GOD’S WORD FOR MARCH 4 ~ ~ Proverbs 22:6~ ~ “Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he grows older he will not abandon it.”

Ephesians 6:4~ ~ “And, you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

The screech owl is one of the smaller members of the owl family. At first, it seems strange that it should be called what it is, because, unlike most owls, the screech owl seldom makes a sound.

Usually the screech owl is a little friend to most animals. However, when it is time to raise a family, the community must beware of their little friend. Screech owls don’t build nests; they simply look for a good sheltered place to lay their eggs and protect their young. This could be a natural hollow in a tree or an abandoned woodpecker nest.

After about 28 days, the eggs hatch into very loud and demanding baby screech owls.

The parents spring into action, because they know that if their youngsters get hungry, they will eat each other right in the nest! So parents pay single-minded attention to their young’s needs.

They will raid area bird houses and even attack people. In one instance, a screech owl came down a chimney and yanked a canary out of its cage to take back for its hungry youngsters.

I don’t think very many parents will let their children go hungry in this nation. But, do Christian parents feed their children spiritually as well as materially?

Are they given spiritual FOOD in the form of knowledge of God’s great justice, grace and love?

Don’t teach them to love themselves. Love of self will come naturally and be nurtured by the enemy and the world. Teach them to love the Lord, and serve other people in His name. Teach them that when they’ve received Christ’s atonement for their sins, they become princes and princesses of the King of the universe! But they must first be taught to admit their sins and repent of them.

Are they given GUIDANCE by their parents, to make sure that they know how to acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and to know what that means in their lives? It is the only way to salvation. It is the parents’ responsibility to make sure they know that, because the world will tell them about many false ways!

Are they given the TOOLS they need to grow that knowledge? Because you can’t always be with them. Make sure they know how to read the Word, to study it, to use a concordance, etc., and do word studies. Direct them to Christian radio so they know where to go for teachings if they can’t find a good church.

Are they given ENCOURAGEMENT to stand strong in their schools and among their friends? Pray for courage for them, and for singleness of mind so they can withstand what others will say.

Are they encouraged to tell about Christ among their friends, and given the RESOURCES to find out how to do that? Always have tracts on hand, and teach them to know how to present the gospel to others. Make sure their friends see how important Christ is to you in your home when they visit.

Are they given the DISCIPLINE at home so that they know how to discipline themselves when they get on their own, developing their conscience to withstand the deception that they inevitably will experience in the world, and learning to respect authority, which will help them humble themselves before the great authority of God. It will be a very difficult world for the next generation. That is not a guess, it is for sure. Deception will be strong, and they will be weakened unless they are taught to stand firm in the Word of God.

Proverbs 1:15

“My son, do not walk on the way with them. Keep your feet from their path,”

Proverbs 3:6

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”

These are the questions that parents now need to ask themselves. Because, the very eternity of their children depends upon what the parents do now.

Be a spiritual screech owl parent!!!

Luke 18:15-17

Now they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for the little ones, saying, “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Psalm 34:11

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Psalm 78:6

So that the generation to come would know, the children yet to be born, That they would arise and tell them to their children,

Psalm 127:4

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

Like one Bible teacher says: If the parents’ aim is good, the childrens’ lives will hit the mark.

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