hard to believe beyond what we see.  But, after all,  that is what faith is.  I often say to my kids when they are having a problem, “God is the Creator of the Universe.  This is not hard for Him.  Though this is a huge deal for us, it is easy for Him.”  Let’s choose to trust Him today, not just with our children, but with every aspect of our lives.  He is able.

Day 6:  God-Esteem

Lord, help these children to know that they are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works!       

                                                                                                        Psalm 139:14

                                                                                                In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

We constantly hear that children need a good self-esteem.  But I want my children to have a good God-esteem.  I want them to see themselves as God sees them, a wonderful work of art—a masterpiece.  Self-esteem will fail them, God-esteem will not.

Maybe today you need to know that, too–that you are fearfully and WONDERFULLY made.  Fearfully does not mean in fear in this passage.  It means with respect.  God made you with great care and respect and He made you to be wonderful.  And you are.  And so are your children.

But we don’t always feel that way do we?

Just because we don’t feel something doesn’t mean it’s not true.

If the wind is blowing we don’t feel it if we are not outside.  But just because we are not outside, does not mean that it is not true that the wind is blowing.

Let’s get outside of ourselves and our negative thinking about ourselves.  Let’s believe God’s Word and let it transform how we see ourselves.  Feeling will follow after.  And our example of a good God-esteem will be an agent of change in how our children view themselves.